The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. We've compiled our top picks, from a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them to semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automating the process and needing you to be proficient in the art of making espresso. It's our top choice for a machine that makes coffee.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those looking to make espresso at their home without losing quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was designed for those with little counter space. It combines excellent build quality and a small footprint. It is equipped with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head so you can steam milk and brew espresso simultaneously.

The machine looks great as well, and has a round side panel insert with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic look of Rocket, which is already pretty impressive for a compact machine. It also has the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to let you know when the boiler is ready for use.

One disadvantage of this tiny machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than most other machines. This means that you will have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you use it often. This is a cost that is a result of having smaller footprint. It's not an issue that is specific to this model.

This machine is able to handle your coffee needs. We suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gante, to improve consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with the Rocket portafilter to help improve the grinding process.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create excellent drinks and is simple to make latte arts. It's important to note that the machine isn't made for beginners and there's some learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchange boiler could be a bit tricky to control and you'll need 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 clean, cold filtering water available for your drinks. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank that could be more difficult to refill than its competitors.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

As you might expect from the Lavazza machine this one has been designed with quality in mind. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The tank is able to be filled with ease, since the lid can be removed to create an enormous hole. You can fill it up with tap water if you prefer.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the series, yet it is a powerful machine. It's priced at 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 choice 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 simple to use and takes up little counter space. By pressing a single button, you can begin the process. Pressing it again will start dispensing the specific pod you've chosen. The button has a backlight so you can see how much you have consumed. You can also stop the process, should you prefer to consume the pod in smaller amounts.

There's no steam wand included on this model, however you can add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth, if you'd like. The machine is also quite quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen working space.

The pods aren't cheap, but they come in a wide range of blends that will suit all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are readily available in many supermarkets along with regular coffee beans and ground stylish Coffee machines and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.

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

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. But if you're willing to take the time to learn how to use it, this is an excellent do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than some of the more expensive models available. It's an excellent value for the money and is particularly helpful for beginners who don't yet have an espresso maker that can cost up to $100.

The model is priced lower than the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) However, it's an excellent option for 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 is also a single-boiler machine, meaning it can only handle one thing at a time.

Despite being a relative newcomer to the market for espresso machines, Breville has quickly made an impact by offering top-quality equipment. This machine is no different and it comes with enough control to let budding baristas hone their abilities without spending more than is necessary.

There are some quirks however. For instance, the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit, instead of being on top. This isn't really a huge deal, but it can be annoying if you're trying dispense multiple shots at once. The rear-facing position of the tank makes it difficult to know the amount of liquid left.

But if you're prepared to spend some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's a great, do-it-all appliance for any home espresso lover. The only issue with the Breville Barista Express is its price, which may be a stumbling block for some buyers. If you're seeking a cheaper alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the price.

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 screen add an elegant appearance to your kitchen. It has one dial that allows you to program the amount of cups. There are two settings: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing method is similar to pour-over, which most coffee aficionados believe produces the most flavorful coffee. The water is heated to the right temperature, then poured evenly over the coffee grounds with shower heads. The brewed coffee is then stored in the double-walled thermal carafe that can be kept for up to 60 min. Its pause and pour feature allows you to remove the carafe in brewing and fill your cup to the brim. The machine pauses the brewing process and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it. then it resumes and completes brewing.

The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker is SCAA certified, which means that it meets the strict technical standards. Its brew time is approximately the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers greater control over temperature, brewing duration and quality.

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

You should also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can choose an manual grinder or stylish coffee machines a more automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has multiple grind settings, and an hopper for beans that are whole.

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