It’s never been easier to get a cafe-grade espresso at home. You just need the right equipment.
Last year, as the world delved into all kinds of at-home culinary ventures from cooking to sourdough baking, here at Thrive50Plus we turned our attention to perfecting the very fuel of life itself: coffee. While for many cafes closing down meant a switch to instant or a long period of making do with our aeropresses, we came to realise there was a whole lot more out there for the amateur coffee enthusiast: options across the entire spectrum of budgets that deliver a high-quality coffee from the convenience of your own kitchen.
Make no mistake about it: getting a good coffee at home requires a lot of factors to be in sync. Firstly, you need practice to perfect the art of getting a good grind, a good tamp and a perfect dose. You also need quality coffee beans (check out our guide to the best roasters in Sydney and Melbourne for that), and if you’re buying a coffee machine without one built-in, a good grinder.
If you’re inclined towards milky coffees, you’ll also need to fine-tune your frothing game. But for a good deal of those things, the right equipment is crucial, and no matter how much the marketing spin will suggest otherwise, not all coffee machines are created equal. Some simply favour convenience and gimmicks over the production of a properly good espresso shot.
With that in mind, we scoured the internet and asked our barista buddies their picks of the best home coffee machines to get in your kitchen, whether you’re after a cafe-level set-up or just starting your journey into perfecting the art of a good latte.
Budget
Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg
Affordable, high-performing and adorably retro, Lavazza’s new coffee machine, designed in collaboration with interiors giant Smeg, is the perfect starting point for any aspiring home barista. All you need to do is select from the machine’s two buttons — either Espresso or Lungo — and you can sit back, relax, and let the Lavazza work its magic. A light will let you know when you need to refill your water, or when the capsule drawers full. Best of all, it’s dishwasher-safe, which makes cleaning up oh so easy. Authentic Italian espresso, achieved with minimum effort? That’s a yes from us.
Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg Capsule Machine, $299
Breville Bambino Plus
Breville’s newly released Bambino Plus promises the best espresso shot in a package of this size and price anywhere. A 54mm portafilter with 19 grams deliver a full flavoured shot every time, while an automatic steam wand makes for perfect hands-free microfoam.
Breville Bambino Plus, $549 (was $649.00)
DeLonghi La Specialista
The cheapest all-in-one coffee machine on this list, the La Specialista won’t get you the kind of espresso shot you’d expect from a more expensive machine, but with a grinder, smart tamper, milk wand and espresso machine all built in, it’s a perfect entry level for someone wanting to hone their craft.
DeLonghi La Specialista, $749
Gaggia Classic
Gaggia’s classic bridges the gap between department store brands and specialist coffee machine companies, with a bigger water tank, a more powerful steam wand and bigger baskets taking you one step closer to barista-level results.
Gaggia Classic, $689
Mid-range
Breville Barista Pro
The Barista Pro is widely regarded as the best all-in-one machine for those short on space and looking to get good results without breaking the bank. The 3 second heat up time means you can get your coffee made and on with your day in record time.
Breville Barista Pro, $899
Rancilio Silvia V6
The Rancilio Silvia is an iconic machine, seen as the perfect entry point for those looking to really get serious about brewing barista-grade espresso at home. It introduces a bigger boiler, commercial grade portafilters and even a passive cup heater to the equation, getting you one step closer to pro-level results while keeping things relatively affordable.
Rancilio Silvia V6, $1,099
Nuova Simonelli Oscar II
Made by the same company that makes the machines for the SCA Barista Championship, Nuova’s entry-level machine is a welcome addition for home baristas wanting to elevate their product. The 2L heat exchange boiler allows you to pull shots and foam milk at the same time, while programmable shots keep things nice and simple for the budding home barista.
Nuova Simonelli Oscar ll, $1,456.92
High-end
Rocket Appartamento
Rocket’s machines are widely regarded as the go-to for home baristas that have honed their craft, have their tamping on point and have the art of espresso down to an art. The appartmento is the Milanese brand’s most space-friendly option, delivering true pro-grade results in smaller kitchens.
Rocket Appartamento, $2,890
La Marzocco Linea Mini
The absolute Ferrari of home coffee machines, La Marzocco have taken the formula that has made the brand a darling of Australia’s specialty baristas and put it into a kitchen-friendly package. Everything you need to make a barista-level coffee comes in the box, with professional-grade components and no plumbing or installation required.
La Marzocco Linea Mini, $6,748
