We've all dreamed of having a beautiful coffee machine that makes us a delicious cup of coffee every day. Now at the cutting edge of technology and having become decorative objects thanks to their improved aesthetics, the coffee machine is undoubtedly a desired item for many people to delight their palates and brighten their days.
There are many different brewing systems, models, brands, and options, and it's easy to get lost and not know what to choose.
Buying a coffee machine is an investment, and we want to be able to keep it for several years.
To find your way around, you need to proceed logically and determine your needs and budget. You won't equip yourself the same way if you're single, drink one black coffee a day, and love technology, as if you're a large family where everyone drinks different beverages and your budget is tight.
We will therefore proceed step by step, first asking the right questions to determine your needs. We will then associate the different profiles with different machines:
- Ask yourself the right questions: your tastes, your needs, your budget...
- I like to vary the drinks simply: the automatic machine.
- I want to become a barista: the manual machine.
- I want to explore the different aromas of coffee: manual infusions
Find the machine that's right for you
first step
Asking the right questions
The very first thing to do before shopping for your future coffee machine is to define your needs by asking yourself the right questions. When you come to the store, these are questions we will systematically ask you. This helps determine your coffee consumer profile, and thus guide you towards the machine that's right for you.
Here are some examples of questions we might ask you:
How much time do you want to dedicate to preparing your coffees?
This is the first question you should ask yourself. If you're in a hurry, opt for a capsule machine or an automatic machine, which will guarantee a quick espresso at the touch of a button and consistent taste. If, on the other hand, you have the time or want to take the time to explore the different aromas of coffee, a manual machine is for you.
Do you have any experience with coffee machines? Is this your first machine?
Some machines require more practice than others, especially some manual machines.
If this is your first machine, opt for simplicity. Once you're comfortable, you can consider getting a more complex model.
How many coffees do you drink per day?
If you live alone and drink one coffee a day, your needs won't be the same as a family where each person drinks two or three different beverages. Therefore, you need to determine your consumption and then look for a machine that will fully satisfy you with its features and the variety of drinks it offers.
Do you drink your coffee black or do you need an integrated milk system?
Do you drink your coffee black? Then you don't need a machine with a milk frother or steam wand. An Italian coffee maker might be just what you're looking for if you like your coffee strong and black. However, if you love lattes, you'll have to choose between a steam wand, where you froth your milk yourself in a pitcher, or an integrated system like the ones found on most Jura automatic machines, for example. Keep in mind that an integrated milk frother requires daily maintenance!
Have you set a budget?
Buying a coffee machine is an investment. Prices can quickly escalate, and generally, the more options it has, the more expensive it will be. Therefore, it's crucial to determine your needs.
Do you want a state-of-the-art touchscreen? Do you need 15 pre-programmed drink recipes?
Set yourself an average budget, even if you need to increase it by $200. This will give you a good idea of which machine to choose.
Do you have enough space on your countertop? Do you have cabinets above that reduce the available space?
It's not something we necessarily think about, but it's important to choose the location for your machine and see if everything is optimal for putting it there.
Some machines have a water tank that can be removed from the top, and if you have cabinets that are too low, it could quickly become problematic for you to have to constantly pull your machine forward to fill it.
So take the time to look at the dimensions of the machines, how the different reservoirs (water, grains) are used, and you will save yourself a lot of trouble.
The automatic machine
I like to vary my drinks simply
An automatic coffee machine is the ideal choice if you want to get excellent coffee every time, quickly and effortlessly.
Indeed, they are equipped with a grinder, offer customization options such as coffee strength or the amount of water and/or milk in your drink, and they remember the perfect dosage to make the best espresso or cappuccino. Simple, quick, and efficient!
KitchenAid machines
A KitchenAid automatic espresso machine offers the "specialty coffee at home" experience: lots of recipes, personalized profiles, a plant-based drinks mode for the KF8, and the flexibility to easily change beans.
KitchenAid machines are designed to simplify your daily life, both at home and in the office. First, they're mounted on wheels, so you can easily move them forward or sideways without straining—handy when rearranging your countertop or cleaning. The removable bean hopper adds a significant advantage: you can switch coffees in a flash, perfect for alternating between a regular coffee in the morning and a decaf in the evening, while also making cleaning much easier. And to ensure each cup retains its true character, the purge/drain function when changing beans reduces the risk of the old coffee contaminating the new.
When it comes to drinks, you can tell it's a modern machine: on the KF8, the dedicated plant-based milk mode optimizes the cycles for milks like oat or almond, a real plus if you're a fan of plant-based options. You also benefit from a wide selection of built-in recipes—depending on the model, this can exceed 20 options, and even go beyond 40—for variety without any hassle: espresso, Americano, latte, cappuccino, and much more. And if you like it to taste exactly the way you like it, the customization is truly advanced: you can adjust the strength, volume, and temperature, and save your settings to recreate your perfect cup every time. Plus, user profiles make it incredibly seamless for families or the office: everyone can access their preferences (up to 6 profiles depending on the model) without having to reprogram anything.
Add to that the Smart Dosing feature, which makes it easy to consistently get one or two doses, and the guided maintenance with built-in indicators and routines that tell you what to do and when to do it: in the end, you get a simple, reliable and frankly enjoyable experience, cup after cup.
Our KitchenAid machines
Jura machines
Jura has become a benchmark in automatic coffee machines.
Founded in 1931, the company has developed innovative and high-end household appliances. The Swiss brand, which specializes exclusively in coffee machines, has distinguished itself thanks to machines that are as technically advanced as they are stylish, intuitive, and built to last.
Its models are easy to use and clean, and allow for complete customization of drinks: grain intensity, amount of water, amount of milk, temperature...
Some models, such as the S8 or the Ena8, even allow you to connect to the JOE app to save your own drink on your cell phone and start your coffee remotely, or even see the time remaining before the next service.
Jura machines are developed using the most advanced techniques, with the sole aim of offering you a generous and authentic tasting experience. From grinding the beans to extraction, everything is designed to enhance the subtle and profound aromas of the coffee.
Recognized worldwide for their reliability, durability and precision, Jura coffee machines embody Swiss values.
These are decidedly eco-friendly, designed to consume the minimum amount of energy possible.
Jura guarantees reasonable use of packaging and exemplary energy efficiency to limit its impact on the environment.
In keeping with their commitment to eco-responsibility, Jura coffee machines are designed for maintenance even after years of use. The brand prioritizes repair over replacement whenever components are serviceable. With a customer service network spanning the globe, getting your Jura espresso machine repaired will be a breeze.
Technology is used to its fullest potential to simplify the daily use and routine maintenance of Jura coffee machines. With their exceptional, refined, and elegant design, Jura coffee machines integrate seamlessly into even the most sophisticated interiors. The premium materials used in their construction ensure a uniquely high-quality finish.
A true feast for the eyes, Jura automatic machines will also delight the taste buds of coffee lovers with a mastery of taste that is beyond question.
One small drawback, however, is that Jura models are relatively expensive. But when you love something, price is no object!
Our Jura automatic machines
Bellucci machines
A subsidiary of Saeco Canada, Bellucci is one of the largest distributors of coffee equipment in Canada. The Bellucci brand was developed to achieve a high standard of quality.
They aim to offer a quality experience with their Italian coffee machines. Bellucci is committed to the quality of its products.
Bellucci showcases Italian coffee culture and machines geared towards “authentic espresso”. Depending on the model, you'll find machines designed/developed in Italy and even handcrafted models made in Milan with professional components — a major plus for lovers of finish and performance.
Whether you want simplicity or more control , the Bellucci ecosystem offers (depending on the model) features that improve consistency and daily enjoyment: pre-infusion , 19-bar pump , recipes/personalization, user profiles, cleaning/descaling cycles, and a manufacturer's warranty displayed on several machines.
Choosing Bellucci also means choosing a brand with structured after-sales and repair services , supported by a team of technicians and a large inventory of parts — practical when it comes time to maintain, repair or extend the life of your machine.
Our Bellucci automatic machines
IN SUMMARY
THE MANUAL MACHINE
I want to become a barista
Owning a manual machine means becoming an explorer of aromas and an extractor of daily happiness. You'll develop your own little ritual, and you'll love it!
And it's undoubtedly the barista's favorite machine. With these machines, you can control everything: the grind, the temperature, the water quantity, and even the milk foam. They are also generally more affordable than most automatic machines. To help you choose your model, there are two types of portafilter, an important factor to consider depending on your experience with these machines: the pressurized portafilter and the regular portafilter.
A pressurized portafilter is ideal for less experienced amateur baristas, as it creates higher pressure, allowing for excellent espresso extraction even if the grind and dosage aren't perfect. A standard portafilter, on the other hand, is better suited to high-end machines like Lelit, which exert greater pressure during extraction. If you have a good grasp of the various parameters, a standard portafilter might be sufficient.
The presence of a steam nozzle is also an important point to consider if you want to be able to froth your own milk and thus obtain a good cappuccino.
The pump, the coffee group, the reservoir, maintenance, size or even the cup warmer, several criteria must be studied to find the machine that best suits you.
Lelit machines
Lelit is an emerging company among espresso machine producers.
Design, technology, and attention to detail are the main characteristics of these
machines, which are designed and manufactured in Italy from components and materials intended for professional machines.
Thanks to careful control of temperature and quality, they allow enthusiasts to enjoy their coffee in the best possible way.
In addition, you can adjust all the parameters and refine your preparation technique, just like a real barista.
Lelit machines have established themselves as the benchmark for making a classic and delicious espresso, guaranteeing you a delicious, fresh coffee full of aromas.
Our Lelit manual machines
Bellucci machines
Bellucci manual coffee machines offer you a compact and elegant design, and exceptional build quality.
Our Bellucci manual machines
IN SUMMARY
MANUAL INFUSIONS
I want to explore the different aromas of a coffee
Manual infusions are very popular in the coffee world, especially in Japan, a country that loves both coffee and tea.
They allow you to easily bring out the best aromas of your coffee at a lower cost, and are also very easy to clean.
However, this is not the recommended system if you only drink espresso.
