The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas
A coffee machine lets you to enjoy a variety of coffee-infused beverages from the comfort of your home. Whether you prefer pod or filter, there’s an appliance to fit every taste and budget.
A true workhorse bean-to-cup machine provides a unique level of control for a high-end model. It’s a great option if you’re looking for convenience and milky options with no hassle.
1. Breville Barista Max
A mid-priced bean-to-cup that has an integrated grinder, the Breville Barista Max+ VCF152 is a good choice for anyone who wants to learn how to make coffee in the correct way (rather than using pods or a less expensive espresso machine) and for those looking to upgrade from a less capable manual machine. It can make both high-quality espresso and milk that has excellent texture.
The Barista max+ comes with a large drip pan and a separate trough to keep grounds from being spilled and a handy storage space for additional accessories. It’s also a solid-looking and well-built machine, with all the parts that can be removed and clicking into place with ease. Available in both classic stainless steel as well as a fashionable silver.
It’s designed with a professional touch and inspired by commercial machines, with features such as Temp IQ Shot Control that gives precise water temperatures for every cup, as well as a Tap & Go on-demand burr grinder with 30 settings. It also uses a pre-infusion technique that allows beans to be gently infused for an intense, balanced flavor.
In the instruction manual, you will find an instruction manual that will assist you in calibrating your machine. This is crucial to ensure a great cup of espresso. It also explains the process of decalcification that is necessary to ensure your machine is in good condition.
The manual controls are easy to master and there’s a dial that can set the machine to hot water (with a turn of the knob to the left) or initiates the dispensing of steam (a further turn). The coffee spout is tall enough to fit an espresso cup or latte glass but not a large jug. You’ll need to infuse your milk before dispense it before pouring espresso into larger cups for cappuccinos and lattes.
Breville only offers an one-year warranty on this machine. If there is a problem after the period, you will be accountable for the repair cost. This might be a deterrent for some due to the cost of the machine when bought new.
2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup
Smeg is synonymous with retro kitchen gadgets and 1950’s fashion. What’s noteworthy is that, until recently the brand’s collection did not include a bean to cup machine. That was until the debut of this sleekly designed BCC02 model this September.
The bean-to-cup coffee machine lets you prepare your favourite drinks with just a touch of a single button. This includes ristretto, espresso as well as hot water for tea or other hot drinks. It’s as easy as placing the amount you want in the hopper and choose your beverage using the buttons that are flat. Then press the button to brew. It’s simple and quick with only a few inputs and has an alert that informs you when to descale your machine or empty the grounds drawer.
Our barista from the past tried the Smeg Bean-to Cup. She was impressed by the ease of use and the fact that it could make milky coffees such as cappuccino and latte. She was awed by the speed at which it heated up and how it was silent. She was also pleased that the process only took 45 minutes, and she could select the strength of the drink. The only minor issue is that the BCC02 does not include a metal milk jug that you’ll need to purchase separately.
A real winner is the fact that this bean-to-cup coffee machine doesn’t require any plastic pods or sachets, so you’ll save money while helping the environment. The Smeg Bean to Cup coffee maker comes in a variety of matt colours, such as taupe, white as well as smouldering and new to the collection is black. So you can match your coffee maker to the decor of your kitchen and effortlessly transform your cooking space simultaneously. If you’re a Smeg lover it’s a machine that you should definitely check out.
3. Gaggia Milano V60
If you’re a home barista or have any interest in espresso and espresso, then this Gaggia Milano coffee machine is an excellent choice. It comes with a quick-heat boiler that enables you to make espresso quickly and efficiently. It also comes with a professional steam wand that is capable of creating great foamed milks for cappuccinos and lattes. You can also alter your espresso’s length, body, and grind settings to meet your preferences.
This machine is a single-boiler machine that was initially released in the year 1991. Since then, it has become one of most popular home espresso machines in the world, specifically for baristas who work at home. It is renowned for its simplicity, low price and outstanding performance. The design is simple and sleek and has some modern-day touches. It is also simple to maintain and use.
It’s important to remember that this Gaggia coffee machine doesn’t have any modern features, like preinfusion or a PID, so it might be slightly outdated for some. It still provides excellent espresso and is a great option for those who prefer a more traditional-looking machine.
There are a few important differences between this Gaggia maker and similar models though. For example, it has an forged chrome-plated brass portafilter handle. This is a nice attribute that sets it apart from other entry-level espresso machines for home use. It comes with 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 right temperature, which helps to make better tasting espresso. It is also equipped with a high-quality ceramic grinder that helps keep your espresso fresher longer.
The coffee maker also comes with an automatic water level detection. This feature makes it simple to use the machine and ensures that you have a full tank with clean and fresh water. This is essential for getting the best bean to cup coffee machine under £200 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 and on-board barista. While the majority of bean-to-cup machines tend to tip the scales away from quality and towards convenience The Oracle Touch delivers a well-balanced approach. The machine takes care of all the grinding, dosing and tamping while steaming and the milk for you. This lets you get the best cheap coffee machine out of your beans and avoids poor results that may be experienced when using espresso that has been pre-ground from a supermarket.
The Oracle has 30 grind settings, which means you’ll be able find the right level of fineness to your preferred drink. It also includes a cradle for holding the portafilter, which is an important option for those wanting to recreate the barista experience. Other features that are useful include the Razor Precision Dose Trimming Tool that can be used to wipe off any beans that are not needed. A stainless milk jug made of steel is included, along with a steam wand to create Latte art.
You can pick from a variety of drinks, and the machine will recommend a suitable grind size, brew speed and milk temperature for each one. You can save your preferences for the future, which is a great feature that eliminates the guesswork involved in choosing the best coffee machines with pods cup of coffee. This model is a good choice for those new to espresso-making, since it will help you get the most out of the beans you choose.
It’s a sleekly designed machine with a gorgeous stainless-steel brushed finish that will look good on your kitchen counter. However, it’s quite an enormous machine with dimensions of H41cm, W33cm, and D38cm. It may be difficult to fit under cabinets. It is important to measure the space prior to purchasing to ensure you have enough space. 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 and personalized tutorials to get the most value of your new coffee maker.