The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no universally-fit-all coffee pot machine machine. We've compiled our top picks, starting with a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them into semi-automatic machines that give you the best control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend between automation and having to know the ropes 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 significant sacrifices in terms of quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with the smallest counter space in mind and combines outstanding build quality with the smallest footprint. It comes with a 1.8 liter copper heat-exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head so you can steam your milk and brew your coffee at the same at the same time.

The machine also looks great and has a circular design on the side panel with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is an update to Rocket's original design that is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also comes with the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to indicate 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 have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you use it often. This is a natural tradeoff for having a smaller footprint, though, and not an issue that is unique to this model.

This machine can easily handle your coffee demands. However, we would suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with a Rocket portafilter to enhance the tamping 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 isn't designed for novices. There is a small learning curve for those who upgrade from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a little tricky to manage and you'll need to master the basics of cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento allow connecting to a water supply, that means you will always have fresh, cold water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter model has smaller 2.25-liter tank that is difficult to refill.

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, which allows you to prepare your first cup of coffee machine brands in just 35 seconds. The water tank can be filled easily with ease, since the lid can be removed to create a large hole. You can even fill it up with tap water if you prefer.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the series, yet it packs a punch. At its full price, it costs under PS100 which is lower than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. This makes the Jolie an excellent choice for those who don't have the money or space for an espresso maker, but are looking to enjoy the benefits of authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very small counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to turn on the machine and again to start dispensing your chosen brew. There's a backlight on the button, so you are able to see clearly the amount of dispensed and you can choose to manually stop the process in case you prefer drinking your drink in smaller portions.

There's no steam wand included 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, too, and can be used in a small space or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing others.

They're not cheap, but there is a variety of blends to suit everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are sold in most supermarkets, along with regular ground coffee machines office and coffee beans and you can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.

The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule with an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm power plug and power cable, a warranty document along with 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 able to be stowed on a flat surface or slipped under the cupboard.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. But if you're willing to take the time to learn how to use it, this is an excellent do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than many of the more expensive models available. It's the most affordable in its class, and is particularly suitable for beginners who don't have an espresso machine yet. This could easily cost them another $100 or more.

This model is priced below the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) However, it's a good choice for baristas who are 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 that means it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.

Although it is a relatively newcomer to the market for espresso machines, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves with their high-quality appliances. This machine isn't an exception and offers enough adjustable control to allow aspiring baristas to burnish their skills without spending hundreds of dollars more than they have to.

The unit has its flaws. The hopper is located on the side, not at the top, of this model. It's not a big deal, but can be a hassle if you need to give several shots at once. It's also not very easy to see how much water is left in the tank, because of its position at the rear.

But if you're prepared to spend some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's a great, do-it-all appliance for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is the price which could be a hindrance for some buyers. If you're looking for a low-cost alternative, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are similarly capable and offer a little more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost a fraction of what this Breville model can do.

4. OXO Brew 9 Cup

A high-tech, smart coffee machine coffee maker that makes excellent coffee with a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display add a sophisticated look to your kitchen. It comes with one dial that lets you to set the number of cups. There are two settings available: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour over that many coffee enthusiasts believe makes the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature and poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The brewed coffee is then stored in the double-walled thermal carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour function lets you to take the carafe out while making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine pauses the brewing process and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it, after which it resumes brewing and is finished.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup is certified by SCAA, that means it is in compliance with the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. Its brew cycle is about as long as those of the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers greater control over temperature, brewing duration and also quality.

In our testing in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made a pot of excellent drip coffee with a full-carafe of coffee machines small in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the 6 minutes that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the time range that experts in the field recommend to make a great cup.

It is also necessary to grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can choose an manual grinder or a more automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and an hopper for beans that are whole.

The only downside is that the carafe as well as the water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe and could cause problem for some users. The stainless steel is still easy to clean by hand, though. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and user-friendly interface make it a top contender among the best drip coffee makers.