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Choosing an automatic coffee machine for home use is becoming increasingly complex. The market offering is vast, technical specifications are often confusing, and the differences between individual brands seem minimal at first glance. In this guide, you will find everything you need to know to choose a coffee machine that perfectly matches your habits, available space, budget, and above all, your preferred type of whole bean coffee. 1. The Most Important Question: What Kind of Coffee Do You Drink? Before you start comparing technical specifications, answer honestly what actually ends up in your cup 90% of the time. You should choose an automatic coffee machine precisely according to your preferences, because an all-in-one machine is often just a set of compromises. Are you a purist? If you drink exclusively espresso or lungo and enjoy discovering the flavour profiles of different beans, look for a machine with a high-quality grinder and precise extraction (such as the aforementioned Jura), not a machine with a huge milk carafe. Do you love milk? If your morning is unimaginable without a cappuccino, invest in a model with a top-tier frothing system and easy cleaning (e.g. Philips LatteGo or higher-end De’Longhi series), where milk foam is the priority. Choose a machine that excels at what you love, not one that does everything just "averagely". Do you mainly drink espresso or americano? If your priority is the pure and uncompromising taste of black coffee – and especially if you like buying Specialty coffee – you must ignore the "bells and whistles" in the form of dozens of recipes and focus on the technical heart of the machine. What matters most is the quality of the brew group, the precision of the grinder, and uncompromising temperature stability. Key features to look for: Quality burrs: Consistent grinding is fundamental. Look for coffee machines with durable steel or ceramic burrs that grind beans evenly without overheating them through friction. Adjustable water temperature: Different roast profiles require different brewing temperatures. Fine-tuning capability is essential if you want to extract the specific flavour profile from your coffee without burning the delicate fruity notes of lighter roasts. Pre-infusion function: This process pre-wets the ground coffee before the actual extraction. The coffee "blooms", releasing CO2, resulting in a more even and fuller extraction. Ideal models: Jura E6 / E8These Swiss models excel thanks to the innovative Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.®), which optimizes extraction time and guarantees a full aroma even for short coffee drinks. They are the ideal choice for discerning coffee enthusiasts who want to enjoy the full potential of their Specialty coffee at home, with results comparable to a professional café. De’Longhi Dinamica / Dinamica PlusThis series represents the "golden middle ground", combining high reliability with precise consistency in every cup prepared. Thanks to intuitive controls and a wide range of customisable drinks, they are an excellent universal solution for households where family members' preferences often differ. Philips 5400 LatteGoIf your priority is maximum convenience and minimal maintenance effort, this model with the revolutionary LatteGo system will definitely appeal to you. It delivers very solid espresso and milk specialties without unnecessary complications, while cleaning the milk system takes just a few seconds under running water. Do you drink cappuccino, latte, or flat white? If your morning is unimaginable without a cappuccino, invest in a model with a top-tier frothing system and easy cleaning. Nothing ruins the enjoyment of morning coffee quite like the dread of tedious cleaning of dried milk residues. Key features to look for: Automatic milk system: Whether a carafe or a tube system, the goal is dense microfoam. Easy maintenance: The coffee machine should be capable of automatically purging the milk lines with hot steam or water immediately after preparing a drink. Ideal models: De’Longhi PrimadonnaThis model is the king of home cappuccino thanks to the LatteCrema system, which creates dense, long-lasting foam at the ideal temperature. A major advantage is the thermal carafe, which you can simply detach after preparation and store entirely in the fridge, greatly simplifying milk storage. It is an ideal choice for families seeking maximum hygiene and "worry-free" milk specialty preparation. Jura S8The Swiss Jura S8 combines precise espresso with a professional fine foam frother, allowing it to prepare a perfect café-quality Flat White. Operation via the large touchscreen display is intuitive and visually appealing. We recommend this machine to demanding coffee lovers who want to extract maximum flavour from their Specialty coffee even in milk-based beverages. Siemens EQ700If you are looking for a quiet machine for an open-plan kitchen, the Siemens EQ700 is the clear winner thanks to its sound-insulated grinder. Via the large smartphone-like display, you can easily select not only classic beverages but also international recipes through the CoffeeWorld feature. Automatic steam cleaning of the milk lines after every drink comes standard, saving you considerable maintenance time. For Large Families and Home Offices: When the Coffee Machine Never Stops If your coffee machine is running non-stop from morning till evening, or if you share it with colleagues in a small home office, small compact models will quickly become frustrating. Under high brewing frequency, nothing is more tedious than having to refill water or empty the grounds container before every second cup. Here, efficiency and machine durability are paramount. Key features for heavy-duty use: Generous capacities: Look for a water tank with a volume of at least 1,8 litres and a bean hopper that holds at least 250g – 300g of coffee (e.g. an entire small bag of Specialty coffee at once). This will save you constant trips to the tap. Fast heating (Thermoblock): If several people meet in the kitchen in the morning, nobody wants to wait minutes for the machine to heat up. Modern thermoblocks are ready for action almost instantaneously. Acoustic comfort: If you wake up first, you certainly do not want to wake the whole house with the sound of grinding coffee beans. Focus on models with sound-insulated grinders (often labelled as "silent" or "super silent"). Recommended model: De’Longhi Primadonna SoulThis coffee machine is a true "workhorse" built for heavier workloads. Its greatest advantage is an extra-large bean container (up to 500 g), so you do not need to refill coffee every morning. It features Bean Adapt technology, which automatically adjusts grind size and water temperature according to the specific type of your Specialty coffee, ensuring consistent flavour even when brewing dozens of cups a day. 2. Key Parameters: What to Focus On and What Is Just Marketing? Many manufacturers list specifications that are often mere marketing gimmicks with no real impact on the resulting taste. Here is an explanation of what is genuinely essential when choosing. Grinder: The Heart of the Coffee Machine Grind quality directly affects the flavour of your coffee. Specialty coffee experts, such as James Hoffmann, have long emphasized that the grinder is more important than the coffee machine itself. If the grind quality is poor, even the best machine cannot brew good espresso. Steel conical burrs: The most common choice in high-quality automatic machines. They are durable, precise, and offer the best price-to-performance ratio. Ceramic burrs: Their advantage lies in quieter operation and the fact that they heat up less during extended grinding (common in brands like Philips/Saeco). Blade grinder: Found primarily in budget models. It often fails to deliver the grind consistency required for quality espresso, which is why we do not recommend it. Pressure and Extraction Advertisements often boast impressive figures such as "15 bar" or even "19 bar". The reality, however, is that for preparing genuine espresso, the ideal extraction pressure is around 9 bar. Higher pump pressure in automatic machines merely serves to overcome resistance in the system, not to achieve better extraction. Instead of chasing bar numbers, focus on extraction technologies: Jura P.E.P: Pulse extraction that ensures a fuller flavour even in short coffee drinks. Siemens iAroma: An intelligent heating and pressure system for a balanced taste profile. De’Longhi LatteCrema: A system optimised for the perfect texture of milk beverages. Milk System If you enjoy cappuccino, this feature is crucial. There are three main approaches: Automatic carafe: The most convenient option. Press a button and the machine does everything for you. Many feature an automatic self-cleaning function. LatteGo (Philips): An innovative tubeless system. It consists of just two parts that you can rinse under running water in a matter of seconds. In terms of hygiene, it is a clear winner. Steam wand: Requires manual technique when frothing milk in a pitcher, but it is easier to maintain and machines equipped with it are usually more affordable. Maintenance and Cleaning Neglected maintenance is the most common reason why even high-quality Specialty coffee begins to taste bad over time. When choosing, look for these three factors: Removable brew group: It is essential to be able to remove and manually rinse it to clear coffee residue and prevent mould buildup. Descaling: How easy is it to initiate the cleaning cycle? Water filters: Is the machine compatible with water filters (e.g. Brita / AquaClean)? Using filtered water not only improves flavour, but significantly extends the lifespan of the machine. 3. Choosing by Kitchen Size and Household There is nothing worse than a coffee machine taking up your entire countertop, or conversely, having to refill water every third cup. The size of the machine should reflect not only physical space in the kitchen, but also how many cups you realistically brew per day. Small kitchens and single households If counter space is limited or you drink coffee only occasionally, you do not need a massive machine. Look for slim-design models that do not take up excessive counter depth. Ideal models: Philips 2200/3200, De’Longhi Magnifica S, Nivona 520. Verdict: These models are compact yet still capable of preparing a quality cup. The trade-off for their small footprint is smaller water and waste containers, which is not an issue at 1 – 2 coffees per day. Medium households (2 – 4 people) Here we look for the "golden mean" – a machine that doesn't take up too much room, but has sufficient capacity so you don't spend Sunday breakfast constantly servicing the machine and refilling water. Ideal models: Philips 5400 LatteGo, Siemens EQ500, De’Longhi Dinamica Plus, Jura E6. Verdict: They offer the best balance between size and convenience. Water tanks and bean hoppers are sized to handle a standard family's daily routine without constant refills. Demanding households and small offices If your coffee machine is running from dawn till dusk, you need a "heavyweight". In this category, efficiency is key – large capacities mean less downtime. Ideal models: Jura S8, De’Longhi Primadonna Soul, Siemens EQ700 Integral. Verdict: Machines built for higher workloads and top-tier quality. They feature large water tanks (often over 2 litres) and bean hoppers (capable of holding larger bags), fast heating, and robust build quality that will withstand years of intensive use. 4. Most Common Mistakes When Buying and Using Avoid these mistakes that can cost you unnecessary money and spoil your flavour experience, even if you have quality coffee at home. Buying a suspiciously cheap model Cutting corners in the wrong places does not pay off. Coffee machines from "supermarket deals" often have unstable water temperatures and low-grade grinders that crush rather than grind the beans. The result is coffee that is either underextracted (unpleasantly sour) or burnt (bitter and astringent), regardless of the beans used. Choosing an unsuitable roast (Light Roast) This is the most common mistake when switching to Specialty coffee. Light Roast, intended for filter coffee, does not belong in an automatic machine. An automatic machine has a short extraction time during which it cannot extract sweetness from lightly roasted beans, resulting in an overly sour cup. Solution: For automatic machines, always choose Medium Roast or Full City Roast, where acidity is subdued and sweetness and body take center stage. Ignoring servicing costs An automatic coffee machine is a complex device with moving parts that wear out over time. Before purchasing, verify the availability of authorized service centres and spare part prices for the brand. Cheap "no-name" brands often end up in the bin after the first malfunction because they cannot be repaired, whereas brands like Jura, De’Longhi, or Nivona offer long-term service support. Underestimating noise levels If you have an open-plan kitchen connected to your living room, a noisy grinder can be very disruptive to other family members in the morning. Ceramic grinders or premium sound-insulated steel grinders (e.g. in higher-end Siemens or Jura lines) are considerably quieter. Do not underestimate the decibel rating in technical specifications. 5. Recommended Brands for 2025/2026 The coffee machine market is constantly evolving, yet certain models maintain their position over the long term thanks to reliability and output quality. Based on our long-term testing and feedback from hundreds of customers, we have selected the current winners in key categories: Best value for money: Philips 5400 LatteGo & De’Longhi Dinamica In this category, we look for machines that offer the best return on investment. Philips 5400 LatteGo: Wins thanks to remarkably simple operation and a wide selection of 12 beverages. It is the ideal choice for a family where everyone prefers something different. De’Longhi Dinamica: Offers a more robust build and slightly higher temperature stability during espresso extraction, which you will appreciate with darker roasts. Best espresso: Jura E6 / E8 & Siemens EQ700 If your priority is the pure taste of black coffee and getting the most out of your Specialty coffee. Jura E6 / E8: Thanks to the P.E.P.® (Pulse Extraction Process), these machines produce espresso with body and crema that come closest to manual portafilter machines. Siemens EQ700: Excels with its ceramic grinder and iAroma system, which maintains constant temperature and pressure throughout extraction, highlighting the beans' flavour profile. Best cappuccino: De’Longhi Primadonna & Jura S8 For those seeking the perfect milk texture. De’Longhi Primadonna: The LatteCrema system creates dense, rich foam that holds its structure. Ideal for classic cappuccino and latte macchiato. Jura S8: This model is a master at crafting fine "microfoam", essential for modern beverages like the Flat White. The milk is velvety and blends seamlessly with the coffee. Easiest cleaning: Philips LatteGo Unrivalled winner: If you dislike cleaning milk tubes and disassembling complex systems, the LatteGo system is unmatched. The carafe consists of just two plastic parts without any hidden tubes. Simply rinse them under running water – done in 15 seconds. 6. Bonus: What Coffee to Use in an Automatic Coffee Machine? Even the most expensive coffee machine cannot make good espresso from poor-quality beans. At Goriffee, we offer several roast profiles ideally suited for automatic machines. Our customers most frequently prefer coffees with lower acidity and a full body for automatic brewing. For owners of automatic machines, we particularly recommend: Brazil Caramelo Natural Roast: Medium Roast Profile: Chocolate, nuts, low acidity. Our "must-have" for anyone looking for sweet, balanced espresso. Highlander Espresso Blend Roast: Full City Roast Profile: Distinct body, bittersweet flavour, dense crema. Ideal for those who prefer a bolder coffee. To ensure you never run out of beans, explore our Coffee bundles for espresso, curated specifically for regular coffee drinkers. Also, do not forget regular maintenance and cleaning products to keep your machine in peak condition.

70% of your body and 98% of your coffee is water. Without quality water, it is impossible to prepare coffee properly. Its composition therefore plays a key role in how your coffee will taste. In this article, we will focus on home water treatment options to ensure it is suitable for brewing the most delicious cup of coffee possible. Hard or soft water? Right at the beginning, we unfortunately have to disappoint you, because neither hard nor soft water is ideal for brewing coffee. Hard water contains large amounts of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals bind more easily to certain compounds in coffee, resulting in a very intense flavor profile. However, hard water also contains high amounts of bicarbonate, which is responsible for accentuating bitter notes. Over time, hard water causes mineral buildup in coffee makers or electric kettles. Besides shortening their lifespan, it also negatively affects the taste of your coffee. Conclusion on hard water: Some minerals are necessary to extract all the vital flavors from coffee, but an excess of them causes subtle aromas and sugars to be masked by bitterness. On the other hand, soft water is usually rich in sodium, which is added using water softeners to remove impurities. Coffee brewed with softer water tends to taste flat because the water contains fewer minerals. Neither hard nor soft water is ideal for the perfect cup of coffee; however, studies by chemist Christopher H. Hendon have demonstrated that different levels of water hardness highlight different flavors in coffee. His work explains why the water in your home may work brilliantly with coffees from certain regions or with blends, while others taste dull and hollow. Conclusion on soft water: Hendon's studies also found that extremely soft water resulted in poor extraction levels, and coffees brewed with such water were very thin. If you must choose one extreme, opt for hard water. However, there are better ways to brew genuinely high-quality coffee at home. “Water hardness across various regions in Slovakia.” How to treat water at home Water filter jugs The simplest and most cost-effective way to filter tap water at home is by using water filter jugs, such as Brita, BWT, and many others. You will find a wide variety of filters from different manufacturers on the market. Most filters are compatible with nearly all jugs. But how do you know which filter to use? We tested several of the most common and affordable filters for you. We selected 6 filters for our test – Brita Maxtra+ PL, Brita Maxtra+ PO, BWT Gourmet Edition Mg+, Laica Bi-flux Coffee and Tea, Laica Bi-flux, and the BWT Bestmax S inline filtration system. We tested in 4 rounds, initially pitting filters from the same manufacturer against each other. We evaluated them using the cupping method, and our latest release, Ethiopia Aludra AMO natural, served as the perfect test coffee. In the end, the test did not yield a single clear winner, but rather three. BWT Mg+ is ideally suited for naturally processed coffees. The water pleasantly enhanced the coffee's acidity, resulting in a very clean taste with a distinct and easily recognizable flavor profile. The body, however, was lighter. Brita Maxtra+ PO. We concluded that it is better suited for espresso preparation. The coffee had a significantly fuller body while still maintaining a very clean flavor profile. Acidity, however, took a back seat. Laica Bi-flux Coffee and Tea emerged as the most neutral contender in the test. It is therefore best suited for anyone planning to brew coffee using multiple methods. With both, the coffee preserves its flavor characteristics. Note, however, that the filter is not fully compatible with Brita or BWT filter jugs. The remaining filters did not meet our flavor standards at all. The coffee tasted very dull and flat. Conclusion Water can truly have an immense impact on the quality of your home-brewed cup of coffee. Most people are completely satisfied with using standard tap water for coffee preparation, but if you are truly serious about your coffee, experimenting with different types of water is definitely worthwhile, and we believe you will soon notice a pleasant difference.