The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no single-size-fits all coffee machine. We've rounded up our top picks for your home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans to semi-automatics that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automatizing the process and needing you to be proficient in the art of making espresso. It's the most efficient bean-to-cup machine we've seen.
1. 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 prosumer espresso machine is designed with the smallest counter space in mind. It combines outstanding build quality with tiny footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8 liter copper heat-exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Heads so that you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same simultaneously.
The machine looks great too, and comes with a round side panel insert with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's traditional design that is already impressive for a small appliance. It also includes a black boiler pressure gauge to let you know 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 the majority of machines. This means you'll have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you use it often. This is a trade-off that is a result of having a smaller footprint. It's not a problem specific to this model.
You can still make a large amount of coffee with this machine, and it is able to easily meet the demands of your customers. That being said, we would recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair the machine with an Rocket Portafilter to increase tamping.
As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and is easy to make Latte art. It's important to know that this machine isn't intended for novices. There is a little learning curve for people who are upgrading from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit difficult to manage and you'll need to learn the ins and outs 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 able to drink cold, purified water. The latter, however, comes with a 2.25-liter water tank that is more difficult to refill than some of its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. The machine reaches the brewing temperature quickly, which means you can make your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and simple to refill and the lid can be removed completely to reveal a large opening. You can fill it using tap water, should you wish.
This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range, but it still 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 choice for those who don't have the space or funds for traditional espresso machines however, they still want to experience a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is simple to use and requires 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 also manually stop the process if you prefer to drink your drink in smaller portions.
There's no steam wand on this model, however you can add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you like. The machine is very quiet as well and can be used in a small workspace or in a flatshare kitchen without causing any disturbance to anyone else.
The pods are not expensive, but they are available in a wide range of blends that will suit anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in the majority of supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.
The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and frother. It comes with a 75cm power cord and plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet, and a test box that contains nine Lavazza pods: six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be placed under a cupboard or flat surfaces.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso maker that's beyond the budget of a majority of consumers. If you're willing and able to learn to use it and make it work, then this is a great at-home espresso maker. It's more efficient than most of the more expensive models. It's an excellent value for the money and is particularly helpful for those who are new to the field and don't have an espresso maker, which can cost up to $100.
The model is just in the middle of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199), but it's still an excellent choice for home baristas on a tight budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and it even has a built-in burr grinder that makes the entire experience cheaper. It's also a sale coffee maker one-boiler machine, which means it can only handle one thing at the same time.
Breville is a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has rapidly established a reputation for high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception and offers enough control that it can be adjusted to let aspiring baristas develop their abilities without spending more than they have to.
The unit has its quirks. For instance, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit instead of on top--which isn't significant, but it can be a little annoying if you're trying disperse multiple shots at a time. It's also not very easy to know how much water is left in the tank, because of its position at the rear.
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 is a coffee lover at home. The only drawback is the price, which could be a nagging issue for some buyers. If you're looking for an affordable alternative, we suggest the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost a fraction of the price.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker with a simple user interface that makes great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display creates a chic kitchen appearance. It has one dial to set the amount of cups you want it to make. It also comes with a 2-4 cup setting as well as a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing method is similar to pour-over that many coffee enthusiasts believe produces the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature before being poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The brewed coffee then collects in the double-walled, thermal carafe for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour feature allows you to remove the carafe during brewing and fill your cup. The machine stops the brewing process, and displays an red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. It then resumes the brewing process.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is certified by SCAA, that means it is in compliance with the organization's rigorous technical standards. The brew cycle is longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers greater control over temperature, brewing duration, and quality.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee with an entire carafe in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a little more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster calls for, but it is within the time range that experts in the field recommend for making a quality cup.
It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can use an old-fashioned coffee grinder or go for a more automated model like the Baratza Encore, which has multiple grind settings and an hopper that can hold whole beans.
The only drawback to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a concern for some customers. The stainless steel is still easy to clean by hand, however. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and user-friendly interface make it one of the top contenders among top drip coffee makers.