The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There is no single-size-fits all coffee maker that is perfect for every. We've rounded-up our top picks, starting with a superautomatic that grinds your beans and packs them into semiautomatics that give you the most control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch achieves the perfect balance between automation and needing to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've found.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those who are 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. It combines outstanding build quality with tiny footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group head so you can steam milk and brew espresso simultaneously.

The machine also looks great and features a round insert on the side panel with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a modernization of Rocket's classic design which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also has a black boiler pressure gauge to show 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. You'll need be cautious when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is particularly true in the event that you frequently use it. This is a natural trade-off to have smaller footprint, however it is not a problem specific to this model.

This machine is capable of handling your coffee demands. We suggest buying a good grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gante, to improve consistency and taste. You can also use this machine in conjunction with an Rocket portafilter to enhance the tamping process.

As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and it's simple to make latte art. It's important to note that the machine was not designed for novices, and there is an enlightening curve for those who are upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger can be difficult to work with and you'll need to master the art of cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento allow connecting to a water supply which means you'll always have cold, fresh filtered water on hand for your drinks. The latter model has smaller 2.25-liter tank that is difficult to refill.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, which allows you to prepare your first cup of coffee in just 35 minutes. The water tank is able to be filled, as the lid can be removed to create the large hole. You can also fill it with tap water if that's what you prefer.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the series, yet it is a powerful machine. It's priced less than PS100 at retail 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 funds for traditional espresso machines however still want to experience the authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is incredibly simple to operate and takes up only a tiny amount of counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to start the machine and again to start dispensing your chosen pod coffee makers. 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 does not come with a steam wand however, you can add creamy froth to your milk using an optional milk frother. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen work space.

The pods aren't cheap, but they come in a range of blends that will suit everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in most supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.

The Jolie and Milk is a smart-looking capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It comes with an 75cm power cable, plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet and a tester box that contains nine Lavazza pods which include 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 on the floor.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance at first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso maker that's not within the budget of most average consumers. If you're willing to learn how to use it and make it work, then this is a fantastic home espresso maker. It performs better than many of the more expensive models. It's an excellent price for the class and is especially useful for those who are new to the field and don't own an espresso machine, which can cost up to $100.

This model sits right in the middle of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive at $2,199), but it's still an excellent choice for baristas at home on a tight budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and includes an integrated burr grinder to make the whole experience much less expensive. It's also a one-boiler machine, which means that it can only do one thing at a time.

Breville, a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has quickly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no different, and it has just enough control to let aspiring baristas hone their abilities without spending a lot more than they need to.

It's not without its quirks, though. For one, the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit, instead of on top--which isn't a huge deal, but it can be difficult to dispense multiple shots at once. The rear position of the tank makes it difficult to determine how much liquid is left.

If you're willing to put in some time to learn how to use 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 cost which could be a hindrance for certain buyers. If you're looking for a low-cost option, we recommend 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 less than the price.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech smart coffee machine with a simple user interface that produces excellent coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add an elegant design to your kitchen. It comes with one dial that lets you to set the amount of cups. There are two settings available: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over, which many coffee aficionados believe produces the most flavorful coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and then poured over grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee that is brewed is collected in the double-walled thermal carafe and can be stored for up to 60 min. Its pause and pour feature lets you take out 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 maker comes SCAA certified, which means it meets the strict technical standards. Its brew cycles are about the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing time.

In our tests, Energy-Efficient Coffee Machines the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed excellent drip coffee that was served in a full cup in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require but well within the range coffee experts suggest for a decent cup of drip.

It also requires you to grind your own beans prior to making coffee. You can make use of a manual coffee grinder or choose a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which has multiple grind settings and the hopper can hold entire beans.

The only drawback to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a problem for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is a top contender for the best drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and simple to use interface.