Coffee at the Office: A Review

Automatic & Super-Automatic Espresso Machines

Automatic and super-automatic machines handle grinding, tamping, and brewing with the push of a button. For ease, we recommend the German-engineered WMF 1300S or 1500Splus. These machines offer precision, a built-in mini fridge for fresh milk, and 2-3 hoppers for beans and pre-ground decaf. With a digital touchscreen, they also allow customization for those who want more control over their drinks. Perfect for an office setting!

Big Office Machine
This machine can brew up to 120 coffees a day and has a sleek design that impresses clients. It features an adjustable group head to accommodate various cup sizes—a handy feature for those who are particular about their cup fit. The foam it produces is slightly drier, which might not suit everyone’s milk preferences. Cleaning is straightforward, but you'll need to purchase the cleaning products (tablet and liquid) from WMF. Overall, it’s considered a top-notch machine.
Best Feature: It includes a steam platform to preheat your cup.
Verdict: We like it.

Semi-Automated and Manual Machines
For smaller offices or those interested in exploring non-automated coffee machines, we recommend Sage Machines. The Barista Pro is fully manual—requiring you to grind, tamp, and steam your own milk. If you prefer less hands-on work, the Oracle Touch handles grinding, tamping, and milk steaming for you. You just need to place the group-handle into the portafilter and select your coffee option. The Oracle Touch features a touch screen for custom drinks, giving you more control but at a higher cost compared to the Barista Pro.
Design-wise, Sage machines are quite attractive and are great for home use as well. If you’re after a "third wave coffee" experience, these machines are ideal. A minor downside is that the drip tray fills up quickly, though it politely alerts you with a sign that reads, "Please empty me."
In terms of extraction, Sage machines let you adjust the grind setting for better results with different coffee beans. Foaming milk requires some practice but delivers café-style microfoam, which is one of its standout features.

Final Thoughts: Good coffee equipment in the office often takes a backseat, but investing in either of these machines can significantly improve your coffee experience. We believe these are among the best options available at these prices. In fact, many of us have a Sage machine at home!