The Best Coffee Machines For Home

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

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automatizing the process and requiring you to be knowledgeable about the art of making espresso. It's the most efficient bean-to-cup machine we've seen.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those who are looking to make espresso at home without losing quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with the smallest counter space in mind. It combines outstanding build quality with a very small footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8 Liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Heads so that you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same at the same time.

The machine looks great as well and features an elongated side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a fresh update on Rocket's classic aesthetic that is already impressive for a compact machine. It also includes 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 model than other models. This means that you'll have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you are using it regularly. This is a normal trade-off for having less footprint, however, and not an issue that is unique to this model.

You can still make a large amount of coffee using this machine, and it is able to easily keep up with the demands of your customers. We suggest buying a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante to improve consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with an Rocket portafilter to enhance the tamping process.

As a prosumer espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making delicious drinks, and it's easy to create Latte art. It is important to remember that this machine is not intended for novices. There is a slight learning curve for those who upgrade from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit difficult to manage, and you will have to learn the ins and outs of 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 pure, filtered water. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank that can be more difficult to refill than some of its competitors.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's top standards. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill, with the lid detaching completely to make a wide opening. It can be filled with tap water depending on what you prefer.

This is the smallest machine in the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still is a powerful machine. At 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 a traditional espresso machine however still want to experience the authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is simple to use and takes up small counter space. By pressing a single button, you can activate the machine. Pressing it again will begin dispensing the pod you have selected. The button is illuminated so that you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also stop the process in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller quantities.

This model doesn't come with a steam wand, however, you can add creamy frosting to your milk by using an optional milk frother. The machine is also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen workspace.

The pods aren't inexpensive, but they come in a variety 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 coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also purchase 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 in a box with an 75cm power cable, plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty sheet, and a test box containing nine Lavazza pods which include six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be able to be stowed on an even surface or placed under your cupboard.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance at first, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that's beyond the budget of many average consumers. But if you're willing to take the time to master its use this is a great do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than some of the more expensive models available. It's the most affordable in its class, and it's particularly suitable for beginners who don't have an espresso grinder yet. This could easily cost them another $100 or more.

This model is priced below the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is an excellent option for baristas on a budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and it even has a built-in burr grinder, making the whole experience much cheaper. It's also a single boiler machine that means it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.

Breville is an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has rapidly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception, and it offers just enough adjustability to let baristas who are aspiring improve their abilities without spending hundreds of dollars more than they need to.

The unit is not without its quirks. For one, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit, instead of on top--which isn't significant, but it can be a little difficult to dispense multiple shots at once. It's also not very easy to know the amount of water left in the tank due to its rear placement.

But if you're prepared to invest some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an excellent, all-purpose appliance for any home espresso lover. The only drawback is the cost, which can be a turnoff for certain buyers. For those looking for a less expensive option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are similarly capable and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you less than the Breville model can do.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech smart coffee maker with a simple user interface that produces great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display add a sophisticated look to your kitchen. It has one dial to set how many cups you want it to make. It also comes with two cup settings and a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing process is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee lovers believe makes the best-tasting coffee. The water is heated up to the right temperature, then evenly poured over the cheapest coffee machines grounds with shower heads. The brewed coffee machine coffee then collects in the double-walled, thermal carafe for upto 60 minutes. The pause and pour feature lets you remove the carafe in brewing and fill your cup to the brim. The machine stops the brewing process and displays the red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes brewing.

The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker has been SCAA certified, which means that it meets the organization’s 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 time.

In our tests in our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee, with the carafe filled in 7 minutes 41 seconds. It's slightly longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require but well within the range of time that coffee experts recommend for a great cup of drip.

You must also grind your own beans prior to making. You can make use of a manual coffee grinder, or choose a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which has various grind settings as well as a hopper that holds whole beans.

The only issue is that the carafe and the water reservoirs aren't dishwasher safe, which could be a issue for certain users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and easy-to-use interface make it a top contender among the best drip coffee makers.