Whether you're a sandal-sporting bearded barista or a regular joe looking for a regular cup of joe, we've tried the best coffee machines around so you can get your caffeine fix in style
Whether you prefer a good-old-fashioned Americana or have acquired a taste for a sugar-free, vanilla soy latte with chocolate on top, these machines will make every hit of caffeine worth the wait. We've pulled together a selection of the most desirable countertop coffee machines around that are packed with clever barista-style tech.
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WIRED Recommends: Sage by Heston Blumenthal Oracle Touch Next Generation
Sage
Pros: Impressive crema
Cons: Takes up countertop space
Cons: Takes up countertop space
Our top picks is this automatic bean-to-cup machine gives you a satisfying hit of coffee in a range of popular styles - simply swipe the interactive touchscreen and choose between coffee favourites including Latte, Espresso, Americano, Flat White and Cappuccino.
The 2.5L, 15-bar pressure machine comes in a stylish stainless-steel finish, and although it takes up a lofty 45cm height on your worksurface, its body has a sleek design that you'll want to show off in your kitchen space.
A useful function is its ability to adjust the coffee strength, milk texture and temperature to suit your taste. Once you've found your ideal blend you can then save your personal settings on the machine along with a unique name and picture - this makes it easy to find the next time you walk into your kitchen bleary eyed and in need of a pick me up. You and other household members can create up to eight of these personalised coffee settings for instant access to your desired brew throughout the day.
This machine is particularly good if you like milky cappuccinos and lattes, as it creates brews with an easy-to-drink velvety texture. Its steam wand has the ideal pressure to draw in the air and create thousands of tiny bubbles, which turns milk into a silky smooth micro-foam that is perfect for creative "latte art".
£1,999 from johnlewis.com
Best for frothing milk: Jura E80 Bean-to-Cup
Jura
Pros: Built-in water filter for pure-tasting coffee
Cons: Water filter will need replacing regularly
Cons: Water filter will need replacing regularly
Using a pulse extraction process and multi-level precision grinder, this machine is designed to pack maximum flavour into every cup. Its 15-bar pressure piano black design works by pressing water through the coffee grounds in small bursts, forcing it around each ground to give you great-tasting coffee.
The 1.9L machine also has a built-in Claris smart water filter to create the purest possible espresso, and an indicator will alert you when it needs replacing. And it only filters water as needed to minimise wastage.
Pre-set functions for rinsing the machine and its foam frother, as well as descaling the body makes this design easy to keep clean, too.
£1,100 from lakeland.co.ukYou can personalise this machine by programming it with up to 12 different coffees - all easily accessible at the touch of a button. You can tailor the settings and choose from up to eight coffee strengths depending on your mood. If you're short on time or have guests waiting for an after-dinner pick-me-up, you can also make two coffees at a time.
Best for smart features: De'Longhi PrimaDonna Class
De'Longhi
Pros: Bluetooth technology for on-the-go control
Cons: Price
Cons: Price
With its Bluetooth technology, this compact bean-to-cup machine can be controlled via a dedicated Coffee Link app while you're out and about (if you must), or just while sitting on your sofa. Or you can also use the 3.5in colour touchscreen to make yourself a cup of java.
The thermal carafe with double wall will keep milk at the ideal temperature, too, so you can avoid luke-warm brews. To keep this stainless-steel design in tip-top condition throughout its use, it has a drip tray with a removable brewing unit and dishwasher-safe grid.Programme the machine to personalise drinks for up to six users by simply choosing your strength, length, temperature and type of milk froth as required. The "LatteCrema" system will make sure the froth is silky and smooth. There's also the option for instant "one-touch" drinks, providing the optimum temperature to make drinks such as a cappuccino, latte macchiato or espresso.
£1,099 from delonghi.com
Best Nespresso Machine: Nespresso Lattissima One
Nespresso
Pros: Easy to use
Cons: Limited choice of coffee type
You can choose from two coffee sizes - espresso or lungo - and two milk recipes for a cappuccino or latte macchiato. The flavours you can try from the Nespresso portfolio, however, are vast - from the 'sweet and light' Volluto to the 'long roasted and velvety' Dharkan.If you're keen to be part of the Nespresso club, then this latest design is worth considering. With its sophisticated finish - in Silky White or Mocha Brown colourways - it's streamlined in style and simple to use, featuring one button to prepare your coffee from black Americanos to frothy lattes.
It has been designed for a single serving of coffee, so it will use the total amount of milk in the container at a time to limit any waste, while a low-energy mode comes into play after nine-minutes of no use. LED alerts for descaling and cleaning, and a speedy 25-second heat-up time completes its impressive spec.
£219 from nespresso.com
Best for variety: Krups EA9010 Espresseria
Krups
This 15-bar, bean-to-cup design gives you a variety of coffee types in an instant and makes for a clever buy. It includes a 1.7L removable water tank so you can enjoy an ample number of brews before having to refill it - a handy feature if you have a long day ahead.Pros: Comprehensive one-touch selection
Cons: Price
The machine also comes with 17 one-touch coffee options for speed and convenience. If none of those tempt you, however, you can make use of its colour touchscreen and program the coffee quantity and temperature to your exact taste.
Its in-built Thermoblock system creates the ideal temperature for your coffee, while specific settings for coffee strength, water quantity and temperature give you added control over your joe.
You can also make use of the height-adjustable coffee dispenser that fits a variety of cup sizes, which is useful for making tall lattes at elevenses or full-bodied espressos at cocktail o' clock.
Best for Wi-Fi capabilities: Smart Coffee 2nd Generation£1,399 from johnlewis.com
Smarter
Pros: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and other smart home connections
Cons: No milk frother
Cons: No milk frother
The second-generation model from Smarter is compatible with iOS and Android and links to an app to let you control of your drink from wherever you are - be it in bed or out on your morning run. It comes with three interchangeable front panels (red, cream and black).
Over time, the app learns your routine and remembers when you have your coffee, so it's waiting for you in the kitchen when you want it the most. It also has a Wake Up mode and lets you set an alarm to brew your drink at the desired time.
You can personalise your settings to choose coffee strength and coarseness of the grind - which all have influence on the flavour of your drink - and you can adjust the amount of coffee it makes in its 1.5L glass pot.
The app lets you check the water level in the coffee machine, so you know when its time to top it up. A warming plate will keep your brew hot for up to 40 minutes, so if you decide to do another lap around the park before you return home your coffee will still be at temperature.
£175 from cuckooland.com
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