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PIQSY Picks

Best Coffee Machines Australia 2026

PIQSY's decision-first Australian coffee-machine shortlist: 12 current machines matched to capsule convenience, bean-to-cup automation, milk, cold drinks, filter coffee, manual control, bench space and grinder ownership.

The decision this guide answers

Which coffee machine suits the way you make coffee at home?

Reviewed 7 Oct 202612 researched products

Which coffee machine suits how you make coffee?

Start with your usual drink and how much work you want to do. Capsules keep preparation simple but tie you to a capsule system. Automatic bean-to-cup machines grind fresh beans and prepare drinks with little handling. Portafilter machines let you take a more active role, with different levels of help for grinding, tamping and milk.

If you mostly drink black coffee, choose your preferred cup size before paying for milk features. If you make milk drinks daily, decide whether you want to steam milk yourself or let the machine handle it. Remember to allow room for a separate grinder if the machine needs one.

PIQSY Picks by coffee style

Capsule convenience

Automatic fresh beans

Hands-on espresso

Best fit for enthusiast manual control

Breville the Dual Boiler product image
Breville the Dual Boiler

Manual espresso control with dual boilers.

Main trade-off: The separate grinder, manual puck prep and manual milk workflow add equipment, space and learning compared with guided or automatic machines.

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What matters when choosing

Capsules or fresh beans? Capsules reduce preparation and cleanup, but you commit to a compatible capsule range. Fresh beans offer a different routine: automatic machines do most of the work, while portafilter machines need more attention.

Milk and morning effort. Automatic milk is useful if several people make flat whites or cappuccinos every day. Manual steaming is a reason to buy only if you enjoy learning it. Assisted tamping does not mean the machine also textures milk.

What else do you drink? A large black coffee, filter coffee, a cold-milk drink and cold-brew extraction are not interchangeable. Check which drinks the exact model makes before paying for extra modes.

The whole setup has to fit. Measure height under cupboards, depth in front of the plug, space to refill the tank and room for a grinder if required. A machine that looks narrow can still be surprisingly deep.

Price comes last. Compare the complete setup—including grinder, milk accessories and the capsule or bean routine—once you know which machines meet your needs.

Capsule convenience: what changes the choice

Nespresso Essenza Mini — Original capsules, minimal bench width

Choose it when espresso and lungo are enough and you want the smallest machine in this selection. At 11 cm wide, it saves bench width, but still needs 32.5 cm of depth. The 0.6 L tank and stated 25-second heat-up suit simple routines; it does not prepare milk or larger Vertuo-style drinks.

Buy it if

  • You want straightforward espresso or lungo at home without grinding beans or making a mess.
  • You have limited bench width and need a slim machine for a small kitchen.
  • You mainly drink black coffee and do not need the machine to prepare milk.

Skip it if

  • You usually want a full mug rather than a short espresso-style coffee.
  • You prefer milk drinks prepared automatically, without a separate frothing step.
  • You want to switch from capsules to freshly ground coffee.

Read the Nespresso Essenza Mini Solo Coffee Machine Verdict or compare it with Vertuo Pop.

Nespresso Vertuo Pop — Larger capsule drinks

Vertuo Pop makes more sense if you regularly drink larger black coffees, not just short espresso. The Australian model checked supports 40 mL Espresso, 80 mL Double Espresso, 150 mL Gran Lungo and 230 mL Mug formats. Although the machine is only 13.6 cm wide, its 42.6 cm depth and 560 mL tank matter in a small kitchen. You must also be comfortable buying Vertuo capsules.

Buy it if

  • You regularly enjoy a full mug of coffee without grinding beans.
  • You are happy buying Vertuo capsules for the larger drink sizes this machine makes.
  • You have narrow bench space but enough depth for the machine and its water tank.

Skip it if

  • You only drink short espresso and have no use for the larger cup options.
  • You want milk prepared for you, rather than adding a separate frother.
  • You do not want to commit to buying Vertuo capsules.

Read the Breville Nespresso Vertuo Pop Coffee Machine Verdict .

Nespresso Creatista Plus — Original capsules with automatic milk

Creatista Plus keeps the convenience of Original capsules but adds an automatic steam wand. Its eight milk-texture settings and eleven temperature options are useful if you make milk drinks regularly. It is a poor upgrade if your main goal is to move away from capsules and towards freshly ground coffee.

Buy it if

  • You make cappuccinos or lattes often and want the machine to steam milk for you.
  • You like simple capsule preparation but want more control over how milk feels and heats.
  • You would rather avoid grinding beans and learning to adjust a grinder.

Skip it if

  • You want the taste and routine of coffee made from freshly ground beans.
  • You want one-touch bean-to-cup drinks rather than preparing a capsule separately.
  • You rarely make milk drinks, so the extra milk equipment adds little value.

Read the Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus Coffee Machine Verdict or compare it with Bambino Plus.

Automatic fresh beans: what changes the choice

De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next — Fresh beans with hot drinks at a touch

Magnifica Evo Next avoids portafilter preparation. It offers 13 recipes, LatteCrema Hot milk, three profiles, a 2.4-inch display, a 1.8 L water tank and a 250 g bean hopper in a 24 cm-wide body. It is the simpler choice for households making mainly hot espresso and milk drinks; it is not the right model if automatic cold milk or true cold-brew extraction is essential.

Buy it if

  • You want fresh-bean coffees at a touch without grinding or tamping by hand.
  • You mainly make hot coffees and milk drinks, so its everyday recipes cover your routine.
  • You share the machine and would use saved drink settings for different people.
  • You prefer letting the machine handle preparation instead of learning manual espresso.

Skip it if

  • You regularly want cold milk drinks prepared automatically.
  • You enjoy controlling the grinding and espresso preparation yourself.
  • You need built-in cold-brew extraction rather than standard hot coffee recipes.

Read the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next Automatic Coffee Machine Verdict or compare it with Eletta Explore.

De’Longhi Eletta Explore — One-touch hot drinks and cold milk

Eletta Explore adds LatteCrema Cool, four profiles, a 3.5-inch screen and a To-Go workflow to a bean-to-cup routine. It suits households that genuinely make iced or cold-milk drinks often. Check your bench depth first: this version is 48.5 cm deep. The Australian .55.G model should not be confused with higher Eletta variants advertising dedicated Cold Brew.

Buy it if

  • You regularly switch between hot coffees and iced drinks with cold milk.
  • You share the machine and want to save different drink preferences for household members.
  • You want fresh-bean drinks without grinding the coffee or preparing milk by hand.

Skip it if

  • You almost always drink hot coffee and would rarely use the cold-milk features.
  • You specifically want a built-in cold-brew extraction programme; this Australian version lacks it.
  • You have a shallow bench; the machine needs considerable depth.

Read the De'Longhi Eletta Explore Fully Automatic Coffee Machine Grey Verdict or compare it with Magnifica Evo Next.

Hands-on espresso: what changes the choice

Breville Bambino Plus — Compact espresso with a separate grinder

Bambino Plus gives you a 54 mm portafilter, a stated three-second ThermoJet heat-up and automatic milk steaming in a machine just 19.5 cm wide. That width does not describe the complete setup: you still need space and budget for a grinder. Choose this route if you want to pick or upgrade the grinder separately rather than buy everything in one appliance.

Buy it if

  • You already own a grinder or want to choose one that suits your coffee.
  • You make milk drinks often and want the machine to steam milk automatically.
  • You enjoy preparing espresso yourself while keeping the coffee machine compact.
  • You want to replace capsules with freshly ground coffee without buying a combined machine.

Skip it if

  • You do not have room or budget for a separate grinder.
  • You want coffee made with one touch rather than preparing a portafilter.
  • You do not want to grind, fill and clean a coffee basket.

Read the Breville the Bambino Plus Espresso Machine Verdict or compare it with Barista Express Impress.

Breville Barista Express Impress — Assisted espresso with a built-in grinder

Barista Express Impress reduces the guesswork around grinding, dosing and tamping without removing the portafilter routine. Its grinder has 25 settings and it uses a 54 mm portafilter. Milk texturing remains manual. It suits someone who wants one appliance and is comfortable learning to steam milk, rather than expecting one-touch drinks.

Buy it if

  • You want freshly ground espresso without finding bench space for a separate grinder.
  • You like making coffee yourself but want help with consistent dosing and tamping.
  • You are happy to steam milk by hand to make your favourite hot drinks.
  • You mostly prepare espresso and hot milk coffees rather than cold drinks.

Skip it if

  • You want the machine to froth milk automatically.
  • You regularly make cold coffees and need dedicated cold-drink settings.
  • You want drinks prepared with one touch, without handling a portafilter.

Read the Breville the Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine Verdict or compare it with La Specialista Opera.

De’Longhi La Specialista Opera — Hands-on espresso with cold-drink presets

La Specialista Opera combines a grinder with 15 settings, Smart Tamping and manual milk steaming. Cold Brew and Espresso Cool settings are worthwhile only if those drinks are a regular part of your routine. Its 38 cm width and 44.5 cm height can also limit where you place it. If you will rarely use the cold presets, compare a simpler integrated-grinder machine.

Buy it if

  • You regularly make cold coffee as well as hot espresso.
  • You enjoy steaming milk yourself rather than using automatic milk preparation.
  • You want help tamping coffee evenly without buying a separate grinder.

Skip it if

  • You would rarely use the cold-drink settings, so extra modes add little value.
  • You want your milk heated and textured automatically.
  • You have limited vertical or bench space for a relatively large machine.

Read the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera Manual Coffee Machine Verdict or compare it with Barista Express Impress.

Ninja Luxe Café Premier — Espresso, filter coffee and rapid cold brew in one machine

Ninja Luxe Café Premier is worth a closer look if your household actually drinks several coffee styles. The Australian ES601 combines espresso, filter coffee and rapid cold brew with a built-in grinder, scales, Barista Assist and hands-free Dual Froth milk preparation. It introduces more modes than a focused espresso machine, so the extra flexibility should earn its bench space.

Buy it if

  • Your household regularly switches between espresso, filter coffee and cold brew.
  • You want one appliance for several coffee styles rather than keeping multiple machines.
  • You appreciate guided grinding and hands-free milk preparation when making drinks.
  • You often make cold coffee and would use its faster cold-brew programme.

Skip it if

  • You almost always make espresso and have no use for other brewing styles.
  • You prefer a simpler machine with fewer settings to learn.
  • You want traditional hands-on espresso control rather than guided preparation.

Read the Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine Verdict or compare it with La Specialista Opera.

Breville Barista Touch Impress — Guided espresso and automatic milk

Barista Touch Impress guides you through preparation on a touchscreen while still using a portafilter. It combines 30 grinder settings, assisted tamping, Auto MilQ, Cold Brew and Cold Espresso functions. The 41.5 cm width is a real practical constraint. It is easier to justify if you value the guidance and automatic milk, not just the screen.

Buy it if

  • You want onscreen guidance while learning to prepare espresso yourself.
  • You make milk drinks frequently and want the machine to steam milk for you.
  • You regularly enjoy cold coffee and would use its dedicated cold-drink options.
  • You like using a portafilter but want help dosing and tamping consistently.

Skip it if

  • You are comfortable steaming milk yourself and would not use the automated help.
  • You have a narrow bench; this machine takes up substantial width.
  • You want the machine to handle every coffee-making step without using a portafilter.

Read the Breville the Barista Touch Impress Verdict or compare it with Oracle Jet.

Breville Oracle Jet — Automated preparation with a 58 mm portafilter

Oracle Jet automates grinding, dosing and tamping while retaining a 58 mm portafilter and a stated 22 g dose. It adds 45 grinder settings, Auto MilQ, Cold Brew and Cold Espresso, plus a 2.3 L tank and 340 g hopper. This is not simply a better version of a one-touch bean-to-cup machine: it is a different way of making espresso, with more automated preparation.

Buy it if

  • You want espresso made with a portafilter, without measuring and tamping the grounds yourself.
  • You regularly prepare milk drinks and value automatic milk heating and texturing.
  • You make cold coffee often enough to use its dedicated cold-drink options.
  • You want the convenience of assisted preparation while keeping hands-on espresso equipment.

Skip it if

  • You want a completely one-touch drink without handling a portafilter.
  • You prefer grinding, measuring and tamping your own coffee as part of the ritual.
  • You would rarely use the automatic preparation or milk features you are paying for.

Read the Breville the Oracle Jet Espresso Machine Verdict or compare it with Eletta Explore.

Breville Dual Boiler — Manual control for espresso enthusiasts

Dual Boiler is for someone who actively wants control over the brewing process. Its dual boilers, PID temperature control and 58 mm portafilter allow brewing and steaming at the same time, with a stated 22 g dose. You will need a separate grinder and should be comfortable with manual preparation and milk texturing. If those tasks sound inconvenient, choose a more automated machine.

Buy it if

  • You enjoy adjusting espresso preparation yourself rather than relying on automatic settings.
  • You already own a grinder or want to choose one separately.
  • You make several milk coffees in a row and value brewing and steaming together.
  • You like manually texturing milk as part of making coffee.

Skip it if

  • You want to grind and brew coffee in one appliance without an extra grinder.
  • You want milk heated and frothed automatically rather than learning the technique.
  • You prefer convenient coffee with minimal preparation over fine control.

Read the Breville the Dual Boiler Verdict or compare it with Oracle Jet.

Before you buy

  • Don't choose by price alone. More automation and more drink options may cost more without making your usual coffee easier.
  • Check cold-drink claims carefully. Cold milk, coffee served over ice, rapid cold brew and dedicated cold extraction refer to different capabilities. The Eletta Explore version in this shortlist, for example, includes automatic cold milk but should not be assumed to have the Cold Brew feature of higher variants.
  • Plan for the full footprint. Bambino Plus and Dual Boiler need a grinder; Vertuo Pop and Eletta Explore are deeper than their widths suggest. Check access for refilling and cleaning.
  • Read owner feedback in context. It can help highlight reliability, cleaning and day-to-day frustrations, but it cannot tell you whether the type of machine suits your routine. PIQSY has not run controlled taste or extraction tests of these machines.

Continue your decision

If two machines suit you equally, use the relevant Compare article or Coffee Match to narrow the choice. Then read the full Verdict for your preferred machine before visiting the retailer.

For more background, see Coffee Machine Types Australia. For a brand-specific decision, see Breville vs De’Longhi Coffee Machines.

Make it personal

The best pick changes when your needs change.

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Keep Exploring

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How we checked this

See the Australian models and sources PIQSY checked for this page.

How we checked this

How PIQSY checked this page

We checked the Australian model and dated manufacturer or retailer sources rather than borrowing specifications from an overseas variant.

Australian model checked

12 Australian models checked

Sources used

Manufacturer · Amazon AU · Australian retailer

Sources checked through 7 Oct 2026

Last checked

7 Oct 2026

Current price and availability are checked separately where shown.

Hands-on testing: PIQSY has not physically tested this product for this page unless hands-on testing is explicitly disclosed.

What we could and couldn’t verify: If specifications conflict, cannot be matched to the Australian variant or cannot be confirmed, we leave them unresolved rather than guessing. Owner feedback is shown only when we can attribute it to the product we checked.

See models and source details
  • Nespresso Essenza Mini Solo Coffee Machine: EN85WSOLO
  • Nespresso Vertuo Pop Coffee Machine: BNV120WHT4JAN1
  • Nespresso Creatista Plus Coffee Machine: BNE800BTR2JAN1
  • the Bambino Plus Espresso Machine: BES500BSS4JAN1
  • the Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine: BES876BSS4IAN1
  • La Specialista Opera Manual Coffee Machine: EC9555M
  • Magnifica Evo Next Automatic Coffee Machine: ECAM310.80.TB
  • Eletta Explore Fully Automatic Coffee Machine Grey: ECAM450.55.G EX:4
  • the Oracle Jet Espresso Machine: BES985BSS4IAN1
  • Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine: ES601
  • the Barista Touch Impress: BES881BSS2IAN2
  • the Dual Boiler: BES920BSS

Sources used