The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no one-size-fits-all coffee 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 achieves the perfect balance between automation and needing to know the ropes of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a machine that makes coffee.
- Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those who want to make espresso at home, without making big sacrifices in terms of quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with the smallest counter space in mind. It offers top-quality build and the smallest footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8 liter copper heat-exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head so you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same at the same time.
The machine looks stunning as well and features an elongated side panel with the engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's original design which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also comes with a black pressure gauge that shows when the boiler is ready for use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than other models. It is important to be careful when emptying and refilling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a cost that is a result of having less footprint. It's not a problem specific to this model.
This machine is capable of handling your coffee needs. However, we would recommend investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with the Rocket portafilter to help improve the process of tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make excellent drinks and is simple to make latte arts. However, it's important to remember that the machine isn't made for beginners and there's some learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a little tricky to manage and you'll have to learn the ins and outs of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento provide the option of connecting to a water source, which means you'll always have fresh, cold water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank that can be more difficult to fill than its competitors.
- Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you might expect from the Lavazza machine this one has been designed with quality in mind. The machine is able to reach the brewing temperature quickly, which means you can make your first cup in less than 35 second. The tank can be easily refilled with ease, since the lid can be removed to create a large hole. It can be filled with tap water, should you wish.
This is the smallest machine in the Lavazza A Modo Mio range, but it still packs a punch. It's priced 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 who don't have the money or space for a traditional espresso maker, but are looking to enjoy the benefits of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very little counter space. You just need to press a single button to activate the machine and again to start dispensing your chosen brew. The button is illuminated so you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also stop the process, in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller quantities.
The model isn't equipped 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 used in a small workspace or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing others.
Pods aren't expensive, but there's an array of blends to suit everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are readily available in many supermarkets alongside regular coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and Milk is a stylish capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It comes in a box with an 75cm power cable, plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty sheet, and a test box containing nine Lavazza pods: six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be able to be stowed on a flat surface or slipped under your cabinet.
- Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is out of the budget of most average consumers. If you're willing and able to learn how to use it this is a great home espresso maker. It's far superior to many of the more expensive models. It's an excellent value for its class and is particularly helpful for those who are new to the field and don't have an espresso maker that costs up to $100.
The model is just in the middle of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive, costing $2,199) however, it's an excellent choice for baristas at home who are on a tight budget. It's loaded with customizable features and even an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It's also a single boiler that means it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.
Breville is a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has quickly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no exception and it comes with enough control to let new baristas hone their abilities without spending more than they need to.
It's not without its quirks, though. For one, the hopper on this model is placed on the side of the unit, instead of on top. This isn't significant, but it can be difficult to disperse multiple shots at a time. It's also difficult to know the amount of water left in the tank, because of its position at the rear.
If you're willing some time to learn how to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent choice for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only issue with the Breville Barista Express is its price, which may be a stumbling block for some buyers. If you're looking for an affordable alternative, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost a fraction of the cost.
- OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart machine for coffee with a user-friendly interface that produces excellent coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen give a sophisticated look to your kitchen. It comes with a single dial that allows you to set the amount of cups. There are two settings: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. The brewing process is similar to pour-over, which many coffee lovers believe makes the most flavorful coffee. The water is heated to the right temperature, then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds with shower heads. The coffee that is brewed is stored in a double-walled carafe that can be kept for up to 60 min. The pause and pour feature lets you remove the carafe during brewing to fill your cup to the brim. 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 that it complies with the strict standards for technical quality. The brew cycles are the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it allows for more control over temperature and brewing times.
In our testing in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed an excellent drip coffee that was served in a full cup in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the range of time that experts in the field recommend for making a quality cup.
It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to making. You can select an manual grinder or a more automated model, such as the Baratza Encore. It has multiple 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 be a concern for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is a leading contender for the best drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and easy to use interface.