Different types of coffee makers — before selecting your coffee maker, consider the different types of coffee brewing techniques.

• Drip coffee maker: make full pots of coffee easily and quickly with a drip coffee maker and ground coffee beans. In most cases, drip coffee makers pushes heated water through the machine onto the ground coffee and the coffee passes through a filter into the carafe.
• Pod coffee maker: a pod coffee maker that forces hot water through a pod of ground coffee beans at high pressure. Typically you get a single serving of coffee in each pod and each cup takes only a short time to brew.
• Percolator: make coffee the old-fashioned way with a percolator, which often expose the grounds to a higher temperature.
• Stovetop coffee maker: consider a stovetop style coffee maker to brew for yourself or just coffee drinkers. Some consider its style and shape more elegant.
• French press: allows coffee and water to steep together in one container using a courser grind than a drip coffee maker. Then a press filters the grounds from the coffee. A French press is a quick way to make a cup or two of freshly-brewed coffee, since the flavor is better captured without the hindrance of a paper filter.

Choosing the right espresso machine — consider ease and controllability to decide which type of espresso machine fits your lifestyle best.

• Manual espresso machines: for espresso purists, a manual espresso machine is the way to go. Using a manual espresso machine requires some practice, but some consider the preparation process to be important.
• Semiautomatic espresso machines: the popular semiautomatic espresso machine is easy to use, but still allows for control over the finished product. You can adjust temperature, brewing pressure, and tamp. These feature an automated pump, automated temperature controls for the boiler, and activation switches to engage and disengage the pump.
• Super-automatic espresso machines: these machines automatically grind the coffee, tamp it, and extract the espresso shot. The operator only has to fill the bean hopper and, if the machine is not connected to a water line, add water to a reservoir. Some models contain an automated milk frothing and dispensing device. Super-automatic machines take away the ability to manually tamp and grind the coffee, which may affect the quality of the espresso.