Are Best Coffee Machine The Greatest Thing There Ever Was?

The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. This is why we've compiled our top picks for your home, ranging 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 is the perfect blend between automation and the need to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a machine that makes coffee.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those who want to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with a limited counter space in mind and is built to last with a high-end build quality and 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 features an elongated side panel with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is a fresh update on the classic look of Rocket, which is already pretty impressive for a machine that is so small. It also includes a black boiler pressure gauge to let you know when the boiler is ready to use.

The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this model than other models. It is important to be careful when emptying and refilling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a sacrifice that is a result of having a smaller footprint. It's not something that is unique to this model.

This machine can easily handle your coffee needs. We recommend investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, to improve consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to improve tamping.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create excellent drinks and is simple to make Latte Arts. It is important to remember that this machine isn't intended for novices. There is a slight learning curve for those who upgrade from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. The heat exchanger is difficult to work with, and you'll need to learn how to do cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento offer the option of connecting to a water supply which allows you to always have cold, fresh filtered water on hand for your drinks. The latter has a smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be harder to refill.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's top standards. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in just 35 seconds. The water tank is quick and easy to fill and the lid can be removed completely to reveal a large opening. You can fill it with tap water, if you like.

This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still is a powerful machine. At its full price, it costs under PS100 which is lower than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who do not have the space or money for an espresso machine of the traditional type however still want to experience a real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very small counter space. Pressing one button will activate the machine. Pressing it again will start dispense the specific pod you've chosen. There's a backlight on the button so that you are able to see clearly how much has been dispensed and you can choose to manually stop the process should you prefer to drink your pod in smaller doses.

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

Pods aren't expensive, but there's an array of blends to choose from to satisfy everyone from mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. You can find them in most supermarkets, along with regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.

The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule machine that comes with an integrated milk warmer. It comes with an 75cm power cable, plug, a quick-guide and warranty card, as well as a test box of nine Lavazza pods that include six roasted (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 the floor.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. If you're willing and able to master it and make it work, then this is a great home espresso maker. It performs better than most of the more expensive models. It's among the best priced in its class, and it's especially suitable for those who do not have an espresso maker yet--which can easily set them back another $100 or more.

This model is a bit below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive, costing $2,199), but it's still a solid choice for home baristas on a budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and includes an integrated burr grinder to make the entire experience less expensive. It's also a single boiler machine, which means it can only be used for brewing or steaming at one time.

Despite being a relatively newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception and has enough control to let new baristas develop their skills without spending hundreds more than necessary.

The unit is not without its flaws. The hopper is located on the side, not the top of the model. It's not a major issue, but it can be a hassle if you need to dispense several shots at a time. It's also not very easy to determine how much water is left in the tank because of its rear position.

If you're willing some time to learn how to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for any coffee lover at home. The only issue is the price, which could be a nagging issue for certain buyers. If you're looking for a low-cost alternative, we suggest the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally capable and offer a little more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost less than the Breville model can do.

4. OXO Brew 9 Cup

A high-tech smart machine for coffee with a simple user interface that produces great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display provides your kitchen with a stylish look. It has one dial to set how many cups you want to make. It comes with the 2-4 cup setting and a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing method is similar to pour-over the grounds, which many coffee lovers believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature before being poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee is stored in the double-walled thermal carafe that can be kept for up to 60 min. The pause-and-pour feature allows you to remove the carafe during brewing and then fill your cup. The machine stops the brewing process and shows a red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. It then resumes the brewing process.

The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker has been SCAA certified, which means that it meets the strict standards for technical quality. 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 testing in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the range 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 select a manual grinder or a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore. It has multiple grind settings, and a hopper for whole beans.

The only issue is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe, which could be a hassle for some users. The stainless steel is easily cleaned by hand, though. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and user-friendly interface make it an undisputed contender among the best drip coffee makers.