The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas

Buying a coffee machine allows you to enjoy a variety of coffee-infused drinks from the at-home convenience of your own. There's a coffee maker to fit every budget and taste, regardless of whether you prefer pods or filters.

A real workhorse, this bean-to-cup machine offers a rare level of control for an expensive model. This is a great option to get convenience and milky options without fuss.

1. Breville Barista Max

A mid-range bean-to-cup with a built-in grinder, the Breville Barista Max+ VCF152 is a great option for anyone who wants to learn how to make coffee in the correct way (rather than using pods or a cheap espresso machine) and also for those looking to upgrade from a less powerful manual machine. It can make high-quality espresso as well as milk that is well-textured and is simple to use with a bit of practice.

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

It's designed with a professional flair and is influenced by commercial machines, and comes with features like Temp IQ Shot Control that delivers precise water temperatures for every cup, and a Tap & Go on-demand burr grinder with 30 settings. It also uses a pre-infusion technique that softly infuses ground beans to give a full, balanced flavour.

There's a useful guide in the instruction manual that explains how to calibrate the machine, which is crucial to do correctly to make a consistent, good cup of espresso. It also explains the decalcification cycle that is necessary to keep your machine in good condition.

The manual controls are easy to follow, and there's a dial that can set the machine to hot water (with a simple turn of the knob to the left) or initiates the dispensing of steam (a further turn). The coffee spout has the to be tall enough to fit in a standard espresso cup or glass with a latte-style design however, it's not a jug. Therefore, you'll need to pre-infuse and dispensing your milk prior to pouring your espresso into larger cups for cappuccinos or lattes.

One thing to bear in your mind is that Breville only offers a one year guarantee on this machine, which means that if something goes wrong within that time frame you'll be responsible for repair costs. This could be a turn-off for some due to the cost of the machine when bought new.

2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup

Smeg is synonymous with retro kitchen appliances and 1950's fashion. It's interesting that until recently the brand's collection did not include a bean-to- cup machine. That is until the launch of this elegantly 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 and espresso and hot water for tea and other hot drinks. All you need to do is put the desired quantity of ground beans into the hopper, choose your beverage from the simple menu by using the flat buttons and press brew. It's quick and easy with minimal input 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 an easy one to overlook if you don't look often).

Our barista from the past tried the Smeg Coffee-to-Cup. She was impressed by the ease of use and the fact that it could create milky coffees like cappuccino and the latte. She was impressed by the quick warming-up times and the quietness while she was working. She also liked that the brewing process took 45 seconds, and that you can choose your preferred strength of each drink, so there's no need to constantly monitoring the process. The only issue was that the BCC02 didn't include a metal milk jug which you'll need to purchase separately.

The most appealing aspect is the fact that this bean-to-cup coffee machine does not require any plastic pods or sachets, which means you'll be saving money and making a difference for the environment. The Smeg Bean-to-Cup best compact coffee machine machine is available in a variety of matt colors that are coveted, including taupe and clear white, smouldering red, and now, new to the range the full black. This means you can match your coffee maker to your kitchen's decor and effortlessly transform your kitchen space simultaneously. If you're a Smeg lover it's a machine that you should definitely check out.

3. Gaggia Milano V60

This Gaggia Milano espresso machine is a great choice if you are a barista at home or are interested in espresso. It comes with a quick-heat boiler that allows you to make espresso quickly and efficiently. It has a professional steaming wand to make great foamed-milk cappuccinos and lattes. You can also adjust the grind settings, length, and body of your espresso to suit your personal preferences.

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

This Gaggia coffee maker does not have the latest features such as PID or a preinfusion It may appear a bit outdated to some. It still makes great espresso and is a great choice for those who prefer a traditional-looking machine.

There are a few key distinctions between the Gaggia and other models. It comes with a chrome-plated brass handle for the portafilter, as an instance. This is a nice attribute that distinguishes it from other entry level espresso machines for home use. It also comes with a thermo-bloc boiler that's an impressive feature for this price range.

In addition to the aforementioned features, this coffee maker also has a removable reservoir for water that can be easily filled and maintenance. It also comes with a stainless steel infusion chamber that keeps the water at the right temperature, which makes a more flavorful espresso. It also comes with a top-quality ceramic grinder that can help keep your espresso fresher longer.

This coffee maker also features an automatic water level detector. This feature makes it simple to use the machine and ensures that you have an empty tank filled with clean and fresh water. This is crucial for the best ground coffee machines results from your espresso.

4. Sage Barista

Sage is known for their innovative approach to the way coffee machines work and their Oracle Touch is no exception. It's a dual boiler, with an integrated grinder and on-board barista. Oracle Touch is a well-balanced machine. While many bean-to-cup systems are designed to be convenient and a lack of quality, Oracle Touch offers a well rounded approach. The machine takes care of grinding, dosing, and tamping for you while steaming and foaming milk. This lets you get the best coffee machine with milk frother out of your beans and avoids poor results that may result from using pre-ground espresso from a store.

The Oracle is equipped with 30 grind settings to ensure that you can find the perfect level of fineness that is perfect for your drink. It also comes with a cradle holding the portafilter which is a crucial feature for those who want to replicate the full barista experience. Other features that are useful include the Razor Precision Dose trimmer to remove any leftover beans, the milk jug made of stainless steel and a steam wand that can be used to create the perfect latte art.

You can select from a wide range of beverages, and the machine will suggest a suitable grind size, brew speed, and milk temperature for each. This feature lets you save your favorite settings for future use. It will eliminate the hassle that comes with finding the ideal cup. This model is ideal for those who are new to espresso-making, as it can help you get the most out of your beans.

It's a beautiful machine in a beautiful brushed stainless-steel finish that will look good on your kitchen counter. It's a huge machine measuring H41cm x W33cm by D38cm. This can make it difficult to fit into some cabinets. It's worth measuring your space to ensure that you have enough room before buying. Keeping the machine clean is easy, however you'll have to regularly wipe down the steam wand and removeable drip tray. Sage offers weekly masterclasses and personalized tutorials that will help you get the most from your new coffee maker.