The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no single-size-fits all coffee maker. That’s why we’ve rounded up our favorite picks for your 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 automatizing the process and making you knowledgeable about the art of espresso-making. It’s the best bean-to-cup machine we’ve found.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those looking to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was designed for those who have small counter space. It has a great build quality and a small 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 coffee at the same at the same time.
The machine looks great too, and comes with a round side panel insert with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic look of Rocket that is already impressive for a small machine. It also has an black gauge for boiler pressure to let you know when the boiler is ready to use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than most others. You will need 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 normal trade-off for a smaller footprint, though it is not a problem specific to this model.
This machine can easily handle your coffee needs. We suggest investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante to improve consistency and taste. You can also pair the machine with an Rocket Portafilter to increase the tamping.
As a prosumer espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and is easy to make Latte art. However, it’s important to remember that the machine isn’t made for beginners and there’s an enlightening curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchanger is tricky to handle 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 means you’ll always have fresh, cold filtering water available for your drinks. The latter comes with a 2.25-liter water tank that could be more difficult to fill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you might expect from a Lavazza machine this one has been made with quality in mind. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in just 35 seconds. The tank can be filled easily, as the lid can be removed to create the large hole. You can also fill it up with tap water if you prefer.
This is the smallest machine in 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 do not have the space or funds for an espresso machine of the traditional type however still want to enjoy the authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely easy to use and occupies very little counter space. By pressing a single button, you can begin the process. Pressing it again will start dispensing the specific pod you’ve chosen. There’s a backlight that’s on the button to ensure that you are able to see clearly the amount of liquid that has been dispersed, and you can stop the process at any time in case you prefer drinking the pod in smaller amounts.
There’s no steam wand included on this model, however you can add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is very quiet, too and can be utilized in a small area or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing others.
Pods aren’t expensive, but there’s a wide variety of blends that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are available in the majority of supermarkets, along with regular grounds coffee machine best and coffee beans. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and Milk is a smart-looking capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and a frother. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cable and plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet, and a test box that contains nine Lavazza pods that include six roasted (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 the floor or placed under your cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that’s not within the budget of many average consumers. If you’re willing to put in the work to master its use, this is an excellent espresso maker for your home that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models available. It’s the most affordable in its class, and is 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 priced below the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) However, it’s an excellent choice for baristas working on a budget. It comes with a variety of customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It’s also a one-boiler machine, which means that it can only handle one thing at the same time.
Breville, an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has rapidly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception, and it has just enough control to let aspiring baristas improve their abilities without spending more than is necessary.
The unit has its quirks. For one, the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit, instead of being on top. This isn’t really an issue however it can be difficult to disperse multiple shots at a time. The rear position of the tank makes it difficult to see how much liquid is left.
If you’re willing to learn how to master the Breville Barista Express, it’s a great, do-it-all appliance for any home espresso lover. The only issue is the price, which could be a turnoff for certain buyers. If you’re looking for an affordable alternative, we suggest the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines have similar capabilities and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the price.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech, smart coffee maker that produces great coffee with a simple user interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen give a sophisticated appearance to your kitchen. It comes with only one dial to program the amount of cups you want to make. It comes with a 2-4 cup setting and a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing method is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee lovers believe makes the best-tasting coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature, and then poured evenly over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The brewed Coffee machine coffee is then stored in a double-walled carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour function lets you remove the carafe while brewing and fill your cup. The machine pauses brewing and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it, then it resumes and completes brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is a SCAA-certified coffee pot machine maker, that means it is in compliance with the rigorous standards of SCAA’s technology. Its brew cycle is about longer than the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has greater control over temperature, brewing duration, and quality.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee with a carafe full in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. That’s a little longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but it falls within the range experts in the field recommend for a great cup of drip.
You must also grind your own beans prior to making. You can select an 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 drawback is that the carafe as well as the water reservoir aren’t dishwasher safe, which could be a hassle for some users. 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 drip coffee makers.