The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no one-size-fits-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-automatics that give you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and needing to be able to master the art of espresso-making. It's our top pick for a bean-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those who want to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was designed for those with little counter space. It has a great build quality with a compact footprint. It comes with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group head so you can steam milk while making espresso at the same time.
The machine looks fantastic as well and features an elongated side panel with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic design of Rocket, which is already pretty impressive for a machine that is so small. It also has a black boiler pressure gauge to let you know 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. You'll need to be careful when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a natural tradeoff to have smaller footprint, however it is not a problem specific to this model.
You can still brew plenty of coffee with this machine, and it is able to easily meet your demands. That being said, we would suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with an Rocket portafilter to enhance the process of tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create excellent drinks and is easy to make Latte arts. It's important to note that this machine was not designed for beginners. There is a slight learning curve for those upgrading from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler can be a little tricky to manage, and you will have to learn the basics 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 capable of drinking cold pure, filtered water. The latter comes with smaller 2.25-liter tank that is more difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's top standards. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in just 35 seconds. The water tank can be easily refilled by removing the lid. be removed to make an enormous hole. You can fill it up with tap water if you prefer.
This is the smallest machine in the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still packs a punch. It's priced less than PS100 at full price - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie an ideal choice for those who don't have the money or space to buy a traditional espresso maker, but who would like to experience the pleasure of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and requires little counter space. Pressing one button will start the machine. Pressing it again will begin dispensing the pod you have selected. The button is illuminated so that you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also manually stop the process if you want to drink the pod in smaller quantities.
There's no steam wand on this model, but you can add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is very quiet as well and can be used in a small area or in a kitchen with flatshare without causing any disturbance to anyone else.
They're not inexpensive, but there's a variety of blends to satisfy everyone from mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. You can find them in the majority of supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and Milk is a smart-looking capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and frother. It comes with a 75cm power plug and power cable, a warranty sheet along with a quick guide and a tester pack comprising nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (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.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. But if you're willing to put in the work to learn how to use it this is a fantastic do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than some of the more expensive models on the market. It's an excellent price for the class and is especially useful for those who are new to the field and don't have an espresso maker, which can cost up to $100.
The model is just below the top of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive at $2,199) however, it's a solid choice for baristas at home who are on a tight budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and it even has a built-in burr grinder, making the whole experience much cheaper. It's also a single boiler, which means it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.
Breville is a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has swiftly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine isn't an exception, and it offers just enough control that it can be adjusted to allow aspiring baristas to improve their abilities without spending hundreds of dollars more than they need to.
The unit does not come without its flaws. One example is that the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit, instead of on top. This isn't an issue however it can be a little frustrating if you're trying to dispense multiple shots at once. It's also difficult to determine how much water is left in the tank because of its position at the rear.
If you're willing to learn how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's a great, do-it-all appliance for any home espresso lover. The only downside is the cost, which can be a nagging issue 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 are similarly capable and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you a fraction of what this Breville model which coffee machine is the best can do.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech, intelligent coffee maker that produces great coffee with a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display add a sophisticated look to your kitchen. It comes with only one dial to program the amount of cups you want to make. It comes with a 2-4 cup setting 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 the perfect temperature before being poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee is then brewed in the thermal, double-walled carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour function lets you take out the carafe during brewing to fill your own cup. The machine pauses brewing and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it. It then it resumes and completes brewing.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker comes SCAA certified, which means that it meets the organization’s strict standards for technical quality. The brew cycles it uses are the same as the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it gives you 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 slightly more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the time range that coffee experts recommend to make a good cup.
You should also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can choose an manual grinder or an automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and a hopper for whole beans.
The only drawback is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe and could cause issue for certain users. The stainless steel is still easy to clean by hand, though. The OXO 9-Cup is a leading contender for the top drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and easy to use interface.