Brewers compared
Coffee makers
There is no best coffee machine. There is the one that fits your morning. Eight routes to the cup, without the sales talk.
For espresso the way it is meant to be
Espresso machine
The espresso machine in portrait: single boiler, heat exchanger, dual boiler, what they cost, which accessories you need and why the grinder matters more than the machine.
One button, freshly ground beans
Bean to cup machine
The bean to cup machine in portrait: what it can do, where its limits are, why the espresso tastes different from a proper espresso machine, what matters when buying and how much care is really needed..
The carafe for everyone
Drip coffee machine
The drip coffee machine in portrait: why most units brew too cold, what makes a good machine, the brew ratio for a carafe, thermal jug against hot plate and when an expensive unit pays off..
Convenient, small, expensive per cup
Capsule machine
The capsule machine in portrait: what it does well, what the coffee costs per cup, which capsule systems exist, the waste problem and which alternatives are almost as convenient..
The most honest tool
Pour over
The pour over in portrait: cone, flat bottom or ceramic, which paper, which kettle and why pour over is the method that shows origin and roast most clearly.
Full body for little money
French press
The french press in portrait: glass or stainless steel, which size, how the metal mesh shapes the taste, why it is so forgiving and which beans taste best in it..
The Italian classic
Moka pot
The moka pot in portrait: how it works, why it does not make espresso, aluminium against stainless steel, the recipe without bitterness and the mistakes almost everyone makes..
The plastic cylinder with cult status
AeroPress
The AeroPress in portrait: how it works, the standard and inverted methods, the recipe for a clean, full cup, why it is unbeatable while travelling and what it cannot do..
At a glance
Eight routes to the cup
| Brewer | Price | Effort | Time per cup | Milk foam | For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Espresso machine | 300 to 3,000 € | ●●●●○ | 3 to 5 minutes | steam wand | Espresso, Cappuccino, Flat white |
| Bean to cup machine | 300 to 2,500 € | ●○○○○ | 1 minute | automatic | Espresso, Caffè crema, Cappuccino |
| Drip coffee machine | 30 to 350 € | ●●○○○ | 5 to 8 minutes | no | Filter coffee, A carafe for several people |
| Capsule machine | 60 to 300 € | ●○○○○ | 30 seconds | automatic | Espresso style, Lungo |
| Pour over | 10 to 80 € | ●●●●○ | 4 minutes | no | Filter coffee, Light roasts |
| French press | 15 to 100 € | ●●○○○ | 8 minutes | no | Filter coffee with body, Cold brew |
| Moka pot | 20 to 90 € | ●●●○○ | 5 minutes | no | Strong coffee, Mocha style |
| AeroPress | 30 to 50 € | ●●●○○ | 2 minutes | no | Filter coffee, Concentrate for milk |