The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. This is why we've compiled our top picks for the home, ranging from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans to semi-automatic machines that give you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process and requiring you to be knowledgeable about the art of making espresso. It's our top pick for a coffee-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those who want to make espresso at home without sacrificing quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with the smallest counter space in mind and is built to last with a high-end build quality and the smallest footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head so you can steam milk and make espresso at the same time.
The machine looks fantastic as well, and has a round side panel insert with the engraved 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 comes with an black pressure gauge that shows when the boiler is ready to use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than most others. You'll need be extra cautious when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is particularly true in the event that you frequently use it. This is a natural trade-off for less footprint, however this is not a problem specific to this model.
This machine is able to handle the demands of your coffee. That being said, we would suggest investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with an Rocket portafilter to enhance the tamping process.
As a prosumer espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making delicious drinks, and it's simple to make the latte art. It's important to know 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 exchange boiler can be a bit tricky to operate and you'll have to learn the ins and outs of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to an water source, allowing you to always be in a position to drink cold, purified water. The latter comes with a 2.25-liter water tank that is more difficult to refill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, which allows you to prepare your first cup of coffee in just 35 minutes. The tank can be easily refilled with ease, since the lid can be removed to create the large hole. It can be filled using 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 - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those with a limited budget or space to buy a traditional espresso maker, but who want to get their fix of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely simple to use and takes up very little counter space. You just need to press one button to turn on the machine, and then press it again to start dispensing the chosen pod. The button is illuminated so that you can see how much you have consumed. You can also stop the process, should you prefer to consume the pod in smaller amounts.
This model does not come with a steam wand however, you can add creamy frosting to your milk by using an optional milk frother. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen work space.
They're not expensive, but there's a variety of blends to choose from that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are available in most supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer. It includes a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty sheet along with a quick guide and a tester pack comprising nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine itself is small enough to be able to be stowed on a flat surface or slipped under the cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is beyond the budget of many average consumers. 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 many of the more expensive models. It's the most affordable in its class, and is especially good for novices who do not have an espresso maker yet. This could easily cost them another $100 or more.
This model is priced less than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is a good choice for baristas who are on a tight budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable which coffee machine is the best features, and it even comes with a built-in burr grinder to make the entire experience more affordable. It is also a single-boiler machine, meaning it can only do one thing at the same time.
Despite being a relatively newcomer to the market for espresso machines, Breville has quickly made their mark through their top-quality machines. This machine isn't an exception and has enough adjustability to let baristas who are aspiring develop their abilities without spending hundreds of dollars more than they have to.
It's not without its quirks however. For instance, the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit instead of on top--which isn't significant, but it can be difficult to give multiple shots at once. It's also difficult to determine how much water remains 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 appliance for any espresso lover at home. The only issue with the Breville Barista Express is its price which could be a stumbling block for some buyers. If you're looking for a budget alternative, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are similarly capable and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you less than the Breville model does.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker with a user-friendly interface that produces excellent coffee. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display gives your kitchen a sophisticated appearance. It features a single dial to program the amount of cups you want to make. It comes with two cup settings and a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing technique is similar to pour over that many coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the perfect temperature and then poured evenly over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The coffee is stored in the double-walled thermal carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour feature allows you remove the carafe while brewing and then fill your cup. The machine stops the brewing process and displays an red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is an SCAA-certified coffee maker which means it meets the organization's rigorous technical standards. The brew cycles are the same as the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it gives you more control over temperature and brewing time.
In our testing in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made an excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster calls for, but it is within the range of time that coffee experts recommend for making a quality cup.
You should also grind your beans before brewing. You can use a manual coffee grinder or go for a more automated model, such as the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and a hopper that holds whole beans.
The only issue with 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 9-Cup is a top contender for the best drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and simple to use interface.