The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There’s no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. That’s why we’ve rounded up our favorite picks for your home, ranging 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 strikes a perfect balance between automating the process and making you proficient in the art of espresso-making. It’s our top choice for a coffee-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those who want to make espresso at home, without making significant sacrifices in terms of quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with limited counter space in mind and is built to last with a high-end build quality and the smallest 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 coffee at same simultaneously.
The machine looks fantastic as well and features an insert for the side of the machine with the engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is an update to Rocket’s original design that is already impressive for a small appliance. It also includes an black gauge for boiler pressure to let you know when the boiler is ready for use.
The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this machine than others. You’ll need be extra cautious when emptying and refilling the machine. This is particularly true if you use it frequently. This is a natural trade-off for smaller footprint, however this is not a problem that is unique to this model.
You can still make a large amount of coffee using this machine, and it can easily meet the demands. We would recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with a Rocket Portafilter to enhance the tamping.
As a prosumer espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and it’s simple to create the latte art. It’s important to note that the machine isn’t designed for novices and has some learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger is tricky to handle and you’ll have to learn how to perform cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento allow connecting to a water source, that means you will always have clean, cold water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter has smaller 2.25-liter tank that is 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. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 minutes. The water tank is quick and easy to fill and the lid can be removed completely to create a large opening. It can be filled using tap water, should you wish.
This is the smallest machine in the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still is a powerful machine. It’s priced less than PS100 at retail and is much less expensive than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great choice for those who don’t have the space or budget for traditional espresso machines however, they still want to enjoy the authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is simple to use and requires little counter space. Pressing a single button will start the machine. Pressing it again will begin dispensing the specific pod you’ve chosen. The button has a backlight so that you can see the amount you’ve consumed. You can also stop the process, should you prefer to consume 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 also quite quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or working space.
The pods are not cheap, but they come in a wide range of blends that can be used by everyone – from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. You can find them in many supermarkets, as well as regular coffee beans and grounds coffee machines home. 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 in a box with a 75cm power cable and plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty sheet, and a test box that contains nine Lavazza pods that include six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine itself is small enough to be able to be stowed on the floor or placed under the cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso maker that’s out of the budget of a majority of consumers. But if you’re willing to take the time to learn how to use it this is a fantastic do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than many of the more expensive models available. It’s among the best priced in its class, and it’s particularly suitable for beginners who don’t have an espresso grinder yet. This could easily set them back another $100 or more.
The model is priced lower than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) However, it’s an excellent choice for baristas working on a budget. It has a lot of options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It is also a single-boiler machine, which means it can only perform one task at one time.
Breville, relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has swiftly established a reputation for high-quality appliances. This machine isn’t an exception and offers enough adjustability to let aspiring baristas develop their skills without spending hundreds of dollars more than they need to.
The unit is not without its flaws. The hopper is situated on the side, not the top, of this model. It’s not a major deal, but can be frustrating if you want to dispense several shots at once. It’s also difficult to see how much water is left in the tank because of its rear position.
But if you’re prepared to spend some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it’s an excellent, all-purpose appliance for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is its cost, which may be a hindrance for some buyers. If you’re looking for a budget alternative, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and 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 gives your kitchen a sophisticated design. It has a single dial that allows you to program the number of cups. There are two options: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing method is similar to pour-over, which many coffee lovers believe makes the most flavorful coffee. The water is heated to a perfect temperature and poured over the grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The brewed coffee is then stored in a double-walled carafe and can be stored for up to 60 min. Its pause and pour feature lets you take out the carafe while brewing to fill your cup to the brim. The machine pauses brewing and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it, after which it resumes brewing and is finished.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is certified by SCAA, that means it is in compliance with the strict standards of SCAA’s technical standards. Its brew time is approximately longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides more control over temperature, brewing duration and quality.
In our testing we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced excellent drip coffee with a full-carafe in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the range that experts in the field recommend to make a great cup.
You should also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can use an old-fashioned coffee grinder or opt for a more automatic model like the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and the hopper can hold entire beans.
The only drawback is that the carafe as well as the water reservoir aren’t dishwasher-safe and could cause hassle for some users. The stainless steel is easily cleaned by hand, though. The OXO 9-Cup is an excellent contender for the Best Coffee Machine drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and easy to use interface.