The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. We've put together our top choices, ranging from an automatic that grinds your beans and packs them to semi-automatic machines that give you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process while making you proficient in the art of making espresso. It's our top pick for a bean-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those who wish to make espresso at home without having to make huge sacrifices in terms quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was created for those who have limited counter space. It is built to last and has excellent quality and a small footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk and brew espresso simultaneously.
The machine looks great as well, and has an elongated side panel with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic look of Rocket that is already impressive for a machine that is so small. It also includes a black pressure gauge that shows when the boiler is ready for use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and water reservoir are smaller than the majority of machines. It is important 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 natural trade-off to have a smaller footprint, though this is not a problem particular to this model.
This machine is able to handle the demands of your coffee. We suggest investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, to increase consistency and flavor. You can also pair the machine with a Rocket Portafilter to enhance the tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make excellent drinks and is simple to make Latte Arts. It's important to note that this machine was not intended for novices. There is a slight learning curve for those upgrading from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. The heat exchanger can be tricky to handle, 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 supply which allows you to always have cold, fresh water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter, however, comes with a 2.25-liter water tank, which is more difficult to refill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is quick and easy to fill by removing the lid completely to make a wide opening. It can be filled with tap water, should you wish.
This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it has a lot of punch. It costs less than PS100 at the full price and is much less expensive than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great option for those who don't have the space or budget for an espresso machine of the traditional type, but nevertheless want to drink an authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is incredibly simple to use and occupies just a little counter space. Pressing a single button will activate the machine. Pressing it again will start dispensing the pod you have selected. The button is illuminated so that you can see how much you have consumed. You can also manually stop the process in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller amounts.
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 workspace.
They aren't cheap, but there is a variety of blends to satisfy everyone from mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. 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 on the internet.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule that has an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm power plug and power cable, a warranty card, a quick guide, and a test pack of 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
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. If you're willing and able to master 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 value for the money and is especially useful for those who aren't experienced enough to have an espresso maker that costs up to $100.
This model sits right below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) However, it's an excellent choice for baristas at home on a budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and comes with a built-in burr grinder to make the whole experience much more affordable. It is also a single-boiler machine, which means it can only do one thing at a time.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the market for espresso machines, Breville has quickly made an impact with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception and it comes with enough control to let aspiring baristas develop their abilities without spending more than is necessary.
There are some quirks however. The hopper is situated on the side, not on the top, of this model. It's not a big deal, but can be a problem if you wish to disperse several shots at a time. It's also difficult to know how much water remains in the tank, because of its position at the rear.
If cream coffee machines to invest some time to learn how to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for any espresso lover at home. The only downside is the price, which can be a nagging issue for certain buyers. If you're looking for a lower-cost alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability 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 coffee machine with a simple user interface that produces excellent coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen give a sophisticated appearance to your kitchen. It comes with one dial to set how many cups you want to make. It comes with two cup settings and a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing process is similar to pour-over, which most coffee lovers believe makes the best-tasting coffee. The water is heated up to the perfect temperature and then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds with a shower head. The coffee that is brewed is collected in the double-walled thermal carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 min. The pause and pour feature allows you to remove the carafe in brewing and fill your own cup. The machine pauses the brewing process, and displays a 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, meaning it meets the strict standards in terms of technology. Its brew time is approximately as long as those of the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has more control over temperature, brewing time, and quality.
In our testing we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed a pot of excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe of coffee in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a little more than the 6 minutes that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the range that coffee experts suggest to make a good cup.
You should also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can opt for either a manual grinder or an 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 issue with 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 Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and easy-to-use interface make it one of the top contenders among top drip coffee makers.