The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no single-size-fits all coffee maker that is perfect for every. This is why we've compiled our top picks for your home, from a fully automated that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automatizing the process while needing you to be knowledgeable about the art of espresso-making. It's our top pick for a bean-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those who want to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with a limited counter space in mind and combines outstanding build quality with tiny footprint. It comes equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk while making espresso at the same time.
The machine is also beautiful and has a round design on the side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a refreshing update on Rocket's classic aesthetic and is already impressive for a compact machine. It also has an black gauge for boiler pressure to show when the boiler is ready for use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than those of other machines. You will need to be careful when emptying and refilling the machine. This is especially the case if you use it frequently. This is a sacrifice that comes with having less footprint. This is not an issue that is specific to this model.
You can still make a large amount of coffee using this machine, and it is able to easily keep up with your demands. That being said, we would suggest investing in a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair the machine with a Rocket Portafilter to enhance the tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create delicious drinks and it is easy to make Latte arts. It's important to note that this machine is not intended for novices. There is a slight learning curve for those who upgrade from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler can be a bit tricky 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, allowing you to be in a position to drink cold, purified water. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank, which can be 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 can reach the temperature of brewing quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in less than 35 second. The water tank can be easily refilled with ease, since the lid can be removed to create an enormous hole. You can even fill it with tap water if you want.
This is the smallest machine in the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it packs a punch. At its 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 option for those who do not have the space or budget for a traditional espresso machine however, they still want to experience the authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely simple to use and occupies just a little counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to turn on the machine and again to begin dispensing your chosen pod. The button is illuminated to let you know how much you have consumed. You can also stop the process, should you prefer to consume the pod in smaller portions.
There's no steam wand available on this model, however you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you like. The machine is quite quiet also and can be utilized in a small space or in a flatshare kitchen without causing any disturbance to anyone else.
The pods are not inexpensive, but they come in a wide range of blends that will suit anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. You can find them in the majority of supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule that comes with an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm power plug and power cable, a warranty document along with a quick guide and a tester pack comprising nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is compact enough to fit under a cupboard or flat surfaces.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. If you're willing to put in the work to master its use, this is an excellent do-it-all home espresso maker that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models on the market. It's the best value in its class, and is particularly suitable for beginners who do not have an espresso maker yet--which can easily set them back another $100 or more.
This model sits right below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive at $2,199) However, it's a solid choice for baristas at home who are on a tight budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and it even comes with a built-in burr grinder to make the entire experience less expensive. It's also a one-boiler machine, meaning it can only handle one thing at the same time.
Breville, an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has quickly established a reputation for high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception and offers enough adjustable control to allow aspiring baristas to improve their skills without spending more than they should.
It's not without its flaws however. For one, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit, instead of on top. This isn't a huge deal however it can be annoying if you're trying give multiple shots at once. It's also difficult to determine the amount of water left in the tank, because of its position at the rear.
If you're willing some time to learn how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only drawback is the price, which can be a deterrent for certain buyers. For those looking for a less expensive option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally powerful and offer a little more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost less than the Breville model can do.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker with a simple user interface that produces great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen give a sophisticated look to your kitchen. It comes with one dial that allows you to program the number of cups. There are two options: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing method is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee aficionados believe produces the most flavorful coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature, and then evenly poured over the coffee grounds using a shower head. The coffee is stored in a double-walled carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 min. The pause-and pour feature lets you to take the carafe out while making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine pauses the brewing process and displays a red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is certified by SCAA, that means it is in compliance with the organization's rigorous technical standards. Its brew cycles are about the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it allows for more control over temperature and brewing times.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee, with a carafe full 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 coffee experts suggest for a decent cup click here of drip.
It also requires that you grind your own beans before making. You can select either a manual grinder or a more automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has various grind settings, as well as a hopper for whole beans.
The only downside to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a problem for some users. The stainless steel is still easy to clean by hand, though. The OXO 9-Cup is a leading contender for the top drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and easy-to use interface.