If you’re anything like the majority of coffee lovers, the day will come when strolling into your neighbourhood café just doesn’t hold the same appeal any longer. It’s still wonderful, sure, but you want to be able to experiment with your espresso at home. You’re craving a chance to find-tune your extraction, to master your own signature drink, to wake up at any time of the day or night and find amazing coffee just waiting for you on your kitchen countertop.
The thing is, searching for an espresso machine for home is a tall order with the sheer volume of available options. There are plastic-heavy appliances from the big-box stores, or high-performance tools from specialty showrooms. In truth, the home coffee and espresso machine is a spectrum, one you now need to find your place on.
Here’s how you can go about it, plus some recommendations for finding a luxury coffee machine that will go the distance with you.
What to Look for in a Quality Espresso Machine for Home
First things first: you need to know what ‘quality’ looks like, and how to pick it out. From the team members here at La Marzocco, here are a few tips to get you started.
Abandon the “appliance” mentality.
When most of us buy appliances, we’re looking for something that will tackle the job right now, and accepting a limited lifespan in return for a lower cost. However, if you want your home coffee and espresso machine to last the years with you, it’s better to view it as more of a professional tool.
Does the machine use the same heavy-duty stainless steel components found in your favourite café? Does it offer the thermal stability of a saturated group head or the precision of a PID controller?
Even if you don’t feel like an at-home barista right now, a luxury coffee machine is an investment in getting yourself there, It’s longevity and consistency, designed to be serviced and cherished for decades, rather than replaced every few years.
Make sure you’ve got specialty support.
Where you choose to buy your machine is just as important as the model you select. While online marketplaces offer a quick “add to cart” experience, a professional-grade machine requires a more nuanced approach. If you go with a specialist supplier like La Marzocco Home, you’ll be able to access help from a community of experts to dial in that first shot, espresso courses designed to get you moving on your particular machine, and local masterclasses to jump into.
Try it out in person, if you can.
In the Australian coffee scene, we are fortunate to have access to dedicated showrooms and authorised partners all over the country who understand the soul of espresso.
We always encourage prospective baristas to visit a showroom (whether in Sydney, Melbourne, or beyond) to pull a shot themselves. Seeing a luxury coffee machine in person allows you to appreciate the hand-finished details that a photo just can’t capture. Now that you know what to look for, there’s a bigger question at play: where should you look for a top-notch espresso machine for home?
Invest in a high-quality, professional-grade workhorse.
A brand-new, high-quality luxury coffee machine with built-in support and a warranty that will last you the first few years of use; that’s what you get when you build a professional workhorse.
For example, a machine from La Marzocco Home – bought new – gives you access to an in-home demonstration, annual servicing from experienced technicians, and an extensive history of education to rely on as you come to grips with your new machine.
Not only that, but you can be sure your investment will not falter for decades to come, because you got it out of the box.
Ultimately, where you buy your new espresso machine for home can determine how long it lasts, so it’s worth taking the time to explore your options. If you’re seeking a right-now solution, then a big-box store might be your best bet. But if you’re after a lifetime of excellent coffee, carefully sourcing a high-quality luxury coffee machine will always be worth the price.
Find the home coffee and espresso machine of your dreams.
We are La Marzocco Home, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of espresso machines. With modern engineering and decades of Italian espresso mastery running through our veins, we’re proud to build and supply the best luxury coffee machines for residential and commercial baristas.
Browse our range to find your perfect coffee machine today.
