The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. We've rounded up our top picks for the 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 achieves the perfect balance between automation and needing to be able to master the art of espresso-making. It's our top pick for a coffee-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those looking to make espresso at home without having to make significant sacrifices in terms of quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was created for those with limited counter space. It has a great build quality and a compact footprint. It comes equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk while making espresso simultaneously.
The machine is also beautiful and has a round panel on the side with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is a fresh update on Rocket's classic aesthetic that is already impressive for a machine that is so small. It also has a black pressure gauge that indicates when the boiler is ready to use.
One drawback of this compact machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than most other machines. This means you'll need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you use it often. This is a sacrifice that comes with having a smaller footprint. This isn't an issue that is specific to this model.
This machine can easily handle your coffee needs. However, we would suggest investing in a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with the Rocket portafilter to improve the process of tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create delicious drinks and it is easy to make latte arts. It's important to note that the machine isn't made for novices and there's a bit of a learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchange boiler can be a bit difficult to manage and you'll have to master the basics of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to an water source, which allows you to be capable of drinking cold pure, filtered 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
This machine is built to Lavazza's top standards. The machine can reach the temperature for brewing quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The tank can be filled easily by removing the lid. be removed to create an enormous hole. You can fill it with tap water if you like.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the series, yet it is a powerful machine. It's priced less than PS100 at the full price and is much less expensive than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great option for those who don't have the space or funds for an espresso machine of the traditional type, but still want to experience an authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is incredibly simple to use and occupies just a little counter space. By pressing a single button, you can activate the machine. After pressing it again, it will start dispense the pod you have selected. The button is illuminated to let you know the amount you've consumed. You can also manually stop the process should you prefer to consume the pod in smaller quantities.
There's no steam wand included on this model, but you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth, if you'd like. The machine is very quiet also, and can be used in a small area or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing anyone else.
The pods aren't cheap, but they come in a range of blends that can be used by anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in many supermarkets, as well as 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 stylish capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer and frother. It comes in a box with an 75cm power cable, plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet and a tester box of nine Lavazza pods that include six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is compact enough to fit under a cupboard or flat surfaces.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is beyond the budget of most average consumers. If you're willing to learn to use it and make it work, then this is a great home espresso maker. It performs better than most of the more expensive models. It's a great value for the money and is especially useful for those who are new to the field and don't have an espresso maker, which can cost up to $100.
The model is just in the middle of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive, costing $2,199), but it's still an excellent choice for home baristas on a tight budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and it even has a built-in burr grinder that makes the entire experience less expensive. It's also a single boiler machine, which means that it can only do steaming or brewing at one time.
Breville is a relative newcomer read more on the market for espresso machines, has quickly established a reputation for high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and it comes with enough control to let new baristas develop their abilities without spending a lot more than they need to.
It's not without its flaws, though. For one, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit instead of being on top. This isn't really an issue however it can be frustrating if you're trying to disperse multiple shots at a time. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to determine how much liquid remains.
If you're willing to invest some time in learning how to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only issue is the cost, which can be a turnoff for certain buyers. If you're looking for an affordable alternative, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost a fraction of the cost.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine that makes great coffee with a simple user interface. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display provides your kitchen with a stylish appearance. It comes with one dial that allows you to set the amount of cups. There are two settings available: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing process is similar to pour-over that many coffee enthusiasts believe makes the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and then poured over 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 during brewing and then fill your cup. The machine stops the brewing process and displays a red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. It then resumes the brewing process.
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 Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has more control over temperature, brewing time, and quality.
In our testing in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe of coffee in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the range that coffee experts recommend to make a good cup.
It also requires you to grind your own beans prior to making. You can select an manual grinder or a more automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has multiple grind settings, and it has a hopper that can be used for whole beans.
The only drawback is that the carafe as well as the water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe, which could be a problem for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek style and easy-to-use interface make it an undisputed contender among the best drip coffee makers.