The Best Coffee Machines For Home
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/778/1808/scott-uk-slimissimo-milk-fully-automatic-bean-to-cup-coffee-machine-19-bar-pressure-1-1l-1470w-energy-class-a-energy-class-a-1808.jpg)There's no one-size-fits-all coffee machine. We've rounded up our top picks for the home coffee machines, 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 strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process and making you proficient in the art of making espresso. It's the most efficient bean-to-cup machine we've found.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those looking to make espresso at their home without having to compromise on quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with a limited counter space in mind and is built to last with a high-end build quality and the smallest footprint. It comes equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group head, so you can steam milk and make espresso simultaneously.
The machine is also beautiful and has a circular design on the side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a modernization of Rocket's classic design which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also includes a black pressure gauge that indicates when the boiler is ready to use.
One disadvantage of this tiny machine is that the drip tray and water reservoir are smaller than most other machines. It is important to be careful when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially true if you use it frequently. This is a trade-off that comes with having smaller footprint. It's not an issue that is specific to this model.
You can still make a large amount of coffee using this machine, and it will easily meet your demands. We recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gante, to improve consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with a Rocket portafilter to improve the grinding process.
As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and it's easy to make latte art. However, it's worth noting that the machine isn't made for beginners, and there is some learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchanger can be difficult to operate and you'll need to master the art of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to a water source, allowing you to always be capable of drinking cold and filter-filtered water. The latter comes with a 2.25-liter water tank, which can 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 brewing temperature, which allows you to make your first cup of coffee in just 35 seconds. The water tank is able to be filled by removing the lid. be removed to make the large hole. You can fill it up with tap water if that's what you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the range, but it packs a punch. It's priced at less than PS100 at the full price - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great choice for those who don't have the space or money for traditional espresso machines, but still want to experience a real 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. After pressing it again, it will start dispense the pod you've selected. There's a light on the button to ensure that you can easily see the amount of liquid that has been dispersed and you can also manually stop the process in case you prefer drinking your drink in smaller portions.
There's no steam wand on this model, however you can make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth, if you'd like. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or workspace.
They're not expensive, but there's a variety of blends to choose from that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are readily available in many supermarkets alongside regular coffee beans and ground coffee and 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. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cord and plug, a quick-guide and warranty card, as well as a test box containing nine Lavazza pods: six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to fit under a cupboard or a flat surface.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso maker that's beyond the budget of most average consumers. If you're willing and able learn to use it this is a great at-home espresso maker. It's more efficient than most of the more expensive models. It's the Best Coffee Machine value in its class, and it's especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso grinder yet. This could easily cost them $100 or more.
This model sits right in the middle of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199), but it's still a solid choice for baristas at home on a tight budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and has a built-in burr grinder to make the whole experience much more affordable. It's also a single boiler that means that it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.
Breville is relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has rapidly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and has enough control to let new baristas hone their abilities without spending more than necessary.
The unit does not come without its flaws. One example is that the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit instead of being on top. This isn't really an issue however it can be frustrating if you're trying to give multiple shots at once. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to determine the amount of liquid left.
If you're willing to invest some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an excellent, all-purpose appliance for any home espresso lover. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is its cost which could be a hindrance for some buyers. For those looking for a less expensive alternative, read our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost a fraction of the price.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine with a simple user interface that produces great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add an elegant appearance to your kitchen. It features only one dial to program how many cups you want it to make. It also comes with a 2-4 cup setting and a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing process is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee aficionados believe produces the best-tasting coffee. The water is heated to a perfect temperature and then poured over grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The brewed coffee machines home is then stored in the double-walled thermal carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 min. Its pause and pour feature allows you to remove the carafe in brewing and fill your own cup. The machine stops brewing and displays a red carafe light 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 strict standards for technical quality. Its brew cycles are about the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it allows for more control over temperature and brewing time.
In our testing we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed an excellent drip coffee with a full-carafe in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the range of time that experts in the field recommend for making a quality cup.
It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to making coffee. You can select a manual grinder or a more 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 drawback is that the carafe and water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe this could be a issue for certain 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 simple to use interface.