Brewing Excellence: Best Coffee Machines For Home Use in 2024

Australians are known for being fussy about their coffee. From latte lovers to espresso enthusiasts, everyone has their preference for the perfect way to start – or finish – their day. Finding the right maker or machine though, can depend on a number of factors including budget, the amount of space you have available and, importantly, how much time you like to dedicate to getting your coffee just the way you like it. Here, we’ve taken the guesswork out of it, assembling an impressive collection of makers and machines to suit every budget, benchspace and brew.

BIALETTI MOKA EXPRESS 4 CUP

Ok, this is not strictly a coffee machine, but it’s hard to go past the classic Bialetti Moka Express. First designed in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti, this maker is synonymous with Italian coffee. Suitable for use on electric, induction and gas hobs, this stovetop model is ideal for small kitchens where benchspace does not allow for a freestanding coffee machine. Once you get the hang of the technique, it becomes part of your daily ritual, whether it’s a two-cup pot for you and a friend, or a 4 cup arrangement when entertaining. You’ll also get bonus points among coffee aficionados and roasters because, well, some things never get old.

$74.90, thedesigngiftshop.com

LA MARZOCCO LINEA MICRA COFFEE MACHINE

Make coffee like you were born to brew with one of the biggest names in the coffee making business. The compact design means it can fit in almost any kitchen without compromising on the quality of the end product. Designed as a scaled down version of the Linea Classic S, it’s easy to set up and explore all your favourite cafe options. Available in a range of colours, it can also be controlled through the new La Marzocco Home App.

$5,999, winnings.com.au

DELONGHI NESPRESSO CITIZ & MILK FROTHER MACHINE

This machine is perfect for those days when you need a coffee to get those synapses firing. Using the pod system, it’s super easy and quick to brew the perfect coffee, with a heating time of just 25 seconds. Latte lovers will enjoy the Aeroccino frother makes, which takes the guesswork out of getting the milk just right.

$469 appliancesonline.com.au

J8

It might have a tiny name but the J8 by Jura packs a punch when it comes to making the perfect coffee. If flavoured coffee is your vibe, it has a sweet foam function to flavour the milk, as well as active grind monitoring and 3D brewing process. This is coffee making refined to a fine art, with 31 coffee specialties available in its award-winning design.

$3,970, au.jura.com

STELTON COLLAR ESPRESSO COFFEE MAKER

Nothing says cool like Scandi design, even when it comes to coffee. Designed by Daniel Debiasi and Fredrico Sandri, the Stelton Collar Espresso stovetop coffee maker uses the same process as the classic Italian Moka design, with water in the base and coffee above. A black stainless steel outer shell is supported by a wooden handle for easy manipulation, while the classic design makes brewing the perfect espresso a breeze.

$149.90, thedesigngiftshop.com

SMEG GREEN 50s RETRO STYLE ESPRESSO COFFEE MACHINE

Step back in time with this retro style coffee machine from Smeg. Winner of the 2017 GOOD DESIGN award for excellence in design innovation, it’s an exercise in simplicity, with three options – single shot, double shot and steam – to choose from, plus an adjustable steam wand. With five colours to choose from, you can mix and match to fit in with your retro – or not so retro – kitchen.

$549, appliancesonline.com.au

GAGGENAU FULLY AUTOMATIC ESPRESSO MACHINE 400 SERIES

Make the most of your renovation plans with the option of a fully built-in coffee machine. The 400 series from Gaggenau offers touch display and Home Connect for in-person or remote operation as well as a range of features to ensure you enjoy the perfect brew, every time. Features include eight personalised coffee settings, 12 types of beverages and a handleless side door opening.

$7,999 gaggenau.com.au

SIEMENS iQ700 BUILT-IN FULLY AUTOMATIC COFFEE MACHINE

If this built-in machine doesn’t look like much, that’s kind of the point. The sleek design conceals a myriad of options to allow for full coffee customisation, including brewing strength, multiple coffee types and milk frothing options. The touch display screen and fully automated steam cleaning make using this machine a breeze while the HomeConnect App means you can use it from anywhere. With too many features to mention, this sophisticated machine is the ultimate in coffee making luxury.

$4,499, winnings.com.au

Frequently Asked Questions

Which coffee machine is best for home?

This gets down to personal habits and preferences, as well as the size of your kitchen. If space is an issue and you enjoy the ritual, a stovetop coffee maker like the Bialetti is a cheap option that still delivers a great espresso. It’s best if you don’t turn your back on it. If your needs are simple, or you live alone, a basic machine with a few functions may suffice. For those who love entertaining, it may be worth investing in a more sophisticated machine that can produce multiple styles of coffee in a short amount of time.

What is the best machine to make coffee?

This is a hotly contested issue. For most people, it gets down to what they’re used to, whether it’s a quick espresso or a creamy latte. The key is ensuring you have fresh beans or ground coffee to start.

Which type of coffee is best for coffee machine?

It’s not so much about choosing the right coffee for the machine as it is for the kind of coffee you’re looking to make. As a general rule, lighter roast coffees work better for espresso while coffees that add milk, such as caffe latte and flat white do better with darker roasted coffee to maintain the flavour through the milk. Be aware also that the coarser the grind, the milder the flavour. If you prefer a stronger coffee, you’ll get better results with a finer grind.

What is a good affordable coffee machine?

Brands such as Breville and Sunbeam are still active in the market – and for good reason. They not only produce a reliable coffee but will only set you back a few hundred dollars to start. Having said that, leading brands like DeLonghi also sell compact coffee machines for around $250. Ask for a demonstration before you buy or check reviews at choice.com.au

Australian social circles are shrinking as more people look for ways to keep a lid on spending, a new survey has found.

New research from Finder found more than one fifth of respondents had dropped a friend or reduced their social circle because they were unable to afford the same levels of social activity. The survey questioned 1,041 people about how increasing concerns about affordability were affecting their social lives. The results showed 6 percent had cut ties with a friend, 16 percent were going out with fewer people and 26 percent were going to fewer events.

Expensive events such as hens’ parties and weddings were among the activities people were looking to avoid, indicating younger people were those most feeling the brunt of cost of living pressures. According to Canstar, the average cost of a wedding in NSW was between $37,108 to $41,245 and marginally lower in Victoria at $36, 358 to $37,430.

But not all age groups are curbing their social circle. While the survey found that 10 percent of Gen Z respondents had cut off a friend, only 2 percent of Baby Boomers had done similar.

Money expert at Finder, Rebecca Pike, said many had no choice but to prioritise necessities like bills over discretionary activities.

“Unfortunately, for some, social activities have become a luxury they can no longer afford,” she said.