The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas
A coffee maker lets you enjoy a range of caffeinated beverages in the convenience of your home. There's a machine to fit every budget and preference, no matter if you prefer filters or pods.
A true workhorse bean-to-cup machine offers a rare level of control that is typical of an expensive model. It's a great choice to enjoy the convenience of brewing at a single touch and milky options with no fuss.
1. Breville Barista Max
The Breville Barista Max+ VCF152, a mid-range bean to cup with a built in grinder, is a good choice for anyone who wants to learn how to make best coffee beans for bean to cup machines properly (rather using pods or a cheap espresso machine), and for those looking to replace a manual machine that was not as efficient. It can produce both quality espresso as well as milk that is well-textured and is easy to use with just a little practice.
The Barista Max+ has large drip tray, a separate trough for grounds that have been sprayed and a handy storage area to hold extra accessories. The machine is also well-built and sturdy with all the removable parts moving into place. Available in both classic stainless steel and a stylish silver.
It's made with a professional look and inspired by commercial equipment, with features such as Temp IQ Shot Control that gives precise water temperatures for each 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.
In the instruction manual, there is a guide that will assist you in calibrating your machine. This is crucial for ensuring a perfect cup of espresso. It also explains the process of decalcification that is necessary to ensure that your machine is in good condition.
The manual controls are easy to follow and there's a knob that sets the machine to hot water (with one turn of the knob to the left) or starts dispensing steam (a further turn). The coffee spout is tall enough to fit into an espresso cup or latte glass but it's not a huge jug. You'll need to infuse your milk and then dispense it prior to pouring espresso into larger cups for cappuccinos and lattes.
Breville only offers an one-year warranty on this machine. If something goes wrong during that period, you'll be accountable for the repair costs. This could be a turn-off for some, given the price of the machine when bought new.
2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup
Smeg is synonymous with retro kitchen gadgets and 1950's fashion. But what's notable is that until recently, the brand's collection didn't include a bean-to-cup machine. That was until the debut of this sleekly designed BCC02 model in September.
The bean-to-cup coffee machine offers the entire range of your favorite drinks at the touch of a button including espresso, ristretto, and Americano as well as hot water for tea and other hot drinks. All you need to do is put the 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 simple and quick with minimal input and even comes with an alert that informs you when it's time to descale the machine or empty the grounds drawer.
Our barista from the past tried the Smeg Bean-to Cup. She loved the ease-of-use and the fact that it could create milky coffees like cappuccino and best latte machine. She was amazed by the quick warm-up time and how quiet it was when she was working. She also liked that the brewing process only took 45 seconds and that you can select the strength you prefer for each drink, so there's no need to constantly checking the process. The only minor issue is that the BCC02 didn't come with a milk jug which you'll need to purchase separately.
The real benefit is the fact that this bean-to-cup coffee machine does not require plastic pods or sachets, which means you'll save money as well as doing your bit for the environment. The Smeg Bean to Cup coffee maker comes in a variety matt colours, such as taupe, white as well as smouldering and new to the collection, black. You can match your coffee maker to the decor of your kitchen, and transform your cooking area in the process. It's definitely worth a look for those who love the Smeg brand.
3. Gaggia Milano V60
If you're a barista at home or have any interest in espresso coffee, then this Gaggia Milano coffee machine is an excellent option. It has a rapid heating boiler, which means you can make espresso quickly and easily. It has an expert steaming wand that can create great foamed milk for cappuccinos or lattes. You can also alter the grind settings as well as the length, body, and shape of your espresso to suit your individual 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 known for its simplicity, affordable price and outstanding performance. The design is simple and sleek, with some modern features. It's also simple to use and maintain.
It's important to note that this Gaggia coffee maker doesn't have any modern features, like preinfusion or a preinfusion device, so it might be a little bit dated for some. However, it will offer excellent espresso and is an excellent option for those who prefer an old-fashioned machine.
There are a few important differences between this Gaggia maker and other models of the same type, however. For instance, it features a the forged chrome-plated portafilter handle. 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 feature at this price.
This coffee machine has removable water reservoirs for easy refilling. It also has a stainless steel infusion chamber that keeps the water at the right temperature, which makes a more delicious espresso. It also comes with a top-quality ceramic grinder that helps keep your espresso fresher for a longer period of time.
The coffee maker also comes with an automatic water level sensor. This feature makes it simpler to operate the machine and ensures that you're always using a full tank of clean, fresh water. This is crucial for the best small espresso machine results from your espresso.
4. Sage Barista
Sage is known for its ability to rethink how coffee machines work. The Oracle Touch is no different. It's a dual-boiler, with an integrated grinder, and a barista on board. While many bean to cup machines tend to tilt the scales away from quality and toward ease of use, the Oracle Touch offers a balanced approach. It handles all the grinding, dosing and tamping tasks while steaming and the milk for you. This lets you get the most out of your coffee and avoid disappointing results that can sometimes result from using pre-ground espresso from a grocery store.
The Oracle is equipped with 30 different grind settings so you can choose the perfect level of fineness that is perfect for your 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 trimmer to remove any excess beans and a stainless steel milk jug and steam wand that can be used to make latte art-worthy creations.
You can pick from a variety of drinks, and the machine will suggest a suitable grind size, brew speed, and milk temperature for each one. You can then save your preferred settings for future use, which is a great feature that helps eliminate the guesswork involved in finding the perfect cup of coffee. This model is perfect for people who are new to espresso-making, as it will help you get the most of your coffee beans.
It's a beautiful machine in a beautiful polished stainless-steel finish that will look great on your kitchen counter. It's a huge machine measuring H41cm x W33cm by D38cm. This could make it difficult to fit in under certain cabinets. It's worth measuring the space to make sure you're able to accommodate it prior to purchasing. The machine is easy to clean, but you'll need to wipe down the drip pan and the steam wand regularly. It's worth setting up an account with Sage to access weekly masterclasses and customized instructions to get the most best value bean to cup coffee machine of your new coffee machine.