The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no one-size-fits-all coffee machine. We've compiled our top picks, from a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them into semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automatizing the process and needing you to be proficient in the art of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to-cup machine we've seen.
- Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those who are looking to make espresso at their home without having to compromise on quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with a limited counter space in mind and offers top-quality build and tiny footprint. It comes equipped with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk and brew espresso at the same time.
The machine also looks great and has a round panel on the side with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's original design that is already impressive for a small appliance. It also has the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to indicate when the boiler is ready for use.
The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this model than others. This means that you will need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when using it frequently. This is a cost that results in less footprint. This isn't a problem specific to this model.
You can still brew a lot of coffee with this machine, and it will easily meet your demands. We recommend buying a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gante, to increase consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to enhance tamping.
As a professional espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and it's simple to create the latte art. However, it's important to remember that the machine was not designed for novices, and there is some learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit difficult to manage and you'll have to master the ins and outs of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento provide the option of connecting to a water supply which means you'll always have fresh, cold filtered water on hand for your drinks. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank that can be more difficult to refill than its competitors.
- Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from the Lavazza machine this one has been designed with quality in mind. The machine is able to reach the temperature of brewing quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in just 35 second. The tank can be easily refilled with ease, since the lid can be removed to make an enormous hole. You can fill it up using tap water, depending on what you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the models, but it is a powerful machine. 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. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who don't have the space or funds for an espresso machine of the traditional type however still want to enjoy a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very small counter space. Pressing one button will start the machine. Pressing it again will begin dispensing the pod you have selected. There's a light on the button to ensure that you can easily see the amount of dispensed and you can also stop the process at any time should you prefer to drink your pod in smaller doses.
There's no steam wand included on this model, however you can add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is quite quiet as well and can be utilized in a small space or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing others.
Pods aren't cheap, but there is an array of blends available that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are readily available in many supermarkets, along with regular ground coffee and coffee beans and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.
The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and frother. It comes with a 75cm power cable and plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet, and a test box of nine Lavazza pods which include six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be able to be stowed on a flat surface or slipped under your cabinet.
- Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso maker that's not within the budget of many average consumers. If you're willing and able to learn how to use it and make it work, then this is a great home espresso maker. It's more efficient than many of the more expensive models. It's among the best priced in its class, and it's especially good for novices who do not have an espresso maker yet, which could cost them another $100 or more.
The model is just below the top of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive, costing $2,199) However, it's an excellent choice for home baristas on a tight budget. It's loaded with customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler, which means it can only do brewing or steaming at one time.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made their mark through their top-quality machines. This machine is no exception, and it has just enough control to let aspiring baristas improve their abilities without spending more than they need to.
The unit does not come without its flaws. For one, the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit instead of on top. This isn't significant however it can be a little annoying if you're trying give multiple shots at once. The rear position of the tank makes it difficult to know how much liquid is left.
If you're willing some time to learn how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent choice for any espresso lover at home. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is its cost, which may be a hindrance for some buyers. If you're looking for a budget option, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally powerful and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you less than the Breville model can do.
- OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker with a user-friendly interface that produces great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen give a stylish look to your kitchen. It has a single dial that allows you to program the amount of cups. There are two options: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. The brewing method is similar to pour-over that many coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to a perfect temperature and then poured over grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The brewed coffee then collects in the thermal, double-walled carafe for upto 60 minutes. The pause-and pour feature lets you remove the carafe while brewing and then fill your cup. The machine stops brewing and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it. It after which it resumes brewing and is finished.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is certified by SCAA, which means it meets the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. The brew cycles are the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing times.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee that filled an entire carafe in just 7 minutes 41 seconds. It's slightly longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require but well within the range that experts in the field recommend for a great cup of drip.
It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to making coffee. You can choose either a manual grinder or an automated model such as the Baratza Encore. It has various grind settings, as well as an hopper for beans that are whole.
The only drawback 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 design and easy-to-use interface make it a top contender among the best drip coffee makers.