Coffee Machine: Buying Guide

A helpful guide for buying a new coffee machine

Every coffee lover deserves a coffee machine in the comfort of their own home. Whilst it may seem costly to invest in a coffee machine, you’ll save a fortune at the drive through! No more queuing up in coffee shops, you’ll be able to create barista quality coffees whenever you need one.

Once you’ve decided to invest in a coffee machine, there are lots of options to choose from! Choosing your model depends on several factors. These include your budget and style, which functions you prefer and also which brands you like.

Our coffee machine buying guide will help you find the perfect model to suit your needs and preferences. Find out everything you need to know about coffee machines below!

Coffee Machine Installation Types

First of all, we’ll take a look at the different types of coffee machine installation. Freestanding coffee machines come in a range of styles, sizes and colour options. You can place a freestanding model anywhere that is near to a plug socket, giving you more freedom of choice. A built in coffee machine on the other hand, is designed to be installed into a tall housing unit. The benefit of built in is that you can match your machine to your other appliances, creating a sleek and cohesive appearance. A built in model also keeps your counter space free!

Coffee Machine Buying Guide: Types of Coffee

Once you’ve decided whether you need a built in or freestanding machine, the next thing to consider is what type of coffee you like.

Many built in or fully automatic coffee machines can make a whole host of different speciality coffees. You can choose between using beans or freshly ground coffee depending on your preference. From macchiatos to mochas, cappuccinos to lattes, you can impress your guests with a variety of options.

Bean to Cup Coffee Machines

There are many benefits to choosing a bean to cup coffee machine. One key advantage is the freshness and flavour you get. Using coffee beans which are freshly ground means you get the best aroma and flavour, just like you’d expect from your favourite coffee shop. Another benefit of using beans is that they are more environmentally friendly than using pods, which can also be more expensive.

Choosing a bean to cup coffee machine means you can also adjust the coffee quantity, strength and grinding level. By tailoring these settings to your preferences, you can create a bespoke coffee setting which you can enjoy again and again. One of our favourite bean to cup coffee brands, Jura have some top tips to becoming an at home barista. Find out how to create the perfect latte art, discover great pairings and more from the coffee specialists themselves!

Espresso Coffee Machines

If you can’t function without your morning espresso, and no other type of coffee hits the spot, an espresso machine is an essential! An espresso machine forces hot water through finely ground coffee beans, creating highly concentrated coffee. Espresso machines come in a variety of colours and sizes. You can opt for a single espresso maker, or even an espresso maker featuring a grinder in order to achieve that barista quality coffee in your kitchen.

Filter Coffee Machines

Whilst some of us need that short and strong coffee hit, others prefer a slow and steady stream of coffee throughout the day. A Smeg retro drip filter coffee machine can store a capacity of up to 10 cups in its glass carafe. You can keep your coffee warm for up to 40 minutes with this style of machine. Handy if you’re hosting friends as you can keep their coffee topped up regularly with minimum effort. Our range of drip filter coffee machines have a distinctive retro style, which is perfect for this classic type of coffee.

A Smeg Retro Drip Filter Coffee Machine finished in blue

Pod Coffee Machines

Of course, there is one coffee machine type we’ve not yet mentioned. Pod coffee machines are a low cost and low maintenance option which is why they are very popular. If you enjoy a variety of coffee types like macchiatos and cappuccinos, there are lots of different pods to choose from. This type of machine is handy if you want fuss free coffee with consistent results. The downside? You cannot adjust the strength of your coffee to suit your preferences. True coffee lovers will also tell you that you don’t get the same flavour, intensity or aroma from pods. Freshly ground beans provide a completely different coffee. Ultimately, whichever type of coffee you favour is down to personal preference. Another consideration is the environmental impact of using coffee pods, as you cannot recycle coffee capsules with your household recycling.

Fancy a Quiet Coffee?

When you need a coffee to kickstart your day, the last thing you want is a noisy machine waking up the rest of the house. We have a range of Quiet Mark certified coffee machines which are independently tested and rated as the quietest models on the market. Lower decibels and less vibration mean you can make a brew in peace, bliss!

Coffee Accessories

Once you have perfected the art of home brewed coffee, you’ll want the accessories to further enhance your experience. From coffee grinders to cup warmers, we have everything you need to get the very best out of your brew.

Conclusion

To summarise, when it comes to choosing a new coffee machine, there are several factors to consider. What type of coffee you prefer will be the biggest deciding factor, however it is also important to think about your available space. Do you have enough free worktop space to house a bean to cup machine? If you’re designing a whole new kitchen, would it make sense to add the matching built in model to sit alongside your oven and microwave? Some people prefer a speedy espresso to give them an energy boost before the daily grind. Others enjoy a pot of fresh coffee to hand throughout the day whilst working from home. You may want to consider how often you’re hosting visitors. Being able to make more than one coffee at once can be handy when you have friends round for a weekend catch up. Whether you’re a real coffee enthusiast or simply experimenting with new flavours, having a good quality coffee machine is always a great addition to your home.

Hopefully our coffee machine buying guide has helped you choose your new model. If you have any questions or need further advice, give our sales team a call or pop into our Nottinghamshire showroom. See some of our coffee machines on display, even try one of our Jura coffees before you buy! Our team of experts are on hand to help.