The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. We've put together our top picks, from a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them to semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and the need to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's our top pick for a coffee-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those looking to make espresso at home without having to compromise on quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was designed for those who have small counter space. It combines excellent build quality with a compact footprint. It comes equipped with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk while making espresso simultaneously.
The machine looks great too, and comes with an insert for the side of the machine with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a new take on Rocket's classic aesthetic and is already impressive for a small machine. It also has the black pressure gauge, which indicates when the boiler is ready to 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 use it often. This is a natural trade-off to have smaller footprint, however this is not a problem particular to this model.
This machine can easily handle your coffee needs. We recommend buying a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, to improve consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with the Rocket portafilter to help improve the grinding process.
As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making delicious drinks, and is easy to make latte art. However, it's worth noting that the machine was not designed for beginners and there's an enlightening curve for those upgrading from appliances. The heat exchanger can be difficult to operate and you'll need to learn how to perform 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 filtered water on hand for your drinks. The latter model has smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you might expect from a Lavazza machine this one was designed with quality in mind. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, which allows you to make your first cup of coffee in just 35 minutes. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill by removing the lid completely to make a wide opening. You can even fill it with tap water if you prefer.
This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still has a lot of punch. It's priced less than PS100 at full price which is less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie an ideal choice for those with a limited budget or space for an espresso maker, but who would like to experience the pleasure of real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely simple to use and takes up very little counter space. You just need to press one button to start the machine, then again to begin dispensing the chosen pod. The button is illuminated so you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also manually stop the process, in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller amounts.
There's no steam wand included on this model, but you can add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you like. The machine is quiet as well and can be utilized in a small space or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing others.
The pods are not expensive, but they are available in a range of blends that are suitable for anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are readily available in many supermarkets alongside regular coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It comes with a 75cm power plug and power cable, a warranty document and a quick reference, and a tester pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasts (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 your cupboard.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso maker that's out of the budget of most average consumers. If you're willing put in the work to learn how to use it this is a great espresso maker for your home that performs better than many of the more expensive models available. 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 cost them another $100 or more.
This model is a bit below the top of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) however, it's an excellent choice for home baristas on a tight budget. It comes with a variety of customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It's also a single boiler that means it can only be used for steaming or brewing at one time.
Despite being a relatively newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves through their top-quality machines. This machine is no exception and has enough control to let new baristas improve their skills without spending hundreds more than is necessary.
It's not without its flaws, though. One example is that the hopper on this model is placed on the side of the unit, instead of on top. This isn't significant, but it can coffee machines for sale be a little annoying if you're trying dispense multiple shots at once. The rear position of the tank makes it difficult to know the amount of liquid left.
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 some buyers. For those looking for a lower-cost alternative, read our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally powerful and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you less than the Breville model does.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker with a user-friendly interface that produces great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen gives your kitchen a sophisticated appearance. It features one dial to set the number of cups you would like it to make and includes a 2-4 cup setting as well as a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing method is similar to pour over the grounds, which many coffee lovers believe is the best tasting coffee. The water is heated up to the right temperature, then poured evenly over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The brewed coffee is then collected in the double-walled thermal carafe that can be kept for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour function lets you to remove the carafe during brewing and fill your cup. The machine stops brewing and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it. after which it resumes brewing and is finished.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, that means it is in compliance with the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. The brew cycles it uses are the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing times.
In our tests, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made a pot of excellent drip coffee with a full-carafe in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but it falls within the range experts in the field recommend for a good cup of drip.
You should also grind your own beans prior to making. You can make use of a manual coffee grinder or opt for a more automatic model such as the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and the hopper can hold entire beans.
The only downside to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a concern for some 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.