Best Coffee Machines For Any Budget | Review

Best Coffee Machines

Having a filter or bean to cup coffee machine at home can make such a huge difference to your morning routine. It is not just a decorative item, it is your early morning shot of caffeine to get the day going. All from the comfort of your own home, moments after waking up. No more queueing at your local cafe bar or spending silly money on overpriced coffee in the high street. We have made a very selective list for the best coffee machines in the market today that we believe will help you making a decision.

Think about the amount of time and money you will be saving to start with. If instant coffee simply doesn’t cut it anymore, you then need to seriously consider getting a proper coffee machine and experiment at home until you hit the perfect blend. That magical moment for us, coffee lovers, when you just found the perfect coffee taste, aroma and consistency. With creamy froth and even latte art if you feel adventurous. It is the perfect way to start the day, with your very own brew and looking ahead into your busy day.

There are different coffee machines for different people. Do you require a bean to cup coffee machine, manual operation, automatic or even semi-automatic? How involved do you want to be in the process and also, do you even have or want to gain any barista skills, or are you happy for a simple one-button operation. Below we list the best 7 that we have tested and that we highly recommend. They are all also reasonably priced for what you get when you buy one of them

We tested all of them and many of them are part of Geartek’s team morning routine. So when we recommend them, it is for a reason.

If, however, you’re looking for something simpler than a filter or bean to cup coffee machine and with less fuzz and hassle why don’t you check out our Nespresso Coffee Machine section. We are sure there is something for you there.

Read our full Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine Review

The Breville Barista Express is a semi-automatic espresso machine with a built-in conical burr grinder to get great you going with ground coffee ready to go in just a few minutes. It comes with both customizable controls and manual settings so you get to experiment until you get the brewing right for the perfect espresso, just the way you like it.

If you are starting in coffee making you are probably best using the two double-wall pressurized filters that control the pressure and extraction. They will help you make an espresso almost instantly and effortless until you gain your confidence to explore what else can be done. For those who are familiar already with coffee making, it is a slightly different approach. You are likely to want to use the two single-wall non-pressurized filters as they will give you a different alternative and the ability to experiment in creating coffee. But whether you are a beginner or a professional in using semi-automatic coffee makers, bear in mind that this machine requires a lot of effort and patience to prepare a great cup of coffee. This is no Nespresso one-button operation coffee machine. You started this journey for a reason and as such, it is a process that you should love.

At first, it can be quite intimidating to use the bean to cup Breville Barista Express espresso machine because of so many buttons, knobs, and dials to deal with. Not to mention, the operation and cleaning procedures that take time to master. But with all the great features built-in and a little bit of time, effort, and patience, you will get your inner barista to come out and make the best coffee you will ever taste, from the comfort of your home.

Breville Dual Boiler Coffee Machine

Read our full Breville Dual Boiler Coffee Machine Review 

If you are new to the coffee machine and ask us what is the best coffee machine you could get started with, we would definitely suggest the Breville Dual Boiler Espresso Machine. It is not only a popular brand, but they manufacture some of the best, if not the best, coffee machines. And a great example of this is their Dual Boiler espresso machine.

It is a compact machine yet has two dual boilers for separately heating the coffee and milk. We were really impressed with how precise its control for brew temperature, preheating time, and coffee strength are. Its smooth surface and elegant design make it stand out from other coffee makers in the market. To make things sweeter, this great coffee machine comes at a very reasonable price which will put a smile on anyone’s face. Quality that is affordable, the perfect mix.

Breville proved to us once again that its products offer amazing results. The Breville Dual Boiler Espresso Machine delivered more than we expected in terms of performance and price-value ratio. The machine’s sleek and stylish design is a great plus which is complemented by the fact that the user interface is easy to follow.

De’Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine

Read our full De’Longhi La Especialista Espresso machine Review

The De’Longhi La Specialista may have a lot of similarities with the Breville Barista but it actually provides more control over the brewing system compared to a fully-automatic espresso machine. This bean to cup coffee machine has so many advanced features that make the coffee-making experience incredibly simple and enjoyable. In terms of performance and overall quality, La Specialista is the best semi-automatic espresso maker yet from De’Longhi. It requires a little of getting used to but in all fairness, we were up and running in no time and this is why it is a must in our best coffee machines shortlist.

Unlike the Breville Barista Express espresso that has a complicated coffee-making process, it is the opposite for De’Longhi’s La Specialista. It may have a lot of features but it is one of the easiest machines we have tried so far. The process of grinding from coffee beans to a delicious cup of espresso is very simple. 

From our personal experience, we can honestly say that La Specialista by De’Longhi is one of the best coffee/espresso machines in the market today. Its beautiful design matches the exceptional taste of the coffee it produces. Having a big water tank helped us to accommodate the coffee needs of everyone in our testing facility. And since it is sturdy, we didn’t mind moving it around to different places from time to time. It is heavy, yes, but solid so you know that you have a “tank” that with a little care and attention will last for years. What we enjoyed the most about this coffee machine is how easy and convenient it is to use. Automatic grinding, tamping, and brewing makes creating coffee a hassle-free job. 

Mr. Coffee Café Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker

Read our full Mr. Coffee Café Barista Espresso Machine Review

The Mr. Coffee Café Barista must be in any shortlist for the best coffee machines and we could not overlook it. It proves that you don’t really need barista skills to make and enjoy café-style drinks. The machine is a semi-automatic three-in-one coffee machine that provides brewing and frothing with just a push of a button. Aside from its easy setup and operation, I love how sturdy and classy the design is. The color complements and easily blends with pretty much any modern kitchen style. Not only have I succeeded in making (and enjoying) the best coffee I have tasted in years, consistently, every morning, but the machine itself has been a wonderful addition to my kitchen decor.

Since Mr Coffee Café Barista is a semi-automatic machine, it has a simple and stress-free operational procedure. In fact, it is one of the very few semi-automatic machines in the market that brews coffee and froth milk with just the push of a button. I never felt tired making my coffee or feeling I had to learn the theory of making coffee before getting on making coffee, simply because the operation is so simple and the coffee-making is instant. 

Although Mr. Coffee Café Barista is a rather affordable machine and made of plastic, the design is actually quite attractive. The front panels have a stainless-steel-like exterior that comes in three colors, red, white, and silver. Believe it or not, it actually has a luxury-feel design that can be easily compared to expensive Nespresso machines. The machine itself is not that big overall at 11.2in. x 8.9in. x 12.6in (28.5cm x 22.6cm x 32cm). It only weighs around 10.37 pounds which is a relief as some grinding coffee machines can be quite heavy. You can put this coffee machine in any kitchen and it will look quite nice.

Breville Infuser Espresso Machine

Read our full Breville Infuser Espresso Machine Review

The Breville Infuser Espresso Machine is a mid-range espresso machine that punches well above its weight. Due to its pre-infusion feature, the coffee grounds are gently expanded for an even extraction. All coffees we have made have had excellent and balanced flavors. This is because the infuser starts its operation at steady and low pressure and then it gradually raises to a higher pressure for better extraction. At 1700-watt power rating, expect a faster preheating time and high-pressure steam than most coffee machines out there. What does that mean? Well, it means faster and better coffee in your cup.

Looking for a powerful, efficient yet affordable espresso machine in the market is quite a challenge. There are many options to choose from and they all come with great features, but more often than not they also have rather high price tags. This is where the Breville Infuser Espresso Machine stands out from the rest. It not only has an attractive price, but it is also a well-built machine and you get a lot of the power and control over your espresso. Texturizing your milk for a rich and delicious coffee is a joy and the process is made really easy.

This cheaper semi-automatic machine is designed for beginners. With features such as pre-infusion low-pressure technology, you don’t need barista skills to produce the perfect blend of coffee. Just follow the steps for the general operation of the machine to get the optimal coffee extraction. And of course, a lot of patience and a little bit of creativity.

Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso Machine with Steam Wand Review 

Read our full Calphalon Tem IQ Espresso Machine With Steam Wand Review

The Calphalon Temp IQ is one of the best coffee makers in the market today and a fair contender to make it in our shortlist of best coffee machines. It is the perfect machine for those who love to drink of espresso, cappuccino, and latte but have no barista experience. With its advanced features, modern and chic design, this machine is even more attractive because of its price tag, very reasonable. Rest assured that you will get the same high-quality coffee than with other more expensive coffee makers. Brewing coffee at home or the office is now easier, faster, and more convenient because of its precision heating technology. It also uses thermoblock heating, PID temperature controller, and pre-infusion technology for a lesser preheating time while extracting coffee. Additionally, the powerful steam wand creates creamy and foamy froth to enrich the flavor of cappuccino, latte, and more.

It is significantly less expensive than more robust Breville Barista or DeLonghi LA Specialista espresso makers. On the other hand, one would expect that the Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso machine would be around twice the price you would pay for a Nespresso machine such as the Breville Nespresso Vertuo or De’Longui Essenza mini.  However, the Calphalon Temp IQ provides much more flexibility in coffee brewing (plus, no need to use capsules) than any Nespresso ever will.

If you are a beginner, we advise you to start with this coffee machine. With its automatic function, you don’t need barista skills to create the perfect cup of coffee. Just focus on the manual and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You might not get it right the first time but that is part of the fun. You will be getting amazing coffee in no time just like we all did. We were impressed by its technology which makes coffee brewing not just easy but delicious. As a final word, we believe that the Calphalon Temp IQ is one of the very few reliable espresso machines at this price that we have ever tested.

Gaggia Anima Coffee and Espresso Machine

Read our full Gaggia Anima Coffee And Espresso Machine Review

Gaggia Anima is an automatic coffee machine that brews espresso and lungo with just the push of a button. What makes it a special coffee machine and a worthy member of our best coffee machines is that among many things, its milk frothing process is done through the Pannarello steam wand. This is a ground-breaking system that uses a mechanism to automatically mix air into the steam at the right levels and pressure. What is so cool about it is that you don’t have to worry about the precise positioning and steam pressure as this is no longer an issue. You can’t help it but be excited at what kind of coffee the machine will produce when you first install it.

You get a super easy programming menu that can make coffee instantly. It will give you the freedom to customize your drinks, their temperature, grind size, and coffee strength. Even if you want your coffee decaffeinated, the Gaggia Anima has an integrated bypass dozer that offers pre-ground coffee to create decaf coffee. We are really impressed by how versatile this coffee machine is. It also helps the fact that we didn’t have to buy a separate grinding machine because it has built-in ceramic burrs and its very own adapting system. That is the reason behind the rich coffee flavor it produces.

If you are looking for a coffee maker that creates good-quality coffee, the Gaggia Anima Coffee Machine is the perfect all-around machine. It consistently delivers great-tasting coffee that won’t break the bank. Imagine being able to create your very own coffee at home, isn’t that a dream? The idea of saving up from constantly spending money at your local coffee shop should be enough of an incentive.