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The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. This is why we've compiled our favorite 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 is the perfect blend between automation and the need to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's the most efficient bean-to-cup machine we've found.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those looking to make espresso at their home without losing quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was specifically designed for people with small counter space. It combines excellent build quality and a compact 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 time.
The machine looks great too, and comes with an insert for the side of the machine with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's original design that is already impressive for a small appliance. It also has a black boiler pressure gauge to indicate when the boiler is ready for use.
One disadvantage of this tiny machine is that the drip tray and water reservoir are smaller than the majority of machines. You'll need to be careful when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case when you are using it often. This is a natural tradeoff for smaller footprint, however it is not a problem specific to this model.
This machine is capable of handling your coffee needs. We recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gante, to increase consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with the Rocket portafilter to improve the grinding process.
As a professional coffee machine espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and is easy to make Latte art. However, it's worth noting that the machine isn't made for beginners and has an enlightening curve for those upgrading from appliances. The heat exchanger can be difficult to work with and you'll have to learn how to do cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to a water source, allowing you to be capable of drinking cold, purified water. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank that is more difficult to refill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you might expect from a Lavazza machine this one has been made with quality in mind. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in just 35 minutes. The water tank is also quick and simple to refill by removing the lid completely to reveal a large opening. It can be filled using tap water, depending on what you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the series, yet it packs a punch. It's priced at 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 an excellent choice for those without the budget or space for a traditional espresso maker, but would like to experience the pleasure of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is simple to use and takes up small counter space. By pressing a single button, you can activate the machine. Pressing it again will begin dispensing the specific pod you've chosen. The button is illuminated so you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also manually stop the process in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller amounts.
There's no steam wand available on this model, however you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you like. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen workspace.
The pods aren't inexpensive, but they come in a range of blends that can be used by everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. You can find them in most supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.
The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer and frother. It comes with a 75cm power plug and power cable, a warranty sheet along with a quick guide and a tester pack comprising nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine itself is small enough to be kept on the floor or placed under the cupboard.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. But if you're willing to take the time to master its use, this is an excellent do-it-all home espresso maker that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models available. It's among the best home coffee machine priced in its class, and it's especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso machine yet--which can easily set them back another $100 or more.
This model is priced below the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) However, it's an excellent choice for baristas working on a tight budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and it even comes with a built-in burr grinder, making the whole experience much more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means it can only be used for brewing or steaming at one time.
Breville, relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has swiftly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no different and has enough control to let budding baristas improve their skills without spending hundreds more than is necessary.
The unit does not come without its flaws. One example is that the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit instead of on top--which isn't significant, but it can be a little annoying if you're trying give multiple shots at once. It's also difficult to know how much water is left in the tank, because of its rear position.
If you're willing to learn how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an excellent, all-purpose appliance for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only issue with the Breville Barista Express is the price which could be a deterrent for some buyers. For those seeking a cheaper alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally powerful and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you a fraction of what this Breville model does.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart machine for coffee machine home with a user-friendly interface that makes great coffee machine professional. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED display gives your kitchen a sophisticated design. It comes with one dial that lets you to program the amount of cups. There are two settings available: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. The brewing method is similar to pour over that many coffee enthusiasts believe produces the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature before being poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee is then brewed inside the double-walled thermal carafe for upto 60 minutes. Its pause and pour feature lets you take out the carafe while brewing to fill your own cup. The machine pauses brewing and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it. then it resumes and completes brewing.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker comes SCAA certified, which means that it complies with the strict standards for technical quality. The brew cycle is longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers greater control over temperature, brewing duration and quality.
In our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made a pot of excellent drip ground coffee machine that was served in a full-carafe of coffee in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but still within the range coffee experts recommend for a good cup of drip.
It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to making. You can choose a manual grinder or a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore. It has various grind settings, as well as it has a hopper that can be used for whole beans.
The only issue is that the carafe as well as the water reservoirs aren't dishwasher safe, which could be a issue for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and easy-to-use interface make it a top contender among the top drip coffee makers.
