A delicious cup of cappuccino, latte macchiato or espresso at the push of a button? You can do that with a fully automatic coffee machine. But how do you find the right one for your own needs? TECHBOOK explains how to find the best fully automatic coffee machine for you.
For many people, a fully automatic coffee machine is pure luxury: With just the push of a button, it serves a wide variety of coffee specialties on request. From latte macchiato to americano, almost anything is possible. Having such a device in your own kitchen is a must for many coffee lovers. But what should you pay attention to when buying? What must such a machine be able to do and what can it cost? TECHBOOK explains the most important components of a good fully automatic coffee machine – and how you can find the right model for you.
The price: How much does a good fully automatic coffee machine cost?
Almost every discussion about good fully automatic coffee machines starts with the price: doesn’t it cost at least 1000? As an interested person, you hear this number again and again – and yes, it is no problem at all to spend so much money on a really good machine. But it is also possible with significantly less. You can now get a decent device for around 300 euros. Of course, the more budget you have for the purchase, the higher the quality of the materials, the smarter the design, and the more durable the components. Nevertheless, it can also be done with less financial effort.
Tip: At the beginning of your search, determine what you want to spend maximum on a fully automatic coffee machine. Decide on a price range – ideally with a margin of around 150 euros. If you have time: Wait for special offer days, such as Black Friday in November. There are almost always good fully automatic coffee machines on offer here!
Size, style and features: What does a good coffee machine do?
In addition to the price, the size of a fully automatic coffee machine also plays an important role – and not just because it naturally takes up a lot of space in the kitchen at home. The size of a vending machine also determines how much water fits in the water tank. Here you also make the decision yourself: How much space is available to you? How many people drink coffee regularly? You can choose between small models with a capacity of around one liter or larger ones with a capacity of well over two liters.
The style is also very individual: the more expensive the machine, the higher the quality of the look. And of course it makes a difference in design whether you look at brushed steel or a plastic bezel. But inexpensive does not always mean unsightly: Whether retro, matt or modern – there are many styles and designs in every price category.
The functions go into depth: the more money you spend, the more convenient a fully automatic coffee machine becomes. These are the most important basic functions that every machine needs:
- Selection of the number of cups/amount of coffee
- Selection of the degree of grinding
- milk froth/steam
Depending on the scope and price, additional functions are then added, such as:
- (Color) display with touch function
- Direct selection of coffee specialties
- Favorites/Profiles
- hot water for tea
- cleaning program
The grinder: For the best taste
The special thing about fully automatic coffee machines: They grind the coffee beans to a fine or coarse powder directly before preparation. Depending on the degree of grinding, the coffee is stronger or weaker. In any case, it has a much more aromatic taste than most other types of preparation. The coffee beans are ground in the grinder of a fully automatic coffee machine – in most cases this is conical or disc-shaped. There are also impact grinders, but they are now outdated. These are the differences between cone grinders and disc grinders:
cone grinder: It is quieter than the disc grinder and uses less heat to process the coffee beans more gently. But it is also more expensive.
disc grinder: Processes the beans very evenly, but also minimally affects the aroma due to the increased heat development.
In addition, grinders can be made of steel or ceramics. Steel is considered to be a much cheaper option, but it is also louder. Professionals rely on ceramics – but that also increases the price of a machine significantly.
A notice: Too much heat during the grinding process has a negative effect on the aroma – because heat releases bitter substances. And good coffee should never taste bitter!
Also read: 5 fully automatic coffee machines in the test with video
The brew group: The heart of the fully automatic coffee machine
The brewing group combines the ground coffee powder with the hot water and creates coffee of different strengths from both components. In the brewing group, the coffee is first compressed with a piston (also called “tamping”). Water is then pumped through it. This is one of the most important processes that influences the taste the most – because good coffee needs a lot of pressure. A good fully automatic coffee machine should create at least 9 bar brewing pressure (or contact pressure).
A notice: The longer finely ground coffee comes into contact with water, swells or rises in it, the more unpleasant-tasting substances are released. This makes the coffee bitter or sour. That is why the water in a fully automatic coffee machine should be pressed through the powder as quickly as possible and with high pressure. With other methods of preparation (e.g. the French Press), the coffee beans should therefore be ground more coarsely.
Good fully automatic coffee machines also have good brewing groups installed. But apart from the quality and the brewing pressure, the brewing group must also be cleaned regularly and freed from coffee residues. Most fully automatic coffee machines have a removable brew group that is easy to clean. But there are also some high-quality models that provide permanently installed brewing groups. Here is cleaned automatically with tabs.
Read from our colleagues from myHOMEBOOK: 6 typical mistakes when making coffee
The milk frothing system: It’s seldom comfortable
Not all fully automatic coffee machines come with a milk frothing system – but most do. At least the models that offer coffee specialties such as latte macchiato and co. However, milk systems are always annoying in one way or another, after all milk is a perishable, rather sticky product. If you want to enjoy the good taste of your coffee, you have to deal with the correct handling and cleaning. There are usually two milk frothing systems for fully automatic coffee machines:
Internal milk frothing system: Here, the milk processing is installed in the fully automatic coffee machine. Like the water tank, you fill the milk tank here every day. With an extra nozzle, this is then automatically added to the selected coffee. However, an internal system must be meticulously cleaned – after each use or at least once a day!
External milk frothing system: The external solution, which many users solve with a milk carton next to the machine, is significantly less elegant. An external system usually offers a nozzle that is held in a container with milk. The milk is frothed by the hot steam. Other systems work with a suction system: the milk is sucked into the machine from a container, frothed up and added to the coffee. Immediate cleaning is also recommended here.
Tip: If a connected system is too complex for you, you can rely on an external milk frother. There are now reliable models that are easy to clean and froth milk in different strengths with significantly less effort.
The secret of good taste: the right coffee bean and the right degree of grinding
Of course, a high-quality coffee bean is the most important ingredient for good coffee – but there are no universal recommendations here. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to roasting and flavors. Some swear by the taste of Arabica beans – especially for espresso. Still others prefer Robusta coffee. Both varieties make up the bulk of the coffee market.
If you have found a bean that you like, you should experiment with different degrees of grinding on your fully automatic coffee machine. The degrees of grinding can be very different and range from ten different levels to 25.
In general, the following basic rules apply to the degree of grinding of coffee:
- Normal coffee: Whether it’s a coffee machine or a hand filter – ideally you should buy or grind medium-fine coffee powder for filter coffee. This coffee brews a little longer.
- Espresso: The finer the coffee powder, the stronger and more aromatic the coffee. For espresso, you need a strong degree of grinding, but only a short brewing time and a high brewing pressure.
Read from our colleagues from TRAVELBOOK: This is how much an espresso costs in Europe – 42 cities in comparison
Conclusion: The best fully automatic coffee machines
The selection of fully automatic coffee machines in very different price ranges is huge: from 200 to 300 euros in the start category to well over 1000 euros for real coffee fanatics, everything is possible. Before searching, one should set a budget with a small buffer and then look at the available models. Whether stylish and modern or classic with a retro look – the look is varied and an absolute matter of taste.
The more money you want to spend, the higher the quality of the processing of a fully automatic coffee machine and the more durable the grinder, brewing group and Co. In general: the cheaper the machine, the louder it is – but you don’t have to compromise on the coffee taste. The price also determines the range of functions: for more money there is a display, automatic cleaning and coffee specialties at the push of a button. However, the most important rule for buying a fully automatic coffee machine is: Take enough time to test the different combinations of beans, degree of grinding and quantity – this is the only way to find your personal favorite coffee.