The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas

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

This machine for making coffee is a real workhorse. It offers a level of control that is uncommon for a high-end model. This is a great option when you're looking for a simple 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 option for anyone who wants to learn how to make coffee the proper method (rather than using pods or a cheap espresso machine) and also for those looking to upgrade from a less powerful manual machine. It is capable of producing the highest quality coffee and milk with excellent texture.

The Barista Max+ comes with large drip tray with a separate trough for grounds that spill out, and a handy storage compartment for extra accessories. It's also a solid-looking and well-built machine, with all removable parts clicking into place with ease. It's available in stylish silver and a more classic stainless steel.

It's made with a professional look and inspired by commercial equipment, with features such as Temp IQ Shot Control that provides precise water temperatures for each cup, as well as a Tap & Go on-demand burr grinder that has 30 settings. It also uses an infusion technique that softly infuses ground beans to give an intense, balanced flavor.

There's a great guideline in the instruction manual that describes how to calibrate the machine, which is crucial to ensure that it is calibrated correctly to make a consistent, good cup of espresso. It also explains how to perform the decalcification process that is vital to ensure that your machine is clean and in good working order.

The manual controls are simple to use and there's a dial that sets the machine to hot water (with a simple turn of the knob to the left) or starts dispensing steam (a further turn). The coffee spout has enough height to fit a regular espresso cup or latte-style glass however, it's not a jug, so you'll need to pre-infuse and dispense your milk before pouring your espresso into the larger cups for cappuccinos and lattes.

One thing to bear in the mind is that Breville only provides a one-year guarantee on this machine, so if something goes wrong with it after the time period you'll be responsible for repairs. This could be a problem for some due to the cost of the machine when purchased new.

2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup

The enduring Smeg name is synonymous with kitchen gadgets that ooze retro 1950's design and quality. What's noteworthy is 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 machine can provide the full range of your favorite drinks at the touch of a button, including espresso, ristretto, and Americano plus hot water for tea and other hot drinks. You simply need to place the amount you want in the hopper and choose your beverage by using the buttons that are flat. Then press to brew. It's easy and fast with minimal input required and it even comes with a handy alert that tells you when it's time to descale or empty the grounds drawer (although this is a simple one to overlook if you don't look frequently).

Our former barista tested the Smeg Bean-to Cup and was impressed by its ease of use as well as the possibility to create classic milky coffee drinks like cappuccino, latte and macchiato. She was amazed by the speedy warm-up times and the quietness while working. She was also happy that the process only took 45 seconds, and that she could select the strength of the drink. The only issue was that the BCC02 does not come with a metal jug that you'll need to purchase separately.

This bean-to cup best coffee espresso machine 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 maker is available in a selection of matt colors that are coveted, including taupe clear white, smouldering red, and recently, a new addition to the range the full black. This means you can match your coffee maker to the decor of your kitchen and effortlessly change the look of your kitchen space at the same time. It's definitely worth a look if you're a fan of 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 choice. It features a fast heat boiler technology, meaning you can make espresso quickly and effortlessly. It also has a professional steam wand for producing great foamed milk for cappuccinos and lattes. You can also alter your espresso's length, body and grinding settings to match your preferences.

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

This Gaggia coffee maker does not come with the latest features, such as PID or preinfusion, so it may seem a bit outdated to some. It still provides excellent espresso, and is a great choice for those who prefer a traditional-looking machine.

There are a few key differences between the Gaggia and other models. For instance, it comes with a a forged chrome-plated brass portafilter handle. This is a nice touch that sets it apart from other espresso home machines. It also comes with an in-built thermo-bloc boiler, which is an excellent feature at this price point.

In addition to these features, this coffee maker comes with a removable water reservoir for easy refilling and maintenance. It also has a stainless steel infusion chamber that ensures the water is at the right temperature which results in a more flavorful espresso. It also comes with a high-end ceramic grinder that helps keep your espresso fresher for longer.

This coffee machine also has an automatic water level sensor. This feature makes it easy to use the machine and ensures that you have an empty tank filled with clean fresh, clean water. This is vital to get the best barista coffee 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. Oracle Touch is a well-balanced machine. While the majority of bean-to-cup machines are designed to be convenient and not focusing on quality, Oracle Touch offers a well-rounded approach. The machine handles all the grinding, dosing and tamping while steaming and the milk for you. This allows you to get the most from the beans you choose and avoids the kind of disappointing results you might experience when using coffee that has been ground from the supermarkets of the main chain.

The Oracle has 30 grind settings, making it possible to determine the ideal level of fineness for your favorite drink. It also comes equipped with a cradle that can hold the portafilter. This is a fantastic option for those looking to recreate the barista experience. Other useful features include a Razor Precision Dose trimmer to clean any leftover beans and an stainless steel milk jug and a steam wand that can be used to make lattes that are worthy of art.

You can choose from a variety of drinks and the machine will recommend the right grind size, brew rate and milk temperature. This feature allows you to save your preferred settings for future use. It eliminates the guesswork of finding the perfect cup. This model is ideal for those who are new to making espresso, since it can help you get the best bean to cup espresso machine out of your beans.

This machine is stylishly designed with a beautiful brushed-stainless-steel finish. It will look great on your kitchen counter. However, it's quite big at H41cm x W33cm and D38cm and could struggle to fit under cabinets. It's worth measuring your space to make sure you're able to accommodate it prior to buying. The machine is easy to clean, but you'll need to wipe down the drip pan and the steam wand frequently. It's worth establishing an account with Sage to gain access to weekly masterclasses and personalized tutorials to get the most out of your new coffee maker.