The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. This is why we've compiled our favorite picks for your home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans to a semiautomatic that gives you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automatizing the process while making you knowledgeable about the art of making espresso. It's our top choice for a coffee-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those looking to make espresso at their home without having to compromise on quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was created for those with little counter space. It has a great build quality with a compact footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head so you can steam milk and make espresso simultaneously.
The machine looks stunning too, and comes with an elongated side panel with the engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is an update to Rocket's classic design, which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also has the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to show when the boiler is ready to use.
One drawback of this compact machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than those of other machines. It is important be cautious when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a normal trade-off for having a smaller footprint, though this is not a problem specific to this model.
This machine can easily handle your coffee demands. However, we would recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante, to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with the Rocket portafilter to enhance the grinding process.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, makes some great drinks and it is easy to create Latte Arts. It's important to note that the machine isn't designed for novices and has a bit of a learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchanger is tricky to handle, and you'll need to learn how to perform cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to an water source, allowing you to be able to drink cold, filter-filtered water. The latter model has smaller 2.25-liter tank that is harder to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from a Lavazza machine, this one is made with quality in mind. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, which allows you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is also fast and easy to refill, with the lid detaching completely to reveal a large opening. You can fill it with tap water if you like.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the models, but it packs a punch. It costs less than PS100 at full price which is less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who don't have the space or budget for an espresso machine of the traditional type however, they still want to experience the authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and requires little counter space. You just need to press one button to turn on the machine, then again to start dispensing your chosen brew. The button is illuminated to let you know how much you have consumed. You can also manually stop the process, should you prefer to consume the pod in smaller quantities.
There's no steam wand available on this model, however you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth, if you'd like. The machine is also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or working space.
They aren't cheap, but there is a variety of blends to choose from that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are available in many supermarkets, as well as regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.
The Jolie and Milk is a smart-looking capsule machine that includes a 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 comprising nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine itself is small enough to be kept on the floor or placed under your cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing to master it and make it work, then this is a great home espresso maker. It performs better than many of the more expensive models. It's the most affordable in its class, and is especially good for novices who don't have an espresso machine yet. This could easily cost them another $100 or more.
This model sits right below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive at $2,199) however, it's a solid choice for baristas at home on a budget. It has a lot of customizable features and even an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a one-boiler machine, meaning it can only perform one task at the same time.
Although it is a relatively coffee machines for sale newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made an impact with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no different, and it offers just enough control that it can be adjusted to let aspiring baristas improve their skills without spending hundreds of dollars more than they need to.
It's not without its quirks however. The hopper is on the side, not on the top of the model. It's not a major issue, but it can be a problem if you wish to disperse several shots at a time. It's also difficult to see how much water is left in the tank due to its rear placement.
If you're willing time learning to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent choice for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only downside is the cost, which can be a nagging issue for certain buyers. If you're seeking a cheaper option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are similarly capable and offer a little more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you a fraction of what this Breville model does.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart machine for coffee with a user-friendly interface that produces excellent coffee. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED display creates a chic kitchen look. It comes with only one dial to program the amount of cups you want 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, which most coffee enthusiasts believe produces the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The coffee is stored in the double-walled thermal carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 min. Its pause and pour feature lets you take out the carafe in brewing and fill your individual cup. The machine pauses the brewing process and displays the red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. The machine then begins the brewing process.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker is SCAA certified, which means that it complies with the strict technical standards. Its brew cycles are about the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it allows for more control over temperature and brewing time.
In our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee, with a carafe full in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but still 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 use a manual coffee grinder, or choose a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and a hopper that holds whole beans.
The only downside is that the carafe as well as the water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe and could cause issue for certain users. The stainless steel is easy to clean by hand, though. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and easy-to-use interface make it one of the top contenders among best drip coffee makers.