Hi all,
I’m in the market for a good-quality coffee machine and would really appreciate your recommendations. Ideally, I’m after a machine that includes a built-in grinder and can deliver consistently great coffee, whether espresso, long black, or something in between. My budget is up to $500 AUD (also can use credit card with price protection if a product is not on sale but we know it will be). Would love to hear what brands or models you've had success with! Bonus points for easy cleaning and reliability.
I was considering De'Longhi Magnifica S ECAM12.122.B
Please feel free to add other to the poll
Coffee Machine Suggestion
cisco on 23/07/2025 - 14:10
Last edited 23/07/2025 - 15:28
Last edited 23/07/2025 - 15:28
Poll Options
- 5De'Longhi Magnifica S ECAM12.122.B
- 2Sunbeam Barista EM5300K
- 26Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870BTR
- 9Others - please mention or add to the poll
Comments
This is the truth. All-in-ones are fine but you've locked yourself into upgrading/replacing both when that time inevitably comes. The grinder is important, more than many think.
Agree’d.
If you don’t have the bench space, lookup some YouTube tutorials for adjusting the internal grinder to get the most out of it.
I think the De Longhi is the only one where you push a button and away you go until the bin fills up full of used coffee grinds, very handy if you're in a hurry to get to work, and you just want a good coffee without much effort.
Yes, but you still need to froth the milk manually… Otherwise very simple to use… Can probably do around 10 shots before the bin needs emptying and it only takes 30 seconds and you're off again…
How are the shots?
Does freshly grinding beans really make that extra lift in taste?
yes
I thought you were angling to say you need to spend $5k and learn to use it to get the quality of a good barista, but you are happy with a capsule machine!
Indeed if you spend 5k, then a capsule machine lags behind taste.
I have worn out over 20 machines in the past and given that my time is also worth something, a capsule machine overall is speed vs taste as a sweet spot. Same as gaming an i series chip over the current M4 series….
My Breville Barista Express from 2018 carked it about 6 months ago. It went dramatically with a little explosion and lots of steam and water coming out of the back of the machine.
Tracked down to a cracked solenoid valve. Apparently, it is one of the main causes of failure for this model. Gave up trying to find a replacement as it was costly to source it brand new, and the opinion online was that it was not worth buying it second-hand.I bought a Sunbean Origin EM7000. The price was similar to a brand-new BBE after Goodguys price-matched Myer, who had it 20% off at the time.
I was looking for something that had the same form factor. with a built-in grinder, as counter space is precious in my kitchen.
Things I like about it:- It's a dual boiler, so my morning routine is a bit more streamlined.
- Another benefit is that it doesn't purge the boiler after using steam, which means I don't have to refill the water tank or empty the drip tray often.
- Has water level measurements. I used to always forget to check the water level in the Breville and have often choked the pump. This beeps and disables brewing if there's not enough water for a full shot.
- 58mm portafilter: Though none of my old accessories fit, it uses the standard-sized ones now.
- Grinder adjustment and grind amount are tied: So, making it finer or coarser adjusts the grind amount accordingly — the relationship can be calibrated. I find the number of iterations needed for dialling in is less, therefore less waste.
- A lot less mess when grinding. With the BBE, I used to use a dosing funnel; this doesn't need one. I still have one as it's useful when distributing with a WDT.
I believe your machine has a dual thermo block (faster heat up time) not a dual boiler (better temp stability)
Seems like a good machine though.
You're right, it is a dual thermoblock.
Also, the model number is emm7300ss, dunno where I got the previous one from
What're you on about mate, I just swapped out a solenoid valve on my barista express and it was less than $40 shipped. Steam spilling is not about carked solenoid but rather broken plastic piping or o ring.
That wasn't what the service centre showed me; it was the valve (part number SP0100753), and I definitely saw the crack — didn't search on OzB though for a better price, maybe I should have :D
However, what I'm saying is that the machine lasted a good while for me, and I have no complaints: it's a good machine. But nothing lasts forever.
And I also like the upgrade ;)
- It's a dual boiler, so my morning routine is a bit more streamlined.
I got the De'Longhi in Jan for $349 and am very happy with it…
I recommend the Breville BES920 (Breville Dual Boiler).
I know for your budget its well out of your price range (brand new, probably between $850-1000), but I got my refurb unit for $500 even on eBay many many years ago.
I'm not saying that same deal will be available, but take a look on eBay, FaceBook Marketplace for a refurb or good condition unit.
You can always take it to a machine repair shop for a look over/service or even service yourself if you like.
Regardless - it's honestly such a good unit and highly capable of producing cafe quality drinks on it. The ceiling is your own skills, good quality beans/milk rather than the machine itself.
Mine I think would be 5-6 years old at this point and it hasn't skipped a beat. Highly recommend.
Try and push your dollar further on a better unit rather than settle for the Barista Express (which is still solid but the BDB is a big step up in my opinion)
If you need a grinder, same deal - second hand or refurb. We've got the Breville Smart Grinder and can't fault it.
I got my refurb unit for $500 even on eBay many many years ago.
Before the 30% inflation we've had in the last 3-4 years…
How pathetic, multiple downvotes 😆
Check eBay. There’s Dual Boiler refurbs for $600ish.
Pay the extra $100 above what I’d suggested for a far better machine than the Barista Express.
I'll give you an upvote to help the balance. Yeah, you're above budget, but you're getting a machine with a lot more longevity. Upgrade-itis is real.
I suppose it depends on how much they value their daily coffee(s). If it's just to get their caffeine hit on the cheap, the Express is fine. But the way the OP frames their requirements as "deliver consistently great coffee" — implies they care a little more than that?
My Gaggia that I found on the curbside riding my bike home from work one very rainy day more than 10 years ago is still going strong. I bought a Breville grinder to go with it which is still good as well.
This budget setup make better coffee than most cafes. Getting fresh beans makes the biggest difference.
Smeg Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine is quality, yet aestically pleasing for your benchtop.
Does the job for me!
Do you know how to make a good coffee? Experience in hospitality/barista? Will that influence decision on any of the machines?
Put a lot of trust in you and blindly clicked that link.
Not disappointed
Breville machine is excellent at making coffe. Make sure you get extended warranty on the unit. We have had to send ours in a couple of times to get repaired.
We have had to send ours in a couple of times to get repaired.
Why would you recommend it then?
Because after all that. It is still the best machine and makes the best coffee. They were also really good with the warranty process to their credit.
Thanks
breville impress express is my vote
Not for $500 it isn't.
if you look hard enough you can get them for 300 on fbmp
i got a Breville Barista Pro - i think it is 'pretty good' i'd imagine the express wouldnt be to much different despite being a model down
I got the Philips LOR Barista Coffee Machine
Was quite happy with it when I had enough pods. Lasted me a while.
Now honestly the pods seems to be quite expensive. like about $5 per 10 pack of pods.
Can get coffee from outside like from Ampol app or United for $1 simply so, honestly I find that easier and cheaper now.
But yeah looking for a good coffee machine now again, ideally one without pods (which uses the coffee beans or powder directly)
De'Longhi Magnifica S ECAM12.122.B. I bought a similar De'longhi in 2016, now 8 years old. Previously, had the top of the range, in 2008. It died aftet 8 years. That model just had tooooo many functions of which I did not use so more things to go wrong. But as a one touch and go, it is very good. Maintenace is very simple. We use it about 2 - 4 times a day, and is great when have guests. You can adjust the grind setting, as well as dial up the strength ratio ( water to coffee) and also quanitity. I am pleased with my purchase ($500) but I wonder how far it will go past the eight years. If it breaks, I will buy another.
Surprised there is no suggestion of Bambino Plus.
i am in similar boat and Bambino plus have great reviews and considering this.
It doesn't have a built in grinder
Out of the ones you suggested, the Breville is the easy pick. Would just note that most of the time - unless you're really short on bench space - separating your grinder and coffee machine is much better in the long run, and allows you to spend more on the grinder vs. the machine as that's where the most improvements in quality of your espresso are had.