The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no single-size-fits all coffee maker that is perfect for every. That's why we've rounded up our top picks for your home, from a fully automated that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatic machines that give you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automating the process and requiring you to be knowledgeable about the art of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've found.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those looking to make espresso at home without sacrificing quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was specifically designed for people with small counter space. It combines excellent build quality and a small footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8 milliliter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head, so you can steam your milk and brew your coffee at the same at the same time.
The machine looks fantastic too, and comes with an elongated side panel with the engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is an update to Rocket's traditional design that is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also has an black pressure gauge that shows when the boiler is ready for use.
One drawback of this compact machine is that the drip tray and water reservoir are smaller than the majority of machines. This means that you will be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when using it frequently. This is a sacrifice that is a result of having smaller footprint. This isn't a problem specific to this model.
This machine can easily handle the demands of your coffee. We suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante to increase consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with the Rocket portafilter to enhance the tamping process.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, makes delicious drinks and it is simple to make latte arts. However, it's important to remember that the machine isn't designed for beginners, and there is a bit of a learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchange boiler can be a bit difficult to control and you'll have to master the ins and outs of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to a water source, allowing you to be in a position to drink cold, purified water. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank, which is more difficult to fill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from the Lavazza machine, this one is made with quality in mind. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, which allows you to prepare your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is also fast and easy to refill, with the lid detaching completely to reveal a large opening. It can be filled with tap water, should you wish.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the range, but it packs a punch. When you buy it at full cost, it's less than PS100 - which is less 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 a traditional espresso machine, but still want to enjoy a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is simple to use and requires little counter space. Pressing one button will begin the process. After pressing it again, it will begin dispensing the pod you have selected. The button has a backlight so that 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.
There's no steam wand included on this model, but you can make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth, if you'd like. The machine is very quiet also and can be utilized in a small workspace or in a kitchen with flatshare without causing any disturbance to anyone else.
They aren't inexpensive, but there's a variety of blends to satisfy everyone from mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are available in most supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer and frother. It comes with a 75cm power plug and power cable, a warranty card, a quick guide, and a tester pack comprising nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine itself is small enough to be stored on an even surface or placed under your cupboard.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. But if you're willing to take the time to master its use this is a great espresso maker for home use that performs better than some of the more expensive models on the market. It's among the best priced in its class, and is especially good for novices who don't have an espresso grinder yet. This could easily cost them $100 or more.
This model is a bit in the middle of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive at $2,199) however, it's an excellent choice for baristas at home who are on a tight budget. It comes with a variety of options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler that means that it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made an impact by offering top-quality equipment. This machine is no different and has enough control to let budding baristas develop their skills without spending hundreds more than they need to.
best home coffee machine 's not without its quirks however. The hopper is located on the side, not on the top, of this model. It's not a major problem, but it could be a problem if you wish to give several shots at once. It's also not very easy to determine how much water is left in the tank, because of its position at the rear.
If you're willing to learn how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an ideal, all-purpose machine for any home espresso lover. The only downside is the cost, which can be a turnoff for certain buyers. If you're looking for an affordable alternative, we suggest the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines have similar capabilities and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the cost.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker that makes excellent coffee with a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screens creates a chic kitchen look. It comes with one dial to set the amount of cups you want it to make and includes two cup settings and a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing technique is similar to pour over that many coffee enthusiasts believe is the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature, and then poured evenly over the coffee grounds with a shower head. The brewed coffee then collects in the thermal, double-walled carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause-and pour feature lets you to remove the carafe during brewing and fill your cup. The machine pauses the brewing process 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 a SCAA-certified coffee maker, which means it complies with the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. 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 duration and also quality.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee with a carafe full in just 7 minutes 41 seconds. It's slightly longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require but well within the range that coffee experts recommend for a great cup of drip.
You should also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can select a manual grinder or an automated model such as the Baratza Encore. It has multiple grind settings, and a hopper for whole beans.
The only downside is that the carafe and water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe and could cause hassle for some users. The stainless steel is easily cleaned by hand, though. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek style and easy-to-use interface make it a top contender among the best drip coffee makers.