The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no one-size-fits-all coffee machine. We've compiled our top picks, starting with a superautomatic that grinds your beans and packs them to semiautomatics that give you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend between automation and having to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a coffee-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those who wish to make espresso at home, without making huge sacrifices in terms quality. This espresso machine for prosumers is designed with a limited counter space in mind and offers top-quality build and tiny footprint. domestic coffee machines comes with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk while making espresso simultaneously.
The machine is also beautiful and features a round insert on the side panel with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is a new take on Rocket's classic aesthetic that is already impressive for a machine that is so small. It also includes the black pressure gauge, which 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 other models. You'll need be extra cautious when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is particularly true when you are using it often. This is a trade-off that results in a smaller footprint. This is not a problem specific to this model.
This machine can easily handle your coffee demands. We recommend buying a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gante, to increase consistency and flavor. You can also pair the machine with a Rocket Portafilter to increase the tamping.
As a prosumer espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making delicious drinks, and it's simple to make the latte art. However, it's important to remember that the machine isn't made for novices and there's an enlightening curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchanger can be tricky to handle and you'll have to learn how to do cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento allow connecting to a water source, which allows you to always have cold, fresh water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank that can 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 designed with quality in mind. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The tank can be easily refilled with ease, since the lid can be removed to make a large hole. You can fill it with tap water, should you wish.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the models, but it packs a punch. It's priced at less than PS100 at retail and is much less expensive 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 to buy a traditional espresso maker, but who want to get their fix of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is incredibly simple to use and occupies only a tiny amount of counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to turn on the machine, and then press it again to begin dispensing the chosen pod. There's a backlight on the button so that you can clearly see how much has been dispensed and you can also manually stop the process in case you prefer drinking your drink in smaller portions.
There's no steam wand on this model, but you can make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you like. The machine is also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen work space.
The pods aren't inexpensive, but they come in a wide range of blends that are suitable for everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in most supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty card, a quick guide, and a tester pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasts (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine itself is small enough to be stored on an even surface or placed under your cupboard.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is out of the budget of a majority of consumers. If you're willing and able master it and make it work, then this is a great at-home espresso maker. It's more efficient than many of the more expensive models. It's a great price for the class and is particularly helpful for beginners who don't yet have an espresso maker, which can cost up to $100.
This model sits right below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) however, it's a solid choice for home baristas on a tight budget. It has a lot of customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler that means that it can only do steaming or brewing at one time.
Breville is an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has swiftly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no different, and it has just enough control to let new baristas hone their skills without spending hundreds more than they need to.
The unit does not come without its quirks. For one, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit instead of being on top. This isn't really an issue however it can be difficult to disperse multiple shots at a time. It's also difficult to determine the amount of water left in the tank, because of its rear position.
If you're willing some time in learning how to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for any espresso lover at home. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is its price which could be a stumbling block for certain buyers. If you're looking for an affordable option, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and 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 cost.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker that produces great coffee using a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display add a sophisticated appearance 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. Its brewing method is similar to pour-over, which many coffee enthusiasts believe makes the best-tasting coffee. The water is heated up to the right temperature, then poured evenly over the coffee grounds using a shower head. The coffee is stored in a double-walled carafe that can be kept for up to 60 min. The pause-and-pour feature allows you to take the carafe out while making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine pauses the brewing process, and displays the red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. It then resumes brewing.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker has been SCAA certified, meaning it meets the organization’s strict technical standards. Its brew time is approximately the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has more control over temperature, brewing time and quality.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee with an entire carafe in just 7 minutes 41 seconds. That's a little longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but it falls within the range experts in the field recommend for a great cup of drip.
It also requires that you grind your own beans before making coffee. You can opt for a manual grinder or an automated model, such as the Baratza Encore. It has various grind settings, as well as it has a hopper that can be used for whole beans.
The only downside to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could pose a problem for some customers. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek style and easy-to-use interface make it an undisputed contender among the top drip coffee makers.