The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. That's why we've rounded up our top picks for your home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans to semi-automatics that give you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend between automation and needing to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've seen.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those looking to make espresso at home without having to make huge sacrifices in terms quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with a limited counter space in mind. It offers top-quality build and tiny footprint. It comes with a 1.8 Liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Heads so that you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same at the same time.
The machine looks fantastic and has a round panel on the side with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is an update to Rocket's classic design that is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also has an black pressure gauge that will let you know when the boiler is ready to use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this model than other models. You will need to be careful when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case if you use it frequently. This is a sacrifice that results in smaller footprint. This is not something that is unique to this model.
This machine can easily handle the demands of your coffee. We suggest buying a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante to increase consistency and flavor. You can also pair the machine with a Rocket Portafilter to improve tamping.
As a professional 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 the machine isn't designed for novices and has an enlightening curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger is difficult to work with and you'll have to master the art of cooling flushes.
coffee makers machines and the Rocket Appartamento offer the option of connecting to a water source, that means you will always have cold, fresh water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank that could be more difficult to refill than some of its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. The machine reaches the temperature of brewing quickly, meaning you can prepare your first cup in just 35 second. The water tank is fast and easy to refill, with the lid detaching completely to create a large opening. You can even fill it with tap water if you prefer.
This is the smallest machine in the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still is a powerful machine. At full price, it costs under PS100 which is lower than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great choice for those who do not have the space or budget for an espresso machine of the traditional type, but still want to experience a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is incredibly simple to operate and takes up only a tiny amount of counter space. It's as easy as pressing a single button to activate the machine and again to start dispensing your chosen brew. The button is illuminated to let you know the amount you've consumed. You can also stop the process, if you want to drink the pod in smaller amounts.
This model doesn't come with a steam wand, but you can add some creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or workspace.
The pods aren't cheap, but they come in a range of blends that can be used by everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in most supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and ground coffee and 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 and frother. It comes with a 75cm power cord and plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty sheet and a tester box of nine Lavazza pods that include six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine itself is small enough to be stored on the floor or placed under the cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. But if you're willing to invest the time to learn how to use it this is a fantastic espresso maker for your home that performs better than some of the more expensive models on the market. It's among the best priced in its class, and is particularly suitable for beginners who don't have an espresso grinder yet. This could easily cost them another $100 or more.
This model sits right in the middle of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive, costing $2,199), but it's still a solid choice for home baristas who are on a tight budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and comes with a built-in burr grinder to make the entire experience cheaper. It's also a single boiler that means it can only do steaming or brewing at one time.
Breville, an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has quickly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine isn't an exception, and it offers just enough adjustable control to let baristas who are aspiring burnish their skills without spending hundreds of dollars more than they should.
There are some quirks, though. One example is that the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit instead of on top. This isn't an issue however it can be frustrating if you're trying to give multiple shots at once. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to see how much liquid is left.
If you're willing time learning to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for any espresso lover at home. The only issue is the price, which can be a turnoff for some buyers. If you're looking for a budget option, 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 only a fraction of the price. Breville model does.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine with a simple user interface that makes great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screens provides your kitchen with a stylish appearance. It has a single dial that allows you to program the amount of cups. There are two options: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. 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 a perfect temperature and then poured over grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The brewed coffee is then collected in the double-walled thermal carafe and can be stored for up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour feature lets you remove the carafe in brewing and fill your individual cup. The machine pauses brewing and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it. then resumes and finishes brewing.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker is SCAA certified, which means it meets the organization’s strict standards for technical quality. The brew cycles it uses are the same as the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it allows for more control over temperature and brewing times.
In our tests, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made excellent drip coffee that was served in a full cup in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require but well within the range that coffee experts recommend for a great cup of drip.
You must also grind your own beans prior to making. You can select either a manual grinder or a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and it has a hopper that can be used for whole beans.
The only drawback is that the carafe as well as the water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe, which could be a hassle for certain users. The stainless steel is still easily cleaned by hand, though. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and easy-to-use interface make it a top contender among the best drip coffee makers.