The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no universally-fit-all coffee maker. That's why we've rounded up our top picks for your home, from a fully automated that grinds and packs your beans to semi-automatics that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch achieves the perfect balance between automation and having to be able to master the art of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to-cup machine we've seen.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top pick for those looking to make espresso at home without having to make huge sacrifices in terms quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was created for those with limited counter space. It combines excellent 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 your milk and brew coffee at same simultaneously.
The machine looks fantastic and has a round insert on the side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is an update to Rocket's traditional design, which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also includes an black pressure gauge that shows when the boiler is ready for use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than others. It is important to be careful when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a trade-off that results in a smaller footprint. This isn't an issue that is specific to this model.
This machine is capable of handling your coffee demands. However, we would suggest investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with an Rocket portafilter to enhance the tamping process.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make delicious drinks and it is easy to make Latte arts. However, it's important to remember that the machine isn't made for novices and there's a bit of a learning curve for those upgrading from appliances. The heat exchanger is difficult to operate and you'll need to learn how to do cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento provide the option of connecting to a water source, which means you'll always have clean, cold filtering water available for your drinks. The latter comes with a smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be more difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's top standards. The machine reaches the temperature of brewing quickly, so you can make your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and simple to refill by removing the lid completely to reveal a large opening. You can fill it up with tap water if you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the series, yet it packs a punch. At its full price, it costs under PS100 which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great choice for those who don't have the space or funds for an espresso machine of the traditional type however, they nevertheless want to drink a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and takes up little counter space. It's as easy as pressing a single button to activate the machine, and then press it again to start dispensing your chosen pod. There's a backlight on the button, so you are able to see clearly the amount of liquid that has been dispersed and you can also stop the process at any time if you prefer to drink the pod in smaller amounts.
This model does not come with a steam wand however, you can add creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. The machine is quite quiet as well and can be utilized in a small workspace or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing others.
The pods are not expensive, but they are available in a variety of blends that can be used by everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. You can find them in many supermarkets, as well as regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.
The Jolie and Milk is a smart-looking capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It includes a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty sheet and a quick reference, and a tester pack comprising nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasts (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is small enough to be placed under a cupboard or a flat surface.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that's out of the budget of most average consumers. If you're willing to master it, then this is a great home espresso maker. It's far superior to most of the more expensive models. It's a good value for its class and is especially useful for beginners who don't yet have an espresso maker that costs up to $100.
This model is priced below the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) However, it's an excellent choice for baristas who are on a tight budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and comes with a built-in burr grinder to make the entire experience cheaper. It's also a one-boiler machine, meaning it can only handle one thing at a time.
Despite being a relatively newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves through their top-quality machines. This machine is no different, and it has just enough control to let aspiring baristas hone their abilities without spending more than necessary.
The unit does not come without its flaws. One example is that the hopper on this model is placed on the side of the unit, instead of on top. This isn't a huge deal however it can be frustrating if you're trying to give multiple shots at once. The rear-facing position of the tank makes it difficult to see how much liquid is left.
If you're willing to invest some time to learn how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for any espresso lover at home. The only drawback is the price, which could be a deterrent for certain buyers. If you're looking for a low-cost alternative, we suggest the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost less than the price.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart machine for coffee with a simple user interface that produces excellent coffee. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screens gives your kitchen a sophisticated look. It comes with a single dial that allows you to program the amount of cups. There are two options: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. The brewing method is similar to pour over the grounds, which many coffee lovers believe produces the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature before being poured over the grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The coffee that is brewed is collected in the double-walled thermal carafe that can be kept for up to 60 min. The pause-and pour feature lets you to remove the carafe during brewing and then fill your cup. The machine pauses brewing and displays check here a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it. It then resumes and finishes brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is certified by SCAA, which means it meets the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. The brew cycles it uses are the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it allows for more control over temperature and brewing times.
In our tests, the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced an excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe of coffee in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a little more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster calls for, but it is within the range that experts in the field recommend to make a great cup.
It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can use an old-fashioned coffee grinder or choose a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which has various grind settings as well as an hopper that can hold whole beans.
The only drawback to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a problem for some customers. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is an excellent contender for the best drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and easy to use interface.