The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas

A coffee maker allows you to enjoy a variety of coffee-infused beverages from the comfort of home. There's a coffee machine to suit every budget and preference, no matter if you prefer pods or filters.

A true workhorse, this bean-to-cup maker offers a unique level of control that is typical of a high-end model. It's a great option for those who want the convenience of brewing with one touch and milky options without any hassle.

1. Breville Barista Max

The Breville Barista Max+ VCF152, a mid-range bean to cup with a built in grinder, is an excellent choice for those looking to learn to make coffee properly (rather using pods or an inexpensive espresso machine) and also for those looking to replace a manual machine that was less efficient. It is capable of producing both high-quality best coffee machines and milk with excellent texture.

The Barista max+ comes with a huge drip pan, a separate trough to collect grounds that have been spilled, and a convenient storage area for additional accessories. It's also a sturdy 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's designed with a professional flair and is influenced by commercial machines, and comes with features like Temp IQ Shot Control that gives precise water temperatures for each cup, and a Tap & Go on-demand burr grinder with 30 settings. It makes use of a preinfusion technique 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 crucial to get right in order to make a consistent, good cup of espresso. It also explains how you can perform the decalcification process which is crucial to keep your machine clean and in working order.

The controls are easy to use. A dial allows you to set the machine for hot water by turning the knob to the left or to begin dispense steam by turning the knob. The coffee spout has enough height to fit a regular espresso glass or latte-style cup however, it's not a jug. Therefore, you'll need to infuse it prior to the time you dispense your milk before pouring it into the larger cups for cappuccinos and lattes.

One thing to bear in your mind is that Breville only offers a one year guarantee on this machine. So should something go wrong within that time frame, you'll need to pay for repairs. This could be a nagging factor for certain people, especially considering how costly the machine is when purchased new.

2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup

Smeg is synonymous with retro kitchen gadgets and 1950's style. What's more interesting is that until recently the collection of the brand didn't have a bean-to-cup machine. That is until the launch of this sleekly designed BCC02 model this September.

The bean-to cup coffee machine provides the entire selection of your favourite drinks at the touch of a button, including espresso, ristretto, and Americano as well as hot water for tea and other hot beverages. It's as easy as placing the desired amount of beans in the hopper, and then select your drink with the buttons on the bottom. Then press brew. It's easy and fast with no input required. it has a handy alarm that will inform you when it's time to remove the grounds or empty the drawer (although this is an easy one to ignore if you don't do it often).

Our former barista tried the Smeg Bean-to Cup and was impressed by the simplicity of use and the fact that she could also create classic milky coffee drinks like cappuccino, latte and macchiato. She was awed by how quickly it froze up and how it was quiet. She also appreciated that the brewing process took 45 seconds, and that you can select your preferred strength of each drink, so there's no need to keep checking the process. The only issue was that the BCC02 doesn't include a metal milk jug, which you'll have to purchase separately.

A real winner is the fact that this bean-to-cup machine does not require any plastic pods or sachets, which means you'll save money as well as doing your bit for the environment. The Smeg Bean-toCup coffee machine is available in a variety of gorgeous matt colors, including taupe, clear white, smouldering orange and now, new to the collection, black in full. This means you can match your coffee maker to your kitchen decor and effortlessly transform your kitchen area simultaneously. If you're a Smeg fan then this is one you must check out.

3. Gaggia Milano V60

This Gaggia Milano espresso machine is an excellent choice if you are a barista at home, or are interested in espresso. It has a rapid heat boiler technology, so you can make espresso quickly and easily. It also comes with a professional steam wand that is capable of making great foamed milk for lattes and cappuccinos. You can also alter the grind settings, length, and body of your espresso to fit your personal taste.

This coffee machine is a single-boiler model that was initially released in 1991. Since then, it has grown to become one of the most well-known home espresso machines around the world, especially for baristas who work at home. It is renowned for its low cost 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.

The Gaggia coffee maker does not come with the latest features, such as a preinfusion or PID, so it may seem somewhat outdated to some people. However, it can offer great espresso and is a good option for those who want a traditional-looking machine.

There are a few key differences between this Gaggia coffee maker and other similar models, though. For instance, it comes with a a forged chrome-plated brass portafilter handle. This is a nice touch that sets it apart from other home espresso machines. It has a thermo-bloc, which is a nice addition at this price.

This coffee maker has removable reservoirs for water that are easy for refilling. It also has a stainless steel infusion chamber that ensures the water is at the correct temperature, which helps to make more flavorful espresso. It also comes with a top-quality ceramic grinder that helps to keep your espresso fresher for longer.

This coffee maker also features an automatic water level detector. This feature makes it easy to operate the machine and ensures you always have an empty tank filled with clean and fresh water. This is essential for getting the best cheap espresso machine results with your espresso.

4. Sage Barista

Sage are known for their ability to rethink the way coffee machines function and their Oracle Touch is no exception. It's a dual boiler with an integrated grinder, as well as an on-board barista. Oracle Touch is a well-balanced machine. While many bean-to-cup systems are geared towards convenience and a lack of quality, Oracle Touch offers a balanced approach. The machine handles all the grinding, tamping, and dosing for you while steaming and foaming milk. This allows you to get the best bean to cup coffee machine under £200 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 is equipped with 30 grind settings, so you can find the ideal degree of fineness for your drink. It also comes with a cradle for holding the portafilter which is a crucial option for those wanting to replicate the full barista experience. Other features that are useful include the Razor Precision Dose Trimming Tool to clean away any leftover beans. A stainless steel milk jug is also included, as is steam wands to create Latte art.

You can choose from a wide range of drinks and the machine will recommend the appropriate grind size and brew rate, as well as the temperature of your milk. You can save your preferences for the future, which is a great feature that helps eliminate the guesswork involved in finding the perfect cup of coffee. This model is a great option for those who are just beginning to learn about espresso making, as it will allow you to make the most of the beans you select.

The machine is elegantly made with a beautiful brushed stainless-steel finish. It looks great on your kitchen counter. However, it's quite an enormous machine with dimensions of H41cm, W33cm, and D38cm. It may be difficult to fit in under cabinets. It's worth measuring your space to make sure you're able to accommodate it prior to buying. Keeping the machine clean is easy, however you'll have to regularly wipe down the steam wand and removeable drip tray. It's a good idea to set up an account with Sage to get access to weekly masterclasses, as well as personalized instructions to make the most of your new coffee machine.