The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. That's why we've rounded up our top picks for the home, 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 a perfect balance between automatizing the process and requiring you to be knowledgeable about the art of making espresso. It's our top choice for a coffee-to-cup machine.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those who want to make espresso at their home without losing quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was specifically designed for people with small counter space. It is built to last and has excellent quality and a small footprint. It is equipped 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 time.

The machine looks fantastic as well, and has an insert for the side of the machine with the engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a fresh update on the classic look of Rocket that is already impressive for a compact machine. It also comes with the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to let you know 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 the majority of machines. This means you'll be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you are using it regularly. This is a natural trade-off for having smaller footprint, however it is not a problem specific to this model.

This machine can easily handle your coffee needs. We recommend buying a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante to improve consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to enhance the tamping.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, makes some great drinks and it is easy to create Latte Arts. However, it's important to remember that the machine isn't designed for beginners and has an enlightening curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a little tricky to control, and you will have to learn the basics of cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to an water source, allowing you to always be able to drink cold, purified water. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank that could be more difficult to refill than its competitors.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

As you would expect from a Lavazza machine this one has been designed with quality in mind. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The water tank can be easily refilled by removing the lid. be removed to create the large hole. You can fill it up with tap water depending on what you prefer.

This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it packs a punch. 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 funds for an espresso machine of the traditional type, but nevertheless want to drink the authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is incredibly simple to use and occupies only a tiny amount of counter space. Pressing a single button will start the machine. After pressing it again, it will start dispensing the specific pod you've chosen. There's a light on the button to ensure that you are able to see clearly the amount of dispensed, and you can stop the process at any time should you prefer to drink your pod in smaller doses.

The model isn't equipped with a steam wand, however, you can add creamy frosting to your milk by using an optional milk frother. The machine is quite quiet as well and can be used in a small workspace or in a flatshare kitchen without causing any disturbance to anyone else.

Pods aren't cheap, but there is a variety of blends to choose from that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are available in most supermarkets, along with regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. 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 frother. It comes with a 75cm power cord and plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet, and 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 compact enough to fit under a cupboard or the floor.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. But if you're willing to invest the time to learn how to use it this is a great espresso maker for your home that performs better than some of the more expensive models available. It's the most affordable in its class, and is especially suitable for those who do not have an espresso maker yet. This could easily cost them another $100 or more.

This model sits right below the top of the range 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 has plenty of customizable features, and it even has a built-in burr grinder that makes the whole experience much cheaper. It's also a single boiler machine that means it can only be used for steaming or brewing at one time.

Breville is relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has swiftly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no exception and has enough adjustable control to allow aspiring baristas to burnish their abilities without spending hundreds of dollars more than they have to.

There are some quirks however. For one, the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit instead of on top--which isn't an issue, but it can be a little frustrating if you're trying to disperse multiple shots at a time. The rear-facing position of the tank makes it difficult to see the amount of liquid left.

If you're willing to invest some time to learn how 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 its price, which may be a deterrent for some buyers. If you're seeking a cheaper alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally powerful and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost a fraction of what this Breville model does.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech, intelligent coffee maker that makes excellent coffee using a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen give a sophisticated look to your kitchen. It features a single dial to program the number of cups you would like it to make. It also comes with the 2-4 cup setting as well as a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing technique is similar to pour over that many coffee enthusiasts believe is the most delicious coffee machine maker. The water is heated to the ideal temperature, and then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds with a shower head. The Coffee Machine For Office is then brewed inside the double-walled thermal carafe for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour function lets you to remove the carafe during brewing and fill your cup. The machine stops the brewing process and displays an red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. The machine then begins brewing.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup is an SCAA-certified coffee maker that means it is in compliance with the organization's rigorous technical standards. 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, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee that filled an entire carafe in just 7 minutes 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 experts in the field suggest for a decent cup of drip.

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

The only drawback is that the carafe and water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe and could cause hassle for certain users. The stainless steel is easily cleaned by hand, though. The OXO 9-Cup is an excellent contender for the top drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and simple to use interface.