The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. That's why we've rounded up our top picks for your home, ranging from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans to semi-automatic machines that give you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automating the process and needing you to be familiar with the art of making espresso. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've found.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top pick for those who want to make espresso at home without making huge sacrifices in terms quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was created for those who have little counter space. It has a great build quality and a small footprint. It comes with a 1.8 Liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head so you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same time.
The machine looks stunning as well, and has an elongated side panel with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is a fresh update on the classic design of Rocket that is already impressive for a small machine. It also includes the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to indicate when the boiler is ready for use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than most other machines. This means that you'll be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you use it often. This is a trade-off that results in a smaller footprint. It's not a problem specific to this model.
You can still make a large amount of coffee using this machine, and it can easily keep up with the demands. That being said, we would recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also pair the machine with a Rocket Portafilter to increase tamping.
As a prosumer espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and it's simple to create the latte art. It's important to note that this machine is not designed for beginners. There is a slight learning curve for those who upgrade from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit difficult to operate, and you will have to master 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 in a position to drink cold pure, filtered water. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank, which can be more difficult to refill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you might expect from a Lavazza machine this one has been designed with quality in mind. The machine reaches the temperature of brewing quickly, so you can make your first cup in just 35 seconds. The water tank can be easily refilled by removing the lid. be removed to create a large hole. It can be filled with tap water should you wish.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the models, but it packs a punch. At full price, it costs under PS100 which is lower than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who don't have the space or money for an espresso machine of the traditional type, but still want to enjoy an authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and takes up little counter space. You only need to press one button to turn on the machine, and then press it again to begin dispensing the chosen pod. There's a light on the button, so you can clearly see the amount of liquid that has been dispersed and you can choose to stop the process at any time if you prefer to drink your pod in smaller doses.
This model doesn't come with a steam wand but you can add some creamy frosting to your milk by using an optional milk frother. The machine is quiet as well and can be utilized in a small area or in a kitchen with flatshare without causing any disturbance to anyone else.
They aren't expensive, but there's an array of blends to choose from that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are available in most supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule with an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm power cord and plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty sheet and a tester 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 kept on a flat surface or slipped under the cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. If you're willing to take the time to learn how to use it this is a fantastic do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than many of the more expensive models available. It's a good value for the money and is especially useful for beginners who don't yet have an espresso machine that can cost up to $100.
This model is priced below the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199), but is still an excellent choice for baristas on a tight budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and it even comes with a built-in burr grinder to make the entire experience more affordable. It is also a single-boiler machine, which means that it can only perform one task at the same time.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made their mark by offering top-quality equipment. This machine is no different and has enough control to let new baristas hone their abilities without spending a lot more than necessary.
The unit has its flaws. One example is that the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit instead of on top--which isn't a huge deal, but it can be annoying if you're trying disperse multiple shots at a time. It's also difficult to determine how much water remains in the tank because of its rear position.
If you're willing to learn how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an excellent, all-purpose appliance for any home espresso lover. The only downside is the cost, which can be a turnoff for certain buyers. For those looking for a less expensive option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost a fraction of the price.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech, smart coffee machine that makes great coffee with a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen provides your kitchen with a stylish design. It comes with one dial that lets you to program the number of cups. There are two settings available: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour over the grounds, which many coffee lovers believe produces the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and then poured over grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee is stored in the double-walled thermal carafe and can be stored for up to 60 min. The pause and pour function lets you remove the carafe in brewing and fill your individual cup. The machine stops brewing and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it, then it resumes and completes brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is certified by SCAA, which sale on coffee machines means it meets the organization's rigorous technical standards. Its brew time is approximately as long as those of the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has greater control over temperature, brewing time, and quality.
In our testing in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made a pot of excellent drip coffee and a full cup in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the 6 minutes that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster calls for, but it is within the time range that experts in the field recommend to make a great cup.
It also requires you to grind your own beans prior to making. You can choose an manual grinder or an automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has multiple grind settings, and a hopper for whole 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 can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and user-friendly interface make it one of the top contenders among best drip coffee makers.