The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There is no one-size-fits-all coffee machine. We've compiled our top picks, starting with a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them into semiautomatics that give you the most control over your espresso.

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

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those who want to make espresso at home without sacrificing quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was specifically designed for people who have limited counter space. It has a great build quality and a compact footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8 liter copper heat-exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Heads so that you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same at the same time.

The machine also looks great and has a round insert on the side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a new take on Rocket's classic aesthetic and is already impressive for a machine that is so small. It also includes the black gauge of pressure in the boiler 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. You'll need to be careful when emptying and refilling the machine. This is especially true if you use it frequently. This is a natural tradeoff to have a smaller footprint, though this is not a problem specific to this model.

You can still make a large amount of coffee using this machine, and it can easily keep up with the demands of your customers. That being said, we would recommend investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair the machine with an Rocket Portafilter to increase the tamping.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create delicious drinks and it is easy to create Latte arts. It's important to note that the machine isn't made for novices, and there is an enlightening curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchanger can be difficult to work with and you'll have to learn how to do cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento offer the option of connecting to a water supply which allows you to always have fresh, cold water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter model has 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 high standards. The machine reaches the temperature for brewing quickly, so you can prepare your first cup in just 35 seconds. The water tank can be filled easily, as the lid can be removed to create an enormous hole. You can fill it using tap water, depending on what you prefer.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the range, but it packs a punch. At its full cost, it's less than PS100 - which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great choice for those who don't have the space or budget for a traditional espresso machine, but nevertheless want to drink a real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is extremely easy to use and occupies only a tiny amount of counter space. You just need to press one button to start the machine, then again to start dispensing your chosen brew. 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, but you can make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is also quite quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or workspace.

They're not cheap, but there is an array of blends to choose from that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. You can find them in the majority of supermarkets, along with regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. You can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.

The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule that has an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm power cable and plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet and a tester box containing nine Lavazza pods which include six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine itself is small enough to be kept on a flat surface or slipped under the cupboard.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. If you're willing and able to learn how to use it, then this is a great home espresso maker. It's more efficient than many of the more expensive models. It's a good price for the class and is particularly helpful for those who are new to the field and don't have an espresso machine, 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 a solid choice for baristas at home on a budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and has a built-in burr grinder to make the entire experience cheaper. It is also a single-boiler machine, meaning it can only do one thing at the same time.

Breville is relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has swiftly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine isn't an exception, and it offers just enough adjustability to let aspiring baristas improve their skills without spending hundreds of dollars more than they need to.

The unit does not come without its quirks. The hopper is situated on the side, not the top, of this model. It's not a big deal, but can be a hassle if you need to dispense several shots at a time. It's also difficult to determine how much water remains in the tank, because of its rear position.

If you're willing to spend some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an ideal, all-purpose machine for any home espresso and coffee combo machines lover. The only drawback is the price, which could be a deterrent 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 a fraction of the price.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech smart coffee maker that makes excellent coffee using a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED screen creates a chic kitchen design. It has one dial to set the number of cups you would like to make. It comes with two cup settings as well as a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing method is similar to pour-over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds using a shower head. The coffee brewed is then stored in the thermal, double-walled carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour feature lets you take out the carafe while brewing to fill your own cup. The machine pauses the brewing process and shows the red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes the brewing process.

The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker is SCAA certified, meaning it meets the organization’s strict technical standards. Its brew time is approximately longer than the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has greater control over temperature, brewing duration and quality.

In our testing we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup made excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe of coffee in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. That's a little longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but it falls within the range that coffee experts recommend for a great cup of drip.

You must also grind your own beans prior to making. You can use a manual coffee grinder or go for a more automated model, such as the Baratza Encore, which has various grind settings as well as a hopper that holds whole beans.

The only issue with this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a problem for some customers. The stainless steel is easy to clean by hand, however. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and user-friendly interface make it an undisputed contender among the top drip coffee makers.