The best espresso machine under 200 Coffee Machines For Home Baristas

The purchase of a coffee maker lets you enjoy a variety of coffee-infused drinks from the convenience of your home. There's a coffee machine to suit every budget and taste, regardless of whether you prefer filters or pods.

A true workhorse, this bean-to-cup machine offers a rare level of control for an expensive model. This is a great option when you're looking for a simple and milky options without fuss.

1. Breville Barista Max

A mid-range bean-to-cup with a built-in grinder, Breville Barista Max+ VCF152 is a good choice for anyone keen to learn how to make coffee the right way (rather than using pods or a less expensive espresso machine) and for those looking to upgrade from a less capable manual machine. It can produce both high-quality coffee and milk with a good texture.

The Barista max+ comes with a massive drip pan with a separate trough that can catch spilled grounds, and a convenient storage area to store additional equipment. It's also a solid-looking and well-built machine with all removable parts clicking into place pleasingly. It is available in classic stainless steel and a stylish silver.

It's designed with a professional touch and is influenced by commercial machines, with features like Temp IQ Shot Control that gives precise water temperatures for every cup, and a Tap & Go on-demand burr grinder with 30 settings. It employs a preinfusion method to gently infuse ground beans for the perfect balance and full flavor.

There's a helpful guide in the instruction manual that explains how to calibrate the machine, which is crucial to ensure that it is calibrated correctly to ensure a consistent, good cup of espresso. It also explains the decalcification cycle that is required to ensure your machine is in good working order.

The controls are easy to operate. A dial allows you to set the machine's settings for hot water by turning the knob to the left, or to start dispensing steam with a further turn. The coffee spout is tall enough to fit in an espresso cup or latte glass, but it's not a large jug. It is necessary to infuse the milk, and then pour the espresso before pouring it into larger cups for cappuccinos and lattes.

Breville only offers an one-year guarantee on this machine. If something goes wrong after that period, you will be accountable for the repair cost. This might be a deterrent for some, especially given how costly the machine is when purchased new.

2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup

The iconic Smeg name is synonymous with kitchen appliances that ooze retro 1950's design and quality. What's more interesting is that until recently, Smeg's range didn't include a bean-to-cup machine. This was until the sleek BCC02 model was launched in September.

The bean-to cup coffee machine allows you to make your favorite drinks at the one button. This includes ristretto as well as espresso and hot water for tea or other hot drinks. Simply place the desired amount of beans in the hopper, and then select your beverage with the buttons on the bottom. Then press the button to brew. It's easy and fast with only a few inputs required, and it comes with a handy alert that tells you when it's time to descale or empty the grounds drawer (although this is an easy one to ignore if you don't do it often).

Our barista friend tried the Smeg Bean-to-Cup. She was impressed with the ease of use and the fact that it could make milky coffees like cappuccino and latte. She was impressed by the speedy warm-up times and how quiet it was while she was working. She was also pleased that the process only took 45 minutes, and she could choose the strength of the drink. The only issue was that the BCC02 does not come with a jug made of metal which you'll have to purchase separately.

The most appealing aspect is the fact that this coffee maker doesn't require any plastic pods or sachets, which means you'll be saving money as well as making a difference for the environment. The Smeg Bean to Cup coffee machine is available in a variety of matt colors, including white, taupe as well as smouldering and new to the collection, black. You can match the coffee maker to your kitchen decor, and transform your kitchen area while you're at it. It's definitely worth a look for those who love the Smeg brand.

3. Gaggia Milano V60

If you're a home barista or have any interest in espresso, then this Gaggia Milano coffee machine is an excellent choice. It features a fast heat boiler technology, so you can make espresso quickly and easily. It comes with an expert steaming wand that can create great foamed milk for cappuccinos and lattes. You can also alter the length, body and grinding settings to match your preferences.

This coffee maker is a single boiler machine that was initially released in 1991. It is now one of the most popular espresso machines for home use, especially among home baristas. It is known for its simplicity, low price and outstanding performance. The design is simple and sleek, with a few modern touches. It is also easy to maintain and use.

It is important to know that this Gaggia coffee machine doesn't have any modern features, such as preinfusion or a PID, so it might be slightly outdated for some. However, it does still offer great espresso and is a great option for those who prefer traditional design.

There are some key distinctions between this Gaggia coffee maker and similar models however. It has a chrome-plated brass handle for the portafilter, for example. This is a great feature that distinguishes it from other entry-level espresso machines for home use. It also has the thermo-bloc boiler which is a nice feature for this price range.

In addition to the aforementioned features, this coffee maker also has a removable reservoir of water for easy refilling and maintenance. It also comes with an infusion chamber constructed of stainless steel that keeps the water at a perfect temperature to make the best espresso. It also comes with a high-quality ceramic grinder that helps keep your espresso fresher for longer.

Another great feature of this coffee maker is the automatic water level detection. This feature makes it much easier to operate the machine and ensures you're always using a full tank of fresh, clean water. This is essential for getting the best espresso machine under 500 results from your espresso.

4. Sage Barista

Sage is known for rethinking how coffee machines work. The Oracle Touch is no different. It's a dual-boiler with an integrated grinder and an on-board barista. Oracle Touch is a balanced machine. While many bean-to-cup systems are designed to be convenient and not focusing on quality, Oracle Touch offers a well-rounded approach. The machine handles all the grinding, dosing and tamping tasks while steaming and the milk for you. This lets you get the best rated coffee machines out of your beans and avoids disappointing results that can sometimes occur when using pre-ground espresso from a store.

The Oracle comes with 30 grind settings, which means you'll be able discover the ideal level of fineness to your preferred drink. It also comes with a cradle for the portafilter. This is a great accessory for those looking to recreate the barista experience. Other useful features include the Razor Precision Dose trimming tool to clean any leftover beans, the milk jug made of stainless steel and steam wand that can be used to make latte art-worthy creations.

You can choose from a wide range of beverages and the machine will recommend the right grind size, brew speed, and milk temperature for each one. You can then save your preferences for the future This is a fantastic feature that eliminates the uncertainty of choosing the best pod coffee machine uk cup of coffee. This model is a good option for those who are new to espresso, since it will help you get the most from the beans you choose.

The machine is elegantly designed with a beautiful brushed-stainless-steel finish. It looks great on your countertop in the kitchen. However, it's a large machine at H41cm, W33cm, and D38cm and could struggle to fit under cabinets. It's worth measuring your space to ensure that you can accommodate it before purchasing. The machine is easy to clean, however you will need to wipe down the drip pan that is detachable and the steam wand frequently. It's a good idea to set up an account with Sage to get access to weekly masterclasses, as well as personalized tutorials to get the most value of your new coffee machine.