The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all coffee maker that is perfect for every. We've rounded-up our top picks, from an automatic that grinds your beans and packs them to a semiautomatic which gives you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automating the process and needing you to be familiar with the art of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've come across.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those looking to make espresso at their home without losing quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was specifically designed for people who have small counter space. It combines excellent build quality and a small footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8 milliliter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head so you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same simultaneously.
The machine is also beautiful and has a round insert on the side panel with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic look of Rocket that is already impressive for a small machine. It also includes a black pressure gauge that indicates when the boiler is ready for use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and water reservoir are smaller than the majority of machines. This means you'll need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you are using it regularly. This is a cost that results in a smaller footprint. This is not an issue that is specific to this model.
You can still brew a lot of coffee with this machine, and it will easily keep up with the demands. We recommend investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gante, to improve consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to enhance the tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, makes delicious drinks and it is easy to make Latte Arts. It's important to know that this machine is not designed for novices. There is a slight learning curve for people who are upgrading from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit difficult to manage and you'll need 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 pure, purified water. The latter comes with a smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be more difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you might expect from a Lavazza machine this one has been made with quality in mind. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, allowing you to prepare your first cup of coffee in less than 35 minutes. The water tank is also quick and simple to refill, with the lid detaching completely to reveal a large opening. You can fill it using tap water, if you like.
This is the smallest machine in the Lavazza A Modo Mio range, but it still packs a punch. It's priced less than PS100 at retail - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great choice for those who don't have the space or funds for an espresso machine of the traditional type however nevertheless want to drink an authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is incredibly simple to use and occupies very little counter space. You just need to press one button to turn on the machine and again to start dispensing the chosen pod. There's a backlight on the button so that you are able to see clearly how much has been dispensed and you can choose to stop the process at any time should you prefer to drink your pod in smaller doses.
The model isn't equipped with a steam wand but you can add some creamy frosting to your milk by using an optional milk frother. The machine is quiet, too and can be used in a small area or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing anyone else.
They aren't expensive, but there's an array of blends available that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are available in most supermarkets, along with regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.
The Jolie and milk is a website sleek capsule that has an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm power cable and plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty card, as well as a test box of 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 cabinet or on the floor.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. If you're willing and able to master it and make it work, then this is a great home espresso maker. It performs better than many of the more expensive models. It's the best value in its class, and is particularly suitable for beginners who don't have an espresso machine yet. This could easily cost them $100 or more.
This model is a bit in the middle of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) However, it's an excellent choice for home baristas on a budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and includes an integrated burr grinder to make the whole experience much cheaper. It's also a single boiler machine that means that it can only do brewing or steaming at one time.
Breville is relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has rapidly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no different, and it has just enough control to let aspiring baristas improve their abilities without spending a lot more than is necessary.
The unit has its flaws. The hopper is on the side, not on the top of the model. It's not a big problem, but it could be a problem if you wish to give several shots at a time. It's also not very easy to determine how much water remains in the tank, because of its position at the rear.
If you're willing to learn how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an excellent, all-purpose appliance for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only issue is the price, which could be a nagging issue 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 bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost a fraction of the cost.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker with a simple user interface that makes great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED screen gives your kitchen a sophisticated appearance. It has one dial that allows you to set the number of cups. There are two options: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over, which most coffee lovers believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the ideal temperature, and then poured evenly over the coffee grounds with shower heads. The coffee is then brewed in the double-walled, thermal carafe for upto 60 minutes. Its pause and pour feature lets you take out the carafe during brewing to fill your individual cup. The machine stops brewing and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it, then resumes and finishes brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, that means it is in compliance with the organization's rigorous technical standards. The brew cycles are the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it allows for more control over temperature and brewing time.
In our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made an excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a little more than the 6 minutes that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the time range that coffee experts suggest to make a good cup.
You must also grind your beans before brewing. You can make use of a manual coffee grinder or choose a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which has multiple grind settings and the hopper can hold entire beans.
The only issue is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe and could cause issue for certain users. The stainless steel is easy to clean by hand, but. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek style and user-friendly interface make it an undisputed contender among the best drip coffee makers.