The
Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no one-size-fits-all coffee machine. That's why we've rounded up our top picks for your
home coffee machines, 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 the perfect balance between automatizing the process while needing you to be proficient in the art of espresso-making. This is our top choice for a machine that makes coffee.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those who are looking to make espresso at home without having to compromise on quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with a limited counter space in mind and is built to last with a high-end build quality and the smallest footprint. It comes with a 1.8 liter copper heat-exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Heads so that you can steam your milk and brew coffee at the same at the same time.
The machine looks fantastic too, and comes with an insert for the side of the machine with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a fresh update on the classic design of Rocket that is already impressive for a small machine. It also has a black boiler pressure gauge to let you know when the boiler is ready for use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this model than others. You will need to be careful when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case when you are using it often. This is a natural tradeoff for having less footprint, however this is not a problem that is unique to this model.
This machine is able to handle your coffee needs. However, we would recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with a Rocket portafilter to improve the process of tamping.
As a professional 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 this machine was not designed for novices. There is a slight learning curve for those upgrading from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit difficult to manage, and you will have to learn the basics of 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 be capable of drinking cold, filtered water. The latter model has smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. The machine can reach the temperature of brewing quickly, so you can prepare your first cup in just 35 second. The water tank is quick and simple to refill by removing the lid completely to make a wide opening. You can fill it with tap water if you prefer.
This is the smallest machine in 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 to buy a traditional espresso maker, but who would like to experience the pleasure of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is simple to use and takes up small counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to turn on the machine, and then press it again to start dispensing the chosen pod. The button has a backlight so you can see how much you have consumed. You can also manually stop the process, if you want to drink the pod in smaller portions.
There's no steam wand available on this model, but you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth, if you'd like. The machine is also quite quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or working space.
Pods aren't inexpensive, but there's a wide variety of blends to satisfy everyone from mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are available in many supermarkets, as well as regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule that has an integrated milk warmer. It includes a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty sheet, a quick guide, and a test 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 a flat surface or slipped under your cupboard.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. If you're willing and able master it this is a great home espresso maker. It performs better than most of the more expensive models. It's a good value for the money and is especially useful for beginners who don't yet have an espresso machine, which can cost up to $100.
This model is a bit below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) however, it's a solid choice for baristas at
home coffee machines on a budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and has a built-in burr grinder to make the entire experience less expensive. It's also a single boiler that means it can only be used for brewing or steaming at one time.
Breville is a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has swiftly established a reputation for high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and has enough control to let budding baristas develop their skills without spending hundreds more than they need to.
It's not without its flaws however. The hopper is located on the side, not on the top of the model. It's not a major deal, but can be frustrating if you want to disperse several shots at a time. It's also not very easy to see how much water remains in the tank, due to its rear placement.
But if you're prepared to spend some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an excellent, all-purpose appliance for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only drawback is the price, which can be a deterrent for certain buyers. If you're looking for a lower-cost option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost a fraction of the cost.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech, intelligent coffee maker that produces great coffee with a simple user interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display add a stylish look to your kitchen. It has a single dial to program the amount of cups you want it to make. It also comes with 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 to the right temperature, then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds with a shower head. The coffee is stored in a double-walled carafe and can be stored for up to 60 min. The pause and pour feature lets you take out the carafe in brewing and fill your cup to the brim. The machine pauses the brewing process 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 is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, which means it complies with the organization's rigorous technical standards. The brew cycles are the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it gives you more control over temperature and brewing times.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee that filled the carafe filled in 7 minutes and 41 seconds.
