The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. We've compiled our top choices, ranging from a superautomatic that grinds your beans and packs them into semi-automatic machines that give 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. This is our top choice for a machine that makes coffee.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top pick for those who wish to make espresso at home without having to make significant sacrifices in terms of quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was designed for those who have little counter space. It is built to last and has excellent quality and a small footprint. It comes with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group head so you can steam milk while making espresso at the same time.
The machine looks stunning as well and features an elongated side panel with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's original design, which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also has an black pressure gauge that shows when the boiler is ready for use.
One disadvantage of this tiny machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than most other machines. You will need to be careful when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is particularly true if you use it frequently. This is a normal trade-off for having a smaller footprint, though this is not a problem that is unique to this model.
You can still brew plenty of coffee using this machine, and it is able to easily meet the demands. We recommend investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, to improve consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to improve the tamping.
As a prosumer espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and is easy to create the latte art. It's important to know that this machine is not designed for novices. There is a little learning curve for those who upgrade from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit tricky to manage and you'll need to learn 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 filtered water on hand for your drinks. The latter comes with a 2.25-liter water tank, which could be more difficult to refill 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 prepare your first cup of coffee in just 35 minutes. The water tank is also quick and simple to refill and the lid can be removed completely to create a large opening. You can even fill it with tap water if that's what you prefer.
This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it packs a punch. It's priced less than PS100 at the full price which is less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those without the budget or space for an espresso maker, but would like to experience the pleasure of real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is simple to use and requires little counter space. You only need to press one button to turn on the machine, and then press it again to begin dispensing the chosen pod. There's a backlight on the button to ensure that you can easily see the amount of dispensed and you can also manually stop the process should you prefer to drink your drink in smaller portions.
There's no steam wand included on this model, but you can make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is quiet as well and can be utilized in a small workspace or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing anyone else.
The pods are not inexpensive, but they come in a range of blends that are suitable for anyone 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 purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It includes a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty sheet, 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 is small enough to fit under a cupboard or on the floor.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. If you're willing and able learn how to use it this is a great home espresso maker. It's far superior to many of the more expensive models. It's a good price for the class and is particularly useful for those who are new to the field and don't own an espresso machine that can cost up to $100.
The model is priced lower than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) However, it's an excellent choice for baristas who are on a budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and includes an integrated burr grinder to make the whole experience much more affordable. It's also a one-boiler machine, which means that it can only do one thing at a time.
Breville, a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has swiftly established a reputation for high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception, and it has just enough control to let aspiring baristas hone their skills without spending hundreds more than they need to.
The unit is not without its quirks. For instance, the hopper on this model is placed on the side of the unit, instead of on top. This isn't an issue however it can be a little annoying if you're trying disperse multiple shots at a time. It's also difficult to know how much water remains in the tank, due to its rear placement.
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 downside to the Breville Barista Express is its price, which may be a hindrance for some buyers. If you're looking for a low-cost alternative, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines have similar capabilities and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the price.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech, smart coffee maker that produces great coffee with a simple user interface. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED display provides your kitchen with a stylish look. It features only one dial to program the amount of cups you want it to make. It also comes with a 2-4 cup setting as well as a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing method is similar to pour over that many coffee enthusiasts believe produces the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and poured over the grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The coffee is then brewed in 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 cup to the brim. The machine stops the brewing process and displays the red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes brewing.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker comes SCAA certified, meaning it complies with the strict technical standards. Its brew time is approximately longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers greater control over temperature, brewing time and quality.
In our tests in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced excellent more info drip coffee with a full cup 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 coffee experts suggest to make a good cup.
It also requires you to grind your own beans before brewing. You can use a manual coffee grinder, or go for a more automated model, such as 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 customers. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek style and easy-to-use interface make it one of the top contenders among top drip coffee makers.