The
Best Coffee Machines For HomeThere is no one-size-fits-all coffee machine. We've put together our top choices, ranging from a superautomatic that grinds your beans and packs them into semi-automatic machines that give you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and needing to know the ropes of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to-cup machine we've seen.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those who are looking to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was designed for those with small counter space. It combines excellent build quality with a compact footprint. It comes 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 looks great as well, and has a round side panel insert with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a new take on the classic design of Rocket, which is already pretty impressive for a small machine. It also includes the black pressure gauge, which will let you know when the boiler is ready to use.
One disadvantage of this tiny machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than most other machines. This means that you will need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you use it often. This is a normal trade-off for having less footprint, however, and not an issue particular to this model.
This machine is capable of handling the demands of your
coffee machines. However, we would suggest investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with the Rocket portafilter to improve the tamping process.
As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and it's simple to create Latte art. However, it's important to remember that the machine isn't made for beginners and there's some learning curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger can be difficult to work with, and you'll need to learn how to do cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento provide the option of connecting to a water source, which means you'll always have
fresh coffee maker, cold filtering water available for your drinks. The latter, however, comes with a 2.25-liter water tank that can be more difficult to refill than some of its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from the Lavazza machine, this one is made with quality in mind. 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 also quick and simple to refill, with the lid detaching completely to reveal a large opening. You can fill it up with tap water, depending on what you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the models, but it is a powerful machine. When you buy it at full price, it's priced at PS100 which is lower than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great choice for those who don't have the space or funds for an espresso machine of the traditional type however still want to enjoy a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very little counter space. By pressing a single button, you can start the machine. After pressing it again, it will start dispensing the specific pod you've chosen. The button is illuminated so you can see the amount you've 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 add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is very quiet, too, and can be used in a small workspace or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing anyone else.
They're not cheap, but there is a wide variety of blends that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. You can find them 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 machine that has an integrated milk warmer. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cable and plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet and a tester box containing nine Lavazza pods: six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine itself is small enough to be stored on an even surface or placed under your cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. But if you're willing to take the time to learn how to use it this is a great espresso maker for home use that performs better than many of the more expensive models on the market. It's the best value in its class, and it's especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso machine yet--which can easily cost them $100 or more.
The model is just below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive, costing $2,199), but it's still an excellent option for baristas at home on a tight budget. It comes with a variety of customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means it can only do one thing at the same time.
Breville is relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has quickly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception, and it has just enough control to let aspiring baristas hone their skills without spending hundreds more than is necessary.
The unit has its flaws. The hopper is situated on the side, not on the top, of this model. It's not a huge problem, but it could be frustrating if you want to dispense multiple shots at once. It's also difficult to see how much water is left in the tank, due to its rear placement.
If you're willing to invest some time to learn how to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for any espresso lover at home. The only issue with the Breville Barista Express is its price which could be a deterrent for certain buyers. For those looking for a lower-cost alternative, take a look at 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 cost.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart
coffee machines cheap maker that produces great
coffee machine deals with a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add a sophisticated appearance to your kitchen. It has one dial that lets you to program the number of cups. There are two options: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. The brewing process is similar to pour-over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe makes the best-tasting coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and then poured over grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The brewed coffee is then stored in the double-walled thermal carafe that can be kept for up to 60 minutes. Its pause and pour feature lets you remove the carafe while brewing to fill your own cup. The machine pauses the brewing process, and displays an red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. It then resumes the brewing process.
The OXO 9-Cup
coffee machine cheap maker has been SCAA certified, which means it meets the strict standards in terms of technology. Its brew cycles are about the same as the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing times.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced excellent drip coffee with a full cup in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster calls for, but it is within the range that coffee experts recommend for making a quality cup.
You should also 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 problem for some customers. The stainless steel is still easy to clean by hand, though. The OXO 9-Cup is a leading contender for the top drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and simple to use interface.