Recommended Coffee Machine for a Non-Connoisseur

wau2 on 19/09/2024 - 09:06
Last edited 19/09/2024 - 11:13 by 1 other user

Hi all, have been living on instant coffee for the past 4-5 years, but whenever I go out, I always grab a nice coffee.

Finally decided to bring it all inhouse since I'll be WFH for the foreseeable future. I can't tell the difference between a good and excellent coffee.

Can anyone recommend something based on the following criteria:

  • Less than $800 (lower the better)
  • Can make hot chocolate for the wifey and kids
  • Don't mind pods or beans
  • Easy to make - even a zombie can make a coffee
  • Not significant tabletop space
  • With milk warmer/without not fussed

Thanks all!

Electrical & Electronics Coffee Machine

Comments

  • boomramada on 19/09/2024 - 09:13
    +2
    • Don't mind pods or beans
    • Easy to make - even a zombie can make a coffee
    • Not significant tabletop space
    • with milk warmer/without not fussed

    https://www.amazon.com.au/Nespresso-DeLonghi-Essenza-Capsule…

    • HeWhoKnows on 20/09/2024 - 16:01
      +2

      OP cannot go past the Aldi Expressi coffee machine.
      Its around $80
      They do a fine job and Aldi has a huge range of coffee pods and chocolate as well.
      So TICKS EVERY BOX for OP and without getting complicated at all.
      The Aldi frother is about $32 and does an OK job. On par with all the other frothers around that price.
      But not as good as the Nespresso frother which makes the smoothest milk froth.
      Not sure if that really matters to most people

      As a "casual" barista myself using the Aldi Expressi coffee machine and frother at our surf club coffee club every Monday for the last 10 years I can assure you that we have a lot of very satisfied customers.

      Under $115 to set up. Super simple. And pods cost $6.80 for a pack of 16.
      At least 13 different coffees to choose from varying in strength from mild to strong.

      PS: Better than Nespresso coffees by far! We did market testing.

      See here for full range: https://www.aldi.com.au/groceries/pantry/coffee/

  • highon2str on 19/09/2024 - 09:13
    +7

    The breville barista express! There are a few if us waiting for the price to come down to the $500+ mark again.

    • mhz on 20/09/2024 - 16:07

      I was recently considering one of these and then after hearing about some bad stories from friends who have had them and looking up the reviews I wouldn't go near them now. They are made cheaply from what I have been told and the boilers are made from cheap metal that deteriorates over time and leaks onto the circuit boards.

  • sumyungguy on 19/09/2024 - 09:14

    I'm a zombie and own a Breville Creatista Pro; consider also Creatista Plus. Ticks all your boxes and more

  • dtc on 19/09/2024 - 09:22
    +2

    A french press makes consistent coffee for cheap.

    Doesnt make hot chocolates though or warm your milk

    Anything breville within your price range is probably the best bet. Personally I wouldnt go for pods, they are functional but arent great. On the other hand, if you go for beans you also need a grinder so that adds to the bench space and price (or you can get pre ground but its definitely not as good). So perhaps the Breville Barista express with a built in grinder, can find it for $700. The other option is the bambino + smart grinder, will cost around $700 all up as well. I dont think there is a huge difference in terms of what you can get out of them coffee quality wise; although the barista express is more user friendly. However its bigger - the others you can hide away in a cupboad if you want.

    • DingoBilly on 19/09/2024 - 11:03
      +3

      I second this.

      If you're not a big coffee dude, don't buy a machine. It has its own issues and hidden costs. Buy a simple French press/aeropress/similar for $50 and you're good to go.

      Hot chocolate just buy the powder and add hot water. No need for a machine for that either.

  • overthinking on 19/09/2024 - 09:36
    +2

    get yourself a Breville barista express, or Breville barista pro

    set alerts on Oz bargain and wait for the price to be right!

    • KaTst3R on 19/09/2024 - 10:08
      +1
      • Easy to make - even a zombie can make a coffee

      Zombies will struggle with manual machines.

      • keejoonc on 19/09/2024 - 10:14
        +4

        This. Wouldn't recommend manual machines for people like this.
        Manual machines require a lot more effort to make coffee, not to mention clean up and maintenance required.
        If you don't actually enjoy the process of making coffee, it will just become an annoyance.

        • overthinking on 19/09/2024 - 10:49

          ye valid criticism, kinda depends what op realllllyyy wants to achieve and where he's willing to compromise

          beans + manual will be more economical over the long term

          pod machine great for space + zombies, but will he get a nice coffee?

          If I was in OP's position, I'd be getting a top-quality pod machine or fully automatic espresso machine.

          • sumyungguy on 19/09/2024 - 10:59

            @overthinking: I used to passionately hate Nespresso; declined it when offered and always purchased barista coffee where my employer supplied Nespresso. Now I'm a convert. My Creatista Pro saves a custom-programmed shot volume, milk froth level and milk temperature. Make a good enough coffee and I like how there are so many capsule options to try.

        • freefall101 on 19/09/2024 - 17:36

          I bought the barista express impress as a middle ground, IMO it works really well. Much cleaner/simpler (although need somewhere to drop the pucks afterwards, but I just have a knock bin next to the machine). Cleanup is just the drip tray because that's the only place a few grinds ever fall (that and keeping the annoying steam wand clean).

          There's still a whole lot of tweaking that can be done on water temperature and extraction time and stuff, but a year after buying it I haven't really bothered toying with it. Maybe over christmas when I have some time to play.

          I also got a refurb from Breville for about $500, so for the price it's very hard to complain too much.

  • Aureus on 19/09/2024 - 09:38
    +1

    Get a delonghi automatic machine, ideally when there is a good sale.

    That covers all of your requirements and is cheaper long term over a pod machine.

  • 87percent on 19/09/2024 - 09:52

    i picked up https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/delonghi-ec885m-dedica-ar… about 6 months ago, and its quite good. Use a manual grinder (kingrinder K6) as i only tend to make a couple of coffees a day

  • jv on 19/09/2024 - 10:03
    +2

    Recommended Coffee Machine for a Non-Connoisseur

    Here…

  • holdenmg on 19/09/2024 - 10:22

    If you are looking at Breville, this promo and Cashback deal is interesting:
    https://www.breville.com/en-au/program/fast-track-barista-pa…

  • AustriaBargain on 19/09/2024 - 10:25
    +2

    If you can afford to buy good pods, then a pod machine is the easiest. Use two pods for a stronger coffee. I have a manual machine and pod owning friends always surprised how much longer to takes. I don't mind, it saves a few cents per coffee, but it is a hassle. Plus timing bean freshness is a hassle, the pods are sealed though so they last ages.

  • Jake D on 19/09/2024 - 11:13

    Sunbeam Compact Barista - I got one on sale for about $175. Love it. takes up about as much space as my 4 slice toaster. very simple to use.

    • jv on 19/09/2024 - 12:56

      which grinder do you use with it?

      • Jake D on 19/09/2024 - 13:14

        We've only bought ground coffee. But just recently my wife was gifted a massive bag of beans, so we've picked up a cheap kmart grinder to test out. Seems to do the trick so far.

        https://www.kmart.com.au/product/coffee-grinder-43149681/

        • jv on 19/09/2024 - 13:16
          +2

          Oh no, that is a blade grinder.

          OzBargainers will crucify you… Please delete the link….

          • Jake D on 19/09/2024 - 15:49
            +1

            @jv: haha. Neither I, or OP, are Connoisseurs

  • bennyh on 19/09/2024 - 11:54

    Jura warehouse sale, https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/854066. Next one should be around Black Friday. I got the E6 in June and it's been great with Aldi Colombian beans.

  • TimmyTims on 19/09/2024 - 16:47
    +1

    I was in a very similar position and ended up getting the $79 pod machine from Aldi.
    They keep bringing out new flavours including hot choccy flavours
    Small table top space
    Makes a decent enough coffee but a proper one from a cafe still feels like a treat
    I think it was 60 days return window if not totally satisfied. So if it's not enough of an improvement over instant for you, take it back.

  • yellowfever on 19/09/2024 - 20:27
    +1

    Why not upspec in life and spend the effort to make proper coffee.

    Get the whole beans
    Get a manual machine (Breville) with in-built grinder for under $800
    Learn to steam/froth the milk

    As someone said above, you will need to enjoy the process of making coffee.

    Although making a cuppa is not fast. From turning on machine, making the coffee and cleaning the milk steamer wand, is probably about 4-5 minutes.
    If you WFH you have the time

    If all that is too much, then go with the ALDi machine and pods. I hear it tastes good enough.

  • highon2str on 19/09/2024 - 20:35

    Microwaving milk is a massive time saver too if you're not too fussed.

  • altomic on 19/09/2024 - 23:13
    +1

    I bought a basic breville espresso machine off marketplace for $40.
    Aldi dark roast beans.

    I drink my coffee black.

    I used to have lattes and i'd microwave my oat milk and then froth it with the steamer.

    That coffee machine has done ~1000 coffees.

  • Lastchancetosee on 20/09/2024 - 07:57

    Nespresso virtuo is fine if you've been drinking instant coffee until now. Low maintenance, large choice of flavours, cup sizes and strengths, amnd very easy to use.

  • kiitos on 20/09/2024 - 08:03
    +1

    I agree with some other commenters to try a French press before going to a machine - quick and easy, can buy ground coffee, small, easy to clean and can also use it to froth milk for hot chocolates (out coffee of you're willing to make coffee, clean it, then do milk) - heat the milk in a microwave safe container, pour it into the French press and pump the press a few times.

  • browsing on 20/09/2024 - 08:49

    I received a Lavazza Desea Coffee Machine (A Modo Mio) for my birthday which seems to tick all the boxes. I don't need it as I already use another machine so am willing to sell this one for half the retail price (RRP is $350). It's still new and sealed in the box so if you or anyone wants it, just message me.

  • Loopholio on 20/09/2024 - 08:51

    Maybe try an AreoPress? They are around $55-$80 and last for years. Minimum space, effort and easy cleaning.

  • PurpleHat on 20/09/2024 - 09:48

    Nespresso Gran Lattissima. Super easy. Milk jug goes in the dishwasher. It has a milk only option for hot chocolate. Downside is the price but so much easier than a manual machine.

  • wau2 on 20/09/2024 - 16:08
    +1

    Thanks all! gives me plenty of though options! Gonna go around this weekend and check them out in hand

  • 2esc on 20/09/2024 - 16:26

    If you still enjoy instant dont bother changing.

  • 82norm on 20/09/2024 - 21:43
    +1

    Kettle.

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