Cozy home - What is the difference between expensive coffee machines and cheap ones?

The coffee machine has become almost an obligatory purchase for many Russians. This is a really convenient technique — in just a few minutes you can get a mug of invigorating coffee or tea. However, it can be difficult for an inexperienced user to decide on the choice of a suitable model.

What is worth paying extra for — and what can you save on? And in general, what parameters make up the cost of a coffee machine? About this — in our guide.

The most affordable coffee machines are, of course, carob (non-automatic). The cheapest automatic coffee maker will always be more expensive. However, do not forget that you have to make coffee in a carob machine manually.

The professionalism of the person who prepares the drink is important here. Most likely, at the same time you will have to buy a coffee grinder. «Automatic devices» also allow you to save on the purchase of additional devices. In addition, even beginners can brew good coffee in them.

Settings and available functions

Most often, cheap coffee machines have a limited range of drinks that they can prepare. As a rule, there are only 4-8 of them. The higher the price, the larger the menu: expensive appliances can prepare up to 14 different drinks. In addition, premium segment coffee machines have a lot of fine-tuning. For example, you can select the temperature of a coffee drink. You won’t find this option in the cheap segment.

Dimensions

The price also depends on the size of the coffee machine. Most often, cheaper copies have smaller dimensions. The reason is simple: they have fewer functions, and therefore there are fewer “stuffings” in them. In most cases, an automatic coffee maker takes up more space than a carob coffee maker. So it is worth remembering that for such a coffee machine you will need to find enough space.

Equipment

Coffee machines in the middle and expensive segment are usually sold with additional accessories. Options vary by brand. A milk cooler, a frother, a milk container, a set of brushes and chemicals for cleaning a coffee machine — most of the accessories have a functional use.
Design and technology
The cheaper the coffee machine, the less technologically advanced it is. Devices of the low price segment are controlled by simple keys or “twists”. On some models, you can find small analog displays. But most often, machines give feedback with light bulbs — different indicators that signal the status of the coffee maker. The set is usually limited to four buttons:

on/off;
single serving;
double portion;
flushing.

Cheap coffee machines are usually made of plain black, white or gray plastic. However, they can look quite stylish. The middle segment is already equipped with touch keys. In some cases, however, the manufacturer retains the twists. Such coffee makers, as a rule, are equipped with a full display.

The functions of the machines are programmed with different coffee drinks with and without milk. The case here already has metal inserts and various modern design solutions. It is worth remembering that the brewing devices and mechanisms are more complex here, there are more electronics.

In addition, some machines from the middle segment can prepare coffee remotely using an application on a smartphone. Expensive coffee machines are the most advanced in technical terms. They, for example, have buttons with functions that can be customized individually.

You can program the drink recipe manually, in grams and milliliters. A common feature is the “My drink” function: the coffee maker remembers your favorite ratio of ingredients and prepares the desired coffee at the touch.

Expensive models have automatic equipment flushing after each drink. The brewing devices here are quite complex — but due to this they make really excellent coffee, which all drink lovers will appreciate. Here, for example, is one of the options for an expensive brewing unit.

A high-quality touch display in premium models is a must. Expensive coffee makers use high-quality stainless steel, which makes it possible to wash the parts of the coffee maker in the dishwasher.

Cappuccinatore

In cheap coffee makers, the role of the cappuccinatore is performed by a hot water tap. In order to whip milk foam with it, practice is needed — everything is done manually. It’s unlikely to be perfect the first time. Coffee machines of the middle and expensive segment have an automatic cappuccino machine.

Brand fee

The products of a famous manufacturer are more expensive than the goods from the «noname». This rule also applies to the coffee maker market. It is best to focus not on the brand, but on the characteristics of the coffee machine. Often analogues from small firms are in no way inferior to competitors. But they are significantly cheaper.

Conclusion

Before you buy a coffee maker, you should decide what exactly you need from it. Some people just want to occasionally make delicious, professional-quality coffee. It is worth noting here: a real coffee lover, most likely, will like the carob coffee maker, where you need to participate in the process yourself.

Someone wants to quickly prepare good coffee for the whole family. It is quite possible to choose an inexpensive, but at the same time functional model.

Quality and reliability do not always depend on price. Firstly, with proper care, even the simplest coffee machine will last a long time. Secondly, expensive devices are more difficult — and therefore more capricious in operation.