The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. We've compiled our top choices, ranging from a superautomatic that grinds your beans and packs them to semi-automatic machines that give you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and needing to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've seen.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those who want to make espresso at home without having to make huge sacrifices in terms quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with the smallest counter space in mind and offers top-quality build and the smallest 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 your coffee at the same time.
The machine looks fantastic too, and comes with a round side panel insert with the engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's traditional design, which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also comes with a black boiler pressure gauge to show when the boiler is ready for use.
One disadvantage of this tiny machine is that the drip tray and water reservoir are smaller than those of other machines. It is important to be careful when emptying and refilling the machine. This is particularly true when you are using it often. This is a trade-off that results in less footprint. This isn't an issue that is specific to this model.
You can still make a large amount of coffee with this machine, and it can easily meet your demands. We suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, to improve consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to improve the tamping.
As a prosumer espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and it's easy to make latte art. It's important to know that this machine is not designed for novices. There is a little learning curve for people who are upgrading from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler could be a little tricky to operate and you'll have to master the basics of 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 filtering water available for your drinks. The latter comes with smaller 2.25-liter tank that is more difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. The machine is able to reach the brewing temperature quickly, which means you can make your first cup in just 35 seconds. The water tank can be easily refilled, as the lid can be removed to create a large hole. You can fill it up with tap water, should you wish.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the models, but it is a powerful machine. At its full price, it's priced at PS100 which is lower than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. This makes the Jolie an ideal choice for those who don't have the money or space to buy a traditional espresso maker, but want to get their fix of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely easy to operate and takes up just a little counter space. By pressing a single button, you can start the machine. When you press it again, it will start dispensing the pod you have selected. The button is illuminated so that 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 available on this model, but you can make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or work space.
The pods are not expensive, but they are available in a variety of blends that will suit all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are sold in most supermarkets along with regular ground coffee and coffee beans and you can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule that comes with an integrated milk warmer. It comes with an 75cm power cable, plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty card, as well as a test box of nine Lavazza pods which include six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to fit under a cupboard or on a flat surface.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso maker that's not within the budget of most average consumers. If professional coffee machine you're willing to take the time to learn how to use it, this is an excellent do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than some of the more expensive models on the market. It's an excellent price for the class and is particularly helpful for beginners who don't yet have an espresso machine that costs up to $100.
The model is just below the top of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) However, it's an excellent option for home 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 is also a single-boiler machine, which means it can only handle one thing at the same time.
Breville, an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has rapidly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and has enough adjustable control to allow aspiring baristas to burnish their abilities without spending more than they need to.
The unit does not come without its quirks. One example is that the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit instead of being on top. This isn't really significant, but it can be frustrating if you're trying to dispense multiple shots at once. It's also not very easy to know the amount of water left in the tank due to its rear placement.
If you're willing 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 downside to the Breville Barista Express is its cost which could be a deterrent 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 equally 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 machine for coffee with a simple user interface that makes great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add a stylish appearance to your kitchen. It has one dial that allows you to set the number of cups. There are two settings available: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing process is similar to pour over the grounds, which many coffee lovers believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature and then poured over grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The brewed coffee then collects inside the double-walled thermal carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour function lets you remove the carafe in brewing and fill your own cup. The machine stops the brewing process and shows a red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. The machine then begins the brewing process.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, that means it is in compliance with the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. The brew cycle is longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has more control over temperature, brewing duration and also quality.
In our tests in our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee, with the carafe filled in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster calls for, but it is within the time range that coffee experts recommend to make a good cup.
You must also grind your own beans prior to making. You can use a manual coffee grinder, or go for a more automated model like the Baratza Encore, which has multiple grind settings and the hopper can hold entire beans.
The only issue is that the carafe and water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe and could cause issue for certain users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and user-friendly interface make it an undisputed contender among the top drip coffee makers.