The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. That's why we've rounded up our top picks for your home, ranging from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatics that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and needing to know the ropes of espresso-making. It's our top pick for a machine that makes coffee.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those looking to make espresso at home without losing quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was created for those who have limited counter space. It combines excellent build quality and a small footprint. It comes equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head, so you can steam milk while making espresso simultaneously.
The machine also looks great and features a round insert on the side panel with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a new take on the classic design of Rocket, which is already pretty impressive for a compact machine. It also includes an black pressure gauge that indicates when the boiler is ready for use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than others. This means that you will be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you use it often. This is a trade-off that results in a smaller footprint. It's not something that is unique to this model.
This machine is able to handle your coffee needs. That being said, we would recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with a Rocket portafilter to enhance the process of tamping.
As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and it's simple 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 appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a little tricky to manage, and you will have to master the ins and outs 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 pure, filtered water. The latter has a smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be harder to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. The machine reaches the temperature for brewing quickly, meaning you can make your first cup in less than 35 second. The tank can be filled easily with ease, since the lid can be removed to create an enormous hole. You can fill it up with tap water if that's what you prefer.
This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it has a lot of punch. It's priced at less than PS100 at full price - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those without the budget or space to buy a traditional espresso maker, but are looking to enjoy the benefits of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely easy to use and takes up very little counter space. Pressing one button will activate the machine. Pressing it again will start dispense the pod you have selected. There's a backlight that's on the button, so you can easily see how much has been dispensed and you can choose to manually stop the process if you prefer to drink your drink in smaller portions.
There's no steam wand on this model, but you can add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is very quiet as well, and can be used in a small area or in a flatshare kitchen without causing any disturbance to anyone else.
They're not cheap, but there is a wide variety of blends to choose from to satisfy everyone from 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 on the internet.
The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer and frother. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cable and plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet and a tester box containing nine Lavazza pods that 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 able to be stowed on an even surface or placed under your cupboard.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. If you're willing invest the time to learn how to use it this is a great do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than some of the more expensive models available. It's an excellent value for its class and is especially useful for beginners who don't yet own an espresso machine, which can cost up to $100.
This model sits right in the middle of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive at $2,199) however, it's a solid choice for baristas at home on a tight budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and has a built-in burr grinder that makes the entire experience less expensive. It's also a one-boiler machine, which means it can only handle one thing at the same time.
Although it is a relatively newcomer to the market for espresso machines, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves by offering top-quality equipment. This machine is no exception, and it has just enough control to let aspiring baristas hone their abilities without spending a lot more than they need to.
It's not without its quirks however. One example is that the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit, instead of on top--which isn't an issue however it can be difficult to dispense multiple shots at once. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to determine how much liquid is left.
If you're willing to spend some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an excellent, all-purpose appliance for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is its cost which could be a deterrent for certain buyers. If you're here looking for a less expensive option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost less than the cost.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech, smart coffee machine that makes great coffee with a simple user interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen give an elegant look to your kitchen. It features only one dial to program the amount of cups you want it to make and includes the 2-4 cup setting and a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing method is similar to pour-over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the right temperature, then poured evenly over the coffee grounds with shower heads. The brewed coffee is then stored in the double-walled thermal carafe and 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. The machine then begins brewing.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker has been SCAA certified, which means it meets the organization’s strict standards for technical quality. 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 time.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee with the carafe filled in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a little more than the 6 minutes that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster calls for, but it is within the range that coffee experts recommend to make a good cup.
It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can use a manual coffee grinder or go for a more automated model like the Baratza Encore, which has various grind settings as well as the hopper can hold entire beans.
The only drawback to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a problem for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is a leading contender for the top drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and simple to use interface.