The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. We've put together our top picks, starting with a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them to semi-automatic machines that give you the best compact coffee machine control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process and needing you to be proficient in the art of making espresso. It's the best bean-to-cup machine we've seen.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those who wish to make espresso at home without having to make huge sacrifices in terms quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was created for those with small counter space. It has a great build quality with a compact 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 your coffee drip machine at the same at the same time.

The machine looks stunning as well, and has a round side panel insert with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a modernization of Rocket's original design, which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also comes with a black boiler pressure gauge to indicate when the boiler is ready to use.

The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this machine than most other models. You will 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 to have less footprint, however it is not a problem specific to this model.

This machine is capable of handling the demands of your coffee machine commercial. We suggest investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, to improve consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to enhance the tamping.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create delicious drinks and it is easy to create Latte arts. It is important to remember that this machine is not designed for beginners. There is a slight learning curve for people who are upgrading from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a little tricky to control and you'll need to master the basics of cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento provide the option of connecting to a water supply, that means you will always have cold, fresh filtered water on hand for your drinks. The latter comes with smaller 2.25-liter tank that is harder to refill.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. The machine reaches the brewing temperature quickly, meaning you can make your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The tank can be filled easily with ease, since the lid can be removed to make a large hole. It can be filled with tap water, depending on what you prefer.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the range, but it packs a punch. It's priced less than PS100 at the full price - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie an ideal choice for those with a limited budget or space for a traditional espresso maker, but who would like to experience the pleasure of real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to use and requires small counter space. You only need to press a single button to activate the machine, then again to begin dispensing the chosen pod. The button has a backlight to let you know how much you have consumed. You can also manually stop the process if you want to drink 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 quiet also and can be used in a small space or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing anyone else.

The pods are not expensive, but they are available in a variety of blends that are suitable for all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. You can find them in the majority of supermarkets, along with regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.

The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule that has an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty sheet and a quick reference, and a test pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasts (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine itself is small enough to be kept on the floor or placed under your cupboard.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. If you're willing invest the time to master its use this is a fantastic espresso maker for your home that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models available. It's the best value in its class, and it's especially good for novices who don't have an espresso grinder yet, which could cost them another $100 or more.

This model is priced less than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) However, it's a good choice for baristas working on a tight budget. It's loaded with options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It's also a single boiler, which means it can only be used for brewing or steaming at one time.

Although it is a relatively newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves through their top-quality machines. This machine is no exception and has enough control to let aspiring baristas develop their abilities without spending more than is necessary.

There are some quirks however. One example is that the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit, instead of on top. This isn't a huge deal however it can be difficult to give multiple shots at once. It's also not very easy to determine how much water remains in the tank, due to its rear placement.

If you're willing to put in time learning to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent choice for any espresso lover at home. The only downside is the price, which could be a turnoff for certain buyers. If you're looking for a budget alternative, we suggest the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost a fraction of the cost.

4. OXO Brew 9 Cup

A high-tech, smart coffee maker that makes excellent coffee using a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED screens provides your kitchen with a stylish look. It features a single dial to program the amount of cups you want to make. It comes with two cup settings as well as a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing method is similar to pour over the grounds, which many coffee lovers believe is the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the ideal temperature, and then evenly poured over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The coffee is then brewed in the double-walled, thermal carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause-and pour feature lets you to remove the carafe during making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine stops brewing and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it. It then resumes and finishes brewing.

The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker comes SCAA certified, meaning it complies with the strict standards for technical quality. Its brew time is approximately longer than the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers more control over temperature, brewing duration, and quality.

In our tests, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed excellent drip coffee with a full cup in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. That's a little longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but it falls within the range of time that experts in the field recommend for a good cup of drip.

You must also grind your 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 it has a hopper that can be used for whole beans.

The only issue with this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a concern for some customers. The stainless steel is still easily cleaned by hand, however. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek style and user-friendly interface make it one of the top contenders among best drip coffee makers.