Coffee machine or grinder: how to choose and buy well
Start with the type of coffee maker
The name “coffee maker” hides quite different devices, and their prices differ many times over. So the first question is which way of making coffee you want.
- An automatic coffee machine grinds the beans, brews and often froths milk. It is the most convenient but the most expensive, and needs regular cleaning.
- A portafilter (espresso) machine gives a taste closer to a café, but needs skill, a grinder and a tamper.
- A capsule machine is simple to use, but capsules cost more than beans and tie you to a system such as Nespresso or Dolce Gusto.
- A drip machine suits a big mug of filter coffee.
- A moka pot is cheap, works on the stove and needs no electricity.
The grinder on its own
If you take a portafilter machine or a moka pot, a good grinder matters more than the machine itself. A burr grinder grinds evenly and lets you set the grind precisely; a blade grinder is cheaper, but grinds unevenly and heats the coffee. For espresso, look for a burr grinder with small adjustment steps.
What to put in your request
- Type — automatic, portafilter, capsule, drip, moka pot or grinder.
- Model — brand and name, if you have already chosen.
- What it is for — home, office (how many cups a day), café.
- Functions — milk frother, type of burrs, pressure, type of capsules.
- New or used; if used, its condition and whether it has been descaled.
- Warranty — brand or from the seller.
- Delivery — method and city.
- Budget.
Example: “I need an automatic coffee machine for an office, about 50 cups a day, with an automatic milk frother and a big water tank. New, with brand warranty, courier delivery to Toronto. Budget up to $840.”
How to compare offers
One model can be sold with different extras: with a water filter, with cleaning tablets or without. Ask about this. For an office or a café, find out what duty cycle the machine is built for, because a home model won't take heavy use.
Be careful with used coffee machines: ask for the age, the number of drinks made (if there is a counter), the condition of the brew unit and the pump, and whether the seller gives a warranty. It is good when the owner explains how they cleaned it and what they used.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
You write a request once, and sellers of appliances and coffee equipment reply in chat: model, price, what is included, warranty, delivery. They can see where their offer stands, so they try to improve their terms. BlaBlaPrice shows the best-value offer first, with reviews next to it. Your phone stays hidden until you choose a seller. Details are here.
Buying for the whole kitchen? Then also look at electric kettles and food processors.
