The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. That's why we've rounded up our favorite picks for your home, ranging from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatics that give you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automating the process and making you familiar with the art of making espresso. It's the most efficient bean-to-cup machine we've come across.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those who want to make espresso at home, without making significant sacrifices in terms of quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was specifically designed for people who have little 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 coffee at same simultaneously.
The machine looks fantastic and has a round insert on the side panel with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is an update to Rocket's traditional design, which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also comes with the black pressure gauge, which shows when the boiler is ready to use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than most other machines. This means you'll have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when using it frequently. This is a natural trade-off for having less footprint, however, and not an issue specific to this model.
This machine is capable of handling the demands of your coffee. However, we would recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair the machine with an Rocket Portafilter to improve tamping.
As a prosumer espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and it's simple to make Latte art. However, it's important to remember that the machine isn't designed for novices, and there is some learning curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger is tricky to handle and you'll have to learn how to do 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 in a position to drink cold, purified water. 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 high standards. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in just 35 minutes. The water tank is able to be filled, as the lid can be removed to make a large hole. You can fill it up using tap water, should you wish.
This is the smallest machine in the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still is a powerful machine. It's priced at 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 option for those who do not have the space or budget for an espresso machine of the traditional type however, they still want to enjoy a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely simple to use and takes up just a little counter space. Pressing a single button will start the machine. After pressing it again, it will start dispense the pod you have selected. The button is illuminated so that you can see how much you have consumed. You can also manually stop the process, in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller portions.
There's no steam wand on this model, but you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is very quiet also and can be utilized in a small space or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing anyone else.
The pods aren't cheap, but they come in a wide range of blends that are suitable for everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. You can find them in many supermarkets, as well as regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.
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 as well as a quick-guide and warranty card, as well as a test box of 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 the floor.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. If you're willing to master it this is a great home espresso maker. It's far superior to most of the more expensive models. It's among the best priced in its class, and is especially good for novices who don't have an espresso grinder yet. This could easily cost them another $100 or more.
This model is priced less than the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is an excellent choice for baristas on a tight budget. It has a lot 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 perform one task at the same 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 different and it comes with enough control to let budding baristas improve their skills without spending hundreds more than is necessary.
The unit does not come without its quirks. One example is that the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit, instead of on top. This isn't a huge deal, but it can be a little frustrating if you're trying to give multiple shots at once. It's also not very easy to determine the amount of water left in the tank due to its rear placement.
If you're willing to invest time learning to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent choice for any coffee lover at home. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is the price, which may be a deterrent for some buyers. If you're looking for a low-cost alternative, we suggest the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are similarly capable and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost less than the Breville model does.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart machine for coffee with a simple user interface that produces great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display gives your kitchen a sophisticated appearance. It comes with a single dial that allows you to set the amount of cups. There are two settings: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the right temperature, then evenly poured over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The brewed coffee then collects in the double-walled, thermal carafe for upto 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour function lets you remove the carafe while brewing and fill your cup. The machine pauses the brewing process, and displays a red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes brewing.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker is SCAA certified, which means it complies with the strict technical standards. Its brew time is approximately longer than the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers more control over temperature, brewing time and also quality.
In our tests in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced excellent drip coffee with a full-carafe of coffee in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. That's a little longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but it falls within the range that coffee experts recommend for a good cup of drip.
You must also grind your own beans prior to making. You can use an old-fashioned coffee grinder or go for a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which has multiple grind settings and a hopper that holds whole beans.
The only drawback is that the carafe as well as the water get more info reservoir aren't dishwasher safe and could cause hassle for certain users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is a top contender for the best drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and simple to use interface.