Jounalist Glenn Kelly put five at-home coffee machines to the test to determine which ones could give baristas a run for their money.
What is it about the art of making a good coffee? Let's be honest, we've all stood in a long morning queue at our favourite coffee shop, looking at the barista operating the oversized machine - buzzing, hissing and steaming away - and you think: "I could do that…no bother."
Well, lucky for us, there are a number of coffee machines that you can buy nowadays that can give you that exact experience, or if you prefer, make the job just that little bit easier.
In this article, after carrying out some real-world testing with (and tasting with my neighbour, Michael), and using Belfast Coffee Roasters as my go-to, I’m going to list the top-five machines in the real world that will make you a delicious cup of the hot stuff and will appeal to all budgets and desires.
Coffee machines start from as little as €75 but start to really impress from around the €150 mark. They then rise all the way up to....well, whatever you are willing to pay.
Whilst the taste of the cuppa is of utmost importance, there are other things to consider in this test, such as the ease of use, ergonomics of the machine, storage options, quality of milk frothing, and ease of cleaning.
So, after narrowing the list down to a top five, let’s get on and see what coffee machines should be on your next shopping list.
Best Coffee Machine Overall
De’Longhi Magnifica Plus
€799.95 (was €899.95), Brown Thomas
Likes: Effortless bean-to-cup machine, efficient bean grinder, large milk frother, superb quality info-screen, perfect for those who want the barista experience without the time.
Dislikes: Expensive, quite large for smaller kitchens
The award for best overall machine goes to the Magnifica Plus. De’Longhi’s new premium machine is not cheap, but it makes a mean cup of coffee with minimal effort.
For some, the pod option just does not give the satisfaction of a bean-to-cup coffee, but they also don’t want the time-consuming nature of a manual machine - this is where the Magnifica Plus shines.
Simply pop the beans or ground coffee in the top, close the lid, and away you go. The 3.5-inch display surprises with its clarity and offers all the options you need at the touch of a button. 18 drinks are available to choose from, including all the usual suspects of the milk-based variety and no one is left out.
The machine is well muted post the initial bean grind and I found the speed of the water and milk to heat to be extremely fast at under 10 seconds. The coffee is poured close to perfection with a lovely crema produced and almost a Guiness-like swathing appearance of the levels within a latte. It even does a self-clean afterwards!
The machine is on the large side and for those with a small kitchen you might prefer a smaller model, but if you can swap out a microwave or give up your toast, find a way to squeeze the Magnifica Plus in.
Best Manual/Semi-automatic Coffee Machine
Sage Barista Express
€599.99, DID Electrical
Likes: You'll feel like a real Barista, comes well-equipped with accessories, 16 grinder settings, super taste.
Dislikes: Expensive, single boiler only, not for those looking for a quick cuppa.
Prepare a superior coffee to the local Barista (especially the one who always burns your milk!) The Barista Express gives you all the tools you need to be your own caffinated boss.
With the ability to grind the beans just before use, the coffee is at it’s freshest and it shows here. Espressos, Americanos and Lattes all came out to perfection, with a little help from the manual milk steamer and frother.
To those with a hobby for making coffee, rather than just the joy of drinking the stuff, this is a fantastic experience, and the workmanship is second-to-none as one would expect from Sage.
The machine, once more, is on the large side and doesn’t come cheap, although you can find good deals from time to time. With only a single boiler, it can be a pain waiting for the steamer to heat up after pouring the espresso, but overall a fine machine.
Best Nespresso Original Machine
Nespresso De’Longhi Gran Lattissima
€419.95 (was €449.95), Arnotts
Likes: Competitively priced, large milk container, excellent tasting coffee, reasonably compact, huge selection of pre-programmed drinks.
Dislikes: Cheaper alternatives available within the Nespresso range, some inconsistencies on the milk temperature.
Nespresso and De’Longhi’s "grandest" machine in the Lattissima range was released just a few months ago and has been impressing all those wanting a good tasting coffee in a flash.
Taking less than 45 seconds to heat up and less than 20 to pour an Espresso are very impressive figures in a world where time is very much in demand. Milk was also very swift to be delivered and was made easier by the fact this was also automatic.
The milk frother has a capacity of one litre, which tempts buyers into this machine from the smaller Lattissima and is allows multiple cups to be made without popping back to the fridge.
I did notice there were some inconsistencies with milk temperature, sometimes being too hot and other times a little cool. I have also read about the coffee tasting burnt on occasions, but I have no evidence of this during my testing.
Overall, a simply operated machine that gives a superb quality coffee. Perhaps one of the last "Original" pod releases.
Best Nespresso Vertuo Machine
Nespresso Sage Vertuo Creatista
€694, DonaghyBros
Likes: Just look at it…stunning, endless options of Vertuo pods, first Vertuo machine with an integrated steam wand.
Dislikes: It’s going to attract a lot of fingerprints, some may think it is too expensive for a Nespresso machine.
I am looking at this machine as I write, through the open door of my pantry, and I can’t take my eyes off it. The blend of polished and brushed stainless-steel finish is sublime. This will just work anywhere to make the area appear ten times more expensive that what it is - even if a washing machine or microwave is alongside it.
Luckily for Nespresso, the machine also makes a damn good coffee. The Vertuo range recognises what type of coffee you want by the size and type of the pods, so whether you are after a morning latte or an afternoon espresso you will be greeted with a drink that is high on aroma and has a perfect crema to enjoy on your tastebuds and your Insta account.
This is assisted by the brands centrifusion brewing technology, which tailors just the right amount of water, energy and rotations for the perfect cuppa.
The hands-free steam wand is the first of its kind on the Vertuo range and I found this to be very effective at frothing the milk to just the right consistency.
Temperatures and speed of pour were also impressive and the only limiting factor is its cost, it doesn’t come cheap. However, this is more than your average Vertuo machine, oh, and did I mention how it looks?
Best Value Machine
Nespresso Vertuo Pop
£99, Nespresso.com
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Likes: Cheaper than most, makes good coffee, can fit in just about any kitchen, looks smart.
Dislikes: Limited capacity for water, lack of customisable options, pods expensive considering the low cost of the machine.
Those in the know, have heard all about the Nespresso Pop machines; they are the entry level starting point for coffee lovers. The Vertuo Pop is a solid effort, and for under €100, it is a bit of a steal.
Yes. it lacks the customisable features of the machines above, but it is a fraction of their costs. For most people, this machine will do the trick of fixing up a morning Americano in quick time, allowing them to sprint out the door to work or for the school run.
The coffee tastes good and whilst the crema lacks the texture of more expensive equipment, it is not to be sniffed at. It can also fit into almost any size of kitchen, which is a big plus for city living.
You could do a lot worse than this machine to start your journey in the coffee world.
You can follow Glenn Kelly on X (Twitter) @Glenn_Kelly83.
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