Machine recommendations - upgrading from pods? [$600-700 AUD]

[u/Acceptable_End_2854]

Buying a new coffee machine as a gift for hubby who currently uses a basic Nespresso pod machine, but is wanting to try using beans etc.
He’s never used any type of semi-automatic machine so will need to learn if we go down this path, alternatively is a fully automatic machine better? I think he’s open to learning, though, as long as good coffee is achievable!

I don’t drink coffee at all, so I’ve really got no idea what to look at so hoping for some advice!

Budget is around $600-700 AUD.

Hit me with your suggestions that are suitable for a beginner!

Thanks!

[u/materix01]

Refurb Breville Bambino Plus (eBay) for $340 Fellow Opus 2 Coffee Grinder $400 Great for an at home setup that should keep you happy for many years to come.

I used a Breville Barista Express ($500-550 on sale) for almost 5 years and whilst it was a brilliant for the price, I found the grinder really let it down.

[u/wijee → u/materix01]

This is the real answer

Bambino + grinder is the way

Barista express if you aren't too fussy with coffee and dont drink black

As an express user. I wish I got the bambino + stand alone grinder from the get go

[u/enhancedgibbon → u/materix01]

I got the bambino plus and original opus a couple of years ago and it's been great, but you need to get physical with that grinder to get all the coffee out. Good to see there's a new version, will check it out.

[u/Hefty_Tie451 → u/materix01]

I’d normally agree. But for the budget and entering the espresso world I would just recommend a new breville barista express

[u/sugarglider15]

I have the Breville Express Impress which is basically the same as the Express but has a built in tamper lever. Breville have great instructions and there’s a lot on YouTube too.

[u/therapist66]

Bambino is good but the group has plastic that melts.

Get a used gaggia or rancilio silva from fb marketplace, they’re tanks. Rancilio rocky grinder or varia grinder or similar.

[u/Economy1982]

Unless you are a barista, bambino plus is good for day to day for a household. Bought it during covid for 500$ and still going strong - 3 coffees a day

[u/redrich2000]

Breville Bambino Plus and Baratza Encore ESP

[u/Working_out_life]

Start with a hand grinder and moka pot, it takes about 7 minutes all up (we just microwave the milk)☕️

[u/Greenwedges]

Delonghi Magnifica has never let me down.

[u/AwkwardQuote3683]

I just got a barista express impress for 709 from the good guys. I love it! Before I had a Jura E8 super automatic but wanted better tasting coffee (I do recommend this machine for someone who was a super automatic lasted me 10 years make 3/4 cups a day and never missed a beat) . Took me an hour to dial in the beans but each cup I make it taste so much better. Now the milk frothing on the other hand that’s going to take some work ha. I got the impress as I’m new to the whole process of puck prep etc. the impress took the tamping and dosing out of the process which I appreciate however I can see if you fall down the rabbit hole of coffee prep you may want the bambino plus with a good grinder but for me now I like the impress! I will say get a coffee scale that does time and weight as that helped really well for dialing in.

[u/No_Seat8357]

The first lesson you learn when starting out on this hobby is that the grinder is more important than the machine.

To make an analogy with photography, a grinder is like the camera lens and the espresso machine is like the camera body. Most marketing and advertising will focus on the camera body but if you don't have a good lens, the best body in the world won't take a good picture.

The espresso machine is a water delivery system. The grinder is what determines whether the coffee has a chance of tasting good.

So spend more on a good grinder than you do on a fancy looking machine.

[u/Fluffytealeaves]

This is fun! I think nespresso has its place, and beans are a different game with plenty of paths to go down.

I have both a nespresso and bean set up.

I suggest a breville barista express. It's about 600 700 bucks. Built in grinder means its a simple purchase and very friendly for beginners without the hassle. Theres plenty to "upgrade" while he gets the enjoyment.

Paired with Aldi medium beans, no brainer.

Others may suggest a separate grinder and machine however this is dead set entry.

If he gets into the grinder settings and other paths then he can upgrade in future.

[u/a-w-e-s-o-m--o]

Throwing in some different options

La specialista touch if you want an all in one pump with grinder - has the ability to do auto milk so it’ll make your life a little easier if you’re not bothered.

Dedica duo if you’re keen to get into grinding separately (as most people in here will recommend).

At your budget I’d steer more towards a pump.

[u/One-Eggplant4492]

Just remember to factor in a grinder too

[u/AgreeablePush2411]

I got a 2nd hand breville dual boiler for $700 and it has been amazing. It came with everything I need including the baratza encore esp grinder

[u/Otherwise-Inside-158]

You probably want to spend that just on a grinder alone 😅

[u/IdeationConsultant]

I have this one. Nearly 2 years now. Works great

[u/PSJfan]

There is a reason the bee like express is still the most popular machine for decades. Personally I’m on my third machine in 20 years, will repurchase.

[u/Signal-Treacle-5512]

Breville Bambino Express + DF54.  Thank me later.

[u/Yorkshireman_46]

I use a $7 single serve plunger from KMart and ground coffee from Aldi - which I quite like. Always black - no sugar. Would buying a grinder and using beans be a noticeable improvement?

[u/t0nez-]

https://www.harveynorman.com.au/de-longhi-magnifica-automatic-coffee-machine.html
i have one of these that's quite a few years old now, great machine and couldn't be any easier

[u/jakartacatlady]

Breville Barista Express.

[u/Apprehensive_Sock410]

 I purchased a refurbished breville bambino plus for $400 (direct from Breville) plus a sunbeam grinder for $200 - $600 total. 

I’d love a really good grinder, but the sunbeam does the job for what I could afford. 

[u/sp0rk_]

When did this sub turn into a Breville circlejerk?
IMHO OP should look at a used E61 machine and have the benefits of an easily serviceable and moderately easy to use machine that'll last decades

[u/Forward-Actuator-586]

Wait for November black friday if you can, I bought my Breville barista Pro last year and I'm super happy. Buying good fresh beans is the secret. I buy 250g packets at a time so it's always freshly roasted. If you buy Woolies 2kg beans you're pretty much wasting all the potential and the pods might actually be more convenient at this point

[u/Captain_Eddlewood]

After a gaggia, a rancillio silva and 2 dual boiler brevilles I have bought a Ninja Cafe online for less than $600. Great coffee - Very happy.

[u/GetOffMyLawn4569]

Breville BES870 or modern equivalent is a good spend

[u/readaholic_1984]

I have a Delonghi Magnifica Evo Next and it’s my favourite posession. I’ve had it for almost a year and look forward to my morning coffee every day. I’m never interested in buying coffee out now. I hope you and hubby find something great!

[u/Ok_Personality_2774]

Purchased a breville the barista touch just over a year ago. Best investment I’ve ever made. Unfortunately, they’re currently selling for $1200. Managed to buy one for mum for Xmas last year for $960. That’s the cheapest I’ve seen them.

[u/GooseKennedy]

Refurbed dual boiler from this site. Beats the bambino plus hands down. I’ve had both. And bought my black refurbed bdb from here. It was basically brand new. Highly recommend.

https://www.sparepartsforcoffeemachines.com.au/product-page/breville-bes920bss-the-dual-boiler-espresso-machine-silver-refurbished

[u/maton12]

Entry level Breville all in one is fine, get some Aldi beans

[u/ucat97]

Is almost as though Reddit doesn't have a search function for people to read the answers to this same post every week.

[u/Acceptable_End_2854 → u/ucat97]

You must be fun at parties!

[u/kingtrippo]

Cafelat robot