The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no universally-fit-all coffee maker that is perfect for every. We've rounded up our favorite picks for your home, ranging from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans to a semiautomatic that gives you the best control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch achieves the perfect balance between automation and having to be able to master the art of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to-cup machine we've found.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those who are looking to make espresso at home without having to compromise on quality. This espresso machine for prosumers is designed with limited counter space in mind and combines outstanding build quality with a very small footprint. It comes equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head, so you can steam milk and brew espresso at the same time.

The machine also looks great and has a round insert on the side panel with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a modernization of Rocket's original design which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also comes with the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to show when the boiler is ready for use.

One drawback of this compact machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than those of other machines. You'll need be cautious when emptying and refilling the machine. This is especially the case when you are using it often. This is a natural trade-off for having smaller footprint, however it is not a problem that is unique to this model.

This machine can easily handle the demands of your coffee. We would suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also pair the machine with a Rocket Portafilter to increase the tamping.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make delicious drinks and it is easy to make Latte arts. It's important to note that this machine isn't designed for novices. There is a slight learning curve for those upgrading from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchanger can be difficult to work with and you'll have 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 able to drink cold, filter-filtered water. The latter comes with smaller 2.25-liter tank that is more difficult to refill.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. The machine is able to reach the temperature of brewing quickly, so you can make your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is fast and easy to refill by removing the lid completely to make a wide opening. You can even fill it with tap water if you prefer.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the models, but it packs a punch. At its full price, it's priced at PS100 which is lower than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those without the budget or space to buy a traditional espresso maker, but are looking to enjoy the benefits of real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very small counter space. Pressing one button will start the machine. When you press it again, it will start dispense the pod you've selected. The button is illuminated to let you know how much you have consumed. You can also stop the process, if you want to drink the pod in smaller portions.

There's no steam wand on this model, however you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or work space.

The pods aren't expensive, but they are available in a wide range of blends that will suit anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are sold in most supermarkets alongside regular coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.

The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and frother. It comes with a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty card and a quick reference, 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 the floor.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is not within the budget of many average consumers. But if you're willing to put in the work to master its use this is a fantastic espresso maker for your home 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 especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso grinder yet, which could set them back another $100 or more.

This model is a bit below the top of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) however, it's an excellent choice for baristas at home who are on a tight budget. It's loaded with customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means that it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.

Although it is a relatively newcomer to the market for espresso machines, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves by offering top-quality equipment. This machine is no exception and has enough control to let new baristas hone their abilities without spending more than necessary.

The unit has its flaws. The hopper is on the side, not on the top of the model. It's not a major problem, but it could be frustrating if you want to dispense several shots at once. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to determine how much liquid remains.

If you're willing some time in learning how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for any coffee lover at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is its cost, which may be a deterrent for certain buyers. If you're looking for a budget option, we recommend the Gaggia Gran Style Coffee Machine Black 950W: Premium Brewing Experience for Coffee Lovers Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost less than the cost.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech smart coffee machine machine for coffee with a simple user interface that produces excellent coffee. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED display provides your kitchen with a stylish look. It features one dial to set the number of cups you would like it to make. It also comes with two cup settings and a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing process is similar to pour-over, which many coffee aficionados believe produces the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature before being poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The brewed coffee then collects inside the double-walled thermal carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour function lets you remove the carafe in brewing and fill your individual cup. 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 Brew 9-Cup is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, that means it is in compliance with the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. Its brew cycles are about the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it gives you more control over temperature and brewing time.

In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup made an excellent drip Dual Coffee Maker with Reusable Filter + Cups and a full cup in just 7 minutes and 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 that coffee experts suggest for a decent cup of drip.

It also requires that you grind your own beans before making. You can opt for a manual grinder or an automated model, such as the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and a hopper for whole beans.

The only issue with this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a concern for some customers. The stainless steel is still easy to clean by hand, however. The OXO 9-Cup is an excellent contender for the best drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and easy-to use interface.