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Sip, sip, hooray!
Do you remember the first time you had coffee? Not your first cup, which was about 90% cream and sugar because you were 13, but the first time you truly tasted coffee. You took a sip, grimaced and said, “Ugh, gross,” and immediately went back in for another sip. Since then, you’ve probably ironed out exactly how you like your morning cup of joe, but the beauty of being human is that no one is truly alike, and that includes your coffee order. Whether everyone in your household or office likes their coffee a different way or you’re still tweaking your perfect cup, a combination coffee and espresso machine is a staple every caffeine connoisseur should have in their kitchen.
More of a “one brew type” kinda person? Check out our recommendations for the best espresso machines and cold brew coffee makers.
To find the best coffee maker and espresso machine combos, we turned to our friends at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Their team of on-staff experts—which includes all types: engineers! data analysts! registered dietitians!—rigorously put everyday products to the test (and then more and more tests) in their New York City-based labs to determine which ones you can trust. Their kitchen techs conducted rigorous tests on a variety of coffee machines that they identified as the most popular based on their availability, brand reputation, and reviews. Then, they evaluated each model’s user-friendliness, cleanability, performance, consistency of temperature and volume, noise while in operation, taste, and even splatter and drip tests. Based on their findings, we’ve identified the models that we think will keep you happy (and caffeinated) for a lungo time. These are the best coffee and espresso makers you can buy in 2022.
Do you tend to change your coffee order with your mood? Regardless of your coffee preferences, you’re bound to satisfy your caffeine cravings with the De’Longhi All-in-One Coffee & Espresso Maker, which offers a drip coffee function, espresso pod compatibility, and built-in milk frother for cappuccinos or lattes.
The Good Housekeeping Institute calls this machine “as sleek as it can get,” but they’re not just talking about the classic design—it features two water reservoirs to seamlessly brew drip coffee and espresso (though it didn’t brew as hot a cup as other options during testing). Furthermore, the De’Longhi All-in-One comes fully equipped with one- and two-cup espresso filters, so you can make up to two cups of espresso at a time. This maker isn’t dishwasher-safe, but it’s still relatively easy to hand-wash thanks to its detachable flip-top lid and wide opening.
Just because you may be brewing on a budget doesn’t mean you aren’t entitled to strong, silky-smooth coffee. That’s why you should consider the intuitive and functional Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe, which can produce a frothy crema and up to 14 ounces of everything from single or double espresso to lungo with just the touch of a button. (In fact, one of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s testers “didn’t even need to add milk, although that’s how she normally drinks her coffee.”)
Though it may be a tad loud, it makes up for any shortcomings with its consistent temperature and volume, 19-bar pressure system, and a sleek, modern design (which is made from 54 percent recycled plastic and includes a removable 60-ounce tank). The VertuoPlus Deluxe only takes Nespresso’s VertuoLine premium pods, but with nearly 30 flavor options to choose from, you’re sure to find something you like. And when you’re done enjoying your drink, you can mail any used pods back to Nespresso to be recycled.
They should’ve named the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Starbucks,” because you’ll be shocked at the coffee quality this super-automatic machine produces. You’ll have to put in a little bit of effort to get it up and running, but it’s all smooth sailing from there: From grinding beans to tamping and brewing, this maker does it all, and the Good Housekeeping Institute found it produced a “smoother… rounder” and “nicely hot” cup compared to other models (though they thought the crema was a little thin).
In addition to offering 19 bars of pressure and an intuitive touchscreen control panel, you can choose from 16 drink options and three frothing settings with enough time to choose your preference before the magical brewing experience begins. Plus, maintenance is a breeze: The Dinamica Plus rinses when turned off, the detachable milk hopper is simple to clean and fill, and this machine even reminds you to clean the thermal milk jug (and offers a pre-programmed cleaning setting to do so).
On the hunt for a coffee and espresso maker that can do it all? Consider your search over, because the Mr. Coffee All-in-One is here to brew all kinds of coffee with four size settings. Use the 15-bar pressure system to produce a single or double shot of espresso (which the Good Housekeeping Institute’s panel described as “smoothish”), brew drip coffee in the 10-cup thermal carafe, or make lattes and cappuccinos with the built-in milk frother. You can also pop your favorite K-cup into the single-serve attachment, but just know that the test panel said it “takes a little under two minutes to brew because it doesn’t produce a steady stream of coffee.”
There’s more to the Mr. Coffee All-in-One than just multiple brewing options, though—it’s also a breeze to clean and refill (thanks to the 55-ounce detachable water tank) and the sound indicator lets you know when it’s done brewing. This machine even has the capacity to stow away the included tamper, espresso maker, and single serve attachments in its storage tray.
You don’t have to be a skilled barista to make a scrumptious cup of coffee. If the thought of using a coffee machine makes you a little uneasy, consider a user-friendly model like the Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine. With just the touch of a few buttons, you have full control over every beverage you brew, from strength and size to even amount of milk added to your drink.
This feature-packed maker is also a breeze to store and clean thanks to its removable water reservoir and milk frother attachment, which forgoes a straw. No matter which of the five drink options you choose, you’re sure to be just as impressed as the Good Housekeeping Institute’s kitchen tech experts, who praised the Philips 3200 Series for producing a “flavorful but light-bodied” brew.
Most coffee and espresso makers don’t travel well, but that’s not an issue for the AeroPress, which espresso enthusiasts and coffee connoisseurs alike applaud for being easy to pack, clean, and store, with all pieces easily fitting into a single gallon-size plastic bag.
Simply place this brewer filter-side down over your mug, fill it with hot water (and your favorite ground coffee beans, of course), and then push the removable plunger down through the plastic tube to fill your cup with up to eight ounces of fresh java.
Though the AeroPress does require brand-specific paper filters, they give you 350 when you buy it to get started, and you’ll save more money in the long run by not having to purchase pricier single-use pods.
Boasting plenty of brewing options—including classic, rich, and even iced coffee—and a wide array of size settings, the possibilities are truly endless with the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker With Glass Carafe. Perfect for those who prefer an espresso-based drink (as opposed to straight-up espresso), this machine even offers a specialty brew function to make concentrates for lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos.
The Ninja Specialty may not make the most robust coffee compared to our other recommendations, but we still like its speed and thoughtful details, including a fold-away milk frother, a two-hour keep-warm feature, an intuitive control panel, and a “drip stop” feature so you can pour yourself a cup mid-brew.
It also includes a removable water tank with side handles for an easier grip and a measuring spoon that attaches to the side of the machine so you don’t have to worry about losing it. Bear in mind, however, that the glass carafe is not dishwasher-safe and has a small opening, which the Good Housekeeping Institute noted “may be hard for larger hands to get in and clean.”
Everyone loves the convenience of a pod coffee maker, but when you throw in the ability to make hot or iced espresso-based drinks in four different sizes, don’t be surprised if all your neighbors suddenly start “popping by” for random visits. The Good Housekeeping Institute’s testers found the Keurig K-Café was simple to use and consistent in brew time, preheat time, temperature, and volume.
However, despite brewing scrumptious lattes and cappuccinos and boasting convenient features like a “strong” brewing function and a built-in milk frother, the panel found the espresso was “bland,” weak, and “burnt in one test” (though it “seemed to get hotter as more cycles were brewed”). Sure, the K-Café leaves a bit of splatter on the counter and doesn’t automatically deposit used K-cups into a collection container—so you’ll have to dispose of them yourself—but we think these clean-up issues are minor when you consider its overall user-friendliness.
Espresso requires a different brewing process than other types of coffee beverages, so espresso makers typically can only make espresso. Though the level of effort you’ll need to exert depends on whether the machine is automatic, semi-automatic, or super-automatic (and don’t even get us started on manual), the gist is that these models use some serious pressure—usually about 15 bars—to force hot water through your coffee grounds…which requires a bit more finesse than your average drip or single-serve options.
If that has you questioning if an espresso maker is worth it, since they can get pretty pricey, or if you prefer to keep your options open, a combination coffee and espresso maker is a good compromise. Furthermore, if you prefer espresso-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos while other members of your household just want a simple cup of joe, these multifaceted machines can make a bunch of your favorite brews right in the comfort of your own home.
If you’re wondering which coffee maker is best for home use, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some factors to keep in mind when shopping for the perfect coffee and espresso maker to fit your home and lifestyle:
Brewing Options: Variety is the spice of life, so if you like to change up your coffee order depending on your mood (or depending on how much sleep you got last night), you could benefit from a coffee machine that can offer you plenty of flavorful brews. Many combination makers offer everything from classic espresso and drip coffee to even more modern features like iced coffee and pod compatibility. Though the price of these models tend to increase with the more you add on, many offer precise customizations that can elevate your experience, including adjustable strength, temperature, and cup size options.
Quantity: Speaking of cup sizes, not only do different machines have the capacity to make just the right amount of coffee for a tiny espresso cup or your favorite travel mug, but some have even more to offer. Many combination coffee and espresso makers have the capacity to make multiple cups of coffee at a time, with some options even being able to fill an entire carafe. However, this may be too much if you live in a smaller household or don’t have a lot of space in your kitchen. Luckily, there are also more compact options available that can make a few cups at a time instead. You can even opt for a single-serve model if you just want to drink one cup at a time and aren’t as concerned about authenticity and depth of flavor… or the monetary and environmental cost of constantly having to replenish your supply of coffee pods. Overall, be sure to take your lifestyle into account when making your decision, as well as how long you’re willing to wait before you get that morning cup of joe—after all, it takes a lot less time to produce one cup of coffee than it does 10 or more!
Features: For starters, you’ll want to decide exactly how much energy and cash you’re willing to spend. For beginners or busy bees who don’t want to do much more than grind and tamp your beans before pushing the brew button, an automatic maker is a solid choice. However, if you truly don’t want to lift a finger and money is no object, a super-automatic machine has all the functionality of an automatic maker and then some—including a wider range of programmable settings and the ability to measure, grind, and tamp your beans. Finally, semi-automatic options require a bit more of a learning curve, but they’re generally a good happy medium in terms of effort and price. (Plus, they offer the most consistency out of the three.) If you want to make espresso-based drinks efficiently, you might want to opt for a model that comes with a built-in milk frother or steam wand, but you can save both time and money if you pick up a separate tool and steam and froth your milk yourself.
Similarly, some machines come equipped with self-insulating thermal carafes that can conveniently keep your brew warmer and fresher for longer. However, if you live in a larger household where a refillable carafe would be ideal, but aren’t as concerned about temperature retention, you can find a happy medium with a model that has a glass carafe. At the end of the day, it all comes down to how much convenience you’re looking for, and then seeing which coffee and espresso maker offers the most for your budget.