The
Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. We've put together our top choices, ranging from a superautomatic that grinds your beans and packs them to semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automating the process and requiring you to be familiar with the art of making espresso. This is our top choice for a bean-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those looking to make espresso at home without making big sacrifices in terms of quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was designed for those with little counter space. It has a great build quality with a compact footprint. It comes equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and
best coffee machines commercial E61 group head so you can steam milk and make espresso at the same time.
The machine looks fantastic as well and features an elongated side panel with the engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a modernization of Rocket's traditional design that is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also has a black boiler pressure gauge to let you know when the boiler is ready for use.
The
drip coffee machines tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this model than other models. This means that you'll have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you use it often. This is a normal trade-off to have less footprint, however this is not a problem specific to this model.
You can still brew a lot of coffee using this machine, and it is able to easily keep up with the demands. However, we would recommend investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to enhance the tamping.
As a prosumer espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and it's simple to create the latte art. It's important to note that the machine isn't made for beginners and there's a bit of a learning curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchange boiler can be a little tricky to operate and you'll need to master the ins and outs of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento offer the option of connecting to a water supply, which allows you to always have clean, cold water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank, which could be more difficult to refill than some of its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you might expect from the Lavazza machine, this one is made with quality in mind. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, which allows you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill, with the lid detaching completely to create a large opening. It can be filled with tap water, if you like.
This is the smallest machine in the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still is a powerful machine. At full price, it's priced at PS100 - which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who do not have the space or budget for an espresso machine of the traditional type however nevertheless want to drink an authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely simple to use and takes up just a little counter space. Pressing a single button will begin the process. After pressing it again, it will start dispense the pod you have selected. The button has a backlight so that 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 quantities.
The model isn't equipped with a steam wand however, you can add creamy frosting to your milk by using an optional milk frother. The machine is also quite quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen workspace.
Pods aren't inexpensive, but there's an array of blends that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. 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 online.
The Jolie and Milk is a stylish capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cord and plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty card, as well as a test box that contains nine Lavazza pods: six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to fit under a cupboard or on the floor.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing to learn to use it, then this is a fantastic home espresso maker. It performs better than most of the more expensive models. It's the
best coffee machines value in its class, and is particularly suitable for beginners who don't have an espresso grinder yet, which could set them back another $100 or more.
The model is just below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) However, it's an excellent choice for home baristas who are on a tight budget. It's loaded with customizable features and even an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It is also a single-boiler machine, which means it can only handle one thing at one time.
Although it is a relatively newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves by offering top-quality equipment. This machine is no different and it comes with enough control to let aspiring baristas hone their skills without spending hundreds more than they need to.
It's not without its quirks, though. The hopper is located on the side, not on the top, of this model. It's not a huge issue, but it can be a problem if you wish to disperse multiple shots at once. It's also difficult to see how much water remains in the tank, because of its rear position.
If you're willing to invest time learning to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent choice for any espresso lover at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is its price which could 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 are equally capable and offer a little more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you a fraction of what this Breville model can do.
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 and backlit LED screen gives your kitchen a sophisticated appearance. It has one dial that lets you to program the amount of cups. There are two options: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. The brewing process is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee lovers believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature and poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee that is brewed is collected in the double-walled thermal carafe and can be stored for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and pour feature lets you to remove the carafe during making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine stops the brewing process and shows an red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. The machine then begins the brewing process.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, that means it is in compliance with the organization's rigorous technical standards.