The Best Coffee Machines For Home

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

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process while requiring you to be proficient in the art of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've found.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those who wish to make espresso at home, without making significant sacrifices in terms of 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 comes with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group head, so you can steam milk while making espresso at the same time.

The machine is also beautiful and has a round design on the side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a modernization of Rocket's classic design which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also has the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to let you know when the boiler is ready for use.

The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this machine than other models. This means that you'll have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when using it frequently. This is a cost that results in a smaller footprint. This is not a problem specific to this model.

This machine is able to handle the demands of your coffee. That being said, we would suggest investing in a good grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante for increased consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with the Rocket portafilter to enhance the process of tamping.

As a professional espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and it's easy to create latte art. However, it's worth noting that the machine isn't designed for beginners, and there is an enlightening curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger can be difficult to operate and you'll need to learn how much is a good coffee machine to do cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to a water source, allowing you to be capable of drinking cold pure, filtered water. The latter, however, 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

As you might expect from the Lavazza machine this one was designed with quality in mind. The machine can reach the temperature of brewing quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in just 35 second. The water tank is fast and easy to refill by removing the lid completely to make a wide opening. You can fill it with tap water depending on what you prefer.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the range, but it is a powerful machine. It's priced less than PS100 at the full price which is less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie an ideal choice for those without the budget or space for an espresso maker, but who want to get their fix of authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is extremely easy to use and occupies only a tiny amount of counter space. Pressing one button will begin the process. When you press it again, it will start dispensing the pod you have selected. There's a backlight on the button so that you can clearly see the amount of liquid that has been dispersed, and you can stop the process at any time should you prefer to drink the pod in smaller amounts.

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

The pods aren't cheap, but they come in a variety of blends that are suitable for everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are sold in most supermarkets along with regular ground coffee and coffee machines home beans and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.

The Jolie and Milk is a stylish capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It comes with a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty card along with 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 be placed under a cupboard or on a flat surface.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing and able master it this is a great home espresso maker. It performs better than many of the more expensive models. It's an excellent value for its class and is particularly helpful for beginners who don't yet have an espresso maker, which can cost up to $100.

This model is a bit in the middle 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 on a budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and it even includes an integrated burr grinder, making the entire experience more affordable. It's also a single boiler, which means it can only be used for steaming or brewing at the same time.

Breville is an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has quickly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and has enough control to let aspiring baristas develop their abilities without spending more than necessary.

It's not without its quirks however. The hopper is situated on the side, not at the top of the model. It's not a major deal, but can be a hassle if you need to disperse several shots at once. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to determine the amount of liquid left.

If you're willing to learn how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an excellent, all-purpose appliance for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is the price, which may be a deterrent for certain buyers. If you're looking for a budget option, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally powerful and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you only a fraction of the price. Breville model does.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech smart coffee maker that produces great coffee using a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display add a sophisticated look to your kitchen. It has one dial that allows you to set the number of cups. There are two settings: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. The brewing process is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee lovers believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to a perfect temperature before being poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The brewed coffee then collects in the double-walled, thermal carafe for upto 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour function lets you to take the carafe out while brewing and then fill your 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 Brew 9-Cup coffee machines for offices maker is an SCAA-certified coffee maker that means it is in compliance with the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. The brew cycles it uses are 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 with an entire carafe in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a little more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster calls for, but it is within the range that experts in the field recommend to make a good cup.

It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to making. You can select either a manual grinder or an automated model, such as the Baratza Encore. It has various grind settings, as well as it has a hopper that can be used for whole beans.

The only downside is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe and could cause problem for certain users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and user-friendly interface make it one of the top contenders among best coffee machines drip coffee makers.