The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas

A coffee machine lets you to enjoy a range of caffeinated beverages in the comfort of your home. There's a machine to suit every budget and preference, no matter if you prefer pods or filters.

This machine for making coffee is a real workhorse. It gives you an amount of control that is uncommon for a high-end model. It's a great option when you're looking for a simple and milky options with no hassle.

1. Breville Barista Max

A mid-priced bean-to-cup that has a built-in grinder, the Breville Barista Max+ VCF152 is a great choice for anyone who wants to learn how to make coffee the right way (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 that has an excellent texture.

The Barista max+ comes with a massive drip pan, a separate trough to catch spilled grounds, and a handy storage space to store additional equipment. The machine is also built well and solid and has all the components that can be removed clicking into place. Available in both a classic stainless steel and a chic silver.

It is made with a professional appearance and is influenced by commercial machines. Features include Temp IQ Shot Control, which provides precise temperature for every cup and the Tap & Go burr grinder on-demand that has 30 settings. It also has the pre-infusion method that softly infuses ground beans to give the most balanced, full-bodied flavor.

There's a great guideline in the instruction manual that explains how to calibrate the machine, which is essential to do correctly to produce a consistent and excellent cup of espresso. It also explains how to do a decalcification cycle which is crucial to ensure that your machine is clean and in working order.

The manual controls are easy to use and there's a dial that can set the machine to hot water (with a turn of the knob to the left) or begins dispensing steam (a further turn). The coffee spout has the space to fit into a standard espresso cup or latte-style glass, but isn't a jug, which means you'll need to infuse it prior to the time you dispensing your milk prior to pouring your espresso into larger cups for cappuccinos or lattes.

One thing to keep in your mind is that Breville only offers a one year guarantee on this machine, which means that when something goes wrong with it after that time, you'll need to pay for repair costs. This could be a nagging factor for certain people, especially considering the price of the machine when purchased new.

2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup

The enduring Smeg name is synonymous with kitchen appliances that ooze retro 1950's design and quality. What's more interesting is that, until recently, the best bean to cup coffee machine collection of the brand didn't have a bean-to-cup maker. This was until the sleek BCC02 model was launched in September.

The bean-to cup coffee machine provides the entire selection of your favorite drinks at the touch of a button, including espresso, ristretto, and Americano and hot water for tea and other hot beverages. It's as easy as placing the amount you want in the hopper and choose your beverage using the buttons that are flat. Then press brew. It's easy and quick with no input required and has an alert that lets you know when to descale your machine or empty the grounds drawer.

Our barista friend tried the Smeg Coffee-to-Cup. She was impressed with the ease of use and the fact that it can create milky coffees like cappuccino and Latte. She was awed by how quickly it froze up and how it was silent. She was also delighted that the brewing took only 45 seconds, and that she could pick the strength of the drink. The only complaint is that the BCC02 didn't come with a jug made of metal that you'll 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 helping the environment. The Smeg Bean to Cup coffee maker comes in a variety of matt colours, including white, taupe, smouldering, and new to the collection, black. You can match your coffee maker to your kitchen decor, and transform your kitchen area in the process. If you're a Smeg lover then this is one you must definitely look into.

3. Gaggia Milano V60

If you're a professional barista or have any interest in espresso, then this Gaggia Milano coffee machine is an excellent choice. It has a rapid heat boiler technology, so you can make espresso quickly and effortlessly. It also comes with an expert steam wand for making great foamed milk for lattes and cappuccinos. You can also adjust the grind settings as well as the length, body, and shape of your espresso to fit your personal preferences.

This single-boiler coffee machine was first released in 1991. It has become one the most well-known espresso machines for home use, especially among home baristas. It is known for its simplicity, low price and excellent performance. The design is simple and sleek with a few modern touches. It's also easy to use and maintain.

This Gaggia coffee maker may not have newer features like PID or preinfusion which could make it appear a bit outdated to some. It still offers great espresso, and is a great choice for those who prefer a more traditional-looking machine.

There are a few key differences between this Gaggia coffee maker and other similar models, however. It comes with a chrome-plated brass handle for the portafilter, for example. This is a nice feature that makes it stand out from other entry level home espresso machines. It also comes with an in-built thermo-bloc boiler, which is an excellent feature at this price point.

In addition to these features, this machine also comes with a reservoir of water for easy refilling and maintenance. It also has an infusion chamber made of stainless steel that keeps the water at a suitable temperature to make a better espresso. It also comes with a high-end ceramic grinder that can help keep your espresso fresher for longer.

This coffee maker also features an automatic water level detector. This feature makes it simple to use the machine and ensures you always have an empty tank filled with clean fresh, clean water. This is essential for getting the most out of your espresso.

4. Sage Barista

Sage is known for its ability to rethink the way coffee machines function. The Oracle Touch is no different. It's a dual boiler that has an integrated grinder and on-board barista. Oracle Touch is a balanced machine. While the majority of bean-to-cup machines are designed to be convenient and not focusing on quality, Oracle Touch offers a well-rounded approach. The machine handles all the grinding, dosing, and tamping tasks for you, while steaming and foaming milk. This allows you to get the most from your coffee and avoid disappointing results that can sometimes result from using pre-ground espresso from a grocery store.

The Oracle has 30 different grind settings, which means you'll be able find the right level of fineness to your preferred drink. It also comes with a cradle holding the portafilter, which is an important feature for those who want to recreate the barista experience. Other features that are useful include a Razor Precision Dose trimmer to remove any beans that are not used, an stainless steel milk jug and steam wand that can be used to froth lattes that are worthy of art.

You can choose from a variety of drinks and the machine will suggest the right grind size and brew rate, as well as the temperature of the milk. This feature lets you save your favorite settings for the future. It eliminates the guesswork involved in finding the ideal cup. This model is perfect for people who are new to espresso making, as it will help you get the most of your coffee beans.

This machine is stylishly constructed with a stunning brushed-stainless-steel finish. It will look great on your countertop in the kitchen. It's big at H41cm, W33cm, and D38cm. It may be difficult to fit under some cabinets. It is important to measure the space prior to buying to ensure you have enough room. Keeping the machine clean is easy, however you'll need to regularly wipe down the steam wand and detachable drip tray. Sage offers weekly masterclasses, as well as customized tutorials that can ensure you get the most value from your new coffee maker.