The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There’s no universally-fit-all coffee machines commercial (telegra.ph) 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-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and having to understand the basics 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 having to compromise on quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with limited counter space in mind and offers top-quality build and the smallest footprint. It is equipped with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk and brew espresso simultaneously.
The machine looks fantastic and has a round panel on the side with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is an update to Rocket’s traditional design, which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also has the black pressure gauge, which shows when the boiler is ready for use.
One disadvantage of this tiny machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than the majority of machines. It is important be extra cautious when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a sacrifice that is a result of having smaller footprint. This is not an issue that is specific to this model.
This machine is able to handle your coffee needs. That being said, we would suggest investing in a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante, to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also pair the machine with an Rocket Portafilter to enhance tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make excellent drinks and is easy to create latte arts. It’s important to note that the machine isn’t designed for beginners, and there is some learning curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchange boiler could be a bit tricky to control, and you will have to master the basics of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento provide the option of connecting to a water source, that means you will always have clean, cold water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter, however, comes with a 2.25-liter water tank, which could be more difficult to fill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza’s highest standards. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, which allows you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and simple to refill, with the lid detaching completely to make a wide opening. You can fill it with tap water if you prefer.
This is the smallest machine in the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still packs a punch. It costs less than PS100 at retail – that’s less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie an ideal choice for those with a limited budget or space for an espresso maker, but would like to experience the pleasure of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely easy to use and occupies just a little counter space. Pressing one button will activate the machine. After pressing it again, it will start dispense the pod you’ve selected. The button is illuminated so that you can see how much you have consumed. You can also stop the process, in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller portions.
This model doesn’t come with a steam wand however, you can add creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. The machine is quite quiet, too, and can be used in a small workspace or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing others.
The pods are not inexpensive, but they come in a range of blends that will suit anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are readily available in many supermarkets, along with regular coffee making machine beans and ground coffee and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.
The Jolie and Milk is a smart-looking capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It comes with a 75cm power 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 itself is small enough to be kept on an even surface or placed under your cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. But if you’re willing to put in the work to learn how to use it this is a great do-it-all home espresso maker that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models on the market. It’s an excellent price for the class and is particularly useful for those who aren’t experienced enough to have an espresso maker that can cost up to $100.
The model is priced lower than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199), but is still a good choice for baristas working on a budget. It has a lot of customizable features and even an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It’s also a one-boiler machine, which means that it can only perform one task at the same time.
Despite being a relatively newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made their mark by offering top-quality equipment. This machine is no different, and it has just enough control to let new baristas hone their abilities without spending a lot more than is necessary.
The unit has its quirks. One example is that the hopper on this model is placed on the side of the unit instead of on top–which isn’t an issue however it can be a little annoying if you’re trying disperse multiple shots at a time. It’s also not very easy to determine how much water is left in the tank, due to its rear placement.
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 issue is the price, which could be a nagging issue for certain buyers. For those looking for a lower-cost alternative, read our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines have similar capabilities and offer a bit 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 using a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED screen provides your kitchen with a stylish look. It comes with one dial to set the number of cups you would like it to make and includes the 2-4 cup setting and a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing method is similar to pour over that many coffee enthusiasts believe makes the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to a perfect temperature and poured over the grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The coffee that is brewed is stored in a double-walled carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 min. The pause and pour function allows you to remove the carafe in brewing and fill your own cup. The machine stops the brewing process and shows a red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. It then resumes the brewing process.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is an SCAA-certified coffee maker which means it complies with the organization’s rigorous technical standards. Its brew cycle is about longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has greater control over temperature, brewing duration, and quality.
In our tests in our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee, with the carafe filled in 7 minutes 41 seconds. This is a bit longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but it falls within the range of time that coffee experts recommend for a great cup of drip.
You must also grind your beans before brewing. You can choose either a manual grinder or a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and a hopper for whole beans.
The only issue with this product is that it’s not dishwasher safe. This could be a problem for some customers. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is a top contender for the best drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and simple to use interface.