The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. That's why we've rounded up our top picks for your 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 automation and having to be able to master the art of espresso-making. This is our top choice for a machine that makes coffee.
- Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those looking to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This espresso machine for prosumers is designed with limited counter space in mind and combines outstanding build quality with a very small footprint. It comes equipped with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head, so you can steam milk and brew espresso simultaneously.
The machine looks stunning as well and features an elongated side panel with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's traditional design, which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also includes the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to show when the boiler is ready for use.
One drawback of this compact machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than those of other machines. You will need be extra cautious when emptying and refilling the machine. This is especially true if you use it frequently. This is a trade-off that comes with having smaller footprint. This isn't something that is unique to this model.
This machine can easily handle the demands of your coffee. We suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, to improve consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with an Rocket portafilter to improve the grinding process.
As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and it's easy to create Latte art. It's important to note that this machine isn't designed for novices. There is a slight learning curve for those who upgrade from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. The heat exchanger is difficult to work with and you'll need to master the art of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to an water source, which allows you to be in a position to drink cold and filtered water. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank that is more difficult to fill than its competitors.
- Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's top standards. The machine reaches the brewing temperature quickly, so you can prepare your first cup in just 35 seconds. The water tank is also fast and easy to refill by removing the lid completely to reveal a large opening. You can even fill it with tap water if you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the models, but it is a powerful machine. It costs less than PS100 at retail - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie an excellent choice for those without the budget or space to buy a traditional espresso maker, but who would like to experience the pleasure of real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very small counter space. Pressing a single button will start the machine. Pressing it again will start dispensing the specific pod you've chosen. The button is illuminated so you can see how much you have consumed. You can also manually stop the process, in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller quantities.
This model does not come with a steam wand, but you can add some creamy frosting to your milk by using an optional milk frother. The machine is quite quiet as well and can be used in a small workspace or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing others.
Pods aren't inexpensive, but there's a variety of blends to choose from that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. You can find them in the majority of supermarkets, along with regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and Milk is a stylish capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It comes with a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty document, a quick guide, and a test pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasts (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is small enough to be stored on an even surface or placed under the cupboard.
- Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso maker that's beyond the budget of many average consumers. But if you're willing to put in the work to learn how to use it, this is an excellent espresso maker for your home that performs better than some of the more expensive models available. It's among the best priced in its class, and it's especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso machine yet, which could cost them another $100 or more.
This model is priced below the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is an excellent option for baristas working on a tight budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and it even includes an integrated burr grinder, making the whole experience much less expensive. It's also a one-boiler machine, which means that it can only handle one thing 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 exception and offers enough control that it can be adjusted to let aspiring baristas improve their skills without spending more than they have to.
There are some quirks, though. The hopper is situated on the side, not at the top of the model. It's not a huge deal, but can be frustrating if you want to give several shots at once. The rear-facing position of the tank makes it difficult to know the amount of liquid left.
If you're willing some time to learn how to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is the price, which may be a stumbling block for certain buyers. If you're seeking a cheaper alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the cost.
- OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech, smart coffee maker that produces great coffee with a simple user interface. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED screen provides your kitchen with a stylish look. It comes with a single dial to program the amount of cups you want it to make. It also comes with two cup settings and a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing process is similar to pour-over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most flavorful coffee. The water is heated up to the right temperature, then poured evenly over the coffee grounds with shower heads. The brewed coffee is then stored in the double-walled thermal carafe and can be stored for up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour function lets you take out the carafe in brewing and fill your individual cup. The machine stops the brewing process, and displays a red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. It then resumes the brewing process.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker is SCAA certified, which means that it meets the organization’s strict standards in terms of technology. Its brew cycle is about longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers greater control over temperature, brewing duration and quality.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee, with the carafe filled in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. That's a little longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require but well within the range of time that experts in the field suggest for a decent cup of drip.
It also requires you to grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can make use of a manual coffee grinder, or go for a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which has multiple grind settings and a hopper that holds whole beans.
The only downside is that the carafe as well as the water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe, coffeee.uk which could be a issue for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek style and easy-to-use interface make it one of the top contenders among top drip coffee makers.