The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. We've rounded up our top picks for the 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 the perfect balance between automating the process and making you knowledgeable about the art of espresso-making. It's the most efficient bean-to-cup machine we've seen.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those who are looking to make espresso at their home without having to compromise on quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with a limited counter space in mind. It is built to last with a high-end build quality and a very small footprint. It comes with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk while making espresso at the same time.
The machine is also beautiful and features a round panel on the side with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is an update to Rocket's classic design, which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also includes the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to let you know when the boiler is ready to use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than the majority of machines. It is important to be careful when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is particularly true when you are using it often. This is a normal trade-off for a smaller footprint, though, and not an issue that is unique to this model.
You can still make a large amount of coffee with this machine, and it will easily meet the demands of your customers. We would suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to increase tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, makes excellent drinks and is simple to make Latte arts. It's important to note that the machine isn't designed for beginners and there's a bit of a learning curve for those upgrading from appliances. The heat exchange boiler may be a little tricky to manage and you'll need to learn the basics of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to an water source, which allows you to be capable of drinking cold pure, filtered water. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank, which could be more difficult to fill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's top standards. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, which allows you to make your first cup of coffee in just 35 minutes. The water tank is also fast and easy to refill and the lid can be removed completely to create a large opening. You can fill it with tap water if you like.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the models, but it packs a punch. At full price, it's priced at PS100 which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who don't have the space or funds for traditional espresso machines however still want to enjoy the authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and requires little counter space. You just need to press a single button to activate the machine and again to begin dispensing your chosen brew. The button has a backlight to let you know the amount you've consumed. You can also stop the process, should you prefer to consume the pod in smaller portions.
There's no steam wand available on this model, however you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you like. The machine is quite quiet as well, and can be used in a small area or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing others.
They're not cheap, but there is an array of blends available to suit 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 purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cable and plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty card, as well as a test box of nine Lavazza pods which 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 stored on a flat surface or slipped under your cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. If you're willing put in the work to master its use, this is an excellent do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than many of the more expensive models available. It's the most affordable in its class, and is especially good for novices who do not have an espresso maker yet--which can easily cost them $100 or more.
This model is priced less than the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is an excellent choice for baristas working on a tight budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and comes with a built-in burr grinder that makes the whole experience much cheaper. It's also a single boiler, which means it can only be used for steaming or brewing at the same time.
Breville is relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has swiftly established a reputation for high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and it comes with enough control to let budding baristas improve their abilities without spending a lot more than they need to.
There are some quirks, though. The hopper is situated on the side, not the top of the model. It's not a huge deal, but can be frustrating if you want to disperse several shots at once. The rear position of the tank makes it difficult to see the amount of liquid left.
But if you're prepared to learn how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an ideal, all-purpose machine for any home espresso lover. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is its cost which could be a stumbling block for certain buyers. If you're looking for a budget alternative, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally powerful and offer a bit 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 coffee maker with a simple user interface that produces great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED screens provides your kitchen with a stylish appearance. It has one dial that allows you to set the amount of cups. There are two settings: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee lovers believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the right temperature, then evenly poured over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The brewed coffee then collects inside the double-walled thermal carafe for upto 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour function lets you to take the carafe out while making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine pauses the brewing process and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it. It after which it resumes brewing and is finished.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker has been SCAA certified, which means that it meets the organization’s strict technical standards. The brew cycle is longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers greater control over temperature, brewing duration and quality.
In our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed an excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe of coffee in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. It's slightly longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but it falls within the range of time that coffee experts recommend for a good cup of drip.
It also requires you to grind your own beans prior to making. coffeee machines can choose an manual grinder or an automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has various grind settings, as well as a hopper for whole beans.
The only drawback is that the carafe and water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe, which could be a issue for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and user-friendly interface make it one of the top contenders among top drip coffee makers.