The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no single-size-fits all coffee maker that is perfect for every. We've put together our top picks, starting with a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them to semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch achieves the perfect balance between automation and needing to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a bean-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those who want to make espresso at home, without making big sacrifices in terms of quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was specifically designed for people who have little counter space. It combines excellent build quality with a compact footprint. It comes with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head so you can steam milk and make espresso at the same time.
The machine also looks great and features a round design on the side panel with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's classic design that is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also comes with the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to let you know when the boiler is ready to use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than most other models. This means you'll be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when using it frequently. This is a trade-off that results in less footprint. This is not a problem specific to this model.
You can still brew plenty of coffee using this machine, and it is able to easily meet the demands of your customers. We recommend buying a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante to increase consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with a Rocket Portafilter to increase tamping.
As a prosumer espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and is easy to create latte art. It's important to note that the machine isn't made for novices and has an enlightening curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger is tricky to handle and you'll need to learn how to do 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, filtered water. The latter model has a smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be harder to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you might expect from the Lavazza machine this one was made with quality in mind. The machine is able to reach the temperature of brewing quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and simple to refill and the lid can be removed completely to make a wide opening. You can fill it up with tap water, depending on what you prefer.
This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range, but it still has a lot of punch. It costs less than PS100 at the full price - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those without the budget or space to buy a traditional espresso maker, but are looking to enjoy the benefits of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely easy to operate and takes up just a little counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to start the machine, then again to start dispensing your chosen brew. The button has a backlight so that you can see how much you have consumed. You can also manually stop the process, if you want to drink the pod in smaller portions.
This model doesn't come with a steam wand but you can add some creamy froth to your milk using an optional milk frother. The machine is very quiet as well and can be utilized in a small area or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing anyone else.
They're not cheap, but there is an array of blends to satisfy everyone from mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. You can find them in most supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. 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 a frother. It comes with a 75cm power plug and power cable, a warranty card and a quick reference, and a test pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is small enough to be able to be stowed on a flat surface or slipped under your cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing and able learn how to use it this is a great at-home espresso maker. It's far superior to most of the more expensive models. It's among the best priced in its class, and it's particularly suitable for beginners who don't have an espresso grinder yet--which can easily cost them $100 or more.
The model is priced lower than the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199), but is still an excellent option for baristas on a budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and it even has a built-in burr grinder that makes the entire experience more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means that it can only perform one task at the same time.
Although it is a relatively newcomer to the market for espresso machines, Breville has quickly made their mark with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception, and it has just enough control to let budding baristas hone their skills without spending hundreds more than necessary.
The unit is not without its quirks. The hopper is situated on the side, not the top of the model. It's not a big issue, but it can be a hassle if you need to give several shots at once. The rear position of the tank makes it difficult to determine how much liquid is left.
If you're willing to put in some time in learning how 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. 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 equally capable and provide a bit 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 that makes excellent coffee using a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add an elegant look to your kitchen. It comes with one dial that allows you to set the amount of cups. There are two settings: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour over that many coffee enthusiasts believe is the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the right temperature, then evenly poured over the coffee grounds with shower heads. The brewed coffee then collects in the thermal, double-walled carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour function lets you remove the carafe while brewing and fill your cup. The machine stops the brewing process, and displays a red light on its LED interface website until you return the carafe. The machine then begins the brewing process.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, which means it complies with the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. The brew cycle is 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, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed an excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe of coffee in just 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 suggest for a decent cup of drip.
You must also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can choose a manual grinder or a more automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and it has a hopper that can be used for whole beans.
The only issue with this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a concern for some users. The stainless steel is easy to clean by hand, however. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and easy-to-use interface make it an undisputed contender among the top drip coffee makers.