The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. We've rounded-up our top picks, starting with a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them into semi-automatic machines that give you the best control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and needing to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a machine that makes coffee.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those looking to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with limited counter space in mind and is built to last with a high-end build quality and a very small footprint. It comes with a 1.8 Liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head, so you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same time.

The machine looks fantastic 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 and is already impressive for a compact machine. It also comes with the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to show when the boiler is ready to use.

One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than most other machines. You'll need be extra cautious when emptying and refilling the machine. This is especially the case when you are using it often. This is a natural tradeoff for having smaller footprint, however this is not a problem specific to this model.

This machine is able to handle the demands of your coffee. We suggest investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante to increase consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with a Rocket Portafilter to improve tamping.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create excellent drinks and is easy to create Latte Arts. It's important to note that the machine isn't made for beginners, and there is some learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliance-grade coffeee machines. The heat exchange boiler can be a bit tricky to manage and you'll have to master the ins and outs of cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento provide the option of connecting to a water source, which allows you to always have cold, fresh water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter, however, comes with a 2.25-liter water tank, which is more difficult to fill than its competitors.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

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

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the series, yet it packs a punch. It's priced less than PS100 at full price - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those with a limited budget or space for a traditional espresso maker, but would like to experience the pleasure of authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is incredibly simple to use and occupies very little counter space. You just need to press one button to start the machine, and then press it again to start dispensing your chosen pod. 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 make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth, if you'd like. The machine is quite quiet also and can be utilized in a small space or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing anyone else.

Pods aren't cheap, but there is a wide variety of blends that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are available in many supermarkets, as well as regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.

The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule that comes with an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm power cable and plug, a quick-guide and warranty card, as well as a test box containing nine Lavazza pods: six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine itself is small enough to be stored on an even surface or placed under the cupboard.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing and able learn how to use it, then this is a great at-home espresso maker. It's far superior to most of the more expensive models. It's among the best priced in its class, and is particularly suitable for beginners who don't have an espresso grinder yet. This could easily set them back another $100 or more.

This model is priced less than the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is an excellent option for baristas working on a tight budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and has a built-in burr grinder to make the entire experience more affordable. It's also a single boiler that means that it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.

Breville, relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has quickly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception and it comes with enough control to let aspiring baristas develop their abilities without spending more than they need to.

The unit does not come without its quirks. The hopper is located on the side, not the top of the model. It's not a huge problem, but it could be a problem if you wish to disperse several shots at a time. It's also not very easy to determine how much water remains in the tank, because of its position at the rear.

If you're willing to invest some time in learning how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for any espresso lover at home. The only issue with the Breville Barista Express is the price, which may be a stumbling block for some buyers. If you're looking for an affordable option, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines have similar capabilities 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 maker with a user-friendly interface that makes great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED display gives your kitchen a sophisticated design. It features one dial to set the number of cups you would like to make. It comes with a 2-4 cup setting and a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing process is similar to pour-over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the perfect temperature and then poured evenly over the coffee machines coffee grounds with a shower head. The coffee is collected in the double-walled thermal carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 min. The pause and pour function allows you to remove the carafe in brewing and fill your own cup. The machine stops the brewing process and shows an red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. The machine then begins brewing.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee machine deals maker is an SCAA-certified coffee maker which means it complies with the organization's rigorous technical standards. The brew cycles are the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing times.

In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced an excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe of coffee in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the time range that experts in the field recommend to make a good cup.

It also requires that you grind your own beans before brewing. You can select a manual grinder or an automated model like 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 to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a concern for some customers. The stainless steel is still easily cleaned by hand, but. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek style and user-friendly interface make it one of the top contenders among top drip coffee makers.