The Cafe makes espresso and a full range of milk-based coffee drinks. It features a dual boiler system which is a hallmark of professional machines and allows for near simultaneous brewing and steaming Best Barista Coffee Machines.
It uses a digital PID to control water temperature and includes pressurized filter baskets which help ensure proper pressure and crema even if you tamp incorrectly or grind your beans too finely. This machine also has a 58 mm portafilter which is the industry standard.
OXO Brew 8 Cup Coffee Maker
The OXO Brew 8 Cup Coffee Maker makes it easy to switch between batch brewing and single-cup brewing. Its tank holds 40 ounces, the same as many premium coffee makers, and it has a separate basket that fits standard eight-cup size, flat-bottomed paper filters. The OXO brews a pot of coffee in seven to eight minutes.
Its simple design and polished aesthetics are attractive, but what really sets it apart is the build quality. Unlike many cheaper coffee makers, the OXO has thick brushed steel and solid plastic components. It feels durable and sturdy, despite being relatively small. The OXO also has a wide spray head that evenly saturates the coffee grounds, which is important for flavor extraction. Its design and construction also make it easier to clean than other brewers, and its spray head can be removed for more thorough cleaning.
In our tests, the OXO produced a great-tasting cup of coffee. Its brew time was under the speciality coffee association’s (SCA) recommendation, and it consistently held its water temperature within a narrow range. This precision is particularly important, as brewers that vary water temperature by even a few degrees from one brew to the next can produce inconsistent results.
The OXO also scored well in our ease-of-use testing, which includes evaluating the carafe’s handle comfort and whether it was easy to lift and pour. Its score for convenience is the highest among all SCA-certified brewers we tested.
Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select
The KBGV Select is the latest offering from the Dutch-made Moccamaster coffee maker line. It’s a highly recommended brewer that continues the Moccamaster tradition of quality while adding a half-pot brewing option. The brewer is accredited by the European Coffee Brewing Center and the Specialty Coffee Association of America, making it a great choice for anyone that is serious about their coffee.
The machine features a copper boiling element that can heat up water to an optimal temperature (196degF – 205degF) in under one minute. The hot water then flows up a tube and is evenly dispersed over ground coffee grounds in the brew basket. The brew process takes between four and six minutes to produce a full pot of high-quality coffee.
Technivorm is a company that values craftsmanship and longevity, which is why each Moccamaster is handmade in the Netherlands and has a 5-year warranty. The brewer is available in several colors, so you can pick a coffee maker that complements your kitchen décor.
The brewer also has a gold cup ready function, which means it’s capable of brewing a cup of coffee that meets the standards of the Specialty Coffee Association. Its thermal carafe keeps the brewed coffee at an ideal temperature for up to six hours. However, the brewer is not dishwasher-safe and requires regular descaling to remove minerals from the heating element. Additionally, the brewer isn’t very compact and may take up more counter space than some other models.
De’Longhi La Specialista Maestro
This De’Longhi model is perhaps the smartest barista coffee machine ever created. It’s designed to invite beginners into the world of espresso making and is equipped with features that will allow them to grow and learn. The machine offers personal tamping, automatic grinding and brewing as well as a milk steamer. It even has a spout that allows for a jug of water to be positioned close by so that the user can use it to clean their portafilter.
The machine also includes an advanced grinder with sensors to ensure consistent grind and the ability to make precise digital dosing adjustments. It also has a dynamic pre-infusion to optimize the extraction of the beans. The machine is capable of creating six different types of coffee, including the popular cappuccino and latte. It’s a bit more complicated to operate than some other machines but is still fairly simple for a beginner to get the hang of.
The La Specialista Maestro is a little more expensive than some of the other models we’ve looked at but it’s a great option for those looking to upgrade from a basic automatic coffee maker. It’s also a little bigger than some of the other machines on this list but is still relatively compact and will fit easily on your kitchen counter. The machine is available in a number of attractive finishes and is backed by a two-year warranty.
Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Machine
The Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Machine is one of the best super-automatic espresso machines available. It comes with a ceramic flat burr grinder that can grind your beans to the exact size you like for each brew, and it has five pre-programmed coffees: espresso, coffee, iced coffee, and cappuccino. It also features a high-speed LatteGo milk system that can craft a silky-smooth layer of foam to top off your drinks.
The machine is easy to set up and use, with touch-sensitive buttons that make selecting your drink simple. A display will tell you when it’s time to refill the water tank, change the filter, or clean the brewing chamber. Various lights will also alert you when there’s an error with the machine. The brew group is easily removed for cleaning, which is a plus if you have to rely on this type of machine to make your coffee.
The Philips 3200 does skimp on some features that other coffee and espresso makers offer, but it’s a trade-off you might be willing to make. For instance, it doesn’t have a touchscreen, and its built-in grinder and milk frother both let out loud whistling sounds that are similar to what you might hear at a cafe. That means you’ll want to wait until everyone is awake or out of earshot to brew. The machine is relatively easy to clean, but the container that holds the milk will require a bit more effort than the steam wand on other machines.
De’Longhi Eletta Explore
This high-end, stylish machine makes it easy to create professional quality drinks at home. It has 13 grind settings, a conical burr grinder and a removable water tank for fast and easy clean-up. It also has a powerful steam wand that can quickly foam milk. The machine is easy to use, but there may be a bit of a learning curve for beginners who are new to espresso and cappuccino making.
The smart interface is impressive, allowing you to navigate the many options effortlessly and customize settings to create personalized user profiles. The machine also has Wi-Fi connectivity and allows you to operate it remotely.
With 40 one-touch recipes available the Eletta Explore can cater to all of your coffee needs. It can prepare hot espresso, iced coffee and cold brew at the push of a button. Its LatteCrema Cool system can even produce frothy, over iced drinks.
The machine features a large, 2.4-inch color touchscreen that displays all of the options and recipes available. The touchscreen is intuitive and simple to navigate, making it easy to select and customize your drink. The machine has a variety of other accessories including an ice cube tray, two large milk cups and a travel mug. It is also designed to fit perfectly into a modern kitchen. The De’Longhi Eletta is the best barista coffee machine for anyone who wants to experience the full range of cafe drinks without leaving the comfort of their own home.
Nespresso Vertuo Next
With its sleek design and slimline build, the Nespresso Vertuo Next is the perfect addition to any kitchen. It’s available in several colors and finishes so you can match it to your décor. One Amazon customer even gave the machine a 5-star rating, praising its sleek design and ease of use. They noted that the coffee pods can be expensive but they appreciated the fact that the machine recycles used pods.
The Vertuo Next is able to create so many different kinds of coffee because it uses a revolutionary centrifusion technology. This technology reads the barcode integrated into each pod and adjusts its settings based on what kind of drink you’re making. It also knows how hot or cold you want your coffee and dispenses the correct amount of water.
Another unique feature of the Vertuo Next is that it has an accompanying app. This app can help you keep track of how much you’ve brewed and order more capsules. It can also connect to your Wi-Fi so you can receive notifications if the water tank is low or if the machine requires descaling.
While the app can be a useful tool, it isn’t as functional as some of the other smart coffee machines on the market. However, the machine does have a large 1.1-litre water tank that can last for a few cups of coffee before you’ll need to replenish it.