The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no universally-fit-all coffee maker. We've put together our top picks, from an automatic 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 a perfect balance between automating the process and requiring you to be knowledgeable about the art of making espresso. It's the most efficient bean-to-cup machine we've seen.
- Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those who wish to make espresso at home without having to make big sacrifices in terms of quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was specifically designed for people who have limited counter space. It combines excellent build quality with a compact footprint. It comes equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk and brew espresso at the same time.
The machine looks fantastic and features a round panel on the side with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a new take on the classic look of Rocket and is already impressive for a small machine. It also includes a black pressure gauge that will let you know when the boiler is ready to use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this model than others. This means that you will need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you are using it regularly. This is a trade-off that is a result of having a smaller footprint. This is not an issue that is specific to this model.
This machine can easily handle the demands of your coffee. We recommend investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gante, to improve consistency and taste. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to increase the tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make delicious drinks and it is easy to make Latte arts. It's important to know that this machine isn't 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 bit tricky to manage and you'll have to master the basics of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento offer the option of connecting to a water supply which means you'll always have fresh, cold water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter has a smaller 2.25-liter tank that is more difficult to refill.
- Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. The machine reaches the temperature for brewing quickly, coffeee.Uk so you can prepare your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill by removing the lid completely to create a large opening. You can even fill it up with tap water if you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the models, but it packs a punch. It's priced at less than PS100 at the 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 do not have the space or budget for traditional espresso machines, but still want to experience an authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is incredibly simple to operate and takes up very little counter space. Pressing one button will begin the process. After pressing it again, it will start dispensing the pod you've selected. The button has a backlight so that you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also 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 want. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen work space.
They're not cheap, but there is a variety of blends to satisfy everyone from mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. 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 that has an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cord and plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty sheet and a tester 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 compact enough to fit under a cupboard or on a flat surface.
- Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. If you're willing to learn how to use it, then this is a great home espresso maker. It's far superior to many of the more expensive models. It's the best value in its class, and is particularly suitable for beginners who do not have an espresso maker yet. This could easily cost them another $100 or more.
This model is priced below the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199), but is still a good choice for baristas on a budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and it even includes an integrated burr grinder, making the entire experience cheaper. It is also a single-boiler machine, meaning 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 a name for themselves by offering top-quality equipment. This machine is no different and has enough control to let aspiring baristas develop their skills without spending hundreds more than they need to.
It's not without its quirks, though. One example is that the hopper on this model is placed on the side of the unit, instead of on top. This isn't significant however it can be difficult to disperse multiple shots at a time. It's also not very easy to determine the amount of water left in the tank because of its position at the rear.
But if you're prepared to invest some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an ideal, all-purpose machine for any home espresso lover. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express 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 are similarly capable and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you a fraction of what this Breville model does.
- OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine that makes great coffee with a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display add a stylish look to your kitchen. It comes with a single dial that allows you to set the number of cups. There are two settings: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing method is similar to pour-over, which many coffee enthusiasts believe makes the best-tasting coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The brewed coffee then collects in the thermal, double-walled carafe for upto 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour function lets you to take the carafe out while making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine pauses the brewing process, and displays an red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. The machine then begins brewing.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker is SCAA certified, which means that it meets the organization’s strict technical standards. The brew cycles it uses are the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing time.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed a pot of excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. That's a little longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but still within the range of time that coffee experts recommend for a good cup of drip.
You should also grind your beans before brewing. You can choose an manual grinder or a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore. It has multiple grind settings, and it has a hopper that can be used for whole beans.
The only downside to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a problem for some users. The stainless steel is easily cleaned by hand, however. The OXO 9-Cup is a top contender for the top drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and easy-to use interface.