The Best
Coffee Machines For HomeThere's no universally-fit-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-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch achieves the perfect balance between automation and having to be able to master the art of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to-cup machine we've come across.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those looking to make espresso at their home without losing quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with limited counter space in mind and is built to last with a high-end build quality and tiny footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8 milliliter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head, so you can steam your milk and brew coffee at the same time.
The machine looks stunning too, and comes with a round side panel insert with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic design of Rocket and is already impressive for a machine that is so small. It also comes with an 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 others. It is important be cautious when emptying and refilling the machine. This is especially the case if you use it frequently. This is a sacrifice that results in less footprint. This is not a problem specific to this model.
This machine is capable of handling the demands of your coffee. We would recommend investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante, to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also pair this machine with a Rocket portafilter to improve the grinding process.
As a prosumer espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and it's easy to create latte art. It's important to note that this machine was not intended for novices. There is a slight learning curve for those who upgrade from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchanger is difficult to operate, and you'll need to master the art of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to a water source, allowing you to be capable of drinking cold and filtered water. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank, which can be more difficult to fill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from the Lavazza machine this one was designed with quality in mind. The machine reaches the temperature for brewing quickly, so you can prepare your first cup in just 35 seconds. The water tank is able to be filled with ease, since the lid can be removed to make an enormous hole. 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 however, it still packs a punch. At full cost, it's less than PS100 - which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. This makes the Jolie an excellent choice for those with a limited budget or space for an espresso maker, but want to get their fix of real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and takes up small counter space. By pressing a single button, you can activate the machine. When you press it again, it will start dispensing the specific pod you've chosen. There's a backlight on the button so that you can easily see the amount of liquid that has been dispersed, and you can manually stop the process if you prefer to drink the pod in smaller amounts.
There's no steam wand available on this model, but you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you like. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or working space.
They aren't cheap, but there is a wide variety of blends to choose from to suit everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. You can find them in the majority of supermarkets, along with regular
coffee machine for latte beans and grounds coffee. You can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.
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 sheet, and a test box of nine Lavazza pods which include six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine itself is small enough to be kept on an even surface or placed under the cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing to learn how to use it this is a fantastic home espresso maker. It's more efficient than most of the more expensive models. It's among the best priced in its class, and it's especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso grinder yet--which can easily set them back another $100 or more.
This model sits right in the middle of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive at $2,199) however, it's an excellent choice for home baristas on a budget. It comes with a variety of customizable features and even an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means that it can only handle one thing at one time.
Breville is relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has rapidly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and has enough adjustability to let aspiring baristas develop their abilities without spending hundreds of dollars more than they need to.
There are some quirks however. The hopper is located on the side, not on the top, of this model. It's not a major problem, but it could be frustrating if you want to disperse several shots at once. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to determine how much liquid is left.
If you're willing to invest some time in learning how to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent choice for any espresso lover at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is the price which could be a hindrance for certain buyers. If you're looking for an affordable alternative, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and 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 cost.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker that produces great coffee using a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED screens creates a chic kitchen design. It features only one dial to program the number of cups you would like to make. It comes with the 2-4 cup setting as well as a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing process is similar to pour-over, which many
coffee machine industrial lovers believe makes the most flavorful coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature before being poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The brewed coffee then collects in the thermal, double-walled carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour feature lets you take out the carafe during brewing to fill your own cup. The machine stops the brewing process and shows an red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. It then resumes the brewing process.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, which means it meets the organization's rigorous technical standards. Its brew time is approximately longer than the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers more control over temperature, brewing time, and quality.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed an excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe of coffee in just 7 minutes and 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 good cup.
You should also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can make use of a manual coffee grinder or choose a more automated model like the Baratza Encore, which has various grind settings as well as a hopper that holds 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 is still easily cleaned by hand, though. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek style and user-friendly interface make it an undisputed contender among the best drip
coffee machine professional makers.
