Nespresso
While morning coffee rituals are a caffeine connoisseur’s ultimate vice – the way we perceive coffee is changing. Coffee, and other necessary food items have been branded as symbols of luxury, an investment, a delicacy. “People need to get away from the fact that coffee is a basic need. It’s a luxury and they need to treat it like that,” says Sonan Sherpa, co-founder of Golden Brown Coffee.
While the average price of coffee has increased by 15% in major Australian cities, coffee enthusiasts are now looking into home coffee machines for an alternative. Truth be told, we’re creatures of habit. Connoisseurs of espresso, cold brew, drip filter, and pod coffee each have their refined practice for achieving peak levels of caffeine, and there are different home coffee machines that align with each jive of java.
So, whether you prefer your brew in a travel mug on your morning commute or a shared pot at home on a rainy afternoon, investing in a premium model suited to your coffee ritual is worthwhile. Read on for our curated edit of premium home coffee machines for every kind of coffee drinker, for the espresso purist to the hands-off coffee fiend.
Our expert picks for best home coffee machines in Australia
- Best espresso coffee machine: Breville The Dual Boiler espresso maker, $1190 (usually $2499), Myer (here’s why)
- Best automatic coffee machine: Magnifica Evo silver black fully automated coffee machine, $699 (usually $999), De’Longhi (here’s why)
- Best drip coffee maker: Moccamaster classic brewer drip coffee maker, $518.69, Amazon (here’s why)
- Best capsule coffee machines: Vertuo Pop & Aeroccino3, $319, Nespresso (here’s why)
The best espresso coffee machines
01
Breville The Dual Boiler espresso maker
$1190 (usually $2499) at Myer
Best for: the espresso purist
Containing higher levels of caffeine than, say, filter coffee, the espresso is the quintessential drink of Italy. With an included precision grinder, as well as a dual boiler heating system – for the espresso shot and instant steam for your milk – Breville’s The Dual Boiler means bean business and experimentation.
Size: 45 x45 x 52.2 cm
Key features:
- Digital temperature control technology for consistent espresso quality
- Steam wand creates micro-foam texture
- Integrated and removable 58mm tamper
- 360 Swivel action steam wand
- 24-month warranty
Also available at:
- $1699 at Breville
- $1997 (usually ($2499) at Amazon
- $1199 (usually $2499) at David Jones
02
Breville the Bambino Plus
$599 at Breville
Best for: refined spaces
Ideal for kitchens with limited bench space, the Bambino Plus may be small in size but not in pizazz. Ready to rumble in three seconds, this machine features low pressure pre-infusion followed by 9-bar extraction delivered by its 15 bar Italian pump. Plus, if you’re a fan of a latte, the automatic steam wand does all the milk foaming for you.
Size: 19.5 x 32 x 31 cm
Key features:
- Uses the four key formulas
- Hands-free automatic steam wand
- ThermoJet heating system
- Low pressure pre-infusion followed by nine-bar extraction
- Compact design for countertops
Also available:
- $499 at The Good Guys
- $495.36 (usually $729) at Amazon
The best automatic coffee machines
03
Magnifica Evo silver black fully automated coffee machine
$699 (usually $999) at De’Longhi
Best for: the hands-off coffee fiend
Featuring an intuitive design with five one-touch coffee recipes to save you from the disappointment of burnt coffee, 13 adjustable grind settings for expertly ground beans, hot water maker and a traditional milk frother, De’Longhi’s Magnifica Evo is the ultimate addition to smart kitchens of coffee fiends.
Size: 24 x 44 x 36 cm
Key features:
- 13 adjustable grind settings
- Up to seven one-touch coffee recipes
- Traditional milk frother
- Can brew two espresso’s in one cycle
04
Smeg automatic coffee machine in emerald green
$8933 (usually $1199) at Appliances Online
Best for: retro style, automatic indulgence
Bring the café to the home with an automatic coffee machine that does everything for you at the touch of a humble button. With a signature 50s style design, this Smeg model boasts an effortless bean-to-cup process that is fully customisable from espresso to ristretto, latte to cappuccino.
Size: 33.6 x 18 x 43.3 cm
Key features:
- 19-bar pump pressure concentrates beans for a rich taste
- Automatically milk steaming at the push of a button
- Eight drink options
- 30-second cleaning cycle
- Available in three colours
Also available at:
- $959.20 (usually $1199) at Myer
The best drip coffee makers
05
Moccamaster classic brewer drip coffee maker
$518.69 at Amazon
Best for: the communal coffee drinker
The craft of coffee is taken to another level by Moccamaster who have handmade and assembled its individually tested machines since 1968 in the Netherlands. Brewing 10 cups of coffee in five to six minutes with a copper boiling element, this maker is perfect for shared cuppa joes. NB: You’ll need to source a UK-to-AUS plug adapter as this model features a UK plug.
Size: 17 x 32 x 36 cm
Key features:
- Handmade in The Netherlands
- Made of antibacterial copper for perfect brewing temperature
- Selector switch to choose between a full or half jug.
- Available in five colours
The best capsule coffee machines
06
Vertuo Pop & Aeroccino3
$319 at Nespresso
Best for: the caffeinated go-getter
Seizing the day takes a good chunk of time, so a fuss-free coffee is an ideal fixture in the go-getter’s morning. The Vertuo Pop by Nespresso utilises Centrifusion™ technology which reads the barcode on each capsule for perfectly brewed coffee each time. Heating up in 30 seconds, it also features Expert Mode – which at two pushes of the button, goes beyond the machine’s standard coffee preparation. Available in six sleek shades, this model combines engineered design with style.
Size: 13.6 x 42.6 x 25 cm
Key features:
- Automatic power off after two minutes
- 30-second heat up time
- Expert mode delivers coffee optimised for milk beverages
- Includes Aeroccino 3 milk frother
07
Nespresso by Breville Creatista Plus capsule coffee machine
$711.75 (usually $949) at Myer
Best for: intuitive and personalised touch
If you’re an espresso head but you’re more about convenience than process, this coffee machine uses Nespresso capsule pods to deliver perfectly portioned java. With a fully automatic steam wand set to your preferred temperature, frothy milk for your cap or latte is all but a button push away.
Size: 40.9 x 17 x 30.9 cm
Key features:
- Fully automatic steam wand
- Advanced microfoam milk technology
- Intuitive digital display
- Autoclean function
- Two-year warranty
Also available:
What is the best coffee machine for home?
Coffee making is an art, and your home coffee machine should reflect you and your lifestyle. For those who are bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and ready to lean a new skillset, the Bambino Plus by Breville is a small but mighty machine with an automatic steam wand so that all your energy can be lent to the perfect brew. For those who crave a barista-style experience at home but are short on time, an automatic coffee machine like the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo, or pod machine such as the Nespresso Vertuo Pop delivers perfect coffee each time without the fuss. Meanwhile, Breville’s The Dual Boiler means bean business, making it ideal for the espresso purist who loves to experiment.
How to use an espresso machine
Mastering the art of espresso in a manual espresso machine requires precision and practice. Grind beans finely, fill the portafilter, and tamp evenly the pull a shot for 25-30 seconds, aiming for 30-60mL. For lattes or cappuccinos, steam milk to 65°C with microfoam. Although, the functionality of automatic espresso machines will largely differ to that of manual ones.
Related articles:
- 8 handy reusable coffee cups for your takeaway brew
- The best coffee bean subscriptions for at-home brewing
- 7 pour over coffee makers to kickstart your mellow mornings
