BUYER’S GUIDE

Our pick of the best coffee machines you can buy

Australians just love coffee, and we’ve become passionate about our brews: the right beans, the perfect crema, even the ideal temperature for the milk. And while it’s great to have baristamade coffee, if you make and drink it at home you want those cups to be just as good. After all, this is the era of cafe-worthy domestic coffee machines. Today’s makers have better functionality and more brewing options than ever – and are surprisingly affordable.

Reassuringly, there are coffee machines for all tastes, lifestyles and budgets, from easy-to-use, low-cost pod machines to the full bells-and-whistles automatic espresso experience, plus beautifully stylish built-in options for anyone considering a kitchen renovation.

“Coffee machines have been growing as a category for a long time,” says Gary Brown, senior brand manager of Home Appliances at Harvey Norman. “People are upgrading to buy more functionality and more control over the taste of their coffee.” In fact, he says, finding the perfect coffee has almost reached cult status for some. “They go to particular cafes if they want a coffee, not just the closest one. They are passionate about the flavour of coffee from certain cafes and buy beans from those cafes, then take them home and try to replicate that same experience in their kitchens.”

capsule/pod machines

The low price point and user-friendliness of pod machines have helped people to migrate from instant coffee to espresso.

Three of the main supermarkets – Coles, Woolworths and Aldi – sell entry-level capsule machines for less than $50, and Gary Brown says most of those customers are what he calls “first-generation buyers”. Harvey Norman customers are the next level up. “A lot of them have a capsule machine for six or 12 months and then upgrade to something better,” he says.

Capsule machines are ideal for everyday coffee drinkers who want their caffeine hit quickly and conveniently, says Gary. “Some people like them because every time you hit the button, you know exactly what you’re getting,” he says. “Nespresso’s probably at the end of that scale from a product perspective. You can buy a Nespresso machine for just under $200 and it will do your milk and your coffee. And they’re so easy to clean.”

There has been concern about the environmental impact of disposable pods, but now there’s a huge variety of biodegradable pods available, and Nespresso has recycling stations around the country for its users.

manual machines

These super functional, high-tech options can look great on the benchtop and deliver a cafe-worthy cuppa. Manual machines give you complete control over the flavour, the pour, the taste and so on, which has made them really popular in recent years.

While they might seem trickier to use, getting the technique right usually only takes a few practice sessions. Most retailers of manual machines also offer training to ensure you are comfortable with the equipment before you start.

One thing to consider when you’re buying a manual machine: it may come with or without a steaming function. If you want the option of frothing milk and making your own lattes, cappuccinos or hot chocolates, make sure it’s included.

built-in machines

Many of the larger kitchen-appliance companies also make built-in coffee machines, which can help to keep the kitchen free of coffee clutter.

“When people update or renovate their kitchens, they like to put built-in ones in the wall because it saves on bench space,” says Gary Brown. “Some use beans, some use capsules and some use the Nespresso system, but the biggest challenge with the espresso and automatic machines that use beans is the cleaning up.

“Brands such as Miele, Smeg, NEFF, Fisher & Paykel, Electrolux and AEG all offer a built-in option to complement their cooking products,” says Gary. “And let’s face it, if you’re going to install a Miele kitchen, why wouldn’t you put in a matching Miele coffee machine? Then the machine looks like it’s meant to be. It’s part of the kitchen.”

Many built-in machines, such as the Bosch Series 8 machine (pictured) can produce two cups simultaneously, which is great for entertaining. At the top end of the market, the Gaggenau machine can save up to eight personalised coffee configurations.

Serious coffee lovers now fall into two categories: those who love to display their coffee machine, such as this Italian one by Rancilio, and those who like to conceal it in a seamless built-in setting.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT De’Longhi ‘Maestosa’ automatic coffee machine in Black, $4999, Harvey Norman. The Barista Express automatic coffee machine in Brushed Stainless Steel, $949, Breville. De’Longhi ‘PrimaDonna Elite Experience’ automatic coffee machine in Silver, $2599, Harvey Norman. ENA 8 automatic coffee machine in Sunset Red, $1899, Jura.

FROM TOP De’Longhi ‘Gran Lattissima’ capsule coffee machine in White, $749, David Jones. VertuoPlus capsule coffee machine in Black, $299, Nespresso. Breville ‘Nespresso Creatista Uno’ espresso maker in Black Sesame, $467, Harvey Norman. OPPOSITE, FROM TOP Lelit Bianca PL162T espresso machine, $4100, Jetblack Espresso. De’Longhi La Specialista dual-pump manual coffee machine, $949, The Good Guys.

MAIN IMAGE Smeg has a retro-styled espresso machine in five great colours, including this black version. CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE Fisher & Paykel EB60DSXB2 built-in coffee maker, $4299, Bing Lee. De’Longhi PrimaDonna EABI 6600 built-in coffee machine, $1949, Winning Appliances. Gaggenau ‘200 Series CMP 250 101’ fully automatic built-in espresso machine, $5999, Winning Appliances. Bosch ‘Series 8 CTL636ES1’ fully automatic built-in coffee machine, $3699, The Good Guys.