
5 Coffee Machines That Make Better Coffee Than Starbucks
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Letâs face it â Starbucks is fine if you like waiting in queues, mispronounced names, and paying ÂŁ5 for foam. But if you're craving rich, barista-level coffee without the faff, there's a better way â in your kitchen.
We tested, tasted, and slightly trembled (thanks, caffeine) through a range of home brewers to bring you five coffee machines that make better coffee than Starbucks â and won't judge you for using oat milk.
1. Sage Bambino Plus
ââââ(4.3/5)
Feature | Detail |
---|---|
Type | Espresso Machine |
Milk Frother | Automatic steam wand |
Dimensions | 19.5 x 32 x 31 cm |
Additional Features | 3-second heat-up time, auto milk texturing |
Why we love it:
The Bambino Plus is small but mighty â think espresso with a Napoleon complex. It heats up faster than you can say âdouble shot flat whiteâ, and the milk frother is so good it could replace your local barista (just donât tell them). You get cafĂ©-quality crema and velvety milk microfoam without needing a PhD in latte art. If youâve got minimal space and maximum taste, this machineâs your morning best mate.
2. DeâLonghi Magnifica Evo One Touch 
âââââ(4/5)
Feature | Detail |
---|---|
Type | Fully Automatic Bean-to-Cup |
Milk Frother | Automatic LatteCrema system |
Dimensions | 24 x 36 x 44 cm |
Additional Features | Touch panel, 13-setting grinder, dual thermoblock |
Why we love it:
If you want premium coffee with none of the effort, the Magnifica Evo is like having your own personal barista who never gets your name wrong. One-touch controls? Check. Velvety milk froth? Check. The ability to wake up, press a button, and drink a fresh latte while still half-asleep? Absolutely. Itâs no surprise this bean-to-cup beauty might make you start skipping your usual cafĂ© run.
3. Gaggia Classic Evo Pro
âââââ(4.4/5)
Feature | Detail |
---|---|
Type | Manual Espresso Machine |
Milk Frother | Classic commercial steam wand |
Dimensions | 23 x 24 x 38 cm |
Additional Features | Commercial-grade group head, brass components |
Why we love it:
This oneâs for the coffee nerds â the kind of people who use words like âmouthfeelâ and argue about grind size. The Gaggia Classic Evo Pro gives you full control, from tamp to steam. Itâs built like a tank, and the espresso is restaurant-quality â if you put in the effort. Itâs not for the lazy, but if you like the process almost as much as the drink, this is your dream machine.
4. Breville One-Touch CoffeeHouse
ââââ(4.2/5)
Feature | Detail |
---|---|
Type | Pump Espresso Machine |
Milk Frother | Removable automatic milk tank |
Dimensions | 28 x 27 x 32 cm |
Additional Features | 19-bar pressure, one-touch brewing |
Why we love it:
We love a coffee machine that does what it says on the tin â one touch, cafĂ©-style drinks, no faff. This oneâs perfect for latte lovers, occasional espresso drinkers, or anyone who doesnât want to wrestle with manual milk steaming at 7am. Itâs stylish, compact, and makes your kitchen smell like a coffee shop without having to deal with acoustic guitar playlists.
5. Nescafé Dolce Gusto Genio S Plus
âââââ(4.6/5)
Feature | Detail |
---|---|
Type | Pod Coffee Machine |
Milk Frother | None â uses milk pods |
Dimensions | 11 x 27 x 28 cm |
Additional Features | Customisable strength and temperature settings |
Why we love it:
If youâre in the fast lane of life but still want your morning fix to taste like something special, the Genio S Plus is your new best friend. Despite its small size and pod-based simplicity, the adjustable settings let you fine-tune your brew far more than youâd expect. And the fact it handles Starbucks pods better than Starbucks? Ironic, delicious, and slightly savage.
Our Top 2 Picks
đ Best Overall â DeâLonghi Magnifica Evo One Touch
For anyone who wants proper café-style coffee at the push of a button. It's like having your own Starbucks machine⊠without the snarky baristas or burnt beans.
đĄ Best Budget Buy â Breville One-Touch CoffeeHouse
Itâs not the cheapest on the market, but itâs certainly the best value for money. Perfect for lattes and cappuccinos, with minimal effort and loads of flavour.