Recommend me a coffee machine
- Thread starter dazzlaa
- Start date
I've had 3:
De'Longhi Magnifica - Purchased 2014, eventually gave to my parents and still going strong. Very good value for money, decent coffee.
Sage Barista - makes a mess, more hassle to get anyone else to make me a coffee. Decent coffee.
De'Longhi Primadonna Soul (current) - Decent coffee, too expensive.
De'Longhi Magnifica - Purchased 2014, eventually gave to my parents and still going strong. Very good value for money, decent coffee.
Sage Barista - makes a mess, more hassle to get anyone else to make me a coffee. Decent coffee.
De'Longhi Primadonna Soul (current) - Decent coffee, too expensive.
Thanks for the suggestions, it really is a minefield and, like everything; there really is no perfect product it seems.
Found a few decent looking machines but my budget seems to be expanding further to accommodate. I do like the idea of a wider machine rather than a longer one. I feel it would fit into my kitchen arrangement better. However, the coffee has to be good!
So far, I like the look of the dedica for price and features, but continue to search.
Found a few decent looking machines but my budget seems to be expanding further to accommodate. I do like the idea of a wider machine rather than a longer one. I feel it would fit into my kitchen arrangement better. However, the coffee has to be good!
So far, I like the look of the dedica for price and features, but continue to search.
You may want to look here 
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/siliconslaves-how-to-make-espresso-thread.17887005/
On a completely honest note- as a good coffee lover I would never go down the route of an espresso machine. Reasons..
For me, because I only drink a white Americano I simply have a decent grinder and an Aeropress and buy good beans. It's all I need. It's easy, consistent and quite a bit cheaper than a machine! I try a cafetiere every now and again, and I will get a moka pot if I fancy something shorter.
On a positive note, I always thought the Gaggia Classic was the de facto best home espresso machine. Lots of parts available, big community etc.
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/siliconslaves-how-to-make-espresso-thread.17887005/On a completely honest note- as a good coffee lover I would never go down the route of an espresso machine. Reasons..
- You need a very good grinder to go with it (need to spend more on the grinder than machine)
- You go through beans like nobody's business. Every time you change beans you'll waste 100s of grams of them dialling in the grind. If you're buying an espresso machine to drink good coffee then those beans are going to be £7+ per 250g minimum.
- Cleaning etc. seems like a chore/full time job
- It's very hard to be consistent when pulling espresso
- (I just dont have the space for a machine!)
For me, because I only drink a white Americano I simply have a decent grinder and an Aeropress and buy good beans. It's all I need. It's easy, consistent and quite a bit cheaper than a machine! I try a cafetiere every now and again, and I will get a moka pot if I fancy something shorter.
On a positive note, I always thought the Gaggia Classic was the de facto best home espresso machine. Lots of parts available, big community etc.
You may want to look here
On a completely honest note- as a good coffee lover I would never go down the route of an espresso machine. Reasons..
I actually thought I had more points than that (!!), but a friend of mine has a machine and is endlessly frustrated by it. He's really put me off.
- You need a very good grinder to go with it (need to spend more on the grinder than machine)
- You go through beans like nobody's business. Every time you change beans you'll waste 100s of grams of them dialling in the grind. If you're buying an espresso machine to drink good coffee then those beans are going to be £7+ per 250g minimum.
- Cleaning etc. seems like a chore/full time job
- It's very hard to be consistent when pulling espresso
- (I just dont have the space for a machine!)
For me, because I only drink a white Americano I simply have a decent grinder and an Aeropress and buy good beans. It's all I need. It's easy, consistent and quite a bit cheaper than a machine! I try a cafetiere every now and again, and I will get a moka pot if I fancy something shorter.
On a positive note, I always thought the Gaggia Classic was the de facto best home espresso machine. Lots of parts available, big community etc.
Thanks for that detailed reply. I have never owned an espresso machine so its very helpful. It is a Christmas gift so I'll let my wife buy one and see how I get on. Have been looking into the Sage machines and managed to stretch the budget out to get one. (It was alwasy going to happen to be fair!
)Bit too much unfortunately, looking into the duo pro or the bambino plus right now.
We have a sage Dual boiler must be 7 years old now, its very good only had a few issues with o-rings and a valve but replaced them myself. It even comes on holiday with us…
have a look here Home barista
have a look here Home barista
Sage is Brevile.
I have a Barista Express at home, Barista Pro at the office and bought a Duo Temp Pro for my father in law.
There’s a seller on eBay that sells certified refurbished models, think I paid about £500 for the Barista Pro.
I bought a cheaper bean to cup machine at one point, a delonghi thing, gave it away - can’t really beat the Sage stuff for entry level / price.
Well, kinda agree with this, but not.You may want to look here
On a completely honest note- as a good coffee lover I would never go down the route of an espresso machine. Reasons..
I actually thought I had more points than that (!!), but a friend of mine has a machine and is endlessly frustrated by it. He's really put me off.
- You need a very good grinder to go with it (need to spend more on the grinder than machine)
- You go through beans like nobody's business. Every time you change beans you'll waste 100s of grams of them dialling in the grind. If you're buying an espresso machine to drink good coffee then those beans are going to be £7+ per 250g minimum.
- Cleaning etc. seems like a chore/full time job
- It's very hard to be consistent when pulling espresso
- (I just dont have the space for a machine!)
For me, because I only drink a white Americano I simply have a decent grinder and an Aeropress and buy good beans. It's all I need. It's easy, consistent and quite a bit cheaper than a machine! I try a cafetiere every now and again, and I will get a moka pot if I fancy something shorter.
On a positive note, I always thought the Gaggia Classic was the de facto best home espresso machine. Lots of parts available, big community etc.
If you actually like making espresso, it's really not that much of a faff, or expensive, once you have a good grinder and a machine.
I typically buy beans 1kg at a time, for about £22. Only takes 2-3 pulls to get the grind right and then that's it for a few weeks. Just weigh out your beans, grind, and pull. Only takes a couple of minutes.
You do need to spend upwards of £500, minimum, to get a grinder and machine that'll enable you to get the most out of fresh espresso.
A much, MUCH cheaper route to great coffee is just to make drip/filter, with a Hario/Chemex or similar. Don't need an expensive grinder, don't need a machine. Just buy fresh beans, a run of the mill (haha) grinder, and off you go.
Really good fresh filter coffee is just as good as espresso imo, I probably drink 50/50 filter/espresso.
My filter setup cost <200 quid, espresso upwards of £1500.
Another vote here for the magnifica think it's the 4200 model or the 2400. Same machine innards just different designs on the front. About £150 refurbished usually. Only pain in some of the insides I wish they had made without the unnecessary extra plastic as they can be a pain to clean
Another vote for the Magnifica.
It was the first to bought 3 years ago and still going strong. I expect the more expensive ones are better looking and maybe a little more refined. But in terms of coffee and value for money. I don't see anything beating it.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I was actually put onto the DeLonghi ebay store to check out their refurbs yesterday, they did have some great deals indeed.
I did go for the Sage Bambino Plus in the end though, I like the simplicity of it and the dimensions will allow it to not take up too much counter space. Wish I could report back on my thoughts but it's going into Santas sack ready for the big day.... Well at least I can wake up properly with a nice coffee after the kids (and me) wake up at 4am with excitement!
I did go for the Sage Bambino Plus in the end though, I like the simplicity of it and the dimensions will allow it to not take up too much counter space. Wish I could report back on my thoughts but it's going into Santas sack ready for the big day.... Well at least I can wake up properly with a nice coffee after the kids (and me) wake up at 4am with excitement!
Last edited:
with an accompanying grinder ? from sage too ?
e: I use mine 50:50 for hot chocolate now , a potentially cheaper childs drink
Last edited:
Yeah @dazzlaa I thought it fairly obvious to mention but supermarket beans aren’t going to be much cop for espresso. If you really want decent coffee you need to have the grinder - and grind beans right before pulling your espresso. The difference is night and day. It’s a bit like the difference between using for example dried Basil in a sauce, compared to fresh.
Good coffee is like 90% fresh beans and 10% brewing method, especially if you’re drinking espresso/non milky drinks.
Good coffee is like 90% fresh beans and 10% brewing method, especially if you’re drinking espresso/non milky drinks.
Underboss
- Joined
- 20 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 34,469
- Location
- Oxfordshire / Bucks
my dad has a Nespresso machine
makes amazing coffees
makes amazing coffees