The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no universally-fit-all coffee maker that is perfect for every. We've rounded-up our top choices, ranging from an automatic that grinds your beans and packs them to semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend between automation and needing to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a coffee-to-cup machine.
- Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those who are looking to make espresso at home without losing quality. This espresso machine for prosumers is designed with the smallest counter space in mind. It is built to last with a high-end build quality and tiny footprint. It comes with a 1.8 liter copper heat-exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head, so you can steam your milk and brew your coffee machine price at the same at the same time.
The machine also looks great and has a circular insert on the side panel with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is a new take on the classic look of Rocket and is already impressive for a small machine. It also includes an black pressure gauge that will let you know 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 those of other machines. You'll need be cautious when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case if you use it frequently. This is a natural trade-off for less footprint, however this is not a problem particular to this model.
This machine can easily handle your coffee needs. We recommend investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante to improve consistency and taste. You can also pair this machine with an Rocket portafilter to enhance the tamping process.
As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making delicious drinks, and it's simple to make latte art. It's important to know that this machine is not designed for beginners. There is a slight learning curve for those who upgrade from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler can be a little tricky to operate and you'll have to master the ins and outs of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento provide the option of connecting to a water supply that means you will always have cold, fresh filtering water available for your drinks. The latter comes with a 2.25-liter water tank, which could be more difficult to refill than some of its competitors.
- Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you might expect from a Lavazza machine this one was made with quality in mind. The machine is able to reach the brewing temperature quickly, so you can prepare your first cup in just 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill by removing the lid completely to reveal a large opening. You can fill it with tap water if you prefer.
This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still packs a punch. It costs 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 an excellent choice 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 easy to use and occupies very little counter space. Pressing a single button will activate the machine. When you press it again, it will start dispensing the specific pod you've chosen. There's a light on the button to ensure that you can easily see the amount of liquid that has been dispersed and you can choose to manually stop the process should you prefer to drink the pod in smaller amounts.
The model isn't equipped with a steam wand but you can add some creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. The machine is also quite quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen work space.
They aren't cheap, but there is a variety of blends to satisfy everyone from mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are readily available in many supermarkets along with regular ground coffee and coffee beans and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.
The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer and frother. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cord and plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty card, as well as a test 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 itself is small enough to be stored on a flat surface or slipped under your cabinet.
- Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. But if you're willing to take the time to learn how to use it this is a fantastic espresso maker for your home that performs better than many of the more expensive models available. It's the best value in its class, and is especially good for novices who don't have an espresso machine yet, which could cost them $100 or more.
This model sits right in the middle of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive, costing $2,199) However, it's an excellent choice for baristas at home on a budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and comes with a built-in burr grinder that makes the entire experience more affordable. It is also a single-boiler machine, which means that it can only handle one thing at one time.
Despite being a relatively newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves by offering top-quality equipment. This machine isn't an exception and has enough adjustable control to let aspiring baristas burnish their abilities without spending hundreds of dollars more than they need to.
It's not without its flaws, though. For instance, the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit instead of on top. This isn't significant however it can be difficult to disperse multiple shots at a time. The rear-facing position of the tank makes it difficult to determine how much liquid remains.
If you're willing some time in learning how to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for any coffee lover at home. The only issue is the price, which can be a turnoff for certain buyers. If you're looking for a lower-cost alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost less than the cost.
- OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech, intelligent coffee maker that makes excellent coffee using a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add a stylish design to your kitchen. It comes with a single dial that allows you to program the amount of cups. There are two options: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing process is similar to pour-over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe produces the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the right temperature, then evenly poured over the coffee grounds using a shower head. The coffee is then brewed in the thermal, double-walled carafe for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour function lets you to take the carafe out while making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine pauses brewing and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it. after which it resumes brewing and is finished.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker comes SCAA certified, which means that it meets the organization’s strict technical standards. The brew cycles are the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing time.
In our tests in our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee, with the carafe filled in 7 minutes 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the range that experts in the field recommend to make a good cup.
You must also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can choose either a manual grinder or an automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and it has a hopper that can be used for whole beans.
The only issue with this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a problem for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is a leading contender for the best drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and easy-to use interface.