For extra convenience, all-in-one coffee machines combine the functionalities of an espresso machine and a traditional coffee maker. However, finding the ideal pick can be challenging if you're unfamiliar with how they work.
In this guide, I'll simplify that process by shortlisting the best all-in-one coffee makers for Australians. Before we start, not all coffee machines are the same, so it's important to know what you want.
My Top Picks
Here are my top three picks of the best all-in-one coffee makers available in Australia:
Breville Oracle Touch
Best all-in-one coffee machine with an auto-grind feature, dual boiler design, automated touch screen, and a wide range of customisable settings.
EspressoWorks 7 Piece
Best all-in-one coffee machine for home use with an easy-to-use control panel, decent build quality, and a plug-in grinder.
Phillips 5400 Series
Best value all-in-one coffee machine with a TFT display for drink selection or customisation, an integrated grinder, and four user profiles.
6 Espresso and Coffee Combo Machines for Aussies
In my review of the best espresso and coffee combo machines in Australia, I discuss what each machine offers and how well it works. I also list its pros and cons to help you choose the right machine.
1. Breville Oracle Touch
Best All-in-One Coffee Machine
Capacity: 2.5 L
The Oracle Touch by Breville is the best all-in-one coffee machine you can buy. It has a sleek industrial build, dual boiler design, and a wide range of customisable settings for café quality drinks with minimal effort. The dual boiler system, enhanced thermal stability, allows you to brew and steam simultaneously while enjoying excellent output from both functions.
The all-in-one super-automatic coffee machine includes an intuitive automated touch screen that is easy to use. You can customise your favourite drinks by tapping the home icon on its display. Then, swipe across the drinks menu and choose your preferred drink type. It also includes an auto-grind feature and a micro-foam steam wand that produces a micro-foam texture for a delicate balance of rich, sweet milk and espresso flavour.
On the downside, the Oracle Touch has a steeper price tag. Then again, its modern features and automated functionalities justify the higher price point. Also, the Oracle Touch may not be a suitable option if you have limited bench space.
Pros
- Dual boiler design
- Wide range of customisable settings
- Intuitive touch screen
- Auto-grind feature
Cons
- Higher price tag
- Not for limited bench space
2. EspressoWorks 7 Piece
Best All-in-One Coffee Machine for Home Use
Capacity: 1.25 L
EspressoWorks' 7 Piece espresso and cappuccino maker is easy-to-use with a control panel that includes a power button and a knob. You can turn on and pre-heat the coffee maker by clicking the on/off switch. It has an orange light indicating that the machine is powered on and a green light when it is warmed up and ready to make coffee.
The appliance features a thermoblock that allows the espresso maker to heat up quickly. You can prepare espresso just two minutes after switching on the machine using pre-ground coffee or fresh beans. The steam and water temperatures are consistent, and the machine is energy-efficient. The all-in-one coffee maker also includes all the necessary accessories to get started. You even get two ceramic espresso cups for your shots.
The EspressoWorks 7-piece coffee machine has decent build quality, but the base isn't the most stable. The machine often moves while attaching the portafilter, so you may have to hold it in place with one hand and attach it with another. I didn’t like the plastic attachment on the steam wand, and its wide nozzle often interfered with steaming or frothing milk.
Pros
- Intuitive control panel
- Quick heat-up with a thermoblock
- Consistent steam and water temperature
- Includes two ceramic espresso cups
- Energy-conserving design
Cons
- Base is not the most stable
- Plastic attachment on the steam wand
- Wide nozzle on the steam wand
3. Phillips 5400 Series
Best Value All-in-One Coffee Machine
Capacity: 1.8 L
The Phillips 5400 Series offers the best value for your money. It has a fine stainless steel coffee cup holder, a stainless steel drip tray, a chrome theatre back panel, and accent lighting, which looks great in any setting.
The all-in-one coffee maker also has a TFT display for an easy and quick selection or customisation of your favourite drinks. There’s a touch button for espresso, coffee, Americano, cappuccino, and latte macchiato, among others. More impressive, the automated coffee maker allows up to four unique profiles and one guest profile if you have a busy household. Users can have their profile with their favourite drinks from quick access.
Thanks to its removable brew group, the coffee maker is easy to clean and maintain. It also has an integrated grinder for precision grinding. Not to complain, but it would be beneficial to be able to adjust the level of texturising or foam for the milk independently, not just the volume. The machine is also quite large and requires significant counter space.
Pros
- Durable build
- Includes a coffee cup holder
- Accent lighting for an attractive appearance.
- TFT display for easy drink selection
- Up to four unique user profiles
Cons
- Can't adjust milk texturising independently
- Requires significant counter space
4. EspressoWorks 10 Piece
Best Automatic All-in-One Coffee Machine
Capacity: 1.4 L
The EspressoWorks 10Pc All-in-One Barista Bundle includes everything you need to bring the coffee house home. You can create espresso (single or double shot), cappuccinos, lattes, and other delightful coffeehouse beverages at the touch of a single button. You get a one-touch control panel equipped with seven dedicated buttons to brew your list of delicious drinks.
The machine is super easy to use, making it suitable for beginners. To brew coffee, you must first fill up the large-capacity water reservoir. Then, grind your favourite espresso or coffee beans to a fine grind using the electric bean grinder. Next, choose the single or double-shot filter basket and guide it into the stainless steel portafilter. Filled with your coffee grinds, tamp firmly, lock in the portafilter, and power the machine to start brewing.
EspressoWorks' coffee maker includes an advanced thermoblock fast heating system that delivers precise temperatures and instant steam. It also packs a built-in frother with a control knob. While there are hardly any negatives, watch out for the occasional leaking underneath. This happens when you pull the filter too tight. With consistent use, you learn to avoid the problem.
Pros
- User-friendly
- Large-capacity water reservoir
- Built-in frother with control knob
- Advanced thermoblock heating system
- Suitable for beginners
Cons
- Occasional leaking
The 7-piece set has a simple steam and espresso dial, while the 10-piece set offers four pre-made drink options and an auto-clean feature. So, if you like frothed milk, the 10-piece set is a better choice, but for steamed milk, the 7-piece set is better.
5. Dr. Coffee Coffee Break Big
Best Commercial All-in-One Coffee Machine
Capacity: 8 L
The Dr Coffee Coffee Break Big fully automatic coffee maker is an excellent option for various business places, such as offices, VIP lounges, and common areas. Thanks to its premium-quality parts, it is highly reliable. The machine can produce up to 100 cups daily, thanks to its sizeable 8-litre water tank and 500 kg consistent ground output.
The coffee maker features two heating elements that steam and brew simultaneously. Its wide dosing range ensures optimal intensity. The machine's 7-inch display also eliminates any guesswork. You can brew more than twenty drinks with the touch of a button.
Dr Coffee's premium coffee maker lets you customise your drinks in the settings menu. You can customise the strength of the drink, brew time, milk heating time, and temperature of the coffee, among others. The machine also features flat ceramic burrs for superior grind quality and consistency. I should add that the appliance may be a bit slow for commercial use in bigger businesses with larger orders exceeding 100 cups per day.
Pros
- Reliable build quality
- Large water tank capacity
- Two heating elements
- Wide dosing range
- 7-inch display
- Customisable settings
Cons
- Premium price tag
6. Nespresso Vertuo Plus
Best All-in-One Coffee Pod Machine
Capacity: 1.8 L
The Nespresso Vertuo Plus is super easy to use and affordable. All you have to do is add water to the tank, insert a capsule, plug it in, and power it on, and you’re ready to brew a delightful cup of coffee. Nespresso's coffee maker features automatic blend recognition, enabling it to always identify individual capsules for optimal extraction. It also has a unique water tank design that is removable and moveable for easy cleaning and filling under the tap.
The all-in-one coffee machine has a compact design and is highly space-saving, making it convenient for small kitchen spaces. Likewise, its rotating water reservoir allows you to set up the machine to suit the space in your kitchen, making it ideal for small kitchens and workspaces. And when you slightly push up the lid, the machine kicks out the used capsule into the storage bin in the back for extra convenience.
Thanks to its centrifuge technology, the Nespresso Vertuo Plus can make four different cup sizes at the touch of a button: espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, and mug. But while there's little to complain about, considering its price point, I thought the manual included with the product was quite confusing. I had to figure out the device on my own.
Pros
- Easy to use and affordable
- Automatic blend recognition
- Removable and movable water tank
- Compact design, space-saving
- Centrifuge technology
Cons
- Confusing manual
Espresso vs. Coffee
Espresso has a more intense and thicker flavour than regular coffee. It’s a strong shot of caffeine with a dense flavour and a rich Crema. To make espresso, you need 50 per cent of beans and 50 per cent of water.
What differentiates espresso from coffee is the brewing process. Unlike espresso, coffee is less intense because it tends to have more water or milk. Therefore, the coffee's taste is lighter than espresso.
Espresso Machine vs. Coffee Machine
An espresso machine uses high pressure (8 to 9 bar) to extract a shot of espresso from finely ground beans. However, your espresso maker can make regular coffee with accurate pressure, heating, and timing.
In contrast, a coffee maker produces coffee in a more relaxing way. It pulls water slowly through the medium-coarse ground in a filter to brew a fresh, hot cup of coffee. Note that a coffee maker doesn’t have a pump but uses gravity to pull water through the grind.
Heat Exchanger vs. Dual Boiler
Dual boilers and heat exchangers are popular options for home baristas looking for an all-in-one coffee maker. Both offer excellent performance, but the preference is between a balance of precision and power.
Power pertains to the capabilities of a machine's boilers and heating elements, while precision concerns achieving the ideal temperature for extracting a shot of espresso.
Dual boilers often have PID technology, which monitors and minutely adjusts the water temperature to maintain it optimally. On the other hand, heat exchangers provide ample power with their large single boiler, making them ideal for crafting cappuccinos and lattes.
Which Coffee Machine Can Use All Pods?
No single all-in-one coffee maker can use all pods on the market. However, some machines can use extra-large and classic pods of the same brand. So, choose the correct capsules if you settle for a pod machine. I've compiled a list of Australia's finest coffee pod machines to simplify your search.
How to Clean an All-in-One Coffee Machine?
Although it’s essential for making espresso and other coffee drinks, tap water often contains minerals that cause scale build-up. Regular cleaning is key to avoiding problems. Here are some tips to help:
- Remove the portafilter after every shot and run water through the group head to remove liquid coffee and grounds
- Always wipe down the milk frothier after steaming milk
- If the water tank is removable, detach it from the machine and give it a thorough wipe at least once a month
- Backflush the machine every two to four weeks to get rid of debris buildup and excess coffee oils that can cause blockages
Darren Sherwood
Final Thoughts
Based on my review, I trust you know the ideal pick for your kitchen and ideal use case. If you're still unsure, I recommend considering the Breville Oracle Touch or the EspressoWorks 7 Piece.
Both offer the convenience of all your favourite drinks in one machine and provide a unique barista experience. They are consistent with every cup of coffee, combining ease of use with good results.
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}