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, ranging from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans to semi-automatics that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automatizing the process and making you familiar with the art of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a machine that makes coffee.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those who want to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with limited counter space in mind. It combines outstanding build quality with tiny footprint. It comes with a 1.8 milliliter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head, so you can steam your milk and brew your coffee at the same at the same time.
The machine looks stunning as well and features an insert for the side of the machine with engravings of 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 comes with an black pressure gauge that indicates when the boiler is ready to use.
One disadvantage of this tiny machine is that the drip tray and water reservoir are smaller than those of other machines. This means you'll have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when using it frequently. This is a sacrifice that results in less footprint. This isn't something that is unique to this model.
This machine is capable of handling your coffee demands. That being said, we would suggest investing in a good grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair the machine with an Rocket Portafilter to increase the tamping.
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 note that this machine was not designed for novices. 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 do cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento allow connecting to a water source, which means you'll always have cold, fresh water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter comes with a smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be harder to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from the Lavazza machine this one has been made with quality in mind. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in just 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill, with the lid detaching completely to reveal 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 is a powerful machine. It's priced at less than PS100 at retail which is less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who don't have the space or budget for traditional espresso machines, but still want to enjoy a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is incredibly simple to operate and takes up just a little counter space. You just need to press one button to turn on the machine, then again to begin dispensing the chosen pod. The button is illuminated to let you know the amount you've consumed. You can also stop the process if you want to drink the pod in smaller portions.
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 quite quiet as well and can be used in a small workspace or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing others.
The pods aren't inexpensive, but they come in a wide range of blends that can be used by anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in most supermarkets along with regular ground coffee and coffee beans and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and Milk is a smart-looking capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and frother. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cable and plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty sheet, and a test box of 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 able to be stowed on a flat surface or slipped under your cupboard.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing take the time to learn how to use it this is a fantastic espresso maker for home use that performs better than many of the more expensive models available. It's a great value for its class and is particularly helpful for those who aren't experienced enough to own an espresso machine, which can cost up to $100.
This model is priced below the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) However, it's an excellent option for baristas who are on a tight 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 that means that it can only do steaming or brewing at one time.
coffee machine pods and beans , a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has swiftly established a reputation for high-quality appliances. This machine is no different, and it has just enough control to let aspiring baristas hone their abilities without spending a lot more than necessary.
The unit is not without its flaws. The hopper is situated on the side, not the top of the model. It's not a major problem, but it could be frustrating if you want to dispense multiple shots at once. The rear position of the tank makes it difficult to determine the amount of liquid left.
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 anyone who is a coffee lover at home. The only drawback is the price, which can be a nagging issue for some buyers. If you're looking for an affordable alternative, we suggest 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 a fraction of what this Breville model can do.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine with a user-friendly interface that makes great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display creates a chic kitchen appearance. It comes with one dial that allows you to program the number of cups. There are two settings available: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. The brewing process is similar to pour-over, which many coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most flavorful coffee. The water is heated to the right temperature, then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds with a shower head. The coffee is stored in a double-walled carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 min. The pause-and pour feature lets you to take the carafe out 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, which means it meets the strict technical standards. The brew cycles it uses are the same as the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it allows for more control over temperature and brewing time.
In our tests in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed a pot of excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe of coffee in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. That's a little longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require but well within the range of time that coffee experts suggest for a decent cup of drip.
It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to making coffee. You can use an old-fashioned coffee grinder or choose a more automated model like the Baratza Encore, which has various grind settings as well as a hopper that holds whole beans.
The only downside to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could pose a problem for some customers. The stainless steel is still easily cleaned by hand, however. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and easy-to-use interface make it one of the top contenders among best drip coffee makers.