Domestic Diva Awards is The Singapore Women’s Weekly’s annual highlight of innovative products that help us live, work and eat better. This year, over 250 products across 69 household categories, ranging from cleaning and cooking appliances to healthy meal subscriptions were nominated. The winners were decided through public voting in an online survey in partnership with Milieu Insight, and Editor’s Pick, recognising the best in their fields.
For most of us, nothing beats that first coffee in the morning after waking up: the wonderful aroma filling the house, the first sip, the warmth of the liquid down the throat. Even the coffee-making ritual itself is a comfort, an essential part of our morning routine.
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Coffee-making technology has improved so much that it’s now possible to get professional-standard coffee at home instead of grabbing one from a cafe on the way to work. But which one to choose, with so many options out there? In this edition of the Domestic Diva Awards 2022, we showcase the three best coffee machines that have been chosen by both readers’ votes and editor’s pick, so you can purchase with peace of mind.
If you’ve always dreamed of being your own barista, this bundle is a must-have. It includes Nespresso’s Vertuo Plus Premium, one of the most versatile coffee machines in the market that can produce over 30 coffee blends in four different cup sizes from a quick 40ml espresso to a 230ml mug that can be enjoyed at leisure. Thanks to its one-touch brew technology, the machine can recognise the brewing specifications of the capsule you’ve selected, from the temperature to the volume of water needed.
Accompanying the machine is the Aeroccino 3, a milk frother that adds that perfect layer of smooth creamy milk to top off your coffee. Whether it’s hot milk or milk froth, it’ll be ready at the touch of a button.
What to know before purchasing
The Vertuo Plus works only with Nespresso Vertuo capsules, which have a unique barcode imprinted on the underside for the machine to identify the coffee blend. There are over 30 of them, so you’ll definitely be able to find something you like — and if you’re not sure, the bundle comes with an introductory box of 12 blends for you to try. We love that these capsules are recyclable and sustainable too!
Tips
Order your coffee via the Nespresso app. When your courier delivers your next batch, you can simply give him your bag of used capsules for recycling.
Need a pick-me-up in the afternoons at work? The compact size of this coffee machine makes it a great desk buddy at the office, delivering you a hot cuppa whenever you need it. It’s quick and easy to operate, with adjustable intensity and temperature thanks to an intuitive LED control ring. Whether it’s hot chocolate, a cold brew, full-bodied or frothy, the Nescafe Dolce Gusto Genio S can deliver.
What to know before purchasing
Rushing out or always forgetting to switch your appliances off? You won’t have to worry — this machine has an eco-mode feature that switches itself off automatically after one minute of inactivity. That’s not the only smart feature: it’ll also let you know when it’s time for descaling by flashing a light.
Tips
The machine is compatible with both Nescafe Dolce Gusto and Starbucks by Nescafe Dolce Gusto Smart coffee capsules, so you can enjoy a wide variety of different blends.
Pour-over coffee lovers, this one’s for you. If you love a full-bodied, intensely aromatic brew, this coffee maker can give you the perfect cup every time without the hassle of having to do it yourself. This is thanks to the automatic pulse pouring technology, which evenly saturates the grounds at an optimal infusion temperature of 92 to 96 degrees Celsius and a brewing time of between 4-6 minutes. It extracts the flavours beautifully, brewing up to 10 cups of coffee and automatically shutting off 40 minutes after the last brew. Did we also mention how good it looks on the kitchen counter with its sleek hourglass silhouette?
What to know before purchasing
Discerning coffee lovers will be glad to know that this coffee maker has earned a certification from the European Coffee Brewing Centre (ECBC) for its flavour extraction.
Tips
The machine comes with a heated plate that can keep your cup warm, and an anti-drip system that stops dispensing when the carafe is removed to avoid messes.