Why You Should Be Working On This Best Coffee Machine
The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no universally-fit-all coffee maker. We've rounded up our top picks for your home, ranging from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans to semi-automatic machines that give you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch achieves the perfect balance between automation and needing to know the ropes of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a machine that makes coffee machines best.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those who wish to make espresso at home without having to make big sacrifices in terms of quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with the smallest counter space in mind. It is built to last with a high-end build quality and a very small footprint. It comes equipped with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head, so you can steam milk while making espresso at the same time.
The machine looks stunning too, and comes with an elongated side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic design of Rocket that is already impressive for a compact machine. It also has 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 other models. You'll need to be careful when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a sacrifice that results in less footprint. This isn't a problem specific to this model.
This machine is able to handle your coffee demands. We would suggest investing in a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with an Rocket portafilter to improve the grinding process.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create excellent drinks and is easy to create Latte arts. It is important to remember that this machine is not designed for novices. There is a small learning curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit tricky to control and you'll need to master the ins and outs 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 always be in a position to drink cold, purified water. The latter comes with a 2.25-liter water tank that is more difficult to refill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you might expect from a Lavazza machine this one was made with quality in mind. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, which allows you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The tank can be filled easily with ease, since the lid can be removed to create an enormous hole. You can fill it up using tap water, depending on what you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the models, but it packs a punch. It's priced less than PS100 at full price and is much less expensive than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those without the budget or space for a traditional espresso maker, but are looking to enjoy the benefits of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is simple to use and requires small counter space. Pressing one button will begin the process. When you press it again, it will begin dispensing the pod you have selected. There's a backlight on the button so that you are able to see clearly the amount of liquid that has been dispersed and you can choose to stop the process at any time in case you prefer drinking your pod in smaller doses.
This model does not come with a steam wand, but you can add some creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen workspace.
The pods are not inexpensive, but they come in a range of blends that will suit all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are sold in most supermarkets alongside regular coffee beans and ground coffee and 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 includes a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty document 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 is small enough to be kept on an even surface or placed under the cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. If you're willing to take the time to learn how to use it, this is an excellent espresso maker for home use that performs better than many of the more expensive models available. It's among the best priced in its class, and is particularly suitable for beginners who don't have an espresso grinder yet--which can easily cost them another $100 or more.
The model is just below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive, costing $2,199) however, it's an excellent option for home baristas on a tight budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and it even comes with a built-in burr grinder that makes the entire experience cheaper. It's also a single boiler, which means it can only do 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 isn't an exception, and it offers just enough adjustability to let aspiring baristas improve their abilities without spending more than they have to.
The unit is not without its flaws. The hopper is 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 dispense several shots at a time. It's also difficult to see how much water is left in the tank, due to its rear placement.
But if you're prepared to learn how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an excellent, all-purpose appliance for anyone who is a coffee lover at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is its cost, which may be a stumbling block for certain buyers. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are similarly capable and offer a little more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you less than the Breville model can do.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker with a simple user interface that makes great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen provides your kitchen with a stylish look. It comes with one dial that allows you to program the number of cups. There are two options: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over the grounds, which many coffee machines prices lovers believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to a perfect temperature and then poured over grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee is then brewed in the double-walled, thermal carafe for upto 60 minutes. The pause and pour feature allows you to remove the carafe in brewing and fill your cup to the brim. The machine stops the brewing process and displays an 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 that it meets the strict technical standards. The brew cycle is as long as those of the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers greater control over temperature, brewing time, and quality.
In our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made a pot of excellent drip coffee and a full cup in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the 6 minutes that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the range of time that coffee machines small experts suggest for making a quality cup.
It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to making. You can choose a manual grinder or a more automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has multiple grind settings, and a hopper for whole beans.
The only drawback to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a concern for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is a leading contender for the best drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and easy to use interface.