My partner and I have both worked as baristas in Melbourne, Australia (where the quality expectation is high) and have experience with all manner of 20,000 dollar espresso machines.

We still swear by our Moka pot for home coffee. It's so much less finicky and combined with a hand-grinder is ridiculously portable. Easy to throw into a backpack when you're travelling!

Hmmmm I think I'll go make a coffee now...