The Best Coffee Machines For Home

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

The Breville Oracle Touch achieves the perfect balance between automation and the need to know the ropes of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to-cup machine we've found.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those who are looking to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with the smallest counter space in mind and is built to last with a high-end build quality and the smallest 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 coffee at the same time.

The machine is also beautiful and has a circular panel on the side with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a fresh update on the classic design of Rocket and is already impressive for a small machine. It also comes with the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to show when the boiler is ready for use.

One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and water reservoir are smaller than most other machines. You will need to be careful when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially true in the event that you frequently use it. This is a normal trade-off to have a smaller footprint, though it is not a problem specific to this model.

This machine is capable of handling the demands of your coffee. We recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, to improve consistency and taste. You can also pair this machine with a Rocket portafilter to help improve the process of tamping.

As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making delicious drinks, and it's simple to make latte art. However, it's important to remember that the machine isn't 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, filter-filtered water. The latter model has smaller 2.25-liter tank that is harder to refill.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

As you might expect from the Lavazza machine this one was made with quality in mind. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, which allows you to prepare your first cup of coffee in less than 35 minutes. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill and the lid can be removed completely to reveal a large opening. You can fill it with tap water, should you wish.

This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it packs a punch. At its full cost, it's less than PS100 which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great choice for those who don't have the space or money for an espresso machine of the traditional type, but still want to experience an authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to use and takes up little counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to turn on the machine, then again to begin dispensing the chosen pod. The button is illuminated to let you know the amount you've consumed. You can also manually stop the process, should you prefer to consume 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 or workspace.

The pods aren't cheap, but they come in a range of blends that will suit everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in the majority of 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 sleek capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It comes with a 75cm power plug and power cable, a warranty card, a quick guide, and a tester pack comprising nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasts (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is small enough to fit under a cupboard or flat surfaces.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance at first, the Breville Bambino Espresso Machine: Stainless Steel Quality 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 learn how to use it this is a great do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than many of the more expensive models on the market. It's among the best priced in its class, and it's particularly suitable for beginners who don't have an espresso grinder yet, which could set them back another $100 or more.

This model is priced below the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is a good choice for baristas who are on a tight budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and includes an integrated burr grinder, making the entire experience less expensive. It's also a single boiler that means that it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.

Although it is a relatively newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made an impact with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and it comes with enough control to let aspiring baristas develop their abilities without spending a lot more than necessary.

It's not without its quirks, though. The hopper is situated on the side, not the top of the model. It's not a major problem, but it could be a hassle if you need to disperse several shots at a time. It's also not very easy to see the amount of water left in the tank due to its rear placement.

If you're willing some time to learn how to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent choice for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only issue with the Breville Barista Express is its cost which could be a hindrance for some buyers. If you're looking for a budget option, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the price.

4. OXO Brew 9 Cup

A high-tech, intelligent coffee maker that produces great coffee using a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add a stylish design to your kitchen. It has a single dial that allows you to program the number of cups. There are two settings available: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over, which many coffee lovers believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature and poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee brewed is then stored inside the double-walled thermal carafe for upto 60 minutes. The pause-and pour feature 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 the brewing process.

The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker is SCAA certified, meaning it meets the strict standards in terms of technology. Its brew cycle is about longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers more control over temperature, brewing time and quality.

In our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made a pot of excellent drip coffee and a full cup in 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 well within the range of time that coffee experts recommend for a good cup of drip.

It also requires that you grind your own beans before making coffee machines commercial. You can select a manual grinder or an automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and a hopper for whole beans.

The only downside to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could pose a problem for some customers. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is a top contender for the best drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and easy-to use interface.