Best Coffee Machine Uk: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas

A coffee machine allows you to drink a variety of beverages that are caffeinated in the comfort of home. If you prefer filter or pod, there's an appliance that will suit your preferences and budget.

A true workhorse, this bean-to-cup machine provides a unique level of control for a premium model. This is a great choice to get convenience 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 anyone who wants to learn how to make coffee the right method (rather than using pods or a less expensive espresso machine) and for those who want to upgrade from a lesser-than-capable manual machine. It can produce both quality espresso and milk that is well-textured, and is simple to use with a little practice.

The Barista max+ comes with a huge drip pan and a separate trough to collect grounds that have been spilled, and a storage space to store additional equipment. It's also well-constructed and sturdy, with all removable components being able to be inserted. It's available in stylish silver as well as a more classic stainless steel.

It is made with a professional appearance and inspired by commercial machines. Its features include Temp IQ Shot Control, which provides precise temperature for every cup and the Tap & Go burr grinder on-demand with 30 settings. It also uses an infusion technique that softly infuses ground beans to give the most balanced, full-bodied flavor.

In the instruction manual, you'll find a guide that will assist you in calibrating your machine. This is crucial to ensure a great cup of espresso. It also explains how to do the decalcification process that is vital to ensure that your machine is clean and in good working order.

The controls are easy to operate. A dial lets you to set the machine's settings for hot water by turning the knob to the right or to begin dispensing steam with a further turn. The coffee spout is tall enough to fit in an espresso cup or latte glass, but it's not a large jug. You'll have to pre-infuse your milk before dispense the espresso before pouring it into larger cups for lattes and cappuccinos.

One thing to bear in the mind is that Breville only provides a one year guarantee on this machine. So when something goes wrong after the time period, you'll need to pay for repairs. This might be a reason to avoid some, particularly considering how costly the machine is when bought new.

2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup

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

The bean-to cup coffee machine allows you to make your favourite drinks with just a touch of a single button. This includes ristretto as well as espresso and hot water for tea or other hot drinks. All you have to do is place the desired amount of ground beans into the hopper, select your drink from the easy menu using the flat buttons and press to brew. It's simple and quick with no input required and has an alert that will inform you when to descale the machine or empty the grounds drawer.

Our former barista tried the Smeg Coffee-to-Cup. She loved the ease-of-use and the fact that it can make milky coffees like cappuccino and latte. She was amazed by the quick warm-up time and the quietness while working. She also liked that the brewing process took 45 seconds and that you can choose your preferred strength of each drink, meaning there's no need to constantly monitoring the process. The only minor issue is that the BCC02 didn't come with a milk jug which you'll need to purchase separately.

The real benefit is the fact that this bean-to-cup machine does not require plastic pods or sachets, which means you'll be saving money as well as making a difference for the environment. The Smeg Bean to-Cup coffee maker is available in a variety of gorgeous matt colors, including taupe and sparkling white, smouldering red and the latest addition to the range the full black. You can match your coffee maker to your kitchen decor and easily transform your kitchen area at the same time. A must-see If you're a fan the Smeg brand.

3. Gaggia Milano V60

This Gaggia Milano espresso machine is a great choice if you are a home barista, or are interested in espresso. It has a rapid heating boiler, which means you can make espresso quickly and easily. It features an expert steaming wand that can make great foamed-milk cappuccinos and lattes. You can also alter the grinding settings length, length, and body of your espresso to fit your individual preferences.


This machine is a single-boiler model and was first introduced in 1991. It has become one the most well-known espresso machines at home, especially among home baristas. It's known for its simplicity, low cost and excellent performance. The design is sleek and simple and has some modern features. It is also easy to maintain and use.

The Gaggia coffee maker does not come with the latest features, such as a preinfusion or PID It may appear a bit outdated to some. However, it does still offer excellent espresso and is an excellent option for those who want traditional design.

There are a few key differences between the Gaggia model and other models. It comes with a chrome-plated brass handle for the portafilter, as an instance. This is a nice addition that sets it apart from other entry-level home espresso machines. It also comes with a thermo-bloc boiler that's a nice feature for this price.

The coffee maker comes with removable reservoirs for water that are easy for refilling. It also has an infusion chamber constructed of stainless steel that keeps the water at a suitable temperature for making more delicious 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 simple to use the machine, and ensures you always have an empty tank filled with clean, fresh water. This is crucial for 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, with an integrated grinder and on-board barista. While many bean to cup machines tend to tilt the scales away from quality in favor of ease of use, the Oracle Touch offers a balanced approach. It handles all the grinding, dosing and tamping tasks while steaming and frothing milk for you. best small coffee machine will help you get the most from your chosen beans and avoids the kinds of disappointing results you may get when using pre-ground coffee from the major supermarkets.

The Oracle comes with 30 different grind settings making it possible to find the right level of fineness for your preferred drink. It also comes equipped with a cradle that can hold the portafilter. This is a fantastic accessory for those looking to recreate the barista experience. Other useful features include the Razor Precision Dose trimmer to clean any excess beans, an stainless steel milk jug and a steam wand that can be used to froth lattes that are worthy of art.

You can choose from a variety of drinks and the machine will suggest the proper grind size, brew rate and the temperature of your milk. This feature allows you to save your preferred settings for the future. It takes away the stress involved in 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 coffee beans.

This machine is stylishly made with a beautiful brushed stainless-steel finish. It looks great on your kitchen counter. However, it's quite big at H41cm, W33cm, and D38cm. It may be difficult to fit in under cabinets. It is important to measure the space prior to purchasing to ensure you have enough space. The machine is easy to clean, however you'll need to clean down the drip pan that is detachable and the steam wand frequently. Sage offers weekly masterclasses, as well as personalized tutorials that will assist you in getting the most out of your new coffee maker.