The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. We've compiled our top choices, ranging from an automatic coffee machine that grinds your beans and packs them into a semiautomatic which gives you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend between automation and the need to know the ropes of espresso-making. It's our top pick for a bean-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those who are looking to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with the smallest counter space in mind and combines outstanding build quality with tiny footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8 milliliter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head so you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same at the same time.
The machine looks fantastic as well and features an elongated side panel with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is a new take on Rocket's classic aesthetic and is already impressive for a compact 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 others. You'll need be extra cautious when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a natural tradeoff for less footprint, however this is not a problem particular to this model.
You can still brew plenty of coffee with this machine, and it can easily keep up with the demands of your customers. We would suggest investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with a Rocket portafilter to enhance the grinding process.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make excellent drinks and is simple to make Latte arts. However, it's important to remember that the machine isn't designed for beginners and has some learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger is tricky to handle and you'll need 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 purified water. The latter comes with smaller 2.25-liter tank that is difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. The machine is able to reach the brewing temperature quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in just 35 second. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill, with the lid detaching completely to create a large opening. You can fill it using tap water, if you like.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the models, but it packs a punch. It costs less than PS100 at full price and is much less expensive than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great choice for those who do not have the space or money for a traditional espresso machine however, they nevertheless want to drink an authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is incredibly simple to use and takes up only a tiny amount of counter space. Pressing a single button will begin the process. Pressing it again will begin dispensing the specific pod you've chosen. The button has a backlight so that you can see how much you have consumed. You can also manually stop the process, if you want to drink the pod in smaller quantities.
This model doesn't come with a steam wand, but you can add some creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. The machine is quite quiet as well and can be used in a small area or in a flatshare kitchen without causing any disturbance to anyone else.
The pods are not cheap, but they come in a range of blends that are suitable for all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in many supermarkets, as well as regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also buy 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 cable and plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty sheet and a tester 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 is small enough to be placed under a cupboard or on a flat surface.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. But if you're willing to invest the time to master its use this is a fantastic espresso maker for home use that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models on the market. It's a good value for the money and is particularly helpful for those who are new to the field and don't own an espresso machine that can cost up to $100.
This model sits right below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive at $2,199) However, it's an excellent option for home coffee machines baristas who are on a tight budget. It comes with a variety of options to customize and features, including 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 the same time.
Although it is a relatively newcomer to the market for espresso machines, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception, and it has just enough control to let aspiring baristas hone their abilities without spending more than they need to.
It's not without its quirks, though. The hopper is situated on the side, not the top, of this model. It's not a major issue, but it can be a problem if you wish to dispense several shots at once. It's also not very easy to determine the amount of water left in the tank, because of its rear position.
If you're willing to put in time learning to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for any coffee lover at home. The only downside is the price, which could be a deterrent for certain buyers. If you're looking for a less expensive option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines have similar capabilities and provide 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 using a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screens provides your kitchen with a stylish appearance. It has one dial that lets you to program the number of cups. There are two settings: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most flavorful coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee machines that is brewed is stored in the double-walled thermal carafe and can be stored for up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour feature lets you remove the carafe during brewing to fill your individual cup. The machine stops brewing and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it. It then it resumes and completes brewing.
The OXO 9-Cup automatic coffee machines maker is SCAA certified, which means that it complies with the strict technical standards. Its brew time is approximately the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides more control over temperature, brewing time and also quality.
In our tests, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made an excellent drip coffee that was served in a full cup in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the 6 minutes that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster calls for, but it is within the range of time that coffee experts recommend for making a quality cup.
It also requires that you grind your own beans before brewing. You can use a manual coffee machine price grinder or go for a more automated model, such as the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and the hopper can hold entire beans.
The only issue is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe, which could be a hassle for some users. The stainless steel is still easily cleaned by hand, however. The OXO 9-Cup is a leading contender for the top drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and easy to use interface.(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/778/17333/de-longhi-primadonna-soul-fully-automatic-bean-to-cup-espresso-an-cappuccino-coffee-maker-ecam610-75-mb-2-2-liters-black-and-silver-17333.jpg)
