The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas

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

This machine for making coffee is a true workhorse. It provides an amount of control that is rare for a high-end model. This is a great option to get convenience and milky options with no hassle.

1. Breville Barista Max

A mid-range bean-to cup with an integrated grinder, the Breville Barista Max+ VCF152 is a great choice for those who want to learn how to make coffee in the correct method (rather than using pods or an espresso machine) and for those looking to upgrade from a less capable manual machine. It can make high-quality espresso and well-textured milk, and is simple to use with a bit of practice.

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

It's designed with a professional touch and inspired by commercial machines, with features such as Temp IQ Shot Control that provides precise water temperatures for every cup, as well as a Tap & Go on-demand burr grinder with 30 settings. It also has a pre-infusion technique that softly infuses ground beans to give a full, balanced flavour.

In the instruction manual, you'll find a guide that will help you calibrate your machine. This is vital for ensuring a perfect cup of espresso. It also explains how to do the decalcification cycle, which is essential to keep your machine clean and in working order.

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

One thing to bear in the mind is that Breville only offers a one-year guarantee on this machine. So if something goes wrong with it within that time frame, you'll need to pay for repair costs. This could be a problem for some, considering the price of the machine when bought new.

2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup

Smeg is synonymous with retro kitchen appliances and 1950's-style. But what's notable is that until recently the collection of the brand didn't have the bean-to-cup model. This was until the sleek BCC02 model launched in September.

The bean-to cup coffee machine provides the full 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 have to do is put your desired amount of ground beans in the hopper, select your drink from the intuitive menu using the buttons that are flat and then press to brew. It's simple and quick with minimal input and even comes with an alert that will inform you when to descale your machine or empty the grounds drawer.

Our former barista tried the Smeg Bean-to-Cup and loved the ease of use and the fact that it could make milky coffee classics like cappuccino, latte and macchiato. She was amazed by how quickly it froze up and how it was quiet. She was also delighted that the process only took 45 minutes, and she could choose the strength of the drink. The only slight complaint was that the BCC02 does not come with a metal jug, which you will need to purchase separately.

The real benefit is the fact that this coffee maker doesn't require any plastic pods or sachets, which means you'll save money and making a difference for the environment. The Smeg Bean to Cup coffee maker comes in a variety of matt colours, including white, taupe and smouldering. It also comes with a new addition to the collection, black. This means you can match your coffee machine to your kitchen decor and easily transform your cooking 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 are interested in espresso, then this Gaggia Milano coffee machine is an excellent option. It has a fast-heat boiler that allows you to make espresso quickly and efficiently. It has an expert steaming wand that can create great foamed milk for cappuccinos or lattes. You can also alter the length of your espresso, its body and grinding settings to match your taste.

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 baristas who work at home. It is well-known for its affordable price simple design and outstanding performance. The design is simple and sleek with modern features. best coffee machine under £100 is also simple to maintain and use.

It's important to note that this Gaggia coffee machine does not have any newer features, like a PID or preinfusion which means it could be slightly outdated for some. However, it can offer great espresso and is an excellent option for those who prefer traditional design.

There are a few key differences between the Gaggia and other models. For example, it has the forged chrome-plated portafilter handle. This is a nice attribute that sets it apart from other entry-level espresso machines for home use. It has a thermo-bloc, which is a nice feature at this price point.

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

This coffee maker also features an automatic water level sensor. This feature makes it simple to use the machine and ensures that you have the tank full of clean, fresh water. This is crucial for the best results from your espresso.


4. Sage Barista

Sage is known for their innovative approach to the way coffee machines function and their Oracle Touch is no exception. It's a dual boiler with an integrated grinder, as well as a barista on board. While most bean to cup machines tend to tilt the scales away from quality in favor of convenience The Oracle Touch offers a balanced approach. The machine takes care of all the grinding, dosing, and tamping as well as steaming and the milk for you. This allows you to get the most out of your beans and avoids the disappointing results that can sometimes occur when using pre-ground espresso from a store.

The Oracle is equipped with 30 different grind settings so you can choose the perfect level of fineness to suit your drink. It also includes a cradle for holding the portafilter, which is an important extra for those looking to replicate the full barista experience. Other features that are useful include the Razor Precision Dose Trimming Tool to clean off any beans that are not needed. A stainless steel milk jug is also included, as is steam wand for creating Latte art.

You can select from a variety of drinks and the machine will suggest the appropriate grind size as well as the brew rate and milk temperature. This feature lets you save your favorite settings for future use. It will eliminate the hassle that comes with finding the perfect cup. This model is perfect for those who are new to espresso making, as it helps you get the most of your beans.

It's a stylishly designed machine with a gorgeous brushed stainless-steel finish that 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. You should measure your space before purchasing to ensure you have enough space. Keeping the machine clean is relatively easy, but you'll have to regularly wipe down the steam wand and detachable drip tray. Sage offers weekly masterclasses, as well as personalized tutorials that will ensure you get the most from your new coffee maker.