The Best Coffee Machines For Home

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

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the 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 come across.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those who are looking to make espresso at their home without having to compromise on quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with limited counter space in mind. It combines outstanding build quality with the smallest footprint. It comes equipped with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk while making espresso at the same time.

The machine looks fantastic as well and features a round side panel insert with the engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a fresh update on Rocket's classic aesthetic that is already impressive for a small machine. It also includes the black pressure gauge, which indicates when the boiler is ready for use.

One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than the majority of machines. This means that you'll need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you are using it regularly. This is a sacrifice that results in smaller footprint. This is not an issue that is specific to this model.

This machine is capable of handling the demands of your coffee. That being said, we would suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with an Rocket portafilter to help improve the process of tamping.

As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and it's easy to make Latte art. It's important to note that this machine was not designed for beginners. There is a little learning curve for people who are upgrading from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a little tricky to control and you'll need to learn the ins and outs 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, filtered water. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank that 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 made with quality in mind. The machine can reach the temperature for brewing quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in just 35 second. The water tank is also 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.

This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range, but it still packs a punch. It's priced at less than PS100 at retail - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie an ideal choice for those who don't have the money or space to buy a traditional espresso maker, but are looking to enjoy the benefits of real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is extremely simple to use and occupies just a little counter space. You just need to press one button to start the machine and again to start dispensing the chosen pod. There's a backlight on the button to ensure that you can clearly see how much has been dispensed, Coffee machine comparison and you can manually stop the process in case you prefer drinking your pod in smaller doses.

There's no steam wand included on this model, however you can make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you like. The machine is quite quiet, coffee Machine comparison too, and can be used in a small space or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing anyone else.

The pods aren't inexpensive, but they come in a range of blends that can be used by everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in many supermarkets, as well as regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.

The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule with an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm power plug and power cable, a warranty document, a quick guide, and a tester pack comprising nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is small enough to fit under a cabinet or on the floor.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. If you're willing to learn to use it this is a great at-home espresso maker. It performs better than most of the more expensive models. It's the most affordable in its class, and is especially suitable for those who do not have an espresso maker yet--which can easily cost them $100 or more.

This model sits right below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199), but it's still an excellent option for home baristas on a budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and it even includes an integrated burr grinder that makes the entire experience cheaper. It's also a single boiler, which means it can only be used for steaming or brewing at the same time.

Despite being a relatively newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made an impact with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no different, and it offers just enough adjustable control to let baristas who are aspiring improve their skills without spending hundreds of dollars more than they should.

There are some quirks, though. For instance, the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit, instead of on top. This isn't significant, but it can be difficult to disperse multiple shots at a time. The rear position of the tank makes it difficult to know how much liquid is left.

If you're willing to put in time learning to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent choice for anyone who loves espresso 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 Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally capable and offer a little more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you only a fraction of the price. Breville model can do.

4. OXO Brew 9 Cup

A high-tech smart durable coffee machines maker that produces great coffee using a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED display gives your kitchen a sophisticated appearance. It has a single dial to program how many cups you want it to make. It also comes with two cup settings and a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing method is similar to pour over the grounds, which many coffee lovers believe makes the best tasting iced coffee makers. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and then poured evenly over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The coffee is then brewed inside the double-walled thermal carafe for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour function lets you remove the carafe while brewing and fill your cup. The machine pauses the brewing process, and displays the red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. The machine then begins brewing.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup is certified by SCAA, which means it meets the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. Its brew cycles are about the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it allows for more control over temperature and brewing time.

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

It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to making. You can make use of a manual coffee grinder, or opt for a more automatic model like the Baratza Encore, which has multiple grind settings and an hopper that can hold whole beans.

The only issue is that the carafe and water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe, which could be a hassle for certain users. The stainless steel is easy to clean by hand, though. The OXO 9-Cup is a leading contender for the top drip Coffee Machine Comparison maker because of its sleek design and simple to use interface.