Lever, capsule, drip? A great comparison of coffee machines

Do you love coffee and would like to treat yourself to a morning or afternoon cup in the comfort of your home? In that case, you cannot do without a good coffee maker. Fortunately, you have a lot of options to choose from, depending on what type of coffee you like or what level of "automatic" you require. We will advise you on how to make the right choice.

Cappuccino, espresso, drip coffee or mocha... there are many types of coffee drinks that you can enjoy. But in addition, there are even more ways to prepare coffee, or what kind of device will help you with it.

If you are a fan of the traditional Slovak "turkish", i.e. potted coffee, an ordinary kettle will suffice. However, if you want something more modern or want a more varied selection, read on. We bring you an overview of different types of coffee machines and a comparison of their features.

What types of coffee machines are there?

As in almost all areas of life, the market today offers countless options in the field of coffee machines. It is no longer the case that you have to visit a coffee shop for a quality espresso. Advanced devices will make it for you in the comfort of your kitchen, just by pressing a few buttons. You can choose not only according to the type of coffee you like, but also according to the level of service required or your budget.

The most common categories of coffee machines include:

• Capsule coffee machines
• Drip coffee machines or coffee machines for ground coffee
• Lever coffee machines
• Automatic coffee machines
• Alternative devices that do not belong to the category of electrical appliances

We will now introduce all of these types of coffee makers in detail.

Capsule coffee machine

This type of coffee maker is very popular these days because it is ideal for beginners. Despite the fact that the quality of the prepared coffee may not be the highest, it has won fans mainly for its speed and ease of use. This device uses special capsules filled with coffee (or milk, sugar and other ingredients), which you just need to put in, select the amount of water/size of coffee and press the button. The coffee machine takes care of everything else.

In this coffee machine, it is possible to prepare a wide range of drinks from ristretto to espresso, cappuccino, latte to hot chocolate or various flavoured drinks. However, it is necessary to choose capsules that are compatible with the type of coffee machine. Capsule coffee machines are easy not only to operate, but also to maintain. They usually do not require frequent or demanding cleaning.

Advantages:

• Simplicity and intuitiveness
• Preparation speed
• Consistent taste
• A wide selection of capsule drinks
• Minimal maintenance
• Relatively low price

Disadvantages:

• The price of capsules can be expensive in the long term
• Ecological impact of capsules, which are usually not fully recyclable
• Coffee quality is different from cafe quality
• Limited options and functions of the coffee machine

Drip coffee machine

You can also find this coffee machine under the name coffee machine for ground coffee or coffee machine for filtered coffee. It is a relatively simple device that is similarly intuitive to use as a capsule coffee machine. However, its advantage is that you do not need to buy special capsules. Just fill it with water, pour ground coffee into the filter and wait for the hot water to flow/drip through the coffee into the bottom container.

The drip coffee maker allows you to prepare a larger volume of coffee at once, which is why it is ideal for large families or the office. You can often recognize it from older American movies and series, where filtered coffee was served from a kettle. Advanced models of coffee machines may offer several functions (eg temperature adjustment), but usually the models are very simple. It is therefore suitable for undemanding users who like filtered coffee.

Advantages:

• It is possible to prepare more coffee at once.
• No need to buy capsules or special coffee.
• Ease of preparation.
• Affordability.
• Easy maintenance.

Disadvantages:

• You will not prepare a classic espresso in it, for which you need more pressure.
• It is not possible to prepare other coffee drinks or milk coffees in it.
• The preparation of coffee may take longer due to the larger volume.
• Limited functions.

Lever coffee maker

A lever coffee machine, sometimes also called an Espresso coffee machine, is a typical device for preparing espresso-based coffees. You can find it in every good coffee shop, but in a professional version. Home versions of coffee machines are usually smaller and cheaper, although the price range for this type of machine is quite large - from around 100 EUR to several thousand models. Quality models are made of durable materials, especially stainless steel.

You can prepare classic espresso with a rich taste in the lever coffee machine, as well as other espresso drinks, such as cappuccino, macchiato, latte and the like. Coffee is prepared under high pressure, which usually reaches 9 to 15 bars. Ground coffee must be poured and pressed into the lever, which you then insert into the coffee machine. After pressing the button, hot water passes under pressure through the coffee and into the cup. This type of coffee maker is suitable for coffee lovers.

Advantages:

• You will prepare high-quality espresso and other Italian types of coffee.
• You use ground coffee of your choice.
• Advanced models reach cafe quality.
• Durable materials and long service life.
• You can experiment with different types of coffee, grinding, pressure or water temperature.

Disadvantages

• More demanding operation, requires skill.
• Higher price than in the case of capsule or drip coffee machines.
• Regular maintenance (e.g. descaling) is required.
• Not suitable for beginners.

Automatic coffee machine

The fully automatic coffee machine was designed for users looking for the highest quality coffee with the least effort. As the name implies, the coffee machine does not require demanding operation and can handle most operations by pressing one or two buttons. It usually has a built-in grinder for grinding coffee, so you just need to pour coffee beans into it, add water, and the coffee maker will do the rest by itself.

The automatic coffee machine is also suitable for complete beginners who, however, want to enjoy a good espresso, but also milk types of coffee. Many models can froth milk. These coffee machines are suitable for both homes and offices. Simply wherever speed, quality, variability and simplicity are needed. Regular maintenance and cleaning are required, but this is usually automatic as well.

Advantages:

• Fast, simple and automated preparation.
• Integrated grinder and milk frother.
• Variability of beverage preparation. 
• Always freshly ground coffee.
• Suitable for beginners.

Disadvantages:

• • Higher price – this is the most expensive type of home coffee maker.
• • Coffee machines can be larger and heavier.
• • Regular maintenance required.

Alternative methods

In addition to electric coffee machines, you can also find other devices on the market that can be a cheaper or more convenient alternative. They are, for example:

French press

This device is used not only to prepare coffee, but also tea. It is a very simple principle, where ground coffee is poured into the coffee machine and water is poured over it. After sufficient brewing (about 4 minutes), you press the piston with a fine filter (sieve) and thus separate the coffee beans from the liquid. The result is coffee similar to filtered or drip coffee. This coffee preparation is very simple and variable and allows you to prepare different amounts of coffee according to the volume of the container.

Aeropress

Aeropress is a small portable coffee maker made of durable plastic. It was only invented in 2005, but it quickly gained popularity among coffee enthusiasts. Due to its small size, it is ideal for traveling. Aeropress consists of a cylindrical container, a piston and a strainer with a filter. It uses ground coffee, which is steeped for a short time (1 to 2 minutes) and then pushed into the cup using a plunger. This method offers variability and the possibility to experiment.

Mocha pot

The well-known teapot, also called moka coffee maker is a traditional Italian device for preparing coffee. The device itself is not electric, but you prepare coffee on the stove. The kettle is usually made of aluminium or stainless steel and has several parts. You pour water into the lower part with the valve, insert a filter with ground coffee into it, and screw the upper part. The coffee is gradually forced into the upper part of the container by the pressure. The mocha pot is simple, small and ideal for traveling. You can prepare coffee with an intense taste and aroma in it.

The advantage of these alternative coffee machines is mainly their storage, ease of use, but also their low price.

We believe that we have broadened your horizons in the world of coffee machines and helped you choose the best for your regular cup of coffee. 

However, do not forget to take a look at our offer of other appliances that may be useful to you!