The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas
A coffee machine allows you to drink a variety of caffeinated beverages in the comfort of your own home. If you prefer pods or filters, there's an appliance to fit every taste and budget.
The bean-to-cup machine is a real workhorse. It provides a level of control that is uncommon for a premium model. It's a great choice for those who want the convenience of brewing with one touch as well as milky options with no fuss.
1. Breville Barista Max
A mid-priced bean-to-cup that has an integrated grinder, the Breville Barista Max+ VCF152 is a great option for those who want to learn how to make coffee the proper way (rather than using pods or an espresso machine) and for those looking to upgrade from a lesser-than-capable manual machine. It is capable of producing high-quality espresso and milk that is well-textured, and is simple to use with a little practice.
The Barista max+ comes with a massive drip pan, a separate trough to collect grounds that have been spilled, and a convenient storage area to store additional equipment. It's also a solid and well-built machine, with the removable parts slid into place beautifully. It's available in fashionable silver as well as a more classic stainless steel.
It is made with a professional appearance and is influenced by commercial machines. Its features include Temp IQ Shot Control, that provides precise water temperature for every cup and the Tap & Go burr grinder on-demand 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 essential to do correctly to produce a consistent and excellent cup of espresso. It also explains the process of decalcification which is essential to ensure that your machine is in good condition.
The controls are simple to operate. A dial allows you to set the machine's settings for hot water by turning the knob to the right or to begin dispense steam by turning it a second time. The coffee spout's height is enough to fit an espresso glass or latte cup, but it's not a large jug. It is necessary to infuse the milk, and then pour the espresso before pouring it into larger cups for lattes and cappuccinos.
Breville only offers an one-year guarantee on the machine. If something goes wrong after that period, you'll be accountable for the repair cost. This might be a reason to avoid some, especially given how expensive the machine is when purchased new.
2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup
Smeg is synonymous with retro kitchen gadgets and 1950's-style. But what's notable is that, until recently, the brand's collection didn't include a bean-to-cup maker. This was until the introduction of this sleekly designed BCC02 model this September.
The bean-to-cup machine can provide the entire range of your favorite drinks at the push of a button including espresso, ristretto and Americano and hot water for tea and other hot beverages. Simply place the amount you want in the hopper, and then select your beverage by with the buttons on the bottom. Then press to brew. It's easy and quick with no input required and includes an alert that lets you know when to descale your machine or empty the grounds drawer.
Our former barista tested the Smeg Bean-to-Cup and loved the ease of use as well as the fact that she could also create classic milky coffee drinks like macchiato, latte, cappuccino and latte. She was surprised at how quickly it froze up and how it was quiet. She also appreciated that the brewing process only took 45 seconds, and you can pick your preferred strength of each drink, meaning there's no need to constantly monitoring the process. The only complaint is that the BCC02 doesn't come with a jug made of metal that you'll need to purchase separately.
A real winner is the fact that this bean-to-cup machine does not require plastic pods or sachets which means you'll save money and helping the environment. The Smeg Bean to Cup coffee maker is available in a variety of matt colours, such as taupe, white, smouldering, and new to the collection is black. So you can match your coffee maker to your kitchen's decor and easily transform your kitchen space while at the same time. Definitely worth checking out for those who love the Smeg brand.
3. Gaggia Milano V60
If you're a barista at home or have any interest in espresso, 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 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 suit your preference.
This coffee machine is a single-boiler model that was initially released in 1991. It is now one of the most popular espresso machines at home, especially among home baristas. It is renowned for its affordable price simple design and outstanding performance. The design is simple and sleek and has some modern-day 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 a PID or preinfusion, so it might be somewhat outdated for some people. It still provides excellent espresso, and is a great option for those who prefer a more traditional-looking machine.
There are some key differences between this Gaggia maker and other models of the same type, however. It comes with a chrome-plated handle for the portafilter, for example. This is a nice feature that makes it stand out from other entry level home espresso machines. It also has an in-built thermo-bloc boiler, which is an impressive feature at this price point.
This coffee machine has removable water reservoirs for easy refilling. It also has a stainless-steel infusion chamber that ensures the water is at the correct temperature, which results in a more delicious espresso. It is also equipped with a high-quality ceramic grinder that helps keep your espresso fresher for longer.
The coffee maker also comes with an automatic water level detector. This feature makes it easier to operate the machine and ensures you're always working with a tank of clean, fresh water. This is essential to get the best 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 and on-board barista. While best automatic coffee machine to cup machines tend to tilt the scales away from quality and towards convenience The Oracle Touch offers a balanced approach. The machine takes care of grinding, dosing, and tamping for you, while steaming and foaming milk. This lets you get the most out of your beans and avoids disappointments that sometimes occur when using pre-ground espresso from a supermarket.
The Oracle comes with 30 grind settings to ensure that you can find the ideal level of fineness that is perfect for your drink. It also comes with a cradle to hold the portafilter. This is an excellent accessory for those looking to recreate the barista experience. Other useful features include the Razor Precision Dose Trimming Tool to clean away any excess beans. A stainless milk jug made of steel is included, along with steam wands to create latte art.
You can select from a variety of drinks, and the machine will automatically suggest a suitable grind size, brew speed, and milk temperature for each. This feature lets you save your favorite settings for the future. It eliminates the guesswork that comes with finding the perfect cup. This model is perfect for those who are brand new to making espresso, since it can help you get the most of your coffee beans.
The machine is elegantly constructed with a stunning brushed-stainless-steel finish. It will look great on your counter top in your kitchen. It's a large machine measuring H41cm x W33cm by D38cm. This could make it difficult to fit under some cabinets. It's worth measuring your space to ensure you're able to accommodate it prior to purchasing. Cleaning the machine is relatively easy, but you'll need to regularly wipe down the steam wand as well as the detachable drip tray. It's worth establishing an account with Sage to get access to weekly masterclasses and personalized tutorials to get the most out of your new coffee maker.