If you live for your daily coffee injection and you’ve decided to invest in a manual coffee espresso machine, choosing the right machine is vital – especially if you’re looking to spend hundreds, or perhaps even thousands, of dollars.Ìý

The right coffee machine can mean the difference between a coffee-making experience that will bring you joy and caffeination in equal measure, and one that could leave you disappointed and dissatisfied – and headed straight back to the cafe. 

Breville and DeLonghi are two of the most prominent mainstream brands making manual and semi-automatic espresso machines.

Both have plenty of models available with various specifications and different price points, so they’re likely to crop up frequently when you’re researching coffee machines to buy.

Terminology explained

Manual and semi-automatic coffee machines are for people who want the hands-on experience of making their coffee exactly the way they like it, from tweaking the settings of the grind, to frothing the milk themselves for that perfect silky pour.Ìý

Semi-automatic machines will automatically cut off the flow of coffee once a pre-set amount has been poured into the cup, while a manual machine gives you total control, requiring you to stop the flow of coffee yourself.

Breville vs DeLonghi: Which brand is best?

The best coffee machine for you depends on many things, such as your skill level, budget, and preferences for certain features. 

But you should also consider factors about the brand such as:

• how reliable their machines tend to be overall
• their track record in customer service and customer satisfaction
• typical extras their machines generally include, such as cleaning kits and stainless-steel milk jugs.

ÌÇÐÄVlog Best Brand espresso machine

Each year, we use our test results, along with feedback from our members about satisfaction and reliability, to determine the best espresso machine brand.

The Best Brand espresso machine for 2025 is DeLonghi, but Breville is hot on its heels, and has been named Best Brand multiple times in previous years.

DeLonghi has the highest proportion of models recommended by our experts compared to the number of models tested, by a fair margin.

The two brands are neck and neck across a number of metrics: Breville is ahead on average test scores and customer satisfaction, while DeLonghi takes the lead (just) in terms of reliability.

Overall brand vs individual model

It’s important to bear in mind that in ÌÇÐÄVlog testing, performance of specific models may vary quite significantly. So don’t assume that just because one product from a brand is good, that all their products are.

Ideally check the results of individual models in our espresso machine review before you buy.

Range and price

Generally speaking, Breville has a wider range of manual and semi-automatic espresso machines to choose from.

With a range that is always evolving, the brand currently has around 16 machines, from cheaper options such as the Breville Bambino ($399) and Breville Duo-Temp Pro ($429), up to the $3499 Breville Oracle Touch and the Breville Oracle Dual Boiler at $4349 (for serious home baristas!).

DeLonghi’s La Specialista range includes six main machines (the Arte, the Arte Evo, the Arte Evo with Cold Brew, the Touch, the Maestro with Cold Brew and the Opera), ranging in price from around $500 to around $1400. 

DeLonghi also sells more compact semi-automatic coffee machines (the Maestro Plus, the Dedica Duo Dedica Maestro, Dedica Arte and the Stilosa), ranging from around $150 to around $350. 

Features: What to consider

When comparing machines and brands, consider the features that are most important to you. 

For instance, would you like pre-programmed coffee recipes you can select at the touch of a button, with automatic milk frothing?Ìý

Or would you like complete control of the process, including frothing your own milk, just like the barista at your local cafe?

Would you like to tamp your coffee with a hand tamper or a built-in tamper? Do you fancy making cold-brew coffee? 

Read more about the features to look out for in our coffee machine buying guide.

But ÌÇÐÄVlog tester expert Adrian Lini says you shouldn’t base your decision solely on features.

“With coffee machines, the fancy gimmicks and features really can’t mask a machine that doesn’t function well.

“To get a good espresso, you need accurate and consistent pressure and water temperature. If you don’t have those then you won’t get a good coffee, no matter what.”

Adrian has put dozens of manual and espresso machines through their paces in the ÌÇÐÄVlog labs.

“My experience is that the Breville machines are often easier to use – their controls are more intuitive and it takes less time to make a good espresso.

“I certainly know you can get a good coffee with a DeLonghi machine, but it may take a little more time to learn how to get the best out of the machine.”

Espresso machines $1000–$1500

• Breville The Barista Touch ($1499)
• Breville The Barista Pro ($1049)
• DeLonghi La Specialista Maestro with Cold Brew ($1399)

If you have a budget from around $1000 up to $1500, you may be considering one of these three machines. 

The Breville The Barista Pro ($1049) and Breville The Barista Touch ($1499) are similar machines – the main difference is that the Barista Touch has more automatic functions, including a touch-screen display with pre-programmed coffee menu and automatic milk frothing. 

The DeLonghi La Specialista Maestro with Cold Brew ($1399) is a manual machine that also gives you the option of eight pre-programmed coffee recipes, including cold brew, as well as preset temperatures to suit different coffee varieties.

It has 15 grind settings (The Barista Pro and The Barista Touch have 30 grind settings), and a manual steam wand. Here’s how the three models compare.

Espresso machines under $800

• DeLonghi La Specialista Arte ($649)
• Breville The Barista Express ($769)

If you’re looking to spend less than $800 but you still want to flex your barista muscles with a customised coffee experience, these two machines are probably on your radar. 

Both have been tested by ÌÇÐÄVlog experts, who say they rank similarly when it comes to how easy they are to use, but Breville’s The Barista Express comes out on top in other respects (read detailed product reviews).

There are a few differences between the machines. The La Specialista comes with one 51mm pressurised filter basket, whereas The Barista Express comes with both one-cup and two-cup (single-wall) filter baskets. You can compare other features below. 

We’ve also tested Breville’s The Barista Express Impress, which costs slightly more ($949) but has an auto-dose and built-in tamper that our experts say is very easy to use and lets you make coffees quickly. 

Here’s how the two cheaper models compare.

Is Breville’s The Oracle Touch coffee machine worth it?

The Breville Oracle Touch is one of Breville’s most expensive coffee machines, retailing at $3199. 

One of the reasons it’s significantly more expensive than other Breville machines such as The Barista Touch Impress ($1999) is that it has a dual boiler heating system. This means you can extract coffee and steam milk at the same time (one boiler heats the espresso while the other heats the milk for steaming). 

Cheaper machines have a Thermoblock heating system, which heats water as it passes through a solid metal block, and means you can’t extract the espresso and steam milk at the same time. 

Adrian says: “When comparing coffee machines, look at whether they have a Thermoblock, boiler or dual boiler heating system”.

“While you can get good results from a machine with a Thermoblock, a machine with a dual boiler will generally give you more consistent, precise results that are similar to what you’ll get from a commercial coffee machine.”

Breville’s The Oracle Touch also has 45 grind settings (15 more than The Barista Touch), a hands-free auto grind and tamp feature, and a commercial-grade 58mm portafilter. 

ÌÇÐÄVlog experts have tested and reviewed both machines in our labs and noted they both perform similarly when it comes to the taste of the espresso shots they produce, and on milk frothing. 

Head to our expert coffee machine reviews to find out more. 

Other important factors to consider

Bench space

Before rushing out to buy a manual espresso machine, it’s a good idea to look at the dimensions of the machine you’re interested in and measure the space you have available on your benchtop to make sure it’ll fit comfortably. 

Remember, if your machine doesn’t have an inbuilt grinder, you will have to make space for that, too. Plus, it’s good to have a little bit of extra space near the milk frothing wand so you’ve got some elbow room while you’re frothing your milk.

Double boilers or dual boilers vs Thermoblock

As mentioned, one of the features that makes some of the top-tier Breville machines more expensive is their double or dual boilers (the Oracle, Oracle Touch, Dual Boiler and Dynamic Duo machines all have this feature). 

Double boiler espresso machines have two separate heating units: one for steam and one for coffee, so you can make coffee and froth milk at the same time. This is handy if you’re churning out multiple coffees at once – or if you’re just impatient and want your coffee fix quicker! 

They also give more consistent temperature, because the water is held at the correct temperature inside the machine rather than always having to pass through a heating element (such as in a Thermoblock system).

Many Breville and DeLonghi coffee machines have a Thermoblock heating system, which rapidly heats water as it passes through a solid metal block. While this system means you can brew coffee quickly, you can’t extract and steam at the same time and you’ll generally get less consistent temperatures.

Parts, cleaning, and accessories

When deciding between brands, you should look at the ongoing costs and availability of brand-specific accessories, such as cleaning tablets and descaling liquid, as well as the cost and availability of replacement parts.

Fancy a cold brew?

More high-end machines are now including settings to make cold brew coffee. 

The DeLonghi La Specialista Maestro with Cold Brew ($1399) and the La Specialista Arte Evo Cold Brew ($699) include cold extraction technology that allows you to enjoy cold-brew coffee within five minutes.

Breville’s The Oracle Jet ($3399) and The Barista Touch Impress ($1999) also have pre-programmed settings to extract cold brew and cold espresso within three minutes. 

Although we don’t taste-test cold brew coffee as part of our review, Adrian notes that these machines make cold brew differently to a traditional cafe cold brew.

Traditionally, cold brew is made by either steeping coffee grounds or dripping water into coffee grounds for a period of time (usually 24–48 hours) and letting it filter via gravity. 

These coffee machines make cold brew by pushing water through the coffee grinds in the group head at a lower pressure than espresso, but they still use much higher pressure and faster speeds than a traditional 24–48-hour cold brew. Because of this, it won’t taste the same as the cold brew you’re getting from your barista.

Here’s what you need to know about buying a coffee machine with a cold brew setting.

How we test coffee machines

When testing manual and semi-automatic coffee machines, we give scores for each machine based on the taste of the coffee, how easy they are to use, how well they froth milk and the consistency of the coffee temperature. 

Our expert taste-test panel gives each espresso shot a score in a blind tasting (meaning they don’t know which machine made it), assessing:

• colour and thickness of the crema (the tan-coloured foam on the top of an espresso shot)
• aroma
• flavour
• mouthfeel (for example, creaminess or wateriness)
• aftertaste.

Below, we’ve compared similar machines from both Breville and DeLonghi at two different price points to help you choose. 

For full detailed scores and findings from our experts, read our espresso coffee machines review. You can also compare all our test results and more models side-by-side, using our compare all products table.

At the time of writing, the ÌÇÐÄVlog espresso machine review includes 13 Breville and six DeLonghi manual and semi-automatic espresso machines, as well as models from other brands including Profitec, Kmart Anko (also available at Target), Aldi, Sunbeam, Rocket, Smeg, Gaggia and San Remo. ÌÇÐÄVlog members have exclusive access to our results.

The post Breville vs DeLonghi coffee machines: Which is best for you? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

Whether cafe coffee is off the menu due to the current cost of living, or you’re working from home more and want an easy way to caffeinate, a coffee machine can be a very smart buy.

Investing in a coffee machine for your home can be cheaper than buying takeaway coffees in the long run â€“ but buying a bad machine that you don’t use because it makes dishwater coffee, means you probably won’t end up saving any money after all.

Given that some coffee machines cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, it’s a mistake that can leave a hole in your pocket and a bad taste in your mouth.

The ÌÇÐÄVlog appliance experts have reviewed more than 90 pod, manual, semi-automatic and automatic coffee machines to help save you from bad brews.

They assess each model’s ease of use, milk frothing and temperature consistency in our in-house labs, as well as enlisting an expert panel of veteran baristas who also blind taste espresso from each machine and rate them based on crema, aroma, flavour, mouthfeel and aftertaste. 

We don’t want you to end up with a dud, so here are the products that scored lowest in our lab tests.

Consider becoming a ÌÇÐÄVlog member to see the best performers.

On this page:

• Lowest rated pod machines
• Lowest rated manual and semi-automatic machines
• Lowest rated automatic machines

Lowest rated pod machines

1. Breville Nespresso Vertuo Creatista BVE850

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 60%
• Taste test score: 50%
• Price: $1099

It might look like a serious coffee machine but underneath its shiny exterior, this Breville Nespresso isn’t much different to the other Vertuo mentioned further down this list – except it costs an extra $780.

For far less money you could buy a better pod machine that’s recommended by our experts, or even upgrade to a fancy semi-automatic machine that’ll give you a much better brew for your buck.

With a taste test score of 50% it doesn’t make coffee any better than its cheaper cousin.

Read the full Breville Nespresso Vertuo Creatista BVE850 review.

2. Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini Capsule Machine

• Expert Rating: 60%
• Taste test score: 50%
• Price: $219

Another Breville Nespresso capsule machine; another disappointing coffee.

You can buy this underwhelming model as a bundle with a milk frother for $309, but we’d suggest you don’t bother – even a milk frother can’t save this machine from making bad coffee.

Almost all of the capsule machines in our review are Nespresso models (made by Breville and DeLonghi). And while these bottom dwellers are all Breville models, you shouldn’t write off the entire Breville brand.Ìý

The company makes plenty of great machines (especially semi-automatic and manual types), but these certainly aren’t in that league.

Read the full Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini Capsule Machine BEC220 review.

3. Breville Nespresso Vertuo Pop + Aeroccino 3 Bundle

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 61%
• Taste test score: 50%
• Price: $319

Another capsule machine plus milk frother bundle, this Breville Nespresso offering isn’t exactly value for money.

Yes, it’s easy to use – the machine scans a barcode on the capsule and makes the coffee accordingly – but the coffee it makes isn’t easy to drink. It also scored just 50% on our taste test, and our experts didn’t think much of its milk frothing abilities.

There are a number of better options for around the same money, including several that are recommended by ÌÇÐÄVlog experts.

Read the full Breville Nespresso Vertuo Pop + Aeroccino 3 Bundle review to see why our experts don’t think it’s a good buy, then pop over to our coffee machine reviews to find a better deal.

Lowest rated manual and semi-automatic machines

1. Anko Compact Espresso

(Sold at Kmart and Target)

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 57%
• Taste score: 55%
• Price: $79

The Anko brand has delivered some reasonable coffee machines in its time – including a $120 machine that scored as highly on our taste test as machines worth over $1000. (It’s since been discontinued, sadly.)

Unfortunately this isn’t one of the budget brand’s best efforts.

It’s the cheapest machine in our review, but while it’s wallet-friendly, it’s less kind to your palate: our coffee experts weren’t impressed with the espresso it produced, and the steam wand creates milk with large bubbles.

To price a coffee machine so cheaply, the manufacturer seems to have skimped on the build quality. The supplied tamper is plastic and the machine is quite light, so you’ll probably need to hold onto it when locking/unlocking the group handle to keep it from sliding all over the bench.

If you’re considering this machine, you might be dreaming of all the dollars you’ll save on buying cafe coffees – but before you hit “add to cart”, wake up and smell the coffee: an average espresso topped with overly-bubbly milk does not a good coffee make.

Read the full Anko Compact Espresso review.

2. Breville Duo-Temp Pro BES810BSS

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 59%
• Taste test score: 45%
• Price: $429

This model rates better than than some, but still lags well behind the top scorers in our tests. 

It does score very well for milk frothing and for its consistent coffee temperature, and also packs handy features such as a drip tray with full indicator, cup-warming plate and onboard tamper.Ìý

Unfortunately, it earned a woeful taste score – our barista experts awarded it just 45%. No amount of well-frothed milk can make up for that. 

See the full Breville Duo-Temp Pro review. 

3. Breville The Oracle BES980

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 60%
• Taste test score: 45%
• Price: $2799

It’s not the most expensive machine in our current review (that’s a $5800 manual machine!), but this Breville represents the worst value for money: it’s the lowest scoring machine in the $500+ price range.

While you might be prepared to compromise on taste if you’re buying a cheap machine, it’s reasonable to expect a pretty darn excellent espresso when you’re paying this much.

The Oracle is actually quite a good machine in every other aspect: it’s very easy to use, creates very good milk froth, has a built-in grinder, turns out consistently hot coffees, and has a number of nice-to-have features. 

But none of this means much if you can’t get a good coffee from it – even the cheap-as-chips Kmart machine above turned out better-tasting brews than The Oracle.

Instead of spending the equivalent of an overseas holiday on a mediocre machine, you could take out an annual ÌÇÐÄVlog membership, buy a better, cheaper espresso machine that’s recommended by our experts, and still come out hundreds of dollars ahead.

Read the full Breville The Oracle review.

Lowest rated automatic machines

1. Dr Coffee H1 Automatic Coffee Machine

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 46%
• Taste test score: 30%
• Price: $1315

It might have doctor in its name, but this machine definitely doesn’t have a PhD in coffee.

It has the lowest taste test score of all 36 products in our automatic coffee machine review, being outscored by even the cheapest machines we tested.

The Dr Coffee H1 does come with a nifty feature – programmable brewing times – so you can set it to start making your coffee at specific times. Waking up to a freshly-made coffee sounds wonderful, but if it tastes terrible it won’t be a great start to your day.

If you’re after a therapeutic dose of caffeine, you won’t get the cure from this quack.

Read the full Dr Coffee H1 Automatic Coffee Machine review.

2. Gaggia Anima Prestige

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 51%
• Taste test score: 40%
• Price: $1599

For $1599, it’s reasonable to expect that this machine will produce a delicious coffee at the right temperature. Sadly, the Gaggia doesn’t deliver on either front. 

It scored a poor 40% on the taste test, and when we made four coffees in a row, it couldn’t maintain a consistent temperature. 

So despite the price, you’ll never quite know what you’re going to get: a hot coffee that doesn’t taste great, or a lukewarm coffee that doesn’t taste great. Neither option is particularly appealing!

Read the full Gaggia Anima Prestige review.

3. Saeco Royal OTC SUP060

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 55%
• Taste test score: 40%
• Price: $1999

This machine delivered far more consistent temperatures than the Gaggia, but still produced poor tasting coffee. 

It’s somewhat redeemed by its froth-making abilities, which our experts rated as “Good”, and it’s easy to use, offering an extensive range of settings (though its digital display menus do take a bit of getting used to).Ìý

But if you’ve got $2000 burning a hole in your pocket, you can do better than this Saeco machine – a number of automatic machines recommended by our experts cost around the same or even less. 

Read the full Saeco Royal OTC SUP060 review. 

4. Gaggia Cadorna Prestige

• ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating: 55%
• Taste test score: 45%
• Price: $1899

Normally we’d say that you shouldn’t write off an entire brand just because of one or two below-par products, but in the case of Gaggia’s automatic espresso machines, you might want to cross them off your wishlist.

The best automatic Gaggia in our review only managed to hit a ho-hum 64% ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating and a disappointing taste test score of 60%. (For context, the top machines in our test score 75% and higher for the taste test, with half scoring 80% and higher.)

As for the Cadorna Prestige, well, it’s not exactly prestigious. It’s the most expensive Gaggia we tested but has the second-lowest taste test score. It’s not intuitive to use and it couldn’t turn out multiple coffees at consistent temperatures.

If you’re looking for a prestige machine, this isn’t it. There are plenty of other machines costing about the same or less that’ll deliver better coffee.

Read the full Gaggia Cadorna Prestige review.

Top tips for buying a coffee machine

If you’re tossing up between a pod/capsule coffee machine and a manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic espresso machine, there are a few factors to consider. 

• Pod or capsule machines are generally cheaper, easy to use and require very little cleaning. You should factor in the high cost per pod (as compared to ground coffee or beans) and the environmental impact of coffee pods before you buy. 
• Manual espresso machines take more work in terms of learning how to use them, but they generally deliver coffee with better depth of flavour and allow for more customisation, meaning you have more freedom to make coffee the way you like it. 
• Automatic machines require the least amount of effort: you simply press a button and they’ll deliver a coffee based on preferences you select. But keep in mind they don’t always let you change things like grind, tamp and dose. Plus, they can be extremely expensive and very difficult to clean.  
• Semi-automatic machines sit in between manual and automatic machines: some functions are automated, but you’ll still need to do some things manually, which means that you can still control some aspects of the coffee making. 

Remember, a poor-quality espresso machine can deliver mediocre flavour, and a badly designed pod or capsule machine can still be tricky to use. So always make sure you do your research before committing. 

Still undecided about which type to buy? Here’s how to find which coffee machine is right for you. 

The post Coffee machines to avoid buying appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

But making the switch from a cafe coffee to an at-home brew can make coffee lovers nervous.

Will it ever be as good? What if you buy an expensive machine but it makes terrible coffee? Will it end up gathering dust on the bench while you run back to the cafe?

While we can’t tell you how your homemade coffee will stack up against one made by a barista, we can help you find a machine that’ll give you the best chance of making the best brew, so you’ll hopefully stick to your new at-home habit.

Plus, exclusively for ÌÇÐÄVlog members, we’ll tell you which manual and pod machines rated best for taste in our tests.

If you just want to get straight to the best products, jump to the results now.

Pod or manual: The pros and cons

If you’re a regular cafe caffeinator, two of the main reasons why you like to start your day with a barista brew are probably convenience or quality: you either want a cuppa without having to lift a finger, or you want the best-tasting brew you can get – or both!

The type of machine that’s best for you will depend to some extent on what needs it meets.

Pod machines are the ultimate in convenience: pop in the capsule, press a button, and voila – your espresso is ready.

They’ll most likely appeal to you if you just want a coffee in your hand in the most straightforward way possible, with minimal cleanup required. They also tend to be cheaper.

Manual machines (including semi-automatic varieties) give you more control over your coffee, so you can make it just the way you like it.

This means they’re great for coffee geeks and people who don’t mind getting hands-on in pursuit of the perfect pour.

But there are downsides to each machine type, too. With pod machines, there’s generally no option to change the way the coffee is made, so if the espresso it produces isn’t your cup of tea, there’s not much you can do to improve it aside from trying different pods.

Making coffee on a manual machine is a far more involved process and if you bungle just one of the steps you could end up with a terrible-tasting coffee, whereas a pod machine will deliver the same taste each time.

Manual machines also tend to be more expensive upfront.

So which is best for you? It depends on your priorities, your budget and how much effort you want to put into making coffee at home. Here’s how to decide: Which coffee machine is right for you?

Aside from money, time and effort, taste is a key factor in deciding which coffee machine to buy: there’s no point committing to a machine that’ll deliver disappointing brews. So which one is best to buy?

Manual vs pod machines: Which makes the best tasting coffee?

Coffee is highly subjective – one person’s nectar of the gods is another’s muddy water. 

To assess coffee machines on an even playing field, we enlist the help of experts to blind taste test coffee from our test machines, judging the espresso for crema, aroma, flavour, mouthfeel and aftertaste. 

We compared the taste scores from manual machines and pod machines to see which delivers on flavour. Here’s how the numbers stack up:

Pod machines

• Highest taste score: 75%
• Average taste score for recommended models: 71%.

Manual machines

• Highest taste score: 90%
• Average taste score for recommended models: 86%.

Which machine delivers the best taste for the lowest price?

There’s no straightforward answer to which type of machine is most cost-effective, but it’s important not to look at just the price tag of the machine itself.

Manual and semi-automatic machines usually cost more upfront: the ones we’ve tested start at $79 and go all the way up to $4990. But once you’ve bought it, you’ll just be up for coffee beans and a grinder (if you want to buy whole beans and grind them yourself).

Generally, pod machines are cheaper to buy than manual machines. The ones we’ve tested range from $79 up to $1399. But with coffee pods costing up to $100 per kilo, the overall cost can quickly add up. 

When you take into account the price of the coffee pods plus the machine, you could end up paying the same or more than if you bought a manual machine, for coffee that just doesn’t taste as good. 

So if you’re serious about coffee, should you be prepared to spend many hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a manual machine? Not necessarily.

Our testers have found plenty of affordable manual machines that score better on taste than some expensive ones, so if you shop smart you can get great-tasting coffee at a great price.

You can filter our detailed espresso machine reviews by type, price, brand, and more to find the best for your buck. 

What’s the best coffee machine brand?

There’s a lot to consider when buying a coffee machine, including your budget, skill level, the features you want, and more. But there are other factors to take into account, such as the brand’s reliability, track record for customer service and customer satisfaction.

To help you decide, we’ve identified the best coffee machine brand in Australia based on our test results and feedback from our members.

Best espresso machine brand for 2025: Delonghi

DeLonghi received the highest average ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Ratings overall and is considered a reliable brand with highly satisfied customers.

Breville and Sunbeam weren’t far behind, with both brands receiving good ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Ratings on average and very good scores for brand satisfaction and reliability.

Most reliable manual espresso machine brand: Delonghi

In 2025, our Consumer Insights team surveyed several thousand ÌÇÐÄVlog members who own a manual espresso machine about whether they’ve had any problems with their espresso machine in the past 12 months.

Once again, DeLonghi came out in front, with Breville and Sunbeam just two percentage points behind.

Most reliable pod espresso machine brand: Aldi Expressi

Despite its cheap purchase price, Aldi was named as the most reliable brand for pod and capsule machines. With a reliability score of 96%, Aldi was rated far higher than more expensive brands such as DeLonghi Nespresso, Breville Nespresso and Nespresso, which all scored in the 80s.

Want to know more about ÌÇÐÄVlog Best Brand recommendations? Here’s what you need to know about how we determine Australia’s best espresso machine brand.

Overall brand vs individual models

Don’t assume that all products from a reputable brand will be great performers: sometimes even the best brands produce mediocre machines, and lesser-known brands can deliver dazzlers.

To make sure you’re buying the right machine for you, regardless of brand, check our reviews to find the best coffee machine for your needs.

The espresso machines that topped our test for taste

Our in-house experts put hundreds of kitchen appliances through their paces in our labs each year. They know exactly what to look for to help you find the best product for your situation.

Only ÌÇÐÄVlog members can access our detailed testing data.

If you’re not yet a member, join ÌÇÐÄVlog to get instant access to all our expert, independent reviews, from coffee machines and grinders, kettles and cots, toasters and TVs, and more.

Or if you’re already a ÌÇÐÄVlog member, you can see the coffee machines that deliver the best taste and performance in one easy-to-read rundown below.

The post Pod vs manual machines: Which make the best tasting coffee? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

Ninja is fast becoming a household name for kitchen appliances, offering a range of blenders, food processors, air fryers and multi-cookers. We recently took a look at some of the company’s newest offerings for creating frozen treats – theÌýNinja SlushiÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýSwirl by CreamiÌýto see if they live up to the hype.

The brand has now spread its wings into the world of coffee making with the introduction of their Luxe Cafe Premier Espresso Machine. So, how does it compare to long-standing rival options from Breville, DeLonghi, Sunbeam and more? Our experts take a look.

What is the Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier Espresso Machine?

The Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier is a semi-automatic espresso machine, designed for home barista enthusiasts who crave cafe-quality coffees at home with minimal fuss. It can deliver espresso, cold brew and drip coffee all from the one machine.

Our kitchen experts Fiona Mair and Chantelle Dart had a look at the machine and gave us their thoughts. Stay tuned for the full results, when we put it through its paces in our next test of home espresso machines to see how it stacks up against other brands like Breville, Sunbeam, DeLonghi and more.

What are the features of the Ninja espresso machine?

The Luxe Cafe Premier Espresso Machine comes with a range of accessories, including a portafilter, milk jug with an integrated whisk, single and double baskets, a luxe basket, tamper, funnel, cleaning and descaling accessories, as well as water filters and testing kits.

It’s available in four colours, so you can choose which best suits your kitchen aesthetic – stainless steel, midnight black, gunmetal or cyberspace.

You’ll also get some other interesting features with this machine including:

• thermoblock heating system
• dual froth system combining steaming and whisking
• built-in accessory storage
• built-in scale that detects which basket is being used before measuring the amount of grounds
• integrated grinder
• assisted tamper.

Does it brew a good coffee?

Fiona and Chantelle made a range of coffees to let us know their thoughts on what you can expect from the Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier Espresso Machine.

Fiona made a flat white, cappuccino, long black and cold press coffee and rated these as ‘good’ to ‘very good’.

“The machine doesn’t have options for specific types of coffees like cappuccino or flat white like you see in other machines,” says Fiona. “However, you can use the espresso, quadÌý(two double shots of coffee)Ìýand long black options with the various froth types to get your favourite type of coffee. This might take some getting used to.”

She also used the hot water function to make tea, but the temperature only reached 70°C, which isn’t ideal as black tea requires around 90°C.

Chantelle also made coffee using the four settings – espresso, quad, long black and cold press. She rated the espresso and cold press coffees as ‘very good’.

We haven’t put this machine through our full ÌÇÐÄVlog testing process which involves our expert tasting panel rating a shot of espresso from each machine. This is coming next time we test espresso machines.

Is the Ninja Luxe Premier Espresso Machine easy to use?

Fiona and Chantelle rated the Ninja as ‘good’ for ease of use, saying it’s user-friendly with features that support simple and straightforward operation.

The range of filter baskets (single, double and luxe) are easy to insert and remove, and the funnel helps to prevent spills and mess when grinding coffee into the portafilter. The funnel also stays attached during tamping but needs to be handled carefully when removing from the portafilter to avoid loosening the basket. Orange dots on the portafilter and group head also help to indicate the correct positioning to lock the portafilter into place.

The assisted, spring-loaded tamper works effectively to provide even pressure time after time, ensuring coffee grounds are compact and evenly distributed to provide consistent coffee extraction.

The integrated grinder adjusts the recommended grind settings based on what beans are being used and may take 2–3 brews before the optimal grind setting is achieved. This might take some getting used to, as factors like new beans, adding beans or ageing beans can impact the grind.

Refilling or removing the water tank and drip trays is simple, with clear water-level markings, an ‘add water’ indicator and a float to show when the drip tray needs emptying. The bean hopper is easy to fill and remove, and grinder settings are clearly displayed with an adjustable grind dial.

While you may need to reference the manual initially, the controls are generally well-labelled and programming functions are intuitive. An adjustable cup platform can accommodate various-sized cups up to 20cm, but smaller espresso glasses may vibrate away from the spout.

Chantelle noted that it doesn’t have a ‘favourites’ setting which is useful in households with multiple users. “The option to save your preferred setting without having to reset each time is a convenience that this machine is lacking,” she says.

Fiona noted that there is no ready/temperature indicator. “Users should wait a few minutes to ensure the machine is ready and heated optimally, ” she says.

Is it easy to froth milk

Fiona and Chantelle rated their experience with frothing milk in the Ninja Luxe Premier Espresso Machine as ‘very good’. It uses what Ninja calls a ‘Dual Froth System’ utilising steaming (via the steam wand) and whisking (via the inbuilt whisk that sits on the base of the jug) together to create the ideal texture of milk froth. 

There are four milk froth settings to choose from to cater for different kinds of drinks, with settings for steamed milk, microfoam, thick froth and cold foam. You can even choose between manually frothing the milk or using an automatic hands-free mode whereby the milk jug sits in a designated mound with a built-in temperature sensor.

Fiona says: “The combined wand and whisk creates a nice stable foam with very fine bubbles that is easy to pour. The thick froth setting is great for coffee art while the microfoam is the perfect consistency for flat whites and lattes. The cold foam was very stable and thick, perfect for adding to a hot chocolate or iced coffee instead of using whipped cream.”

The stainless steel jug is large, and clearly marked inside and out with volume guides and drink types (cortado, cappuccino, latte), along with min/max fill levels. The whisk attachment is also easy to insert and remove.

Hot milk cannot be frothed at the same time as the coffee shot is being poured, but a queueing feature allows the jug to be placed and the machine to start frothing automatically once extraction is complete. If you’re opting for cold foam, this can be made at the same time as the coffee shot is being extracted.

Is it easy to clean?

The machine’s exterior is mostly plastic, making it easy to wipe clean, although some stainless steel sections require extra attention and some cracks and crevices around the controls can trap dirt and grime.

Chantelle says light cleaning after each use is ideal. “Wipe down the milk wand, wash out the group head and rinse out the drip tray. These parts are easy to remove and rinse under a tap.”

The funnel, whisk, cleaning disc, water reservoir, bean hopper and drip tray can all be cleaned in the dishwasher.

The machine also has a clean cycle which takes around six minutes and uses a cleaning disc and tablet. A light on the machine will illuminate to indicate cleaning is required. It will also prompt you when it’s time for descaling which simply involves flushing the machine with the Ninja descale powder that’s provided.

The unit is quite large and takes up a fair bit of bench space, but Chantelle says “the clever use of integrated storage for additional accessories helps to alleviate clutter and provides quick and convenient access to these items when needed.”

Is it worth buying the Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier Espresso Machine?

The Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier Espresso Machine is an intuitive coffee machine that’s easy to use once you familiarise yourself with its settings. 

Chantelle says, “the automated features add a layer of convenience while also allowing for manual adjustments like changing the brew temperature, froth temperature and grind size.”

Fiona was pleased with the coffee produced by the machine and enjoyed experimenting with different drink options and milk frothing styles, saying “with a range of coffee options, it’s flexible enough to please any coffee connoisseur.”

However, she was somewhat disappointed by the build quality. “The mostly plastic build and lightweight parts make it feel less premium, and at $800, you’d expect something that feels more durable,” she says.

If you’re in the market for a new coffee machine, Fiona and Chantelle think the Ninja is worth taking a look at. It’s convenient to use with lots of helpful prompts, plenty of coffee options to choose from and is well-designed to incorporate accessory storage in the machine.

Stay tuned for the full results when we put it up against other popular coffee machine brands in our full lab tests of home espresso machines.

The post Is the Ninja espresso machine worth it? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• What is a cold brew coffee?
• Cold brew vs iced coffee: What's the difference?
• How to make cold brew coffee at home, without a machine
• Espresso machines with cold brew functionality
• How we taste test coffee in our coffee machine test
• ÌÇÐÄVlog verdict: Are espresso machines with cold brew settings worth it?

As demand for this brew grows, it’s no surprise that coffee machine manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon. We’re now seeing home espresso machines spruiking cold brew settings, with claims they can bring cafe-quality cold brew into the comfort of your own home at the touch of a button.Ìý

But can a domestic appliance deliver a cafe-quality cold brew?

We don’t assess the cold brew settings in our espresso machine testing, but here we’ll take a look at which brands offer this innovation, and ask our experts if they can live up to the hype.

What is a cold brew coffee?

Cold brew coffee isn’t just a regular coffee shot that’s been cooled down, like in an iced coffee. It’s created using a totally distinct method of coffee extraction.

To achieve a cold brew, coffee beans need to be coarsely ground. They are then steeped in cold (or room temperature) water for an extended period of time, typically 12–24 hours.Ìý

The grounds are then filtered out using a paper filter, fine mesh sieve or other filtration method. This process produces a brew that tastes smoother, with less bitterness and acidity than a regular hot espresso.Ìý

“A cold brew requires more coffee grounds than what is typically used to make hot espresso. This is so you don’t end up with a cold brew that’s weak and watery,” saysÌýÌÇÐÄVlog coffee machine expert Adrian Lini.

This also explains why you tend to pay more for this type of coffee at your local cafe.

Cold brew vs iced coffee: What’s the difference?

But isn’t a cold brew just like drinking an iced coffee?

Actually, while they are both served cold, the two are quite different drinks in terms of the way they’re brewed and the flavour they produce. So if you’re expecting a cold brew to taste like an espresso over ice, you might be surprised by the difference.

Iced coffee is made using a hot shot of espresso, but with ice and cold milk added to it to make it refreshingly cool. It still has the bitter and acidic flavour of a hot espresso but without the heat, and some of those flavours are masked by the addition of milk (and in some cases, sugar).

Because of cold brew’s comparatively milder flavour, drinkers are less likely to add as much sugar and milk to cut through the bitterness, meaning it may be a lower calorie option for some.

It also has an extended shelf life and can keep for up to two weeks in the fridge. In comparison, regular coffee starts to go stale soon after it’s made thanks to an aromatic compound that degrades as it cools.

Is cold drip the same as cold brew coffee?

Not quite, although they’re similar in that they only use cold water and they both take up to 24 hours to make.

Where making cold brew involves putting all the coffee and water into a vessel at once, cold drip works by slowly releasing the water through the ground coffee, one drip at a time – as the name suggests.Ìý

And where espresso machines use pressure from the build-up of steam to force hot water through the ground coffee, cold drip systems rely solely on gravity to move the water.

Cold drip systems tend to be quite elaborate set-ups involving glass piping, and they can be quite expensive, running into the hundreds of dollars.Ìý

For the same price, you could consider a good-quality espresso machine with a cold brew setting.

How to make cold brew coffee at home, without a machine

There are dedicated cold brew coffee makers on the market,Ìýand now espresso machines that feature a cold brew function. But if you’re keen to give it a go at home without forking out for an appliance, all you need are two lidded jars or jugs and a coffee filter.

1. Grind the beans

First up, you’ll need your coffee beans ground more coarsely than you’d use for espresso. If you have a grinder at home, grind your beans on the coarse setting. If you’re buying from a roaster or cafe, ask them to grind it specifically for cold brew – they’ll know what to do.

Coffee that’s ground too finely can leave sediment in your coffee, which will create a muddy, bitter drink. Lack of sediment is one of the defining characteristics of cold brew and is what gives it that lovely light mouthfeel. Sediment is also food for bacteria, meaning it will reduce the lifespan of your cold brew.

If you only have access to pre-ground beans, don’t despair: it’ll still work, but you may need to play around with timing and brew it for less time. It’s not impossible, but you’ll need to experiment to get it right.

The smaller the grind, the less time it’ll take to steep – if you leave it too long you could end up with bitter coffee.

2. Mix the coffee grounds with water and leave to steep

Once you’ve got the ground beans, add them to a jar and mix with room temperature water. The coffee-to-water ratio can range from 1:4 or 1:8 (something you can have a play around with to achieve your desired level of strength and flavour once you’ve got a handle on the process).Ìý

Stir the water and coffee until it’s well combined and leave to steep for 12 to 24 hours.

3. Strain the coffee, cool, and enjoy

Strain the coffee into an empty jar using a coffee paper filter or a fine cloth.

You can also use a French press (aka coffee plunger), and in this case you won’t need to use a filter to strain the grounds out. Some baristas and home cold brewers like to filter their cold brew multiple times to remove any residual sediment and give it a ‘cleaner’ flavour.

Pop it in the fridge to cool, then dilute it with water or milk when you’re ready to drink it. Word on the street is you shouldn’t drink the straight concentrate – unless you want to be buzzy and jittery all day and into the night!

4. Storing your cold brew

Store any leftovers in a container and seal it well. By doing this, it can last in your fridge for up to two weeks.

Espresso machines with cold brew functionality

If you’re a fan of both hot- and cold-brewed coffee, an espresso machine with cold brew functionality could provide the best of both worlds.Ìý

As coffee culture has expanded to make cold brew more mainstream, manufacturers have started to add this functionality to their coffee machines, claiming they’ve created a way to make a cafe-quality cold brew within minutes.

We’ve noticed these features making their way into more and more machines, and while our expert Adrian doesn’t test these setting in our lab test, he says home baristas should not expect cafe-quality cold brews out of a home machine.

“These machines offer a quick alternative, making cold brew using a different method from your local barista, so you shouldn’t expect the same depth and complexity of flavour,” he explains.

“Coffee machines make cold brew by pushing room temperature water through the coffee grinds in the group head at a lower pressure than espresso, but still much higher and faster than what traditional cold brew takes.”

If you’re a casual cold brew drinker, what a home espresso machine turns out may be enough for you. But if you’re a diehard enthusiast, you might find it subpar.

Adrian describes a cold brew from a home espresso machine as tasting “more like a weak room temperature espresso rather than a cold brew”.Ìý

Here are some of the machines we’ve tested with cold brew settings.

DeLonghi La Specialista Touch (EC9455)

• Price: $1099
• Taste test score: 85%
• Type: Semi-automatic

This semi-automatic machine comes with a large touchscreen display that takes you step-by-step through the coffee-making process. It also features an inbuilt grinder with 15 grind settings and an integrated tamper.

It also uses what DeLonghi calls “cold extraction technology” to deliver a cold brew in under five minutes.

This machine was overall an impressive performer, but the stand out was its very good taste test result. The automatic milk frother produced inconsistent temperature and large bubbles, but manually frothing the milk achieved a good result. It also took only seven seconds to heat up, meaning you can deliver a cup of coffee quickly.

For the full test results, see the DeLonghi La Specialista Touch (EC9455) review.

DeLonghi La Specialista Maestro Cold Brew (EC9885)

• Price: $1399
• Taste test score: 80%
• Type: Semi-automatic

For over $1000, this semi automatic machine comes with all the bells and whistles. Its inbuilt grinder has 15 grind settings, so there are plenty of options to get the right grind. It also comes with a “smart tamping station”, so you also don’t have to worry about getting the right tamp.

One of its eight pre-set functions is cold brew, promising to deliver a refreshing brew in under five minutes, using what DeLonghi calls “Cold Extraction Technology”.

While its many buttons can make the machine a bit overwhelming to use, it had a “very good” taste test result and provides lots of options for a variety of coffee beverages.

For the full test results, see the DeLonghi La Specialista Maestro Cold Brew (EC9885) review.

DeLonghi La Specialista Arte Evo EC9255

• Price: $699
• Taste test score: 75%
• Type: Semi-automatic

This semi-automatic coffee machine has an in-built grinder so you can use freshly ground beans for every cup. It has a pre-set function for cold brew, as well as settings for espresso, long black and hot water, where you can tweak the grind, dose, water temperature and extraction time to give you more control over the end result.

The DeLonghi takes around five minutes to deliver a cold brew, still a far cry from the 12 to 24 hours that cold brew usually steeps for. The instructions recommend using a grinder setting between 4 and 6.

In our coffee machine tests, it scored 75% for taste, although again this is for espresso rather than cold brew.

For the full test results, see the DeLonghi La Specialista Arte Evo EC9255 review.

DeLonghi La Specialista Opera (EC9555)

• Price: $799
• Taste test score: 70%
• Type: Semi-automatic

This machine from DeLonghi has an integrated grinder with 15 grind settings as well as an integrated tamper. It also features five pre-set drink functions so you can choose between espresso, Americano, coffee, cold brew or ‘espresso cool’.

It was rated good for taste but only OK for coffee temperature consistency across our test of four consecutive cups of coffee.

We also found the machine to be quite light, which means you might need to keep one hand on the machine to stop it from moving on the bench when locking and unlocking the group handle.

For the full test results, see the DeLonghi La Specialista Opera (EC9555) review.

Breville Nespresso Vertuo Pop + Aeroccino 3 Bundle BNV150

• Price: $319
• Taste test score: 50%
• Type: Capsule

Even manufacturers of capsule machines are jumping on the cold brew bandwagon. Wondering how manufacturers fit cold brew technology in a capsule machine?

Nespresso says it’s inspired by the “hot bloom” method, a process whereby hot water is used in the first seconds of the brewing process, before switching to cool water to achieve the distinct cold brew sweetness. The Vertuo uses “Centrifusion Technology” to deliver a cold brew in minutes. The capsules will cost you $1.73 per capsule (or $12.11 for a pack of 7).Ìý

Bear in mind that when we tested this machine’s espresso, it only scored 50% in our taste test.Ìý

For the full test results see the Breville Nespresso Vertuo Pop + Aeroccino 3 Bundle BNV150 review.

Breville The Oracle Jet (BES985)

• Price: $3399
• Taste test score: 70%
• Type: Semi-automatic

The Oracle Jet comes with an integrated burr grinder that has 45 grind settings. It also automatically grinds, doses and tamps the coffee ready for extraction. It recommends the grind setting depending on extraction time, making it easy to learn how to make a good espresso.

Breville claims the cold brew function on this machine extracts the brew in under three minutes.Ìý

This machine is extremely user-friendly, with a large touch screen that provides a very clear and detailed visual guide. But at over $3000, this easy-to-use functionality comes at a price.

For the full test results see the Breville The Oracle Jet (BES985) review.

Breville The Barista Touch Impress (BES881)

• Price: $1999
• Taste test score: 80%
• Type: Semi-automatic

Like the Oracle Jet, this machine automatically grinds, doses and tamps. It also has a digital display that is user friendly, helping you to make better coffee by giving live tips as the coffee is being made.

During testing, we ran into issues with the default volume, which was inaccurate and needed some adjustments. However, our taste test produced a very good result.

Breville claims its cold brew is extracted in under three minutes, using lower temperatures to reduce acidic notes while producing a light and smooth flavour profile that’s typical of a cold brew.

For the full test results, see the Breville The Barista Touch Impress (BES881) review.

DeLonghi Eletta Explore Titanium ECAM450.86.T

• Price: $1799
• Taste test score: 75%
• Type: Automatic

This fully automatic machine also features DeLonghi’s Cold Extraction Technology. All you need to do is select the cold brew setting and the machine will deliver a cold brew in under five minutes.

The machine has an intuitive digital display, allowing users to easily change most settings and it even offers multiple user profiles where you can save your personalised settings. It also has a “Bean Adapt” feature that provides interactive tips and instructions to help guide users to a better espresso.

For the full test results, see the DeLonghi Eletta Explore Titanium ECAM450.86.T review.

How we taste test coffee in our coffee machine test

When we test manual, semi-automatic, capsule and automatic coffee machines, Adrian puts every product through our in-house taste test.

We recruit the help of three coffee experts to judge a shot of hot espresso from each machine, checking the colour and thickness of the crema, aroma, flavour, mouthfeel (for example, creaminess or wateriness) and aftertaste.

Since cold brew settings are a relatively new addition to coffee machines, a shot of cold brew isn’t subjected to our expert panel for tasting.

In-house cold brew taste test

In 2023 we asked 10 ÌÇÐÄVlog coffee drinkers to taste three types of cold brew – from a cafe, a pod machine and a semi-automatic machine – and tell us which they preferred.

The general consensus was that the coffee from home machines was more akin to a watered-down espresso than a proper cold brew coffee.Ìý

However, our taste testers said the semi-automatic machine was slightly better for taste than the cold brew offered by the capsule machine.

ÌÇÐÄVlog verdict: Are espresso machines with cold brew settings worth it?

“While the introduction of cold brew settings on home coffee machines sounds like an inviting innovation, it seems to be more of a marketing gimmick rather than a meaningful feature,” says our coffee machine tester Adrian Lini.

“Cold brew settings aren’t aimed at avid enthusiasts, but rather casual cold brew drinkers, allowing you to expand your horizons and experiment with different coffee styles.”Ìý

For lovers of cold brew, the cold brew setting on a home coffee machine may very well miss the mark and you might be better off looking at a dedicated cold brew coffeemaker. Even simple DIY methods can give more depth of flavour, and they require very little in terms of equipment.Ìý

“A true cold brew takes time, something that machines taking mere minutes cannot authentically achieve,” Adrian says.

We’ve tested over 60 manual, semi-automatic and capsule machines in our labs. To see how they perform and what features they come with, take a look at our home espresso coffee machine reviews.Ìý

Alternatively, you may be interested in one of the 25 fully automatic coffee machines we’ve tested.

The post Should you buy a coffee machine with a cold brew setting? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Features of the KitchenAid espresso machine
• How does it perform?
• Does the in-built grinder work?
• Is the KitchenAid Semi Automatic espresso machine easy to use?
• How does it compare to other espresso machines we've tested?
• Should you buy the KitchenAid coffee machine?

Kitchenaid also make small kitchen appliances like food processors and blenders, hand mixers, kettles and toasters. We often put these to the test in our labs and find that, while they always deliver in terms of aesthetics, they can be hit and miss for performance.

With the rise of at-home coffee culture, KitchenAid has entered the competitive market of espresso machines, aiming to bring cafe-quality espressos to the budding home barista. Currently, they have three offerings – one semi-automatic and two fully automatic espresso machines. Of course we had to get one in front of ÌÇÐÄVlog expert tester Adrian Lini. He recently put the KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder to the test to see if it lives up to the hype.

At first glance, the machine definitely has the looks, but for $999, does it deliver what’s most important – a great shot of coffee?

Time and again, our testing teaches us that price doesn’t always equal performance. So how does this KitchenAid coffee machine compare to other espresso machines we’ve tested in our labs? Adrian takes a look.

Features of the KitchenAid espresso machine

It’s common for KitchenAid appliances to have a sleek and stylish design and come in a range of colours. The Semi Automatic Espresso Machine is available in five colours – juniper (green), porcelain, stainless steel, candy apple (red) and cast iron black.

The machine has a metal-clad construction and comes with:

• a removable bean hopper with lid that can hold 225g of beans
• a 2.5L water tank
• in-built grinder
• tamper
• portafilter
• priming pump
• 355mL milk jug
• stainless steel single- and double-wall filters
• multi-angle steam wand for frothing milk
• cleaning brush.

Most of the espresso machines we’ve tested come with a one- to two-year warranty, but you’ll get a three-year warranty with this KitchenAid.

It also claims to have “smart dosing technology” but Adrian couldn’t see where the smart tech came into the equation.

“While it has a dial for the dose amount, this is common to all machines with a built-in grinder,” he says. “The KitchenAid doesn’t have the ‘self-tamping’ feature we’ve seen in other machines and doesn’t recognise if there’s too much or not enough grinds in the basket.”

With the KitchenAid you’ll need to choose the grind setting and dose amount, press the grind button and then tamp it yourself to determine if it’s under- or over-filled.

How does it perform?

Before you can use the KitchenAid espresso machine for the first time, you need to use the priming pump to manually put water through the system.

Priming a coffee machine is an essential step to prepare a machine for use so it functions properly. It involves running water through the machine to clear out any air bubbles, fill internal components and flush out any impurities or residue that may have built-up during manufacture (or if it hasn’t been used for an extended period of time). It helps to maintain consistent water flow and pressure, which are crucial to optimal performance and coffee extraction. Skipping this step can result in weak coffee or can potentially damage the machine.

In his years of testing espresso machines, Adrian says this ‘priming’ step usually happens automatically.

“For every other machine I’ve tested, all you need to do is fill the tank with water, turn it on and it’ll prime itself,” says Adrian.

“Using the pump is a short extra step in the set-up process, but going into our performance testing it didn’t give me confidence that I would get a consistently good shot of espresso out of this machine.”

“In terms of performance, the machine is mediocre at best,” says Adrian. “Considering the price tag of almost $1000 for this KitchenAid coffee machine, we’ve seen models come through the labs at a fraction of the cost that deliver better results and an espresso you can brag about.”

It took a few attempts to get a decent espresso out of the machine to deliver to our expert panel of judges for the taste test component of the test. Our experts scored the KitchenAid 65% for the taste test, that’s only OK in our books. And if you were serving multiple cups at once you’d find the coffee temperature isn’t consistent over consecutive cups.

On a positive note, it works very well for milk frothing.

For the full test results see the KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder review.

Does the in-built grinder work?

Having an in-built grinder in a semi-automatic or manual coffee machine can be a great addition, and can save you from purchasing a separate grinder. However, if it doesn’t perform well, the flow-on effect to the quality of your espresso can be detrimental.

In our testing, Adrian commonly uses single-wall filters when preparing the grind. Single-wall filters are used in the types of commercial espresso machines you’ll find at cafes and leave nowhere to hide when making an espresso. Double wall filters use a second wall to generate more pressure during the pour and can help fix a shot of coffee that doesn’t have the right amount of ground coffee, grind level or tamp.

When testing the KitchenAid, the in-built grinder was unable to grind our test beans fine enough to use the single filters. Only the double wall filters would work.

“It’s not a good sign that the product comes with important coffee making accessories that can’t even be used on their own machine.”

“The lack of grind range and the inability to produce a grind that’s fine enough is a red flag towards the quality and performance of the grinder and machine.”

Is the KitchenAid Semi Automatic espresso machine easy to use?

At first glance, the control panel may look confusing. With no written labelling and only symbols, you might need to refer to the instruction manual initially to understand how to use it.

Once you understand the controls, they are easy to use and the machine as a whole is easy to operate.

“Keep in mind that the unit is comparatively lightweight, and when locking and unlocking the group handle you’ll need to have one hand on the machine to stop it from moving on the bench.”

How does it compare to other espresso machines we’ve tested?

The KitchenAid is a mid-performing coffee machine. While it’s definitely not as bad as our coffee machines to avoid, it’s a far cry from our recommended products.

It falls short in terms of espresso quality, coffee temperature consistency and grinder performance.

“Expectations are high if you’re spending $1000, and this machine simply doesn’t stack up to its competitors at the same or even lower price points,” says Adrian.

While some of the manual and semi-automatic espresso machines in our review come with price tags that soar past the KitchenAid and fall into the thousands, you don’t always have to spend a fortune to get a decent machine. We’ve tested similar semi-automatic machines from Breville and Sunbeam that feature an in-built grinder and provide better performance, all while costing less than the KitchenAid.

Should you buy the KitchenAid coffee machine?

If you already own a KitchenAid stand mixer that displays on your benchtop or have a KitchenAid toaster or kettle standing proudly too, it would be appealing to keep the theme going with their coffee machine. However, in the case of KitchenAid’s Semi Automatic Machine, style doesn’t equal substance.

“The shortcomings of its in-built grinder and its inability to deliver a decent shot of espresso leave me wondering if more could have been done in the design and execution of this machine,” says Adrian.

We’ve tested over 60 manual and semi-automatic coffee machines in our labs. To see how the KitchenAid stacks up against the rest, and to find out which machines deliver great bang for your buck, check out our coffee machine reviews.

The post Should you buy a KitchenAid coffee machine? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Does Kmart make good coffee machines?Ìý
• Is the $79 Kmart coffee machine any good?
• How have previous Kmart coffee machines performed?
• Potential issues with cheap appliances

Coffee is serious business and if you’ve decided to buy a coffee machine for your own home, you may be swayed by a cheap option from the Kmart Anko range, which is now also available at Target.

The bargain retailers currently sell two coffee machines:

• The manual Kmart Anko Compact Espresso machine ($79)
• The manual Kmart Anko Retro Espresso Coffee Machine ($99)Ìý

We put the $79 machine to the test in our labs.ÌýWhile it had some positive attributes, our experts also had plenty of criticisms.Ìý

Does Kmart make good coffee machines?Ìý

We’ve tested a number of Anko machines over the years, but our experts have found them quite disappointing overall.

“Coffee machines, particularly manual espresso machines, can be a serious investment, so it’s natural to be tempted by Kmart’s cheap coffee machines,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog kitchen expert Kim Gilmour.

“But they have their pros and cons, and historically Kmart machines haven’t stacked up too well compared with many other rival models.”

“If you’re on a limited budget, you may be considering buying from Kmart, but before you do, do your research by reading our coffee machine reviews to find the best option for you.”

Our expert coffee machine testers assess a wide variety of espresso machines in our labs, ranging from cheap Aldi pod machines all the way through to $4000+ fully automatic machines with digital displays.

Read on for an in-depth analysis of how Anko coffee machines perform.

Is the $79 Kmart coffee machine any good?

Anko Compact Espresso machine

(Available at Kmart and Target)

• Type: Manual
• Price: $79

The cheapest coffee machine we tested, this Kmart model costs even less than a basic pod machine, so it definitely ticks the budget box.Ìý

But sadly, you get what you pay for.ÌýIt doesn’t deliver great tasting coffee – industry experts rated it at just 55% for taste – and it’s even worse at frothing milk, scoring just 40% on this test.Ìý

Overall, it received a disappointing ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating of 57%.

It’s not the worst coffee machine in our review, but it’s the lowest scoring of the manual machines we tested. (Though admittedly, it does score higher than a $299 Sunbeam semi-automatic machine and a $379 Breville Nespresso capsule machine, but that’s not saying much: neither of them did well in our tests and are the two lowest scorers overall.)

What our experts disliked about it

Its low scores show that it doesn’t make great coffee, but why did our experts mark it down?

First up is the temperature: it’s too hot to make a decent espresso (which can burn the coffee, leaving you with a bitter brew), but there’s no way to tweak the temp to improve the situation.

And when frothing the milk, it creates very large bubbles rather than fine foam that makes for a good cuppa.

Our experts found that it’s quite light so you need to hold it down when you’re moving the group handle to stop it moving around on the bench.

It’s also light on accessories: it doesn’t come with a milk jug, so you’ll need to buy one before you start brewing. (They aren’t expensive, but you’d be disappointed to unpack your shiny new machine and find that you can’t use it straight away!)

It does come with a plastic tamper, but that’s not exactly a pro: it’s flimsy and doesn’t fit snugly into the basket.

This means you can’t tamp (press) the coffee down well, which affects the way the hot water flows through the ground coffee and can leave you with an espresso that’s depresso.

What our experts liked about it

There’s not a great deal to say here, unfortunately.

The machine did receive a very good score for coffee temperature consistency – so you’ll get pretty ordinary coffees from it, but at least they’ll be the same temperature each time.

The Anko Compact Espresso is a manual machine, which means that you’re in charge of operating everything. This can be a good or a bad thing, depending on what you’re looking for.

Semi-automatic machines take care of some functions for you, such as the amount of water that flows through the coffee. They will cut the flow of coffee for you once a pre-set amount has been poured into your cup.

With a manual machine, you’ll have to cut the flow yourself, so you’ll need to keep an eye on it (and maybe even use a timer for more precision).

Manual machines can be more complicated and require more practice to make a good espresso, but they can also allow for more customisation and control.

Unfortunately, one of the Anko machine’s biggest issues is the water temperature, which you can’t adjust, so there aren’t many other things you can tweak to improve your brew.

Find out how this Kmart coffee machine compares with other brands in our coffee machine reviews.

All the details are available to our members – consider becoming a ÌÇÐÄVlog member to access our expert reviews and avoid buying a dud machine.

How have previous Kmart coffee machines performed?

In the past, we’ve tested several other Kmart coffee machines, including a pod machine and three semi-automatic machines.Ìý

None of them were exceptional performers, but a few have been worth considering compared with far costlier models.

A 2023 semi-automatic model outperformed some other machines in certain aspects of our testing – including ones that were far more expensive.Ìý

A $649 DeLonghi, for instance, scored just 60% in the taste test, while the Kmart scored 75%. That’s a big win for a little machine that cost a fraction of the DeLonghi model!

And it had an overall ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating of 73%, which is impressive for its price.Ìý

Unfortunately it’s since been discontinued, so you can’t pick up this budget beauty any more.

And two other Kmart Anko machines – one manual, one semi-automatic – hit 70% on the taste test, beating machines worth many times more, but they still didn’t rate especially well overall.Ìý

Those are pretty much the only high points for Kmart machines, sadly. The brand’s low points have included a capsule machine that scored just 35% for taste and 54% overall, and a $95 machine that could only manage scores of 60% for taste and milk frothing.Ìý

Only three of its machines have rated higher than 65%, well below the cut-off to be recommended by our experts.

In short, Kmart’s machines can be hit and miss, so make sure you check our detailed coffee machine reviews before you hit the store to make sure you’re picking up the best possible machine for your needs and budget.

Potential issues with cheap appliances

If you’re looking at buying a budget coffee machine from retailers like Kmart and Target,Ìýit’s important to consider its lifespan.Ìý

Cheap appliances may be made with cheaper parts and have shorter warranties than more expensive products.

It can also be harder to find replacement parts (if they’re available at all), and the design can make them difficult to repair, so they could end up in landfill sooner.

If things go wrong, you might have better luck with customer service from an established brand rather than a discount retailer.

A cheap coffee machine might save you money at the checkout, butÌýit could cost you more in the long runÌýif you have to replace it sooner because it breaks.

The post Should you buy a Kmart coffee machine? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

With the soaring cost of living combined with eye-watering increases in the price of cafe coffee, many Australians are looking to reduce the cost of their daily caffeine fix by making more of their coffees at home.Ìý

With many cafes now charging between $5.50 and $6.50 for a large coffee, there are clear financial benefits to cutting this cost out of your weekly budget.Ìý

There’s also the convenience of being able to brew your own cuppa without leaving the comfort of your kitchen (perhaps before your local is even open for the day, or after closing time), as well as the benefits to the environment since you won’t be sending any takeaway cups to landfill.Ìý

Of course, to start your at-home barista journey, you’ll need a decent coffee machine that makes a coffee that’s up to scratch, and one that suits both your skill level and the time and effort you’re willing to put in to the coffee-making process. But how much will making your coffee at home really save you once you’ve invested in a machine?

Here’s a breakdown of the key factors to consider when deciding whether to ditch your habit and turn to home coffee brewing instead.

1. The cost to your pocket

Given that a cup of coffee from aÌýcafeÌýcan cost anywhere from around $5 or up to $7.50 (depending on the size you buy, where you’re buying it and the milk you prefer), you could be spending around $1800 a year or more if you have one cup of cafe coffee a day.

And the amount coming out of your budget increases further if you sometimes sneak in an extra brew or two, or if there is someone else in your household who is also buyingÌýcoffee from a cafe.Ìý

So, would you be better off taking that cash and investing it in your own coffee machine? Let’s have a look at the numbers.Ìý

The cost of the machine

At ÌÇÐÄVlog, we review a wide range of coffee machines – automatic, semi-automatic, manual and pod – and they vary hugely in price from as little as $79 up to $4990.Ìý

Pod or capsule coffee machines are usually cheaper than manual or semi-automatic espresso machines (you can pick up a basic pod unit for less than $100 or splurge over $1000 on a machine with fancier features).Ìý

But our expert taste testers agree that if you’re fussy about flavour, a manual or semi-automatic espresso machine will almost always give you the best, most barista-like results. This is because they give you more control over the brewing process, including grinding, dosing, tamping, extracting and steaming, to help you get as close as possible to that cafe-quality coffee.Ìý

And while they’re generally more expensive to buy than a pod machine, a good manual or semi-automatic espresso machine should last you about eight years or more.Ìý

Although some manual and semi-automatic espresso machines in our review come with eye-watering price tags, you don’t always have to spend a fortune to get a decent machine. You can go all out and drop thousands, but a number of models that score well in our expert reviews cost around $800 or less – check out our coffee machine reviews to see if you can pick up a bargain model that scores well.Ìý

We also give each machine a brand reliability and brand satisfaction score, based on responses from ÌÇÐÄVlog members, so you can assess how brands have performed over time for other coffee lovers.

The cost of a grinder

Getting the right grind is an essential part of the coffee-making process, as it has a huge impact on the flavour of your brew.Ìý

Some coffee machines have in-built grinders, while others will require you to buy a separate grinder which will be an additional cost.

Burr grinders start at about $100. They’re more expensive than blade grinders, but ÌÇÐÄVlog testing shows that they’re worth the money because they produce an even grind and superior flavour.Ìý

The cost of the coffee: Coffee beans vs pods

You also need to take into account the cost of pods and capsules if you have a pod or capsule machine, or coffee beans if you have a manual, semi-automatic or automatic machine. This is where your cash outlay will vary wildly.

Although you can pick up a bag of coffee beans from the supermarket from around $20–$30 per kilogram, coffee aficionados will argue the best results will come from coffee beans from specialty roasters, which could cost you $60–70 or more per kilogram.Ìý

Depending on the size of your grind, a kilogram of beans should give you about 120 to 140 shots of coffee (based on eight grams for a shot).Ìý

Even though you may outlay less cash initially for a pod or capsule coffee machine, the pods and capsules themselves can be much more expensive (not to mention the cost to the environment if you don’t recycle them) – they’re about $150 a kilogram on average.Ìý

If you settle on a more expensive manual or semi-automatic machine that costs, say, $1200, it works out at just $150 a year over an eight-year lifespan. Add to that the cost of coffee beans for one cup a day, and milk, and your at-home espresso machine will still cost you less than a daily cafe coffee habit.

You should also make allowances for the cost of minimal energy use, plus occasional maintenance, replacement of parts such as filters and products such as descaling liquid.Ìý

Doing the maths: Making a coffee vs buying one

We’ve compared coffee costs for a year below, based on buying a semi-automatic espresso machine that will deliver barista-like results.Ìý

Keep in mind that your personal preferences (for equipment, coffee brand, the type of milk and how much you use) will change the costs – this is a guide only.Ìý

We have based our analysis on one large coffee per day from a cafeÌýat a cost of $5.50 per coffee. To calculate your personal cafe coffee cost, just multiply the cost of your daily brew (or brews) by 365 to see how it compares to the cost of making coffee at home.Ìý

2. The cost to the environment

Unless you fastidiously use a BYO cup every time you go to a cafe, you’re contributing to the one billion takeaway coffee cups that Australians send to landfill every year. Each cup takes thousands of years to decompose.Ìý

If you make your coffee at home instead of buying takeaways, that’s potentially 365 takeaway cups you’re saving from landfill every year. You can even use the grounds in your compost (just mix it with organic garden waste first, as it’s too acidic on its own).Ìý

Using a pod machine can be far more problematic when it comes to waste. While convenient, spent pods can’t be put in council recycling bins – their tiny size means they drop through the recycling equipment.Ìý

The alternative is taking or posting them to specially designated collection points (as Nespresso offers), but that relies completely on the drinker’s time and dedication to the cause.

Thankfully, there’s a growing range of compostable and refillable pods on the market that aim to reduce waste, however using them can be fiddly and time-consuming which takes away some of the convenience of using a pod machine in the first place.Ìý

3. Convenience

Some might say that picking up a takeaway coffee is the ultimate convenience: you don’t have to spend time buying beans, grinding them at home, perfecting your skills or cleaning a machine. It’s all happily done for you by a smiling barista.Ìý

Another plus of cafeÌýcoffee is the social factor of sharing your coffee experience with a friend or colleague. Even the ritual of the morning walk to pick up your flat white can often be a highlight of your day.

Others would argue it’s much more convenient to just walk to your kitchen to make a coffee – you don’t even have to put on proper clothes or leave the house! If you’re an early riser, you may need your caffeine fix before the local is even open. And, if you’re working from home, it’s easy to duck into the next room to make a cuppa between video chats or phone calls.ÌýÌý

4. Your level of skill

Of course, the ‘home vs cafe‘ comparison relies heavily on you learning to make a coffee that rivals a barista-made one.ÌýFor that reason, ÌÇÐÄVlog coffee machine expert Adrian LiniÌýsays: “If you’re investing in a manual or semi-automatic espressoÌýmachine, learning how to use it properly will make all the difference to the flavour of your coffee.”

There are so many things that go into creating the perfect coffee on a semi-automatic or manual machine. There’s the machine itself, the quality of the beans you’re using, adjusting the grind, tamping the coffee correctly, frothing the milk and getting the perfect pour. Thankfully, there are plenty of great coffee tutorials online to learn from.Ìý

“Our ÌÇÐÄVlog testing has shown time and time again that once you nail the technique, a manual machine or a good-quality semi-automatic machine will give you the best tasting coffee of all the machines. This is because you’re able to tweak the most elements to ensure coffee perfection,” Adrian says.

Baristas can charge $5.50 a cup for a reason – it’s because they’re (usually) specially trained and using the best beans. If you can’t replicate that at home, you might find yourself heading back to the cafeÌýand leaving your coffee machine to become a benchtop relic.

“Our tests have found that the brand and type of coffee machine you’re using is one of the things that really makes a difference. Our blind taste tests show that, even when using the same type of coffee, there are surprisingly different results from machine to machine,” says Adrian.

“How easy the machine is to use and the skills of the person using it also have an impact, particularly when it comes to manual or semi-automatic espresso machines.”Ìý

When we review coffee machines, we give each machine a ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating which is a score that ranks machines based on how easy they are to use, how they perform on tasks such as frothing milk and achieving consistency of temperature, and the resulting coffee taste.

5. Being able to make your coffee the way you like it

Making your own coffee at home means you’re not bound by the brand of coffee sold at your local cafe, and you can experiment with lots of different blends to find one you really love, and perhaps support some local roasters in the process.

You can also avoid that awkward situation when your favourite barista is not rostered on and someone else makes an inferior coffee (that’s five or six bucks down the drain!)

The post Is it worth buying an espresso machine? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

They’re a convenient choice if you don’t want to mess around with grinding coffee beans or steaming your own milk in the morning when you’re in need of a caffeine hit. A coffee pod machine will have your cuppa on its way to you in minutes or even secondsÌý–Ìýall you have to do is pop in a coffee capsule and push a button. Some machines will also froth the milk for you.Ìý

On the whole, coffee pod machines are cheaper to buy than manual or automatic espresso machines and, with many stylish designs available, they also usually take up less space on your kitchen bench.

If you’re not after a pod machine and you’d rather control the amount of coffee and the grind, we can also help you findÌýthe best cheap manual, semi-automatic or automatic coffee machineÌýto suit your needs.

But read on to find out more about how pod and capsule machines perform in our tests, the pros and cons and what you should look for.

If you’re a ÌÇÐÄVlog member, we’ll also reveal the best performers. If youÌýwant to get straight to the results, jump ahead to seeÌýthe machines that come out top in our tests.

How do coffee pod machines perform in ÌÇÐÄVlog tests?

ÌÇÐÄVlog coffee machine test expertÌýAdrian LiniÌýsays, “We’ve tested a huge variety of capsule coffee machines in our labs, from all the big-name brands including Nespresso, DeLonghi, Smeg, Breville, Aldi and more, priced anywhere from $99 up to around $1399.

“When our expert taste testers blind taste the coffee from pod machines, we do find that the coffee from these machines doesn’t score as highly on taste when compared to coffee from manual machines,” says Adrian.

“If you’re serious about the depth and intensity of your coffee, a pod machine may leave you disappointed. This is because when you make a coffee in a manual machine as opposed to a pod machine, you have more control over the process.

“However, this isn’t to say that manual machines are always a better choice than pod or capsule machines. If you can find a machine that suits you and your lifestyle, and makes coffee that you like, then that’s the most important thing.”

But with such a huge range of brands and models at wildly varying price points, how do you know which coffee pod machine is the best and which one you should choose?

The pros and cons of coffee pod machines

So we know manual and automatic machines give a better tasting coffee in most cases, but not everyone wants complete control in their cup of coffee or to deal with the many steps (grinding, dosing, tamping, extraction time) involved in producing said coffee.

Some of us are just looking for convenience and that’s fine too, but what should you keep in mind when considering a coffee pod machine?

Pros

• They are easy to use – add a pod or capsule in the machine, press a button and away you go.Ìý
• They are easy to clean.
• Usually take up less space on your bench.Ìý
• A great option for those with dexterity challenges, where dosing, tamping, etc, might prove challenging.Ìý
• Can save you money on daily cafe-bought coffees.
• Capsules are available in a range of strengths and flavours.

Cons

• You can’t control the way the coffee is made – the price you pay for convenience and ease of use.
• Long-term cost associated with buying capsules.
• Capsules are more expensive than buying coffee beans.
• Some brands are only compatible with specific capsules.

• Most coffee pods are plastic rather than aluminium and generally can’t be thrown into domestic recycling bins.

What things should you look for in a coffee pod machine?

There’s a wealth of information to help you decide on a coffee pod machine in ourÌýcoffee machine buying guide, but some of the things to consider apart from the cost of the machine itself and its features are the types of pods you can use and how much they cost.

“I recommend looking closely at the features and exploring a variety of brands before you buy,” says Adrian.Ìý

“One of the main things to consider are the types of pods the machine uses. Some brands and models are restricted to certain types of pods, and they can get quite expensive, costing over $100 per kilogram.”Ìý

You may also like to consider a machine that you can use compostable or refillable pods in.

Coffee pod compatibility

The cost of single-use pods is where the price can add up on a coffee pod machine. It’s worth doing your research, not only on the prices of the coffee capsules but understanding what pods are compatible with each machine. Once you’ve decided on a machine, shop around for bulk buys and specials on your pods.

You can spend anywhere from 36 cents to 95 cents per pod which can equate to around $64 to $173/kg. In comparison, coffee beans can cost as little as $12/kg from the supermarket. Even beans from a boutique roastery will still cost you less, costing up to around $60/kg.Ìý

While you’re spending more on pods, if you compare this to buying your daily coffee from a cafe, the cost savings are still substantial. If you drink one standard coffee per day (using one capsule), you could be adding an average cost of around $182 per year on top of the cost of your machine (based on an average cost per pod of 50c).

But if you’re used to buying from a cafe and spending $4 a day for a single-shot espresso, you’ll be paying $1040 a year for your daily caffeine fix.

Our detailed espresso machine reviews include information about each machine’s performance, ease of use, durability and features – all important factors to also consider when purchasing a coffee pod machine.

Only ÌÇÐÄVlog members can access our detailed testing data. If you’re not yet a member, join ÌÇÐÄVlog to get instant access to all our expert, independent reviews, from coffee machines and grinders, to kettles and cots, toasters and TVs, and more.Ìý

Or log in to unlock this article and find out which coffeeÌýpodÌýmachines deliver the best taste and overall performance.

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Are expensive coffee machines better?

Expensive coffee machines don’t always deliver the performance results you’d expect in our expert tests.Ìý

We’ve been surprised to see some cheap models outperform top of the range machines in our blind taste test, where a panel of experts taste a 30mL shot of espresso from each machine to rate them on colour, thickness of the crema, the aroma, flavour, mouthfeel and aftertaste.

However, expensive models are usually sturdier and made of higher quality materials. They often look fancy too, making a statement in your kitchen.

In our home espresso machine reviews seven of the 18 manual and semi-automatic machines we recommend cost over $1000, up to as much as $4990. But there are other pricey machines that are outperformed by sub-$1000 models, highlighting the importance of checking our reviews before you buy.

Which type of coffee machine should you buy?

In short, the kind of machine that’s right for you depends on how much involvement you’d like to have with the coffee-making process and how seriously you take your coffee (and many of us take it very seriously indeed).Ìý

The pros of buying a cheap coffee machine

Unless you’re a coffee aficionado and want to splurge on a fancy machine that has all the bells and whistles, our testing shows that some cheaper machines can still produce a great coffee with the added bonus of being great value for money.

The best performing cheaper machines we highlight in this article:

• are generally basic with limited features which can make them easy to use
• are quite compact in size, taking up a small footprint on your kitchen bench
• heat up relatively quickly – under a minute
• have good to very good results in our taste test
• are generally very good at frothing milk.

What you may miss out on with a cheaper machine

While price is no indicator of performance, the unfortunate fact is that certain features will just cost you extra. So what will you have to forego if you’re buying a cheaper coffee machine?

“Cheaper manual machines may be smaller and take longer to build steam or froth milk,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog coffee machine expert Adrian Lini.

“They may also be made of cheaper materials that can potentially break or wear out more easily during use.

“The biggest factor may be forgoing control over your coffee machine. A cheaper machine might not give you the ability to change settings like the grind, bean type, pressure of grinds in the group head or extraction.”Ìý

Cheaper manual and semi-automatic machines also generally don’t come with an in-built grinder, so you’ll need to purchase one separately. The coffee grinders our experts recommend cost between around $100 and $600.Ìý

There’s no doubt, though, that in the long term, you’ll save money making your own coffee instead of buying from a café.Ìý

We’ve crunched the numbers for you and found that it’s definitely worth buying a home espresso machine – you could save yourself some serious cash by going DIY on your caffeine hit rather than buying from your local café. And if you shop smart, you could save even more by buying a cheaper machine, without sacrificing taste.

How to get a good deal on a coffee machine

The prices in our reviews are based on the RRP, but there are often good deals to be had so it pays to shop around.

Sales often occur at retailers like Harvey Norman, Bing Lee and The Good Guys where you can usually find popular brands like Breville, DeLonghi and Sunbeam. These retailers may be open to haggling and in some cases will price match a lower price found elsewhere.

The pricey coffee machines from brands like Profitec, San Remo, Bezzera and Expobar are often available at specialist coffee retailers but if you do your research you can also find these brands discounted.

What are the best cheap coffee machines?

We independently test and review dozens of new coffee machines each year in our onsite labs, and our experts know exactly what to look for to help you find the best product.

Our detailed coffee machine data testing data is available exclusively for ÌÇÐÄVlog members. If you’re not yet a member, join ÌÇÐÄVlog to get instant access to all of our expert, independent reviews, from fridges and freezers, toasters and TVs, kettles and cots, and more.

Or log in to unlock this article and find out which affordable coffee machines are our experts’ top picks.

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