The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas

A coffee maker lets you enjoy a variety of caffeinated beverages in the at-home convenience of your own. If you prefer filter or pod, there's an appliance to fit every taste and budget.

A real workhorse, this bean-to-cup machine offers a rare level of control for a premium model. It's a great option when you're looking for a simple and milky options that aren't a 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 anyone keen to learn how to make coffee the proper method (rather than using pods or a less expensive espresso machine) and also for those looking to upgrade from a less powerful manual machine. It is capable of producing the highest quality espresso and milk with excellent texture.

The Barista Max+ has an enormous drip tray, a separate trough for grounds that spill out, and a handy storage compartment to hold extra accessories. It's also a sturdy and well-built machine, with the removable parts slid into place beautifully. Available in both a classic stainless steel as well as a fashionable silver.

It's designed with a professional flair and inspired by commercial machines, and comes with features such as Temp IQ Shot Control that provides precise water temperatures for every cup, and a Tap & Go on-demand burr grinder with 30 settings. It also employs an infusion technique that softly infuses ground beans to give the most balanced, full-bodied flavor.

There's a useful guide in the instruction manual that explains how to calibrate the machine, which is essential to do correctly to ensure a consistent, excellent cup of espresso. It also explains the process of decalcification which is essential to keep your machine in good working order.

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

One thing to bear in mind is that Breville only offers a one-year guarantee on this machine. So if something goes wrong within that time frame, you'll need to pay for repairs. This might be a nagging factor for certain people, especially considering how costly the machine is 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 notable that until recently the brand's collection 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 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. You simply need to place the desired amount of beans in the hopper and select your drink using the buttons that are flat. Then press brew. It's quick and easy with minimal input and even comes with an alert that lets you know when to descale your machine or empty the grounds drawer.

Our barista friend tried the Smeg best value bean to cup coffee machine to Cup and loved the simplicity of use as well as the possibility to create classic milky coffee drinks like macchiato, latte, cappuccino and latte. She was impressed by the quick warming-up times and the quietness while she was working. She was also delighted that the process only took 45 seconds, and that she could choose the strength of the drink. The only minor issue is that the BCC02 didn't come with a metal milk jug that you'll need to purchase separately.

This bean-to cup coffee machine does not require packets or pods of plastic. You will save money while doing your part for the environment. The Smeg Bean to Cup coffee machine is available in a variety of matt colours, including taupe, white, smouldering, and new to the collection is black. You can match your coffee maker to the decor of your kitchen, and transform your kitchen space in the process. A must-see If you're a fan the Smeg brand.

3. Gaggia Milano V60

This Gaggia Milano espresso machine is an excellent choice for those who are a barista at home or have an interest in espresso. It features a fast heat boiler technology, meaning you can make espresso quickly and easily. It has a professional steaming wand to produce great foamed-milk for cappuccinos or lattes. You can also alter the grinding settings length, length, and body of your espresso to fit your personal taste.

This coffee maker is a single boiler machine and was first introduced in 1991. It has become one the most sought-after espresso machines at home, especially among home baristas. It is known for its simplicity, affordable price and outstanding performance. The design is sleek and simple and has some modern touches. It's also simple to use and maintain.

It is important to know that this Gaggia machine does not have any newer features, like preinfusion or a preinfusion device which means it could be slightly outdated for some people. It still makes great espresso, and is a great option for those who prefer a more traditional machine.

There are a few key differences between this Gaggia maker and other similar models, however. For example, it has the forged chrome-plated portafilter handle. This is a nice feature that makes it stand out from other entry-level home espresso machines. It also has a thermo-bloc boiler that's a nice feature for this price.

In addition to the aforementioned features, this machine also comes with a reservoir of water for easy refilling and maintenance. It also has a stainless-steel infusion chamber that keeps the water at the right temperature, which makes a more delicious espresso. It also has a high-quality ceramic grinder that can help keep your espresso fresher for longer.

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

4. Sage Barista

Sage are known for their ability to rethink the way coffee machines work and their Oracle Touch is no exception. It's a dual boiler that has integrated grinder and an on-board barista. Oracle Touch is a well-balanced machine. While the majority of bean-to-cup machines are designed to be convenient and a lack of quality, Oracle Touch offers a balanced approach. The machine handles all the grinding, dosing and tamping tasks while steaming and frothering milk for you. This helps you get the most from your coffee and prevents the kind of disappointing results you might get when using pre-ground coffee from the major supermarkets.

The Oracle comes with 30 different grind settings which means you'll be able discover the ideal level of fineness for your favorite drink. It also comes with a cradle for holding the portafilter, which is an important feature for those who want to replicate the barista experience. Other useful features include the Razor Precision Dose trimmer to clean any excess beans as well as an stainless steel milk jug and steam wand that can be used to create lattes that are worthy of art.

You can choose from a range of beverages and the machine will suggest the right grind size, brew rate and the temperature of your milk. You can then save your preferred settings for future use this is a wonderful feature that eliminates the confusion that comes with choosing the best budget espresso machine cup of coffee. This model is perfect for those who are brand new to espresso-making, as it will help you get the best nespresso machine out of your coffee beans.

This machine is stylishly made with a beautiful brushed stainless-steel finish. It's a great look on your counter top in your kitchen. However, it's quite big at H41cm x W33cm x D38cm and could struggle to fit in under cabinets. It's a good idea to measure your space to ensure that you can accommodate it before purchasing. Cleaning the machine is relatively easy, but you'll need to clean down the steam wand and detachable drip tray. It's worth setting up an account with Sage to access weekly masterclasses, as well as personalized tutorials to get the most out of your new coffee maker.