The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas Buying a coffee machine allows you to enjoy a variety of coffee-infused drinks from the at-home convenience of your own. Whether you prefer pods or filters there's a coffee machine to fit every taste and budget. A true workhorse, this bean-to-cup maker offers a unique degree of control for an expensive model. It's an excellent choice for those who want the convenience of brewing with one touch and milky options that are easy to use. 1. Breville Barista Max The Breville Barista Max+ VCF152, a mid-range bean-to-cup cup with a built in grinder, is a great choice for anyone who wants to learn to make coffee properly (rather using pods or an expensive espresso machine) or for those looking to replace an old manual machine that was not as capable. It can produce both high-quality coffee and milk with an excellent texture. The Barista max+ comes with a massive drip pan, a separate trough to collect grounds that have been spilled, and a storage space for additional accessories. It's also well-constructed and solid, with all removable components being able to be inserted. It's available in stylish silver and a more classic stainless steel. It is designed with a professional feel and is influenced by commercial equipment. Its features include Temp IQ Shot Control, which delivers precise water temperature for each cup as well as the Tap & Go burr grinder on-demand with 30 settings. It employs a preinfusion method to gently infuse ground beans to create the perfect balance and full flavor. There's a great guideline in the instruction manual that explains how to calibrate the machine, which is essential to do correctly to make a consistent, excellent cup of espresso. It also explains how to perform the decalcification process, which is essential to ensure that your machine is clean and in working order. The controls are simple to use. A dial lets you to set the machine's settings for hot water by turning the knob to the left or to begin dispense steam with a further turn. The coffee spout has enough height to fit a regular espresso cup or latte-style glass but isn't a jug, which means 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 provides a one-year guarantee on this machine. So if something goes wrong within that time frame, you'll need to pay for repairs. This could be a problem for some, given the price of the machine when it was purchased new. 2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup Smeg is synonymous with retro kitchen gadgets and 1950's-style. It's notable that until recently the brand's collection did not include a bean-to- cup machine. That was until the debut of this elegantly designed BCC02 model this September. The bean-to-cup machine can provide the entire selection of your favorite drinks at the touch of a button including ristretto, espresso and Americano plus hot water for tea and other hot beverages. It's as easy as placing the amount you want in the hopper and choose your beverage by with the buttons on the bottom. Then press to brew. It's simple and quick with only a few inputs required, and it even includes a handy alarm that tells you when it's time to remove the grounds or empty the drawer (although this is an easy one to forget if you don't check often). Our former barista tried the Smeg Bean to Cup and loved the ease of use and the fact that she could also make milky coffee classics like cappuccino, latte and macchiato. She was awed by how quickly it heated up and how it was silent. She also liked that the brewing process took 45 seconds, and that you can select the strength you prefer in each drink, meaning there's no need to keep checking the process. The only complaint is that the BCC02 does not come with a jug made of metal, which you will need to purchase separately. This coffee maker does not require plastic pods or packets. You will save money while doing your part to help the environment. The Smeg Bean to Cup coffee machine comes in a variety of matt colours, such as taupe, white, smouldering, and new to the collection, black. You can match your coffee maker to the decor of your kitchen and change the look of your cooking area while you're at it. If you're a Smeg fan, this is an appliance you must check out. 3. Gaggia Milano V60 If you're a professional barista or have any interest in espresso coffee, then this Gaggia Milano coffee machine is an excellent choice. It features a fast heating boiler, which means you can make espresso quickly and effortlessly. It has an expert steaming wand that can create great foamed milk for cappuccinos and lattes. You can also adjust the grind settings as well as the length, body, and shape of your espresso to fit your personal preferences. This single-boiler coffee machine was first released in 1991. Since then, it has grown to become one of the most sought-after home espresso machines around the world, especially for home baristas. It is known for its affordable price and simplicity, as well as its excellent performance. The design is simple and sleek and has some modern features. It's also easy to use and maintain. It's important to note that this Gaggia coffee machine does not have any newer features, such as a PID or preinfusion, so it might be a little bit dated for some. It still makes great espresso and is a great option for those who prefer a more traditional-looking machine. There are a few important differences between this Gaggia coffee maker and other models of the same type, however. For instance, it features a an forged chrome-plated brass portafilter handle. This is a nice touch that makes it stand out from other entry-level home espresso machines. It comes with a thermo-bloc which is a nice feature at this price point. In addition to the aforementioned features, this machine also has a removable reservoir of water for easy refilling and maintenance. It also has an infusion chamber made of stainless steel that keeps the water at the perfect temperature to make the best espresso. It also comes with a high-quality ceramic grinder that helps keep your espresso fresher for longer. This coffee machine also has an automatic water level sensor. This feature makes it easier to operate the machine and ensures you're always using a full tank of clean, fresh water. This is crucial for the best results from 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 an integrated grinder and 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 well-rounded approach. It handles all the grinding, dosing and tamping while steaming and frothing milk for you. This lets you get the best out of your coffee and avoid disappointing results that can sometimes be experienced when using espresso that has been pre-ground from a store. The Oracle has 30 different grind settings, making it possible to find the right level of fineness for your favorite drink. It also comes with a cradle to hold the portafilter. This is a great option for those looking to recreate the barista experience. Other features that are useful include the Razor Precision Dose Trimming Tool to clean away any leftover beans. A stainless milk jug of steel is included, as is steam wands to create the latte art. You can select from a wide range of drinks and the machine will suggest the right grind size and brew rate, as well as milk temperature. This feature allows you to save your preferred settings for the future. It eliminates the guesswork that comes with finding the perfect cup. This model is perfect for people who are new to espresso making, as it can help you get the best out of your beans. It's a stylishly designed machine in a beautiful brushed stainless-steel finish that will look good on your kitchen counter. It's a big machine that measures H41cm by W33cm by D38cm. This can make it difficult to fit in under certain cabinets. It is recommended to measure your space before purchasing to ensure you have enough room. Cleaning the machine is easy, however you'll need to clean down the steam wand and detachable drip tray. Sage offers weekly masterclasses, as well as personalized tutorials that will help you get the most from your new coffee maker.