The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no one-size-fits-all coffee maker. That's why we've rounded up our favorite 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 strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process while making you familiar with the art of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've come across.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those looking to make espresso at home, without making huge sacrifices in terms quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with limited counter space in mind and combines outstanding build quality with a very 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 as well and features an insert for the side of the machine with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is a new take on Rocket's classic aesthetic that is already impressive for a compact machine. It also has an black pressure gauge that shows when the boiler is ready for use.

The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than other models. This means you'll be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when using it frequently. This is a normal trade-off for having smaller footprint, however this is not a problem specific to this model.

You can still make a large amount of coffee with this machine, and it can easily meet the demands. We would recommend investing in a good grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with the Rocket portafilter to help improve the grinding process.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make excellent drinks and is easy to create Latte arts. It's important to note that this machine isn't intended for novices. There is a small learning curve for those who upgrade from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit difficult to control and you'll need to master the ins and outs of 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 filtered water on hand for your drinks. The latter, however, comes with a 2.25-liter water tank, which could be more difficult to refill than its competitors.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

As you might expect from a Lavazza machine this one was designed with quality in mind. The machine is able to reach the temperature for brewing quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in just 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and simple to refill and the lid can be removed completely to reveal a large opening. You can fill it up using tap water, if you like.

This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it is a powerful machine. At full cost, it's less than PS100 which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those without the budget or space to buy a traditional espresso maker, but are looking to enjoy the benefits of real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to use and takes up little counter space. It's as easy as pressing a single button to activate the machine and again to begin dispensing your chosen brew. The button is illuminated so you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also manually stop the process should you prefer to consume the pod in smaller portions.

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 also quite quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen working space.

The pods aren't inexpensive, but they come in a wide range of blends that will suit all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are sold in most supermarkets alongside regular coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.

The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule that comes with an integrated milk warmer. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cord and plug, a quick-guide and warranty card, as well as a test box that contains nine Lavazza pods that include six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be kept on the floor or placed under your cabinet.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. But if you're willing to take the time to master its use this is a fantastic do-it-all home espresso maker that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models on the market. It's among the best priced in its class, and it's especially good for novices who don't have an espresso grinder yet. This could easily set them back another $100 or more.

The model is priced lower than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) However, it's an excellent choice for baristas who are 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 be used for steaming or brewing at one time.

Breville, a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has quickly established a reputation for high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and it comes with enough control to let new baristas hone their skills without spending hundreds more than necessary.

The unit does not get more info come without its quirks. The hopper is on the side, not at the top of the model. It's not a major issue, but it can be frustrating if you want to dispense several shots at once. It's also difficult to determine how much water is left in the tank because of its position at the rear.

If you're willing to put in some time in learning how to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for any coffee lover at home. The only issue with the Breville Barista Express is its price which could be a deterrent for certain buyers. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, read our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost less than the cost.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech, intelligent coffee machine that makes great coffee with a simple user interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add a stylish appearance to your kitchen. It comes with only one dial to program how many cups you want it to make. It also comes with the 2-4 cup setting and a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over, which many coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most flavorful coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature, and then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The coffee is stored in the double-walled thermal carafe that can be kept for up to 60 min. The pause-and-pour function lets you to take the carafe out while 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. The machine then begins brewing.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, which means it complies with the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. The brew cycle is the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides more control over temperature, brewing time and quality.

In our tests in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced an excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe of coffee in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. That's a little longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but still within the range of time that coffee experts recommend for a good cup of drip.

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

The only drawback is that the carafe and water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe this could be a problem for certain users. The stainless steel is still easily cleaned by hand, however. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek style and easy-to-use interface make it one of the top contenders among best drip coffee makers.