The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. We've rounded up our top picks for your home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans, to a semiautomatic that gives you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process while making you knowledgeable about the art of espresso-making. It's our top pick for a bean-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those who wish to make espresso at home, without making significant sacrifices in terms of quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with limited counter space in mind. It is built to last with a high-end build quality and the smallest footprint. It comes with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head so you can steam milk while making espresso simultaneously.
The machine also looks great and features a round insert on the side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a modernization of Rocket's classic design which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also has an black pressure gauge that shows when the boiler is ready to use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than other models. You'll need be extra cautious when emptying and refilling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a cost that results in a smaller footprint. It's not an issue that is specific to this model.
This machine is capable of handling your coffee needs. We recommend buying a good grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, to improve consistency and taste. You can also use this machine in conjunction with an Rocket portafilter to improve the tamping process.
As a prosumer espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and it's easy to create latte art. It's important to note that the machine isn't designed for beginners and has a bit of a learning curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger can be tricky to handle, and you'll need to learn how to do 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 always be in a position to drink cold and filter-filtered water. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank that is more difficult to refill than some of its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, allowing you to prepare your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill and the lid can be removed completely to make a wide opening. You can fill it with tap water, should you wish.
This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it 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 funds for traditional espresso machines, but still want to enjoy an authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is simple to use and occupies very small counter space. You only need to press one button to turn on the machine, and then press it again to start dispensing the chosen pod. There's a backlight that's on the button to ensure that you are able to see clearly how much has been dispensed and you can also stop the process at any time in case you prefer drinking your pod in smaller doses.
There's no steam wand included on this model, but you can make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth, if you'd like. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen workspace.
They're not cheap, but there is an array of blends to choose from that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. You can find them in many supermarkets, as well as regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule that has an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty document along with a quick guide and a tester pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine itself is small enough to be kept on an even surface or placed under the cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is beyond the budget of many average consumers. If you're willing to master it this is a fantastic home espresso maker. It's far superior to many of the more expensive models. It's the most affordable in its class, and it's especially good for novices who don't have an espresso machine yet--which can easily coffee machines coffee set them back another $100 or more.
The model is priced lower than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) However, it's an excellent option for baristas on a budget. It's loaded with customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means it can only be used for steaming or brewing at the same time.
Breville, an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has rapidly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine isn't an exception, and it offers just enough control that it can be adjusted to let aspiring baristas develop their abilities without spending hundreds of dollars more than they have to.
It's not without its flaws however. 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 annoying if you're trying give multiple shots at once. It's also difficult to know the amount of water left in the tank, because of its rear position.
But if you're prepared to invest some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's a great, do-it-all appliance for any home espresso lover. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is its price, which may be a hindrance for certain buyers. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines have similar capabilities and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the cost.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker with a simple user interface that produces excellent coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add a sophisticated appearance to your kitchen. It comes with one dial that allows you to program the amount of cups. There are two options: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. The brewing method is similar to pour-over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee is collected in the double-walled thermal carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 min. The pause-and-pour feature allows 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. The machine then begins brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is an SCAA-certified coffee maker which means it complies with the organization's rigorous technical standards. Its brew cycle is about as long as those of the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides greater control over temperature, brewing time and quality.
In our tests in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced a pot of excellent drip coffee with a full cup in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. That's a little longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but still within the range of time that coffee experts recommend for a good cup of drip.
You should also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can make use of an old-fashioned coffee grinder or go for a more automated model, such as the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and a hopper that holds whole beans.
The only downside is that the carafe and the water reservoirs aren't dishwasher safe and could cause hassle for certain users. The stainless steel is easily cleaned by hand, however. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and user-friendly interface make it one of the top contenders among top drip coffee makers.