Thurman Prosser

The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no universally-fit-all coffee maker that is perfect for every. We've put together our top choices, ranging from an automatic coffee machine that grinds your beans and packs them to a semiautomatic which gives you the best control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process while needing you to be familiar with the art of making espresso. It's the best bean-to-cup machine we've seen.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those looking to make espresso at home, without making big sacrifices in terms of quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was designed for those with small counter space. It is built to last and has excellent quality and a small footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk and make espresso at the same time.

The machine looks great too, and comes with a round side panel insert with the engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's traditional design that is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also has the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to show when the boiler is ready for use.

One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and water reservoir are smaller than the majority of machines. This means that you will be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you are using it regularly. This is a cost that results in a smaller footprint. This is not an issue that is specific to this model.

This machine can easily handle your coffee needs. However, we would recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with a Rocket portafilter to improve the process of tamping.

As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and it's simple to make the latte art. However, it's important to remember that the machine was not designed for novices, and there is an enlightening curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger can be difficult to operate and you'll need to learn how to perform cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento provide the option of connecting to a water supply which means you'll always have fresh coffee maker, cold water that has been filtered for your drinks. 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 can reach the temperature for brewing quickly, so you can make your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is fast and easy to refill and the lid can be removed completely to make a wide opening. You can also fill it up with tap water if you prefer.

This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range, but it still packs a punch. It's priced at less than PS100 at full price - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who don't have the space or budget for a traditional espresso machine however still want to enjoy a real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is extremely easy to use and occupies just a little counter space. By pressing a single button, you can begin the process. After pressing it again, it 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 stop the process if you want to drink the pod in smaller amounts.

This model doesn't come with a steam wand, but you can add some creamy frosting to your milk by using an optional milk frother. The machine is quite quiet, too, and can be used in a small workspace or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing anyone else.

They're not cheap, but there is a wide variety of blends to choose from to satisfy everyone from mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are sold in most 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 smart coffee machine-looking capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It comes with a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty card and a quick reference, and a tester pack comprising nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasts (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine itself is small enough to be kept on a flat surface or slipped under the cupboard.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing and able to master it this is a great at-home espresso maker. It performs better than many of the more expensive models. It's among the best priced in its class, and is especially good for novices who don't have an espresso grinder yet--which can easily cost them another $100 or more.

This model is priced below the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is an excellent choice for baristas working on a tight budget. It has a lot of options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler, which means it can only do steaming or brewing at one time.

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

The unit does not come without its quirks. One example is that the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit, instead of being on top. This isn't really a huge deal however it can be a little annoying if you're trying dispense multiple shots at once. The rear position of the tank makes it difficult to see how much liquid is left.

If you're willing to spend some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an ideal, all-purpose machine for any home espresso lover. The only issue with the Breville Barista Express is the price which could be a hindrance for certain buyers. If you're seeking a cheaper alternative, read our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost a fraction of the cost.

4. OXO Brew 9 Cup

A high-tech smart coffee maker that makes excellent coffee with a simple user interface. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display creates a chic kitchen design. It comes with a single dial that allows you to program the number of cups. There are two settings available: 2-4 cups and 5-9 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 ideal temperature and poured over the grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The coffee brewed is then stored inside the double-walled thermal carafe for upto 60 minutes. Its pause and pour feature allows you to remove the carafe during brewing to fill your own cup. The machine pauses brewing and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it. then resumes and finishes brewing.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is an SCAA-certified coffee maker that means it is in compliance with the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. Its brew cycles are about the same as the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it allows for more control over temperature and brewing times.

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

It also requires you to grind your own beans before making coffee. You can make use of a manual coffee machine brands grinder or opt for a more automatic model such as the Baratza Encore, which has multiple grind settings and a hopper that holds whole beans.

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 a leading contender for the top drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and easy-to use interface.