Best coffee machine for occasional drinkers

[courton]

Hi there, I have finally succumbed and plan to buy a coffee machine ( not for us primarily) but when we have visitors. We want a good machine with crema and the ability to froth enough milk when we have 6-8 people wanting coffee without too much delay. Do not want the aldi brand. Veering toward nespresso or something similar only for ease of use. Budget is less than $500. Have read all the product reviews and more confused than ever! Help!

[mcmich]

I bought nespresso for DH for fathers day (well the kids did). Easy to use. DH uses it at least once every day. There will be a delay if you want to make 6 coffees at a time. Paid $310and got a $50 rebate. I love the decaff pod. 

[EmeraldSue]

Couton,
I have a pod machine (no name brand ) which has a milk frother attached. If you want to make 6-8 coffees quickly, you may be better off buying a separate milk frothing machine with a large capacity rather than using the wand frother that 's part of most coffee machines. I find that it's really slow frothing the milk using the coffee machine for a lot of people.
There are a lot of pod machines on the market now, and the prices are really coming down.

[deedub]

I would get a pod machine, so much easier to clean up and the frothers on espresso machines tend to lose pressure after a while. I have a nespresso citiz with milk frother but it wouldn't heat enough milk for 6 at a time. Doesn't take long though & you can only make 1 coffee at a time with my machine anyway.

[dede]

I brought a Map coffee machine for DH. He uses it several times a day. I don't drink coffee.
It comes with a separate milk frother. But only froths enough milk for 1 cup at a time.
It's great now that Wollies also sell the pods compatible with our machine (much cheaper too)

[Rogizoja]

Best frother to use is your Thermomix!!    Does a great job and volume is no problem.

[mcmich]

I brought a Map coffee machine for DH. He uses it several times a day. I don't drink coffee.
It comes with a separate milk frother. But only froths enough milk for 1 cup at a time.
It's great now that Wollies also sell the pods compatible with our machine (much cheaper too)

Bought those dede and DH didn't like them.

[astarra]

Best frother to use is your Thermomix!!    Does a great job and volume is no problem.

I was thinking the same thing...

[VieveMS]

I have both an expensive manual coffee machine/grinder and a Nespresso Pixie.  Although I do prefer the coffee that is made in the espresso machine, it does take a long time to warm up and can be quite fiddly finding the correct grind based on different beans, etc.  

For the price and convenience, the Pixie is a winner.  It comes with a separate milk frother which is OK but the froth definitely does not compare to that made with a steam wand.  I mostly drink black coffee at home though.  If you are likely to make a lot of milk based coffee's it might be worth looking at something like a Nespresso Latissimo Plus.  You should be able to crank out the coffee's relatively quickly using this and it has a removable milk container so any unused milk can be stored in the fridge in between uses.

If you do go for a pod-based machine, you will need to factor in the ongoing costs of buying pods (regardless of brand).  The basic Nespresso pods are something like 0.68c per pod so if you drink a lot of coffee it can add up over time.  

If you live close to one, I recommend you go to one of the Nespresso Boutiques to see the machines in action and to taste some of their coffee.

[dede]

I brought a Map coffee machine for DH. He uses it several times a day. I don't drink coffee.
It comes with a separate milk frother. But only froths enough milk for 1 cup at a time.
It's great now that Wollies also sell the pods compatible with our machine (much cheaper too)

Bought those dede and DH didn't like them.

Oh bugger. My DH does so that's a bonus , got the Caramel coffee last week and he loves that one, but smell disgusting. Yuck)

[mcmich]

Am going totry again, a lot more economical.

[Mama Fergie]

Is yours a nespresso Michele?

[dede]

Not sure what the Gloria jeans coffee pods are like. A little more expensive than the woolies ones but still cheaper than Harvey Norman.

[astarra]

LOL dede, my DH is always coming home and complaining about the smell of the office girl's coffee - he said it was a caramel one!!  

[dede]

LOL dede, my DH is always coming home and complaining about the smell of the office girl's coffee - he said it was a caramel one!! 

It smells like......curry , it's weird. Everytime he makes it I turn my nose up.