A coffee maker lets you enjoy a variety of caffeinated beverages in the comfort of your own home. If you prefer pod or filter there's a machine that will suit your preferences and budget.
A true workhorse bean-to-cup maker offers a unique degree of control for a high-end model. This is a great option when you're looking for a simple and milky options with no hassle.
1. Breville Barista Max
The Breville Barista Max+ VCF152, a mid-range bean to cup with a built in grinder, is a great option for those who want to learn how to make coffee properly (rather using pods or a cheap espresso machine) or for those who want to replace the manual machine that is less capable. It can produce both quality espresso and well-textured milk, and is easy to use with a bit of practice.
The Barista Max+ comes with a large drip tray and a separate trough to collect spilt grounds and a handy storage area for extra 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 a classic stainless steel as well as a fashionable silver.
It's designed with a professional feel and is influenced by commercial equipment. Its features include Temp IQ Shot Control, which delivers precise water temperature for each cup as well as a Tap Go burr grinder on-demand with 30 settings. It makes use of a preinfusion technique to gently infuse ground beans to create a balanced, full flavour.
There's a useful guide in the instruction manual that describes 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 how to perform a decalcification cycle that is vital 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 a simple turn of the knob to the left) or initiates the dispensing of steam (a further turn). The coffee spout is of sufficient to be tall enough to fit in a standard espresso cup or glass with a latte-style design, but isn't a jug, which means you'll need to pre-infuse and 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 one year of guarantee on this machine, which means that should something go wrong after that time, you'll need to pay for repairs. This could be a problem for some, considering the cost of the machine when bought new.
2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup
The iconic Smeg name is synonymous with kitchen appliances that ooze retro 1950's design and quality. But what's notable is that until recently, the collection of the brand didn't have a bean-to-cup maker. This was until the introduction of this sleekly designed BCC02 model in September.
The bean-to-cup machine lets you prepare your favorite drinks with the one button. This includes ristretto, espresso, as well as hot water for tea or other hot beverages. All you need to do is put the desired quantity of ground beans in the hopper, select your drink from the easy menu by using the flat buttons and then press brew. It's quick and easy with minimal input required and it has a handy alarm that will inform you when it's time to descale or empty the grounds drawer (although this is an easy one to forget if you don't check often).
Our former barista tested the Smeg Bean to Cup and loved its ease of use as well as the possibility to create classic milky coffee drinks like macchiato, latte, cappuccino and latte. She was amazed by the speed at which it heated up and how it was quiet. She also appreciated that the brewing process only 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 come with a milk jug, which you'll have to purchase separately.
A real winner is the fact that this coffee maker does not require plastic pods or sachets so you'll save money while doing your bit for the environment. The Smeg Bean to Cup coffee maker comes in a variety matt colors, including white, taupe as well as smouldering and new to the collection is black. You can match your coffee maker to your kitchen decor, and transform your kitchen area while you're at it. If you're a fan of Smeg, this is an appliance you must check out.
3. Gaggia Milano V60
If you're a barista at home or are interested in espresso coffee, then this Gaggia Milano coffee machine is an excellent choice. It features a quick-heat boiler that allows you to make espresso quickly and efficiently. It comes with a professional steaming wand to make great foamed-milk cappuccinos and lattes. You can also adjust the length of your espresso, its body and grinding settings to match your preferences.
which coffee machine is best is a single-boiler model and was first introduced in 1991. Since then, it has become one of the most popular home espresso machines around the world, especially for home baristas. It is renowned for its low price and simplicity, as well as its excellent performance. The design is sleek and simple, with some modern features. It's also easy to use and maintain.
This Gaggia coffee maker does not have the latest features such as PID or a preinfusion It may appear a bit outdated to some people. It still provides excellent espresso and is a good choice for those who prefer a more traditional-looking machine.
There are a few important differences between this Gaggia coffee maker and other similar models, though. For instance, it features a the forged chrome-plated portafilter handle. This is a great feature that sets it apart from other entry-level home espresso machines. It also has the thermo-bloc boiler which is an impressive feature for this price.
This coffee maker has removable reservoirs of water for easy refilling. It also has a stainless-steel infusion chamber that ensures the water is at the right temperature which results in a more flavorful espresso. It also has a high-quality ceramic grinder that helps to keep your espresso fresher for a longer period of time.
Another great feature of this coffee maker is the automatic water level detection. This feature makes it much easier to operate the machine and ensures that you're always using a full tank of fresh, clean water. This is essential to get the best results from your espresso.
4. Sage Barista
Sage is known for rethinking how coffee machines work. best coffee machine is no different. It's a dual boiler, with an integrated grinder and on-board barista. Oracle Touch is a balanced machine. While the majority of bean-to-cup machines are designed to be convenient and not focusing on quality, Oracle Touch offers a well-rounded 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 from your beans and avoids poor results that may result from using pre-ground espresso from a grocery store.
The Oracle has 30 grind settings, which means you'll be able find the right level of fineness to your preferred drink. It also comes equipped with a cradle for the portafilter. This is a fantastic accessory for those looking to recreate the barista experience. Other useful features include a Razor Precision Dose trimming tool to remove any beans that are not used and a stainless steel milk jug and steam wand that can be used to froth lattes that are worthy of art.
You can select from a variety of drinks and the machine will suggest the proper grind size, brew rate and the temperature of your milk. You can save your preferences for the future, which is a great feature that can eliminate the confusion that comes with finding the perfect cup of coffee. This model is perfect for those who are brand new to espresso-making, as it can help you get the best out of your beans.
This machine is stylishly constructed with a stunning brushed-stainless-steel finish. It looks great on your countertop in the kitchen. However, it's big at H41cm, W33cm, and D38cm. It may be difficult to fit under some cabinets. It's worth measuring your space to ensure you have enough room before purchasing. The machine is easy to clean, but you'll need to clean down the drip pan that is detachable and the steam wand frequently. It's worth setting up an account with Sage to gain access to weekly masterclasses, as well as personalized tutorials to get the most out of your new coffee maker.
