The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas

The purchase of a coffee maker lets you enjoy a range of caffeinated drinks in the comfort of your own home. There's a machine to fit every budget and taste, regardless of whether you prefer filters or pods.

This bean-to cup machine is a reliable machine. It provides an amount of control that is uncommon for a premium model. It's a great option if you're looking for convenience and milky options without fuss.

1. Breville Barista Max

A mid-range bean-to cup with a built-in grinder, Breville Barista Max+ VCF152 is a great choice for anyone who wants to learn how to make coffee in the correct way (rather than using pods or a cheap espresso machine) and for those looking to upgrade from a less capable manual machine. It is capable of producing excellent coffee and milk with an excellent texture.

The Barista max+ comes with a huge drip pan with a separate trough that can keep grounds from being spilled and a storage space for additional accessories. The machine is also well-built and sturdy, with all removable components being able to be inserted. It's available in a stylish silver as well as a more classic stainless steel.

It's designed with a professional touch and is influenced by commercial machines, and comes with features like Temp IQ Shot Control that delivers precise water temperatures for each cup, and a Tap & Go on-demand burr grinder that has 30 settings. It makes use of a preinfusion technique to gently infuse ground beans for the perfect balance and full flavor.

There's a helpful guide in the instruction manual that explains how to calibrate the machine, which is important to do correctly to make a consistent, good cup of espresso. It also explains how you can perform the decalcification process which is crucial to ensure that your machine is clean and functioning.

The manual controls are easy to follow, and there's a dial that sets the machine to hot water (with a simple turn of the knob to the left) or begins dispensing steam (a further turn). The coffee spout is tall enough to fit an espresso cup or latte glass but not a large jug. You'll need to infuse your milk and then dispense it prior to pouring espresso into larger cups for lattes and cappuccinos.

One thing to bear in your mind is that Breville only offers a one-year guarantee on this machine, so when something goes wrong within that time frame, you'll need to pay for repairs. This could be a problem for some, considering the cost 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 style and quality. What's more interesting is that until recently the brand's collection didn't include a bean-to-cup machine. This was until the sleek BCC02 model launched in September.

The bean-to cup coffee machine provides the entire selection of your favourite drinks at the push of a button, including espresso, ristretto, and Americano plus hot water for tea and other hot beverages. All you need to do is put your desired amount of ground beans into the hopper, select your beverage from the simple menu using the flat buttons and press to brew. It's quick and easy with minimal input and even comes with an alert that lets you know when it's time to descale the machine or empty the grounds drawer.

Our former barista tried the Smeg Bean-to-Cup. She was impressed by the ease of use and the fact that it can make milky coffees like cappuccino and Latte. She was amazed by the quick warm-up time and the quietness while she was working. She also liked that the brewing process only took 45 seconds, and that you can select your preferred strength of each drink, so there's no need to constantly monitoring the process. The only slight complaint was that the BCC02 does not come with a jug made of metal which you'll have to purchase separately.

A real winner is the fact that this coffee maker does not require plastic pods or sachets which means you'll save money and making a difference for the environment. The Smeg Bean to Cup coffee machine is available in a variety of matt colours, such as taupe, white as well as smouldering and new to the collection, black. You can match your coffee machine to your kitchen decor and effortlessly transform your kitchen space while at the same time. If you're a Smeg fan, this is a machine that you must check out.

3. Gaggia Milano V60

If you're a best barista coffee machine at home or have any interest in espresso coffee, then this Gaggia Milano coffee machine is an excellent option. It comes with a quick-heat boiler that enables 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 grinding settings length, length, and body of your espresso to fit your personal taste.

This single-boiler coffee machine was first introduced in the year 1991. Since then, it has grown to become one of the most sought-after home espresso machines around the world, specifically for baristas who work at home. It is renowned for its simplicity, affordable price and excellent performance. The design is sleek and simple, with some modern touches. It's also easy to use and maintain.

It's important to note that this Gaggia machine does not have any newer features, like a PID or preinfusion It's somewhat outdated for some people. It still makes great espresso, and is a great choice for those who prefer a traditional-looking machine.

There are a few distinct differences between the Gaggia model and other models. For example, it has an forged chrome-plated brass portafilter handle. This is a nice addition that differentiates it from other espresso home machines. It has a thermo-bloc which is a nice addition at this price point.

This coffee maker has removable water reservoirs for easy refilling. It also comes with an infusion chamber made of stainless steel which keeps the water at a suitable temperature to make a better espresso. It also has a high-quality ceramic grinder that helps keep your espresso fresher for longer.

Another great feature of this coffee machine is its automatic water level detection. This feature makes it simpler to operate the machine and ensures you're always running a full tank of fresh, clean water. This is essential for getting the best espresso machine results from your espresso.

4. Sage Barista

Sage are known for rethinking the way coffee machines function and their Oracle Touch is no exception. It's a dual boiler, with integrated grinder and an on-board barista. While most bean to cup machines tend to tip the scales away from quality and toward convenience Oracle Touch is a different story. Oracle Touch delivers a well-balanced approach. It handles all the grinding, dosing and tamping tasks while steaming and best coffee machines for home the milk for you. This will help you get the most out of your chosen beans and avoids the kinds of disappointing results you can sometimes experience when using coffee that has been ground from the major supermarkets.

The Oracle comes with 30 grind settings, making it possible to find the right level of fineness for your preferred drink. It also comes equipped with a cradle that can hold the portafilter. This is a great accessory for those looking to recreate the barista experience. Other features that are useful include the Razor Precision Dose trimming tool for wiping off any beans that are not used, an stainless steel milk jug and steam wands that can be used to create the perfect latte art.

You can choose from a variety of beverages and the machine will automatically recommend a suitable grind size, brew speed, and milk temperature for each one. This feature allows you to save your preferred settings for later use. It eliminates the guesswork of finding the perfect cup. This model is perfect for those who are brand new to making espresso, since it helps you get the most out of your coffee beans.

It's a beautiful machine with a stunning stainless-steel brushed finish that will look good on your kitchen counter. It's a big machine, measuring H41cm by W33cm by D38cm. This can make it difficult to fit under some cabinets. It's worth measuring your space to make sure you have enough room before buying. Keeping the machine clean is easy, however you'll need to clean down the steam wand and detachable drip tray. Sage offers weekly masterclasses as well as customized tutorials that can help you get the most value from your new coffee maker.