The machine runs an automated cleaning cycle after every drink, which only lasts a few seconds, but ensures that your coffee will keep tasting great. It also boasts an LCD control panel and integrated coffee bean grinder with 19 different settings. That makes this machine as customisable as it is value-friendly. In our opinion, it has the perfect balance between quality and value. This is the minimum if you want to properly control all of the variables that make up a true comparison to a coffee shop coffee. Our reviewer Millie found this machine to not only be excellent value, but easy to use and extremely convenient. The quality of the coffee can't be overlooked either, with Millie saying that this machine yields high-quality coffee, that wasn't too strong but not bitter either, and with a decent amount of crema. All in all, it's a certified bargain. When it comes to choosing the best filter coffee machine, it really does depend on what you want. If you’re after something cheap and easy that just brews coffee when you want, then one of the simpler, cheaper versions might be best. If you are a coffee aficionado who wants to customise your brew, or opt for different strengths of brew at different times, you might want to spend more on a higher spec versions. Using grounds, you can easily tamp and twist to secure your filter with the included scoop and tamper. There is no jug included, but it will be easy to buy one for cheap online. Just press the steam milk button and wait for it to stop flashing before twisting the dial to the right and clearing out the wand. Then, it's easy to create that high-pressure whirlpool to achieve that perfectly hot milk with a creamy latte finish.

It’s a lot more expensive than most others but once you taste the coffee it produces and you understand the level of personalisation that it offers then it’s not hard to give this top marks for value for money. Using the steak analogy again, if you cook even the best fillet steak for too long you will end up with a tough piece of leather so you need to make it just right to get the benefit from the quality product you are using. The Barista Pro is the step up from the Barista Express. It does everything the Barista Express does and in addition enjoys a digital display that allows you to do things like select from 30 different grind settings and choose the length of time that the coffee is ground for. The Oracle will even perfectly tamp your coffee for you so all you have to do is insert it into the coffee outlet and press a button. You get to control all of the variables that make up the perfect coffee with the absolute minimum human intervention. It does have a modern feel to it but it will look good in all but the most traditional of settings.We tested each filter coffee machine in the same way, assembling them from boxed then following the instructions to brew a carafe of coffee. We tested each machine (where possible) on both the immediate process as well as setting it up to start automatically. Testing involved looking at the appearance of the machine and how it would fit in your kitchen at home, as well as ease of use, practicality, and the finished product for its taste and flavour profile. Lastly and most importantly for me the digital temperature control or PID (proportional Integral Derivative) is another key difference between the two machines.

These are the all-singing, all-dancing ultimate indulgence home coffee machines. These coffee machines do everything that the mid-range machines do and then some. The Moccamaster coffee maker is perfect for those who rely on caffeine to see them through their workdays at home. Capable of making up to ten cups of coffee at one time, it can also keep your brew warm on a hot plate for when you finish the first mug off. The design is also a show-stopper, obviously with a retro feel that will complete the look of your quirky kitchen. This is a really tasteful and elegant coffee machine. A lot of thought has gone into making this look as good as the coffee it produces.

You can also choose the exact temperature your coffee is delivered at down to a 1-degree variance amongst a whole host of other features you expect to find on professional machines much more expensive than this.

During our tester Millie's months of testing, she was consistently impressed by how well this machine steamed my milk and turned out some seriously tasty espresso.

Develop your barista skills with this hands-on espresso coffee maker

This video from Sage shows the level of detail that they go into when designing a coffee machine of this quality: It combines everything people love about home brewing with the convenience of a smart machine that will take the guesswork out of every espresso you pull. And in the manual coffee machine market, the Sage Barista Touch Impress is surrounded by similarly-priced rivals. See the full review of the Sage precision brewer filter coffee machine What else is there to consider? It’s a similar thing with coffee produced in a cheap filter coffee machine compared to one that has been precision engineered like this Sage machine has been. It’s not a big jump in price from the Dup Temp Pro to The Bambino Plus and in our opinion, the extra features are well worth the small upgrade price.

These additional options are a nice to have but are you willing to pay hundreds of pounds for them? You can make a fully informed decision as the review for The Barista Pro makes a number of comparisons versus the Barista Express. From there it steps up to The Bambino Plus. As well as the features of The Duo Temp Pro you also get to choose from 3 temperatures for your milk. Just place the jug underneath the steam wand and it will automatically stop when that temperature is reached. One button starts the coffee delivery and it will stop automatically. We rate The Oracle very highly in terms of performance but are not convinced that it is worth the price that Sage ask for it which is why it only gets a 9/10.

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The Oracle Touch sits at the very top of the range but we have not included it in our recommendations because in our opinion it is just too expensive for what you get.