For many people, coffee isn’t just a morning drink; it’s a ritual, a necessity, a pleasure and a love language. That’s why shopping for an at-home machine is serious business – and often confusing when you discover the sheer amount of choice on offer. We’ve consulted the experts so that you have all the information you need, from beans to machines and everything in between, to make the perfect brew.
How to select the right coffee machine model
The options can feel endless, but there are two main categories: automatic and manual. Which one you choose should suit your lifestyle. Alana Hollings, national brand manager – Electrical at Harvey Norman, suggests thinking about how much effort you want to put into making a coffee.
“An automatic coffee machine with an integrated milk frother would be the best option for someone who wants a good coffee with minimum fuss,” she says. These high-tech machines grind beans, extract espresso and froth the milk at the touch of a button. If you want to personalise your coffee a little more, semi-automatics will allow you to grind and tamper your coffee while the machine does the rest of the work. Capsules are also automatic but do away with beans altogether, simply requiring a capsule of ground coffee to extract your espresso shot. As close to the convenience of instant coffee as you can possibly get, these machines are easy to clean, low effort and pods come in a variety of flavours.
Manual machines have increased in popularity as people realise anyone can make a great cup of coffee if they do their research and have the right tools. Manual machines allow you to control every step of the process, from grinding to dosing, tamping and determining the strength of the cup you want. The speed at which hot water is forced through the coffee is called bar pressure; aim for at least nine bars.
How to select the right coffee beans
The two most common and popular types of beans are arabica and robusta. “Arabica is more flavoursome and doesn’t have as much caffeine,” explains Sam Demelis, national coffee training manager at Complete Hospitality Training. “The robusta beans are slightly cheaper. They have a slightly higher caffeine content and can be quite bitter.” That’s why Sam recommends robusta for coffee with milk and arabica for black coffee. Ultimately, it comes down to trial and error, and you don’t have to pick one or the other. “Mixing beans and creating blends to suit your palate can be really fun. Keep it simple and make sure you’re happy before you give it to anyone else.”
Coffee machine price range
When it comes to coffee machines and makers, the price range truly couldn’t be wider. At the higher end of the budget are espresso or automatic coffee machines, which can stretch from $500 all the way to $10,000-plus. If you are looking for more affordable options that still achieve great results, try a stovetop coffee maker (a Moka pot is one example), French press, Aeropress, pour-over, cold brew or cold-drip makers. And if that lengthy list of recommendations makes your head spin, refer to the glossary below to see how these work and what their benefits are.
How to make a great cup of coffee
A quality cup of coffee begins with the beans. “For automatic or manual coffee machine users, storing whole beans or fresh grounds in a vacuum-sealed canister is important as the coffee starts to lose its flavour as it comes into contact with air,” advises Alana. If you use a capsule machine, opt for a quality product and store them appropriately.
Whole beans kept in a cool, dry cupboard (not a fridge) are the best option as they retain their oils longer. Sam suggests only grinding as many beans as you’ll need for 4-5 days at a time. “The finer the grind, the higher the chances are your coffee will be bitter,” warns Sam. The best consistency is slightly finer than cracked pepper. To get a good crema (the fine layer of froth on top of your espresso) make sure you’ve ground the beans to the right consistency for your machine, tamped evenly and used fresh coffee. Then simply sit back and enjoy!
“A lot of passion goes into making coffee. It puts a smile on your face when you get it right”
Sam Demelis, Complete Hospitality Training
Common mistakes when buying a coffee machine
According to Sam, the biggest mistake people make is judging a machine by the brand. “People almost feel as though they need to have a certain brand of coffee or a certain brand of machine,” says Sam. Instead, he suggests doing your research to find a machine that fits your price range and lifestyle.
How to clean your coffee machine
Keeping your coffee machine pristine is one of the easiest ways to ensure its longevity and may even improve the taste of your coffee, says Sam. “After every use, flush out the group head (the part of the espresso machine that you attach the group handle to) so that you rinse out old coffee grinds. Wash the drip trays and keep the water tank empty when you’re not using it.” If you clean your machine regularly then you (thankfully) won’t have to use heavy chemicals to descale build up. If you prefer a lower-maintenance option, Harvey Norman’s Alana Hollings recommends buying a capsule machine.
The best coffee machines and accessories to shop 2024
Looking to up your coffee game? Read on for our top picks of the best coffee machines and accessories to shop in Australia.
Vertuo Pop Solo
$199 (usually $229), Amazon
Best for: A pop of colour
Looking to add a pop of colour to your morning routine? The Vertuo Pop range from Nespresso will do just the trick. Available in a range of fun and bright colourways, but our pick is this one in a bold red hue. This machine is the most compact and affordable machine in the brand’s Vertuo range.
Colours: Spicy Red, Aqua Mint, Coconut White, Liquorice Black, Pacific Blue and Mango Yellow.
Key features:
- Removable water tank (0.56L)
- Adjustable cup holder
- Automatic power off after two minutes
Also available at:
- $229, Nespresso
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Sunbeam Compact barista espresso machine
$179 (usually $279), Amazon
Best for: Coffee for one
Coffee for one, coming right up! This compact espresso machine from Sunbeam is perfect for small kitchens. With a fast heat-up time and auto-shot volumetric control, you’ll be pouring your perfect cuppa, every morning.
Key features:
- Fast heat up time
- Auto-shot volumetric control
- Cafe style milk steam wand
- In-built temperature controller
Zulay handheld milk frother
$16.13, Amazon
Best for: frothing milk or matcha
Who knew a handheld milk frother would come with a lifetime warranty? The Zulay milk frother has garnered 167,066 reviews on Amazon, with an average of 4.3 stars – so to say it’s a popular pick, is an understatement. With this handheld milk frother you can make rich and creamy microfoam in seconds, or you could use it to whisk your matcha for matcha lattes too. Plus, it’s easy to clean and store with its durable and convenient included metal stand.
Key features:
- Comes with a metal stand
- Lifetime warranty
- Suitable for matchas
OXO Brew compact cold brew coffee maker
$36.99, Amazon
Best for: Cold brew
If cold brew coffee is your thing, this elegant setup will serve up stylish aesthetics with your morning brew. Plus, its compact size means to takes up less space in your kitchen as well as your fridge.
Key features:
- Rainmaker evenly distributes water over coffee grounds
- Glass carafe
- Stainless steel mesh filter
- Brewer and carafe nest for convenient storage
The Smart Grinder Pro grinder
$308.95 (usually $449), Amazon
Best for: The perfect grind
With pre-programming for dosing and grind profile, this streamlined unit has a conical burr grinder to get through your daily dose. If you’re after a full-bodied, aromatic and flavoursome brew, we’d recommend adding this grinder to your coffee-making set up – stat.
Key features:
- 60 grind settings
- LCD display
- Precision dosing
Also available at:
- $338, Appliances Online
- $349, Breville
Smeg ’50s Style milk frother
$239.20 (usually $299), David Jones
Best for: A retro touch
With a fun dash of retro styling, this little wonder will sit prettily on your benchtop. Choose neutral tones or a pop of colour from one of four colours – blue, cream, white and black. Plus, you can set auto-programs for your family favourites – from hot chocolate to the perfect chai or cappuccino froth. Molto bene!
Colours: Cream, Pastel Blue, Pastel Green, white, black, red and pink.
Key features:
- 205mL capacity
- Induction heating system
- Six pre-set programs
Also available at:
- $347.71, Amazon
Sunbeam Barista Essential accessories kit
$103.20 (usually $129), Myer
Best for: A clean bench
More than just looking the part, this knock box will save your benchtop and collect all of the mess of coffee grinds for easy disposal.
Key features:
- Dishwasher safe grinds bin
- Silicon mat
- Precision milk thermometer
Eva Solo Nordic kitchen thermo cafetiere in steel
$210 at Hardtofind
Best for: Scandi-chic brewing
This stylish vacuum plunger combines elegance and simplicity to keep your brew warm. The stainless steel finish blends seamlessly with your kitchen appliances, while the oak handle lends a touch of nature.
Key features:
- Stainless steel
- Drip-free serving
- Plunger is dishwasher safe
Smeg 50s retro style espresso coffee machine
$439.20 (usually $549), Myer
Best for: A colourful favourite
Compact and colourful, Smeg’s award-winning retro design is simple to use and the perfect way to add a pop of colour to your benchtop. Choose from multiple colours to match or contrast with your kitchen palette.
Colours: Cream, green, red and black.
Key features:
- 15 bar pump
- Removable cup tray
- 3-button operation system
La Pavoni ‘Expo 2015’ manual lever coffee machine
$1899, The Good Guys
Best for: Italian elegance
Handmade in Milan, this stunning machine combines old-school Italian design with a passion for perfect coffee, it’s one for the traditionalist.
Key features:
- 1.6L water tank capacity
- Milk frother
- Auto-off safety switch
Breville The Oracle espresso machine
$1899, The Good Guys
Best for: Benchtop magic
Having established itself firmly in the domestic espresso landscape, Breville has done the research to discover what people want, and The Oracle is the brand’s answer to achieving specialty coffee at home. Plus, in a sleek black finish, this machine is made for the modern kitchen.
Key features:
- 1800W thermojet heating system
- 15 bar pressure pump
- Integrated grinder
Gaggia ‘Cardorna Prestige’ automatic coffee machine
$1435 (usually $1899), Appliances Online
Best for: Beans or ground coffee
Use beans or coffee grounds in this Italian-made high-tech machine that offers 14 different beverage options to choose from. An espresso tray and built-in frother does away with a fiddly milk jug and promises a flawless espresso every time. Oh, and you can save four different user profiles to save your choices once you find your favourite brew.
Key features:
- Use beans or ground coffee
- Built-in espresso tray
- Integrated milk carafe
DeLonghi Magnifica Start coffee machine
$1576.01, Amazon
Best for: Barista-style brews
With an onboard conical steel grinder, this smart machine brews two espressos at a time while you use the manual milk frother. The drip tray goes into the dishwasher for easy cleaning too.
Key features:
- Four one-touch coffee modes
- Steam wand
- Removable, dishwasher-safe components
Bellman ‘CX 25P’ espresso maker and steamer
$288.95 (usually $349), Kogan
Best for: Stovetop lovers
Designed for the hands-on coffee enthusiast, the Bellman works like any stovetop machine to brew your espresso but also has an integrated steam wand to froth your milk. It may take a bit of tinkering to get it right, but when you do, it’ll brew up to nine espressos to perfection.
Key features:
- 3, 6, or 9 cup capacity
- Compatible with gas, electric, ceramic, campfire and induction
La Marzocco Linea Micra coffee machine
$5999, Winnings
Best for: Coffee fiends
There’s a reason La Marzocco is every barista’s go-to coffee machine. At-home baristas will love the new Linea Micra, a compact version of the Linea Mini and Classic, with café quality features such as a dual boiler for temperature control, a convertible portafilter and a cool touch wand for safe steaming. The Linea Micra is even IOT app compatible with remote control, so there’s no waiting around in the morning to start brewing.
Key features:
- Insulated steam wand:
- Drip tray
- Hot water spout
- Barista lights
This article originally appeared on Home Beautiful and is republished here with permission.
