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 for the home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans, to a semiautomatic that gives you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend between automation and having to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a machine that makes coffee.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top pick for those who wish to make espresso at home without making significant sacrifices in terms of quality. This espresso machine for prosumers is designed with a limited counter space in mind and offers top-quality build and the smallest footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head so you can steam milk and make espresso at the same time.
The machine also looks great and has a round panel on the side with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a fresh update on the classic design of Rocket and is already impressive for a compact machine. It also includes an black pressure gauge that will let you know when the boiler is ready to use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this model than other models. This means you'll be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when using it frequently. This is a natural trade-off to have a smaller footprint, though, and not an issue particular to this model.
This machine is able to handle your coffee needs. We suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gante, to increase 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 beginners. There is a small learning curve for people who are upgrading from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchanger can be difficult to operate and you'll have to learn how to perform 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 filtered water. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank that is more difficult to refill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you might expect from a Lavazza machine this one was 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 quick and simple to refill, with the lid detaching completely to create a large opening. You can even fill it with tap water if you want.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the series, yet it packs a punch. It's priced at 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 choice for those who do not have the space or budget for an espresso machine of the traditional type however, they nevertheless want to drink the authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is simple to use and requires small counter space. You only need to press a single button to activate the machine and again to begin dispensing your chosen pod. There's a backlight on the button, so you can clearly see how much has been dispensed, and you can manually stop the process in case you prefer drinking the pod in smaller amounts.
There's no steam wand on this model, however you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is also quite quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or workspace.
They're not cheap, but there is a variety of blends to choose from to suit everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are sold in most supermarkets along with regular ground coffee and coffee beans and you can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule that comes with an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm power cord and plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet, and a test box containing nine Lavazza pods: six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be placed under a cabinet or on flat surfaces.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that's out of the budget of most average consumers. But if you're willing to invest the time to learn how to use it this is a fantastic espresso maker for your home that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models available. It's an excellent value for its class and is particularly useful for those who are new to the field and don't own an espresso machine that costs up to $100.
The model is priced lower than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is a good choice for baristas working on a budget. It has a lot of customizable features and even an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It's also a single boiler, which means it can only be used for steaming or brewing at one time.
Breville is relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has rapidly established a reputation for high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception, and it offers just enough adjustability to let baristas who are aspiring develop their abilities without spending hundreds of dollars more than they should.
The unit has its flaws. For one, the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit instead of on top. This isn't significant, but it can be frustrating if you're trying to disperse multiple shots at a time. It's also not very easy to see how much water remains in the tank, because of its position at the rear.
If you're willing some time in learning how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for any espresso lover at home. The only issue is the cost, which can be a turnoff for some buyers. If you're looking for a budget alternative, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are similarly capable and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you only a fraction of the price. Breville model can do.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine with a user-friendly interface that makes great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display add a stylish look to your kitchen. It has a single dial to program how many cups you want to make. It comes with a 2-4 cup setting as well as a 5-9 cup setting. shop coffee machines brewing technique is similar to pour over that many coffee enthusiasts believe is the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to a perfect temperature before being poured over the grounds with a shower-head for 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 lets you remove the carafe while making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine stops the brewing process, and displays the red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes the brewing process.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker is SCAA certified, meaning it meets the strict standards in terms of technology. Its brew cycles are about 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 tests we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed excellent drip coffee with a full-carafe of coffee in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but it falls within the range of time that coffee experts recommend for a great cup of drip.
It also requires that you grind your own beans before making. You can make use of a manual coffee grinder or go for a more automated model like the Baratza Encore, which has multiple grind settings and the hopper can hold entire beans.
The only issue is that the carafe and water reservoirs aren't dishwasher safe and could cause hassle for certain users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and easy-to-use interface make it an undisputed contender among the best drip coffee makers.