Best Semi-Automatic and Manual Coffee Machines

Very happy with the quality and price of this product

Great coffee machine at the start, then........... Purchased 3.5 years ago. After first 1.5 years it had major overheating issues so reached out to… Read more

support and had an expensive service. Another year later the same issue but now the actual casing is melting due to the heat and we can't use. Reached out again to Breville Support providing the previous case numbers, photos etc. Their response was "Can you tell me what the issue is?" They obviously hadn't read the case (or previous case) notes or looked at the pics or information provided.

Customer "Support" eventually provided a 3rd party service company after requesting again (service provider different to the first time) and a $900 quote later aparantly it's my issue "your responsibility out of warranty" with no regard to fire safety or a faulty machine breaking down every year since purchase. Overheating is a common issue apparantly and Breville ignore the problem and don't stand by their product.

For a $3K machine you would expect it to last longer than 2 years and have ongoing over heating issues every year since to a point where the metal casing is melting.

Do your math before investing in Breville's expensive Coffee Machines. Their products are amazing when they work but they dont work for long and cost a fortune.

It is also dissapointing that they don't care about fire risks and customer safety.

I recently acquired this coffee machine, and it's been a delightful addition to my coffee routine. The stainless steel design is both sleek and… Read more

durable. While it takes about 8 minutes to heat up, the quality of espresso it produces is impressive, especially when using the included induction top. The kit comes with all the essentials too.

This is a good coffee machine in many ways, but it appears to have one significant flaw. We previously owned the same model, which developed an… Read more

issue where the descale light kept flashing, even after we descaled the machine multiple times. We contacted DeLonghi for advice and tried their suggested fix, but it didn’t resolve the problem.

Because the machine was out of warranty and the repair cost would have been higher than replacing it, we decided to buy a new one — the same model, as it was on special. Unfortunately, the same issue occurred the first time the new machine needed descaling.

This time, it was still under warranty, so we took it in for repair. The technician told us this is not an uncommon fault and that the fix may involve replacing a specific circuit inside the machine.

Overall, while this coffee machine makes great coffee and works well in general, potential buyers should be aware of this recurring descaling light problem.

Update: I don’t recommend getting one even if you win it in a raffle or given one in any other way. The movable rubber feet are so annoying that it… Read more

makes making coffee a frustrating event & I regret buying it. Original review. The thing that really annoys me are the rubber feet which have been glued on, not screwed in. The glue unsticks & the machine becomes a three legged wobbly machine, you are continually looking for that fourth leg to stick back onto the machine. Whereas the Gaggia, a similar product, screws the feet in. How much more time or expense would it have cost to screw the feet in? This may may sound petty but as it is not a cheap machine you expect the basics to be reliable. On this alone I cannot recommend buying it.

Awesome machine! It makes excellent coffee works great out the box noise level is OK but for half the price of a 700$ minus the grinder and etc. It's… Read more

a awesome machine for only 500$ which I got it for 350$ but it's probably the best machine for a 500$ and under price point and it makes the best. Coffee of my life barista level for only 350$

Bought the coffee machine a week ago. Immediately upon using it, we could not fit the group handle in easily at all. Finally we managed to get it… Read more

in, got one good coffee out of it after finding that this is a common problem for new coffee machines. My partner tried for a hot minute, and I like a foolish male said they where doing it wrong.

It was freaking near impossible and I have made coffee before in hospitality. To get it in, I had to hold it by the side and fully push it in for it to go the center or it would leak coffee.

Waited 3 days, tried to make another coffee and now it will not fit into the group handle at all. Looking at the actually turn and slide mechanism, it seems that the plastic groove it fit into would not actually fit the metal groove part on the group handle.

Extremely disappointed, returning and never buying Sunbeam again.

Excellent - don't waste thousands on expensive machines you only use 1-2 times per day. This machine is now 6 years old, I've just replaced the… Read more

group head seal for $25 and it works flawlessly every single day for the last 6 years, and before that our last one lasted 7 years. I've saved tens of thousands over the past 13 years on these two machines. If my wife and I each bought one a coffee a day from a Starbucks etc say average cost over past 13 years is $4 for a flat white, that would equate to $37,960 (yep thirty seven THOUSAND dollars over 13 years) or I could buy a $700 Breville and fresh beans every week - and woohoo savings all the way down....

This Machine has been going strong for over 5 years now with no issues. Doing the usual maintenance and cleaning and its still working like its brand… Read more

new.

It has decent enough features and it's always nice being able to instantly steam the milk during or right after pulling a shot. If you're a DIYer you can also implement quite a few mods to give it even more features and functions. For the price this is an excellent machine. Whether this is the best option now in 2025 - probably not but if you do get it know that this coffee machine can pull excellent shots when paired with a more capable grinder and will last quite a while.

The grinder is great for its price and features, but once you delve deeper into the coffee world you will quickly realise its limitations and will eventually be looking for something better.

Great coffee machine at the start, then........... Purchased 3.5 years ago. After first 1.5 years it had major overheating issues so reached out to… Read more

support and had an expensive service. Another year later the same issue but now the actual casing is melting due to the heat and we can't use. Reached out again to Breville Support providing the previous case numbers, photos etc. Their response was "Can you tell me what the issue is?" They obviously hadn't read the case (or previous case) notes or looked at the pics or information provided.

Customer "Support" eventually provided a 3rd party service company after requesting again (service provider different to the first time) and a $900 quote later aparantly it's my issue "your responsibility out of warranty" with no regard to fire safety or a faulty machine breaking down every year since purchase. Overheating is a common issue apparantly and Breville ignore the problem and don't stand by their product.

For a $3K machine you would expect it to last longer than 2 years and have ongoing over heating issues every year since to a point where the metal casing is melting.

Do your math before investing in Breville's expensive Coffee Machines. Their products are amazing when they work but they dont work for long and cost a fortune.

It is also dissapointing that they don't care about fire risks and customer safety.

Do not buy if you want a machine that last longer than 2.5 years! – Do not even bother!!! Just shy of 7 months out of warranty and getting an error code of ER05. Contacted Breville but they will only cover cost of… Read more

their repair person “looking” at the machine then the labour and parts fall on me - absolutely appalling!! For the cost of the machine you would expect the machine to last longer than 2.5 years!!!

Purchased the Sunbeam unit to replace a coffee machine from another manufacturer (which is only a year old) and with which I am not happy (I have had… Read more

a number of different machines over a long period so consider myself relatively experienced in using home espresso machines). Unable to comment on manufacturing quality of the Sunbeam unit as I doubt I will use it long enough to properly assess. My major problem with the unit is its weight - even with a full tank the torque resulting from engaging the handle with the machine tends to turn the machine when I try to lock the group handle in. There is difference of 5kg between the weights of the two units when each have full tanks - needless to say, the Sunbeam unit is the lighter of the two. Would not recommend the Sunbeam unit.

Our old Breville dual broiler was no longer working. We went to buy at Harvey Norman, very happy once again with their service. We were choosing… Read more

between Breville dual Broiler or a downgrade to a more affordable to our budge Barista Express vs. the Delonghi equivalent. We went with the Barista express because it was within our budget and fit the colour scheme of our Kitchen. We also chose it because we wanted the grinder to be built in so that it doesn't have spills. I must say the Grinder is 5 stars, exactly what we wanted it to be no spills and the dose perfect level feature is great. And it provides great crema 5 stars. However the frothing feature is a disappointment. Two reasons, 1. once you've used the Breville dual Broiler, it's hard to downgrade. 2. Don't like the switch type feature and like the dial better. Overall as a Home Barista I am very happy with this product!

I upgraded from the Sunbeam Barista Max after using it for five years. Over time, the group head started to leak, which seems consistent with other… Read more

reviews I’d read before replacing it. That said, I was genuinely happy with that machine. The coffee was always good, and getting five years out of it felt reasonable.

Because of that positive experience, I decided to stick with Sunbeam for my upgrade, and I’m really glad I did. The improvements are noticeable straight away. The sunbeam origins classic grinder is much faster, there’s far less mess, and the auto grind setting makes everything more convenient.

Overall, I was already satisfied with my previous machine, but this upgrade has definitely been worth it.

Only worked well for a few weeks. Then started leaking through the milk frother, pump low pressure so no crema on coffee and no froth in milk. Have… Read more

contacted Delonghi who gave details of what to do for the wrong machine. Then requested another photo of model number etc after supplied this then asked for a video. So much for customer support. Will not buy this brand again

I really liked the Bambino Plus while it was working. Despite maintaining the machine meticulously, it began developing intermittent issues around… Read more

the 12‑month mark. By the time it reached two years old, part of the frothing system had failed completely. This was my first Breville after several De’Longhi machines, and unfortunately it hasn’t lived up to the same standard of reliability. I’ll be trying another brand next, as you simply shouldn’t encounter major faults with an appliance at this price point after only two years of use.

I bought this machine to replace my Barista Express (which has been falling apart on me gradually over 5 years), so I'm uniquely placed to offer a… Read more

comparison if you are trying to decide between models.

Know that any of these machines are probably going to die within 3-5yrs, and its a bit of luck which component dies as to whether the machine is still usable.. and its unlikely a repair is worth while.. so although I am a fan of the Pro... there is definitely merit in buying the Express version because the $ value is superb.

But.. there are many reasons why you might choose the Barista Pro.. the biggest ones are it has a better grinder (vs the express which was a bit crude and got out of alignment from time to time), the Pro also heats up near instantly which is a luxury but still nice.. but more importantly its a more even heat which in theory (and according to reviewers) means less randomness when you pull a shot.. its just a better machine...

I stressed out when I first used the Pro, because a) the grouphead wont even turn beyond a few degrees.. I dunno why Breville make their machines so tight to use, but you don't actually need to turn it far, just if its snug its fine.. it will loosen up over the years.. but also when I first started making coffee my coffee was coming out terribly.. like.. even after dialling everything in, only a small volume was coming out.. I thought my machine was defective.. BUT... here is the cool thing about the pro.. you can manually adjust the volume of water that comes out when you click the 1cup or 2cup button.. so actually you can tweak things yourself which I have now done and feeling great! However that process even for a relatively experienced home barista took me quite a few hours and youtube videos.. a bag of beans getting it wrong.. but I have it now.. but if you are totally new, this could definitely be a barrier for you.. but it can be overcome if your heart is in it =)

Overall very happy.. just need to see what the longjevity is like, the more electronics on a machine the more risk I feel that things can fail.. but having had fancy brand machines in the past, I am very much a fan of the Breville range.

I've owned 4 em6910 cafe m/c's that were all damaged by lightning strike. Just a problem where I live. They were all excellent. I tried to buy… Read more

another one and ended up with an origins dual espresso machine. Out of the box, it appears nowhere near as heavy a build as the 6910, plastic parts against brass. Very simple instructions, for the most part, correct. Two things missing are a pressure gauge(helpful)and a milk temperature gauge (essential), obviously left off to reduce cost. Instructions state grind size dictates shot time, I set the grind at #21 and the shot time was 17 seconds. Trying to gauge milk temperature by hand is rubbish. Buy a milk thermometer, no guesswork needed. Beans were Aldi Luxe blend, at $30kg, excellent value and quality. From the first cup, really good crema, sweet coffee, velvet milk, at the right temperature. Very satisfying. M/C longevity? One of the reasons I didn't buy Breville, I'd love to give an update down the track that is as positive as now.

Doubts over how long it will last – Purchased from Harvey Norman 18 months ago. Used to make 2 cups a day and was fine until alarming mechanical noises when pour should have commenced… Read more

followed by lack of pressure and ‘pulsing’ noises. Originally this was a ’special price offer by HN ($445) and we took out ‘Product Care’ for an extra $80 – not worth it, but more about that elsewhere. This model is discontinued but the same HN still had 2 in stock, at $749. Now here’s the rub. If you accept a refund, you only get $445 – the’ good deal’ only applies to the initial purchase, the terms don’t carry over and apply to any future problem resolution. BUT Australian consumer protection law makes it plain that the the purchaser is entitled to a replacement if the identical model is available (which it was) if it is a major, as opposed to a minor fault. A major fault is something that cannot be fixed in a reasonable time, something that, had you known about it, you wouldn’t have purchased the item in the first place. It took 70 minutes of escalating argument with HN before I left, with a new machine, at no cost. Short of the thing exploding into flames, I cannot imagine what could be more major than a sudden loud rattling noise followed by a failure to produce pressure to make coffee. There’s a heater in there, and a pressure pump, controlled by chips on a motherboard. How long – and at what cost -would that take to investigate and repair? I now have a replacement. I’ve read that others have had a similar fail after just 18 months (coffee makers have an average life of around 10 years. I’m not particularly happy – I personally would have elected to choose another brand. I’m livid with the time spent arguing for my legal rights with Harvey Norman at Garden City. How many people accept a store’s incorrect, and illegal, interpretation of what protection is guaranteed by national consumer legislation? It will be interesting to see what the response will be from ACCC.

Wonderful small, elegant and well.made machine – Title says it all. No issue combining grinder and espresso machine. High quality steam and water pressure for espresso. Great looking too. Has one boiler so occasionally takes a bit longer. All up a perfect combination. Show details

Best purchase we have made in years. We absolutely love this coffee machine. Makes fabulous coffees, easy to use and clean. Can do coffee art. Perfect for the caravan too. Highly recommend!! Show details

got one month with this machine what a waste of money constantly needing cleaning of group head tried to descale it and it blew the thermosensor next morning. Never again will i get another one Show details

I bought this machine 20 years ago and it has lasted this time, making amazing coffee. I thought I would update to this newest machine, and it has… Read more

failed within the first 2 years. I sent it to the repairer and they quoted more to repair it than the machine is worth. If this is progress Sunbeam, you are moving in the wrong direction

Recommendation: Close Steam Valve Gently! (+ repair suggestion) Yes, this one also started leaking from the steam pipe shortly after warranty period… Read more

ended. First a thank you to posts from Trev QLD and Vic S. on repair suggestions (do look those up first if you have a go at repairing) Repair summary: I inserted a tiny piece of Aluminum foil (folded a couple of times) below the red plastic steam stopper. First, I thought I was about to break the lid pulling it off after removing the 2 screws at the back. In the end, 2 clips did "give" without breaking. I attached a photo marking those 2 clips. You may be able to push them in from the side to avoid that risk. To get the steam valve out, after removing the 3 screws, it did not want to come out. Note that the white "rod" from the steam valve freely slides in and out of the knob on the housing (first I thought they were firmly connected, and was puzzled how to get it out). The knob stays put, you need to pull the valve out at an angle, the white plastic rod being the primary item resisting. Finally able to unscrew the valve "tap" from its seat, the red stopper emerges. It sits inside a cylinder recess of the tap, and barely stuck out, say 1/2 mm. That is the problem, the red stopper is no longer able to seal against the face of the mating valve seat. I took out the red stopper, and inserted a tiny piece of Al foil, folded a couple of times, and put the stopper back in (in reverse to make use of the other side of the stopper). Now the stopper sticks out say 2mm (sorry, missed chance to take a photo). Put it all together, and it works a treat (though only used it a couple of times so far). Key insight: the harder you turn the steam knob to the off position, the higher the force on the red stopper. From now onwards, I will only turn the steam valve off GENTLY - no more than is needed to stop the steam, and I suspect it will last for years to come.

Serious machine – Had this for almost a year and loving it. Serious machine that brews serious shots. Only just found out you can easily adjust the brew pressure (9… Read more

bar) without having to open up the machine. That along with temp control & the manual lever brewing makes it perfect for the espresso hobbyist that likes to tinker, adjust & experiment. The milk steaming is also powerful and fast. Saves so much time being able to pull a shot and steam milk at the same time with a dual boiler like this

WARNING-deal with this company or buy there range of coffee machines-expect disappointment and the worse customer service i have ever experienced!… Read more

What a mistake i made should have read the reviews on the de longi la specialista coffee machine-my story bought it 3 years ago-almost immediately been in and out of their service department 4 times ,called trouble shooting 7 times on record! and just recently my problems with the machine has not gone away-my fault fotr listening and believing their bullshit-again i called last week same problems guess what take it back to service-my issues r air bubbles,water not getting distributed as the coffee is coming out,sometimes it just does not even work and on many occassions when steaming and warming the milk never works-its not an operator issue either-service have told me to throw it away but de longi is not accepting liability here-pls i beg u consumers do not buy this brand it is a disappointment and its rubbish-after service care well its really called WHO CARES!

2016 model not had one issue, seeing I did a quick lesson from supplier and now know how to maintain which is a few back washes once a month or so… Read more

clean/wipe group filter, yes its supposed to make a noise when forcing the pump this isnt an issue with machine just lack of knowlwdge. Makes hot coffee which is vital to extract all coffee flavors, although now not importing this model its parts are all available which are still basic same as on many models, its a 20year plus machine which Id say maybe only if boiler went which can be replaced, by last bezzera lasted 16years I only upgraded the model for looks as was only the boiler slight signs of decay . Was from Di Bartoli at their then Bondi junction shop.

If you're serious about your coffee, this is heaven – This machine is the Mercedes Benz of espresso makers. It's hand-made in Heidelberg, Germany using only the best parts. It's made like a tank. It's… Read more

everything a coffee aficionado would love. First: It looks impressive on your kitchen bench. It's a piece of art, and it's easy to keep it that way. Second: Dual boilers mean you can just heat up the extraction boiler and make a short black or double shot. If you want to froth milk, you can turn on the second steam boiler separately. Third: The temperature of each boiler is controllable. (Some coffee tastes better when extracted at a lower temperature.) Fourth: Maintenance is simple. Fifth: It's quiet as a mouse - because of good insulation and a rotary pump.

Others have said that this isn't for beginners. Look, if you want a machine you'll have for a very long time, don't waste your money on lesser espresso makers. Yes, it's a bit complicated at first, but most places that sell these types of machines offer barista courses. Do one of those - you won't regret it.

Most important question of all: Does it make good coffee. YES!!! Probably as good as, or better than, what you get at your favourite coffee shop. Just takes a little practice. Don't forget - get yourself a good grinder, and use the freshest roasted beans you can find. (Not from the supermarket.)

amazing machine 4 years nothing gores wrong perfect coffee and foam – This machine just keeps on giving. Mine sits on the sink so not plumbed but huge tank. Never had any faults- serviced once only in 4 years plus. Easy… Read more

to use and superb steam pressure. Cant understand people who have had faults- maybe different machine?

I purchased a Gaggia New Classic in August 2023 for about $710. For a premium home espresso machine at this price point, I expected a product that… Read more

would be durable and free from premature corrosion, consistent with Australian Consumer Law expectations of acceptable quality.

In 2025, I noticed rust forming above and around the water tank area. Over time, the rust worsened instead of remaining cosmetic or superficial. Eventually, I decided to have the outer shell professionally powder coated to protect the machine and extend its life.

During that process, it became clear that corrosion was not limited to the external surface. There was also rust inside the casing, in areas that are not normally visible to a user. In my view, this raises concerns about the design and materials used in parts of the machine that are exposed to moisture during normal use, such as around the water tank and nearby internal surfaces.

From a usability point of view, the Gaggia New Classic can make good coffee and has a strong following, but my personal experience with premature rust and internal corrosion means I am not confident about its long‑term durability. Based on my experience, I would encourage potential buyers to carefully consider whether the build and finish meet their expectations for a machine at this price and to check how well the product’s durability is supported under consumer guarantees in practice.

This review is based on my personal experience and honest opinion of the product over time.