Which Kind of Coffee Machine Is Best For Your Home
Coffee is the second most popular hot drink in the UK, closely following behind tea as a drink of choice. While tea is the beverage we are most known for drinking in the UK, many people love the bitter, dark brew made from coffee beans for its flavour and its stimulating effects. It is quickly becoming a firm favourite with most of us, and even though tea will always have a place in our homes and workplaces, coffee is a truly crowd pleasing option as there are so many ways it can be enjoyed depending on your personal taste.
For those who love coffee, a trip to the local coffee house can be a daily essential or an occasional treat. Buying coffee from a chain is notoriously expensive and can end up costing you a lot of money over time. Many people prefer to be able to make barista quality coffee at home as this is much more cost effective, and means you can tailor everything about your drink to be just to your liking.
One of the best ways to get your hands on great quality coffee at home is to invest in a coffee machine. There are many different kinds, and choosing the right one for your home depends on how you usually like to take your coffee, how much time you mind spending making a drink, and what your budget can stretch to. Once you have thought about this, you can then go on to look at the various options for coffee makers.
There are quite a few different kinds of coffee maker, and each one will be better suited to one use or other. Read our guide to the different kinds of coffee machines on the market to give you a good idea of the kind that will best suit your needs.
Pod coffee machines
An office favourite, pod coffee machines are one of the most popular in the UK. They are automated and all you need to do is make sure there is water in the tank and a coffee pod in the machine. The simplicity and convenience of these machines is what makes them so popular, and there are many brands offering different kinds of coffee pods in a range of styles and flavours. This means it is super easy to switch up your pods and try something new whenever you feel like it.
Ground coffee machines
Ground coffee machines are a classic favourite, and are perfect for the home. You can get more control over the coffees you make when using a ground coffee machine, and you can even find automatic coffee machine models which allow you to make genuinely great coffee easily and authentically. As these machines use any kind of ground coffee you like, they are usually cheaper per cup than pod machines which can be very expensive in comparison. Choose a ground coffee machine if you would like a higher level of control over the drinks you make in terms of size and strength. Many also come with inbuilt milk frothers which give you even more scope for personalising your drinks.
Bean to cup coffee machines
A bean to cup coffee machine is perhaps the best option for those who are very serious about their coffee. You can have freshly ground coffee every day as the machine includes a bean grinder to create the perfect, fresh tasting brew. This means you can always have coffee made to your liking without risking your ground coffee becoming stale too quickly as you only need to grind the exact amount you need to make your drinks. Most bean to cup machines have digital displays and come programmed with several different coffee recipes so you can choose whatever takes your fancy at any time.
Which machine is right for you?
Whichever machine you choose, you need to make sure it has all the features you need and that it will be convenient for you to use every day. If you want something instant so you can grab your coffee and get out of the door first thing in the morning then a pod coffee machine might be the perfect choice, as the other kinds tend to take a little longer to make a drink.