Coffee. The world runs on it. With most of the world falling under the coffee-drinking umbrella, it’s no surprise that there are many different ways to brew that perfect cup each morning. Chemex drips, French plungers, and even Moka pots have all carved out their niche for coffee lovers all over the world.
But two coffee machines undoubtedly occupy the top spots: espresso machines and drip coffee makers. If you need an at-home coffee setup that will totally remove the need for that morning café trip each day, one of these may be your best contender.
Here’s the question: which one is the best choice? Today, we’re pitting the espresso machine and the drip coffee maker against one another. We’ll review how they’re different, which characteristics make each one stand out, and help guide you to the perfect choice for you.
The Espresso Machine: For Coffee Connoisseurs
First, the espresso machine. These beauties come in all shapes and sizes, with different attachments, fixtures, and grinders that change exactly what your chosen model can do. But across the board, every espresso machine is designed to brew rich, concentrated espresso by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee at high pressure.
The resulting small, strong shot comes with a foamy top layer called ‘crema’ that appears as a result of the pressure. The consistency of this crema is a marker of quality.
Things You Might Love About an Espresso Machine
- You’ll pick up a new skill. Life with an espresso machine can quickly turn making a simple cup of coffee into a hobby, with a variety of additional accessories, techniques, and flavour profiles you can use to build your skills as a coffee maker.
- You’ll get your coffee quickly. For many people, there’s nothing longer than those few minutes you have to wait for a pot of coffee to brew. Thanks to the high-pressure setup, espresso machines don’t make you wait.
- You’ll have endless chances to experiment. Create a signature drink, stick to what you love, and become the barista of your friend group; espresso machines give you all the flexibility of an in-home café.
Keep in mind that espresso machines often come at a higher price point, and you’ll need to get comfortable with the more technical aspects of caring for one of these machines. That said, any investment you put into your espresso maker will absolutely be paid back in spades.
The Drip Coffee Maker: For Coffee Traditionalists
Where espresso machine models are all about small shots of intense coffee, drip coffee makers are all about volume. The hint to how these coffee makers work is in their name: ‘drip’. Essentially, a cylinder of hot water drips over ground coffee in a filter, brewing delicious coffee that progressively drips into a carafe below for easy pouring.
These machines are far less complex than espresso machines, only requiring you to change out the coffee filter and press a button each morning. Some models even allow you to set a timer so that the coffee is ready right when your morning alarm goes off, so there’s no need to wait for the brew.
Interestingly, drip coffee is also more highly caffeinated than espresso coffee. The slower drip helps to preserve the caffeine molecules slightly more than the pressurised environment of the espresso machines, so you get a little more ‘bang’ for your buck.
Things You Might Love About a Drip Coffee Maker
- You’ll never run out of coffee. Seriously, if you have your drip coffee maker running at all hours, all you have to do is walk over and pour yourself a cup. No muss, no fuss, just a good old cup of joe.
- You’ll save money. Drip coffee makers are one of the most inexpensive coffee machines you can buy, and you won’t have to buy coffee at cafes anymore, either.
- You’ll have a smooth, mild cup every time. Espresso generally highlights the more astringent flavours of coffee, which is great if you’re a connoisseur. But if you’re after a mellow cup of coffee, drip may work for you.
Espresso machines are the premium option, as you get the chance to create a variety of unique drinks and play around with your settings, bean selection and grind to find your signature drink at home.
If you’re looking to replace a regular café order with an at-home setup, then an espresso machine is the pick for you. These are available at a variety of price ranges with something to suit everyone.
Drip coffee machines are for those who want two things: coffee and lots of it. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t care too much about nuanced flavour, then a drip coffee maker might be for you.
Still feeling unsure? Check out the Segafredo range for some inspiration.
We at Segafredo pride ourselves on giving coffee lovers like you a timeless experience. We don’t just pair you with the perfect machine. We make sure that you can easily use and care for your machine with our post-purchase services. We even offer coffee beans for delivery to your home or business.
Browse our range of espresso machines at your leisure, all in honour of crafting the perfect cup of coffee.
Curious about something else? Get in touch with our team today.
