The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. We've rounded-up our top picks, from an automatic that grinds your beans and packs them into a semiautomatic which gives you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend between automation and having to know the ropes of espresso-making. This is our top choice for a coffee-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those looking to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This espresso machine for prosumers is designed with the smallest counter space in mind. It is built to last with a high-end build quality and tiny footprint. It comes with a 1.8 Liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head, so you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same at the same time.
The machine looks fantastic and features a round panel on the side with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a modernization of Rocket's original design that is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also includes the black pressure gauge, which will let you know when the boiler is ready for use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than those of other machines. This means that you will have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you use it often. This is a natural trade-off for a smaller footprint, though this is not a problem specific to this model.
You can still brew plenty of coffee with this machine, and it can easily meet your demands. That being said, we would recommend investing in a good grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with the Rocket portafilter to help improve the process of tamping.
As a prosumer espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making delicious drinks, and it's simple to create Latte art. It's important to know that this machine is not designed for novices. There is a slight learning curve for people who are upgrading from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. The heat exchange boiler can be a little tricky to operate, and you will have to master the ins and outs 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 always be capable of drinking cold pure, filtered water. The latter model has a smaller 2.25-liter tank that is difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from a Lavazza machine this one has been designed with quality in mind. The machine can reach the temperature for brewing quickly, meaning you can make your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The tank can be easily refilled with ease, since the lid can be removed to create an enormous hole. You can even fill it up with tap water if you want.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the range, but it packs a punch. It costs less than PS100 at the full price - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those who don't have the money or space for a traditional espresso maker, but would like to experience the pleasure of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is incredibly simple to use and occupies just a little counter space. Pressing one button will begin the process. Pressing it again will start dispense the pod you have selected. There's a backlight on the button so that you can clearly see the amount of liquid that has been dispersed and you can also stop the process at any time should you prefer to drink your pod in smaller doses.
The model isn't equipped with a steam wand however, you can add creamy frosting to your milk by using an optional milk frother. The machine is also quite quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen working space.
They're not inexpensive, but there's a variety of blends to choose from to satisfy everyone from mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are sold in most supermarkets alongside regular ground coffee and coffee beans and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule that has an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty sheet and a quick reference, and a tester pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine itself is small enough to be kept on the floor or placed under your cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. 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 is more efficient than some of the more expensive models on the market. It's a good value for the money and is particularly useful for beginners who don't yet own an espresso machine that can cost up to $100.
This model is priced less than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is an excellent choice for baristas working on a budget. It comes with a variety of options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, meaning it can only handle one thing at a time.
Breville, an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has swiftly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no different coffee machines coffee and offers enough adjustable control to let baristas who are aspiring burnish their abilities without spending more than they should.
It's not without its flaws however. The hopper is located on the side, not at the top, of this model. It's not a huge problem, but it could be a hassle if you need 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 to spend some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an excellent, all-purpose appliance for anyone who is a coffee lover at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is its cost, which may be a hindrance for some buyers. For those looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost a fraction of the price.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine with a simple user interface that produces excellent coffee. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED screen creates a chic kitchen design. It has a single dial to program how many cups you want it to make. It also comes with the 2-4 cup setting and a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing method is similar to pour-over, which many coffee lovers believe makes the most flavorful coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and poured over the grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The coffee brewed is then stored in the thermal, double-walled carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour function allows you to remove the carafe in brewing and fill your cup to the brim. The machine stops brewing and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it, then resumes and finishes brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, which means it meets the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. The brew cycles are the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it allows for more control over temperature and brewing time.
In our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee with a carafe full in just 7 minutes 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the range of time that coffee experts suggest to make a great cup.
You should also grind your beans before brewing. You can choose either a manual grinder or a more automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has multiple grind settings, and an hopper for beans that are whole.
The only drawback to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a problem for some customers. The stainless steel is easily cleaned by hand, though. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and user-friendly interface make it an undisputed contender among the top drip coffee makers.