The
Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no one-size-fits-all coffee machine. We've put together our top choices, ranging from a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them to a semiautomatic which gives 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 the most efficient bean-to-cup machine we've seen.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those who are looking to make espresso at their home without having to compromise on quality. This espresso machine with a
small coffee machine footprint was specifically designed for people with limited counter space. It is
built in coffee machine to last and has excellent quality and a compact footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk and make espresso at the same time.
The machine looks stunning as well, and has a round side panel insert with the engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's traditional design which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also includes the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to show when the boiler is ready for use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than most other machines. You'll need be extra cautious when emptying and refilling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a sacrifice that is a result of having less footprint. This is not a problem specific to this model.
You can still make a large amount of coffee using this machine, and it will easily meet the demands of your customers. That being said, we would recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with a Rocket portafilter to help improve the tamping process.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make excellent drinks and is easy to make Latte arts. It's important to know that this machine is not designed for beginners. There is a small learning curve for those upgrading from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler could be a bit tricky to operate and you'll need to master the ins and outs of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento offer the option of connecting to a water source, which means you'll always have clean, cold filtering water available for your drinks. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank that could be more difficult to fill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. The machine can reach the brewing temperature quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in just 35 seconds. The water tank is also fast and easy to refill, with the lid detaching completely to reveal a large opening. You can fill it with tap water if you like.
This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it is a powerful machine. When you buy it at full price, it costs under PS100 which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great option for those who do not have the space or funds for a traditional espresso machine however still want to enjoy a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very small counter space. You just need to press one button to turn on the machine and again to start dispensing your chosen pod. The button is illuminated so you can see how much you have consumed. You can also manually stop the process, should you prefer to consume the pod in smaller quantities.
This model does not come with a steam wand, but you can add some creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. The machine is quite quiet, too and can be used in a small space or in a flatshare kitchen without causing any disturbance to anyone else.
The pods aren't inexpensive, but they come in a wide range of blends that are suitable for all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. You can find them in many supermarkets, as well as regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. You can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.
The Jolie and Milk is a smart-looking capsule machine with an integrated 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 that include six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is compact enough to fit under a cupboard or a flat surface.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. If you're willing and able to learn how to use it, then this is a great home espresso maker. It's more efficient than most of the more expensive models. It's among the best priced in its class, and is especially good for novices who don't have an espresso machine yet--which can easily cost them $100 or more.
This model is a bit below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive at $2,199) However, it's an excellent option for home baristas on a tight budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and comes with a built-in burr grinder, making the whole experience much more affordable. It's also a single boiler, which means it can only be used for steaming or brewing at the same time.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made their mark by offering top-quality equipment. This machine is no exception, and it has just enough control to let budding baristas hone their abilities without spending a lot more than necessary.
It's not without its flaws, though. The hopper is on the side, not at the top, of this model. It's not a major deal, but can be frustrating if you want to dispense several shots at once. It's also difficult to see the amount of water left in the tank, because of its position at the rear.
If you're willing to spend some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an ideal, all-purpose machine for any home espresso lover. The only drawback is the price, which can be a nagging issue for some buyers. For those looking for a lower-cost alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines have similar capabilities and offer 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 machine that makes great coffee with a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen give a stylish appearance to your kitchen. It comes with only one dial to program the amount of cups you want it to make. It also comes with a 2-4 cup setting as well as a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing method is similar to pour over the grounds, which many coffee lovers believe is the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature before being poured over the grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The brewed coffee then collects inside the double-walled thermal carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour function allows you to remove the carafe in brewing and 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 9-Cup
Coffee Machine Pro maker has been SCAA certified, meaning it complies with the strict standards for technical quality. 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 also quality.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee that filled 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 requires, but still within the range of time that experts in the field recommend to make a great cup.
It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to making. You can make use of a manual coffee grinder or choose a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and the hopper can hold entire beans.
The only drawback is that the carafe as well as the water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe and could cause issue for some users. The stainless steel is easily cleaned by hand, but. The OXO 9-Cup is an excellent contender for the top drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and easy-to use interface.