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Good Housekeeping’s buying guide highlights four coffee and espresso machines after laboratory and at-home testing. The models offer different combinations of drip brewing, pods, espresso and milk frothing; the report also notes trade-offs such as setup, cleanup, price and reliance on capsules.
Good Housekeeping has identified four coffee and espresso machines that stood out in its testing, spanning a dual drip-and-espresso brewer, a carafe-and-pod machine, a fully automatic espresso maker and a capsule brewer. The report gives readers a comparison of brewing options and practical drawbacks, though the supplied source does not include a publication date or full test methodology.
The De’Longhi all-in-one combines drip coffee and semi-automatic espresso, with a built-in steam wand. Good Housekeeping says its dual heating system can brew coffee while pulling an espresso shot. In testing, the drip side brewed in about five minutes, and the espresso produced an even crema. The report says the machine’s reusable filter was easy to change and its keep-warm setting can be set for up to 11 hours and 59 minutes. A hot-water cycle is needed to prime the espresso side before a shot.
The Cuisinart model pairs a carafe that makes up to 12 cups with single-serve options compatible with K-Cup and Nespresso pods. It has a built-in steam wand and offers 6-, 8- and 10-ounce servings. Good Housekeeping reports that testers found the coffee hot, balanced and flavorful; at-home testers who had used the model for more than a year described it as reliable. The report flags a learning curve with its control panel.
For people seeking automation, the KitchenAid KF8 can make drinks including lattes, Americanos and cortados, with settings for strength, temperature and volume, much like other high-end espresso machines. Good Housekeeping says consumer testers rated its espresso well-balanced, while lab tests found its milk frother produced excellent foam. The milk container can be stored in a refrigerator, but the machine rinses itself at shutdown, so its drip tray needs frequent emptying. The report describes the machine as expensive. The Nespresso Vertuo reads capsule barcodes and adjusts brewing settings automatically, a feature common among espresso setups. Lab tests found well-rounded espresso with excellent crema, according to the report; the trade-off is that it cannot use users’ own beans or grounds.
Four Routes to a Home Coffee Bar
The picks serve different routines and budgets rather than pointing to one machine for every household. The De’Longhi and Cuisinart models combine a full pot with other drink options, while the KitchenAid and Nespresso focus on individual espresso-based or capsule drinks. That distinction matters to shoppers weighing convenience, control over coffee, counter space and the ongoing choice of beans or pods.
The testing notes also show that advertised versatility comes with practical costs. De’Longhi requires a priming step; the Cuisinart panel takes time to learn; the KitchenAid costs more and needs regular drip-tray emptying; and the Vertuo restricts brewing to its capsules. The report’s observations can help readers match a machine to their habits, but the supplied material does not give prices, a scoring system or a side-by-side ranking.
How the Machines Differ
The Good Housekeeping report describes several brewing systems in the same roundup. Drip machines brew into a carafe, while single-serve models use pods or capsules. Semi-automatic and automatic espresso machines add espresso preparation and, in some cases, milk frothing. The four recommendations represent these distinct formats, with some products combining more than one.
Features and dimensions offer additional points of comparison. The De’Longhi measures 11 by 14.5 by 12.8 inches and has a 32-ounce water tank; the Cuisinart measures 11.88 by 12.88 by 16.75 inches with a 72-ounce tank. The KitchenAid KF8 has a 74.3-ounce tank and a removable bean hopper. The source lists a removable, adjustable tank on the Vertuo but does not provide its capacity in the material supplied here.
“The coffee brewed quickly, in about five minutes, and was tasty.”
— Good Housekeeping testing report on the De’Longhi
What the Test Details Omit
The supplied report excerpt does not state when the roundup was published, how many total machines were tested, how the four were selected, or what scoring criteria determined that they stood out. It also does not include the Vertuo’s full test results or all of its listed specifications. The discounts shown for some products are not dated, so their availability and current prices cannot be established from this material.
Testing results are attributed to Good Housekeeping’s lab staff, a tester and consumer testers, but the excerpt does not identify each tester or provide sample sizes. Readers also do not get a direct comparison of long-term repair rates, capsule costs or the total cost of ownership. Those factors may affect a purchase, but the supplied source does not resolve them.
Check Prices and Full Reviews
Good Housekeeping links to a full De’Longhi review and related coverage of high-end coffee makers. Shoppers can consult the full product pages for current prices, availability and specifications, then compare those details with how they brew at home. No new testing date or follow-up announcement is given in the supplied material, so there is no stated next milestone for the roundup.
Key Questions
Which machine can make both a full pot and espresso?
The De’Longhi all-in-one brews drip coffee and espresso, and the report says its dual heating system allows both to run at the same time.
Which model works with K-Cup and Nespresso pods?
The Cuisinart machine accepts K-Cups and Nespresso pods, and it also brews drip coffee in a carafe of up to 12 cups.
Which pick offers the most drink customization?
Good Housekeeping describes the KitchenAid KF8 as customizable, with controls for drink strength, temperature and volume. It is a fully automatic machine with a milk container and touchscreen.
Can the Nespresso Vertuo use ground coffee?
No. According to the report, the Vertuo uses capsules and cannot brew users’ own coffee beans or grounds.
What limitations did testers identify?
The report says the De’Longhi needs a hot-water priming cycle for espresso, the Cuisinart controls take time to learn, the KitchenAid is expensive and needs frequent drip-tray emptying, and the Vertuo is limited to capsules.
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