But once you do, you’ll have complete control over the shot and milk texturing so you can make it exactly how you like it. Single- and double-cup capabilities: Some espresso machines will be able to make two cups of coffee at the same time. Budget – With espresso machines that range from entry-level to the best that money can buy, the first step of your buying journey should be determining a budget to narrow down your options.

With the integrated grinder, you’ll achieve a consistent grind and fresher tasting coffee every time, but note there is no auto dosing, so manual dosing into the filter baskets is required. With the best home semi automatic espresso machine, you can have great quality coffee from the minute you roll out of bed. No need to wait until you’ve arrived at the café, you can enjoy it with your breakfast. Brand, as mentioned earlier, is another really important factor to consider for buying Coffee machines. The Delonghi Dedica is similar in size and expense to the Sunbeam Mini espresso machine. While it is more narrow in appearance, it offers users similar firepower with its pressure pump and similar features in terms of temperature control and navigation. One unique element the Dedica offers users that the Sunbeam Mini doesn’t is ESE coffee pod compatibility. Users are able to interchange ground coffee in removable filters with coffee pods easily, while the Sunbeam is restricted to just ground coffee. The machine runs an automated cleaning cycle after every drink, which only lasts a few seconds, but ensures that your coffee will keep tasting great. It also boasts an LCD control panel and integrated coffee bean grinder with 19 different settings. That makes this machine as customisable as it is value-friendly.

A great little espresso machine if you can find it on a sub-£200 deal, and a solid starting point for manual espresso beginners

Some machines have a dual boiler or a heat exchanger, and that means you can simultaneously brew and steam. That leads us nicely into price, where we’re going to spend some time looking at the price of BREVILLE VCF125 Mini Barista Coffee Machine and seeing how that compares to other Coffee machines and also looking at the sort of price you can expect to pay for products from Breville. If you have fewer restrictions when it comes to budget and available space, you may consider other models to invest in. Likewise, if you’re interested in more advanced brew settings or a more automated experience, other espresso machines may be a better fit. Alternatives to the Mini Barista Espresso Machine The coffee machine is great for where there is limited space as it doesn't take up too much room on the worktop. It's made from stainless steel which looks fab when new, new but after a few goes turning the dials and pressing buttons it does attract finger print marks. This is nothing which can't be easily sorted with a soft, damp cloth however. Finally, the longevity of this machine speaks for the machine’s quality. Many reviewers have accounted for their machine lasting between 5-9 years without skipping a beat. Even if something goes wrong with this coffee machine, users have nothing but praise for Sunbeam’s customer service.

You have the choice of one or two shots of coffee in your brew which can be easily measured out with the stainless steel filter baskets tamper. If you want a double shot then you can only make one brew at a time, but if you want just a single shot for two then you can place two mugs either side of the group handle (where the coffee drips out) when using the double shot setting. It seemed to work just fine. What I did find, however, is that not all my mugs would fit – nor is the height adjustable on the machine to accommodate – so it was fortunate that the vast assortment of my mug collection were from Le Creuset which did the job superbly. If you don't have a Le Creuset mug, don't worry: any mug which is 350ml / H12 x W9 x D9cm will fit. If, during the Product Care term, after the occurrence and repair of the First Eligible Fault, Your Product fails to operate due to another Eligible Fault, We will provide a one-off replacement of Your Product. Support

Equally, the drip tray isn’t always that good at catching drips and splashes. It looks nice, but it doesn’t clip as firmly into place as we’d like and it could be a little deeper, too. A filter basket is a small stainless steel cup with lots of small holes in the bottom. It sits inside the portafilter and is where the coffee grounds are placed. If your machine can make two shots at the same time, you’ll be provided with two different-sized filter baskets: one for a single shot and another for two shots. Tamper After each use, you'll need to remove the spent 'cake' from the group handle by tapping it on the side of the food caddy. It's then just a case of emptying the drip tray (if it needs it) and washing the parts with warm water. The steam wand will also need some attention which means that it requires a purge. This just allows for hot water to flush through it so it's nice and clean for the next use. You can then easily wipe the wand and tip with a damp cloth. The major differences between the two machines are that the Mini Barista’s coffee group handle (the bit where you put the coffee in) is the same size as what you would find on a machine at a café and that the pour is automatic for either one cup or two) by the selection of a button meaning you don’t have to keep an eye on it to stop it from overflowing).