The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There is no single-size-fits all coffee machine. This is why we've compiled our top picks for your home, from a fully automated that grinds and packs your beans to semi-automatic machines that give you the best home coffee maker control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automatizing the process and making you knowledgeable about the art of making espresso. It's our top pick for a machine that makes coffee.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those who want to make espresso at home without having to compromise on quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was designed for those with small counter space. It combines excellent build quality and 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 fantastic too, and comes with an insert for the side of the machine with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is an update to Rocket's classic design, which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also comes with an black gauge for boiler pressure to indicate when the boiler is ready to use.

The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this machine than most others. This means you'll need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you are using it regularly. This is a natural trade-off for smaller footprint, however it is not a problem that is unique to this model.

You can still brew a lot of coffee using this machine, and it will easily keep up with the demands of your customers. We suggest investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante to increase consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with the Rocket portafilter to help improve the grinding process.

As a prosumer espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and it's simple to create latte art. It's important to note that the machine was not designed for novices and has an enlightening curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchanger can be difficult to work with 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 an water source, which allows you to be in a position to drink cold pure, purified water. The latter comes with a 2.25-liter water tank, which could be more difficult to fill than its competitors.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. The machine reaches the brewing temperature quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in just 35 seconds. The water tank is also fast and easy to refill and the lid can be removed completely to create a large opening. You can fill it using tap water, should you wish.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the models, but it packs a punch. At its full price, it costs under PS100 which is less 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 an espresso machine of the traditional type however, they still want to experience a real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is incredibly simple to operate and takes up only a tiny amount of counter space. By pressing a single button, you can begin the process. Pressing it again will start dispensing the pod you've selected. There's a backlight that's on the button, so you can clearly see how much has been dispensed, and you can manually stop the process in case you prefer drinking your drink in smaller portions.

There's no steam wand included on this model, however you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you like. The machine is quiet also, and can be used in a small workspace or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing anyone else.

The pods are not cheap, but they come in a range of blends that are suitable for anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. You can find them in most supermarkets, along with regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. You can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.

The Jolie and Milk is a stylish capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and a frother. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cord and plug, a quick-guide and warranty card, as well as a test box of nine Lavazza pods that include six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be placed under a cupboard or a flat surface.

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 an excellent espresso maker for home use that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models available. It's a good value for its class and is especially useful for those who are new to the field and don't have an espresso machine that can cost up to $100.

This model sits right below the top of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive, costing $2,199) However, it's an excellent choice for home baristas on a budget. It has a lot of options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler that means it can only be used for steaming or brewing at the same time.

Despite being a relative newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made their mark by offering top-quality equipment. This machine isn't an exception and has enough adjustability to allow aspiring baristas to improve their abilities without spending more than they need to.

It's not without its quirks however. For one, 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 annoying if you're trying dispense multiple shots at once. The rear position of the tank makes it difficult to know the amount of liquid left.

If you're willing time learning to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for any coffee lover at home. The only downside is the price, which can be a nagging issue for certain buyers. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally capable and offer a little more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost less than the Breville model can do.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech, smart coffee maker that makes excellent coffee with a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display creates a chic kitchen design. It comes with a single dial that allows you to program the amount of cups. There are two settings available: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. The brewing method is similar to pour over that many coffee enthusiasts believe is the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature and poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The brewed coffee then collects inside the double-walled thermal carafe for upto 60 minutes. The pause and pour feature lets you take out the carafe in brewing and fill your individual cup. The machine pauses the brewing process, and displays a red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. It then resumes brewing.

The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker is SCAA certified, which means that it meets the organization_s strict standards for technical quality. Its brew cycle is about as long as those of the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides more control over temperature, brewing duration and quality.

In our tests, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. That's a little longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but still within the range coffee experts recommend for a good cup of drip.

You should also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can opt for either a manual grinder or an automated model, such as the Baratza Encore. It has various grind settings, as well as 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 users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is an excellent contender for the best coffee machine drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and simple to use interface.