The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no single-size-fits all coffee maker. premium coffee machine 've rounded up our top picks for the home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatics that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automating the process and requiring you to be knowledgeable about the art of making espresso. This is our top choice for a coffee-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those who want to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This espresso machine for prosumers is designed with limited counter space in mind. It combines outstanding build quality with tiny 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 at the same time.
The machine looks great too, and comes with an insert for the side of the machine with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is an update to Rocket's original design which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also includes a black pressure gauge that indicates when the boiler is ready to use.
The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this machine than most other models. This means that you will have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you are using it regularly. This is a natural tradeoff to have a smaller footprint, though it is not a problem that is unique to this model.
This machine is able to handle your coffee needs. That being said, we would recommend investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with the Rocket portafilter to enhance the grinding process.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, makes delicious drinks and it is simple to make Latte arts. However, it's worth noting that the machine was not designed for novices, and there is a bit of a learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger can be difficult to work with and you'll have to learn how to perform 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, filter-filtered 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 top standards. The machine is able to reach the temperature of brewing quickly, meaning you can prepare your first cup in less than 35 second. The water tank is also fast and easy to refill and the lid can be removed completely to make a wide opening. You can fill it with tap water if that's what you prefer.
This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still is a powerful machine. At full cost, it's less than PS100 which is lower than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great choice for those who do not have the space or budget for an espresso machine of the traditional type however nevertheless want to drink the authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and requires small counter space. Pressing one button will activate the machine. Pressing it again will start dispensing the pod you have selected. The button has a backlight so that you can see how much you have consumed. You can also stop the process, in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller quantities.
This model does not come with a steam wand, but you can add some creamy frosting to your milk by using an optional milk frother. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen workspace.
The pods are not inexpensive, but they come in a range of blends that can be used by anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. 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 online.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer. It includes a 75cm 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 small enough to be placed under a cabinet or on flat surfaces.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing and able learn how to use it and make it work, then this is a fantastic home espresso maker. It's more efficient than most of the more expensive models. It's the best value in its class, and is especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso machine yet, which could set them back another $100 or more.
The model is just below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive, costing $2,199) however, it's a solid choice for baristas at home on a budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and includes an integrated burr grinder that makes the entire experience cheaper. It's also a single boiler that means it can only do brewing or steaming at one time.
Breville, an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has swiftly established a reputation for high-quality appliances. This machine is no different, and it offers just enough adjustable control to let aspiring baristas burnish their skills without spending hundreds of dollars more than they have to.
The unit is not without its flaws. The hopper is located on the side, not the top, of this model. It's not a major issue, but it can be a hassle if you need to dispense multiple shots at once. The rear-facing position of the tank makes it difficult to see the amount of liquid left.
But if you're prepared to invest some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an ideal, all-purpose machine for anyone who is a coffee lover at home. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is its cost, which may 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 are similar in capability and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost a fraction of the price.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech, intelligent coffee machine that makes great coffee with a simple user interface. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED display creates a chic kitchen look. It comes with one dial to set the amount of cups you want to make. It comes with the 2-4 cup setting as well as a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee lovers believe makes the best-tasting coffee. The water is heated to a perfect temperature and then poured over grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The brewed coffee then collects in the double-walled, thermal carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. Its pause and pour feature lets you take out the carafe in brewing and fill your individual cup. The machine pauses the brewing process, and displays the red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. The machine then begins the brewing process.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker comes SCAA certified, which means it meets the organization’s strict standards for technical quality. The brew cycle is longer than the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers more control over temperature, brewing time and quality.
In our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee with an entire carafe in just 7 minutes 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the range of time that experts in the field recommend to make a great cup.
It is also necessary to grind your own beans prior to making. You can choose a manual grinder or an automated model such as the Baratza Encore. It has multiple grind settings, and an hopper for beans that are whole.
The only issue with this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a problem for some customers. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is an excellent contender for the best drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and simple to use interface.