Best Barista Coffee Machines
This sleek stainless steel machine is one that every coffee lover will be proud to own. It makes use of a milk jar rather than a steam wand for frothing and comes with a range of customizable options.
This best barista coffee machine allows you to make cappuccinos, lattes and espressos according to your preferences. It has an extraction system with high pressure, professional-style portafilter and a powerful milk frother.
1. Philips 3200 Series
The Philips 3200 Series is one of the more affordable espresso machines that are super-automatic. It's also known as Philips 1200 Carina and is the most basic machine with the smallest amount of pre-programmed drinks in the company's line. It can create a single or double espresso, a double or single coffee (technically it's a Lungo espresso) Cappuccino, latte and cappuccino macchiato, and hot water. The touch-screen is intuitive and comes with a range of buttons that let you choose the beverage you want.
The 3200 also comes with the LatteGo milk system which automatically froths and serves your beverage with the push of a button. It is your responsibility to do the work of filling the container with the desired milk, but it's easier than manual frothing. The machine will then mix the air and milk at high speeds in a circular chamber for frothing before pouring it into your cup. This feature sets it apart it from the cheaper Terra Kaffe TK-01 and the mid-range Gaggia Anima, both of which have an amarello steam wand, but do not have a built-in milk frother.
Like all semi-automatic or fully automated espresso machines The Philips 3200 Series won't produce the perfect cup as quickly or as easily as a barista would at your local coffee shop, however, it will still give you a great cup of joe every time. It's also extremely user-friendly, with LEDs that confirm your beverage selection as well as button presses. If you're concerned about maintenance, a slide-out water tank allows you to refill it easily and an AquaClean filter helps keep your machine clean and free of scale for up to 5500 cups. It's recommended that you rinse the drip tray on a regular basis, rinse the brewing group weekly, and descale it every few months or so, depending on the level of hardness in your water.
2. Breville Barista Pro
This machine is ideal for those looking to take their coffee making at home to the next level. It has a number of features that will allow you to personalize your milk-based and espresso drinks. It comes with a conical integrated grinder that has 30 different settings that will help you get the most value from your beans. This machine is very easy to use with a clear and easy-to-read display and simple controls. It's also a durable machine, with a two-year warranty.
The main selling point of this machine is its capability to make quality coffee at home in the style of a cafe. It has an industrial-grade steam wand that is ideal to make cappuccinos and lattes. It also has a number of different settings that will allow you to alter the strength and size of the espresso shots.
The ThermoJet Heating System is another thing that makes this machine stand out. This allows the machine to reach its optimal brew temperature in just three seconds, which is faster than other single boiler machines. It also uses PID controllers to ensure a precise water temperature, which is crucial for good espresso extraction.
Finally, this machine has several other features that can improve your espresso-making experience. It includes a low-water level sensor that will prevent running out of water. It can also automatically shut off after brewing, so you don't waste energy. It comes with a large water tank of 67 ounces. This means you won't have to refill it often.
Although the Barista Pro is a great machine, it has some disadvantages. It's not as durable as other models on this list. It requires you to run through a blank prior to making your espresso. This is a crucial step to heat the portafilter, grouphead, and cups.
3. Breville Barista Touch
The Barista Touch Impress is a multi-faceted machine that performs many tasks at once (think blasting New Order from Apple Music and scrolling Instagram, texting friends, perusing celebrities' Wikipedia pages and even ordering Indian food all at once). This is the machine to buy when you are looking for an automatic coffee maker that produces top-quality espresso and make frothy milk.
The espresso making process is controlled by the smart ThermoJet heating system and an automatic pre-infusion process that soaks grounds to improve extraction quality. The PID controller controls the brew temperature, which can be programmed for eight different drinks recipes.
If you're a lover of milky drinks, the Barista Touch also comes with an Auto MilQ setting that lets you create the perfect foaming texture for dairy, almond Oat, soymilk, and oat. You can even save the settings for your preferred double shot, which is a 150-degree flat white with medium foam, and replicate it perfectly every time you use the machine.
While I haven't tested it, Breville claims this machine can also dispense hot tea or hot water by pressing an button. This is an excellent feature for those who don't drink espresso every morning but enjoy a cup or tea.
It's not a cheap machine, but it is a step above the pod machine. Professional-level machines can cost over $10,000. The Barista Touch will elevate your home-brewed coffee to a level that'll rival the top specialty coffee shops in town, and will perform this feat with little supervision from you. It might sound expensive, but if you value your time and want to avoid frequent trips to the local coffee shop, this is the perfect machine for you.
4. Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus from Breville is an espresso maker that is semi-automatic. It is designed for people who are new to the world of espresso and is simple to use. It comes with a simple LCD and intuitive controls. It is easy to set the amount of water that you want to use and set a temperature for the extraction.
coffee machines best has a number of other features that can help you make the best coffee, including a pre-infusion function, which will dampen the grounds using low pressure before making the shot. This is crucial for a perfect espresso shot, since it stops the channeling. The machine also has a speedy heating system, and you can make multiple espressos at a time with no problem.
The Bambino Plus, like the Barista Pro has a compact case which won't take any space on your countertop. It's stylish and looks like professional equipment. This machine includes a variety of accessories, including brush to clean and a Razor to level your grounds and a milk container. It also comes with a steam wand that can create beautiful microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos.
Like the Barista Pro, the Bambino is equipped with a fast heating system that will have you up and running in only three seconds. It's also highly customizable. You can alter the extraction time to make the perfect cup. The only downside is that it doesn't come with grinder, however it's simple enough to add a premium grinder to your setup. This is a great choice for home baristas in the making who are looking for an affordable entry-level machine.
5. Breville Bambino
The Bambino Plus espresso machine is an excellent entry-level choice for those who want to make cafe-style coffee at home. Its fast heating time and easy-to-use controls make it stand out from its competitors. However, it has some disadvantages, like certain plastic parts that could break over time, and steam wands that are difficult to clean. These are minor issues compared to the excellent quality of espresso produced by the machine.
Its single-boiler design allows it to heat up quickly so that you can start brewing espresso in less than three seconds. This is a major advantage over traditional espresso machines, which can take up to 10 minutes to reach the right temperature. The Bambino Plus has a feature that regulates the extraction process. This stops water from leaching into the coffee grinds and altering the taste or texture.
Another important characteristic is its ability to create silky microfoams for the creation of latte art as well as other special drinks. This is made possible by its steam wand manual, that can reach temperatures of up to 266 degrees Fahrenheit. Although this isn't as high as some other professional machines, it's sufficient to create delicious, smooth foam for your drinks.
The Bambino Plus is different from other espresso machines available on the market in that it doesn't come with an integrated grinder. This can be a problem for some buyers but it is a plus for those who would like to use the Bambino Plus in conjunction with a separate grinder of high quality. It may not have the same number of features as top-rated machines such as the Gaggia Silvia or Classic Pro, but it is still a great machine for your money.