The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all coffee maker. We've put together our top picks, starting with an automatic that grinds your beans and packs them to semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automating the process and making you knowledgeable about the art of making espresso. This is our top choice for a machine that makes coffee.
- Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those who want to make espresso at home, without making significant sacrifices in terms of quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was created for those with small counter space. It has a great build quality with a compact footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8 liter copper heat-exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head, so you can steam your milk and brew coffee at the same time.
The machine is also beautiful and has a circular panel on the side with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is a modernization of Rocket's traditional design that is already impressive for a small appliance. It also has a black pressure gauge that will let you know when the boiler is ready to use.
The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this machine than most other models. This means that you will have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you are using it regularly. This is a trade-off that is a result of having a smaller footprint. This isn't an issue that is specific to this model.
This machine is capable of handling the demands of your coffee. We recommend investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante to increase consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with an Rocket portafilter to help improve the tamping process.
As a prosumer espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and it's easy to make the latte art. However, it's worth noting that the machine isn't made for beginners and there's an enlightening curve for those who are upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger can be difficult to work with, and you'll need to master the art of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento allow connecting to a water supply, which means you'll always have cold, fresh water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank that can be more difficult to fill than its competitors.
- Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is quick and simple to refill by removing the lid completely to reveal a large opening. You can fill it using tap water, if you like.
This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still has a lot of punch. When you buy it at full cost, it's less than PS100 which is lower than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those without the budget or space for a traditional espresso maker, but want to get their fix of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely simple to use and occupies just a little 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. There's a light on the button, so you are able to see clearly the amount of dispensed and you can also manually stop the process if you prefer to drink your pod in smaller doses.
This model does not come with a steam wand however, you can add creamy frosting to your milk by using an optional milk frother. The machine is also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or workspace.
The pods are not expensive, but they are available in a variety of blends that can be used by anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. 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 sleek capsule that has an integrated milk warmer. It includes a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty document along with a quick guide and a test pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is small enough to be placed under a cupboard or on a flat surface.
- Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. If you're willing and able to master it and make it work, then this is a great home espresso maker. It's more efficient than most of the more expensive models. It's a good price for the class and is especially useful for those who aren't experienced enough to have an espresso machine, which can cost up to $100.
This model is priced below the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is an excellent option for baristas on a budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and it even comes with a built-in burr grinder, making the entire experience more affordable. It's also a single boiler that means it can only be used for brewing or steaming at one time.
Although it is a relatively newcomer to the market for espresso machines, Breville has quickly made an impact by offering top-quality equipment. This machine is no different, and it offers just enough control that it can be adjusted to let baristas who are aspiring improve their abilities without spending hundreds of dollars more than they have to.
The unit has its flaws. For instance, the hopper on this model is placed on the side of the unit instead of on top--which isn't an issue however it can be difficult to give multiple shots at once. It's also not very easy to determine the amount of water left in the tank, because of its rear position.
If you're willing time learning to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for any espresso lover at home. The only drawback is the cost, which can be a turnoff for certain buyers. If you're looking for a lower-cost option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost less than the price.
- OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine with a user-friendly interface that makes great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display add a stylish look to your kitchen. It comes with only one dial to program the amount of cups you want to make. It comes with the 2-4 cup setting and a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing method is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee aficionados believe produces the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the right temperature, then evenly poured over the household coffee machines grounds using a shower head. The brewed coffee then collects in the double-walled, thermal carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour function lets you take out the carafe while brewing to fill your cup to the brim. The machine stops the brewing process and shows the red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes the brewing process.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker comes SCAA certified, meaning it meets the organization’s strict standards for technical quality. Its brew time is approximately the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has greater control over temperature, brewing duration and also quality.
In our tests in our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee with an entire carafe in just 7 minutes 41 seconds. This is a little more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the range that coffee experts recommend for making a quality cup.
It also requires you to grind your own beans before brewing. You can use a manual coffee grinder or choose a more automated model, such as the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and a hopper that holds whole beans.
The only downside is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe this could be a issue for certain users. The stainless steel is still easy to clean by hand, but. The OXO 9-Cup is an excellent contender for the top drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and simple to use interface.