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The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no single-size-fits all coffee machine. 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 is the perfect blend between automation and needing to be able to master the art of espresso-making. It's our top pick for a coffee-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those looking to make espresso at home without losing quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with the smallest counter space in mind and combines outstanding build quality with tiny 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 is also beautiful and has a round panel on the side with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic look of Rocket and is already impressive for a compact machine. It also has the black pressure gauge, which indicates when the boiler is ready for use.
One disadvantage of this tiny machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than those of other machines. You will need be cautious when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a trade-off that is a result of having smaller footprint. It's not a problem specific to this model.
This machine can easily handle the demands of your portable coffee machine. We recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante to improve consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to increase the tamping.
As a prosumer espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and it's simple to create latte art. It is important to remember that this machine was not designed for novices. There is a slight learning curve for those who upgrade from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler can be a bit tricky to manage and you'll need to learn the ins and outs of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento allow connecting to a water source, which means you'll always have cold, fresh filtered water on hand for your drinks. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank that could be more difficult to fill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from a Lavazza machine this one has been made with quality in mind. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, allowing you to prepare your first cup of coffee in less than 35 minutes. The water tank is quick and simple to refill and the lid can be removed completely to create a large opening. You can even fill it with tap water if that's what you prefer.
This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range, but it still has a lot of punch. When you buy it at full price, it costs under PS100 which is lower than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. This makes the Jolie an excellent choice for those who don't have the money or space for an espresso maker, but who want to get their fix of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is simple to use and requires little counter space. You just need to press one button to turn on the machine and again to begin dispensing your chosen pod. The button is illuminated so you can see how much you have consumed. You can also stop the process if you want to drink the pod in smaller amounts.
The model isn't equipped with a steam wand however, you can add creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or work space.
The pods are not inexpensive, but they come in a variety of blends that will suit all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are readily available in many supermarkets along with regular coffee beans and ground coffee machines small and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule that comes with an integrated milk warmer. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cable and plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty card, as well as a test box containing nine Lavazza pods which include six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to fit under a cupboard or flat surfaces.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that's beyond the budget of many average consumers. If you're willing invest the time to learn how to use it, this is an excellent espresso maker for home use that performs better than many of the more expensive models on the market. It's a great value for its class and is especially useful for those who are new to the field and don't own an espresso machine that can cost up to $100.
This model is a bit in the middle of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) however, it's an excellent option for home baristas on a budget. It's loaded with customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler that means it can only do brewing or steaming at one time.
Breville, relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has rapidly established a reputation for high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and has enough control to let budding baristas develop their abilities without spending a lot more than necessary.
It's not without its quirks, though. One example is that the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit, instead of on top. This isn't significant however it can be a little frustrating if you're trying to disperse multiple shots at a time. It's also difficult to know how much water is left in the tank, due to its rear placement.
But if you're prepared to spend some time learning 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 cost which could be a deterrent for certain buyers. For those looking for a less expensive option, check out 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 offers machine with a user-friendly interface that produces great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add an elegant design to your kitchen. It comes with a single dial that allows you to program the number of cups. There are two settings: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. The brewing process is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee aficionados believe produces the best coffee machines for home-tasting coffee. The water is heated up to the right temperature, then evenly poured over the coffee grounds with shower heads. The coffee that is brewed is stored in a double-walled carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 min. The pause-and-pour function lets you remove the carafe while brewing and then fill your cup. The machine pauses the brewing process and displays a red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. It then resumes brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, that means it is in compliance with the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. Its brew cycles are about 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 testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced a pot of excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe of coffee in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require but well within the range of time that coffee experts suggest for a decent cup of drip.
You should also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can use a manual coffee maker machine grinder or go for a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which has multiple grind settings and an hopper that can hold whole beans.
The only issue is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe, which could be a hassle for certain users. The stainless steel is easily cleaned by hand, but. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and user-friendly interface make it an undisputed contender among the top drip coffee makers.