The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. We've put together our top choices, ranging from a superautomatic that grinds your beans and packs them to a semiautomatic which gives you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch achieves the perfect balance between automation and the need to know the ropes of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've found.
- Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those who want to make espresso at home without making huge sacrifices in terms quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with the smallest counter space in mind. It combines outstanding build quality with a very small footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8 Liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head, so you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same simultaneously.
The machine looks stunning as well, and has an insert for the side of the machine with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a fresh update on Rocket's classic aesthetic and is already impressive for a machine that is so small. It also includes the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to show when the boiler is ready to use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than most other machines. You'll need be 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 comes with having smaller footprint. It's not something that is unique 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. We would suggest investing in a good grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante, to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with a Rocket portafilter to enhance the tamping process.
As a prosumer espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and is easy to make Latte art. It's important to note that the machine isn't designed for beginners, and there is a bit of a learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchange boiler could be a bit tricky to operate and you'll have to master the ins and outs 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 able to drink cold, purified water. The latter model has a smaller 2.25-liter tank that is harder to refill.
- Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from the Lavazza machine, this one is designed with quality in mind. The machine is able to reach the temperature for brewing quickly, meaning you can make your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is fast and easy to refill, with the lid detaching completely to make a wide opening. You can also fill it up with tap water if you want.
This is the smallest machine in the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it has a lot of punch. It costs less than PS100 at retail - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great choice for those who don't have the space or budget for a traditional espresso machine however, they nevertheless want to drink a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and takes up little counter space. Pressing a single button will start the machine. Pressing it again will start dispensing the pod you've selected. The button is illuminated so that you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also manually stop the process, should you prefer to consume the pod in smaller amounts.
There's no steam wand included on this model, but 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 used in a small workspace or in a flatshare kitchen without causing any disturbance to anyone else.
They're not inexpensive, but there's a wide 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 buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It comes with a 75cm power cable and plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty sheet, and a test box that contains nine Lavazza pods: six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be stored on an even surface or placed under the cabinet.
- Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. If you're willing and able to master it this is a great at-home espresso maker. It's more efficient than many of the more expensive models. It's the best value in its class, and is especially suitable for those who do not have an espresso maker yet, which could cost them another $100 or more.
The model is just in the middle of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive, costing $2,199) however, it's an excellent choice for home baristas on a tight budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and comes with a built-in burr grinder, making the entire experience more affordable. It's also a single boiler, which means that it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.
Although it is a relatively newcomer to the market for espresso machines, Breville has quickly made an impact through their top-quality machines. This machine is no different, and it offers just enough control that it can be adjusted to allow aspiring baristas to develop their skills without spending hundreds of dollars more than they have to.
The unit has its flaws. For instance, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit instead of on top--which isn't an issue, but it can be annoying if you're trying disperse multiple shots at a time. It's also difficult to know how much water is left in the tank, because of its rear position.
If you're willing to invest some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's a great, do-it-all appliance for any home espresso lover. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is the price which could be a stumbling block for some buyers. If you're looking for an affordable option, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines have similar capabilities and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost a fraction of the price.
- OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine with a user-friendly interface that makes great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display gives your kitchen a sophisticated look. It comes with one dial that lets you to program the amount of cups. There are two options: 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 to the right temperature, then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds with a shower head. The coffee is stored in the double-walled thermal carafe and can be stored for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and pour feature lets you to take the carafe out while brewing and then fill your cup. 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 that it complies with the strict standards in terms of technology. Its brew time is approximately the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides greater control over temperature, brewing time and quality.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee that filled a carafe full in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster calls for, but it is within the range that coffee experts suggest for making a quality cup.
You must also grind your beans before brewing. 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 to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a problem for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek style and easy-to-use interface make it one of the top contenders among best drip coffee makers.