The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all coffee maker that is perfect for every. We've rounded up our top picks for your home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatics that give you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automating the process and making you knowledgeable about the art of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a bean-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those who want to make espresso at home without having to compromise on quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was specifically designed for people with little counter space. It is built to last and has excellent quality and a 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 your coffee at the same 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 original design which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also includes the black pressure gauge, which indicates when the boiler is ready for use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than those of other machines. You'll need be cautious when emptying and refilling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a trade-off that comes with having a smaller footprint. This isn't an issue that is specific to this model.
You can still brew a lot of coffee with this machine, and it will easily meet the demands of your customers. We would suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante for greater consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with an Rocket portafilter to help improve the tamping process.
As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making delicious drinks, and is easy to make Latte art. It's important to note that this machine was not intended for novices. There is a small learning curve for people who are upgrading from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchanger is difficult to operate and you'll have to learn how to do 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 and filter-filtered water. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank, which can be more difficult to refill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's top standards. The machine can reach the brewing temperature quickly, meaning you can prepare your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The water tank can be easily refilled, as the lid can be removed to create a large hole. It can be filled with tap water, should you wish.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the range, but it packs a punch. It costs less than PS100 at retail which is less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great option for those who do not have the space or funds for an espresso machine of the traditional type however still want to experience the authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and takes up little counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to start the machine, then again to start dispensing your chosen brew. There's a backlight that's on the button so that you can easily see the amount of liquid that has been dispersed and you can also manually stop the process should you prefer to drink your drink in smaller portions.
There's no steam wand on this model, however you can add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is quiet also and can be used in a small area or in a flatshare kitchen click here without disturbing others.
The pods aren't inexpensive, but they come in a wide range of blends that will suit anyone 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 online.
The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer and frother. It comes with a 75cm power plug and power cable, a warranty card, a quick guide, and a tester pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasts (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is small enough to be stored on a flat surface or slipped under the cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing to master it, then this is a great at-home espresso maker. It performs better than many of the more expensive models. It's among the best priced in its class, and is especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso machine yet--which can easily set them back another $100 or more.
The model is just below the top of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199), but it's still a solid choice for home baristas on a budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and it even comes with a built-in burr grinder that makes the entire experience more affordable. It is also a single-boiler machine, meaning it can only do one thing at one time.
Breville is an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has swiftly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception and offers enough adjustability to allow aspiring baristas to improve their skills without spending more than they have to.
It's not without its flaws, though. The hopper is located on the side, not on the top, of this model. It's not a big issue, but it can be a problem if you wish to give several shots at a time. The rear position of the tank makes it difficult to determine how much liquid remains.
If you're willing to invest some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an ideal, all-purpose machine for anyone who is a coffee lover at home. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is the price, which may be a deterrent for some buyers. If you're looking for a low-cost option, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability 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, intelligent coffee maker that makes excellent coffee using a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display add an elegant appearance to your kitchen. It has a single dial to program the amount of cups you want it to make. It also comes with a 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 produces the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature before being poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The brewed coffee then collects inside the double-walled thermal carafe for up to 60 minutes. Its pause and pour feature lets you remove the carafe during brewing to fill your cup to the brim. The machine stops the brewing process and displays the red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. It then resumes the brewing process.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is an SCAA-certified coffee maker which means it meets the organization's rigorous technical standards. Its brew time is approximately longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has greater control over temperature, brewing duration, and quality.
In our tests in our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee with the carafe filled in 7 minutes 41 seconds. This is a bit 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 suggest for a decent cup of drip.
It also requires that you grind your own beans before brewing. You can select an manual grinder or an automated model such as the Baratza Encore. It has various grind settings, as well as an hopper for beans that are whole.
The only downside is that the carafe and water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe this could be a hassle for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is a leading contender for the top drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and easy to use interface.