The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas

A coffee machine allows you to drink a variety of beverages that are caffeinated in the comfort of your own home. If you prefer pod or filter there's a coffee machine to fit every taste and budget.

This bean-to cup machine is a true workhorse. It offers the kind of control that is rare for a premium model. It's a great choice for those who want the convenience of brewing at a single touch and milky options with no fuss.

1. Breville Barista Max

The Breville Barista Max+ VCF152, a mid-range bean to cup with a built-in grinder, is an excellent option for those who want to learn to make coffee in a proper manner (rather using pods or an inexpensive espresso machine), and for those looking to replace an old manual machine that was not as capable. It is capable of producing high-quality espresso and milk that is well-textured, and is easy to use with a little practice.

The Barista max+ comes with a large drip pan and a separate trough to collect grounds that have been spilled, and a storage space for additional accessories. It's also a solid-looking and well-built machine with all the parts that can be removed and clicking into place beautifully. Available in both a classic stainless steel as well as a fashionable silver.

It's designed with a professional look and is influenced by commercial equipment. Its features include Temp IQ Shot Control, which provides precise temperature for each cup, as well as a Tap & Go burr grinder that can be set on demand with 30 settings. It makes use of a preinfusion technique to gently infuse ground beans for a balanced, full flavour.

There's a great guideline in the instruction manual that explains how to calibrate the machine, which is important to get right in order to ensure a consistent, good cup of espresso. It also explains how to perform the decalcification process that is vital to ensure that your machine is clean and functioning.

The manual controls are simple to use, and there's a dial that sets the machine to hot water (with a simple turn of the knob to the left) or starts dispensing 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, but isn't a jug, which means you'll need to prepare and dispensing your milk prior to pouring your espresso into larger cups for cappuccinos and lattes.

One thing to bear in the mind is that Breville only offers a one-year guarantee on this machine, which means that if something goes wrong with it after the time period you'll have to pay for repairs. This might be a reason to avoid 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. However, what's interesting is that until recently, the brand's collection didn't include a bean-to-cup maker. That is until the launch of this sleekly designed BCC02 model in September.

The bean-to-cup coffee machine offers the entire range of your favorite drinks at the touch of a button. It includes ristretto, espresso and Americano plus hot water for tea and other hot drinks. All you need to do is put the desired amount of ground beans into the hopper, select your drink from the easy menu using the buttons that are flat and press to brew. It's easy and fast with no input required. it even includes a handy alarm that informs 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 frequently).

Our former barista tested the Smeg Bean-to Cup and was impressed by the ease of use as well as the fact that she could also create classic milky coffee drinks like cappuccino, latte and macchiato. She was amazed by how quickly it heated up and how it was silent. She also appreciated that the brewing process only took 45 seconds, and that you can choose the strength you prefer in each drink, so there's no need to be constantly watching the process. The only slight niggle was that the BCC02 didn't come with a milk jug which you'll need to purchase separately.

A real winner is the fact that this bean-to-cup machine doesn't require any plastic pods or sachets, which means you'll be saving money while making a difference for the environment. The Smeg Bean to-Cup coffee maker is available in a selection of gorgeous matt colors, including taupe crisp white, smouldering red and now, new to the collection the full black. You can match your coffee machine to the decor of your kitchen and effortlessly transform your cooking space simultaneously. If you're a Smeg fan then this is a machine that you should definitely check out.

3. Gaggia Milano V60

If you're a barista at home or have any interest in espresso coffee, then this Gaggia Milano coffee machine is an excellent choice. It has a fast-heat boiler that enables you to make espresso quickly and efficiently. It has a professional steaming wand, which can create great foamed milk for cappuccinos and lattes. You can also adjust the length, body, and grinding settings to suit your preferences.

This machine is a single-boiler model and was originally released in the year 1991. Over the years it has grown to become one of the most sought-after home espresso machines in the world, particularly for home baristas. It is renowned for its affordable price, simplicity and excellent performance. The design is sleek and simple with some modern features. It's also simple to use and maintain.

It's important to remember that this Gaggia coffee maker does not have any newer features, such as a PID or preinfusion which means it could be somewhat outdated for some. However, it does still offer excellent espresso and is a good option for those who prefer a traditional-looking machine.

There are some key differences between this Gaggia maker and similar models however. It comes with a chrome-plated handle for the portafilter, for instance. This is a nice attribute that sets it apart from other entry level home espresso machines. It also has the thermo-bloc boiler which is an impressive feature for this price range.

In addition to these features, this machine also has a removable water reservoir for easy refilling and maintenance. It also has a stainless steel infusion chamber that ensures the water is at the right temperature which helps to make better tasting espresso. It also comes with a high-quality ceramic grinder to help keep your espresso fresher for longer.

The coffee maker also comes with an automatic water level sensor. This feature makes it simpler to operate the machine and ensures you're always using a full tank of clean, fresh water. This is essential to get the best results from 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 well-balanced machine. While the majority of bean-to-cup machines are geared towards convenience and a lack of quality, Oracle Touch offers a well rounded approach. The machine takes care of all the grinding, dosing and tamping while steaming and frothing milk for you. This helps you get the most from your coffee and prevents the kind of disappointing results that you may encounter when using pre-ground coffee from the supermarkets of the main chain.

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

You can choose from a wide range of drinks and the machine will suggest the proper grind size, brew rate and the temperature of the milk. This feature lets you save your preferred settings for future use. It eliminates the guesswork of finding the perfect cup. This model is perfect for those who are brand new to making espresso, Best Coffee Machines since it helps you get the most of your beans.

The machine is elegantly constructed with a stunning brushed-stainless-steel finish. It will look great on your counter top in your kitchen. However, it's quite a large machine at H41cm x W33cm and D38cm, and may struggle to fit under cabinets. It's worth measuring your space to ensure you have enough room before purchasing. Keeping the machine clean is relatively easy, but you'll need to regularly wipe down the steam wand and removeable drip tray. It's worth setting up an account with Sage to access weekly masterclasses and customized instructions to make the most of your brand new coffee machine.