The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas

Buying a coffee machine allows you to enjoy a variety of caffeinated beverages in the comfort of your own home. There's a machine to suit every budget and taste, whether you prefer filters or pods.

A true workhorse bean-to-cup machine provides a unique level of control for a high-end model. It's a great option for those who want the convenience of one-touch brewing, plus milky options with no fuss.

1. Breville Barista Max

A mid-range bean-to-cup with an integrated grinder, the Breville Barista Max+ VCF152 is a great option for anyone keen to learn how to make coffee the proper method (rather than using pods or a less expensive espresso machine) and also for those looking to upgrade from a less powerful manual machine. It can produce excellent espresso and milk with an excellent texture.

The Barista Max+ comes with an enormous drip tray, a separate trough for grounds that have been sprayed and a handy storage area for extra accessories. The machine is also built well and sturdy with all the removable parts being able to be inserted. Available in both classic stainless steel and a stylish silver.

It's made with a professional appearance and is influenced by commercial machines. Features include Temp IQ Shot Control, which delivers precise water temperature for each cup, as well as the Tap & Go burr grinder on-demand that has 30 settings. It makes use of a preinfusion technique to gently infuse ground beans to create an enticing, full-bodied flavor.

In the instruction manual, there is a guide to aid you in calibrating your machine. This is crucial to ensuring a good cup of espresso. It also explains how to do the decalcification cycle, which is essential to keep your machine clean and functioning.

The manual controls are easy to use and there's a knob that allows the machine to be set to hot water (with a turn of the knob to the left) or starts dispensing steam (a further turn). The coffee spout's height is enough to fit in an espresso glass or latte cup, but it's not a huge jug. You'll have to pre-infuse the milk, and then pour it before pouring espresso into larger cups for lattes and cappuccinos.

One thing to keep in your mind is that Breville only offers a one-year guarantee on this machine, which means that if something goes wrong with it within that time frame you'll be responsible for repair costs. This might be a deterrent for some, especially given how costly the machine is when bought new.

2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup

The iconic Smeg name is synonymous with kitchen gadgets that ooze retro 1950's style and quality. It's notable that until recently the brand's collection did not include a bean-to- cup machine. This was until the introduction of this sleekly designed BCC02 model this September.

The bean-to cup coffee machine lets you prepare your favorite drinks with the a touch of a single button. This includes ristretto as well as espresso, as well as hot water for tea or other hot drinks. You simply need to place the amount you want in the hopper and select your beverage by with the buttons on the bottom. Then press to brew. It's simple and quick with only a few inputs required, and it even has a handy alarm that tells you when it's time to descale or empty the grounds drawer (although this is a simple one to ignore if you don't do it often).

Our barista friend tried the Smeg Coffee-to-Cup. She loved the ease-of-use and the fact that it could make milky coffees like cappuccino and Latte. She was amazed by the speedy warm-up times and the quietness while she was working. She also appreciated that the brewing process only took 45 seconds, and you can pick the strength you prefer for each drink, meaning there's no need to keep checking the process. The only issue was that the BCC02 doesn't come with a metal jug, which you will need to purchase separately.

The most appealing aspect is the fact that this bean-to-cup machine does not require any plastic pods or sachets, which means you'll save money and making a difference for the environment. The Smeg Bean-to-Cup coffee machine comes in a range of gorgeous matt colors, including taupe crisp white, smouldering red, and recently, a new addition to the collection, full black. You can match the coffee maker to your kitchen decor and also transform your kitchen area at the same time. If you're a Smeg lover then this is an appliance you must check out.

3. Gaggia Milano V60

This Gaggia Milano espresso machine is an excellent choice if you are a home barista, or have an interest in making espresso. It has a rapid heating boiler, which means you can make espresso quickly and easily. It comes with a professional steaming wand, which can produce great foamed-milk for cappuccinos and lattes. You can also adjust your espresso's length, body, and grind settings to meet your preferences.

This machine is a single-boiler model that was initially released in 1991. Over the years it has become one of most well-known home espresso machines around the world, particularly for home baristas. It's known for its simplicity, low cost and excellent performance. The design is sleek and simple, with some modern-day touches. It is also simple to maintain and use.

It's important to remember that this Gaggia coffee machine isn't equipped with any of the latest features, like preinfusion or a PID, so it might be somewhat outdated for some. It still offers great espresso, and is a great choice for those who prefer a traditional-looking machine.

There are a few key distinctions between this Gaggia coffee maker and other models of the same type, though. It comes with a chrome-plated brass handle to the portafilter, for instance. This is a nice attribute that makes it stand out from other entry level home espresso machines. It comes with a thermo-bloc which is a great feature at this price point.

In addition to the above features, this coffee machine comes with a removable reservoir of water for easy refilling and maintenance. It also has a stainless-steel infusion chamber which keeps the water at the correct temperature, which results in a better tasting espresso. It also has a high-quality ceramic grinder that helps to keep your espresso fresher for longer.

The coffee maker also comes with an automatic water level sensor. This feature makes it simple to operate the machine and ensures that you always have a an empty tank filled with clean fresh, clean water. This is essential for getting the best capsule coffee machine results with your espresso.

4. Sage Barista

Sage is known for its ability to rethink how coffee machines work. The Oracle Touch is no different. It's a dual boiler with an integrated grinder, as well as an on-board barista. While most bean to cup machines tend to tip the scales away from quality and toward ease of use The Oracle Touch offers a balanced approach. The machine handles all the grinding, dosing, and tamping as well as steaming and frothering milk for you. This lets you get the most from your beans and avoids disappointments that sometimes occur when using pre-ground espresso from a supermarket.

The Oracle features 30 different grind settings, making it possible to find the right level of fineness for your favorite drink. It also includes a cradle for holding the portafilter which is a crucial extra for those looking to replicate the full barista experience. Other features that are useful include the Razor Precision Dose Trimming Tool to clean off any beans that are not needed. A stainless steel milk jug is also included, as is steam wand for creating latte art.

You can pick from a variety of drinks and the machine will automatically recommend the right grind size, brew speed and milk temperature for each. This feature allows you to save your preferred settings for future use. It eliminates the guesswork involved in finding the ideal cup. This model is perfect for those who are new to espresso-making, as it will help you get the most of your beans.

It's a sleekly designed machine with a gorgeous polished stainless-steel finish that looks great on your kitchen counter. It's a big machine that measures H41cm by W33cm by D38cm. This could make it difficult to fit under some cabinets. You should measure your space prior to buying to ensure that you have enough room. The machine is easy to clean, however you will need to wipe down the detachable drip pan and the steam wand regularly. Sage offers weekly masterclasses, as well as individualized tutorials to assist you in getting the most from your new coffee maker.