As a self-confessed coffee snob and director of Tom's Guide's The Coffee Lab, I'm always testing out new espresso products. At IFA 2026, I tried nunc., an AI-assisted espresso machine. Yes, an AI espresso machine.

So what does the AI in nunc. actually do? Instead of having to manually dial in your beans, nunc. uses an NFC code to analyze pre-packaged, nunc.-branded beans (you can also use your own beans). Then, the machine analyzes humidity, heat, bean size, and basically every other variable to grind to the perfect particle size. As someone who loves espresso but hates dialing in (why does it take so long sometimes?), I was excited to try this out. But as someone skeptical of AI at best, I had my reservations.

I didn't want nunc. to take away the art of making coffee. That's so human and personalized that it's impossible for AI to copy. Luckily, though, nunc. proved me wrong. Here's what happened when I tried it.

How does nunc. work?

As I mentioned above, every nunc.-branded bean hopper has an NFC code, exactly like a Nespresso Vertuo pod. The machine reads this NFC code to analyze the roast date, roast type, bean type, and processing type, and work out precisely how to grind those specific beans. Then, it analyzes the environment — heat, humidity — to finalize the optimal grind.

This means the grind size will change from morning to evening, or even hour to hour. If you have an espresso at 6 a.m., when the air in your house is dewy and humid, the grind size will be different from your 1 p.m. espresso, sun shining overhead, A/C running.

Of course, if you have the companion app, you can input information about any beans.

How is nunc. different from a normal espresso machine?

In terms of functionality, nunc. works just like any other espresso machine. Think about it like this: it's almost like a superautomatic — Jura, De'Longhi Rivelia — but a totally manual machine. All it does for you is choose the ideal grind size. Honestly, dialling in beans is the worst part of espresso making for me, so I'm completely on board.

You tamp, insert the portafilter into the grouphead, and can pre-infuse the beans yourself. You can either steam the milk automatically (like the Breville Bambino Plus), or do it manually (any other manual espresso machine).

You dispose of the spent grounds yourself; you empty the drip tray yourself. The only part that is "AI" is the grinder.

How does nunc.'s "AI" coffee taste?

nunc. doesn't make "different" coffee. You won't have one sip and go, "Woah, I can totally taste the AI, dude!" It honestly tastes like a human barista was there every step of the way... because there was. You make the coffee.

Here's a shot of my oat flat white.

It looks like a normal coffee. The taste was clean, polished, with a soft, dark-chocolate-like bitterness rounding it out. I wanted a little more fruit, acid, and funk — I like a funky coffee — but this was likely because I didn't choose my beans.

The milk texture was a little too bubbly for me; I like mine more velvety. Like any other espresso machine, though, you can adjust milk texture easily. Just don't aerate it as much.

I expected to dislike it because I'm extremely particular about my coffee, but this went down a treat.

Where can I get nunc.?

So, now's the time for the bad news. As I'm writing this, nunc. is only available in Germany. If you happen to be in Germany, nunc. costs €2,699. For an extra €149, you get a grinder, the machine, a spring-loaded tamper, a milk jug, a brush, and a tamping mat.

That price equates to around $3,135, which makes this one of the most expensive home espresso machines I've ever seen. There's the $3,000 Breville Dual Boiler, but the nunc. out-prices many of the prosumer models like the Lelit Bianca ($2,999) and Fellow Espresso Series 1 ($1,499).

nunc.'s representative informed me there is no release date for the U.S., U.K., E.U., Canada, Australia — basically any non-German markets. Hopefully, it won't be five years before we're seeing nunc. in our kitchens. I would love to play around with this machine myself.

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In the coffee sphere, a select few brands are so well-respected that they elicit a revered gasp when mentioned. Moccamaster is one, as is Lelit, Acaia, and La Marzocco. Of course, this isn't an exhaustive list, and you've also got the universally adored Mazzer and Comandante, which make the best coffee grinders.

Comandante is what I'm going to discuss today. You may have heard of the Comandante C40 MK4, the Comandante C60 Baracuda, or the Comandante X25 Trailmaster. The C60 Baracuda is the priciest option, at around $500-$650 depending on finish, and the X25 Trailmaster is the closest Comandante gets to "budget" — $250. But let's focus on the midrange option, the C40 MK4.

I've owned this coffee grinder for about 18 months now, and I'm seriously obsessed. I use it every day, multiple times a day, and it's simply perfection. While pricey, ranging from $289-$325 at Amazon, I'd seriously pay it for this performance.

What actually is the Comandante C40 MK4?

The Comandante C40 MK4 is a handheld coffee grinder. This means you have to turn the burrs yourself. The hand crank is easy to grip and it comes with a rubber band you can put around the canister to secure your hold. The rubber band is "supposed" to be a wristband but I use it for holding the grinder steady (I'm weak).

So while other coffee grinders are powered by an electric motor, like the Baratza Encore ESP or the Mazzer Philos, the Comandante C40 MK4 is all you, baby.

Hand grinders are generally cheaper than electric grinders. I've tested some as cheap as $60 —like the Timemore Chestnut C2s — but the Comandante is by far the priciest (and best). Naturally, electric grinders can set you back much, much more than the C40 MK4. The Eureka Mignon Specialita is $699, and the Mazzer Philos is $1,500.

As a hand grinder, its maximum capacity is around 50g, but I would only recommend grinding enough for one or two espressos (so 36g) at once. When the bottom canister gets full, you can't grind any more.

Why is a hand grinder worth $300?

The Comandante C40 MK4 is worth $300 because of one reason: materials. The grinder uses Martensitic steel burrs, which is the same material used in sharp surgical instruments. Oh, and the burrs also come with a lifetime warranty. No biggie.

Naturally, this quality material results in excellent uniformity, minimal retention, and low static. These are the three touchstones of a great grinder. You want all your coffee grounds to be the same size, you want the grinder to retain as little coffee as possible, and you don't want your worktop to be covered in sticky coffee granules post-grind.

Thankfully, the grinder excels in all three. Here's a little insight into the grinder's uniformity. Here, I'm checking if all the coffee grounds are the same size. You want big jumps: 0% 300um to 100% 500um, for example.

As you can see, the consistency is excellent. Most granules are the same size, which will result in a better-tasting coffee. If you've got some grains at >300um, but some at 1400um>, this means the coffee will be half over- and half under-extracted. Ergo, no thank you, I'll just drink my water.

Should I spend $300 on a coffee grinder?

If you have $300 to spare and you're into coffee, yes, you should buy this grinder. All that being said, though, if you don't have $300 lying around, then please don't buy an objectively expensive piece of coffee tech. You can still get a good coffee with a cheaper grinder, like the aforementioned Timemore Chestnut C2s.

I love my Comandante C40 MK4, but it's not for everyone. In this economy, I think there are more important things to invest in. Save your dollars for a rainy day!

But if you've got loads of cash spare, then of course you won't be disappointed by this incredible coffee grinder. It's my favorite grinder of all time... I just wish the military branding wasn't so cringe.

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Subminimal is one of the most “Oooh! Aaah!”-inducing names in the coffee world, and the new Subminimal Nanofoamer Go is no different. Ever looked at a milk frother and thought, “Damn, I wish that came with a carry case?” Well, your calls have been answered — the Nanofoamer Go comes with three impellers, ten color options, and, yes, a carry case.

If you’re the kind of coffee drinker who takes your whole setup to a campsite, Airbnb, or simply to the office, this will be ideal for you. While I struggled to achieve the same velvety microfoam I can make on the Subminimal Nanofoamer Pro, the Go can also whisk cream and eggs, so I guess it wins there.

So, is this the handheld milk frother for you? If you value affordability, fancy colors, and portability, I’m leaning towards yes. Are you a coffee snob? Hm… you might want to splurge on the $159 Nanofoamer Pro instead. To find out the full story, keep reading this Subminimal Nanofoamer Go review.

Subminimal Nanofoamer Go review: Specs

Subminimal Nanofoamer Go review: Price & availability

The Subminimal Nanofoamer Go is considerably cheaper than the brand’s other milk frothers — just $37 from Subminimal U.S. and £34 from Subminimal U.K. On Amazon, it's $34.

Subminimal’s Nanofoamer Lithium is $57, while the Subminimal Nanofoamer Pro (my personal milk frother) is $159. While both of these models are better at making straight-up cold foam and microfoam, if you prioritize budget and portability over pure functionality, you’d likely be better off with the Nanofoamer Go. Personally, I prefer the Nanofoamer Pro — it’s much better at making honest-to-God microfoam than the Go, as I’ll get into later.

Subminimal Nanofoamer Go review: Design

As with everything else made by Subminimal, the Nanofoamer Go looks and feels awesome. Alright, the body is quite plasticky, but I don’t mind because it means it’s relatively lightweight and affordable.

But the best part? The colors. While the Subminimal Nanofoamer Lithium and Pro are both available solely in minimalist black, the Go comes in a huge ten colors. And every single one of them looks gorgeous. As you can see from the images in this review, I tested the sky blue version. Had I chosen the color for myself, I would have picked the terracotta or sage shades. Both are pretty enough to win a beauty pageant.

You also get a carry case! The clue’s in the name, but the Nanofoamer Go is intended to be portable. You’re supposed to take it on trips with you. AeroPress with foamed milk at the campsite? Yes, please. As expected, the carry case is the same lovely blue shade, and all the attachments click nicely into place. It’s satisfying to hold and use. I have nothing bad to say about the design here.

Of course, you get three impeller attachments. One is a whisk for thicker ingredients like cream and eggs. One is for mix-ins, like hot chocolate powder, matcha, so on and so forth, and the third is Subminimal’s patent-pending nanofoam mesh. Now, this is supposed to be the “secret” to barista-quality microfoam… but more on that later.

Subminimal Nanofoamer Go review: Performance

I’m just going to rip the Band-Aid off: I didn’t get microfoam with the Nanofoamer Go at all. I tried with dairy and non-dairy milk, heated to varying temperatures, frothed in various ways. I tried on full power, low power; I tried for ten seconds, thirty seconds, two minutes, five minutes, one minute, everything. Did I achieve microfoam? No. No, I did not. Here’s a photo of the closest I got.

As you can see, there are some relatively large bubbles. This is after banging and swirling the milk as you’re supposed to. I was quite disappointed by this. As mentioned earlier, my Subminimal Nanofoamer Pro can make microfoam, so I expected the same of the Go.

I also struggled to achieve velvety cold foam. I frothed this milk for over two minutes and this is the thickest it got. Of course, I was using the microfoam attachment.

However, I was able to get delicious, perfect sweet cream cold foam in just forty seconds.

As you can see, the texture is thick, fluffy, and creamy. This is perfect, Starbucks-approved sweet cream cold foam. My colleagues and I literally ate this with a spoon.

According to Subminimal’s website, you can actually whisk eggs with the Nanofoamer Go… so of course I had to try it out. For science.

Yes, that’s an egg whisked by a milk frother. I don’t eat eggs, so this is a little gross to me, but great if you’re a regular egg whipper.

Subminimal Nanofoamer Go review: Storage & maintenance

As it’s a tiny milk frother — 1 inch by 8 inches — you’ll have no trouble fitting it in your cutlery drawer. This model comes with a handy carry case, which measures 2.1 x 6 x 1.3 inches, perfect for throwing in a camping backpack or keeping in a cupboard. If you’re short on space, I’d go for this model over the Nanofoamer Pro, which is shaped like a jug.

The Go is not dishwasher safe, and you obviously shouldn’t get the body wet. I cleaned it by simply rinsing it under warm water.

Of course, should your cleaning be sub-minimal (see what I did there? No?), you can buy replacement impellers directly from Subminimal for $6.

In terms of longevity, Subminimal offers a standard warranty of one year, which is a little shorter than I’d like. However, this is pretty standard with other $10-$20 milk frothers on Amazon.

Subminimal Nanofoamer Go review: Verdict

The Nanofoamer Go is more than just a milk frother — it can be a pretty little kitchen assistant, too. While this makes it more versatile than the Subminimal Nanofoamer Pro, it’s also not as coffee-snob-friendly. Even though it uses the same micro-mesh as other Nanofoamer products, it doesn’t seem to be able to achieve the same barista-smooth microfoam.

For $37, this is a neat little frother. I’d recommend it for casual coffee drinkers rather than those practising for the World Barista Championships. I would personally save up for the Subminimal Nanofoamer Pro or Lithium over the Go, but that’s because I take my cold foam seriously — and the Pro is much better at making it.

For generic froth, though, the Nanofoamer Go is great. Obviously, you have to heat your milk separately — microwave, stovetop — but if you want a one-stop for whisking eggs, cream cold foam, and milk, I’d go for the Go.

The Philips Baristina is an interesting espresso machine. It’s an automatic, but also not quite an automatic. How does that work, I hear you ask? Let me explain.

So, while it grinds, doses, tamps, and brews without any input from you (aside from you clicking the shot button), you also have to empty the portafilter. Isn’t that the worst part of any manual machine? The coffee grounds always get stuck to my hands. Anyway, if you’re after an espresso machine that does most of the hard work for you, the Baristina could be ideal.

However, the espresso does taste pretty mid, and the price is about $200 more than I’d expect. So, could it be one of the best espresso machines? Hm. I don’t think so. But want to find out the full story? Keep reading this Philips Baristina review.

Philips Baristina review: Specs

Philips Baristina review: Price & availability

The Philips Baristina is $449-$529 from Amazon U.S. and £299-£379 from Amazon U.K. While this price is reasonable enough in the U.K., I would not recommend paying $529 if you’re in the U.S. You don’t even get a built-in milk frother — it looks and feels like a Nespresso Aeroccino standalone milk heater/frother. You can’t customize milk texture at all.

Even though I think the Baristina is overpriced, it’s an automatic machine, which means it’s always going to be pricier than manuals. However, I would wholeheartedly recommend spending just a little more for a genuinely decent machine.

Instead of spending $529 on what is effectively an espresso maker and a separate (cheap-feeling, one-trick-pony) milk frother, I’d spend $699 on the Philips 2300 Series, $799 on the KitchenAid KF2, or, heck, even $379 on the Nespresso CitiZ + Aeroccino. It’s a pod machine, sure, but honestly? It makes a better brew.

Philips Baristina review: Design

So, I’m not a huge fan of how the Baristina looks. I think it looks incredibly cheap, like something that costs $200 rather than $530. When I found out how much it costs, I actually gasped.

While it doesn’t look bad, it does look cheap. Whether this is a dealbreaker will depend on your preferences. For me, I’d rather spend a little extra on the KitchenAid KF2 or just get a bog-standard manual like the $300 Breville Bambino.

You get a “portafilter”. I say “portafilter” because, yes, it’s technically a portafilter in that it has a handle and a basket where the coffee goes. But you can’t use it like a traditional portafilter — you don’t dose and tamp manually. All you have to do is push the portafilter over to the grinder side at the start of the brew and then sit back and relax.

While, yes, I loved watching the portafilter snap back into place after the grinder finished (it’s the simple things), I think this is more of a style gimmick than actual function. If you’re after a truly automatic machine, it might even be a major con. Yes, you have to empty and clean out the portafilter yourself.

Philips Baristina review: Espresso

If you’re an espresso aficionado, you won’t want to read this. However, if you’re someone who prioritizes speed, ease of use, and simplicity, you’re the perfect candidate for a Baristina.

As it’s a bean-to-cup automatic — despite having a “portafilter” — you have very little input. Pour your beans in, press the espresso button, slide the portafilter to the grinder side (which is super fun), and you’ve done all the work. The machine snaps the portafilter into place hands-free, and, yes, this is mesmerizing to watch. I don’t care how lame that makes me; I enjoy watching a portafilter careen across a coffee machine like a stone from a slingshot. It’s novel. Sue me.

In terms of espresso flavor… it’s okay. It tastes incredibly average. I tried the machine with both artisan Ethiopian beans and your generic “strong” dark roast, and it tasted better with the latter. I’d recommend using cheaper, darker beans on this machine, as the excessive 16-bar pressure and the tiny (40mm) pressurized portafilter destroys any nuance anyway.

As you can see, this espresso shot is foamy and aerated, which means it was extracted under too much pressure. The crema is fluffy, but it dissipated within seconds. The first Ethiopian beans (which usually taste divine) were overly sour and astringent. However, the second generic Illy-brand beans resulted in a stronger, more palatable coffee taste. Of course, this won’t impress coffee nerds, but this isn’t a machine for coffee nerds.

Even so, I struggle to recommend this machine wholeheartedly considering you can get much better machines for just a little extra. The Philips 2300 is a modest stretch at $699; the KitchenAid KF2 is $799. Considering these machines have built-in milk preparation and zero user input, I’d recommend them if you’re after a totally automatic machine. The espresso tastes much nicer.

Philips Baristina review: Grinder

While the Philips Baristina does have a built-in grinder and therefore demands a standalone ‘grinder’ section, this is going to be extremely short.

The grinder is not adjustable. Yes, you heard me correctly. Not adjustable. The grinder grinds to one size and one size only. Want it finer? Not possible. Coarser? Oh, again, you guessed it, not possible.

Other automatic machines such as the De’Longhi Rivelia have an adjustable grinder, and also the $699 manual bean-to-cup De’Longhi Arte Evo. If you’re interested in actually playing and experimenting with coffee, I’d recommend the Arte Evo over the Baristina. You’re paying an extra $150, but it’s often discounted to $599 (so just $50 more), and you get all the bonuses of a manual machine with the ease of an assisted tamping system.

Philips Baristina review: Milk

As mentioned earlier, the Baristina comes in two variants: with milk frother and without milk frother. If you order the cheaper model, it won’t come with the frother.

Those familiar with something like the Nespresso Aeroccino will recognize this milk frother: the Philips model is essentially just your standard countertop model. It’s not particularly unique or innovative, but damn, it works. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix, right?

Here’s a photo of a milk drink made. Notice how I said “milk drink” rather than latte or cappuccino — the Baristina can only make one type of milk. No wet lattes or dry cappuccinos here. Milk or no milk only!

As you can see, the milk is extremely thick. Don’t get me wrong, the texture is satisfying, with well-distributed, evenly sized bubbles. However, this isn’t going to impress people who are used to barista-crafted beverages. It cannot make microfoam; therefore, drinks like lattes and flat whites are out of the question. You can only make cappuccinos.

Philips Baristina review: Storage & maintenance

Although 15 inches tall, the Philips Baristina feels a lot smaller. This height is solely due to the grinder hopper — its main body is more compact. Of course, you’d need to ensure you have space under your counters for the hopper, but the machine should take up less space than you think.

Due to this size, the machine has a teeny-tiny drip tray. I always recommend cleaning out your drip tray after every use, but in this case, it’s definitely a necessity. If you don’t clean it out every day, it’s going to overflow before you know it.

As with the rest of the machine, the drip tray is incredibly plasticky. This is one of my biggest complaints — a design this plasticky is pretty inexcusable when you’re charging $549 from an aesthetic and longevity perspective.

Speaking of longevity, you get a 2-year warranty as standard, which is the same as Breville, Ninja, and De’Longhi.

Philips Baristina review: Verdict

While I don’t think the Philips Baristina is the worst espresso machine I’ve ever used, I can’t recommend it wholeheartedly. Only a very specific user base should get this machine. If you can’t stretch to $699 for a Philips 2300 Series, you don’t mind mid-tasting espresso, you’re happy with one-size-fits-all milk texture, and you’re happy to spend $200 more than I think you should, then yes, this would be the machine for you.

All other people, though? You’d either be better off with the $699 Philips 2300 Series, the $799 KitchenAid KF2, or even venture into the world of manual bean-to-cups with the fantastic De’Longhi Arte Evo.

As I said earlier, if you want simplicity and ease of use over anything else, I’d even go as far to say you’re the perfect candidate for a Nespresso CitiZ + Milk.

Let me put you onto something weird: the "Fridge cigarette." I've seen this term used to refer to a cold, crisp can of Diet Coke, but recently, another meaning has arisen: Diet Coke + espresso. As director of The Coffee Lab and coffee nerd, I had to try this out. What do you mean, people are mixing coffee and Diet Coke? How can that possibly taste good?

To make it, I bought a simple can of Diet Coke and made a shot of espresso using my Breville Bambino. Then, I mixed them — simple as that. No fiddling with measurements or layering cream on top like Starbucks's Sweet Cream Cold Brew.

So, is the "Fridge cigarette" worth your time? Let's get into it. If you want me to try out more weird recipes, comment them down below, and I'll be sure to include them in the next Coffee Lab video.

How to make a 'fridge cigarette'

As I said earlier, making a fridge cigarette is super easy.

How does it taste?

It doesn't look appealing, but the fridge cigarette actually tastes... good?

If you like Espresso Martinis, you'll love the fridge cigarette. It took me a moment to identify the flavor — at first I thought Guinness, but then realized that wasn't the specific flavor I was tasting. It's sweet and vanilla-y, with a rich, malty afternote rounding it out.

I mean, it's not massively shocking. Diet Coke = vanilla. Espresso = coffee. Espresso Martini = vanilla, coffee. All the same flavors are going on here.

What about caffeine content? I mean, if you're super exhausted, this might be a way to bring you back to life. As soon as I drank about half, my hands started shaking, and I was acutely aware of the fluorescent lights in the studio. This isn't a drink I'd recommend if you're sensitive to caffeine. This is only for hardened caffeinators.

As always, let me know if you have any questions or if there are any other weird coffee drinks you want me to taste-test next. Stay tuned for the next episode of The Coffee Lab, landing at a YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram near you.

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• I'm an ex-Starbucks barista — you can make the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at home for a fraction of the cost
• I tried Lelit's brand-new 'entry-level' espresso machine — and I wish I had $2,000 so I could buy it

Mastering the perfect cup of coffee can be tricky, especially if you're a total newbie to the world of espresso machines. That's where the best fully automatic coffee makers come in, and one brand that simply excels in this category is Nespresso.

If pulling the perfect shot or calculating the grind size yourself is simply too much hassle, then a machine like Nespresso's Vertuo Pop could be the right fit for you. By removing the complexities of coffee bean selection and the excessive cleaning that comes with owning a manual machine, Nespresso's capsule system takes the guesswork out of barista-made cups at home, providing consistent cups with the simple touch of a button.

And right now, Nespresso's Vertuo Pop machine is down to just AU$88 — that's 62% off RRP. This price is exclusive to the Pacific Blue, Lilac, Coconut White and Liquorice Black colourways on Amazon. You'll also need to act fast to score this stunning coffee machine, though — this deal’s only available while stocks last.

It's worth noting that this machine is rather fuss-free, and it's as simple as plugging it in, filling the water tank and hitting the button before sipping on your first brew. More often than not though, standalone Nespresso machines come with a sample pack of pods to try, but they don't always include a milk frother or extras to get your perfect sip sorted.

That said, plenty of Nespresso Vertuo models are sold in bundles, which include Nespresso's Aeroccino3 milk frother and, in some cases, a Nespresso-branded mug or tumbler.

If your budget can stretch to AU$179, you might want to consider nabbing the Nespresso Vertuo Pop and the Aeroccino 3 milk frother, with all the bells and whistles, in a fun Candy Pink bundle. This bundle also has the viral Nespresso Travel Tumbler, which typically retails at AU$42, and a fun canvas carry bag.

Not a fan of the Vertuo Pop's design? You might like the latest Vertuo model, the Up, which is discounted to AU$299 in White or Grey colourways. The Up also includes the Aeroccino milk frother and the sample pods.

I've popped both deals below if you're ready to upgrade your morning routine with this one-touch convenience.

Anyone who knows anything about coffee has heard of Moccamaster. The Moccamaster (specifically the KBGV Select) is the most famous drip machine in the world, and there's very little competition. Few brands can go head-to-head with Technivorm's industrial, hardy stalwart, arguably the best coffee maker of all time.

Mostly unchanged since its 1969 release, the Moccamaster does what many other coffee brands wish their flagship could: it has the best reputation in coffee. Whether this is from the industry-leading after-purchase care or the indestructible machine itself, I'm not sure. But people seriously love this thing. It's irrefutably "cult".

So enter the zippy young upstart — Simply Good Coffee Plastic-Free Brewer. This model launched at the end of last year and was rolled out in 2026. What's the Plastic-Free Brewer got that the Moccamaster hasn't then? Well, the clue's in the name — it's not about what it has, but what it hasn't. Simply Good Coffee uses zero plastic in the brewing process.

Sure, this is all well and good — but what about taste? Let's find out which one makes a better brew.

Moccamaster KBGV Select & Simply Good Coffee Plastic-Free Brewer: What's the difference?

While at their cores, the Moccamaster KBGV Select and the Simply Good Coffee Plastic-Free Brewers are both drip/filter coffee machines, there are a few key differences.

These differences reside in two main areas: design and accreditation.

Obviously, the SGC Plastic-Free Brewer is that: plastic-free (well, low plastic). No hot water touches plastic anywhere in the brewing process — but it does have medical-grade silicone tubing in the water lines. Even so, I don't class this as "plastic" as it's not the kind of polymer that leaches into water or breaks down over time.

The SGC has plastic on the exterior to prevent burns. Seriously, imagine if it were completely steel. You'd need to go to the ER if you accidentally brush up against it after brewing.

Now, the Moccamaster KBGV Select has a plastic filter basket and a plastic destratification tube in the carafe. I personally don't mind this plastic — Technivorm (which makes Moccamaster) is a Dutch company, and the EU has seriously strict regulations on plastic. It's high-quality, non-leaching, BPA-and PFA-free — all the adjectives.

So what else separates them? The SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) accreditation. Now, I don't think this is the be-all and end-all. There are more important things than an SCA accreditation. Taste, feel, emotional connection, secret ghosts inhabiting your coffee maker — whatever floats your boat (stews your brew? No. That's terrible. A career in stand-up comedy is clearly not for me).

If you do care about SCA accreditations, as I know a lot of coffee lovers do, you'll be more inclined to go with the Moccamaster. The KBGV Select has been SCA-accredited since the latter's advent in 2017, but the Simply Good Coffee Plastic-Free Brewer isn't yet accredited.

Moccamaster KBGV Select & Simply Good Coffee Plastic-Free Brewer: So how does it taste?

The Moccamaster KBGV Select and Simply Good Coffee Plastic-Free Brewer both make a rich, comforting, delicious brew with zero silt or bitterness. I would have no qualms recommending either of these machines for serious coffee lovers or newcomers alike.

There are a few main differences in flavor, though. Take a look at these two photos.

The SGC Plastic-Free Brewer has a "Bloom" function, whereas the Moccamaster does not. In simple terms, this function steeps the coffee in water before pushing more water through for a full brew. This allows the coffee to grow more complex and can bring out nuanced flavors in the beans.

As a result, the SGC flavor is a little more juicy and what I would describe as "coffee-snob" territory. The Moccamaster tastes divine, don't get me wrong, but it brews a cup I would associate with "I'm a real coffee drinker because I drink my coffee black" memes.

I know people take water distribution seriously, so here's a comparison shot of the Moccamaster and Simply Good Coffee Plastic-Free Brewer filter baskets post-brew.

Honestly, there's no better or worse here. Both machines brew a delicious cup. I would be happy with either of these in my apartment. The Moccamaster is pure, classic coffee, and the SCG is a little more pure, classic coffee wearing a beanie hat and a flannel.

I would choose the Moccamaster over the SCG purely for the lifetime repairs (and, well, because the SCG isn't actually sold in the U.K. yet), but you wouldn't be disappointed with either.

Which brew appeals to you? Moccamaster or SGC? Let me know in the comments and stay tuned for next Monday's The Coffee Lab, on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

More from Tom's Guide

• Overwhelmed by coffee jargon? Here are the 5 key espresso terms you need to know
• I'm an ex-Starbucks barista — you can make the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at home for a fraction of the cost
• I tried Lelit's brand-new 'entry-level' espresso machine — and I wish I had $2,000 so I could buy it

When I tested the original Casabrews Ultra last year, I was perplexed. It has a PID controller and a built-in timer for under $349? And it doesn’t look overly plasticky or feel flimsy? How? Some major boiler issues, that’s how. Thankfully, these issues have been sorted out on its successor, the Casabrews Ultra Pro, released in July 2026.

So is this enough to make it one of the best espresso machines? Hmm — not if you’re serious about your coffee. While it’s a good entry-level model with premium features like a customizable PID controller and has a built-in timer, its weak steam wand and habit of burning espresso holds me back from recommending it fully.

But might it be worth the $349 price tag? To get the full story, keep reading this Casabrews Ultra Pro review.

Casabrews Ultra Pro review: Specs

Casabrews Ultra Pro review: Price & availability

The Casabrews Ultra Pro is $349 from Amazon U.S. At time of writing, it’s not available in the U.K.

For a Casabrews machine, this is a pretty premium price. I mean, you can probably tell from the name, right? They don’t call it the “Ultra Pro” for no reason. I tested the original Ultra last year and liked it, but it had some flaws, like a weak steam wand and boiler issues. More on that later, but I didn’t experience the same boiler problems.

The $349 asking price is a little too steep for this machine. When you can get the $299 Breville Bambino, PID controller and customizable pre-infusion included, or the $499 Breville Bambino Plus, there’s not a lot of wiggle room.

Casabrews Ultra Pro review: Design

The new Casabrews Ultra Pro looks pretty identical to the original Ultra. I liked the original version, so I like the new version. I didn’t notice any tarnishing issues this time around, so I’m glad to see Casabrews has improved on that; however, there’s still no water tank alert on the screen.

Speaking of the screen, I love it, and it’s by far the best feature on this machine. You don’t have to scrabble with a coffee scale timer anymore. Of course, you still need a coffee scale to ensure you’re getting the proper 36g espresso out, but forget that timer function. It’s redundant to you now. The Ultra Pro times your shot for you — and it’s reliable, every single time.

The screen has a few more capabilities: it shows you the double or single shot, hot water, and steam wand functions. That’s it, but I’m not mad about it. All I need is that sweet, sweet timer function, and I’m happy.

Like the previous model, the Ultra Pro utilizes a steam button rather than a dial, which is good if you need a low-effort machine.

Also like the previous machine, there’s a nice little groove on the top so you can store your tamper. I liked this feature as much as I like the 58mm portafilter basket. This is the coffee-snob standard, so is ideal for getting higher-quality aftermarket accessories… which you will need to purchase, as the Ultra Pro doesn’t come with a milk jug. Many Casabrews machines omit the milk jug, which I’m not a fan of. It’s so stingy. It’s literally a milk jug. All Breville machines come with a milk jug, but the $149 De’Longhi Stilosa doesn’t.

Casabrews Ultra Pro review: Espresso

I didn’t experience any boiler issues while using the Ultra Pro. On the previous version, it took ages for the machine to switch between milk and espresso. The Ultra Pro makes strange clicking noises after brewing espresso, but I was always able to get the steam wand up and running in a few seconds.

Despite these successes, I have a few espresso-related qualms with the Casabrews Ultra Pro. Casabrews claim “this espresso machine ensures consistent 9-bar extraction”, which isn’t true. I know it isn’t true because the Ultra Pro has an LCD screen that literally displays the bar pressure during extraction.

Not once did the bar pressure number stay the same. It fluctuated from 3 to 7 to 9 to 15 at one point, and down and up again throughout extraction. I know pressure is supposed to increase from low to 9-bar during infusion, but it’s not supposed to go back down when only 5g has extracted.

This is not a consistent 9-bar extraction. Casabrews kind of shot itself in the foot here. Why include a digital “manometer” (quotation marks necessary there) only for it to tell on itself?

Despite what Casabrews says on its website, there also doesn’t seem to be a solenoid valve, as all my pucks came out wet. Now I’ve grown accustomed to my Bambino Plus’s solenoid valve, I’m not sure I can ever go back. Cleanup is so much easier with dry pucks.

Here’s a photo of an espresso I made on the Casabrews Ultra Pro.

I wasn’t a huge fan of this espresso. It tasted burnt and overextracted, despite extracting in 25 seconds. This is the “ideal” extraction time. It didn’t pour too quickly or too slowly, meaning it wasn’t over- or under-extracted.

However, perhaps I’m simply too picky. I gave my colleagues many coffees made on the Casabrews Ultra Pro, and the feedback ranged from “really nice actually” to “a nice fruitiness”.

There’s also the (customizable) PID controller (temperature controller to prevent burnt or weak brews) to mention. This is better than Breville’s entry-level models, which have a non-programmable PID. You can easily adjust the brew temperature in intervals from 194°F to 204°F. This is great to see on a cheaper machine.

Finally, there’s a cold brew mode. Here’s a photo of said cold brew.

The cold brew was bright and juicy, but quite astringent. It took 101 seconds to brew 160ml. I wouldn’t use this again, but it’s good if you like juicy, sharp flavors and you’re on a time crunch.

If you’re what you’d consider a “coffee snob”, this machine might not be the one for you. In that case, I’d recommend the aforementioned Breville Bambino or Breville Bambino Plus. You may even want to go for the $499 Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro, which has no PID controller but is a coffee nerd goldmine.

Casabrews Ultra Pro review: Milk

My biggest issue with the Casabrews Ultra was the weak steam wand. Seeing as Casabrews fixed the boiler issues, I hoped the steam wand weakness would have been fixed, too.

Unfortunately, I was wrong. It still takes a whole minute to steam half a jug of milk, and said milk is unevenly aerated. I found my milk separated into layers immediately after finishing steaming. I also struggled to obtain the ideal “vortex” while steaming, which is the marker of a low-quality steam wand.

As you can see, the latte art is squashed. This is because the foam wasn’t integrated into the milk, so when I poured, it separated into layers. This is not what I’d want to see.

The De’Longhi Stilosa, Breville Bambino, and Breville Bambino Plus don’t suffer from this issue, so I’d recommend grabbing one of those instead if you value latte art. Even the Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus ($499)’s auto steam wand is better, if you can afford the extra $150 (but you get a grinder).

Casabrews Ultra Pro review: Storage & maintenance

The Ultra Pro is just 13 inches deep and 12 inches tall, which makes it a mid-sized espresso machine. While considerably larger than the 7-inch-wide Breville Bambino and the 5-inch wide Casabrews 3700 Essential, it’s nowhere near as massive as the frankly Titanic Breville Oracle Dual Boiler ($3,000, 18 inches tall).

Obviously, still check it will fit in your kitchen, but it’s not a large model, as far as espresso machines go.

In terms of cleaning, well, Casabrews doesn’t provide you with any accessories, unlike Breville and De’Longhi. You’ll need to buy backflush tablets and descaler yourself, which is around $20 for a huge bottle on Amazon.

In terms of warranty, it’s also pretty slim pickings here. Casabrews offers just one year, while Breville, De’Longhi, and Ninja offer two as standard.

Casabrews Ultra Pro review: Verdict

I gave the Casabrews Ultra Pro 3 stars. Yeah, I know. “You gave the Ultra 3.5 stars, so how does that work?” The most egregious issue — the steam wand — has not been fixed. Even though Casabrews has had time to fix this, it didn’t, hence the lower rating this time around. Do I think the Ultra Pro is worth $349? No. No I do not.

When you can get the Casabrews CM5148 Pro for $199 — PID controller included — I really cannot see why the Ultra Pro is so much more expensive. The on-screen timer is a nice addition, but is it worth an extra $150? I think not.

So while I’m sure you won’t be majorly disappointed by the Ultra Pro, I simply can’t recommend it when there are similar machines for cheaper, or much better machines for a little extra. Treat yourself to the $499 Breville Bambino Plus or Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro, or save a little and get the Breville Bambino or Casabrews CM5418 Pro. It’s a no-brainer.

Ever since my dad got a fancy espresso machine, I’ve dreamed of brewing my own crema-topped coffee at home. But most at-home, coffee makers don’t offer this feature — unless you want to pay hundreds of dollars and sacrifice a large chunk of your kitchen’s counter space.

When I saw that Keurig was coming out with the K-Crema, I wondered if it could be a good lower-cost option to my dad’s top-of-the-line model.

Ultimately, the K-Crema brews a tasty cup of coffee with a layer of foamy crema on top. It might not stack up to an espresso shot from a pricier machine or a coffee shop, but for those of us who want to save money while still enjoying a delicious shot of coffee, the K-Crema is a decent pick.

Read this Keurig K-Crema review to find out how it performed over several weeks in my kitchen, and why I think this is a top pick in the Keurig coffee maker lineup.

Keurig K-Crema review: Price and availability

The Keurig K-Crema is available for $219 at Keurig and Amazon. You can also buy it at Target, Kohl’s, Walmart, and other major retailers. Plus, the machine is available in a single color: Black.

You can use any K-Cup pod in the K-Crema, though mine came with Global Trek medium roast pods. The machine doesn’t come with a reusable pod, but you could buy one and use your own coffee if you prefer. For this review, I stuck with the provided K-Cups.

Keurig K-Crema review: Design

After initially unboxing the Keurig K-Crema, the first thing I noticed was its size. It’s bigger than your basic Keurig machine, like the K-Slim or the K-Mini, yet smaller than most coffee machines.

The K-Crema has a removable water reservoir that sits to the right of the machine, making it wider than some other single-brew coffee machines. But the reservoir was easy to fill: simply pick it up using the handle, fill it with water, and pop it back.

The K-Crema has six size options, from a single shot to a 12-ounce brew. The “Pressure” button brews coffee at five times the pressure of a standard cup, resulting in a silky layer of crema. That’s what sets the machine apart from other Keurigs, but can it justify the higher price tag?

Keurig K-Crema review: Performance

To determine whether or not the Keurig K-Crema is a good buy, I put it to the test in my kitchen over several weeks. I timed each drink setting and took the temperature of multiple cups to gauge the average hotness of a cup of coffee.

Here’s how the Keurig K-Crema performed:

These brew times are comparable to other Keurig machines, though it was interesting to note that the machine brewed faster when I used the pressure setting. Coffee temperature was a little colder than I expected, especially for the shot and double-shot sizes.

I measured brew temps from a low of 163 degrees to a high of 174 degrees. Experts recommend a water temperature of 195 to 205 degrees for the best-testing coffee, but that’s not realistic from a single-serve machine like the Keurig K-Crema.

Noise-wise, I measured a high of 68 decibels for both the Classic and Pressure settings, with an average in the 50 to 60 decibel range. That’s considered to be in the moderate range — and since the machine brews most sizes in under two minutes, it’s unlikely to cause much disruption.

Now for the most important factor: taste. My only prior experience of a crema machine is in my dad’s kitchen, where he has a fancy (and expensive) espresso machine. I didn’t expect the K-Crema to measure up, yet I was still pleasantly surprised by the taste of the resulting cup.

In the past, I’ve found K-Cups to taste too weak or artificial, but the Global Trek pods I tested were just right. I liked the addition of the crema, though it didn’t quite hold up when I mixed in milk and sugar.

Keurig K-Crema review: Comparison

The Keurig K-Crema is a solid single-serve coffee maker, but how does it compare to other Keurig models? I have previously tested the K-Mini Mate, and the K-Crema definitely brews a superior cup. But it comes at a cost: The Keurig K-Mini Mate costs $59.99, compared to $219.99 for the K-Crema.

You might also consider the Keurig K-Cafe, which comes with a milk frother. This machine is ideal if you like coffee drinks, like lattes and cappuccinos. But if you prefer to drink straight shots of espresso, the K-Crema is the right choice.

Ultimately, you’ll want to consider what you want out of your coffee machine. If you’ve always wanted an espresso machine but don’t want to spend the money, the Keurig K-Crema is a good budget-friendly option.

Keurig K-Crema review: Verdict

If you’re looking for an affordable coffee maker that can brew a decent cup of coffee or a shot of creamy espresso, I recommend looking into the Keurig K-Crema. While it doesn’t quite measure up to the expensive espresso machines on the market, it’s available for a fraction of the price, and the resulting coffee is smooth and enjoyable.

It’s the ideal middle ground for someone who wants to brew coffee drinks at home, but isn’t ready to commit to an espresso machine.

The Smeg Retro Coffee Maker is certainly gorgeous enough to be on the catwalk model of coffee machines. As with seemingly everything else made by the Italian coffee brand, the Retro (DCF02) looks sleek, sophisticated, and effortlessly cool.

But is appearance enough to make it one of the best coffee makers? Thankfully, this time, the Smeg Retro Coffee Maker isn’t style over substance. I wasn’t a huge fan of the Smeg ECF02’s performance despite a premium appearance — but the Retro Coffee Maker can walk the walk and talk the talk. It brews clean-tasting, balanced coffee with minimal silt and zero bitterness. And all you have to do is press one button.

So, want to find out more about this gorgeous coffee machine? Spoiler alert: it’s an absolute treat. To get the full story, keep reading this Smeg Retro Coffee Maker review.

Smeg Retro Coffee Maker: Specs

Smeg Retro Coffee Maker review: Price & availability

The Smeg Retro Coffee Maker is $259 from Crate&Barrel in the U.S., regardless of color, and £199-£219 from John Lewis in the U.K. The Moonlight colorway, the model I tested, runs for £20 more than the standard colors: cream, navy, black, pastel blue, pastel green, silver, gray, red, and white.

In the U.S., though, Moonlight is the usual price of $259. Functionally, the “standard” colors and Moonlight are the same, so if you’re looking to save as much as possible, I’d go for the older colors. But isn’t the Moonlight oh so pretty? Just look at it!

In keeping with Smeg’s back catalogue, the Retro Coffee Maker is pretty pricey for what it is. This is a common theme with Smeg, though: you pay a premium for the style.

For $369, you could get the Moccamaster KGBV Select, which has a 5-year warranty and lifetime repairs. For $250, you could get the single-serve Moccamaster Cup-One, complete with the same after-purchase benefits.

I’ve also tested the SCA-accredited $329 Breville Luxe Brewer and the low-plastic $319 Aarke Coffee Maker, alongside the low-plastic Ratio Four ($259), an automated pour-over. Although it’s not available in the U.K., so I haven’t tested it, I can assure you that the budget $90 Ninja 12-Cup Drip Brewer is a crowd pleaser in Tom’s Guide’s New York office.

Bonavita and Braun have also mastered the budget drip coffee maker: Bonavita’s SCA-accredited 8-Cup Brewer is just $189, the 5-Cup is even cheaper, at $149. The 12-Cup Braun Drip Coffee Maker is $129. This is where I’d like to see the Smeg Retro Coffee Maker’s price due to its lack of SCA accreditation and mostly plastic build.

Smeg Retro Coffee Maker review: Design

As with everything else under Smeg’s belt, the Retro Coffee Maker looks really cool. Per the name, it’s certainly retro, and would look at home in either a diner on a cheesy high school drama (I’m thinking Riverdale, anyone?), or in any sleek, sophisticated home kitchen.

I tested the gorgeous Moonlight shade, which has the same muted gray buttons as the rest of the color line. The buttons control power, brew amount, auto start, and flavor intensity. The lever is solely for adjusting the machine’s time display and the auto start timer. At first, I thought this was an unnecessary use of space, but it’s actually really fun to use.

It’s worth noting that the Retro Coffee Maker is bigger than it looks online: it’s 14 inches tall, 10 inches wide, and 10 inches deep. If you’ve got a small kitchen, I’d measure your space before purchasing. Comparatively, the Moccamaster KGBV Select is 6.5 x 12.8 x 14 inches, the Breville Luxe Brewer is 14.7 x 7 x 16.1 inches, and the Ninja 12-Cup is 8 x 10 x 14 inches. The Moccamaster is the narrowest, but it’s longer and the same height as the Smeg.

As for accessories, the Retro Coffee Maker comes with just two: a scoop and a permanent mesh filter. You can use single-use #4 conical filters, but I tested with the reusable filter as provided.

Smeg Retro Coffee Maker review: Performance

The Smeg Retro Coffee Maker is supremely easy to use. All you have to do is put your coffee in the filter, add your water, and press go.

Smeg recommends a recipe of one scoop per cup, so if you’re making a full batch, that would be 10 scoops. A half-batch requires 4 scoops. Of course, you can adjust this recipe to your tastes.

A full batch sometimes took seven minutes, sometimes eight, and a half batch took around three minutes. This is a little slower than the Moccamaster KGBV Select, but not by much at all.

The water tank isn’t removable, so I poured water in using the carafe. I have two qualms with this: one, the carafe is angled in such a way that it’s tricky to get the final dregs of water, and two, the water tank opening is on the right side, so if you’re left-handed like me, this will pose an issue. Alas, this will only irritate 11% of the population, so it’s not enough to knock half a star off (but justice for us devil-worshippers [for legal reasons, this is a joke]).

Here’s how I made delicious coffee on the Smeg Retro Coffee Maker.

My go-to Smeg Retro Coffee Maker routine

Smeg recommends one scoop per cup. One scoop was between 8.5-10 grams depending on if I levelled it or not.

I used 87g of coffee (10 level scoops) for a full carafe, which works out to a ratio of 1:16.

1. Fill the water tank to max.
2. Grind your coffee to a medium size. I used my Mazzer Philos, the best grinder in the world.
3. Put your desired amount of coffee in the filter. I used 87g for a full batch, a 1:16 ratio.
4. Select your desired intensity level. I used level 1.
5. Press the power button to start your brew.
6. Wait 7-8 minutes!

And that’s it!

Here’s a photo of the grounds after brewing. As you can see, there’s very little funnelling here.

The Retro Coffee Maker brews clean, fresh-tasting coffee. You can obviously adjust the intensity using either the on-machine button or increasing the coffee dosage (or grinding finer), but the out-of-the-box flavor is great.

Smeg Retro Coffee Maker review: Storage & maintenance

I was pleasantly surprised to see the Smeg Retro Coffee Maker come with a 2-year warranty. This is better than Ninja’s 1-year warranty, but still not comparable to Moccamaster’s 5-year warranty (and lifetime repairs) or Simply Good Coffee’s new 5-year standard warranty.

To keep your Retro Coffee Maker lasting as long as possible, do not put the carafe in the dishwasher. I put the mesh filter in the dishwasher and it survived, but I’d recommend only washing by hand.

As mentioned earlier, the Retro Coffee Maker is pretty large — so make sure you’ve got enough counter space before buying!

Smeg Retro Coffee Maker review: How does it compare?

The Smeg Retro Coffee Maker looks just as cool as the industrial-chic Moccamaster, so I’d recommend either of these brands if you’re after that vintage vibe. I’d also put Simply Good Coffee’s Plastic-Free Brewer in this category — it looks sleek and effortlessly cool.

The Retro Coffee Maker isn’t as fast as the Breville Luxe Brewer, but it is $70 cheaper, so you win some, you lose some. It’s also considerably cheaper than the $319 Aarke Coffee Maker — but the Aarke is low-plastic, which is what a lot of consumers want these days.

But, and that’s a relatively big but, I would say the Smeg Retro Coffee Maker is a touch overpriced for what it is. The Moccamaster is $369 because it has lifetime repairs and is SCA-accredited. The SGC Plastic-Free Brewer is $469 because it’s made almost entirely from glass and metal. The Breville Luxe Brewer is $329 because it brews in three minutes.

As mentioned earlier, I’d like to see Smeg’s pricing fall more in line with Ninja’s, Bonavita’s, and Braun (or get SCA accreditation or improve the materials/after-purchase care). Ninja’s 12-Cup Drip Brewer is just $89, and Bonavita’s SCA-accredited 8-Cup Brewer is just $189. The 5-Cup is even cheaper — $149. The 12-Cup Braun Drip Coffee Maker is $129.

The Smeg doesn’t really have any USPs other than looking really cool. While I do objectively like this coffee maker, I’ll be the first person to admit it falls into Smeg’s main pitfall: it’s expensive for what it is.

Smeg Retro Coffee Maker review: Verdict

Despite being a little pricey for what it is, the Smeg Retro Coffee Maker gets a big thumbs up from me. I thoroughly enjoyed testing this machine and would recommend it for people who value style and ease of use.

Yes, it’s expensive considering its plastic build and lack of SCA accreditation, and no, it doesn’t have any unique features like a lifetime repairs warranty or an SCA accreditation. The auto-start timer is cool, but the $89 Ninja 12-Cup has this, too. However, just look at it. Doesn’t that speak for itself?

So, if you want a kitchen centrepiece that’ll have guests going “Ooh” and “Aah” and “Where did you get that from?” then you’ll get on just fine with the Smeg Retro Coffee Maker. It’s literally plug-and-play, and tastes as good as it looks.

Getting into coffee can feel impossible at first. But fret not! I'm here to help. I'm an ex-barista and now a professional coffee tester, so I can help you understand the most important parts of your espresso machine.

If you're a total newbie, forget everything you've learned so far. These five key terms are all you need to know right now. Of course, the more your confidence grows, the more you'll absorb and retain, but if you're pulling out your hair and stressing over niche jargon on the daily, you're doing yourself a disservice. You don't need to be perfect on the first try! All you need is an espresso machine and a clear head. I can take care of the rest.

So strap in as I teach you exactly what you need to know to start pulling shots like a professional barista. And, most importantly, have fun! Coffee is all about enjoyment. If you're doing things "wrong" but having fun, go you! That's all that matters.

What's a portafilter?

A portafilter is the handle of the basket. I've also seen this called a group handle.

A portafilter basket is where you put your coffee. This is where the espresso machine will send water to extract your espresso.

That's it! I told you it was easy.

What's a tamper?

The tamper is the circular accessory you use to tamp (press down on) the coffee grounds. If you hear someone say tamp the coffee, this is what they're referring to. You want to apply around 20kg of pressure — which basically means just push hard, but be mindful to keep the coffee level.

This is to flatten and compact the coffee grounds and create an even surface for the water to flow through (preventing channeling).

What's channeling?

Channeling is where water flows through channels in the coffee rather than saturating the entire portafilter. This is caused by an uneven grind, uneven tamp, or an uneven dose. When you put coffee in the portafilter basket, you want to make sure it's flat, evenly distributed, and there are no major clumps.

A channeled espresso will taste sour and bitter and generally unpleasant. Nothing you wouldn't be able to mask with syrups, though!

What's puck prep?

Puck prep is kind of a coffee snob term. It refers to everything you do to prepare your espresso. When people say, "Make sure you do your puck prep right," they're referring to the following:

• Grinding your beans evenly, using one of the best grinders
• Weighing out the right amount of ground coffee, using one of the best coffee scales
• Putting the coffee in your portafilter basket and making sure there are no huge clumps
• Tamping with proper pressure

What's overextraction/underextraction?

Both are bad!

Overextraction is where the coffee has spent too much time with water or pressure, resulting in a burned, bitter coffee. You have probably ground your coffee too coarsely.

Underextraction is where the coffee hasn't spent enough time with water or pressure, making a sour, acidic coffee. You have probably ground your coffee too finely.

If your coffee is coming out really slowly, that's overextraction. This will taste incredibly intense and burned, like charcoal.

If your coffee is coming out quickly, that's underextraction. This will taste like lemon juice. Nasty!

Did I answer all of your jargon-related questions? Let me know in the comments if you want me to explain anything else.

I release new episodes of The Coffee Lab every Friday, so be sure to check back next week for the next coffee adventure.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tried the new Nespresso summer flavors — here's my favorite
• I'm an ex-Starbucks barista — you can make the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at home for a fraction of the cost
• I tried Lelit's brand-new 'entry-level' espresso machine — and I wish I had $2,000 so I could buy it

As a kitchen appliance reviewer, some of my favorite and top-rated products hail from KitchenAid. I've owned an Artisan Stand Mixer for years now, and use many KitchenAid appliances and accessories on a daily basis, so it's no surprise that when the opportunity arose to review the brand's new fully automatic coffee machine range, I volunteered immediately.

Now, I'm no stranger to a manual espresso maker — I love my Ninja Luxe Cafe more than anything else — so I really wanted to switch it up to see how a fully automatic machine compares to the manual control I'm used to. After all, these automatic coffee machines claim to deliver the perfect espresso in one touch, without worrying about grinds, milk or the like, so my curiosity was definitely piqued. (And spoiler alert: the KF2 did not disappoint).

Launched earlier this year, KitchenAid's new machines — the KF2, KF3 and KF4 — each have different functions, prices and colorways to suit every kind of one-touch coffee-lover. The machine reviewed here, the KitchenAid KF2, is the most affordable option and offers some hands-on time for hobbyist baristas who want manual control over their milk.

Over the course of a month, I put the KitchenAid KF2 through its paces and used it to make hot, iced and milk-based drinks.

KitchenAid KF2 review: Specs

KitchenAid KF2 review: Price and availability

The KitchenAid KF2 in Australia, where I'm based, is priced at AU$1,099. For those in the UK, it's £699 and in the U.S., it's $799.99. When compared to the other coinciding releases of the KF3 ($999.99 / £749 / AU$1,349) and KF4 ($1,299.99 / £899 / AU$1,599), this is the "budget" or entry-level option in KitchenAid's new fully automatic lineup.

Now the word budget is a bit of a stretch — it's still pretty expensive — and it doesn't quite dazzle compared to similarly priced automatic machines. I’m talking largely about De’Longhi here, as you can often pick up one of the esteemed brand’s machines for less, in return for more extensive features, like one-touch drink presets and automatic milk-foaming systems. That said, the KF2 offers six drink presets and a steam wand (which some 5-star automatic machines neglect entirely). And, I won't lie, the KF2's sleek, matte black design is nice to look at.

KitchenAid KF2 review: Design

KitchenAid's newest fully automatic machines, including the KF2, have a much smaller footprint than their predecessors. Measuring just 14.2" x 7.7" x 18.5" / 36.07cm x 19.56cm x 46.99cm, the KF2 takes up very little counterspace, making it ideal for those with smaller kitchens. The KF2 has five function buttons on the front of its backlit LED screen, as well as a power button on the right side. It also features a 1.8L water tank at the back, a Pannarello steam wand, a drip tray and a concealed 250g bean hopper.

Unlike the KF3 and KF4, which are both available in matte black and KitchenAid's signature Porcelain white, the KF2 is limited to the former. I quite like the simplicity of the black colorway, but it isn't as visually appealing as the white or Juniper green colorways that the KitchenAid KF8 offers, in my opinion. The stainless steel accents in the drip tray and the steam wand are a nice contrast to the matte machine body, but I didn't love the feel of the function buttons.

A fun surprise discovered during set up were two wheels under the machine, making it easy to move around if you needed to fill the water tank. It's also not that heavy, at just 22lbs / 10.1kg, so I could easily lift it and move it into place.

KitchenAid KF2 review: Performance

Grinder

The KF2 uses KitchenAid’s Intelligrind technology, which aims to take the guesswork out of selecting the best grind size for your chosen beans. For most users, it allows for a hands-off approach, just pour your beans into the top-mounted hopper and select a drink. If you do want to make some finer adjustments, you can open the machine's side panel, where you’ll find a slider to make the grind finer (to the left) or coarser (to the right). However, for most users, I don't think any adjustments would need to be made, as the automatic function takes away any manual hand tamping or grinding.

Regardless of whether you make adjustments or not, the KF2's grinder is so quiet. That's largely due to its Quiet Mark certification, meaning it won't make too much noise while you're brewing your early morning coffee.

If you prefer decaf or coffee grounds, the KF2 also has a 250g ground coffee section next to the bean hopper. It is worth noting that when you add in ground coffee, the machine will switch into its ground coffee mode and exclusively use it over any beans in the hopper. To fix this, you'll need to toggle the bean setting before every use.

Espresso

The KF2 can truly customise your coffee to your liking, thanks to its drink, strength and dosage settings. Once you choose your drink recipe — e.g. either an espresso, coffee or over ice — you can make your coffee or espresso shot as weak or strong as you'd like using the strength and dose buttons. If you make adjustments to the strength, the KF2 will grind fewer or more beans, resulting in a dose that’s between 7g and 14g.

Regardless of the strength setting you choose, the KF2 excels at pulling a consistently well-extracted shot of espresso. For the test brew, I used the double strength on the espresso setting to extract a single shot, and it was perfectly balanced. Just look at that crema! This was using medium-dark roast beans with notes of rich caramel, butterscotch and sweet red fruits. I'm not one to drink straight espresso — I prefer iced coffee all year round — but I really enjoyed the deep caramelly notes I achieved with the KF2.

When extracting an americano, I used the coffee setting with double strength, single cup dose, and it was pretty spot on for a black coffee. There was a bit of trial and error — initially, I opted for triple strength, and it was too strong for my liking — but the second time around, it worked a charm.

Milk

If you have milk with your coffee, then you’ll likely want to know how well the KF2 can froth milk. You may also have an opinion as to the best method for foaming milk. For me, the fact that the KF2 uses a conventional steam wand as opposed to a hose system on the KF3 and KF4 is a huge plus point. While it might not be as hands-off as the other KitchenAid models — you have to pour the milk into the jug (sold separately) and then pour it into your mug — the result, in my opinion, is much better milk foam. Conversely, when using the KF3 and KF4, milk was silky in texture and did have some froth, but it paled in comparison to what the KF2 could achieve.

What’s more, having manual control means the KF2 inherently performs better with plant-based milks. This is because you can easily check the temperature whilst milk is heating up and turn it off when it reaches the optimal heat.

I am a big fan of manual control when milk frothing, so I was very eager to try the steam wand, and as a plant-based milk drinker, I preferred the wand to the milk jug/hose set-up. I could easily check the temperature and make sure my almond milk didn't burn, as most plant-based milks will burn at lower temperatures than dairy. The wand also has a side toggle where you can adjust the foam to your liking, so you don't have to second-guess too much when heating milk to your preferred foaminess.

Before using the steam wand, you need to wait a short while for the internal water system to preheat. It’s not a long process, just something to be aware of. When you’ve finished frothing your milk, you’ll want to purge the steam wand to remove any residue. The purge process can get quite messy as the wand is rather powerful and sits an inch or so above the drip tray. I resorted to purging it a few times inside an empty milk jug, just to avoid powerful steam explosions.

My first test was an Aussie staple, a flat white, which is typically made from steamed milk with very little foam. To do this, I flicked the foam setting to ‘less’ and put the wand in just below the surface.

The result clearly speaks for itself, as I made the most perfect flat white to ever exist. Even in my teenage barista days, I've never made glossy steamed milk like this, so it was a true feat to be admired for KitchenAid's steam wand.

Next up was a latte, so I moved the toggle to the highest foam setting and made sure to keep the wand under the surface of the milk. There were some bubbles initially, but after a few attempts, I ended up getting an equally perfect latte with some great microfoam. (My latte art definitely needs work, though.)

Iced coffee

KitchenAid has given its new compact trio of coffee machines the ability to make iced drinks, although the method in which they make them gave me a little cause for concern, as they’re made ‘over ice’. By this, it means you still need to put ice in your cup or glass first, and the KF2 will then pour a shot of espresso over it. The company says it brews at a cooler temperature than a ‘regular’ shot of espresso, but it’s not quite the same as the Ninja Luxe Cafe I use daily, for example, which has dedicated settings for brewing cold shots of espresso.

The results were interesting to say the least. I was a little anxious before making my first iced drink, because I'm picky about iced lattes, and if it's too watery, I don't want it. The fact that an iced latte made with the KF2 has to include a few ice cubes indicated that it may indeed end up being a bit weak.

Fortunately, my worries weren’t necessary, as the KF2 did a commendable job of making an iced coffee. When coupled with cold milk and ice, it was particularly delicious, although it was, admittedly, on the weaker side due to the melted ice.

After the first try, I tweaked the strength higher as the machine automatically selects the lowest setting, and it made a better improvement to the taste. I also opted most days to not brew it immediately over ice to avoid watery shots, and that made the experience much more pleasant.

KitchenAid KF2 review: Storage and maintenance

When it comes to everyday maintenance of the KitchenAid KF2, it was pretty straightforward and I didn't need any handholding to keep the machine running. The drip tray has a handy full alert sign when it needs emptying, and can be easily removed. And if you need to add more coffee beans, the backlit screen will give you a helpful alert.

The KitchenAid KF2 comes with a couple of cleaning tablets for cleaning the brewing group and water filter inside the box. It also comes with a handy water filter insertion tool, which doubles as a ground coffee scoop. As per the manufacturer, the water filters will last two months if using tap water, but could last up to 6 months if you use filtered water. You will need to buy descaling solution separately.

KitchenAid's routine cleaning and maintenance is pretty easy, as the machine rinses itself before and after each use. This also clears the system of any blockages as well as warm the internal pipes to the right temperature before making a coffee.

If you need to descale the machine, clean the steam wand, add beans or water, the screen will give you an alert and guide you through the process if needed. Now, during my review period, I didn't need to descale the machine at all; however, I am certain that the machine would let me know if it needed an extra clean.

KitchenAid does sell additional water filters and brew units if you need more, and offers a 3-year limited warranty.

KitchenAid KF2 review: Verdict

If you prioritise time in the mornings, then the KitchenAid KF2 is something to consider and add to your routine. It's easy-to-use, delivers excellent crema, and offers some hands-on control for your milk. All you need to do is add your preferred beans (or grounds), and you've got the perfect morning brew.

That said, it doesn't offer full one-touch convenience — you'll need to tweak your strength and dose settings with each use — however, that doesn't knock too many marks off for me. And iced lattes could be better, but that won't matter to most non-iced coffee drinkers.

That being said, if you're interested in a fully automatic, low-maintenance coffee machine, the KitchenAid KF2 is hard to beat.

The De’Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic is an ambitious superautomatic coffee machine. It can make 38 drinks and is even app-compatible, so you can control it from your phone (in theory). Is this enough to make it one of the best espresso machines?

Yes and no. The PrimaDonna Aromatic is extremely pricey, at a whopping $2,500, and I’m… not really sure why. You can get 80% of the same performance with the $1,500 De’Longhi Rivelia and — checks notes — 99.9% of the same performance with the $2,000 De’Longhi Eletta Explore. I’m not saying don’t get the PrimaDonna Aromatic — I’m saying you might be able to save your money without sacrificing quality here.

But, I digress. The PrimaDonna Aromatic is a fun, consistent, and functional coffee machine. Want to find out more? Keep reading this De’Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic review.

De'Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic review: Specs

De'Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic review: Price & availability

The De’Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic is objectively expensive. You’ll find it for $2,499 from De’Longhi U.S. and £1,549 from Currys in the U.K.

If you’re wincing, you’re not alone. $2,499 makes the PrimaDonna Aromatic the most expensive fully automatic coffee machine made by De’Longhi. Yes, the most expensive. As you might already be able to guess, this is markedly more expensive than the De’Longhi Rivelia ($1,499/£749), De’Longhi Magnifica Duo ($999).

However, it’s only (only, she types, while wincing) $499 more expensive than the KitchenAid KF8, which I reviewed a couple of years ago and loved.

If you’re familiar with the world of superautomatic coffee machines, you might’ve come across Jura — its fully automatic models can go up to $5,499. I’ve tested the $2,699 Jura E8, and let me tell you — the PrimaDonna Aromatic is much better.

De'Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic review: Design

Like other automatic De’Longhi machines, the PrimaDonna Aromatic is a somewhat narrow but incredibly deep machine. It stretches a whopping 18 inches deep, so you’ll need to check your kitchen countertops can fit this behemoth before purchasing.

Even so, the 10-inch width is pretty good, even with the water tank on the side. You shouldn’t need to clear too much space if your counters are deep already.

And the PrimaDonna Aromatic also looks like other De’Longhi superautomatics. If I didn’t read the name, I could believe it was the Magnifica Duo or the Dinamica or the Eletta. All these machines are effectively big shiny squares. They’re not massively gorgeous, but they’re functional, unobtrusive, and get the job done. It obviously works, because De’Longhi machines are everywhere.

There’s also a bright LCD screen on the machine. Here, you can select your desired beverage — 38 recipes, some of which I’d never heard of — and customize your intensity and volume. Two buttons on either side of the machine configure hot and cold, so you can view only cold or only hot drinks.

App

I like apps when they’re actually useful. I like the Fellow app. I like the Acaia Brewmaster app. I like the apps for all the earbuds I test. But I do not like the De’Longhi My Coffee Lounge app.

I was prompted to complete a “coffee taste profile”, which told me I should get fruity coffee with notes of citrus, forest berry, and florals. I already knew this, though. It’s why I buy the same Ethiopian beans every time.

I suppose this is helpful for complete newbies — but I wouldn’t recommend complete newbies spend $2,500 on a coffee machine.

The app was also riddled with connectivity issues: There’s a Spotify-Wrapped-esque “Statistics” setting. This never loaded for me. You’re also supposed to be able to make your own recipes, but, again, these never loaded for me. The app just said “Couldn’t load any drink”. Hm, maybe because you won’t let me make any recipes?

I like two parts of the My Coffee Lounge app: One, the “Health status” setting. Here you can see how many uses you have until you need to descale, how empty your water tank is, and how full your grounds drawer is. I love this. This is great for newbies. And “experts”. Everyone, actually.

And two: Suggested recipes. I got some super cool, super unique offerings here: Iced orange coffee, Iced raspberry tonic espresso, Iced espresso Mojito. Yes, please! I want more of this and fewer connectivity issues, thank you!

De'Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic review: Espresso

The De’Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic espresso tastes like an automatic coffee machine’s espresso. That’s neither a good nor a bad thing depending on your preference. If you know you dislike automatic coffee, this wouldn’t be for you. If you know you like it, then great!

Here’s a photo of a shot of double espresso.

As you can see, the coffee has a lovely bright caramelly color, and there’s a layer of fluffy crema. Did it taste like the most nuanced, complex, scintillating coffee in the world? No. It was a little weak, but it had enough of a coffee flavor to be devoured by straightforward coffee fans. I would not recommend this machine for coffee snobs or espresso lovers, but if you’re a general coffee drinker who prioritizes ease-of-use over messing around with doses and flow rates, this would get the job done.

I also made a cold brew, which was, in all honesty, pretty nasty. I wouldn’t recommend this for cold brew aficionados. The coffee was actually hot as it extracted, which means it’s also not “cold brew”. It’s more like an iced Americano.

De'Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic review: Milk

Milk performance is what (mostly) separates the PrimaDonna Aromatic from other De’Longhi models. The PrimaDonna Aromatic comes with both a hot and cold milk frother, so you can have hot microfoam or cold foam.

The De’Longhi Eletta Explore ($1,999) also has this capability, so it might be worth checking out that model if you want to save some $$$. However, the Eletta Explore has a smaller water tank capacity. Again, not sure that’s worth an extra $500, but some food for thought.

Here’s a photo of a drink.

As you can see, the milk is smooth and evenly textured. Hot foam tends to deflate quite rapidly, so I’d recommend not leaving your cappuccinos around before drinking. Get ‘em while they’re hot!

This milk texture is around the same quality as the De’Longhi Rivelia, but that model doesn’t come with cold and hot — you’d have to buy the cool version separately ($129).

I really like the milk function on the PrimaDonna Aromatic. It has great texture, it’s easy to clean, and it comes with all the necessary accessories (unlike Jura).

De'Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic review: Storage & maintenance

The PrimaDonna Aromatic is easy to clean. The app tells you exactly when to clean, and I would recommend cleaning out the drip tray every day at a minimum.

My only major qualm is that you have to empty the grounds drawer more often than you think. I emptied it after around 3-4 drinks each time, and the drawer was full of ground beans each time. I don’t think this machine is particularly economical in terms of coffee and water usage, but that’s true of almost all automatic machines.

In terms of longevity, you get a 2-year warranty as standard, which goes up to 3 years with registration. Comparatively, Breville offers a 2-year warranty, as does Ninja.

De'Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic review: Verdict

The PrimaDonna Aromatic prioritizes simplicity and speed over coffee snobbery. It’s perfect for automatic machine users who want coffee and want it now. Would I buy it? Probably not. Would I recommend it for people who love Starbucks and Dunkin’ coffee and want to make drinks easily at home? 100%.

However, I’m still not totally sure what separates it from De’Longhi’s $1,999 Eletta Explore — it has Bean Adapt, De’Longhi’s My Coffee Lounge app connectivity, and 50 recipes compared to the PrimaDonna Aromatic’s 38. I think I’d recommend saving your $500 and getting the Eletta Explore — or save $1,000 and get the De’Longhi Rivelia.

But if you have $2,500 to spend, by all means, go for it. The PrimaDonna Aromatic is a great machine capable of making consistent espresso over and over. It’s just very expensive.

Starbucks is expensive. There's no getting around that. Some drinks can cost as much as $10 in certain states these days, which is simply ridiculous. If I were to order a Grande Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at the Starbucks closest to Tom's Guide's Manhattan office, it would cost me $7.57. Yes, almost 8 bucks.

Fortunately, you can make it yourself, for far less.

I was a Starbucks barista for years, and learned how to make the delicious Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at home. I've even done some coffee math down below to show you how much better this version is for your wallet (and your health, if you use homemade syrup).

You only need three ingredients (four if you count ice as an ingredient, and five if you include the optional cinnamon) to make a delicious iced espresso at home. And the best part? It takes about two minutes. Here's my step-by-step guide to making the Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at home, using the Nespresso Vertuo Up, Oatly Barista oat milk, homemade brown sugar syrup, ice, and cinnamon.

The coffee math

I hate math, but I love coffee math. Let's see if making your own Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso actually is cheaper — and how many times you have to make it yourself to break even.

With a Nespresso machine

1. Nespresso Vertuo Pop+: $130 from Amazon
2. Oat milk: $3.32/52 fluid ounces from Walmart | 0.19 per drink
3. Brown sugar: $2.02/32 ounces from Walmart | 0.01 per drink
4. Coffee: Starbucks Blonde Nespresso Vertuo pods: $12.97 for 10 | 1.30 per pod

So that's $1.50 for the ingredients, $130 for the machine.

You’d need to drink 22 drinks to start making a profit. After that, it’s $6.07 in savings per drink.

With an espresso machine + grinder

1. Breville Bambino: $299 from Amazon
2. Baratza Encore ESP: $199 from Amazon
3. Starbucks Blonde whole bean coffee: $17.13/18 ounces | $0.57 per drink
4. Oat milk: $3.32/52 fluid ounces from Walmart | 0.19 per drink
5. Brown sugar: $2.02/32 ounces from Walmart | 0.01 per drink

This version has a higher initial cost but cheaper overall ingredients: $0.77 for the ingredients, $498 for the machines.

You'd need to drink 74 drinks to start making a profit. After that, it’s $6.80 of pure savings each time.

If you already have an espresso machine, you're saving almost 90% on every drink.

So, are you going to skip Starbucks and try making the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at home? I only ever make it myself — I haven't been into a Starbucks in years.

Are there any other Starbucks drinks you'd like me to simplify? Perhaps the Pumpkin Spiced Latte in September? Or the Eggnog latte in December? Let me know in the comments!

I post new episodes of The Coffee Lab every Friday, so be sure to check back next week.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tried the new Nespresso summer flavors — here's my favorite
• Non-plastic coffee makers are trending — and this low-plastic Ratio model is my favorite for coffee snobs
• I tried Lelit's brand-new 'entry-level' espresso machine — and I wish I had $2,000 so I could buy it

Very little comes close to the satisfaction I feel when I take my first sip of an expensive flat white from an equally expensive independent cafe. I love everything about frequenting coffeehouses: the adventure of actually going outside, deciding which of the plentiful bean varietals I fancy, then scrutinizing — ahem, watching — the barista as they make my oat milk flat white.

But patronizing cafes is costly, and I know I'm not the only one to say I don't have the money for it. But even if you want to make cafe-quality coffee at home, there's a catch. Many home espresso machines carry a staggering initial cost. Even the best-value stalwarts, like the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo ($699) and my personal machine, the Breville Bambino Plus ($499), are objectively expensive. And don't even get me started on grinders.

But could you get away with a cheaper espresso machine, and instead invest in a grinder and high-quality beans? To find out, I pitted two of my favorite espresso machines against one another in a blind taste test: the gorgeous prosumer Lelit MaraX3 ($1,999) and the cheap Breville Bambino ($299).

So which machine won — and which machine should you buy?

The competitors

The control

I used the same beans — Carter Coffee's Two Trees Geisha, £21 ($28) for 200g. With tasting notes of passion fruit, white peach, and an aromatic finish, I knew my espresso testers were in for a treat. When I first opened the bag, it made my brain light up like I was seeing my long-lost dog for the first time in thirty years.

I ground the beans using my Mazzer Philos ($1,500), the best grinder in the world. I'll acknowledge that this grinder is blindingly expensive, and not reasonable for most people at all. You do not need to buy this grinder to achieve similar results. I would recommend the Baratza Encore ESP ($199) or Comandante C40 MK4 (usually around $300) for most people.

A brief disclaimer: I use the Mazzer Philos in all my espresso experiments, so if any issues arise, I know it wasn't the grinder.

Admittedly, I ground the beans to slightly different sizes: click 22 for the Lelit, and click 25 for the Breville. This is because anything under click 25 resulted in an overextracted shot on the Breville, and anything over click 22 resulted in an underextracted shot on the Lelit. I dialed in my beans for each machine before commencing.

The test

I ran three blind taste tests: Black Americano, oat milk flat white, and pure espresso.

Black Americano

I made the black Americanos identically: 18g of coffee for 36g out between 25-28 seconds. Topped up with 8 ounces of thirty-seconds-off-the-boil water.

For now, we'll call them Coffee A and Coffee B.

My colleague Pete said Coffee A tasted "sour and bitter with less nuance, but still delicious." Lucy said A didn't have "much flavor," which was supported by James and Caspar, who said A tasted "a little thin" and "quite watery," respectively.

Josh was the only tester to prefer Coffee A: he reported it had a "richer aftertaste" and "more flavor in the afternotes" than Coffee B.

Lucy said Coffee B had a "more nuanced flavor than A," which was supported by James: "tastes a lot fuller and stronger," and Caspar, who enjoyed B's smoothness. Pete noticed the crema was thicker on Coffee B, which he thought meant it had a higher-quality group head. He preferred B overall due to the balanced bitter, caramel, and sour notes.

Josh was the only person to criticize B: he said it tasted "slightly more muted" and chose Coffee A as his favorite.

Can you guess which was which?

Oat milk flat white

The second test: oat milk flat white. I had a few fewer testers due to other responsibilities for this one.

Again, I made the coffees identically: 18g of coffee for 36g out within 25-28 seconds. I steamed milk using my usual barista-taught method (I am an ex-barista, after all).

Let's give them their names: Coffee A and Coffee B.

Pete preferred Coffee A, saying, "Milk is better textured on A. It's less aerated; smoother and silkier." He also preferred the coffee flavor on A. "Slight bit more flavor poking through. But very difficult to tell."

James said Coffee A was "really nice," but he liked the "darker, more intense flavor" on Coffee B more, so that was his favorite. Josh agreed with James, choosing Coffee B due to its "smoother" and "more coffee-like" flavor.

Espresso

Now for the most important test: straight espresso. There's nowhere to hide here.

I actually made a single espresso for this one, using 12g of coffee for 24g of espresso out. I don't have two espresso glasses, so apologies for the unconventional container in the photographs above.

Again, I'll introduce the players: Coffee A and Coffee B.

Pete said Coffee A had a better crema and smelled "more potently of chocolate." When he took a sip, he said, "Oh, that's good." Not really much else for me to say, is there? Overall, he said Coffee A had "a lot of body and a bit of acidity." Spoiler alert, but after drinking Coffee B, he said Coffee A was, and I quote, "So much nicer."

James and Caspar also preferred Coffee A; James said it had "a lot more going on, with more levels to the coffee flavor."

Josh mostly agreed — he said Coffee A had more fruit notes with a richer mouthfeel. I'll note here that Josh had the most sips out of anyone and mulled on his decision for much longer than anyone else, so his decision was almost too close to call.

Lucy was the only outlier, saying Coffee A had a "nice" espresso taste but not as rich as Coffee B, which had a more diverse flavor, with more dynamism in the sip. Interestingly, I also agreed — is this female vs male taste buds in action? (I'm joking — obviously there's no difference in female vs male taste buds).

What do you think? Ready for the results?

The results

And now I get to crown the $299 machine the winner! I didn't expect the Bambino to win — and neither did any of my testers. They were all shocked when I told them.

Of course, I tried all the drinks before I offered them to my taste-testers... and I preferred the Lelit MaraX3 every time. But is that because I knew it was the more expensive one, therefore I assumed it should have been tastier? Or because I personally prefer an acidic coffee, so this appealed to my unique taste buds?

I suppose I'll never know.

But taste isn't the only thing you should consider

Although I love the Breville Bambino — it's my favorite budget espresso machine, and there's literally zero competition — winning the taste test doesn't mean it's the best espresso machine in every situation.

The MaraX3 and Bambino are (mostly) intended for a different audience. You're not just paying $2,000 for coffee. You're paying $2,000 for a dual boiler, meaning you can steam milk and pull shots at the same time. You're paying $2,000 for the all-metal (+wood) construction, which might last longer than the Bambino's plastic. You're paying $2,000 for the steam, milk, and pressure configuration tools.

We're all thinking it, so I might as well say it: You're paying $2,000 for the Lelit branding and the Lelit design.

The MaraX3 is a work of art, and you should treat it like one.

If I had $2k, I know which machine I'd choose. The Lelit would already be in my kitchen.

Despite all of this, though, Lelit and Breville are part of the same company. Lelit is literally Breville's prosumer brand. The Baratza Encore ESP grinder I mentioned earlier? Also owned by Breville.

So, at the end of the day, your money's going to the same pocket.

If you want more coffee content, don't fret. I've got bucketloads (cuploads?). Every week, I release new episodes of The Coffee Lab, my series dedicated to forgetting coffee snobbery and figuring out what actually matters in your daily brew.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tried the new Nespresso summer flavors — here's my favorite
• Non-plastic coffee makers are trending — and this low-plastic Ratio model is my favorite for coffee snobs
• I tried Lelit's brand-new 'entry-level' espresso machine — and I wish I had $2,000 so I could buy it

I love my Moccamaster. It's one of the best coffee makers in the world, by a mile. It brews consistently delicious coffee with zero bitterness, minimal silt, and looks darn cool while doing it.

However, not everyone gets on with Moccamaster as well as I do — and that's the nature of life. Some issues are integral, which means those people would likely be better off with an alternative. But some are super easy fixes — and two of these three issues are incredibly easy fixes.

Last week, I troubleshot three other Moccamaster problems: "too much plastic," "horrible water distribution," and the "hot plate burning the coffee." This week, I'm teaching you how to prevent the Moccamaster from "scaling easily," dealing with the Moccamaster's "high price," and my favorite question of all: Does the Moccamaster come in a single-serve model?

You said the Moccamaster "scales easily"

I loved receiving this question — because it's so easily fixed! The Moccamaster will scale up. Everything that touches water will scale up. Pretty much all water contains minerals, which create limescale.

However, this is super easy to deal with.

And there you have it! Super easy. Didn't I tell you?

You said the Moccamaster is "too expensive"

I wasn't surprised when I received this question. The Moccamaster is expensive. Personally, I think the Moccamaster is the perfect example of "buy it nice or buy it twice". I would rather spend $370 on the Moccamaster than buy a $100 coffee maker three times — but I know that's not realistic for some people.

Moccamaster also offers a 5-year warranty and lifetime repairs, which no other coffee machine brand has matched yet. Again, personally, I would invest in the Moccamaster due to this after-purchase benefit — but I know that's not realistic for some people.

Here are some coffee makers with a lower initial cost.

But Moccamaster also make a cheaper alternative...

You said the Moccamaster should make a "single-pot version"

This was my favorite question to receive because I have a definitive answer for this: Moccamaster makes the Cup-One, too! I reviewed the Cup-One last year and loved it. It's exactly the same as the standard Moccamaster KGBV Select — but smaller.

I recommend the Cup-One to anyone who wants the consistent, stress-free performance of the Moccamaster without being obligated to brew an entire carafe.

So that brings us to the end! I've answered all the questions you asked me. Any more? Leave them in the comments and I'll get back to you shortly.

Stay tuned for the next episode of The Coffee Lab. I release a video every Friday on our Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tried the new Nespresso summer flavors — here's my favorite
• Non-plastic coffee makers are trending — and this low-plastic Ratio model is my favorite for coffee snobs
• I tried Lelit's brand-new 'entry-level' espresso machine — and I wish I had $2,000 so I could buy it

The Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus does the one thing I know most new home baristas struggle with: dialing in. Ever wondered why nothing is coming out of your espresso machine, or it’s coming out like water from a newly unblocked pipe? It’s because you haven’t dialed your coffee in yet.

But Ninja said ‘No more!’ No longer do you have to waste precious coffee on figuring out optimal grind size’ The Luxe Cafe Mini Plus has auto-grind-size calibration that tells you the precise “click” you should grind your beans at. This is genuinely so helpful for newbies.

So, is this enough to make the Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus one of the best espresso machines? For beginners, totally. Say goodbye to coffee-related headaches (unless you’re slamming double espresso after double espresso, but that’s a completely different type of headache). Want to find out more? Why wouldn’t you? Keep reading this Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus review.

Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus review: Specs

Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus review: Price & availability

The Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus is $499 from SharkNinja U.S. and £499 from Amazon U.K.. Although this looks like an objectively large amount of money, I can assure you this is actually reasonable for an espresso machine with a built-in grinder.

Ninja also makes the Luxe Cafe Mini ($459). The Mini doesn’t have automatic milk frothing. On the Luxe Cafe lineup is the Luxe Cafe Pro ($749), Luxe Cafe Premier ($599), and then you’ve got the eye-watering AutoBarista Pro ($949).

The cheapest setup I’d recommend is the Casabrews 3700 Essential ($129) and the Timemore C2s Chestnut ($60), which works out to $189. However, this is a hand grinder, so it might not be best for those who have no desire to spend ten minutes turning a crank (me included — I make my boyfriend grind my beans).

When you get into bean-to-cups, the price increases dramatically. You’ve got the Casabrews Marenza ($349), the cheapest bean-to-cup I’ve ever reviewed, but there’s a catch — the grinder hopper smashed after the second use, so I wouldn’t recommend it for longevity.

You’ve also got the Breville Barista Express ($699), one of the most iconic bean-to-cups ever made, and the De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo ($699), the best-value bean-to-cup I’ve reviewed. The Luxe Cafe Mini Plus undercuts both by some margin.

Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus review: Design

Just like the Ninja AutoBarista Pro I reviewed last month, the Luxe Cafe Mini is effectively a big plastic square. The machine gets the job done, but I don’t think it’s as pretty as the Breville Barista Express, De’Longhi Arte Evo, Lelit Mara X3, or the Fellow Espresso Series 1.

Of course, though, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and you may totally disagree. That’s fine! Ninja knows what works, obviously; it wouldn’t keep releasing espresso machines with the same functional aesthetic otherwise. It must work.

What separates the Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus from the Luxe Cafe Pro or AutoBarista Pro is pretty obvious — its size. The Luxe Cafe Mini is 3 inches narrower, half an inch slimmer, and 1 inch lower than the Luxe Cafe Pro. I’d recommend it for small spaces any day.

There’s an LCD screen on the front of the machine: you can see your grind size and coffee settings here. It’s easy to change said settings: just twist the knob and press the buttons. They’re all labeled, and it’s practically impossible to go wrong here.

Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus review: Espresso

As this is a bean-to-cup, I’ll discuss grinder and espresso here. I’ll go through milk performance later. The grinder operates at 71 dB, which is around the same volume as a running shower or a flushing toilet. As it only grinds for a few seconds, I’d say this is pretty quiet, all things considered.

Grinder

Unfortunately, you can’t set the grinder to whatever step you please. As the machine recommends you a grind setting, you can’t just go rogue and do what you want. As a result, I was only able to do a portion of my “normal” grinder testing. Obviously, if you’re making “drip”, the machine will suggest a much coarser grind size.

You get a dosing collar that slots into the grinder mechanism to prevent mess, too.

Normally, I would go through every fineness: Turkish all the way to cold brew. Here, though, I was only able to test the espresso-fine 12-step.

Here’s my standard uniformity testing. I’m looking for big jumps here: I want 0% to 90%. This proves the grinder is uniform, as all the grounds are the same size.

I would have liked to do more testing — but as I said, the machine only lets you grind on its recommended size!

As you can see, the grinder isn’t overly uniform. However, dialing in is super easy, as the machine does everything for you. No weighing or dosing or adjusting the grind. The machine takes care of all that headache.

Espresso

The Ninja’s espresso tastes fine. It’s not delicious, but it’s not disgusting, either. If you’re the kind of person who puts syrups or flavoring in your coffee, you probably won’t notice the taste flavor at all — but isn’t that kind of the point? The espresso tastes like coffee. Not massively nuanced or bright coffee, but coffee. It tastes like Starbucks.

As you can see, the shot is a nice caramel color with a layer of crema. The crema isn’t as creamy as I’d like, but it still tasted good. There was no nuance or complexity to the shot: it tasted like chain coffee. However, this is still good enough for most people — and without the dialing-in headache. It brewed 34g of coffee in 26 seconds.

I will note that the portafilter is tiny — just 53 mm. This means you likely won’t be able to get much aftermarket stuff in terms of accessories, but, again, I’m not sure that’s who this machine is aimed at. You do, however, get a dosing collar and a spring-loaded tamper as standard.

As I mentioned earlier, while the grinder isn’t “technically” perfect in the same way you’d expect from a standalone grinder, it’s fine for casual coffee drinkers who prioritize ease of use over coffee snobbery.

Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus review: Milk

The Luxe Cafe Mini has two milk steaming modes: automatic and manual. You can choose from three levels of foam: low, medium, and high. Weirdly, the “medium” foam level is more like a cappuccino. It took 1 minute 49 seconds to heat a jug of milk to drinking temperature, which is longer than the Breville Bambino Plus’s auto milk frothing time.

Manual milk steaming works the same as any other espresso machine. I was surprised to see the Luxe Cafe Mini Plus has a super strong steam wand — much stronger than Casabrews alternatives I’ve tested. It’s around the same strength as a De’Longhi Arte Evo.

Here’s a photo of automatically frothed milk.

As you can see, the texture is okay. It’s not perfect, but it’s soft enough to achieve some latte art. There was a disconnect between the milk and froth, which resulted in a dodgy pour. I’d recommend serious home baristas foam their own milk, but newbies might find this super helpful.

Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus review: Storage & maintenance

As the Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus is, well, mini, it’s a better option for smaller spaces. Although it’s not as small as a standalone espresso machine, it’s smaller than alternative bean-to-cups. Let’s get our comparison caps on! N.B.: the last model, Breville Bambino, is a standalone espresso machine. This is just for a baseline comparison as the Bambino is the small machine of choice for many. I’m aware they serve slightly different audiences.

As you can see, the Luxe Cafe Mini is considerably lighter than the other bean-to-cups. It’s also shorter and slimmer than all the others, but the De’Longhi Arte Evo is narrower.

I have no qualms about recommending the Luxe Cafe Mini to those who need a smaller espresso machine but don’t want to sacrifice a built-in grinder.

In terms of longevity, Ninja offers a 2-year warranty, which is the same as Breville and De’Longhi, so pretty standard. As the machine doesn’t come with cleaning products, you’d need to get backflush tablets and descaler yourself. These are $34 for a 4-month supply directly from Ninja. It does come with a water filter, though, which is nice!

Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus review: Verdict

The Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus is a fantastic first espresso machine. I won’t impress coffee snobs, but it will hit the spot if you value ease of use, simplicity, and consistency. The automatic dial-in process is perhaps the best thing for newbies. No stressing over why no coffee came out or why your coffee tastes like sour bean water. You do get a decent shot of espresso every time.

No, there’s no nuance of complexity in the shot. I use the same beans for all my testing, and they tasted like Starbucks rather than the snobby shop down the road. But is that a bad thing? Starbucks is popular for a reason. People love coffee that tastes like coffee. I personally wouldn’t get this machine, but I’m a coffee snob. Take what I say with a pinch of salt.

If you’re reading this and nodding along, you’re definitely the target audience for the Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus. It helps you make consistent espresso and milk. Coffee lovers looking for a one-ticket route to consistently great coffee? Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus.

The Moccamaster is one of my favorite coffee makers. No, I'd actually say it's my favorite. It has everything I like: a cool vibe, easy functionality, and consistent taste. Oh, and the best part? The lifetime repairs and 5-year standard warranty. Honestly, there's nothing I don't like about the Moccamaster.

But I know some of you have questions about the Moccamaster, and I'm here to answer them! I got tons of comments on TikTok, so I'm answering the three most-commonly asked questions.

So, if you want to know how I'd fix the Moccamaster having "too much plastic," the Moccamaster's "horrible water distribution," or the Moccamaster "hot plate burning the coffee," buckle in.

1. You said the Moccamaster has "too much plastic"

I both agree and disagree! Yes, it has a lot of plastic, but due to E.U. regulations, the Moccamaster only uses virgin, BPA-free, phthalate-free plastic, so none of this plastic will leach into your coffee. You also need to remember that Technivorm makes the Moccamaster in the Netherlands, and shipping a completely glass/metal coffee maker across the Atlantic would cost a pretty penny... and the Moccamaster already costs a pretty penny.

However, if you want as little plastic in your kitchen as possible — I don't blame you — then you might be a little more interested in the Simply Good Coffee Plastic-Free Brewer. I reviewed this coffee maker a month or so ago and I loved it. As it has a bloom feature, it makes a juicier, fruitier coffee, more attuned to what I'd describe as "coffee-snob coffee".

Although the SGC Brewer still has silicone and plastic on the exterior to prevent burns, it's much less plastic than the Moccamaster.

2. You said the Moccamaster has "horrible water distribution"

I also agree and disagree with this one. The Moccamaster does tend to "funnel" — where the water goes down the center of the filter basket and the coffee grounds climb up the side, resulting in overextracted and underextracted flavors.

However, this is less a Moccamaster issue and more a drip coffee maker issue. If you want drip, it's an occupational hazard. I've yet to use a drip coffee maker with zero funnelling. Even the "coffee-snob-approved" SGC Plastic-Free Brewer doesn't manage to distribute the water as evenly as a well-poured pour-over.

You can easily mitigate this, though. You need to grind all your coffee evenly using a good grinder. I'd recommend something like the Baratza Encore ESP if you can afford $199 or the Timemore Chestnut C2s if you don't mind hand grinding and you only want to spend $60.

Next: make sure your grind isn't too fine or too coarse. A coarser grind may be more inclined to funnel as there's more surface area for the water to burrow under. Too fine will create blockages.

Finally, this is what I would do after exhausting all other options. When you brew, don't put on the filter basket lid. Manually "bloom" the grounds. This means add a little bit of water, then stir, ensuring the water has saturated the grounds. Then, let the machine drip as normal. See the difference?

You said the Moccamaster hot plate "burns the coffee"

And I agree with you! The hot plate does burn the coffee. I never use the hot plate feature on mine. I always make a half batch if I'm brewing just for me, or make sure everyone gets a cup while it's fresh.

If you want to keep your coffee hot without burning, I'd recommend checking out Technivorm's thermal carafe, which is $84 from Amazon.

So, that's everything you asked me this week! Next week, I'll be answering more questions about the Moccamaster.

I release new episodes of The Coffee Lab every Friday on our TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and also here on Tom's Guide.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tried the new Nespresso summer flavors — here's my favorite
• Non-plastic coffee makers are trending — and this low-plastic Ratio model is my favorite for coffee snobs
• I tried Lelit's brand-new 'entry-level' espresso machine — and I wish I had $2,000 so I could buy it

The Nespresso Vertuo Up is the newest Nespresso machine as of July 2026. It brings back the iconic Nespresso plug-and-play brew style with an added “Over Ice” mode and app functionality. Yes, this coffee machine connects to my phone, and I’m actually not mad about it.

But is this enough to make it one of the best Nespresso machines you can get? Heck, yeah! I loved testing this machine. It’s as easy as pie — or, as easy as Nespresso — and doesn’t look particularly hideous while doing it. Of course, it’s not as premium as the Nespresso Vertuo Creatista, but it’s also $400 cheaper.

I had a great time testing this machine, and so did my colleagues. One of my colleagues drank four cups of coffee in one day during my testing period — that’s how good it is. Want to find out more about the new Nespresso machine? Why wouldn’t you? Keep reading this Nespresso Vertuo Up review.

Nespresso Vertuo Up review: Specs

Nespresso Vertuo Up review: Price & availability

The Nespresso Vertuo Up is $229 from Amazon U.S. and £179 from Amazon U.K.. Nespresso makes two lines of machines: original and Vertuo. Of the Vertuo collection, the Up is the most premium. If you want similar performance for less, you’d be looking at the $189 Vertuo Next or the $129 Vertuo Pop+.

Vertuo machines are generally cheaper than original Nespresso machines. This is because Vertuo pods are patented, whereas original Nespresso pods are not. Ergo, Nespresso charges less for the initial machine, but more for the pods… so you might end up paying more over time.

The Nespresso CitiZ ($265) is my favorite original Nespresso machine, but you can still get the three-year-old Nespresso Pixie ($229). Of course, neither of these machines have app connectivity, so you can’t adjust the heat or size of your drinks.

Nespresso Vertuo Up review: Design

The Nespresso Vertuo Up, like other Nespresso machines, is compact and ideal for small spaces. As it’s just 4.7 inches wide, I was able to fit it in my kitchen with zero stress.

However, it’s worth noting that it needs a decent amount of overhead clearance — the pod release comes up 5 inches, giving it an overall height of 15.9 inches. Because of this, I wouldn’t recommend putting it under low-lying cabinets.

One of my favorite design features is the rotating water tank. Unlike other Nespresso machines (CitiZ), the water tank can fit on the back or on either side, so you can adapt the machine to fit your space rather than the other way around.

Of course, the Vertuo Up is relatively plasticky. It is a Nespresso machine, after all. If you want a more premium aesthetic, I’d recommend checking out the eye-wateringly expensive Vertuo Creatista ($699).

Another “it is a Nespresso machine, after all” design feature is the minimal on-machine controls. Instead of levers, buttons, and dials you might find on espresso machines like the De’Longhi Stilosa ($149) or Breville Bambino ($299), the Vertuo Up has just two buttons: “Ice” and “Go”. Those aren’t the official names, of course, but they explain what I mean well enough.

If you’re using “Over Ice” pods (like I was), you’ll need to press the “Ice” button before “Go”. Otherwise, you’ll get a hot drink. Obviously, this is great if you want to stick it to the man and brew a hot coffee using “Over Ice” pods, but, as I experienced, pods designed for iced drinks don’t taste great hot.

Unlike Nespresso original machines, you can’t choose between an espresso or lungo shot. Each Vertuo pod has a specific dosage volume: for example, the Coconut & Vanilla is a 230ml “mug”, whereas the Yuzu & Vanilla is an 80ml “double shot”. You can kind of adjust volumes with the NespressoSmart app (more on that later), but you can’t do it on the machine itself. This is a little frustrating, and I’d like to see Nespresso utilize on-machine buttons to correct this in the future, as not everyone wants or needs the Nespresso app on their phone.

Nespresso Vertuo Up review: Performance

The Nespresso Vertuo Up is supremely easy to use. I’ll say it for the third time: it is a Nespresso machine, after all. These things are revered for their ease of use and simplicity.

All you have to do is insert the pod of your choice and press “Go”. That’s it. The pod starts spinning like an errant hair caught in a plughole, and thirty seconds later, you’ve got a fresh coffee.

I will say that the Vertuo Up is incredibly loud: it peaked at 70.9dB. It was so loud, in fact, I had colleagues come up to me and say things like, “Oh, that’s a bit of a screamer, isn’t it?” Yes. Yes it is.

Even so, this isn’t a dealbreaker for me. I’m using the machine for, what, a minute? I can put up with 71dB for a minute in exchange for fresh coffee.

Taste is tricky to evaluate because different pods taste different, and different people have different palates. I tested the Vertuo Up with the Yuzu & Vanilla, Coconut & Vanilla, and Oatly Barista Edition Over Ice pods. They all tasted great, with zero burned or bitter notes (except once).

Let me elaborate. I’ll preface this by saying this is purely user error. This is simply advice to you — not an issue with the Vertuo Up at all. I mistakenly brewed the Yuzu & Vanilla pod hot rather than “Over Ice”; it tasted super bitter, with a really frothy crema. It was, put simply, not good. So learn from my mistakes and follow the instructions on the pod packaging!

The only real con I have with the Nespresso Vertuo Up is its tendency to leak before extraction. After inserting a pod and pressing “Go”, the machine leaks around half a teaspoon of coffee into the cup, presumably leftover coffee stuck in the dispensing nozzle from the previous brew. Kinda gross. Although I’m sure this didn’t majorly impact the flavor of my subsequent coffee, it’s worth noting. I’d like to see Nespresso rectify this for the next model, whenever that may be. There’s no “clean” option between drinks.

Nespresso Vertuo Up review: App

I’m usually an app hater, but I really like the NespressoSmart app. It actually benefits the user experience.

As you can see, the app is clean, easy to use, and user-friendly. I can see even the most technophobic person on the planet being able to make the most of this app. You can change the volume of your pods, change water temperature, run cleaning cycles, run water emptying cycles, and look up instruction manuals.

Of course, I would like to see some on-machine controls for these settings as not everyone wants or needs to download an app to use a coffee machine, but as far as apps go, this is a decent one.

The only downside is that the app asks you for full contact information while signing up. You have to put in your full name, email, full address, and phone number. Why? Why does the app need this info for me to customize my espresso? I just wrote “No” in all the address boxes, put a random zip code, and a fake number and it let me make the account, but this is still annoying.

Nespresso Vertuo Up review: Storage & maintenance

As this is a Vertuo machine, replacement pods are only available from Nespresso’s official Amazon store and Nespresso direct. This is disappointing. I wanted to buy some extra pods and visited my local grocery store (a large store with tons of products, including Nespresso pods), but it only stocked original pods. After a quick Google, I discovered that I could only buy these specific pods online.

Therefore, you’ll need some pre-planning to ensure you don’t run out of pods. The price of pods is also quite different from original Nespresso pods. A 30-pack of OG Nespresso pods retails for $27, working out to $0.90 per pod. Vertuo pods are $40.50 for the same sized pack, $1.35 per pod. The pods I personally tested with were around $1.25-$1.55 per pod.

So while the Vertuo machines are cheaper from the off, you might actually spend more money over time. Let’s quickly do some coffee math. Say you’re spending $13 extra a month (if you drink one a day). There’s a $36 price difference between the Vertuo Up and the Citiz. After 3 months, you’ll have spent that extra $36 on Nespresso’s patented Vertuo pods.

Personally, I would always buy an original Nespresso machine for this reason, but of course, the decision is up to you.

Cleaning the machine is straightforward: there are detailed instructions in the app and you can start cleaning cycles from your phone. You can also buy cleaning kits directly from the app: a descaling kit is $10.99 for two sachets.

Alright, last but not least: pod recycling. Of course, not buying single-use pods is inherently more environmentally friendly than buying single-use pods, but at least you can recycle Nespresso pods. You can either get a recycling bag direct from Nespresso, return your pods to Nespresso stores, or drop off your pods at select convenience stores.

Nespresso Vertuo Up review: Verdict

The Nespresso Vertuo Up is a really great Nespresso machine. It’s beyond easy to use, looks pretty good, and the app is genuinely useful. While it’s not perfect, hence the 4-star rating, it’s bound to make any hands-free coffee lover happy. My colleagues all remarked on its ease of use and pleasant coffee flavor.

Sure, I’d appreciate some on-machine controls for the next gen and I’d appreciate more pod options, but if you want to save that initial cost with a Vertuo, this is a pretty good one to get. It can make iced and hot coffees in seconds, and never made a bad brew (except my experiment).

I recommend the Nespresso Vertuo Up for anyone interested in upgrading an old Nespresso machine, anyone who particularly likes having smart control features on their coffee machine, or, simply, anyone who wants hot (or cold) coffee and wants it now.

Nespresso always seems to be cooking up something exciting. So what's happening this summer 2026? Not only have we got the brand-new Nespresso Vertuo Up, one of the best Nespresso machines, we've also got...

Summer Nespresso flavors! I tried three of the new flavors — Yuzu & Vanilla Over Ice, Coconut Vanilla Over Ice, and Oatly Barista Edition. I didn't get a chance to try out the new decaf French Lavender & Vanilla, but this is a super fun flavor. Usually, decaf drinkers don't get as many options, so it's great to see Nespresso remember our non-caffeinated brethren.

So, which of the new Nespresso summer flavors is worth it? Does it actually taste like yuzu? Don't fear, because I'll answer all your questions and more. I made all of these drinks on the new Nespresso Vertuo Up.

Flavor 1: Yuzu & Vanilla Over Ice

First up is the one I'm most excited for: the Yuzu & Vanilla Over Ice. This pod makes 80ml, a "double espresso", and I served it both black and with milk. While milk brought out a creamy, almost cheesecake-like flavor, just water tasted light and clean.

The first photo is black, the second is with oat milk.

The flavor: The yuzu flavor is really subtle. If you're worried about it being a wall of citrus, don't be. The coffee, vanilla, and yuzu notes are complementary, rather than battling one another for dominance. It tastes more like a coffee with a whisper of lemon than anything else.

If you like juicy, fruity drinks, like African coffee beans or Starbucks Pink Drink, you'll probably like this a lot.

Flavor 2: Coconut & Vanilla Over Ice

Next is Coconut & Vanilla Over Ice. This pod is a little different as it makes a 230ml "coffee" rather than an 80ml "double espresso". You don't need to add anything except ice.

Here's a photo of the Nespresso Coconut & Vanilla Over Ice.

The flavor: Just like the Nespresso Yuzu & Vanilla Over Ice, Coconut & Vanilla is subtle and delicate. You might not even know it's supposed to be vanilla flavored without reading the packet. I like the caramelly mouthfeel — the drink is smooth and warming even though it's completely iced — and the coconut does well to round out the coffee.

I'd say this tastes more like an iced batch brew with a little brown sugar than a coconut milk coffee. I was worried it would be too coconutty, but it's not. This coffee is better for people who want a subtle toasty flavor rather than a coconut milk latte. I really enjoyed it, but I think I would prefer a bolder coconut taste.

Flavor 3: Oatly Barista Edition

As an oat milk fanatic, I was surprised and pleased to see an Oatly Barista Edition Nespresso pod. Those who know me will know I go through a carton of the stuff every few days.

This pod brews an 80ml "double shot" and is designed to be made iced.

Here are two photos of the Oatly Barista Edition over ice. The first photo uses oat milk and the second was made with dairy milk.

The flavor: This was my favorite of the three by far. This pod has a strong, malty coffee flavor. The beans are rich and caramelly with zero bitterness. There's no whisper of yuzu or coconut. It tastes like coffee — in the best way possible.

This would be the best pod if you like flat whites or cortados.

My rankings

Alright, after much deliberation, I've finally settled on my Nespresso pod ranking.

1. Oatly Barista Edition
2. Yuzu & Vanilla
3. Coconut & Vanilla

More from Tom's Guide

• I tried this ridiculously cheap bean-to-cup espresso machine so you don't have to — and it's a total head-scratcher
• Non-plastic coffee makers are trending — and this low-plastic Ratio model is my favorite for coffee snobs
• I tried Lelit's brand-new 'entry-level' espresso machine — and I wish I had $2,000 so I could buy it

ICYMI, it's Amazon Prime Day, and that means all the best deals can be found at the e-commerce retailer. Prices have been sliced across almost every category, including some of the best coffee machines.

Now, I don't necessarily consider myself a coffee snob, but I cannot begin to express how vital it is to start your day with a good cup o' joe. What's even more important, though, is having an excellent machine that does the job — and does it well.

Whether you prefer a fully automatic machine, with a built-in grinder and steam wand, or something a bit more manual, I've got you covered with my handpicked Prime Day coffee machine deals below. I've even listed some top-rated pod machines for those who prefer that one-touch convenience in the mornings.

Personally, I cannot live without my Ninja Luxe Cafe machine, and while it is currently out of stock, during Prime Day, it reached an all-time low price of AU$799.99 AU$524.20 in the Stainless Steel colourway. There's also a huge 62% off the beloved Nespresso Vertuo Pop in Mango Yellow, bringing it down to just AU$88.

I've also spotted some nice discounts on coffee-focused accessories, like a tidy 34% off a Le Creuset French Press, and 31% off Breville's Pro Control coffee grinder. If none of the deals below tickle your caffeine-fuelled fancy, make sure to check out our live Prime Day coverage to find more of the best coffee machine bargains available.

You'll need to act fast to secure these discounts, though, as Prime Day will come to an end on Monday, July 13, and these deals won't stick around long after.

Best coffee machine deals

Best coffee machine accessories

• Back to the top ⤴

The IKAPE Kapo K2 Pro is the best portable espresso maker I’ve tested so far. I’ve used pretty much everything Wacaco makes, and if you’re a camping aficionado who wants the best trail coffee possible, it’s gotta be the IKAPE Kapo K2 Pro.

While pricey, if you want the best of the best, you may as well invest. The Kapo K2 Pro can make six shots of espresso on one charge and has a customizable flow rate and pre-infusion time (if you get the app). If I were on a desert island with only the Pixapresso or the Kapo K2 Pro, I’d choose the latter.

Although you don’t get as golden a crema as my coffee-snob heart would like, you can’t really ask for the world from a portable espresso maker. If you want to find out more about this surprisingly excellent espresso maker — why wouldn’t you, it’s great — then keep reading this IKAPE Kapo K2 Pro review.

IKAPE Kapo K2 Pro review: Specs

IKAPE Kapo K2 Pro review: Price & availability

The IKAPE Kapo K2 Pro is $199 from Amazon U.S. and £170 from Amazon U.K. Curiously, the machine itself is embossed with ‘CERA+’, another coffee company. IKAPE’s representative has confirmed to me that Cera and IKAPE collaborated on this product, but they are two separate brands. Cera+ sells its own portable espresso machine for $139 at Amazon — and if the machines are manufactured by the same company, it might be worth getting the cheaper option.

However, Cera+ and Kapo K2 Pro differ in some key ways: the Cera+ can use both Nespresso pods and ground coffee, and the IKAPE only ground coffee. However, the IKAPE has an array of coffee-snob-approved features like a bottomless portafilter and comes with a grooved tamper.

$199 is pretty expensive for a portable espresso maker; the Wacaco Pixapresso is $159, the non-self-heating Wacaco Pipamoka and Wacaco Picopresso are $49 and $129, respectively. I see the OutIn Nano portable espresso maker everywhere — this is $159 from Amazon.

None of these alternatives have app compatibility, which means you won’t be able to customize pre-infusion and flow rates.

You can also buy the IKAPE stand, which is $42 from Amazon.

IKAPE Kapo K2 Pro review: Design

The Kapo K2 Pro looks pretty darn cool. It’s very simple, with a gray plastic exterior and a one-button system. You only have to press the button once for the machine to do its thing. Unlike Wacaco’s complex, convoluted portable espresso makers, the IKAPE is so easy that a toddler could do it (but obviously don’t give it to your toddler…).

There are only a few moving parts: the bottomless portafilter, the dosing collar, a tamper, a water tank lid, and a drinking cup. Each part feels well-made — the dosing collar has (relatively weak, but still present) magnets, and the bottomless portafilter screws smoothly into the maker body. The tamper is particularly impressive; it’s spring-loaded with a grooved circular impression, which just makes me feel so fancy.

I have nothing bad to say about the build at all. Sure, if you’re upset by plastic, you might want to go for the 9Barista Espresso Machine Mk.2, which is constructed from nickel-plated brass, stainless steel, anodized aluminum, silicone, PTFE plastic (Teflon), and PEI plastic. However, the 9Barista is… — checks notes — $699… At that point, just get a Breville Bambino ($299) and a generator. I jest, I jest, but that’s a lot of money for a manual coffee maker. Our reviews editor Pete Wolinski has also taken the 9Barista camping, and had this to say: “Honestly, it’s more trouble than it’s worth.”

IKAPE Kapo K2 Pro review: Espresso

It took 3 minutes and 21 seconds for the Kapo K2 Pro to make one shot of espresso. This is wildly faster than the Wacaco Pixapresso, which labored for 9 minutes before finally giving me an espresso.

The battery life on the IKAPE is also far superior — I made 6 shots of espresso before needing to recharge it, whereas the IKAPE died after 2 ½ (yeah, the half is the real kicker there, because not only have I wasted my time, but also my expensive coffee).

Alright, now let’s get into what really matters: espresso taste. I use the same Ethiopian beans for 90% of my coffee testing, which is what I used here.

Take a look at this espresso. This was made using 18g of finely ground coffee (using my Mazzer Philos, $1,500, of course) and 50ml of water.

As you can see, there isn’t much crema. The espresso doesn’t have the same gorgeous caramel you might expect, and it definitely looks worse than the Wacaco Pixapresso. However, quality of life on the IKAPE is far superior — it just depends on what you value.

Taste-wise, though, the espresso was good. It’s definitely better than drinking instant while on camping trips, but I’m not going to throw away my Breville Bambino Plus any time soon. The espresso was rich and satisfying, with some juicy notes in iced lattes. Americanos were balanced and not bitter, with a pleasant mouthfeel. It wasn’t the best coffee I’ve ever had, but it’s definitely good enough for camping trips.

I didn’t experience any scalding issues with the Kapo K2 Pro. It dispensed hot espresso into the provided drinking cup without spilling anywhere.

IKAPE Kapo K2 Pro review: App

I was surprised to find the Kapo K2 Pro came with an app, and I worried it wouldn’t be worth it. However, it’s actually got a huge range of niche features. It’s called ‘Happy Go Cera+’, and the eagle-eyed amongst you will realize that’s the same company that also co-manufactured the Kapo K2 Pro itself.

You can do a whole load of things on the ‘HappyGo Cera+’ app. You can customize pre-infusion time, customize “standby” time (I assume this means the coffee has been saturated before pressurized extraction), and customize flow rate. I played around with this and found that a long pre-infusion and slow flow rate provided a lovely juicy flavor profile for my Ethiopian beans.

IKAPE Kapo K2 Pro review: Storage & maintenance

As the Kapo K2 Pro is relatively small — just 10 inches tall and 3 inches wide — it will easily fit in backpacks for camping trips. At 1.8 pounds, it’s around the same weight as the Wacaco Pixapresso.

Cleaning was also super easy. All the main parts are removable, which I washed in warm soapy water. The only thing you can’t remove is the water tank, but as this only touches water, it probably doesn’t need soap anyway. If you’re worried, just run fresh water through before brewing up.

IKAPE offers a 1-year warranty, which is the same as Wacaco’s. Even so, I’m not entirely impressed by this — if I’m spending $199 on a coffee maker, I want at least two years.

IKAPE Kapo K2 Pro review: Verdict

The IKAPE Kapo K2 Pro is the best portable espresso maker I’ve ever tested. As much as I enjoyed testing the Wacaco Pixapresso, the IKAPE version is much, much better. For starters, it can brew six shots rather than two on one charge, it comes with really weighty, high-quality accessories, and it’s much easier to use.

Of course, the IKAPE is more expensive. You’re looking at $200 rather than $150. While I wish the IKAPE was cheaper, if you’re a serious coffee lover looking to upgrade your camping coffee setup and you don’t care how much you spend, then I’d recommend the Kapo K2 Pro over the Pixapresso.

For those looking for the best of the best, go for the IKAPE Kapo K2 Pro. It’s the best portable espresso maker I’ve ever tested, and, while pricier than alternatives, if you want the best, you gotta pay for it — right?

One day, I aspire to have a really, really nice espresso machine. Don't get me wrong, I love love love my Breville Bambino Plus, but at some point, I want a machine that pulls out all the stops. I'm talking dual boiler or heat exchanger, walnut flourishes, 58mm portafilter, commercial-level steam wand, custom everything.

So when I tested the Lelit Mara X3, I thought I'd died and gone to coffee heaven. This beautiful prosumer machine has it all, and more. Did you know you can customize water temperature, steam pressure, and pressure? And it looks that good while doing so? Oof, sign me up.

The Mara X3 is definitely one of the best espresso machines I've ever tested. And, luckily for the Americans reading this, it's finally out across the pond! As of July 1st, the Mara X3 is available for purchase from Seattle Coffee Gear and Lelit direct, for the very — checks notes — "reasonable" price of $2,000. So... is this $2k espresso machine worth it? Let's get into it.

Hidden coffee nerd settings galore

As you might expect from a machine that costs almost double my monthly rent, the Lelit Mara X3 is replete with high-tech coffee-snob-approved features.

The Mara X3 has three main standouts: 1) custom steam pressure, 2) Pagaia pressure paddle, and 3) water temperature control.

It doesn't take a genius to guess what all these features do. The steam pressure can be increased or decreased depending on your preference (so you could practice with lower pressure before ramping up to commercial-level pressure). I kept this on 'Max' to mimic commercial espresso machines.

There's also a temperature switch hiding under the drip tray — this is for different coffee roasts. Light roast requires a higher temperature, dark roasts a cooler, and medium, well, medium.

The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed I omitted the 'Pagaia' paddle — fear not, because that requires its own section.

Pressure paddle for perfect performance

When you start getting into espresso aficionado territory, you start hearing things like "pre-infusion". Pre-infusion is when you saturate the grounds at low pressure before ramping up the pressure for a normal espresso extraction.

Varying this pre-infusion can bring out different flavors in your coffee. If you're using great artisanal beans, you'll start noticing things you've never noticed before. Cherry, biscuit, whiskey, lime — coffee can and does taste like all these things. I promise you.

Of course, you need to experiment with this to get the best performance. No, you're not going to start tasting bubblegum in your coffee on your first try. You really need to play with it.

You can customize pre-infusion on Breville machines — Bambino, Barista Express — but the Pagaia paddle takes it up a notch. You can put the machine on low pressure, then high pressure, then low pressure again. It's what coffee is all about — having fun!

I had a whale of a time playing with different pressures and noticing all the unique flavors in my espresso. Trust me — you'll get obsessed. The Mara X3 makes seriously delicious espresso.

So... is it worth it?

Ugh, I hate this. But yes. Yes, it's worth it.

However, I know I'm never going to have $2,000 to spend on an espresso machine, and that's fine. I've made my peace with that. Although I want one of these gorgeous prosumer models, unless I win the lottery or fall into a pile of cash, I know it's not going to happen.

But if you do have $2,000 lying about and you're extremely into coffee, then you should definitely buy the Lelit Mara X3. You will not be disappointed at all.

Obviously, the Mara X3 is gorgeous. I mean, just look at it. Everyone in the office made oohs and aahs when they walked past. The walnut flourishes are eye-catching, the cream body screams high-quality, and the overall aesthetic is simply perfect.

I'll leave you with this: When you're scrolling coffee YouTube/TikTok/Instagram, just look at what machine most influencers have. Yep, it's the Lelit Bianca. This brand has a cult following for a reason — and the Mara X3 is one of the cheapest ways to be inducted.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tried this ridiculously cheap bean-to-cup espresso machine so you don't have to — and it's a total head-scratcher
• Non-plastic coffee makers are trending — and this low-plastic Ratio model is my favorite for coffee snobs
• Do you need a WDT tool for barista-quality coffee at home? I put the controversial coffee tool to the test

Here at The Coffee Lab, I'm always trying to find the best coffee maker. With so many options out there now — Moccamaster, Ninja 12-Cup, Breville Luxe Brewer, Aarke Coffee Maker — it feels like finding a coffee granule in a haystack.

Thankfully, Simply Good Coffee literally put it in the name. This week, I've got the Simply Good Coffee Plastic-Free Brewer on the dissection table, so let's get stuck in. You guys hate plastic in your coffee. Personally, I'm not vehemently anti-plastic. While I was researching for this article, I discovered that BPA plastic is not banned in the U.S., which explains a lot. European food safety standards are pretty robust already — BPA plastic has been banned in the EU since 2025. Of course, minimizing plastic usage is the best course of action for the environment as a whole, so we should all be consciously choosing the eco-friendly option.

Simply Good Coffee is trying to make one of the first "truly" plastic-free coffee makers... and it's kind of succeeded? I say "kind of" because the Plastic-Free Brewer has a plastic-coated exterior (for health and safety to prevent burns) and silicone tubing in the water lines. Are these dealbreakers for you, or would you still get the Plastic-Free Brewer? Let's get into it.

Low plastic, not no plastic

Let's just get this clear: the Simply Good Coffee Plastic-Free brewer is not plastic-free. As I mentioned earlier, it has a plastic coating on the exterior to prevent burns and the internal water lines have medical-grade silicone tubing.

However, no hot water touches plastic at any point during the brewing process. The heating element, water tank, carafe, filter, and destratification tube are all made from stainless steel or glass. Water obviously touches the silicone in the water tubing, but this isn't hot yet. And, it's silicone. It's not plastic in the traditional sense. Do you consider silicone a dangerous plastic, or not?

There are some key differences between the SGC and Moccamaster: the latter has a plastic filter basket, a plastic destratification tube (yes, that's its real name), and a plastic water tank. Let's look at a side-by-side.

It would be completely inaccurate to claim the Moccamaster leaches plastic into hot water, though. Technivorm is based in the Netherlands, a country with strict plastic laws. Every Moccamaster is handmade in the Netherlands using "virgin plastics in key components". Technivorm uses virgin plastics rather than recycled to "ensure structural consistency, long-term durability, and full traceability of materials." Don't worry — even though BPAs aren't explicitly banned in the U.S., all Moccamaster's plastics are "BPA, BPS, phthalate, and BPF-free."

There's no one correct answer, and I'm not going to pretend there is, or tell you what to believe. You should get whichever machine you feel more comfortable with.

But how does the coffee taste?

The Simply Good Coffee Plastic-Free Brewer makes delicious coffee. In my 4-star review, I wrote, "I never made a bad batch on the Simply Good Coffee Brewer. Every pot tasted clean, fresh, with zero bitterness and a pleasant, well-rounded finish. This coffee tastes just as good as the Moccamaster’s, and I’m sure any Moccamaster transplants will be satisfied with this flavor."

Of course, you can experiment with flavor by adjusting grind size, water-to-coffee ratio, and bloom time. The SGC Plastic-Free Brewer has a bloom button; you can switch it on or off depending on preference.

"I tried every dose from 56g (the minimum for a full pot) to 72g (the maximum for a full pot), and found anywhere between 60g-72g to be perfect," I wrote in my review. Usually, I'm a rigid ratio stickler, but I enjoyed the SCG flavor at pretty much every ratio.

Unfortunately, the Simply Good Coffee Plastic-Free Brewer isn't SCA-accredited yet, but the company claims the Brewer adheres to the SCA's guidelines.

What's your main takeaway?

Would you be willing to try the Simply Good Coffee (Mostly) Plastic-Free Brewer? Or would you rather stick with your old faithful Moccamaster, Ninja, Breville, and the like?

It's worth noting that Simply Good Coffee does not offer a 5-year warranty or lifetime repairs like Technivorm, but "a two-year warranty as standard and a five-year warranty if you enrol in the Coffee Quality Assurance Programme (costs $120…), which gives you free shipping, filters, and cleaning products."

I honestly think I would be happy with either the Moccamaster or the SGC Plastic-Free Brewer. Looks-wise, they're both a bit of me. I love that modern, functional, industrial, yet sleek vibe.

Let me know in the comments which machine you'd rather buy! Be sure to check back next Friday for the next episode of The Coffee Lab brewing on our TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tried this ridiculously cheap bean-to-cup espresso machine so you don't have to — and it's a total head-scratcher
• Non-plastic coffee makers are trending — and this low-plastic Ratio model is my favorite for coffee snobs
• Do you need a WDT tool for barista-quality coffee at home? I put the controversial coffee tool to the test

It's not unusual for the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select to be released in a new color. Earlier this year, the Dutch brand announced its Color of the Year with the Moccamaster in Sorbet. And there's plenty more where that came from with the Moccamaster available in a wide selection of colors all-year round.

What is a little unusual about this latest color drop is that it's launched for one reason in particular — Amazon Prime Day. Holding the overall top spot amongst the best coffee makers we've ever tested, I'm excited to see it in this new color even if the circumstances are unexpected.

So, to mark Amazon Prime Day 2026, Moccamaster has dropped this exclusive color for the annual sales event — Eucalyptus. And, for a little something extra special, it's offering a 33 per cent discount on the usual price during the sales period (23 to 26 June).

Why I'll be picking one up

While the Prime Day exclusive color is certainly alluring, it's not just the Eucalyptus hue that is swaying my decision to grab one. It's mainly down to the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select's impressive features.

Not only did it secure a four-and-a-half star review from our testers, but it's held a spot in our coffee maker buying guide for five years now. We even recently revisited our review in 2026 to check if it was still the cream of the crop — and we ruled it most certainly is.

Handmade in the Netherlands, it boasts quality construction, dependable results and a sleek design. In fact, our reviewer Erin (who runs the Tom's Guide Coffee Lab) stated: "The Technivorm Moccamaster KGBV Select has stood the test of time, and for good reason. This is widely regarded as the best drip coffee maker ever invented. With SCA-approved functionality and a 5-year warranty (+lifetime repairs), I recommend the Moccamaster with every fiber of my coffee-addled being."

And new color releases bring a new aesthetic that may just make this machine even more appealing. Sure, Juniper and Pistachio are already available if you're looking for shades of green, but there's something about Eucalyptus that has really caught my eye.

Availability

While the Moccamaster in Eucalpytus is an exclusive launch for Prime Day — running 23 to 26 June with a 33 per cent off limited time deal — it won't be the last time you see it. In fact, I've been told that it'll return in the fall, which is great news for anyone eager for a new coffee maker but not quite ready to invest.

And despite this being an Amazon Prime Day exclusive, you can also pick it up at other retailers like Williams Sonoma and Crate & Barrel.

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• How to make coffee without a coffee maker — 5 easy techniques

The Ninja AutoBarista Pro is a curious automatic espresso machine. It can make a huge variety of drinks, including espresso, drip coffee, cold brew, and both hot and cold milk. So is this enough to make it one of the best espresso machines?

Hm… not really. The Ninja AutoBarista Pro is an ambitious machine, but I think it’s got its fingers in too many pies. It can’t decide what it wants to be. Does it want to be a drip machine or an espresso machine? Or a rapid cold brew machine? (The cold brew comes out warm…)

Even so, I gave this machine 3 stars for a reason — it’s unbelievably easy to use, perfect for the home barista who wants to click a button and get fresh coffee instantly, and is relatively cheaper than other automatic machines. Want to find out more? Keep reading this Ninja AutoBarista Pro review.

Ninja AutoBarista Pro review: Specs

Ninja AutoBarista Pro review: Price & availability

The Ninja AutoBarista Pro is $949 from Best Buy and £899 direct from SharkNinja. I hate that I’m writing this, but $950 isn’t actually that expensive for a fully automatic espresso machine.

I’ve also tested the $1,499 De’Longhi Rivelia, the $2,699 Jura E8, the coffee-only (yes, no milk) $999 Jura ENA 4, and the $1,999 KitchenAid KF8.

So, in comparison, the Ninja AutoBarista Pro is pretty well-priced. Although it doesn’t have totally hands-free milk — you still have to pour the milk into the jug and then pour it into your espresso — it does froth the milk for you.

Ninja AutoBarista Pro review: Design

I was surprised when I unboxed the AutoBarista Pro — it’s not as visually appealing as I’d expected. Ninja seems to always hit design out of the park, especially with the Crispi and the Creami, and even the Luxe Cafe.

But not the AutoBarista Pro. I’m not sure what about it rubs me the wrong way. Perhaps the sharp lines, the somewhat dim screen? The chrome buttons? It just looks like something that would have come out about ten years ago, not now.

The machine is almost entirely plastic, too: the water tank is relatively flimsy, the exterior is a shiny plastic, and the drip tray is mostly plastic. This is a shame, but, then again, you can’t expect perfection from a (relatively) affordable automatic machine.

The screen is nowhere near as clear as the Breville Oracle Dual Boiler ($3,000), but is, thankfully, easy to use and perfect for beginners. There are little graphics of all the different types of coffee, and then you can adjust details like coffee intensity, milk texture, heat, as much as you like. I suppose, though, it’s unfair to compare a $950 machine and a $3K machine — you would expect the quality to be different.

One thing I love is the steam wand. It looks almost identical to the Oracle Dual Boiler — it’s wider than most at-home steam wands, and has a single powerful spout rather than holes — and is incredibly powerful. I’ll talk about it more below, but this is one of my favorite aspects of the Ninja.

Don’t get me wrong, the AutoBarista Pro isn’t hideous or a plastic hunk of garbage — not at all. It just doesn’t look as premium as I would like. Even though it’s cheaper than other automatic machines, almost $1,000 is still a huge amount of money. As a result, I’d like it to look a little more premium.

Ninja AutoBarista Pro review: Espresso

In terms of ease of use, the AutoBarista Pro wins all the awards. It’s supremely easy to control. You don’t have to do any prep at all. You do have to wait, though — each drink took at least a minute to make. This was noticeably longer than the De’Longhi Rivelia and De’Longhi Magnifica Evo ($899).

When I first installed the hopper and poured in my beans, I used GrindIQ to adjust the grind. This took about six minutes and used a decent amount of coffee, so I’d only recommend using this if you tend to use the same beans over and over. I would hate to waste that much coffee for every 200g bag of specialty beans, for example.

Thankfully, like the De’Longhi Rivelia, you get two bean hoppers, so you don’t have to empty out the hopper if you want to switch beans.

But after the machine calibrated itself, it was beyond easy to use. I simply adjusted the intensity using the screen, adjusted the ratio (you can do anything from 1:2 to 1:6), and pressed go.

On medium intensity, the espresso is really weak, so I found I had to use the strongest level to get a normal-tasting espresso. Even the most intense mode isn’t as flavorful as a manual espresso machine — so I wouldn’t recommend this machine if you’re an espresso evangelist. I think most of these issues lie within the grinder, which you can't manually control.

Here’s a photo of an espresso made using Ninja’s default settings (so 1:2, medium intensity, double shot).

As you can see, the color is quite light. This was using artisan beans with notes of almond, fudge, and cherry.

The shot tasted a little juicy, a little nutty, but didn’t have the rich mouthfeel you might expect from a manual espresso machine. Again, this is a fine trade-off if you seriously value ease of use and can’t be bothered with grinding, tamping, and dosing at 7am, but coffee nerds might want to look elsewhere.

My colleagues reported that the coffee generally tasted quite weak, but was still drinkable, even on the most intense setting.

I would also advise against using this machine for cold brew. Take a look at this...

This tasted incredibly weak (if you couldn't guess that from the photo) — there was maybe a whisper of flavor. I honestly had to throw this away. I was impressed to see the machine automatically adjusted the grind for cold brew (it needs coarser than espresso), but the result was still poor and it didn't taste good.

Ninja AutoBarista Pro review: Milk

Even though the espresso functionality left me longing for more, I do really like the steam wand function on the AutoBarista Pro. It’s not as hands-off as other automatic machines like the Jura E8 or the KitchenAid KF8. You have to pour the milk into the pitcher and then pour it into your mug. You also have to clean and purge the steam wand as you would on a manual espresso machine.

As a barista who loves the ritual of making coffee and getting her hands dirty, this is much more my style than the fully automatic machines I’ve tested in the past.

You don’t get any control over the actual steaming, though, which is perfect for hands-off baristas who want consistently technically perfect coffees, but not ideal for someone like me.

You can adjust the milk texture settings from wet, to melted ice cream flat white texture, to cappuccino texture. You can even cold foam milk, which was super fun. Here’s a photo of a standard flat white using all of Ninja’s default settings.

As you can see, the texture is pretty good, but it’s not as soft or velvety as a human barista. Even so, my colleagues reported that the milk texture was “yummy” (direct quote), with a soft mouthfeel and a nice creaminess.

You can also toggle the “dairy milk” and “plant-based milk” setting. I’m not sure what difference this actually makes, as I forgot to turn it to plant-based milk when I was frothing oat milk and it turned out the same.

However, I would not recommend this for cold foam.

As you can see, the texture is a bit strange. It’s much too bubbly, not really stiff peaks like you’d expect from cold foam. And if you swipe to the second picture, you’ll see how it looked after a few seconds. Yep… that’s basically just an iced latte.

So, the long and short of it is: hot drinks, yes, cold drinks… no.

Ninja AutoBarista Pro review: Storage & maintenance

As you might expect from an automatic espresso machine, the Ninja AutoBarista Pro is pretty large. It’s 17.8 x 10.7 x 15.8, and took up a decent amount of space in my kitchen. Not a con, just something to be mindful of!

Now, a con: you will be refilling the water tank after about four drinks. And if you’re making cold brew, one drink.

No, that’s not an exaggeration, and yes, I’m quite sure. I had to refill the AutoBarista Pro after four drinks, every single time. I’m not sure where all the water goes, but it goes somewhere. It’s thirstier than an AI data center.

Alright, so now you know what to expect, we can move on. Cleaning the AutoBarista Pro is straightforward: Ninja provides you with a few months’ worth of cleaning tablets and a water filter (mandatory if you live in a hard water area). Running a cleaning cycle is as easy as following the instructions on the machine itself. Replacement cleaning products are around $14 from Amazon.

Ninja offers a 2-year warranty, which is the same as Fellow, De’Longhi, and Breville.

Ninja AutoBarista Pro review: Verdict

If you prioritize ease of use over anything else, you’ll be happy with the Ninja AutoBarista Pro. This is one of the easiest coffee machines I’ve ever tested. You literally just have to press a button, and the machine does the hard work for you, in the same way the De’Longhi Rivelia takes all the guesswork out of coffee-making.

However, I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone. It’s considerably bulkier than I expected, and the screen is nowhere near as bright as the aforementioned De’Longhi Rivelia. The coffee tends to be weak, even when extracted on the maximum intensity setting — and I wouldn’t recommend it for cold brew or cold foam at all.

All that being said, if you want a (relatively) affordable espresso machine and you’re the kind of person who drinks flavored lattes away — or you simply want a cold foam maker and you want it right now — then the Ninja AutoBarista Pro will do the job. It’s one of the most “brain off” espresso machines I’ve ever reviewed. I just wish it hit more of its marks.

Have you ever seen a coffee accessory that looks like it could be a Medieval torture device? Let's talk about it. So this little device is called a WDT tool. This is an accessory often seen in the hands of the most ardent coffee snobs, paired with things like a spring-loaded tamper and a coffee scale.

Here at The Coffee Lab, we take coffee back to basics. At the end of the day, as long as you're enjoying your morning (or afternoon... or evening) cup of java, who is anyone to tell you you're making it wrong? But I've been so intrigued by what is essentially a set of acupuncture needles on a stick that I knew I had to get a WDT tool in to test.

So, today we're going to answer the question: Do you actually need a WDT tool, or is it just a gimmick?

What is a WDT tool?

WDT stands for Weiss Distribution Technique. John Weiss, a passionate home barista, actually invented this technique while trying to eradicate channeling in his espresso. Frustrated by inconsistent extraction, Weiss used a needle to distribute grounds evenly, giving the water a flat surface to pass through. And, ta-da! WDT was invented. You can actually read Weiss's 2007 article on Home-Barista.

A WDT is essentially a device with lots of little needles. These needles cut through the coffee grounds, break up clumps, and distribute the particles. You can get WDT tools with anywhere from around five to ten needles.

The before and after

Take a look at these two photos: one is my portafilter basket before using the WDT tool, one is after. Can you see a difference?

As you can see, the first image shows clumpy coffee grounds, and, in the second image, you can see the evenly distributed grounds.

I made two identical espressos, one with the WDT tool, and one without the WDT. And if you haven't watched the TikTok video linked above... then I'm going to spoil it for you.

They tasted pretty much the same.

The verdict

Is having a WDT tool essential for good coffee at home? No, not at all. Don't let any coffee snob tell you you're not a real home barista until you have one.

But will having a WDT tool guarantee good espresso every time? Also, no. You don't need a WDT tool to get barista-quality espresso.

I'm going to let you in on a little secret — I've worked in three coffee houses, and not one of them had a WDT tool.

We just ground the beans into the portafilter basket, tamped, and pulled the shot. No messing around with needles.

But will having a WDT tool improve the flavor of your home espresso? Well, kind of. If you're using high-quality, artisan beans, a powerful grinder like the Mazzer Philos, and you know what you're doing, you might be able to get better-tasting espresso at home.

For the average home barista, though, it's not an essential purchase. Sure, it's fun, and I'm probably going to continue using mine now I've got it. Unless you're a die-hard coffee nerd, I suggest saving your money.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tried this ridiculously cheap bean-to-cup espresso machine so you don't have to — and it's a total head-scratcher
• Non-plastic coffee makers are trending — and this low-plastic Ratio model is my favorite for coffee snobs
• I made two identical espressos with $5 coffee beans and $20 coffee beans — and yes, the coffee snobs are right