The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no one-size-fits-all coffee machine. This is why we've compiled our top picks for the home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans to semi-automatics that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automating the process and requiring you to be knowledgeable about the art of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a bean-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those looking to make espresso at home without making huge sacrifices in terms quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was designed for those who have little counter space. It is built to last and has excellent quality and a small footprint. It is equipped 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 the same time.
The machine looks fantastic and features a round panel on the side with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a modernization of Rocket's original design, which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also comes with the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to show when the boiler is ready for use.
The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this model than others. You'll need to be careful when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a normal trade-off for having smaller footprint, however, and not an issue that is unique to this model.
You can still brew plenty of coffee using this machine, and it will easily keep up with the demands of your customers. We would suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also pair this machine with a Rocket portafilter to improve the grinding process.
As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making delicious drinks, and is easy to make Latte art. It is important to remember that this machine isn't intended for novices. There is a little learning curve for those who upgrade from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. The heat exchange boiler could be a little tricky to manage and you'll need to master the ins and outs of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento offer the option of connecting to a water supply, that means you will always have clean, cold filtered water on hand for your drinks. The latter comes with a smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be more difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from a Lavazza machine this one has been made with quality in mind. The machine is able to reach the brewing temperature quickly, meaning you can make your first cup in just 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill and the lid can be removed completely to make a wide opening. It can be filled with tap water should you wish.
This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range, but it still is a powerful machine. It costs less than PS100 at full price which is less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie an excellent choice for those without the budget or space for a traditional espresso maker, but are looking to enjoy the benefits of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely simple to use and occupies only a tiny amount of counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to start the machine and again to begin dispensing the chosen pod. There's a backlight that's on the button so that you can clearly see how much has been dispensed and you can choose to manually stop the process in case you prefer drinking your pod in smaller doses.
The model isn't equipped with a steam wand but you can add some creamy frosting to your milk by using an optional milk frother. The machine is quite quiet also, and can be used in a small space or in a flatshare kitchen without causing any disturbance to anyone else.
They're not expensive, but there's an array of blends available to suit everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are available in the majority of supermarkets, along with regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer. It includes a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty sheet and a quick reference, and a tester pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasts (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is small enough to be placed under a cupboard or on a flat surface.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. But if you're willing to take the time to learn how to use it, this is an excellent do-it-all home espresso maker that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models on the market. It's the best value in its class, and is especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso machine yet, which could set them back another $100 or more.
This model is a bit below the top of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199), but it's still an excellent option for baristas at home on a tight budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and it even has a built-in burr grinder that makes the whole experience much cheaper. It is also a single-boiler machine, meaning it can only do one thing at one time.
Despite being a relatively newcomer to the market for espresso machines, Breville has quickly made their mark through their top-quality machines. This machine is no different and offers enough control that it can be adjusted to allow aspiring baristas to burnish their abilities without spending more than they have to.
The unit has its quirks. The hopper is on the side, not on the top of the model. It's not a huge deal, but can be frustrating if you want to give multiple shots at once. It's also not very easy to see the amount of water left in the tank because of its rear position.
If you're willing to invest some time to learn how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent choice for any espresso lover at home. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is the price which could be a deterrent for certain buyers. If you're looking for a budget alternative, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the price.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine with a simple user interface that makes great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display add a sophisticated look to your kitchen. It comes with a single dial to program the amount of cups you want it to make. It also comes with two cup settings and a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing process is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee lovers believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the ideal temperature, and then poured evenly over the coffee grounds with shower heads. The brewed coffee is then stored in a double-walled carafe that can be kept for up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour function allows you to remove the carafe while 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 Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is certified by SCAA, which means it complies with the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. Its brew time is approximately as long as those of the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has more control over temperature, brewing duration, and quality.
In our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made a pot of excellent drip coffee and a full cup in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. That's a little longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require but well within the range of time that coffee experts suggest for a decent cup of drip.
coffee machines online requires you to grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can use a manual coffee grinder, or go for a more automated model, such as the Baratza Encore, which has multiple grind settings and a hopper that holds whole beans.
The only drawback is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe and could cause hassle for certain users. The stainless steel is easy to clean by hand, though. The OXO 9-Cup is a top contender for the top drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and easy to use interface.