The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. We've compiled our top picks, starting with a superautomatic that grinds your beans and packs them into a semiautomatic which gives you the best control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch achieves the perfect balance between automation and having to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's the most efficient bean-to-cup machine we've come across.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those looking to make espresso at their home without losing quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with the smallest counter space in mind. It combines outstanding build quality with a very small footprint. It comes equipped with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk and make espresso simultaneously.

The machine looks stunning as well, and has a round side panel insert with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is an update to Rocket's classic design which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also has an black gauge for boiler pressure to indicate when the boiler is ready to use.

One drawback of this compact machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than most other machines. This means you'll be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you use it often. This is a normal trade-off for smaller footprint, however it is not a problem particular to this model.

This machine is able to handle your coffee needs. We would suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also pair this machine with an Rocket portafilter to help improve the tamping process.

As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and it's simple to create Latte art. It's important to note that this machine was not intended for novices. There is a slight learning curve for people who are upgrading from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. The heat exchange boiler can be a bit tricky to control and you'll need to master 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 be capable of drinking cold, purified water. The latter comes with a smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be more difficult to refill.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, which allows you to prepare your first cup of coffee in just 35 minutes. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill by removing the lid completely to reveal a large opening. It can be filled with tap water, should you wish.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the models, but it is a powerful machine. It's priced less than PS100 at retail and is much less expensive than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who don't have the space or budget for traditional espresso machines however still want to experience an authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to use and takes up little counter space. Pressing a single button will activate the machine. Pressing it again will start dispense the specific pod you've chosen. 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 amounts.

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 quite quiet as well and can be used in a small workspace or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing others.

The pods are not expensive, but they are available in a range of blends that can be used by anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in most supermarkets alongside regular coffee beans and ground coffee maker price and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.

The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule with an integrated milk warmer. It includes a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty sheet along with a quick guide and a tester pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasts (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is small enough to be stored on the floor or placed under the cabinet.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance at first, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that's not within the budget of most average consumers. But if you're willing to invest the time to master its use this is a fantastic do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than some of the more expensive models available. It's the most affordable in its class, and is particularly suitable for beginners who don't have an espresso grinder yet, which could cost them $100 or more.

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

Breville, a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has rapidly established a reputation for high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and has enough control that it can be adjusted to let baristas who are aspiring develop their abilities without spending more than they have to.

The unit is not without its quirks. One example is that the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit instead of being on top. This isn't really significant however it can be frustrating if you're trying to disperse multiple shots at a time. It's also not very easy to see how much water is left in the tank, due to its rear placement.

If you're willing some time in learning how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent choice for any espresso lover at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is its price, which may be a hindrance for some buyers. If you're looking for a low-cost alternative, we suggest the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines have similar capabilities and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost less than the price.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech smart machine for coffee with a user-friendly interface that makes great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add an elegant design to your kitchen. It has a single dial to program the number of cups you would like it to make. It also comes with two cup settings and a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing process is similar to pour-over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe makes the best coffee machine (stay with me) tasting coffee machine for business. The water is heated up to the perfect temperature and then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds with a shower head. The coffee that is brewed is stored in a double-walled carafe and can be stored for up to 60 min. The pause and pour feature allows you to remove the carafe while brewing to fill your individual cup. The machine pauses the brewing process, and displays the red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes the brewing process.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup is an SCAA-certified coffee maker which means it complies with the organization's rigorous technical standards. The brew cycle is longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides more control over temperature, brewing duration and quality.

In our testing in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed a pot of excellent drip coffee with a full-carafe in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but still within the range coffee machine makes experts recommend for a great cup of drip.

It is also necessary to grind your own beans prior to making. You can opt for an manual grinder or a more 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 water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe this could be a hassle for some users. The stainless steel is still easy to clean by hand, though. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek style and easy-to-use interface make it an undisputed contender among the top drip coffee machines commercial makers.