The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no single-size-fits all coffee machine. We've rounded-up our top picks, starting with an automatic that grinds your beans and packs them into a semiautomatic which gives you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch achieves the perfect balance between automation and the need to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've seen.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those who wish to make espresso at home without making huge sacrifices in terms quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with limited counter space in mind and is built to last with a high-end build quality and tiny footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group head, so you can steam milk and make espresso at the same time.
The machine looks great as well and features an insert for the side of the machine with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic design of Rocket, which is already pretty impressive for a machine that is so small. It also has a black boiler pressure gauge to indicate when the boiler is ready for use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than most other machines. It is important be extra cautious when emptying and refilling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a trade-off that results in a smaller footprint. This isn't a problem specific to this model.
You can still brew a lot of coffee using this machine, and it will easily keep up with the demands. We suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante to improve consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to enhance tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make some great drinks and it is easy to make Latte arts. However, it's worth noting that the machine isn't made for beginners and there's some learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchanger can be difficult to operate, and you'll need to learn how to do 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 able to drink cold pure, filtered water. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank that can be more difficult to refill than some of its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. The machine can reach the temperature for brewing quickly, so you can make your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is also fast and easy to refill by removing the lid completely to create a large opening. You can also fill it up with tap water if that's what you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the range, but it is a powerful machine. 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 a great option for those with a limited budget or space for an espresso maker, but who would like to experience the pleasure of real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely easy to use and occupies just a little counter space. Pressing one button will activate the machine. Pressing it again will start dispensing the pod you've selected. The button is illuminated so you can see how much you have consumed. You can also stop the process, should you prefer to consume the pod in smaller quantities.
This model doesn't come with a steam wand, but you can add some creamy froth to your milk using an optional milk frother. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen workspace.
They aren't cheap, but there is a wide variety of blends available to suit 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 online.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule 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 comprising 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 the floor.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing take the time to learn how to use it, this is an excellent espresso maker for your home that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models on the market. It's an excellent value for its class and is particularly useful for beginners who don't yet own an espresso machine that can cost up to $100.
This model is priced less than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) However, it's an excellent choice for baristas on a budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and has a built-in burr grinder to make the whole experience much less expensive. It's also a single boiler machine that means it can only be used for steaming or brewing at the same time.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made an impact by offering top-quality equipment. This machine is no different and has enough adjustability to allow aspiring baristas to develop their abilities without spending more than they need to.
The unit has its flaws. The hopper is on the side, not at the top of the model. It's not a huge issue, but it can be a problem if you wish to give several shots at a time. The rear position of the tank makes it click here difficult to see how much liquid remains.
If you're willing some time to learn how to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent choice for any coffee lover at home. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is the price, which may be a stumbling block for certain buyers. For those looking for a lower-cost alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally powerful and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost a fraction of what this Breville model does.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart machine for coffee with a simple user interface that makes great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add a sophisticated look to your kitchen. It has a single dial to program the number of cups you would like it to make. It also comes with a 2-4 cup setting as well as a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over, which many coffee aficionados believe produces the most flavorful coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature before being poured over the grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The coffee brewed is then stored in the thermal, double-walled carafe for upto 60 minutes. The pause and pour function lets you remove the carafe while brewing to fill your own cup. The machine stops the brewing process and displays a red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is an SCAA-certified coffee maker that means it is in compliance with the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. Its brew time is approximately the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has more control over temperature, brewing time, and quality.
In our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the time range that experts in the field recommend for making a quality cup.
It also requires you to grind your own beans before making. 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 an hopper that can hold whole beans.
The only downside to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a problem for some users. The stainless steel is easy to clean by hand, but. The OXO 9-Cup is an excellent contender for the best drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and simple to use interface.