The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all espresso 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 most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process and making you proficient in the art of making espresso. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've come across.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top pick for those who wish to make espresso at home without having to make huge sacrifices in terms quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was designed for those with limited counter space. It 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 time.
The machine looks fantastic and has a circular design on the side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a modernization of Rocket's classic design that is already impressive for a small appliance. It also includes a black pressure gauge that indicates when the boiler is ready to use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than most others. You will need be extra cautious when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a cost that results in a smaller footprint. This isn't an issue that is specific to this model.
This machine is able to handle the demands of your coffee. We recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gante, to improve consistency and taste. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to increase the tamping.
As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and it's simple to create latte art. It's important to know that this machine was not designed for beginners. There is a slight learning curve for people who are upgrading from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchanger can be difficult to work with, and you'll need to master the art 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 always be able to drink cold, purified water. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank, which can be more difficult to fill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, which allows you to prepare your first cup of coffee in less than 35 minutes. The water tank is also quick and simple to refill and the lid can be removed completely to create a large opening. You can fill it with tap water if you want.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the series, yet it packs a punch. At its full price, it's priced at PS100 - which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those without the budget or space for a traditional espresso maker, but who want to get their fix of real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and requires small counter space. Pressing a single button will activate the machine. After pressing it again, it will begin dispensing the specific pod you've chosen. There's a backlight on the button to ensure that you can easily see the amount of liquid that has been dispersed and you can also manually stop the process in case you prefer drinking your drink in smaller portions.
The model isn't equipped with a steam wand, however, you can add creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. The machine is also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen working space.
The pods are not inexpensive, but they come in a range of blends that will suit all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are sold in most supermarkets along with regular ground coffee and coffee beans and you can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer and frother. It comes with an 75cm power cable, plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty sheet and a tester box containing nine Lavazza pods which include six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine itself is small enough to be kept on an even surface or placed under the cupboard.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. If you're willing and able learn to use it this is a great home espresso maker. It's far superior to most of the more expensive models. It's a great value for its class and is particularly useful for those who are new to the field and don't have an espresso maker that can cost up to $100.
This model is priced less than the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is an excellent choice for baristas on a tight budget. It comes with a variety of options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine that means it can only do steaming or brewing at one time.
Although it is a relatively newcomer to the market for espresso machines, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves through their top-quality machines. This machine is no exception and has enough control to let new baristas improve their skills without spending hundreds more than necessary.
There are some quirks however. One example is that the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit, instead of on top. This isn't an issue, but it can be difficult to disperse multiple shots at a time. It's also difficult to know how much water is left in the tank, due to its rear placement.
If you're willing some time in learning how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for any coffee lover at home. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is the price which could be a deterrent for some buyers. For those looking for a lower-cost option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost a fraction of the price.
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 provides your kitchen with a stylish design. It comes with only one dial to program the amount of cups you want to make. It comes with two cup settings as well as a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe produces the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the right temperature, then poured evenly over the coffee grounds using a shower head. The coffee is then brewed in the double-walled, thermal get more info carafe for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and pour feature lets you remove the carafe while making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine pauses the brewing process and shows an red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes the brewing process.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker has been SCAA certified, which means it complies with the strict technical standards. Its brew time is approximately longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides greater control over temperature, brewing time and quality.
In our testing we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced an excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. It's slightly longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but it falls within the range that coffee experts recommend for a good cup of drip.
It also requires you to grind your own beans before making. You can use an old-fashioned coffee grinder or choose a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which has various grind settings as well as an hopper that can hold whole beans.
The only drawback to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a concern for some customers. The stainless steel is still easy to clean by hand, but. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and user-friendly interface make it one of the top contenders among top drip coffee makers.