The best coffee machines for home (proect.org) Baristas

A coffee maker lets you enjoy a range of coffee-infused drinks from the convenience of your home. There's a coffee machine to fit every budget and preference, no matter if you prefer filters or pods.

This bean-to cup machine is a true workhorse. It gives you the kind of control that is uncommon for a top-quality model. It's a great option when you're looking for a simple and milky options without fuss.

1. Breville Barista Max

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

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

It's designed with a professional flair and is influenced by commercial equipment, with features like Temp IQ Shot Control that delivers precise water temperatures for each cup, as well as a Tap & Go on-demand burr grinder that has 30 settings. It also uses a pre-infusion technique that allows beans to be gently infused for the most balanced, full-bodied flavor.

There's a helpful guide in the instruction manual that explains how to calibrate the machine, which is essential to ensure that it is calibrated correctly to ensure a consistent, excellent cup of espresso. It also explains the decalcification process that is required to ensure your machine is in good working order.

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

One thing to keep in the mind is that Breville only provides a one year guarantee on this machine. So if something goes wrong with it after that time you'll have to pay for repairs. This could be a deterrent for some, especially given how costly the machine is when it's new.

2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup

Smeg is synonymous with retro kitchen appliances and 1950's-style. What's more interesting is that, until recently, the brand's collection didn't include a bean-to-cup machine. This was until the introduction of this elegantly designed BCC02 model in September.

The bean-to cup coffee machine lets you make your favorite drinks at the a touch of a single button. This includes ristretto, espresso and hot water for tea and other hot drinks. All you have to do is place your desired amount of ground beans in the hopper, select your drink from the easy menu using the buttons that are flat and press brew. It's easy and fast with minimal input required and it has a handy alarm that tells you when it's time to remove the grounds or empty the best bean to cup coffee machines drawer (although this is an easy one to forget if you don't check frequently).

Our barista from the past tried the Smeg Coffee-to-Cup. She was impressed with the ease of use and the fact that it could make milky coffees like cappuccino and the latte. She was surprised at how quickly it heated up and how quiet the machine was. She also liked that the brewing process only took 45 seconds and that you can select the strength you prefer for each drink, meaning there's no need to keep watching the process. The only issue was that the BCC02 doesn't come with a metal jug, which you will need to purchase separately.

This coffee maker does not require packets or pods made of plastic. You will save money while doing your part to protect the environment. The Smeg Bean to-Cup coffee maker is available in a variety of covetable matt colours including taupe and clear white, smouldering orange and recently, a new addition to the range, full black. So you can match your coffee maker to your kitchen's decor and effortlessly transform your cooking space simultaneously. Definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of the Smeg brand.

3. Gaggia Milano V60

If you're a home barista or are interested in espresso and espresso, then this Gaggia Milano coffee machine is an excellent option. It comes with a quick-heat boiler that allows you to make espresso quickly and efficiently. It has a professional steaming wand, which can produce great foamed-milk for cappuccinos or lattes. You can also adjust the length, body, and grind settings to meet your taste.

This single-boiler coffee machine was first introduced in the year 1991. It has become one the most well-known espresso machines for home use particularly among baristas at home. It is renowned for its simplicity, low cost and great performance. The design is sleek and simple with some modern-day touches. It's also easy to use and maintain.

It is important to know that this Gaggia machine doesn't have any modern features, such as preinfusion or a preinfusion device which means it could be somewhat outdated for some people. However, it can provide excellent espresso and is a good option for those who prefer traditional design.

There are some key differences between the Gaggia and other models. It comes with a chrome-plated handle for the portafilter, for example. This is a nice feature that makes it stand out from other espresso home machines. It comes with a thermo-bloc which is a nice feature at this price.

This coffee machine has removable reservoirs for water that are easy for refilling. It also comes with an infusion chamber constructed of stainless steel that keeps the water at a perfect temperature to make better espresso. It also has a high-quality ceramic grinder that helps to keep your espresso fresher for a longer period of time.

The coffee maker also comes with an automatic water level sensor. This feature makes it simple to use the machine, and ensures that you always have a an empty tank filled with clean, fresh water. This is crucial to get the best coffee pod machine with milk frother results from 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 that has an integrated grinder and on-board barista. While many bean to cup machines tend to tip the scales away from quality in favor of convenience The Oracle Touch provides a well-balanced approach. The machine takes care of all the grinding, dosing and tamping while steaming and frothering milk for you. This lets you get the most out of your beans and avoids the disappointments that sometimes be experienced when using espresso that has been pre-ground from a grocery store.

The Oracle comes with 30 grind settings to ensure that you can find the ideal level of fineness that is perfect for your drink. It also comes equipped with a cradle for the portafilter. This is a great option for those looking to recreate the barista experience. Other useful features include a Razor Precision Dose trimmer to remove any excess beans, the milk jug made of stainless steel and steam wands that can be used to create latte art-worthy creations.

You can select from a variety of beverages, and the machine will suggest a suitable grind size, brew speed, and milk temperature for each one. This feature allows you to save your preferred settings for future use. It will eliminate the hassle that comes with finding the ideal cup. This model is perfect for people who are new to espresso-making, as it will help you get the best out of your beans.

It's a stylishly designed machine in a beautiful stainless-steel brushed finish that looks great on your kitchen counter. It's a large machine measuring H41cm x W33cm by D38cm. This can make it difficult to fit into some cabinets. It's worth measuring your space to make sure you can accommodate it before purchasing. The machine is easy to clean, but you'll need to wipe down the drip pan that is detachable and the steam wand on a regular basis. Sage offers weekly masterclasses as well as customized tutorials that can help you get the most out of your new coffee maker.