Ultimate Guide – Best Coffee Machine For Home, Australia

Can’t wake up without your morning cup of coffee? Me neither and even more so since having kids! Thankfully, nowadays it’s easier than ever to have the best coffee machine Australia, 2020 has to offer, right in your very own kitchen.

I recently added another feather to my cap and opened up a very small coffee van! In my endless months of research to find the best home coffee machine 202o has, I read just about all the coffee machine reviews, Australia 2020. I pretty much learned everything there is to know about the best coffee machines, Australia and how they work.

So, I decided I’d save you the hassle and just put all the info you need, to choose the best home coffee machine Australia 2020, right in one handy blog post! Whether you’re looking for the best pod coffee machine Australia offers, automatic coffee machine reviews or just the best cheap coffee machine – we’ll cover it all right here!

So, what is the best coffee machine to buy for home? If you want some in-depth information, I’ll explain the different types of machines and the features to look out for in the best home coffee machine. Then, I’m going to jump straight into reviews for the top coffee machines on the market.

Top 10 Best Home Coffee Machines, 2020 – Quick Reference

Here’s a quick reference chart so you can see the main features of the best coffee maker, Australia. For more in-depth details, see the reviews for each of the best coffee machines 2020, Australia further down!

  • Breville Barista Express
  • Sunbeam Cafe Barista EM5000
  • Delonghi Eletta Cappuccino Top
  • Nescafe Dolce Gusto
  • Delonghi Nespresso Citiz
  • Nespresso Delonghi Lattissima
  • Breville Duo Temp Pro
  • Delonghi Dedica Pump
  • Delonghi Magnifica
  • Delonghi Primadonna Elite
  • Delonghi Clessidra
  • Breville Precision Brewer
  • Breville Aroma Style

Comparison Chart – Best Coffee Machine For Home, Australia 2020

COFFEE MACHINE TYPE MILK FROTHER? RATING
Sunbeam Cafe Barista Semi Automatic Yes 4.0/5 Check
Price
Breville Barista Express Semi Automatic Yes 4.5/5 Check
Price
Delonghi Eletta Cappuccino Fully Automatic Yes 4.7/5 Check
Price
Nescafe Dolce Gusto Capsule No 3.9/5 Check
Price
Delonghi Nespresso Citiz Capsule No 4/5 Check
Price
Nespresso Delonghi Lattissima Capsule Yes 4.3/5 Check
Price
Breville Duo Temp Pro Manual Yes 4.0/5 Check
Price
DeLonghi Dedica Pump Semi Automatic Yes 4.1/5 Check
Price
Delonghi Magnifica Fully Automatic Yes 4.5/5 Check
Price
Delonghi PrimaDonna Elite Fully Automatic Yes 4.7/5 Check
Price
Delonghi Clessidra Pour Over No 4.6/5 Check
Price
Breville Precision Drip No 4.4/5 Check
Price
Breville Aroma Style Drip No 3.9/5 Check
Price

Types of Best Home Coffee Machine, 2020

Pod/Capsule Coffee Machines

It’s likely, that the best budget coffee machine for you will be a “pod” or “capsule” machine. They are incredibly popular for the simplicity they offer and are considered by many to be the best coffee machines for home use.

These machines use a container called a pod or capsule filled with a set amount of ready ground coffee. Placing the pod into the machine and pressing the start button is about as technical as these machines will get for you. The machine then pierces the container and runs water through it which pours into the cup as coffee. Easy!

Pros – Usually one pod or capsule is a single serving of coffee and the best coffee pod machine, Australia 2020, will have a selection of different strengths and blends to choose from. The best capsule coffee machine Australia has will be quick and easy, so perfect for someone who wants a no-fuss machine. If you don’t have much space you’ll often find that the best compact coffee machines use pods or capsules.

Cons – They may seem like the best price coffee machines Australia has on offer but remember to factor in the cost of pods/capsules (they can get expensive over time). Real coffee enthusiasts will tell you that even the best coffee pod machine, Australia 2020, is a far inferior coffee compared to what you can make on more complex machines. Your options for different blends and strengths are limited to what that particular brand manufactures.

Espresso Coffee Machines

Most people will agree that the best home coffee maker for getting that real cafe-style coffee is an espresso coffee machine. The best coffee espresso machines work by boiling water in the attached tank then pushing it through a densely packed cup of ground coffee at very high pressure.

This type of machine is essential for producing the golden “crema” you see on the top of a high-quality cup of espresso in a cafe. This light foam on the top of your espresso will give it a fuller and longer-lasting flavour.

There are a few different types of machine though and not all the best espresso coffee machines for home are created equal. If you’re interested in an in-depth technical explanation of how coffee machines work, find the info here.

Manual Espresso Machines

These machines are considered, by many, to be the best home espresso machine Australia has on offer. They give the operator great versatility and freedom to experiment with their coffee.

They feature a handle with a basket attached called a group. You will have to fill the basket with ground coffee, tamp it and twist the group into the machine. You then turn a dial or press a button to begin the flow of water yourself and you have to decide when to manually stop the flow of water.

Pros – They have the potential to make a great barista-style coffee and you can find relatively inexpensive options if you just want something basic to learn on.

Cons – These machines can involve a steep learning curve if you’ve never used one before and the initial outlay is more than for a capsule machine.

If you love brewing coffee yourself, take a look at my ultimate guide to finding the best coffee plunger to help you achieve a smooth, full-bodied brew in minimal time

Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines

In my opinion, the best espresso machine Australia can offer is a semi-automatic machine. They work very much the same as a manual machine, you’ll need to grind, measure and tamp the coffee yourself and set the water flowing. The difference is that these machines will stop the flow of water automatically after a preset period of time.

Pros – Still has great versatility and freedom to play around with making a great barista style coffee and having the machine cut the flow of water itself means you don’t have to be stood around at the machine waiting to stop it yourself.

Cons – These machines still require a bit of know-how and skill by yourself and they can cost a lot more money than other types of machine.

Automatic Espresso Machines

These are the best all in one coffee machines and require much less effort from the user as they just about do everything for you. People looking for a quick, no knowledge required, experience will probably what to buy the best automatic coffee machine, Australia 2020.

The best automatic coffee machine, 2020 will grind the beans, measure and tamp the coffee, pull the exact amount of water through and some “super” automatic machines will even froth and pour the milk for you too!

Pros – Very little effort is required on your part, press a button and you’re done, meaning there isn’t much knowledge required to get a high-quality coffee.

Cons – These are usually the most expensive types of machines and because they do everything for you it can leave less room for adjustments.

Filter Coffee Machines

Sometimes referred to as “drip coffee machines”, these have become less popular today. They work by placing a paper filter filled with ground coffee in the machine and then running water through the filter to produce coffee.

Pour-over coffee has started to gain popularity recently and sometimes drip and pour over machines are thought to be the same, although there are some significant differences. With drip coffee, the water is all dispensed into the filter at once and the coffee slowly drips through into the carafe. Even the best drip coffee maker can produce a bitter cup if the grounds are sat in the water for too long.

Whereas pour-over machines tend to have a pre-infusion cycle where the coffee grounds are wetted and then there is a pause to allow the grounds to “bloom” and begin to release their flavour. Then, the water is poured in a circular motion to evenly distribute it throughout the grounds. The best pour-over coffee machines will mimic the manual process of creating pour-over coffee and produce a much smoother and full flavoured cup of coffee and these are the best filter coffee machines, in my opinion.

Top Features of the Best Coffee Machine, 2020 Australia

So, which is the best coffee machine for home, Australia? Well, a lot of that depends on your opinion and what features you think are the most important.

Milk Frother

In my opinion, the best home espresso machine, 2020, needs to have a milk frother. The best part of having one of the top home coffee machines is being able to make many different coffees, from espressos to lattes to flat whites.

A milk frother incorporates air into the milk until it has increased in size enough to create that light froth you see cafes use, to create drinks like cappuccinos.

The best coffee machine with pods will usually have a separate or built-in, electric-powered, milk frother which uses a tiny mechanism inside the frother to spin the milk at high speed.

The best espresso coffee makers, on the other hand, will usually have a steam wand for frothing the milk. It forces steam through the milk, creating the tiny air bubbles required to froth milk.

Coffee Grinder

Ideally, the best home coffee machine, Australia 2020 will have an integrated grinder to make the whole process of grinding to brewing quick and easy. The best coffee machine with grinder will usually come with a hefty price tag to match though (this is a great exception though!)

Having your coffee ground correctly is vital for a cafe-quality cup of coffee. You can make a decent cup of coffee with pre-ground beans but once you start freshly grinding your beans you’ll be gobsmacked by the difference it makes.

If your choice for the best home coffee machine 2020 doesn’t come with an integrated grinder, I would highly recommend reading my article on the best coffee grinders where I go into more detail on the importance of a grinder.

Water Tank Size

You will be required to fill the machines water tank yourself and this can become an annoying chore if you’re having to move the machine to access the tank etc.

Think about how many coffees you will usually make. If you have a big family or people around for coffee often, it would be an inconvenience to have to refill the tank constantly and wait for the machine to reheat.

If you only really expect to use the machine to make a couple of coffees a day, then having a smaller tank probably won’t bother you too much. Most budget machines will come with a relatively small tank size.

Serving Capacity

Thinking along the same lines as above, it would be super annoying to have 10 coffees to make in one go if the machine can only make one at a time! Most pod/capsule machines will only be single-serve machines.

Luckily, the best espresso coffee machine Australia has will be able to serve multiple coffees at once and therefore give you more time to enjoy your own cup, instead of being glued to the machine.

Cleaning Features

Even the best-rated coffee machines on the market should be cleaned after each use to keep your cup of coffee tasting its best.

Unfortunately, the budget models are always going to need to be manually cleaned, although it’s not usually too big a task. However, I’d expect the best automatic coffee machine for home to have a self-cleaning feature to make the process even simpler.

Other Features of the Best Coffee Machine, Australia

A few other things to think about when buying the best coffee maker for home…..

  • Cup Warmer – Great feature to keep your coffee warm for longer.
  • LED Display – Makes for much easier settings adjustments.
  • Preset Timer – Set the time you want a coffee every day!
  • Descaling Indicator – Lets you know when to descale your machine which is a great help in avoiding maintenance issues.

2020 Home Coffee Machine Reviews, Australia

Read my top 10 best coffee machine reviews 2020, before some in depth information on what to look for in the best at home coffee machine.

The Breville barista express 870 is the best value coffee maker in the mid-price range. It won’t break the bank but still has some great features like the inbuilt stainless steel, conical burr grinder which dispenses coffee directly into the portafilter.

This is one of the top coffee makers to buy if you want something you can adjust easily to your taste. You can personalise the grind settings, dosage control and even choose between manual and automatic operation.

The Breville barista express espresso maker weighs in at 12.5kg so it isn’t the lightest choice on this list but, with all the added features you get for the relatively low price, it’s to be expected. I would still opt for this machine if I was on a budget and wanted a great machine without having to pay the high price of a fully automatic coffee machine.

Watch it in action here to see just how many incredible adjustable functions there are.

This machine really is the best Breville espresso machine all-rounder due to being able to adjust so many settings.

When I first saw this semi-automatic coffee machine I couldn’t believe how many features you get for the price! In my opinion, it’s the best affordable coffee machine and a great choice for beginners too. It’s a great option for the best sunbeam coffee machine, on a budget.

The Sunbeam cafe barista can make different selections of drinks at the touch of a single button. The self frothing and administering milk option is a great tool for inexperienced baristas as this can be the hardest part to master.

It’s small and lightweight, weighing just 4.7kg, but still packs a punch with a 15 bar pump system. It still has the option to change settings to your preference but the default settings produce a great quality coffee.

The relatively low price and extra features make the Sunbeam cafe barista coffee machine my top pick for the best budget coffee machine, Australia.

This Delonghi Eletta coffee machine is my pick for the best fully automatic coffee machine for home. If you just want to press one button and have everything done for you then this is the best household coffee machine for you!

Being able to create great coffee at the touch of a button doesn’t mean compromising on individual taste with this machine. Every feature is fully customisable in terms of coffee strength and milk quantity. You can make cappuccinos, lattes, flat whites and it even has a long coffee button for drip coffee lovers.

The Delonghi Eletta automatic coffee machine will do everything, right from grinding the coffee beans to frothing and serving the milk. It can also be used with ground coffee if you run out of beans, comes with a cup warmer and the milk container has an auto-clean function (a huge draw for me!).

Although I think this is the best coffee maker on the market, in terms of ease of use, do make sure you have enough bench space as it’s quite hefty at 11kg but, as I’ve said before, you’d be hard pushed to find a lighter fully automatic machine.

Best Pod Coffee Machine Reviews

The best coffee pod machine reviews to help you decide which is the best coffee pod machine to buy for your home.

The best coffee machine with pods should be quick and simple to use and the Dolce Gusto is just that! This machine is one of the most well-known pod coffee makers and is considered, by many, to be the best small coffee machine Australia has.

With a huge variety of coffee choices, you simply place the pod in the machine, set the water level, as advised on the box, and press the button. It could not be easier to use. Although the Dolce Gusto does not have a milk frother, Nescafe coffee pods do have milk options so it is still possible to make latte’s, cappuccinos and more.

I used to own one of these and found the water tank a little small and I got fed up of re-filling it all the time. However, that’s the trade-off you make for the compact size and, I have to admit, it is very unobtrusive on the kitchen counter.

This is my pick for the best coffee pod machine for home, Australia has available!

DeLonghi Nespresso Citiz

Ask anyone to name you a capsule coffee machine brand and chances are Nespresso will be right up there with the most popular! They’re considered by many to be one of the best coffee machine brands, and rightly so.

The Citiz made it onto my list of the top 10 coffee machines due to the machine’s ease of use but also for the relatively large water tank capacity, compared to other capsule coffee machines reviews in this article.

The 19 bar high-performance pump gives a great quality espresso and it comes with a programmable energy-saving mode, so the machine switches off when not in use. Don’t worry though, the other great feature of the Citiz is the fact that it only takes 25 seconds to heat up to temperature. The drip tray is adjustable, to allow for different sized coffees, and used capsules are deposited into the internal bin, allowing for easy cleaning of the machine.

This machine is one of the best coffee capsule machines Australia has on offer if you want something reliable and stylish that won’t break the bank.

DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima

The Lattissima is a capsule machine but has so many features it could be considered a fully automatic for beginners.

At the touch of a single button, you can make a range of barista-quality beverages such as lattes, cappuccinos and espressos. The removable milk frother makes for easy storage in the fridge and is fully automatic, making it easy for beginners to craft their perfect coffee.

To keep the machine in working order it has an intuitive descaling function with a programmable water hardness setting. This is super important as a build-up of limescale can be deadly to home coffee machines.

It is a little heavier than some pod coffee machines, weighing in at 4.5kg, but this is understandable with all of the extra features you get!

2020 Espresso Coffee Machine Reviews, Australia

Breville Duo Temp Pro

If you are looking for the best manual coffee machine for home, the Breville Duo Temp Pro is one of the best options on the market. Extraction is done under lower pressure, allowing for all the flavours to be extracted evenly and meaning you get quality cafe-style coffee.

It is also the small extra features of this machine that make it the best manual coffee machine Australia has at the moment. The water tank contains a built-in, replaceable, filter which stops scale building up and when the drip tray is getting full an “empty me” reminder pops up.

The Duo Temp Pro has a small footprint so won’t take up much counter space and the solid metal casing makes it much more durable than alternatives in the same price range. If you are looking for the best Breville coffee machine that will not break the bank, the Duo Temp Pro is definitely the best choice.

DeLonghi Dedica Pump

Delonghi has long been considered one of the best coffee maker brands and the Dedica Pump upholds that label! At just 15cm wide, it has a super compact design and will easily fit in the smallest of kitchens. Do not let the size fool you though, its 15 bar pressure and thermoblock technology still brews a delicious coffee in just 40 seconds.

The machine features an adjustable and removable drip tray, allowing you to use taller cups for larger beverages. The best home coffee espresso machine should make life easier and, with all the removable parts being dishwasher safe, this machine certainly does just that.

The easy to use and adjustable foaming wand coupled with the sleek design and unobtrusive size make the Dedica Pump one of the top rated coffee machines.

DeLonghi Magnifica

If you are looking for the best home automatic coffee machine then the Magnifica will have you covered. Creating a cafe quality coffee is as easy as pressing a button, on the incredibly user-friendly control panel, which allows you to customise the strength and size of the coffee.

The built in grinding mechanism can be manually adjusted to create a finer or coarser ground, according to your taste, making the Magnifica the best coffee machine with grinder built in.

The Magnifica weighs in at a hefty 10kg meaning you shouldn’t expect to be moving it around the kitchen too much. If size and weight are not your main concern though, this could be the best automatic coffee maker for you.

DeLonghi PrimaDonna Elite

Of the 10 best coffee machines I’ve reviewed, the PrimaDonna Elite is the gold standard. This machine is one of the most high-tech coffee machines on the market and it has an intuitive colour LCD display, making operation incredibly easy. The machine allows you to customise everything about your brew such as aroma, beverage size and coffee to milk ratio.

Just a few of this machines top features include a silent coffee grinder with 13 adjustable settings, double boiler system and automatic milk frother. All the removable parts are dishwasher safe and there’s an automatic cleaning and descaling function.

The exclusive Coffee Link App lets users create six unique coffee profiles to save all of your favourite drinks and make them available at the touch of a button.

The PrimaDonna Elite is not just the best coffee machine and grinder combination, it is also a look at the coffee machine of the future.

Best Drip Coffee Maker Reviews

Best Filter Coffee Machine: Delonghi Clessidra

If you want a smoother cup of coffee than you usually get from a drip coffee brewer, you should look for the best pour-over coffee machine like this option from Delonghi.

This 10 cup pour-over coffee machine comes with a 1.25 litre borosilicate glass carafe, a material which is known for having great thermal, temperature resistant properties. The Delonghi Clessidra automatic pour-over coffee machine mimics the manual pour-over coffee process with its 6 hole shower head, so the coffee is evenly extracted across the coffee grounds. This machine has even gained certification from the European Coffee Brewing Centre, thanks to its precise temperature and infusion control time meeting their highest standards.

This pour-over coffee maker is sleek and stylish and will look great on any kitchen top. Other features include an automatic descaling alarm, a built in coffee warmer for up to 40 minutes and an anti-drip system that allows you to remove the carafe mid brew if you just can’t wait for that first cup.

If you love the full-bodied flavour of pour-over coffee but don’t have the time to manually pour all the time, this automatic pour-over coffee maker from Delonghi could be the best filter coffee maker for your needs.

Best Drip Coffee Machine: Breville Precision Brewer

If you’re looking for a really versatile coffee machine, the Breville Precision Brewer isn’t just the best drip coffee machine, it can create a range of coffees with fully customisable settings to achieve your perfect brew.

This Breville drip coffee machine has a 12 cup stainless steel thermal carafe to keep your coffee warmer for longer, without any burning. This coffee maker has an impressive 6 unique brewing modes including fast, strong, iced, cold brew, personalised settings and the gold cup standard which will automatically brew your coffee to recommended standards. The “my brew” setting lets you have full control over the bloom time, brew temperature and flow rate so you really can personalise your coffee drinking experience.

This Breville drip coffee maker also comes with dual filter baskets to help you achieve the best cup of coffee, whether you just want to make a single cup of coffee or need a whole carafe for entertaining. You can also purchase a showerhead fitting for this machine to turn it into a great automatic pour-over coffee machine.

If you are looking for a coffee machine with that all important bloom feature as well as some fully customisable settings to achieve the perfect brew, you will struggle to find better than the Breville Precision Brewer.

Best Cheap Drip Coffee Maker: Breville Aroma Style

If you’re just looking for the best drip filter coffee machine at the lowest price that will still deliver a great cup of coffee, look no further than this cheap Breville coffee machine.

The Breville Aroma Style comes with a 12 cup glass carafe so it’s great if you need to make a large batch of coffee for guests. The metal filter basket can be used without the need for paper filters, to save a little extra money, and the stainless steel machine looks good and won’t take up too much space on your kitchen bench.

This drip coffee maker also has a 24 hour preset timer so you can have steaming hot coffee ready when you wake up in the morning and the safety shut off kicks in after 2 hours, meaning you don’t have to worry that you forgot to turn the machine off.

If you just want a good quality drip coffee machine that won’t blow the budget, this option from Breville would look great in any kitchen.

Conclusion

Ultimately, when shopping for the best coffee machine for home, the more money you’ll spend, the more features and better quality machine you will get. Don’t get me wrong there are some fantastic options here for the best inexpensive coffee machines and if you don’t have a ton of cash to spare you can still get a great machine.

If you want the absolute best cup of coffee in the morning though you should invest in a quality burr coffee grinder and the best espresso machine you can afford.