The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. This is why we've compiled our top picks for the home, ranging from a super-automatic 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 automating the process and needing you to be proficient in the art of espresso-making. It's our top pick for a bean-to-cup machine.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those who wish to make espresso at home without having to make huge sacrifices in terms quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was specifically designed for people who have small counter space. It has a great build quality and a small footprint. It is equipped with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk while making espresso simultaneously.

The machine also looks great and features a round panel on the side with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic look of Rocket that is already impressive for a compact machine. It also includes an black pressure gauge that shows when the boiler is ready to use.

The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this machine than most other models. You'll need to be careful when emptying and refilling the machine. This is particularly true in the event that you frequently use it. This is a sacrifice that comes with having less footprint. This is not a problem specific to this model.

This machine is capable of handling your coffee machine professional demands. We would suggest investing in a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to improve the tamping.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, makes excellent drinks and is easy to create Latte arts. It's important to note that the machine was not designed for beginners and there's some learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchange boiler could be a bit difficult to manage and you'll need to master the basics of cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to a water source, allowing you to be in a position to drink cold pure, filtered water. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank that could be more difficult to fill than its competitors.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

As you would expect from a Lavazza machine, this one is designed with quality in mind. 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 also quick and simple to refill, with the lid detaching completely to make a wide opening. You can fill it up with tap water if you prefer.

This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still is a powerful machine. At full price, it costs under PS100 which is lower than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who do not have the space or funds for an espresso machine of the traditional type however, they nevertheless want to drink an authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is simple to use and takes up little counter space. Pressing a single button will begin the process. After pressing it again, it will begin dispensing the pod you have selected. The button is illuminated so you can see how much you have consumed. You can also stop the process should you prefer to consume the pod in smaller quantities.

There's no steam wand included on this model, however you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is quiet also and can be used in a small workspace or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing anyone else.

The pods are not cheap, but they come in a variety of blends that are suitable for anyone from the mildest 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 smart-looking capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cord and plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet, and a test box containing nine Lavazza pods which include six roasts (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 on a flat surface.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. But if you're willing to invest the time to learn how to use it this is a fantastic espresso maker for home use that performs better than some of the more expensive models on the market. It's among the best priced in its class, and it's especially good for novices who do not have an espresso maker yet, which could set them back another $100 or more.

This model is priced less than the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) However, it's an excellent option for baristas working on a tight budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and includes an integrated burr grinder, making the whole experience much cheaper. It's also a single boiler machine, which means that it can only perform one task at the same time.

Despite being a relatively newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made an impact with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and has enough control that it can be adjusted to let aspiring baristas improve their skills without spending more than they have to.

The unit is not without its flaws. For instance, the hopper in this model is located on the side prices of coffee machines the unit, instead of being on top. This isn't really significant however it can be a little 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.

If you're willing to learn how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's a great, do-it-all appliance for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only issue with the Breville Barista Express is its cost which could be a stumbling block for certain buyers. For those seeking a cheaper alternative, read our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally capable and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you a fraction of what this Breville model can do.

4. OXO Brew 9 Cup

A high-tech smart coffee machine cheap machine with a simple user interface that makes great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen give a stylish look to your kitchen. It comes with one dial that lets you to program the amount of cups. There are two settings available: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. The brewing method is similar to pour over that many coffee enthusiasts believe is the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the ideal temperature, and then poured evenly over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The coffee that is brewed is collected in the double-walled thermal carafe that can be kept for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and pour feature lets you remove the carafe while brewing and then fill your cup. The machine stops brewing and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it, then resumes and finishes brewing.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is an SCAA-certified coffee maker which means it meets the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. Its brew cycle is about as long as those of the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has more control over temperature, brewing duration, and quality.

In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced an excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe of coffee 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 still within the range coffee experts recommend for a good cup of drip.

It also requires that you grind your own beans before making. You can make use of a manual coffee grinder, or go for a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which has multiple grind settings and a hopper that holds whole beans.

The only drawback is that the carafe and the water reservoirs aren't dishwasher safe this could be a problem for certain users. The stainless steel is easy to clean by hand, but. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and easy-to-use interface make it an undisputed contender among the top drip coffee makers.