The Best Coffee Machines For HomeThere is no one-size-fits-all coffee machine. That's why we've rounded up our top picks for the home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatic machines that give you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automatizing the process while requiring you to be proficient in the art of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to-cup machine we've come across.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those looking to make espresso at home without having to make significant sacrifices in terms of quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was created for those with limited counter space. It combines excellent build quality and a small footprint. It comes with a 1.8 liter copper heat-exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Heads so that you can steam your milk and brew your coffee at the same time.
The machine looks stunning as well and features a round side panel insert with the engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is an update to Rocket's original design that is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also includes an black pressure gauge that indicates when the boiler is ready to use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than the majority of machines. This means that you will need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when using it frequently. This is a trade-off that results in less footprint. It's not a problem specific to this model.
This machine is able to handle the demands of your coffee. That being said, we would recommend investing in a good grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with a Rocket Portafilter to enhance the tamping.
As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and it's easy to create the latte art. It's important to note that this machine isn't intended for novices. There is a small learning curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchanger is tricky to handle and you'll need to learn how to do cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to a water source, allowing you to be able to drink cold and filter-filtered water. The latter has a smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's top standards. The machine reaches the temperature for brewing quickly, meaning you can prepare your first cup in just 35 second. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill and the lid can be removed completely to make a wide opening. You can fill it using tap water, should you wish.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the models, but it packs a punch. At full price, it's priced at PS100 which is lower than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who do not have the space or budget for traditional espresso machines however still want to experience an authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is incredibly simple to operate and takes up only a tiny amount of counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to turn on the machine, and then press it again to start dispensing your chosen brew. The button is illuminated so that you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also stop the process in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller amounts.
There's no steam wand included on this model, however you can make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth, if you'd like. The machine is also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or working space.
The pods are not inexpensive, but they come in a range of blends that can be used by all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are readily available in many supermarkets along with regular ground coffee and coffee beans and you can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule with an integrated milk warmer. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cord and plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty sheet, and a test box of nine Lavazza pods: six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be able to be stowed on an even surface or placed under the cupboard.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is out of the budget of a majority of consumers. If you're willing and able to learn to use it and make it work, then this is a great at-home espresso maker. It's more efficient than many of the more expensive models. It's the most affordable in its class, and it's especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso grinder yet, which could cost them $100 or more.
This model sits right in the middle of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199), but it's still an excellent option for baristas at home who are on a tight budget. It has a lot of options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means it can only perform one task at the same time.
Although it is a relatively newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves through their top-quality machines. This machine is no different and it comes with enough control to let budding baristas develop their abilities without spending more than necessary.
It's not without its quirks, though. For instance, the hopper on this model is placed on the side of the unit, instead of being on top. This isn't really significant, but it can be annoying if you're trying dispense multiple shots at once. The rear position of the tank makes it difficult to see how much liquid remains.
If you're willing to learn how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an ideal, all-purpose machine for anyone who is a coffee lover at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is its price, which may be a stumbling block for certain buyers. If you're looking for a low-cost option, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines have similar capabilities and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the price.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker that makes excellent coffee with a simple user interface. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screens creates a chic kitchen appearance. It comes with a single dial to program the number of cups you would like it to make and includes two cup settings as well as a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing technique is similar to pour over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe produces the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to a perfect temperature and then poured over grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee is stored in a double-walled carafe that can be kept for up to 60 min. The pause-and-pour function lets you to take the carafe out while brewing and then fill your cup. The machine stops brewing and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it. after which it resumes brewing and is finished.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is an SCAA-certified coffee maker that means it is in compliance with the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. Its brew cycle is about as long as those of the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides more control over temperature, brewing duration and also quality.
In our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee with an entire carafe in just 7 minutes 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the range of time that coffee experts suggest to make a great cup.
You must also grind your beans before brewing. You can opt for a manual grinder or a more automated model, such as the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and it has a hopper that can be used for whole beans.
The only issue is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe, which could be a hassle for some users. The stainless steel is still easily cleaned by hand, though. The OXO 9-Cup is a leading contender for the best drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and simple to use interface.
