The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. This is why we've compiled our top picks for your home, ranging from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans to a semiautomatic that gives you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process and needing you to be knowledgeable about the art of espresso-making. It's our top pick for a coffee-to-cup machine.
- Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those who are looking to make espresso at their home without losing quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was created for those who have limited counter space. It is built to last and has excellent quality and a small footprint. It comes with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head, so you can steam milk and brew espresso simultaneously.
The machine is also beautiful and has a round panel on the side with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a new take on the classic design of Rocket and is already impressive for a machine that is so small. It also comes with an black pressure gauge that will let you know 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 those of other machines. This means that you'll be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when using it frequently. This is a cost that results in a smaller footprint. This is not something that is unique to this model.
This machine is capable of handling the demands of your coffee. We suggest investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante to increase consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with an Rocket portafilter to enhance the tamping process.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create excellent drinks and is easy to create Latte Arts. It's important to know that this machine is not intended for novices. There is a slight learning curve for those who upgrade from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchanger is difficult to operate and you'll have to master the art of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to an water source, allowing you to always be in a position to drink cold and filtered water. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank, which could be more difficult to fill than its competitors.
- Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, allowing you to prepare your first cup of coffee in less than 35 minutes. The water tank is also fast and easy to refill, with the lid detaching completely to create a large opening. You can fill it with tap water if you like.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the series, yet it is a powerful machine. It costs less than PS100 at full price and is much less expensive than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those with a limited budget or space for a traditional espresso maker, but would like to experience the pleasure of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very small counter space. Pressing a single button will activate the machine. After pressing it again, it will begin dispensing the pod you've selected. 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 portions.
There's no steam wand on this model, but you can make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or working space.
They're not inexpensive, but there's an array of blends available that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. You can find them in the majority of supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule that comes with an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm power plug and power cable, a warranty document, a quick guide, and a test 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 the floor.
- Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that's out of the budget of a majority of consumers. But if you're willing to take the time to master its use this is a great espresso maker for home use that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models available. It's a good value for its class and is particularly helpful for those who are new to the field and don't have an espresso maker, which can cost up to $100.
The model is priced lower than the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is an excellent option for baristas who are on a tight budget. It has a lot of customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means that it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.
Breville is an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has swiftly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception, and it has just enough control to let budding baristas hone their skills without spending hundreds more than is necessary.
The unit has its flaws. For instance, the hopper on this model is placed on the side of the unit instead of on top--which isn't significant however it can be a little frustrating if you're trying to disperse multiple shots at a time. The rear-facing position of the tank makes it difficult to know how much liquid remains.
But if you're prepared to learn how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an ideal, all-purpose machine for anyone who is a coffee lover at home. The only drawback is the price, which could be a turnoff for some 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 offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost less than the cost.
- OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech, smart coffee maker that produces great coffee using a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display add an elegant design to your kitchen. It comes with a single dial that allows you to program the number of cups. There are two options: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over, which many coffee aficionados believe produces the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to a perfect temperature and poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee is then brewed inside the double-walled thermal carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour feature allows you to remove the carafe while brewing to fill your individual cup. 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 meets the organization’s strict standards for technical quality. Its brew time is approximately the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has greater control over temperature, brewing time and also quality.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe of coffee in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. It's slightly longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require but well 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 select either a manual grinder or an automated model, such as the Baratza Encore. It has various grind settings, as well as a hopper for whole beans.
The only issue is that the carafe and water reservoirs aren't dishwasher safe and could cause issue for certain users. The stainless steel is easy to clean by hand, though. The OXO 9-Cup is a top contender for the best drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and easy-to use interface.