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Here at Homendgarden, we’re partial to coffee machines in all their differing forms.
Whether you want the simplicity of a classic French press, the convenience of a single-serve machine or a more intricate espresso machine, you’re spoiled for choice.
How about if you really can’t decide between brewed coffee and espresso, though?
Well, you don’t need to choose! Today, we’ve rounded up 5 of the best coffee and espresso makers so you can get the best of both worlds.
Here are the multipurpose workhorses we’ll be highlighting today:
5 Best Espresso and Coffee Maker
We’ll get directly down to business with our reviews. After presenting 5 of the best choices on the market for your home and garden, we’ll walk you through how to focus on getting the most appropriate tool for your needs.
Along with Keurig, Nespresso has a stranglehold on the single-serve coffee vertical. This machine shows exactly why that dominance is in effect.
Off the bat, take this machine with or without the Aeroccino frother that makes creamy coffees at home a reality. If you’re tired of boring black machines, this unit comes in a range of colorways to brighten up your kitchen.
You can rack up a wide variety of brew sizes from 1.35oz and 2.7oz single or double espresso right up to a 14oz alto.
Using this machine is as simple as topping up the large water tank, sliding in a Nespresso capsule and pushing a button. Gourmet coffee has never been this easy.
While you won’t get traditional espresso, the proprietary Nespresso Centrifusion tech gives you the next best thing without needing to go to barista school.
Pros.
- Available in multiple configurations with and without frother
- Brew a wide range of sizes from a short 1.35oz shot to a 14oz alto
- Oversized water reservoir and used capsule container for streamlined operation
- Enjoy all the convenience of capsule-based single-serve coffee
- Pack of VertuoLine capsules thrown in so get going right out the box
Cons.
- You’ll need to factor in the ongoing cost of pods
This squat and powerful unit is a space-saver despite packing such versatility under the hood. The 40oz water tank is large enough to save you from constantly scurrying to the faucet while a manual frother is a welcome addition.
If you’re looking for espresso, you get the requisite 15 bars of pressure for excellent extraction every time.
When you want brewed coffee, why not take advantage of the programmable nature of the DeLonghi? Come downstairs in the morning or return from work to a piping hot pot of coffee ready to drink.
A permanent filter comes included so you won’t need to spend out on pricey paper filters that are just as damaging to the environment as your bank balance.
Pros.
- 15 bars of pressure for great espresso at the push of a button
- Manual frother helps you create longer, creamier coffees
- 24-hour programmability so come downstairs to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and you morning drink ready to roll
- Brew pause to snatch a cup while waiting for the carafe to fill
- Carbon water filter for a crisper, cleaner foundation to your coffee
Cons.
- Customer care could use some radical improvements
If you’re looking for an intense shot of espresso to fuel you up for the day, get this at the press of a button. Select whether you want a single or double shot and get that fiery blast of caffeine in less than a minute. 19 bars of pressure is more than enough for a reliable and authentic extraction.
While lip-smackingly good, espresso certainly isn’t an all-day drink. You’re in luck with Mr Coffee as the onboard milk frother broadens your scope to latte, cappuccino, and macchiato.
Both the milk reservoir and water tank slide out for ease of cleaning. If you have some residual milk in the tank, pop this directly into the refrigerator for later.
This machine might not be the most feature-rich but you get everything you need and nothing you don’t at a highly competitive price point. What’s not to love?
Pros.
- 19 bars of pressure for robust and consistent espresso extraction
- Pull a single or double shot of espresso
- Water heats up quickly so minimal waiting time
- Drip tray accommodates tall recipe glasses or travel mugs
- Automatic milk frother for complete ease of use
Cons.
- Not the most flexible of machines but delivers remarkably consistent results
While this brewing method gives you no control, in return you get push-button simplicity with no clean-up required. Beyond that lack of control, though, pods are bad for the environment and the cost can mount if you’re a heavy coffee drinker.
Still sold on the convenience despite the drawbacks? If so, Keurig should be your default option.
Making coffee or espresso is as easy as popping in a K-Cup pod and choosing your drink.
If you tire of using pods or you just fancy a change, this model is compatible with the K-Cup reusable filter. Cut costs and your eco-footprint with this add-on.
Pros.
- Unimpeachable brand heritage
- Make brewed coffee or specialty latte and cappuccino in one unit
- Generous 60oz water tank minimizes refilling
- Optional reusable filter to slash running costs and eco-footprint
- Auto shut-off after 2 hours for safety and economy
Cons.
- Design is underwhelming with rather too much plastic for our liking
Thanks to the brew pause function, you can snatch a quick cup while it’s brewing if you’re impatient.
Once you’ve got your carafe brewed, you can keep it warm for a couple of hours with the integrated hot plate.
Programmable through 24 hours, have your coffee brewed on demand to cut down waiting time and make your life easier.
Although only packing 4 bars of pressure, short of the recommended 9 bars, you can also enjoy serviceable espresso. This won’t be of high enough quality to satisfy real purists but it’s more than acceptable and highly convenient.
If you’re looking for a sleek and versatile espresso and coffee maker combo from a household brand, we’d strongly recommend you check out this gem from Krups.
Pros.
- Make 10 cups of coffee for the whole family
- Enjoy espresso, cappuccino or latte at the push of a button
- Quick heating times thanks to 1600-watt heater
- Programmable through 24 hours so come home to freshly brewed coffee
- Outstanding reputation and impressive build quality
Cons.
- Design is underwhelming with rather too much plastic for our liking
OK ...
Right, with today’s reviews wrapped, we’ll finish up with a concise guide to buying a coffee and espresso maker combo the easy way.
What To Consider When Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker Combo
Buying any coffee machine can be a minefield if you steam in with improper preparation.
Luckily, we’re here to stop that from happening. Focus on the following areas and you’ll find the best coffee and espresso maker combo fuss-free:
- Intended Primary Use
- How Good Is the Espresso Maker?
- Freshly Ground Coffee or Pods?
- Feature Set
- Ease of Cleaning
- Dimensions
- Price/Performance Ratio
Intended Primary Use
Before anything else, what’s the drink you make most often?
If you love espresso more than anything else, prioritize this. Make sure the machine you’re looking at is capable of producing 9 bars of pressure. There’s no need to get hung up numbers above this since you’ll have enough with this baseline.
Are you more partial to brewed coffee? If so, make sure the carafe is large enough for your requirements. Check, too, if you can make smaller batches without impacting quality.
Do you like a wide menu of specialty espresso-based coffees with milk? You should look for a machine with a frother built in if this is your preference. Many offer this feature including some we showcase above.
So…
How about that espresso maker?
How Good Is the Espresso Maker?
If you’re not planning to do more than grab the odd shot of espresso and you’re mainly making brewed coffee, this area won’t be worth bothering with.
If, on the other hand, you love your coffee just the way the Italians take it, make sure the machine you’re looking at can turn out top-notch shots.
Make sure the pump is up to scratch and you have that 9 bars of pressure in place.
Check that user reviews don’t serve up negative feedback about the espresso. If they do, proceed with caution or risk ending up disappointed.
Freshly Ground Coffee or Pods?
Do you like using your favorite roasted coffee freshly ground?
Or are you more of a fan of pod and capsule-based single-serve machines?
All that counts here is considering your own thoughts on the negative aspects of pods and thinking about how much coffee you consume so you can determine which method works best for you.
And there’s a bonus…
If you really can’t decide, some of these combo machines give you the option of using both!
Feature Set
Coffee and espresso maker combos are in essence feature-rich. You’re getting several functions baked into a single powerful appliance so you’re off to a strong start.
As with all coffee machines, features and functionality vary widely and tend to increase along with price. You typically get what you pay for with coffee machines as in most areas.
Think about what else you need in a machine and look out for this on the buying trail. This will yield a more personalized result than simply hunting down the machine offering most bells and whistles. Anything you don’t use is a waste of time and money.
Ease of Cleaning
The best coffee machine is useless if it ends up demanding too much time for cleaning and maintenance.
The thing is, unless properly maintained, coffee machine will let you down in no time. The key is to find a machine that calls for little upkeep.
If you want minimal maintenance, single-serve pod-based machines are the obvious answer. Aside from a simple descaling process every couple months, you’ll need to do little else to keep these machines running smoothly.
Dimensions
By definition, you’ll be getting a space-saving unit with a coffee and espresso maker combo.
That said, machine still vary quite significantly in terms of footprint. Make sure the machine you’re considering fits neatly on your kitchen counter.
Are you planning to pack your machine away at any point? If so, make certain you have room to accommodate.
Price/Performance Ratio
If you focus purely on the bottom line, you might end up disappointed. After all, a bargain is not such a bargain if it ends up dying a few months down the track.
Consider price set against overall performance and build quality. Think about how often you intend to use your machine and weigh all these factors up together. If you do this rather than considering price in isolation, you’re off to a good start.
All we would advise from here is buying the best machine you can comfortably afford without overextending yourself. Let us know how you get on!
A Final Word
You should now have a clear idea of which machines to pop on your shortlist if you want the ability to make short, strong shots of espresso without sacrificing brewed coffee.
We keep our selection of products down to just 5 so we can make your life easier rather than more complicated. After all, who wants guidance on a buying decision only to be confronted by 15 choices all along the same lines? Not us. Here at Homendgarden, we aim to simplify things every step of the way.
Bookmark our site and be sure to pop back soon as we’re constantly refreshing our content to bring you nothing but the best for your beloved home and garden.
