The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas

A coffee machine allows you to drink a variety of caffeinated beverages in the comfort of home. There's a coffee maker to suit every budget and taste, regardless of whether you prefer pods or filters.

A true workhorse, this bean-to-cup machine offers a rare level of control for a premium model. This is a great option to get convenience and milky options that aren't a hassle.

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 properly (rather using pods or an expensive espresso machine) or for those looking to replace a manual machine that was less capable. It can make both high-quality espresso and milk that has excellent texture.

The Barista max+ comes with a massive drip pan and a separate trough to catch spilled grounds, and a storage space for additional accessories. It's also a solid-looking and well-built machine, with the removable parts slid into place with ease. Available in both classic stainless steel and a stylish silver.

It is designed with a professional feel and inspired by commercial machines. Features include Temp IQ Shot Control, that provides precise water temperature for each cup as well as a Tap & Go burr grinder on-demand with 30 settings. It employs a preinfusion method to gently infuse ground beans to create an enticing, full-bodied flavor.

There's a great guideline in the instruction manual that explains how to calibrate the machine, which is crucial to ensure that it is calibrated correctly to produce a consistent and good cup of espresso. It also explains how you can perform the decalcification process that is vital to keep your machine clean and in working order.

The controls are simple to operate. A dial allows you to set the machine for hot water by turning the knob to the right, or to start dispensing steam with a further turn. The coffee spout is high enough to fit into an espresso glass or latte cup, but not a large jug. You'll have to pre-infuse the milk, and then pour it prior to pouring espresso into larger cups for cappuccinos and lattes.

One thing to keep in the mind is that Breville only provides one year of guarantee on this machine, which means that if something goes wrong after that time you'll be responsible for repairs. This might be a nagging factor for some, especially given the price of the machine when purchased new.

2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup

The iconic Smeg name is synonymous with kitchen gadgets that exude retro 1950's style and quality. What's noteworthy is that, until recently, the collection of the brand did not include a bean to cup machine. This was until the sleek BCC02 model was launched in September.

The bean-to cup coffee machine provides 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 beverages. It's as easy as placing the desired amount of beans in the hopper, and then select your beverage by using the flat buttons. Then press to brew. It's quick and easy with no input required. it comes with a handy alert that will inform 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 former barista tried the Smeg Bean-to-Cup and loved the ease of use and the fact that she could also make classic milky coffees such as macchiato, latte, and cappuccino. She was impressed by the quick warm-up time and how quiet it was while she was working. She was also happy that the process only took 45 minutes, and she could select the strength of the drink. The only slight complaint was that the BCC02 does not come with a metal jug, which you will need to purchase separately.

The real benefit is the fact that this coffee maker does not require plastic pods or sachets which means you'll be saving money and making a difference for the environment. The Smeg Bean to Cup coffee machine comes in a variety of matt colours, including taupe, white as well as smouldering and new to the collection full black. You can match the coffee maker to the decor of your kitchen, and transform your kitchen area at the same time. If you're a Smeg fan then this is 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 home barista, or are interested in making espresso. It comes with a quick-heat boiler that enables you to make espresso quickly and efficiently. It features a professional steaming wand to make great foamed-milk cappuccinos and lattes. You can also alter your espresso's length, body, and grinding settings to match your preference.

This coffee machine is a single-boiler model and was first introduced in 1991. It is now one of the most sought-after espresso machines in the home especially among baristas who work from home. It's known for its simplicity, low cost and great performance. The design is sleek and simple, with some modern touches. It's also simple to use and maintain.

It is important to know that this Gaggia coffee maker doesn't have any modern features, such as preinfusion or a PID It's slightly outdated for some. However, it does still offer excellent espresso and is a good alternative for those looking for an old-fashioned machine.

There are a few important differences between this Gaggia coffee maker and similar models though. For instance, it features a the forged chrome-plated portafilter handle. This is a nice addition that differentiates it from other entry-level home espresso machines. It has a thermo-bloc which is a nice feature at this price point.

In addition to the above features, this machine comes with a removable water reservoir for easy refilling and maintenance. It also has an infusion chamber constructed of stainless steel that keeps the water at the perfect temperature to make the best home espresso machine espresso. It also comes with a high-end ceramic grinder that helps keep your espresso fresher for longer.

Another fantastic characteristic of this coffee maker is its automatic water level detection. This feature makes it simple to use the machine and ensures that you always have a an empty tank filled with clean and fresh water. This is essential to get the best results from your espresso.

4. Sage Barista

Sage are known for rethinking 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. While many bean to cup machines tend to tip the scales away from quality in favor of ease of use The Oracle Touch provides a well-balanced approach. The machine takes care of all the grinding, dosing, and tamping as well as steaming and frothering milk for you. This will help you get the most out of your coffee and prevents the kinds of disappointing results you might experience when using coffee that has been ground from the mainstream supermarket.

The Oracle comes with 30 grind settings, so you'll be able to discover the ideal level of fineness for your favorite drink. It also includes a cradle for holding the portafilter that is an essential extra for those looking to replicate the barista experience. Other features that are useful include the Razor Precision Dose trimmer for wiping off any leftover beans as well as a stainless steel milk jug and steam wand that can be used to create lattes that are worthy of art.

You can pick from a wide range of beverages and the machine will automatically recommend the right grind size, best coffee machines brew speed, and milk temperature for each one. This feature lets you save your preferred settings for the future. It eliminates the guesswork involved in finding the ideal cup. This model is a great choice for those new to espresso, best coffee machines since it will allow you to make the most of the beans you select.

It's a beautiful machine with a stunning polished stainless-steel finish that looks great on your kitchen counter. It's big at H41cm x W33cm x D38cm and could struggle to fit in under cabinets. It's worth measuring your space to make sure you have enough room before buying. Keeping the machine clean is fairly easy, but you'll need to clean down the steam wand and removeable drip tray. Sage offers weekly masterclasses and personalized tutorials that will assist you in getting the most value from your new coffee maker.