The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas

A coffee maker allows you to enjoy a range of caffeinated beverages in the comfort of home. If you prefer pod or filter, there's an appliance to suit every taste and budget.

A true workhorse bean-to-cup machine provides a unique level of control for an expensive model. This is a great choice when you're looking for a simple and milky options with no hassle.

1. Breville Barista Max

A mid-range bean-to-cup with a built-in grinder, the Breville Barista Max+ VCF152 is a good choice for those who want to learn how to make coffee in the correct method (rather than using pods or a less expensive espresso machine) and for those looking to upgrade from a lesser-than-capable manual machine. It can make both high-quality coffee and milk with a good texture.

The Barista max+ comes with a massive drip pan, a separate trough to keep grounds from being spilled and a convenient storage area for additional accessories. It's also a solid and well-built machine that has the removable parts slid into place pleasingly. It's available in stylish silver as well as a more classic stainless steel.

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

In the instruction manual, you'll find a guide to aid you in calibrating your machine. This is essential for ensuring a perfect cup of espresso. It also explains how to perform the decalcification process which is crucial to ensure that your machine is clean and in working order.

The controls are simple to operate. A dial lets you to set the machine's temperature for hot water by turning the knob to the right or to begin dispense steam by turning the knob. The coffee spout has enough to be tall enough to fit in a standard espresso glass or latte-style cup however, it's not a jug, so 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 your mind is that Breville only offers a one-year guarantee on this machine. So when something goes wrong after that time you'll be responsible for repairs. This could be a turn-off for some due to the price of the machine when bought new.

2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup

Smeg is synonymous with retro kitchen gadgets and 1950's style. It's interesting that until recently the brand's collection did not include a bean-to- cup machine. This was until the sleek BCC02 model launched in September.

The bean-to-cup coffee machine lets you prepare your favourite drinks with just one button. This includes ristretto as well as espresso as well as hot water for tea or other hot beverages. It's as easy as placing the desired amount of beans in the hopper and choose your drink with the buttons on the bottom. Then press brew. It's easy and quick with minimal input and even has an alert that will inform you when to descale your machine or empty the grounds drawer.

Our barista friend tried the Smeg Bean-to Cup. She was impressed by the ease of use and the fact that it could make milky coffees such as cappuccino and Latte. She was surprised at how quickly it froze up and how it was quiet. She also liked that the brewing process only took 45 seconds, and you can pick the strength you prefer for each drink, so there's no need to constantly checking the process. The only complaint is that the BCC02 doesn't come with a metal jug which you'll have 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 as well as doing your bit for the environment. The Smeg Bean to Cup coffee machine comes in a variety matt colours, including white, taupe and smouldering. It also comes with a new addition to the collection full black. This means you can match your coffee machine to the decor of your kitchen and effortlessly change the look of your cooking space while at the same time. If you're a fan of Smeg 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 features a fast heat boiler technology, so you can make espresso quickly and easily. It has an expert steaming wand that can make great foamed-milk lattes or cappuccinos. You can also alter the length, body, and grinding settings to suit your preferences.

This single boiler coffee machine was first introduced in 1991. It is now one of the most sought-after espresso machines for home use, especially among home baristas. It is well-known for its low price and simplicity, as well as its excellent performance. The design is simple and sleek and has some modern-day touches. It is also easy to maintain and use.

It's important to note that this Gaggia machine doesn't have any modern features, like preinfusion or a preinfusion device, so it might be slightly outdated for some people. It still offers great espresso and is a great choice for those who prefer a more traditional machine.

There are a few distinct differences between the Gaggia model and other models. For instance, it features a a forged chrome-plated brass portafilter handle. This is a nice feature that makes it stand out from other entry level home espresso machines. It has a thermo-bloc, which is a nice addition at this price.

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

Another excellent feature of this coffee maker is the automatic water level detection. This feature makes it simple to use the machine, and coffeee ensures you always have the tank full of clean and fresh water. This is vital to get the most out of your espresso.

4. Sage Barista

Sage is a brand that has a reputation for rethinking how coffee machines work. The Oracle Touch is no different. It's a dual-boiler, with an integrated grinder and baristas on board. While the majority of bean-to-cup machines tend to tilt the scales away from quality and towards ease of use Oracle Touch is a different story. Oracle Touch delivers a well-balanced approach. The machine handles all the grinding, dosing and tamping while steaming and frothering milk for you. This lets you get the best out of your beans and avoids the poor results that may occur when using pre-ground espresso from a supermarket.

The Oracle has 30 grind settings to ensure that you can choose the perfect degree of fineness for your drink. It also comes with a cradle for holding the portafilter that is an essential feature for those who want to replicate the full barista experience. Other useful features include a Razor Precision Dose trimmer to remove any leftover beans, the milk jug made of stainless steel and steam wand that can be used to create the perfect latte art.

You can select from a variety of drinks and the machine will suggest the right grind size and brew rate, as well as milk temperature. You can then save your preferences for the future this is a wonderful feature that can eliminate the guesswork involved in finding the perfect cup of coffee. This model is a good option for those who are new to espresso, since it will allow you to get the most from the beans you choose.

It's a beautiful machine with a gorgeous polished stainless-steel finish that looks great on your kitchen counter. It's an enormous machine with dimensions of H41cm x W33cm x D38cm and could struggle to fit under cabinets. It is recommended to measure your space prior to purchasing to ensure you have enough room. The machine is easy to clean, but you'll need to clean down the detachable drip pan and the steam wand on a regular basis. It's worth establishing an account with Sage to gain access to weekly masterclasses and personalized instructions to get the most out of your new coffee maker.