Genia Rusconi

The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There is no single-size-fits all coffee maker. We've compiled our top picks, from a superautomatic that grinds your beans and packs them to semiautomatics that give you the most control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and having to be able to master the art of espresso-making. It's our top pick for a bean-to-cup machine.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those who are looking to make espresso at home without losing quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with the smallest counter space in mind and is built to last with a high-end build quality and the smallest 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 at the same time.

The machine also looks great and has a round design on the side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is an update to Rocket's original design, which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also includes a black boiler pressure gauge to indicate when the boiler is ready for use.

One drawback of this compact machine is that the drip tray and water reservoir are smaller than the majority of machines. This means you'll have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you use it often. This is a natural trade-off for less footprint, however, and not an issue specific to this model.

This machine is capable of handling the demands of your coffee. However, we would recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair the machine with an Rocket Portafilter to enhance tamping.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make delicious drinks and it is easy to make latte arts. It's important to know that this machine is not designed for beginners. There is a small learning curve for those who upgrade from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a little tricky to control and you'll need 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 pure, filter-filtered water. The latter, however, comes with a 2.25-liter water tank, which is more difficult to refill 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 just 35 minutes. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill by removing the lid completely to make a wide opening. You can fill it with tap water if you want.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the models, but it packs a punch. It's priced less than PS100 at retail which is less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great option for those who do not have the space or money for traditional espresso machines however, they still want to experience an authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very little counter space. Pressing a single button will begin the process. When you press it again, it will begin dispensing the pod you've selected. There's a backlight on the button to ensure that you are able to see clearly how much has been dispensed, and you can manually stop the process should you prefer to drink your pod in smaller doses.

The model isn't equipped with a steam wand, but you can add some creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen working space.

The pods aren't expensive, but they are available in a variety of blends that are suitable for all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are readily available in many supermarkets alongside regular coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.

The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule that comes with an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm power cable and plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty sheet and a tester box of nine Lavazza pods: six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine itself is small enough to be able to be stowed on an even surface or placed under the cabinet.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. If you're willing and able learn how to use it, then this is a fantastic home espresso maker. It's far superior to most of the more expensive models. It's the most affordable in its class, and it's especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso grinder yet--which can easily cost them $100 or more.

The model is just in the middle of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive, costing $2,199) However, it's an excellent choice for baristas at home on a budget. It comes with a variety of customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means it can only do brewing or steaming at one time.

Although it is a relatively newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves through their top-quality machines. This machine isn't an exception, and it offers just enough adjustable control to let baristas who are aspiring improve their abilities without spending more than they should.

It's not without its quirks however. One example is that the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit instead of on top--which isn't an issue however it can be a little frustrating if you're trying to give multiple shots at once. It's also not very easy to know how much water remains in the tank, due to its rear placement.

If you're willing to spend some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an excellent, all-purpose appliance for anyone who is a coffee lover at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is its cost which could be a deterrent for certain buyers. If you're looking for a low-cost alternative, we suggest the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities 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 maker that makes excellent coffee machine offers with a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED screen creates a chic kitchen appearance. It has 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 process is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee enthusiasts believe makes the Best Coffee Machine-tasting coffee. The water is heated to the right temperature, then evenly poured over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The coffee maker price is then brewed in the double-walled, thermal carafe for upto 60 minutes. The pause-and pour feature lets you to remove the carafe during brewing and then fill your cup. The machine stops the brewing process, and displays an red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes brewing.

The OXO 9-Cup coffee machine commercial maker is SCAA certified, which means that it meets the strict standards in terms of technology. Its brew cycle is about the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has more control over temperature, brewing time and quality.

In our tests in our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee with a carafe full in just 7 minutes 41 seconds. It's slightly longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but still within the range coffee experts recommend for a great cup of drip.

It is also necessary to grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can use a manual coffee grinder or opt for a more automatic model, such as the Baratza Encore, which has various grind settings as well as a hopper that holds whole beans.

The only downside to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could pose a problem for some customers. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and easy-to-use interface make it a top contender among the best coffee machine uk drip coffee makers.