The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. This is why we've compiled 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 strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process and making you proficient in the art of espresso-making. It's the most efficient bean-to-cup machine we've come across.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those who wish to make espresso at home without making significant sacrifices in terms of quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was specifically designed for people with little counter space. It is built to last and has excellent quality and a compact footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8 liter copper heat-exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Heads so that you can steam your milk and brew your coffee at the same time.

The machine looks fantastic and has a round insert on the side panel with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is a fresh update on the classic look of Rocket and is already impressive for a small machine. It also comes with a black boiler pressure gauge to let you know when the boiler is ready for use.

The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than most others. This means you'll have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you are using it regularly. This is a sacrifice that results in a smaller footprint. This isn't an issue that is specific to this model.

This machine is capable of handling your coffee demands. We would recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante, to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with a Rocket Portafilter to improve tamping.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create some great drinks and it is easy to create latte arts. It is important to remember that this machine was not designed for beginners. There is a small learning curve for those upgrading from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. The heat exchange boiler can be a bit difficult to manage and you'll have to learn the ins and outs of 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 in a position to drink cold brew coffee makers, filtered water. The latter, however, 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 top standards. The machine is able to reach the temperature for brewing quickly, which means you can make your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The water tank can be filled easily with ease, since the lid can be removed to create a large hole. You can fill it up with tap water, depending on what you prefer.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the series, yet it packs a punch. At its full cost, it's less than PS100 which is lower than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. This makes the Jolie an excellent choice for those who don't have the money or space for a traditional espresso maker, but who are looking to enjoy the benefits of real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is extremely easy to operate and takes up very little counter space. Pressing one button will begin the process. After pressing it again, it will start dispense the pod you've selected. There's a backlight on the button so that you are able to see clearly the amount of dispensed, and you can manually stop the process should you prefer to drink your pod in smaller doses.

This model does not come with a steam wand, however, you can add creamy froth to your milk using an optional milk frother. The machine is also quite quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen workspace.

They aren't inexpensive, but there's a variety of blends available to satisfy everyone from mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are available in most supermarkets, along with regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. You can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.

The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule with an integrated milk warmer. It comes in a box with an 75cm power cable, plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty sheet and a tester box containing nine Lavazza pods: six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine itself is small enough to be able to be stowed on a flat surface or slipped under the cupboard.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso maker that's out of the budget of a majority of consumers. If you're willing to learn to use it, then this is a great at-home espresso maker. It performs better than most of the more expensive models. It's a good price for the class and is especially useful for beginners who don't yet own an espresso machine, which can cost up to $100.

This model sits right in the middle of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive at $2,199) however, it's an excellent option for baristas at home on a tight budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and it even includes an integrated burr grinder to make the entire experience less expensive. It's also a single boiler machine that means that it can only do steaming or brewing at one time.

Breville, an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has quickly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no exception and it comes with enough control to let budding baristas develop their skills without spending hundreds more than is necessary.

The unit has its quirks. One example is that 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 a little frustrating if you're trying to disperse multiple shots at a time. It's also difficult to determine how much water is left in the tank due to its rear placement.

If you're willing to put in time learning to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for any coffee lover at home. The only issue is the price, which could be a turnoff for certain buyers. If you're seeking a cheaper alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are similarly capable and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost a fraction of what this Breville model can do.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech, intelligent coffee machine that makes great coffee with a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen give an elegant look to your kitchen. It has one dial that lets you to set the number of cups. There are two settings: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over, which most coffee aficionados believe produces the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the right temperature, then poured evenly over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The coffee is stored in a double-walled carafe and can be stored for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour function lets you to take the carafe out while brewing and then fill your cup. The machine stops the brewing process and shows the red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. It then resumes the brewing process.

The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker has been SCAA certified, which means that it meets the organization’s strict standards for technical quality. The brew cycle is longer than the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides greater control over temperature, brewing duration and also quality.

In our tests in our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee with an entire carafe in just 7 minutes 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 that coffee experts suggest for a decent cup of drip.

It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can make use of a manual coffee grinder, or choose a more automated model like the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and a hopper that holds whole beans.

The only issue with this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a concern for some customers. The stainless steel is easily cleaned by hand, Best Coffee Machines For Home but. The OXO 9-Cup is a top contender for the top drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and easy to use interface.