The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas
The purchase of a coffee maker lets you enjoy a range of caffeinated drinks in the convenience of your home. If you prefer pods or filters there's a machine to suit every taste and budget.
A true workhorse bean-to-cup machine offers a rare level of control that is typical of an expensive model. It's a great option to enjoy the convenience of brewing at a single touch as well as milky options with no fuss.
1. Breville Barista Max
The Breville Barista Max+ VCF152, a mid-range bean to cup that comes with a built-in grinder, is a good option for those who want to learn to make coffee correctly (rather using pods or an inexpensive espresso machine) or for those who want to replace a manual machine that was not as efficient. It is capable of producing high-quality espresso as well as milk that is well-textured and is simple to use with a little practice.
The Barista Max+ has large drip tray with a separate trough for grounds that spill out, and a handy storage compartment to hold extra accessories. The machine is also well-built and sturdy with all the removable parts moving into place. Available in both a classic stainless steel as well as a fashionable silver.
It's designed with a professional touch and is influenced by commercial machines, with features like Temp IQ Shot Control that delivers 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 gently infuses ground beans for an intense, balanced flavor.
There's a helpful guide 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 the process of decalcification which is essential to ensure that your machine is in good condition.
The manual controls are easy to use and there's a dial that allows the machine to be set 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 it's not a huge jug. You'll need to infuse the milk, and then pour it prior to pouring espresso into larger cups for cappuccinos and lattes.
One thing to keep in your mind is that Breville only offers one year of guarantee on this machine, which means that when something goes wrong after that time you'll have to pay for repairs. This could be a problem for some due to the price of the machine when bought new.
2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup
The enduring Smeg name is synonymous with kitchen gadgets that exude retro 1950's style and quality. But what's notable is that until recently the brand's collection didn't include a bean-to-cup machine. That was until the debut of this sleekly designed BCC02 model this September.
The bean-to-cup machine lets you make your favorite drinks with the a touch of a single button. This includes ristretto and espresso, as well as hot water for tea and other hot drinks. It's as easy as placing the amount you want in the hopper, and then select your beverage using the buttons that are flat. Then press to brew. It's quick and easy with only a few inputs and comes with an alert that informs you when to descale your machine or empty the grounds drawer.
Our former barista tested the Smeg Bean-to-Cup and loved the ease of use and the possibility to make milky coffee classics like macchiato, latte, and cappuccino. She was amazed by the quick warm-up time and the quietness while she was working. She also appreciated that the brewing process took 45 seconds and that you can choose the strength you prefer in each drink, so there's no need to be constantly checking the process. The only issue was that the BCC02 doesn't include a metal jug that you'll need to purchase separately.
A real winner is the fact that this coffee maker doesn't require any plastic pods or sachets so you'll save money and helping the environment. The Smeg Bean to-Cup coffee maker comes in a range of covetable matt colours including taupe, crisp white, smouldering orange and the latest addition to the range, full black. So you can match your coffee machine to the decor of your kitchen and effortlessly change the look of your cooking space while at the same time. It's definitely worth a look if you're a fan of the Smeg brand.
3. Gaggia Milano V60
This Gaggia Milano espresso machine is an excellent choice if you are a barista at home or have an interest in espresso. best barista coffee machine features a fast heat boiler technology, so you can make espresso quickly and easily. It also comes with a professional steam wand for making great foamed milk for cappuccinos and lattes. You can also alter the grind settings, length, and body of your espresso to fit your individual preferences.
This single boiler coffee machine was first released in 1991. Since then, it has grown to become one of the most popular home espresso machines in the world, specifically for baristas who work at home. It is known for its low price simple design and outstanding performance. The design is sleek and simple, with some modern elements. It is also simple to maintain and use.
This Gaggia coffee maker may not have the latest features such as a preinfusion or PID It may appear a bit old-fashioned to some people. However, it will offer excellent espresso and is a great option for those who want an old-fashioned machine.
There are a few distinct distinctions between the Gaggia and other models. It comes with a chrome-plated handle for the portafilter, as an example. This is a nice attribute that sets it apart from other entry-level espresso machines for home use. It also has an in-built thermo-bloc boiler, which is a nice feature for this price range.
The coffee maker comes with removable water reservoirs for easy refilling. It also has an infusion chamber made of stainless steel which keeps the water at a perfect temperature to make a more delicious espresso. It also comes with a high-quality, ceramic grinder to help keep your espresso fresher for longer.
Another excellent feature of this coffee machine is the automatic water level detection. This feature makes it easy to use the machine and ensures that you always have a an empty tank filled with clean and fresh water. This is essential for getting the best results with your espresso.
4. Sage Barista
Sage is known for its ability to rethink how coffee machines work. The Oracle Touch is no different. It's a dual boiler that has an integrated grinder and on-board barista. While many bean to cup machines tend to tilt the scales away from quality and toward ease of use, the Oracle Touch delivers a well-balanced approach. It handles all the grinding, dosing, and tamping as well as steaming and the milk for you. This will help you get the most from your coffee and prevents the kind of disappointing results you may encounter when using pre-ground coffee from the mainstream supermarket.
The Oracle features 30 different grind settings, so you'll be able to determine the ideal level of fineness to your preferred drink. It also includes a cradle for holding the portafilter that is an essential feature for those who want to recreate the barista experience. Other features that are useful include the Razor Precision Dose Trimming Tool for wiping away any leftover beans. A stainless milk jug of steel is included, as well as a steam wand to create Latte art.
You can select from a wide range of drinks and the machine will suggest the appropriate grind size, brew rate and the temperature of the milk. This feature allows you to save your preferred settings for future use. It takes away the stress that comes with finding the ideal cup. This model is ideal for those who are brand new to espresso making, as it will help you get the most out of your beans.
This machine is stylishly constructed with a stunning brushed-stainless-steel finish. It looks great on your kitchen counter. It's a huge machine, measuring H41cm by W33cm by D38cm. This can make it difficult to fit under some cabinets. You should measure your space prior to purchasing to ensure you have enough room. Keeping the machine clean is easy, however you'll need to regularly wipe down the steam wand and removeable drip tray. It's worth setting up an account with Sage to access weekly masterclasses and personalized instructions to make the most of your new coffee maker.