The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all coffee maker. We've rounded up our top picks for the home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans, to a semiautomatic that gives you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend between automation and needing to be able to master the art of espresso-making. This is our top choice for a bean-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those who are looking to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was specifically designed for people who have limited counter space. It combines excellent build quality with a compact footprint. It comes with a 1.8 milliliter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head so you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same time.
The machine looks fantastic and has a circular design on the side panel with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's classic design that is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also has an black gauge for boiler pressure to indicate when the boiler is ready for use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than other models. This means that you will have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when using it frequently. This is a cost that is a result of having a smaller footprint. This isn't something that is unique to this model.
This machine is able to handle the demands of your coffee. We would suggest investing in a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to enhance the tamping.
As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and it's easy to create the latte art. It's important to note that the machine isn't made for novices and there's an enlightening curve for those who are upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchange boiler could be a bit tricky to control, and you will have to master the basics of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to an water source, which allows you to be in a position to drink cold pure, purified water. The latter has smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be more difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from the Lavazza machine, this one is made with quality in mind. The machine can reach the temperature of brewing quickly, which means you can make your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The tank is able to be filled by removing the lid. be removed to make the large hole. You can also fill it with tap water if you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the range, but it is a powerful machine. It's priced less than PS100 at retail and is much less expensive than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie an excellent choice for those with a limited budget or space to buy a traditional espresso maker, but who are looking to enjoy the benefits of real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely easy to use and takes up very little counter space. Pressing one button will activate the machine. When you press it again, it will start dispensing the pod you have selected. The button has a backlight so that you can see how much you have consumed. You can also stop the process, if you want to drink the pod in smaller amounts.
There's no steam wand included on this model, however you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is quiet also and can be used in a small workspace or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing others.
The pods aren't expensive, but they are available in a wide range of blends that can be used by all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are sold in most supermarkets, along with regular ground coffee machines makes and coffee beans and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and frother. It includes a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty card 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 is compact enough to fit under a cabinet or on a flat surface.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that's out of the budget of many average consumers. If you're willing and able learn how to use it, then this is a fantastic home espresso maker. It performs better than most of the more expensive models. It's a great price for the class and is particularly helpful for beginners who don't yet have an espresso machine, which can cost up to $100.
The model is just in the middle of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) However, it's a solid choice for home baristas who are on a tight budget. It has a lot of customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler, which means it can only be used for steaming or brewing at one time.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made an impact with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no different, and it has just enough control to let aspiring baristas hone their abilities without spending more than they need to.
It's not without its quirks however. The hopper is situated on the side, not on the top, of this model. It's not a big problem, but it could be frustrating if you want to dispense multiple shots at once. It's also not very easy to know how much water is left in the tank because of its rear position.
If you're willing to invest 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 cost, which can be a turnoff for certain buyers. If you're looking for a less expensive option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally capable and offer a little more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost a fraction of what this Breville model does.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker with a simple user interface that produces excellent coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen give a sophisticated appearance to your kitchen. It has one dial that lets you to set the amount of cups. There are two options: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over, which many coffee enthusiasts believe makes the best-tasting coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and then evenly poured over the pro coffee machines grounds with shower heads. The brewed coffee is then stored in the double-walled thermal carafe and can be stored for up to 60 min. The pause-and pour feature lets you to remove the carafe during brewing and fill your cup. The machine stops brewing and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it, then resumes and finishes brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is certified by SCAA, which means it meets the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. Its brew time is approximately the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides more control over temperature, brewing time and quality.
In our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced an excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a little more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the range that coffee experts suggest for making a quality cup.
It also requires that you grind your own beans before making. You can select an manual grinder or an automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and an hopper for beans that are whole.
The only downside 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 style and easy-to-use interface make it a top contender among the best drip coffee machines small makers.