Taren Apel

The best budget coffee machine Coffee Machines For Home

There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. We've rounded-up our top picks, starting with a superautomatic machine 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 the need to know the ropes of espresso-making. This is our top choice for a coffee-to-cup machine.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those who wish to make espresso at home without making huge sacrifices in terms quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was designed for those with limited counter space. It has a great build quality and a small footprint. It is equipped with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head so you can steam milk while making espresso simultaneously.

The machine looks stunning too, and comes with an insert for the side of the machine with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is a modernization of Rocket's classic design, which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also includes the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to indicate when the boiler is ready for use.

One disadvantage of this tiny machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than the majority of machines. This means that you will be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when using it frequently. This is a trade-off that comes with having smaller footprint. This isn't a problem specific to this model.

This machine is capable of handling your coffee demands. We recommend buying a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante to improve consistency and taste. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to improve the tamping.

As a professional espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making delicious drinks, and is easy to make Latte art. However, it's important to remember that the machine isn't made for beginners and has 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 need to master the ins and outs of cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento allow connecting to a water supply which means you'll always have clean, cold filtered water on hand for your drinks. The latter comes with a 2.25-liter water tank that is more difficult to fill than its competitors.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

As you would expect from a Lavazza machine, this one is made with quality in mind. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, allowing you to prepare your first cup of coffee in less than 35 minutes. The water tank is quick and simple to refill and the lid can be removed completely to create a large opening. You can also fill it up with tap water if you prefer.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the series, yet it is a powerful machine. It costs less than PS100 at the full price and is much less expensive 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 funds for a traditional espresso machine however still want to experience a real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to use and requires little counter space. Pressing a single button will start the machine. When you press it again, it will start dispense the specific pod you've chosen. The button has a backlight so you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also manually stop the process in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller quantities.

This model does not come with a steam wand however, you can add 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 work space.

Pods aren't inexpensive, but there's a wide variety of blends available that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are readily available in many supermarkets alongside regular ground coffee and coffee beans and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.

The Jolie and Milk is a stylish capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and frother. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cord and plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty sheet and a tester box containing 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 fit under a cupboard or on the floor.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance at first, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is not within the budget of most average consumers. If you're willing to take the time to master its use this is a fantastic espresso maker for your home that performs better than many of the more expensive models on the market. It's a good price for the class and is particularly useful for those who aren't experienced enough to have an espresso machine that costs up to $100.

The model is priced lower than the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199), but is still a good choice for baristas who are on a tight budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and comes with a built-in burr grinder that makes the entire experience more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means it can only do steaming or brewing at one time.

Breville is a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has rapidly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine isn't an exception and offers enough adjustable control to let aspiring baristas develop their abilities without spending hundreds of dollars more than they need to.

It's not without its quirks, though. For one, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit, instead of on top--which isn't significant however it can be frustrating if you're trying to dispense multiple shots at once. It's also difficult to determine how much water is left in the tank because of its rear position.

If you're willing time learning to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for any espresso lover at home. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is its cost, which may be a stumbling block for some buyers. For those looking for a lower-cost alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines have similar capabilities and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost less than the cost.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech, smart coffee maker that makes excellent coffee using a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display creates a chic kitchen design. It features a single dial to program the number of cups you would like it to make and includes two cup settings and a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing method is similar to pour-over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe is the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the perfect temperature and then poured evenly over the coffee grounds with a shower head. The brewed coffee then collects in the thermal, double-walled carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour feature allows you remove the carafe while brewing and then fill your 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 Brew 9-Cup coffee machine pro maker is an SCAA-certified coffee maker that means it is in compliance with the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. The brew cycle is longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has greater control over temperature, brewing time and also quality.

In our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made excellent drip coffee that was served in a full cup in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a little more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the range of time that coffee experts suggest for making a quality cup.

It also requires you to grind your own beans before brewing. You can use a manual best compact coffee machine grinder or choose a more automated model, such as the Baratza Encore, which has different 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 concern for some users. The stainless steel is easily cleaned by hand, though. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and user-friendly interface make it an undisputed contender among the top drip coffee machines small makers.