Whether you're a latte lover, a cappuccino connoisseur, or crave that perfect shot of espresso, I've sifted through the beans and grinds to present you with the ultimate guide to the top automatic coffee machines in Australia.
I must admit that not everyone fancies a lot of automation in their coffee-making process, but they can be incredibly convenient on days when you don't feel like grinding beans or measuring water. So, read along if you're ready to complement your standard home coffee maker or start off your home coffee-making journey with an automated coffee machine.
My Top Picks
This review is extensive and detailed as it contains all the nitty-gritty of the outstanding automatic coffee machines available in Australia. But for a quick overview, below are my top three picks.
Gaggia Cardona Prestige
Best super-automatic coffee maker for intense coffee aroma, 1.8 L water tank capacity, integrated milk carafe, 14 preset drinks, and a ceramic flat burr grinder.
De’Longhi Primadonna Soul
Best fully automatic coffee machine with Bean Adapt Technology, 2.2 L water tank capacity, LatteCrema System, 21 preset recipes, and smart app connectivity.
Jura E8 Coffee Maker
World's best automatic coffee machine with RFID Technology, 1.9 L water capacity, Pulse Extraction Process (PEP), Intelligent Water System (IWS), and 17 specialty drinks.
Still unable to make a pick? Get deeper into the review and see the good and not-so-good of each of these automated coffee machines. My research considered factors such as ease of use, brewing time, coffee quality, cleaning and maintenance, durability, and customer reviews.
Super-Automatic Coffee Machines
Super-automatic coffee machines offer maximum convenience and minimal user involvement. They handle everything from grinding the coffee beans to brewing the espresso and even frothing the milk.
You can program coffee drinks with customisation options such as coffee strength, water temperature, milk temperature, and cup size. It gets more interesting; some super-automatic coffee machines even have different user profiles for saving your preferred coffee drinks.
1. Gaggia Cardona Prestige
Best for Intense Coffee Aroma
Coffee maker type: Espresso
Wattage: 1400 Watts
User interface: Backlight Buttons
The Italian-made super-automatic coffee machine has an impressive TFT colour display with backlight buttons. It's a sturdy machine for a home barista with a combination of plastic and stainless steel.
It is the best with coffee aroma intensity with the pre-infusion process and its ‘Optiaroma’ feature during the coffee extraction. The Optiaroma feature allows you to choose five different aroma intensity levels.
Pros of the Gaggia Cardona Prestige
Here are the best bits of the super-automatic coffee machine:
1. Good Build Quality
Gaggia's Cardona is built with stainless steel and plastic. The boiler is made of stainless steel and aluminium lining for increased durability and efficiency. The brew unit is removable for easy cleaning and maintenance.
The coffee maker's extraction process includes pre-infusion, which contributes to an intense and strong aroma. And like the Dinamica Plus, the Cardona Prestige also features an adjustable spout height for various cup sizes.
2. Integrated Milk Carafe
For milk-based drinks, the Cardona Prestige has an integrated milk carafe that delivers milk directly into your cup with the right texture and temperature. The carafe froths the milk twice before dispensing to ensure the best texture is always delivered. The extra advantage is that you can use the milk carafe to store milk in the fridge to preserve its freshness.
3. 14 Programmed Drinks
The 14 specialty coffee drinks are decent enough for the Gaggia Cardona Prestige. There are four coffee options available at the touch of a button and others within the machine menu. You can sit back and enjoy your best drinks like latte macchiato, Espresso lungo, Cappuccino, Americano, and more.
Like the Jura Z10, every one of these coffee recipes can be customised. You can adjust the strength, temperature, and frothed milk volume and temperature according to your preferences on any of its four user profiles.
4. Friendly User Interface
The Cardona Prestige Coffee Machine has a colour TFT display that is wide and slightly tilted upward for easy readability. The display is not crowded, making it user-friendly and intuitive. You can easily find your way around the menu with easy-to-identify icons. It also has backlight buttons for extra convenience when used in dimly lit rooms.
5. Ceramic Flat Burr Grinder
Gaggia Cardona also packs a built-in grinder that offers consistent delivery of perfect ground coffee with its ceramic flat burr. You get ten ground settings, five more than the Jura Z10, to get the ideal texture. The ceramic also preserves your coffee aroma and reduces heat transfer against other grinder materials.
Interested in exploring the best Australian coffee available online? Our comprehensive guide covers a wide range of options to help you find rich flavours from the comfort of your home.
Cons of the Gaggia Cardona Prestige
Though the ceramic flat burr grinder delivers excellently with 10 grinder settings, it can benefit from some improvements in how you do the grinder setting. First, you can only adjust the grinder when it is running, and second, you will have to use a spanner-like tool to adjust it. Also, the bypass for using pre-ground coffee gets too easily clogged up.
Overall Verdict
The Gaggia Cardona Prestige falls below the $2,000 price range making it a good bargain. In performance, it's a fine super-automatic machine that justifies its price tag with the standout “Optiaroma feature” for optimal coffee aroma, a lovely user interface, a ceramic flat burr grinder, and 14 programmed and customisable specialty coffee drinks.
2. Jura Z10
Best for Cold Brewing
Coffee maker type: Espresso
Wattage: 1450 Watts
User interface: Touchscreen
The Jura Z10 features modern and intelligent functionalities. With 32 specialty coffee drinks already programmed in it, you have enough varieties to enjoy. I’ll go over the best bits of this machine.
Best Bits of the Jura Z10
Here are the pros and best features of the Jura Z10 Automatic Espresso Machine:
1. Quality Design
The Jura Z10 has an elegant design with aluminium white, diamond white, and diamond black colour options. It has an eighth-generation brewing unit and a 3D brewing technology for efficient water flow through the ground coffee. The water tank has a wave design with an even filter casing showcasing the high level of engineering precision invested in this coffee machine.
2. User-Friendly Interface and App
Operating the Jura Z10 is easy with a wide touchscreen display. The machine has a rotary dial for quick navigation and control through the menu for people accustomed to conventional ways.
There is also the Jura Operating Experience (J.O.E) app that can be used via a WiFi connection on your phone or tablet. From the comfort of your couch or home office chair, you can operate the Jura Z10. You can also customise your coffee preferences with Jura's mobile app.
3. Pulse Extraction and Smart Grinder
Jura's Z10 features a Pulse Extraction Process (PEP) and a grinder. PEP ensures an exceptional brew with variable pressure during the extraction process. It starts with a gentle preinfusion followed by a pulsing water current through the coffee to ensure a rich and flavourful extraction. The automatic coffee maker's smart grinder also adapts based on the preset or custom drink selected. You choose between five different ground settings
4. Cold and Hot Brew Versatility
Keeping the best for the last, the cold brew with Jura Z10 is nothing short of remarkable. This is ensured by passing cold water at high pressure over coarsely ground coffee and not by cooling a hot brewed coffee. All the 32 coffee specialties programmed in the machine have both cold and hot coffee brews.
What Can Be Improved?
On the downside, the Jura Z10 has no separate milk container. You will use a designated milk pipe to feed the milk in your container of choice. The milk pipe and the milk container are sold separately. The machine also comes at a premium price and offers only one user profile.
Overall Verdict
The Jura Z10 is a modern machine with intelligent technologies like the intuitive product-recognising grinder, pulse extraction process, and J.O.E app. With its 32 coffee recipes and genuine cold and hot brews, its price point is only a fair reflection of what the luxury coffee machine has to offer.
Owning a great coffee machine is not enough, you need to make use of quality coffee beans for an excellent coffee drink. Check out the best Australian coffee to buy while you are here.
Fully Automatic Coffee Machines
The main difference between fully automatic and super-automatic coffee machines is the degree of automation. Both types of espresso coffee machines aim to simplify the coffee-making process, but the super-automatic ones offer greater simplicity.
Fully automatic coffee machines often require minimal user involvement, like grinding the coffee beans (for those without an integrated grinder), loading the portafilter, and tamping.
3. De’Longhi Primadonna Soul
Best With Bean Adapt Technology
Coffee maker type: Espresso
Wattage: 1100 Watts
User interface: Touchscreen
The De’Longhi Primadonna Soul is a compact, fully automatic coffee machine with remarkable performance. It features a grinder with bean adapt technology, the De’Longhi LatteCrema system, and a large and user-friendly 10.9 cm coloured touch display.
Best Bits of De’Longhi Primadonna Soul
Here are five reasons you should get the De’Longhi Primadonna Soul
1. Bean Adapt Technology
The Primadonna Soul automatically adapts perfectly to your preferred bean type. Based on your chosen coffee recipe, its Bean Adapt Technology adjusts the grind, the dose, and the temperature to deliver the best cup. This is the biggest selling point of the coffee maker. Whether it is Ethiopian or Arabica coffee beans, you will get the best flavour and aroma.
2. Touchscreen Interface and Coffee Personalisation
De’Longhi's Primadonna Soul also has a user-friendly, intuitive 10.9 cm TFT touchscreen interface to customise your coffee how you like it. The interactive display offers a wide range of drink and customisation options to choose your preferred coffee strength, milk texture, temperature, and more.
Also, it gives you the ability to create five user profiles, one more than the Gaggia Cardona Prestige. The Primadonna Soul caters to the unique preferences of each member of your household. This feature ensures that everyone can enjoy their favourite coffee beverages without hassle.
3. LatteCrema System and 21 Recipes
De’Longhi's patented LatteCrema system ensures perfect milk-based drinks every time. Whether you're craving a velvety cappuccino or a frothy latte macchiato, the system delivers consistent results by frothing and texturing milk to your desired level of creaminess. It has a 0.5-litre milk frothing jug and 21 preset coffee recipes to choose from.
4. Design and Aesthetics
The Primadonna Soul Coffee Machine seamlessly integrates into any kitchen decor with its metallic black colour. Its sleek lines, compact design, high-quality materials, and attention to detail make it a visually appealing addition to your countertop.
5. Smart Connectivity
For ease of use and convenience, the Primadonna Soul has smart connectivity features to control and customise your coffee experience through a dedicated mobile app, the Coffee Link App. This app lets you create personalised recipes and save your favourite settings through a WiFi connection. You can start your coffee brewing while on the couch or in the bedroom.
Cons of the De’Longhi Primadonna Soul
The Primadonna Soul costs over $2,000, and that is such a huge budget. Without a doubt, the machine's quality, design, and features exude luxury and convenience, but it all comes at a higher price.
Overall Verdict
The De’Longhi Primadonna Soul Coffee Machine excels with its advanced features, user-friendly interface, and attention to detail. It provides a coffee experience that rivals those found in upscale coffee shops. But it also comes at the expense of a big budget. Compared to the Dimanica Plus, the Primadonna Soul is an upgrade with more water capacity and programmed recipes.
4. De’Longhi Eleta Explore
Best With Hot and Cold Foam Technology
Coffee maker type: Espresso
Wattage: 1250 Watts
User interface: Touchscreen
The De’Longhi Eleta Explore Fully Automatic Coffee Machine is a classy piece that excels with its hot and cold foam technology. It has the De’Longhi latte crema excellence but with an added allure of both hot and cold automatic frothing. You also get an intuitive and colourful touch panel.
Best Bits of De’Longhi Eleta Explore
Here are the pros of the fully automatic coffee machine:
1. Hot and Cold Foam Technology
I have marked the De’Longhi Eleta Explore as the best for hot and cold foam technology because it truly is the best here. The double foam function allows you to enjoy perfectly textured milk foam, either hot or cold.
It comes with two milk jugs, one for cold and the other for hot milk frothing. The cold foam technology delivers velvety milk at the right temperature for your cold drinks. Likewise, the hot system delivers the best-textured milk for your hot espresso cups.
2. Specialty Coffee Drinks and Profiles
You can access and customise up to 50 preset coffee drink recipes on the Eleta Explore Coffee Machine. These recipes include a variety of hot coffee, iced coffee, and cold brewing options.
This can be quite overwhelming, but its simple interface helps make the selection process and finding your way around easier. It has a 9 cm touch display that makes controlling this coffee machine easy and quick.
With four user profiles, you and your family can save your coffee preferences without the hassle of reprogramming the machine every time you want to brew a cup. This feature ensures that everyone's favourite coffee is just a button press away.
3. Grinder and Grind Settings
The De’Longhi Eleta Explore has a stainless steel conical burr grinder. The excellently performing coffee grinder gives you 13 adjustment options for the right coffee ground.
To compare, this is eight more options than what you get on the Jura Z10 and three more than the Gaggia Cardona Prestige. The Eleta Explore also packs a quick coffee cup and a chute for feeding in preground coffee easily.
Where the Eleta Explore Can Improve
First, the chute for bypassing the coffee grinder often gets clogged easily. So, if you intend to use finely ground coffee, you will need to clean the chute often. The second is the grinder noise; it can be a real discomfort, especially when compared to other automatic coffee machines like the Gaggia Cardona Prestige and Jura Z10, which have quieter grinders.
Overall Verdict
Compared with other De’Longhi machines in this review, the Eleta Explore does better with Hot and cold brew and the 13 coffee grinder adjustment levels. The other three options recommended in my list are equally excellent with milk systems and user interfaces.
For those seeking a peaceful brewing experience, our guide on silent coffee machines is a must-read. It spotlights the top silent coffee machines available in Australia that combine minimal noise with exceptional quality.
5. De’Longhi Dinamica Plus
Best With LatteCrema System
Coffee maker type: Espresso
Wattage: 1250 Watts
User interface: Touchscreen
The De’Longhi Dinamica Plus is a fully automatic espresso machine. It has the LatteCrema system, a conical bur grinder, and a coloured touch display, among other interesting features.
Best Bits of the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus
If you're getting the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus, here are the best bits:
1. LatteCrema Milk Frothing System
The Dinamica Plus has a very efficient LatteCrema milk frothing system for fine-textured milk foam. It comes with a thermal milk jug that, when not in use, may be stored in the refrigerator to keep your milk fresh.
To froth milk, fasten the milk jug to the machine's front panel. It produces froths of a very fine texture, which can be used to embellish beverages such as cappuccino, latte macchiato, etc.
2. 16 Programmed Coffee Drinks
There are 16 preset coffee drinks programmed on the Dinamica Plus. This means you can press a button, and the machine will grind the coffee, extract the espresso, and froth the milk automatically. Like most other automatic coffee machines on this list, you can customise any of these 16 preset coffee recipes to your preferences and save them under unique profiles.
3. 9cm TFT Coloured Touch Display
The Dinamica Plus has a simple-to-use touchscreen interface that is large enough (9 cm) for quick navigation and drink customisation. There is also the De'Longhi Coffee Link App, which is comparable to the Jura Operating Experience App. With Bluetooth connectivity, the Coffee Link App lets you control your coffee machine from your smartphone or tablet.
It has customisable espresso extraction settings, allowing you to alter elements like coffee strength, temperature, and cup size to suit your coffee taste. On the coffee machine, you can save up to three different user profiles to cater to a broad range of varieties. A classy addition is the suggestions and tips for customising your coffee drink the app provides.
The De’Longhi Dinamica Plus is different from the De’Longhi Dinamica coffee maker. The former includes a thermal milk jug, three profiles for personalisation, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and more preset coffee recipes.
4. Adjustable Spout Height
Short spout height is a popular concern with some automatic coffee machines. With the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus, you can adjust the spout height to make more room.
You can brew directly into a travel mug as high as 13 cm because of the 13.5 cm allowance you can have between the spout and the drip tray. You can adjust the spout downwards to reduce splashes and keep your machine clean when brewing into a small cup.
Cons of the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus
Three user profiles are quite a modest number. It's an improvement over the Jura Z10, which only has one user profile. In terms of milk temperature regulation, the De'Longhi Dinamica Plus lags behind all the other super-automatic coffee machines. The coffee maker does not allow you to adjust the temperature of the milk or milk foam.
Overall Verdict
The De’Longhi Dinamica Plus is a good fully automatic coffee machine. The super-automatic Jura Z10 Machine is a better choice for value for money. However, for a LatteCrema system, the Dinamica Plus is worth it. It also has fewer features and customisation than the De’Longhi Primadonna Soul, which has 21 reset recipes, bean adapt technology, and five user profiles.
6. Tchibo Fully Automatic Coffee Maker
Best Value Automatic Coffee Maker
Coffee maker type: Espresso
Wattage: 1800 Watts
User interface: Touchscreen and Button
Tchibo's fully automatic coffee machine is a good value for money. It combines convenience, versatility, and quality. You also get a compact and simple design with all the basic features to make an enjoyable coffee beverage.
Pros of the Tchibo Fully Automatic Coffee Machine
For features and benefits, here's what you can expect:
1. Compact Design and Controls
Made of stainless steel, the Tchibo Fully Automatic Coffee machine is worth every penny as a single-serve coffee maker. It's simple and compact enough to fit into minimal space on your cabinet. The coffee maker has an LED touch panel that sits pretty on the Tchibo Machine. You can choose your type of coffee drink, intensity, and size by the touch of a button.
The water tank and drip tray on the coffee maker are small but good enough for a fresh single drip cup. And its bean hopper is expansible from 160 to 300 grams offering more capacity in a compact shape.
2. Affordable Quality
The Tchibo coffee machine offers the needed functionality at the best price. It has a high-performing brewing function that only requires you to fill the bean hopper and press a button to get served your favourite coffee cup. There is also an auto descaling function and easy cleaning with removable brewing units.
To extend the lifespan of your coffee machine and maintain the quality of your coffee, make sure to use the auto descaling function regularly. This prevents mineral build-up that can affect the taste of your coffee and the performance of your machine.
3. Low-Noise Stainless Steel Grinder
The stainless steel burr grinder on the Tchibo Fully Automatic Coffee Machine is very efficient and silent. The coffee machine also has an adjustable spout and removable drip tray to accommodate varying cup sizes. For a quality brew, it features a high-pressure pump to deliver fresh, aromatic coffee drinks.
What Can Improve?
While the appliance is meant for single-brew usage, the water reservoir can benefit from extra volume. Also, it only offers three coffee recipes, Espresso, Americano, and Caffe Crema, and is limited in customisation. For milk-based coffee drink lovers, this is also not the machine for you as there are no milk frothing or steaming functions on the machine.
Overall Verdict
The Tchibo Fully Automatic Coffee Machine is priced below $500, which is quite impressive for a German-quality machine. However, note that this machine is for a single-brew experience that produces espresso, americano, and caffe crema. Its minimalistic features should not be a bother for the price you are paying for this reliable automatic coffee machine.
World's Best Automatic Coffee Machine
There are several automatic coffee machines that are highly rated. Here are my top two picks for this category.
7. Jura E8
Best With RFID Technology
Coffee maker type: Espresso
Wattage: 1100 Watts
User interface: Touchscreen and Button
The Jura E8 coffee machine is a high-end super-automatic espresso machine with an intelligent water system featuring RFID technology. The Jura E8 coffee maker offers coffee enthusiasts the ability to create a variety of coffee beverages with ease and precision.
Best Bits of the Jura E8
Here's why the Jura E8 is among the world's best automatic coffee machines:
1. Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.)
Jura's Pulse Extraction Process is a patented technology that optimises the extraction process for espresso. It pulses water through the coffee grounds, ensuring that the flavours are fully extracted for a richer, more aromatic, and flavourable coffee drink.
2. AromaG3 Grinder
The integrated AromaG3 grinder with a 283-gram bean hopper ensures that your coffee beans are freshly ground for each cup, preserving the aroma and flavour of the beans. The stainless steel burr grinder operates quietly and efficiently as against the noisy grinder of the De’Longhi Eleta Explore.
You can adjust the grinder setting with a dial on the machine. There is also a bypass for feeding the machine with pre-ground coffee on days when you can’t afford the patience of grinding fresh beans.
3. Milk Frothing System and 17 Specialty Drinks
The Jura E8 comes with a milk frothing system, allowing you to create creamy-frothed milk for lattes and cappuccinos. The machine automatically froths milk and dispenses it directly into your cup, leaving you the full space to savour the delicious scoops of foamy milk.
The coffee maker also has professional fine foam technology that allows you to fine-tune your milk froth texture. There is a separate spout for milk-based drinks, while the central spout delivers other recipes without milk. You also get 17 specialty recipes to choose from on the Jura E8.
4. User Interface and Customisation
The Jura E8 features a 7 cm user-friendly colour display with 6 buttons. You also get a high degree of customisation to cater to your preferences. And like the Jura Z10, you can control the machine from the Jura Operation Experience app via a WiFi connection on your phone or tablet.
5. Intelligent Water System (I.W.S.)
The Intelligent Water System on the Jura E8 ensures that the water used for brewing is always fresh and free from impurities. This prevents the formation of scale, which can impact the machine's performance and lifespan.
Jura's water reservoir is also a 1.9-litre removable container with RFID technology to filter water before it passes into the brew unit. This communicates with the CLEARYL water filter and informs you when you need a filter change.
Where the Jura E8 Falls Short?
The Jura E8 has fixed brew units that make cleaning cumbersome. Also, the plastic outer housing looks fragile with a stainless steel inner build. Finally, you need a bigger budget to make the Jura E8 dream a reality.
Overall Verdict
The Jura E8 coffee machine is for coffee enthusiasts who value convenience and quality. Its combination of advanced technology, ease of use, and customisable options make it a popular choice for those who want to enjoy a wide variety of coffee beverages without the hassle of manual brewing.
8. Dr. Coffee F11 Big Plus
Best for Large-Volume Brewing
Coffee maker type: Espresso
Wattage: 1440 Watts
User interface: Touchscreen
Dr Coffee's F11 Big Plus is built to offer a seamless coffee-making experience at home or in a professional setting. It's the largest in size and volume of all the super and fully automatic coffee machines I reviewed. I recommend it for offices or commercial brewing.
Best Bits of the Dr Coffee F11
Here are the features and benefits of the Dr Coffee F11 coffee maker:
1. Commercial Capacity Brewing System
The Dr Coffee F11 can handle large amounts of coffee brewing with its 8-litre water tank. It also has a 1.2 kg capacity bean hopper making it capable of producing an impressive 70 portions of coffee within an hour.
The water system is dynamic, allowing you to use the water tank or an external water supply. Its 16 grams brewing unit keeps delivering stable coffee extraction for a great taste.
2. Ceramic Flat Burr Grinder
The coffee maker has a ceramic flat burr grinder with 9 grind size settings that ensure your coffee ground comes out with the best texture. The grinder is quiet and efficient, offering about 500 grams of ground coffee in line with the machine’s large volume brewing capacity.
3. Coffee Recipes and Milk Frothing
The high-temperature frothing of the F11 Big Plus ensures silky milk froth. The frothing takes place at around 60℃ to 70℃ to produce a well-textured foam. It also has a detachable milk system that makes cleaning easy.
The machine comes with 5 one-touch preset recipes, including Black coffee, Caffè latte, Cappuccino, Flat white, and Latte Macchiato. Besides these, you can adjust these saved recipes and create up to 24 recipes of your choice.
4. Touch Display and Adjustable Spout
Dr. Coffee's F11 has a wide 26 cm coloured touchscreen display that allows for easy navigation and control. The user interface is simple enough for a first-time user to adjust recipes or create new ones.
For varying cup sizes, the spout is adjustable up to 16 cm for any size of cup or mug you want to use. And with two drip systems, you can make two coffee drinks - either two black coffee cups or two milk coffee cups at a go.
5. Auto Rinsing and Cleaning
The coffee maker also has automatic rinsing and cleaning functions. When the machine is turned on or off, the water circuit and milk froth system self-clean.
You also have the flexibility to set the automatic cleaning function according to the number of coffee cups you've brewed. This means you can initiate the auto-clean process at your convenience rather than waiting until the brewing is completely finished.
What Can Be Improved?
The 5 preset coffee recipes that come with are meagre. I think the programmed recipes can be increased to at least 10 to compete with other automatic coffee machines. Most automatic coffee machine users want convenience, and more recipes offer that.
Overall Verdict
The Dr Coffee F11 seems to sit in a class of its own. It's ideal for an office, hotel, restaurant, or coffee cafe. For a large family, the Dr. Coffee F11 also works well. At slightly above $2,000, the performance is not too far from the price.
Do Super Automatics Make Good Coffee?
Yes, super-automatic espresso machines are capable of making good coffee, and they offer a convenient and consistent way to enjoy espresso-based beverages. These machines are designed to handle the entire coffee-making process automatically, from grinding the beans to brewing the coffee.
It's important to note that while super-automatic machines provide convenience and consistency, they might not offer the same level of control and craftsmanship as manual espresso machines. If you're a true coffee enthusiast and want to delve deeper into the art of coffee-making, you will find that joy with manual coffee makers.
Making a great espresso is a skill that you can learn. Get all the insights into the art of crafting a breathtaking espresso in my guide on how to make a perfect espresso.
How Do I Choose an Automatic Coffee Maker?
Choosing an automatic coffee maker can be a bit overwhelming due to the variety of available options. To help you make an informed decision, here are some factors to consider when choosing an automatic coffee maker.
#1 - Type of Coffee
Determine what types of coffee beverages you enjoy. Some machines are designed specifically for espresso, while others can make a variety of drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos. Choose a machine that aligns with your preferred coffee style.
#2 - Size and Space
Consider the available space in your kitchen. If counter space is limited, opt for a compact machine. Measure the area where you plan to place the coffee maker to ensure it fits comfortably.
#3 - Brewing and Water Capacity
Determine how many cups of coffee you usually need to brew at once. Some machines can make multiple cups simultaneously, while others focus on single servings. A larger water reservoir can save you from refilling frequently, especially if you frequently brew multiple cups.
#4 - Grinder Type
If you prefer freshly ground coffee, look for a machine with an integrated grinder. There are different types of grinders, such as blade grinders and conical burr grinders, with burr grinders generally producing more consistent results.
You should get a dedicated grinder to take your coffee game to a new height. Coffee grinders often offer a broad range of grinds for all your needs. Check out the best home coffee grinders in Australia for an ideal pick.
#5 - Customisation and User Interface
Check if the machine offers customisation options for coffee strength, brew size, and milk froth texture. This is essential to tailor your coffee to your taste preferences. Ensure that the control panel or display is user-friendly and intuitive. Complicated interfaces can lead to frustration.
#6 - Milk Frothing
If you enjoy milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, consider whether the machine has a built-in milk frothing system or a steam wand for manual frothing.
#7 - Cleaning and Maintenance
Look for machines with automated cleaning cycles and descaling prompts to make maintenance easier. Removable parts that are dishwasher-safe can also save you time.
#8 - Price and Warranty
Set a budget for your coffee maker. Automatic coffee machines come in a wide price range, so knowing your budget upfront can help narrow down your options. You can expect features like smart connectivity, pre-programmed recipes, cup warmers, or energy-saving modes, depending on your budget.
Likewise, check the warranty period offered by the manufacturer. A longer warranty period indicates the manufacturer's confidence in the product's quality. Brands like De'Longhi, Philips, and Jura are well-regarded in the coffee machine industry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about automatic coffee makers.
What is an automatic coffee machine?
An automatic coffee machine is a type of coffee maker that automates the brewing process, from grinding coffee beans to extracting espresso shots or other coffee beverages. These machines often come with various Customisation options for coffee strength, volume, and milk frothing, providing a convenient way to enjoy coffee at home.
What’s the difference between semi-automatic and super-automatic coffee machines?
Semi-automatic machines require manual control for starting and stopping the brewing process, while super-automatic machines handle the entire process automatically, including grinding, dosing, tamping, and brewing. Super-automatic machines are generally more user-friendly and require less skill to operate.
Are automatic coffee machines suitable for beginners?
Yes, automatic coffee machines, especially super-automatic models, are great for beginners. They eliminate the need for precise skills like tamping and timing, making it easier to produce good coffee consistently. However, understanding basic settings and maintenance is still important for optimal results.
Do automatic coffee machines use pre-ground coffee or whole beans?
Many automatic coffee machines, especially super-automatic ones, use whole coffee beans. These machines have built-in grinders that grind the beans just before brewing, preserving the freshness and flavour of the coffee. However, some machines may also offer the option to use pre-ground coffee.
What maintenance is required for automatic coffee machines?
Automatic coffee machines require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and coffee quality. This includes emptying drip trays, cleaning the coffee spouts, and descaling to remove mineral buildup. Many machines come with automated cleaning cycles, but manual cleaning is still necessary.
Which fully automatic coffee machine is the best?
The best fully automatic coffee machine depends on your specific need for a machine. For instance, the De’Longhi Eleta Explore is best for Cold and Hot Foam Technology, whereas the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus is best with LatteCrema.
It’s a Wrap
Automatic coffee machines are superb with modern features like programmed coffee drinks, coloured LCD displays, dedicated mobile App control, and many more. You will definitely love the convenience of brewing a cup of cappuccino without leaving your couch.
Just be prepared to invest enough to buy this ease. Aside from the Gaggia Cardona Prestige, which I ranked as the best overall, you have several other options with varying specialties. If you are not interested in the touch-and-go coffee world, I recommend reading the best prosumer coffee machines.