The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no single-size-fits all coffee machine. We've rounded up our top picks for the home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans to semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and the need to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's the most efficient bean-to-cup machine we've come across.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those who want to make espresso at home without having to make huge sacrifices in terms quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with the smallest counter space in mind. It is built to last with a high-end build quality and tiny 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 time.
The machine looks great as well, and has a round side panel insert with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's traditional design, which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also includes the black pressure gauge, which indicates when the boiler is ready to use.
One disadvantage of this tiny machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than the majority of machines. This means you'll have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you use it often. This is a normal trade-off to have a smaller footprint, though it is not a problem particular to this model.
You can still brew plenty of coffee with this machine, and it will easily keep up with the demands. We suggest buying a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, to improve consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with an Rocket portafilter to enhance the grinding process.
As a prosumer espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making delicious drinks, and it's easy to create latte art. However, it's worth noting that the machine isn't made for novices, and there is an enlightening curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger is difficult to work with, and you'll need to master the art of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to an water source, allowing you to always be able to drink cold and filter-filtered water. The latter comes with a smaller 2.25-liter tank that is harder to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from the Lavazza machine this one was designed with quality in mind. The machine is able to reach the brewing temperature quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in less than 35 second. The water tank can be filled easily, as the lid can be removed to create the large hole. You can fill it with tap water if that's what you prefer.
This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still is a powerful machine. It's priced less than PS100 at the full price and is much less expensive than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those with a limited budget or space for a traditional espresso maker, but who want to get their fix of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and requires little counter space. You just need to press a single button to activate the machine, and then press it again to begin dispensing your chosen pod. The button is illuminated 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 quantities.
This model does not come with a steam wand, however, you can add creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. The machine is quite quiet as well, and can be used in a small area or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing others.
They aren't expensive, but there's 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 coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.
The Jolie and Milk is a stylish capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and frother. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cable and plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty sheet and a tester box that contains nine Lavazza pods that include six roasts (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 on the floor.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing and able to learn to use it this is a great at-home espresso maker. It performs better than many of the more expensive models. It's the most affordable in its class, and is especially good for novices who don't have an espresso machine yet, which could set them back another $100 or more.
The model is priced lower than the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) However, it's a good choice for baristas on a tight budget. It comes with a variety of customizable features and even an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It is also a single-boiler machine, which means it can only perform one task at one time.
Breville, relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has quickly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no exception, and it has just enough control to let aspiring baristas hone their skills without spending hundreds more than they need to.
The unit is not without its quirks. The hopper is located on the side, not the top, of this model. It's not a big problem, but it could be frustrating if you want to give several shots at once. The rear-facing position of the tank makes it difficult to see how much liquid remains.
If you're willing to learn how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an excellent, all-purpose appliance for anyone who is a coffee lover at home. The only issue is the price, which can be a turnoff 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 are similarly capable and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost less than the Breville model can do.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine with a user-friendly interface that makes great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen give a stylish look to your kitchen. It comes with a single dial that allows you to program the amount of cups. There are two settings available: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. The brewing process is similar to pour-over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most click here delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the right temperature, then poured evenly over the coffee grounds with shower heads. The brewed coffee then collects in the double-walled, thermal carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause-and pour feature lets you to take the carafe out while brewing and then fill your cup. The machine pauses brewing 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 an SCAA-certified coffee maker which means it meets the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. Its brew cycle is about the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has more control over temperature, brewing duration and also quality.
In our tests in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made excellent drip coffee with a full-carafe in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but still within the range of time that experts in the field recommend for a good cup of drip.
It is also necessary to grind your beans before brewing. You can use a manual coffee grinder, or opt for a more automatic model such as the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and an hopper that can hold whole beans.
The only drawback is that the carafe and water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe this could be a hassle for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek style and easy-to-use interface make it one of the top contenders among top drip coffee makers.