The
Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no one-size-fits-all coffee machine. We've rounded-up our top picks, from a superautomatic that grinds your beans and packs them into semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automatizing the process and needing you to be knowledgeable about the art of espresso-making. It's our top pick 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 losing quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with a limited counter space in mind and combines outstanding build quality with the smallest footprint. It comes equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head, so you can steam milk while making espresso simultaneously.
The machine looks great as well, and has an elongated side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is an update to Rocket's classic design which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also comes with an black pressure gauge that indicates when the boiler is ready to use.
One drawback of this compact machine is that the drip tray and water reservoir are smaller than those of other machines. This means that you will be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you are using it regularly. This is a natural trade-off for a smaller footprint, though it is not a problem particular to this model.
You can still brew plenty of coffee with this machine, and it is able to easily keep up with the demands of your customers. However, we would suggest investing in a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also pair this machine with the Rocket portafilter to enhance the grinding process.
As a prosumer espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and it's easy to make the latte art. It's important to know that this machine was not intended for novices. There is a small learning curve for people who are upgrading from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. The heat exchange boiler may be a little tricky to control and you'll need to master the ins and outs of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento allow connecting to a water supply which allows you to always have clean, cold filtering water available for your drinks. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank, which could be more difficult to refill than some of 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 the brewing temperature, which allows you to make your first cup of coffee in just 35 minutes. The tank can be easily refilled by removing the lid. be removed to create an enormous hole. It can be filled with tap water should you wish.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the series, yet it is a powerful machine. It's priced at 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 real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very small counter space. Pressing a single button will begin the process. When you press it again, it will begin dispensing the pod you have selected. There's a light on the button, so you are able to see clearly the amount of dispensed and you can also manually stop the process should you prefer to drink your drink in smaller portions.
The model isn't equipped with a steam wand however, you can add creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. The machine is also quite quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or workspace.
They're not expensive, but there's a wide variety of blends available that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are sold in most supermarkets along with regular ground
coffee machine maker and coffee beans and you can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.
The Jolie and Milk is a smart-looking capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer and frother. It comes with an 75cm power cable, plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty card, as well as a test box of nine Lavazza pods: six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine itself is small enough to be kept on a flat surface or slipped under the cupboard.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. If you're willing to put in the work to master its use this is a fantastic espresso maker for home use that performs better than many of the more expensive models on the market. It's among the best priced in its class, and is especially suitable for those who do not have an espresso maker yet, which could cost them another $100 or more.
The model is just in the middle of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive, costing $2,199) however, it's an excellent choice for baristas at home on a tight budget. It's loaded with options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine that means that it can only do brewing or steaming at one time.
Breville, an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has quickly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception and has enough control to let budding baristas improve their skills without spending hundreds more than they need to.
The unit is not without its flaws. For one, the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit instead of on top--which isn't significant however it can be a little frustrating if you're trying to disperse multiple shots at a time. It's also difficult to know the amount of water left in the tank, because of its position at the rear.
If you're willing time learning to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only issue with the Breville Barista Express is the price which could 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 are similarly capable and offer 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 machine for coffee with a simple user interface that produces great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display add a sophisticated design to your kitchen. It comes with one dial to set the number of cups you would like to make. It comes with the 2-4 cup setting as well as a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing process is similar to pour over that many coffee enthusiasts believe makes the
best budget coffee machine tasting coffee. The water is heated to a perfect temperature before being poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The
coffee machine deals brewed is then stored in the thermal, double-walled carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. Its pause and pour feature lets you remove the carafe while brewing to fill your own cup. The machine pauses the brewing process and displays a red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. The machine then begins brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is a SCAA-certified
household coffee machines maker, which means it complies with the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology.