The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no universally-fit-all coffee maker that is perfect for every. We've rounded-up our top picks, from a superautomatic that grinds your beans and packs them to a semiautomatic which gives you the most control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch achieves the perfect balance between automation and having to know the ropes 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 home without sacrificing quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with the smallest counter space in mind and 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 and make espresso at the same time.

The machine looks fantastic as well and features an elongated side panel with the engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a fresh update on the classic look of Rocket and is already impressive for a machine that is so small. It also includes the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to indicate when the boiler is ready to use.

The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this model than others. This means you'll need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you use it often. This is a sacrifice that results in a smaller footprint. This is not something that is unique to this model.

This machine is capable of handling your coffee needs. We would suggest investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante for greater consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with an Rocket portafilter to help improve the grinding process.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, makes some great drinks and it is simple to make Latte machines arts. It's important to know that this machine isn't designed for novices. There is a small learning curve for people who are upgrading from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler can be a little tricky to manage and you'll have to learn the basics of cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento allow connecting to a water supply which means you'll always have clean, cold filtered water on hand for your drinks. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank, which could be more difficult to refill than its competitors.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, allowing you to prepare your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is quick and easy to fill by removing the lid completely to make a wide opening. You can fill it up with tap water if you want.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the range, but it is a powerful machine. When you buy it at full price, it costs under PS100 which is lower than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great option for those who don't have the space or money for traditional espresso machines however, they nevertheless want to drink a real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very small counter space. Pressing one button will activate the machine. Pressing it again will start dispensing the pod you have selected. There's a light on the button to ensure that you can easily see how much has been dispensed and you can choose to stop the process at any time should you prefer to drink the pod in smaller amounts.

This model doesn't come with a steam wand, but you can add some creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. The machine is quiet also and can be utilized in a small workspace or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing anyone else.

The pods are not expensive, but they are available in a wide range of blends that can be used by everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in most supermarkets along with regular ground coffee and professional coffee machines beans and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.

The Jolie and Milk is a stylish capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and frother. It comes with a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty card, a quick guide, 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 stored on an even surface or placed under your cupboard.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing take the time to master its use, this is an excellent espresso maker for home use that performs better than many of the more expensive models on the market. It's a good value for its class and is particularly useful for those who aren't experienced enough to have an espresso machine, Latte machines which can cost up to $100.

The model is just below the top of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) However, it's a solid choice for baristas at home on a budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and has a built-in burr grinder to make the whole experience much less expensive. It's also a single boiler that means that it can only do steaming or brewing at one time.

Although it is a relatively newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made an impact through their top-quality machines. This machine is no exception and has enough control that it can be adjusted to let baristas who are aspiring develop their abilities without spending more than they should.

The unit is not without its flaws. For one, the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit, instead of being on top. This isn't really a huge deal however it can be frustrating if you're trying to give multiple shots at once. It's also difficult to know how much water remains in the tank because of its rear position.

If you're willing some time in learning how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for any espresso lover at home. The only issue with the Breville Barista Express is its price which could be a stumbling block for some buyers. If you're looking for a lower-cost alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost less than the price.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech, smart coffee maker that makes excellent coffee with a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen give a sophisticated design to your kitchen. It comes with one dial to set the amount of cups you want it to make and includes a 2-4 cup setting and a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing process is similar to pour-over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most flavorful coffee. The water is heated to a perfect temperature and poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee is then brewed in the double-walled, thermal carafe for up to 60 minutes. Its pause and pour feature allows you to remove the carafe while brewing to fill your cup to the brim. The machine pauses the brewing process and shows an red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes brewing.

The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker is SCAA certified, meaning it complies with the strict standards for technical quality. Its brew cycle is about longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides greater control over temperature, brewing duration and also quality.

In our tests in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed a pot of excellent drip coffee with a full-carafe of coffee in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the 6 minutes that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the range of time that coffee experts suggest to make a good cup.

It is also necessary to grind your beans before brewing. You can choose a manual grinder or a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore. It has multiple grind settings, and an hopper for beans that are whole.

The only issue is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe this could be a hassle for certain users. The stainless steel is easily cleaned by hand, though. The OXO 9-Cup is an excellent contender for the best drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and easy-to use interface.