The best budget coffee machine Coffee Machines For Home Baristas

The purchase of a coffee maker lets you enjoy a range of caffeinated beverages in the at-home convenience of your own. If you prefer filter or pod there's a machine that will suit your preferences and budget.

A true workhorse, this bean-to-cup maker offers a unique level of control that is typical of a high-end model. This is a great choice if you're looking for convenience and commercial milky options that aren't a hassle.

1. Breville Barista Max

The Breville Barista Max+ VCF152, a mid-range bean-to-cup cup with a built-in grinder, is a good choice for those looking to learn to make coffee in a proper manner (rather using pods or an expensive espresso machine) and also for those who want to replace a manual machine that was not as capable. It is capable of producing excellent espresso and milk with an excellent texture.

The Barista max+ comes with a large drip pan with a separate trough that can catch spilled grounds, and a convenient storage area to store additional equipment. It's also a solid and well-built machine with all removable parts clicking into place pleasingly. It's available in stylish silver, and a more traditional stainless steel.

It's designed with a professional flair and is influenced by commercial machines, with features such as Temp IQ Shot Control that gives precise water temperatures for every cup, as well as a Tap & Go on-demand burr grinder that has 30 settings. It uses a preinfusion technique to gently infuse ground beans to create the perfect balance and full flavor.

There's a great guideline in the instruction manual that describes how to calibrate the machine, which is crucial to ensure that it is calibrated correctly to produce a consistent and excellent cup of espresso. It also explains the process of decalcification which is essential to keep your machine in good condition.

The manual controls are easy to follow and there's a knob that can set the machine to hot water (with one turn of the knob to the left) or initiates the dispensing of steam (a further turn). The coffee spout is high enough to fit an espresso cup or latte glass, but not a large jug. You'll have to pre-infuse your milk before dispense the espresso before pouring it into larger cups for cappuccinos and lattes.

One thing to bear in mind is that Breville only provides a one-year guarantee on this machine, so should something go wrong with it after that time you'll have to pay for repair costs. This could be a problem for some, given the cost of the machine when bought new.

2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup

The iconic Smeg name is synonymous with kitchen appliances that ooze retro 1950's design and quality. It's interesting that until recently, the Smeg 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 machine can provide the entire selection of your favorite drinks at the push of a button including ristretto, espresso and Americano plus hot water for tea and other hot drinks. All you have to do is put your desired amount of ground beans into the hopper, choose your drink from the easy menu by using the flat buttons and then press brew. It's quick and easy with only a few inputs required, and it comes with a handy alert that will inform you when it's time to remove the grounds or empty the drawer (although this is a simple one to overlook if you don't look frequently).

Our former barista tried the Smeg Bean-to Cup and was impressed by the simplicity of use, as well as the fact that it could make milky coffee classics like macchiato, latte, cappuccino and latte. She was awed by how quickly it froze up and how it was silent. She was also happy that the brewing process took just 45 minutes, and she could pick the strength of the drink. The only slight niggle was that the BCC02 does not come with a milk jug, which you'll have to purchase separately.

A real winner is the fact that this bean-to-cup machine does not require any plastic pods or sachets which means you'll be saving money as well as helping the environment. The Smeg Bean to Cup coffee maker is available in a variety of matt colours, such as white, taupe as well as smouldering and new to the collection, black. You can match the coffee maker to your kitchen decor and also transform your cooking area while you're at it. A must-see for those who love the Smeg brand.

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 comes with a quick-heat boiler that enables you to make espresso quickly and efficiently. It also has an expert steam wand for producing great foamed milk for cappuccinos and lattes. You can also alter your espresso's length, body, and grinding settings to match your taste.

This single boiler coffee machine was first introduced in the year 1991. It is now one of the most well-known espresso machines for home use particularly among baristas at home. It is known for its low price simple design and outstanding performance. The design is simple and sleek, with a few modern touches. It's also easy to use and maintain.

It's important to remember that this Gaggia machine does not have any newer features, such as preinfusion or a preinfusion device which means it could be a little bit dated for some people. It still offers great espresso, and is a great choice for those who prefer a more traditional-looking machine.

There are some key distinctions between this Gaggia coffee maker and other similar models, though. It comes with a chrome-plated brass handle for the portafilter, for instance. This is a nice attribute that makes it stand out from other entry-level espresso machines for home use. It has a thermo-bloc, which is a nice addition at this price.

In addition to the above features, this machine comes with a removable reservoir for water that can be easily filled and maintenance. It also comes with a stainless steel infusion chamber which keeps the water at the right temperature which makes a better tasting espresso. It also comes with a top-quality ceramic grinder that helps keep your espresso fresher for a longer period of time.

This coffee machine also has an automatic water level sensor. This feature makes it easy to operate the machine and ensures that you have the tank full of clean and fresh water. This is essential for getting the best tassimo machine results from your espresso.

4. Sage Barista

Sage is known for rethinking 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 tilt the scales away from quality and towards ease of use, the Oracle Touch provides a well-balanced approach. The machine takes care of all the grinding, dosing and tamping while steaming and the milk for you. This allows you to get the most from your beans and avoids the disappointments that sometimes occur when using pre-ground espresso from a grocery store.

The Oracle comes with 30 different grind settings, so you'll be able to discover the ideal level of fineness to your preferred drink. It also comes equipped with a cradle for the portafilter. This is a great option for those looking to recreate the barista experience. Other features that are useful include the Razor Precision Dose Trimming Tool that can be used to wipe away any leftover beans. A stainless milk jug of steel is included, as well as steam wand for creating latte art.

You can select from a wide range of beverages, and the machine will automatically recommend a suitable grind size, brew speed, and milk temperature for each one. This feature lets you save your favorite settings for future use. It will eliminate the hassle that comes with finding the perfect cup. This model is a good choice for those new to espresso, since it will help you get the most from your chosen 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 a huge machine measuring H41cm x W33cm by D38cm. This could make it difficult to fit into some cabinets. It's worth measuring the space to ensure you can accommodate it before purchasing. Cleaning the machine is easy, however you'll need to clean down the steam wand and removeable drip tray. It's a good idea to set up an account with Sage to gain access to weekly masterclasses and personalized instructions to make the most of your new coffee maker.