The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There is no single-size-fits all coffee machine. That's why we've rounded up our top picks for your home, from a fully automated that grinds and packs your beans to a semiautomatic that gives you the most control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and the need to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've come across.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those who wish to make espresso at home, without making big sacrifices in terms of quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was designed for those who have little counter space. It has a great build quality with a compact footprint. It comes equipped with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group head, so you can steam milk and make espresso at the same time.

The machine looks fantastic as well and features an insert for the side of the machine with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is a fresh update on the classic look of Rocket, which is already pretty impressive for a machine that is so small. It also has a black pressure gauge that indicates 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 those of other machines. 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 natural tradeoff for smaller footprint, however, and not an issue that is unique 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. However, we would recommend investing in a good grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with a Rocket portafilter to help improve the grinding process.

As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and is easy to make Latte art. It is important to remember that this machine was not designed for novices. There is a small learning curve for people who are upgrading from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. The heat exchange boiler can be a bit tricky to operate, and you will have to master the basics 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 always be in a position to drink cold pure, filtered water. The latter comes with smaller 2.25-liter tank that is difficult to refill.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built in coffee machine to Lavazza's highest standards. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, allowing you to prepare 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 reveal a large opening. You can also fill it with tap water if that's what you prefer.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the series, yet it packs a punch. It costs less than PS100 at the full price - that's less 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 money for an espresso machine of the traditional type however still want to experience the authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is simple to use and takes up little counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to start the machine, then again to start dispensing the chosen pod. There's a backlight on the button, so you are able to see clearly how much has been dispensed and you can choose to manually stop the process if you prefer to drink the pod in smaller amounts.

There's no steam wand included on this model, however you can add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you like. The machine is quiet as well and can be used in a small space or in a flatshare kitchen without causing any disturbance to anyone else.

The pods are not expensive, but they are available in a variety of blends that are suitable for anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in many supermarkets, as well as regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. You can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.

The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm power cord and plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet, and a test box of nine Lavazza pods: six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to fit under a cupboard or the floor.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that's beyond the budget of a majority of consumers. If you're willing and able learn how to use it, then this is a fantastic home espresso maker. It's far superior to most of the more expensive models. It's the most affordable in its class, and it's especially suitable for those who do not have an espresso maker yet, which could cost them $100 or more.

This model is a bit in the middle of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) However, it's an excellent option for home baristas on a tight budget. It has a lot of options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It's also a single boiler, which means it can only do brewing or steaming at one time.

Breville is relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has swiftly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no different and has enough control that it can be adjusted to let aspiring baristas burnish their skills without spending hundreds of dollars more than they need to.

The unit has its flaws. One example is that 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 difficult to give multiple shots at once. The rear position of the tank makes it difficult to see how much liquid is left.

If you're willing to put in some time to learn how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is its price which could be a stumbling block for some buyers. For those looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally capable and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you less than the Breville model can do.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech, smart coffee maker that produces great coffee using a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add a sophisticated design to your kitchen. It has one dial that lets you to program the amount of cups. There are two settings available: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing process is similar to pour-over the grounds, which many coffee lovers believe produces the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature and poured over the grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The portable coffee machine brewed is then stored inside the double-walled thermal carafe for upto 60 minutes. The pause and pour function lets you take out the carafe in brewing and fill your individual cup. The machine pauses the brewing process and shows an red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes brewing.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup is certified by SCAA, which means it complies with the organization's rigorous technical standards. The brew cycles are the same as the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing time.

In our tests in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made an excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require but well within the range that experts in the field suggest for a decent cup of drip.

You should also grind your beans before brewing. You can opt for a manual grinder or a more automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has multiple grind settings, and it has a hopper that can be used for whole beans.

The only issue is that the carafe and water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe and could cause issue for certain users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is a leading contender for the top drip uk coffee makers maker because of its sleek design and easy-to use interface.