What to look for when buying a new coffee machine

Need a new coffee machine? You’ve probably googled it already, but which one do you choose? We will gladly help you pick the right coffee machine in the jungle of possibilities. The plain, unsponsored opinion of our coffee experts. A guide in one of the most important choice moments of your life

By now you already know us a bit, but unfortunately we do not know your personal situation very well. What are your requirements for a new coffee machine? And how much do you want to spend on it? Would you like to be able to make cappuccino in addition to coffee? Is it a problem if maintenance takes a long time? We’ll  take you by the hand!

How do you drink your coffee?

Do you mainly drink espresso or coffee? Or more white coffee, like a cappuccino or latte macchiato?

Black coffee only

If you only drink black coffee, a milk function is not necessary or you may use a separate milk frother. An espresso machine without a milk frothing function is cheaper.

Coffee with a dash of milk

Are you a fan of cappuccino or latte macchiato? Then choose a coffee machine with a milk container or milk hose. A milk container is connected directly to the machine. You put a milk tube in a jug of milk and you can then easily and quickly make several cappuccinos.

If you only make a cappuccino once in a while, a steam pipe will suffice. With this you steam the milk yourself. You usually get nicer milk froth with a milk nozzle. A steam wand is also easier to keep clean. You can froth the milk in a milk jug but also directly in the coffee cup. A real barista chooses  for an espresso machine with a steam nozzle.

Single, couple or a large family?

Do you want to be able to brew one or two cups at the same time? If you get a lot of visitors or have a large family, you don’t want to have to wait for each other all the time. With some machines you can make two cups of coffee at the same time but not two cappuccinos, so pay attention to this. If you are alone or with your partner, one cup of coffee at a time may be enough.

Bigger is better, right?

What size should your coffee machine be? You can choose a built-in espresso machine or separate machines. Take a good look at the dimensions of the coffee machine and at the room where you will place your espresso machine. A cup machine is often smaller, a fully automatic espresso machine can sometimes be a lot bigger. It would be a shame if your new coffee machine turns out not to fit in your kitchen…

Ka-ching!

How much do you want to spend on a new coffee machine? Consider the costs for purchase, maintenance and of course the coffee itself.

A cup machine or coffee pad machine is inexpensive to purchase and requires less maintenance, but the coffee cups and coffee pads are pricey, so you will be more expensive in the long run.

Bean machines are more expensive to purchase and need to be descaled and cleaned more often. But the coffee settings and variations are much larger and coffee beans are more beneficial than cups or pads in the long run.

Easy-peasy coffee making? Or the perfect flavour?

Do you prefer convenience or the perfect cup of coffee?

Convenience: coffee cup machines or coffee pad machines are very easy, you put a cup or pad in it, press a button and you always have a nice cup of coffee. The taste is constant.

Taste: bean coffee machine are available in fully and semi-automatic coffee machines. With semi-automatic you have more actions: you have to grind the beans and tamp the coffee yourself. You have a lot of influence on the taste of your coffee, but brewing a cup of coffee takes some time.

With fully automatic espresso machines you can also set the machine yourself, such as the grinding degree and the amount of water. The machine grinds itself and you can easily prepare your coffee favourites.

What about those different types of machines?

What is the difference between a “coffee cup machine, semi-automatic espresso machine and fully automatic espresso machine”?

* Do you go for quick and easy? Then you choose a coffee cup machine or coffee pad machine.|
The purchase of the coffee machine and maintenance are low. You can’t adjust the machines to influence the flavour, you can buy different flavours of cups or pads instead. Coffee cups and coffee pods are more expensive than coffee beans, when you convert this to the cost per cup of coffee.

* Do you prefer better quality coffee and convenience? Then choose a fully automatic espresso machine. Purchase and maintenance costs are average. The machine can be well adjusted to your taste and beans are cheaper in the long run. There is a wide range of fully automatic coffee machines to choose from.

* Do you require the best, most beautiful and perfectly adjusted coffee? And you don’t mind having to make it all by yourself? Then go for a semi-automatic espresso machine. You have to perform more actions yourself here, such as grinding and tamping the coffee, which is why a real barista will always choose this. The purchase is high and maintenance is average. The coffee can be adjusted perfectly, provided you make coffee like a real barista