The Siemens Nespresso machine by Porche Design is a fully automatic espresso maker that does everything a the touch of a button. Traditionalists might frown on using an automatic machine instead of a manual, but the automatic has an advantage in that it is very consistent, while the performance of a manual machine relies heavily on the skill of the user. This machine has 19 bars of pressure, automatic volume control (for espresso vs cappuccino), a digital display that offers eight different languages and a steam want that can easily be adjusted to either latte or cappuccino frothing. The only real drawback is that the machine uses pods instead of real ground coffee. The list price is $1,549 Swiss Francs, or about $1,263.

With one of the most attractive designs of any coffee maker, the Mukka Express is very unique in performance as well. It won the Best Design Category at the 2006 housewares show last month. Mukka seems to be a play on the words "moo" and "coffee" or "cafe," indicating that this tool makes cappuccinos - but it makes them on the stove-top. Each Mukka can make two mugs of cappuccino, complete with foamy milk, as the special pressure valve is designed to steam it with little more than the touch of a button. Did we mention that it also comes in a black-and-white cow print? There is an instructional video available on the Bialetti  website that details the performance of the Mukka Express, complete with product demonstration. Price: $89.