The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. This is why we've compiled our favorite picks for your home, ranging from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans to a semiautomatic that gives you the most control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process and requiring you to be knowledgeable about the art of making espresso. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've come across.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those looking to make espresso at their home without losing quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with limited counter space in mind. It combines outstanding build quality with a very small footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8 milliliter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Heads so that you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same simultaneously.

The machine looks fantastic and features a round panel on the side with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic design of Rocket and is already impressive for a small machine. It also comes with the black pressure gauge, which will let you know when the boiler is ready for use.

The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than most others. This means you'll have to be vigilant 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 an issue that is specific to this model.

This machine is able to handle your coffee needs. That being said, we would recommend investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with a Rocket portafilter to improve the tamping process.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create some great drinks and it is simple to make latte arts. It's important to know that this machine isn't designed for beginners. There is a little learning curve for those upgrading from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchanger can be difficult to work with, and you'll need to master the art of cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento allow connecting to a water source, which allows you to always have fresh, cold filtering water available for your drinks. The latter comes with smaller 2.25-liter tank that is difficult to refill.

1. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, which allows you to prepare your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The tank is able to be filled with ease, since the lid can be removed to make the large hole. You can even fill it with tap water if that's what you prefer.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the range, but it is a powerful machine. It costs less than PS100 at retail - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie an excellent choice for those without the budget or space for an espresso maker, but are looking to enjoy the benefits of real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very little counter space. By pressing a single button, you can activate the machine. Pressing it again will begin dispensing the pod you've selected. There's a backlight that's on the button, so you can easily see how much has been dispensed, and you can manually stop the process in case you prefer drinking your pod in smaller doses.

There's no steam wand on this model, however you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth, if you'd like. The machine is quiet as well and can be utilized in a small space or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing anyone else.

The pods aren't inexpensive, but they come in a range of blends that are suitable for everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. You can find them in the majority of supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.

The Jolie and Milk is a smart-looking capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It comes with an 75cm power cable, plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty sheet, and a test box containing nine Lavazza pods: six roasts (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 a flat surface or slipped under the cupboard.

1. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. If you're willing to master it and make it work, then this is a fantastic home espresso maker. It performs better than many of the more expensive models. It's a good value for its class and is particularly useful for those who are new to the field and don't own an espresso machine that can cost up to $100.

The model is priced lower than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) However, it's an excellent option for baristas who are on a budget. It's loaded with customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means that it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.

Despite being a relative newcomer to the market for espresso machines, Breville has quickly made their mark with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception and it comes with enough control to let new baristas hone their abilities without spending more than is necessary.

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

If you're willing to invest some time in learning how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent choice for any coffee lover at home. The only downside is the cost, which can be a deterrent for some buyers. If you're looking for a budget option, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost less than the price.

1. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech smart coffee maker with a user-friendly interface that makes great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display add an elegant design to your kitchen. It has a single dial to program the amount of cups you want it to make. It also comes with the 2-4 cup setting as well as a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing process is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee lovers believe makes the best-tasting coffee. The water is heated up to the perfect temperature and then poured evenly over the coffee grounds with a shower head. The coffee that is brewed is stored in the double-walled thermal carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 minutes. 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 the red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes the brewing process.

The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker is SCAA certified, which means it meets the organization’s strict standards for technical quality. The brew cycles are the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it gives you more control over temperature and brewing time.

In our testing we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced a pot of excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe of coffee machine brands in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the 6 minutes that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the range that coffee experts suggest for making a quality cup.

It also requires you to grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can choose either a manual grinder or an automated model, such as the Baratza Encore. It has different 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 this could be a issue for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and user-friendly interface make it a top contender among the best drip coffee makers.