The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. We've put together our top picks, starting with a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them into a semiautomatic which gives you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch achieves the perfect balance between automation and having to know the ropes of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a bean-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those who want to make espresso at home without making big sacrifices in terms of quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was specifically designed for people with limited counter space. machines coffee has a great build quality with a compact 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 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 update to Rocket's original design, which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also comes with a black pressure gauge that indicates when the boiler is ready for use.
The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this machine than other models. You will need to be careful when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially true in the event that you frequently use it. This is a sacrifice that is a result of having a smaller footprint. It's not an issue that is specific to this model.
You can still brew a lot of coffee using this machine, and it will easily keep up with the demands of your customers. We suggest buying a good grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante to improve consistency and taste. You can also use this machine in conjunction with a Rocket portafilter to improve the process of tamping.
As a prosumer espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and it's easy to create the latte art. However, it's worth noting that the machine isn't designed for beginners, and there is some learning curve for those upgrading from appliances. The heat exchange boiler may be a little tricky to control, and you will have to master the ins and outs of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento offer the option of connecting to a water supply which allows you to always have cold, fresh water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter comes with a smaller 2.25-liter tank that is difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you might expect from the Lavazza machine this one has been made with quality in mind. The machine can reach the temperature for brewing quickly, meaning you can make your first cup in just 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill by removing the lid completely to make a wide opening. You can fill it using tap water, depending on what you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the range, but it packs a punch. It's priced 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 don't have the space or money for an espresso machine of the traditional type, but nevertheless want to drink a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is incredibly simple to use and occupies only a tiny amount of counter space. Pressing one button will begin the process. Pressing it again will start dispense the specific pod you've chosen. The button is illuminated so 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 quantities.
This model does not come with a steam wand however, you can add creamy frosting to your milk by using an optional milk frother. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or working space.
The pods aren't inexpensive, but they come in a variety of blends that are suitable for all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in most supermarkets, along with regular ground coffee and coffee beans and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.
The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It comes with a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty document along with a quick guide 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 compact enough to fit under a cupboard or on a flat surface.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is out of the budget of most average consumers. If you're willing and able to learn to use it and make it work, then this is a great home espresso maker. It's far superior to many of the more expensive models. It's an excellent price for the class and is particularly useful for those who aren't experienced enough to own an espresso machine, which can cost up to $100.
The model is priced lower than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is an excellent option for baristas on a tight budget. It comes with a variety 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 is relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has rapidly established a reputation for high-quality appliances. This machine is no different, and it has just enough control to let new baristas develop their abilities without spending a lot more than is necessary.
The unit does not come without its flaws. The hopper is on the side, not on the top, of this model. It's not a huge issue, but it can be a hassle if you need to dispense multiple shots at once. The rear-facing position of the tank makes it difficult to know how much liquid remains.
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 anyone who is a coffee lover at home. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is its price, which may be a hindrance for certain buyers. If you're looking for a lower-cost alternative, read our review of the Gaggia Classic or 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 cost.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine with a user-friendly interface that produces great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED display creates a chic kitchen look. It comes with a single dial that allows you to program the amount of cups. There are two settings available: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. The brewing process is similar to pour-over, which many coffee lovers believe makes the most flavorful coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature before being poured over the grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The coffee is stored in a double-walled carafe, which can be stored for up to 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 stops the brewing process, and displays a 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 standards in terms of technology. Its brew cycles are about the same as the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing time.
In our testing in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed a pot of excellent drip coffee with a full-carafe 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 it falls within the range of time that experts in the field recommend for a great cup of drip.
It is also necessary to grind your beans before brewing. You can choose an manual grinder or a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and it has a hopper that can be used for whole beans.
The only drawback is that the carafe and water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe and could cause hassle for some users. The stainless steel is easy to clean by hand, however. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and user-friendly interface make it one of the top contenders among top drip coffee makers.