The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There is no single-size-fits all coffee machine. This is why we've compiled our top picks for the home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans to semi-automatics that give you the best control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automating the process and making you proficient in the art of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've found.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those looking to make espresso at their home without losing quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with a limited counter space in mind. It combines outstanding build quality with the smallest 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 your coffee at the same time.

The machine looks great as well, and has an insert for the side of the machine with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a fresh update on Rocket's classic aesthetic, which is already pretty impressive for a machine that is so small. It also comes with a black pressure gauge that will let you know when the boiler is ready to use.

The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this model than others. This means that you will have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you use it often. This is a natural trade-off to have smaller footprint, however this is not a problem that is unique to this model.

You can still brew a lot of coffee using this machine, and it will easily meet your demands. That being said, we would suggest investing in a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also pair the machine with a Rocket Portafilter to increase the tamping.

As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and it's simple to create Latte art. However, it's important to remember that the machine isn't designed for novices, and there is a bit of a learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchanger can be tricky to handle, and you'll need to learn how to do cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento offer the option of connecting to a water source, which allows you to always have clean, cold water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank, which could be more difficult to refill than some of its competitors.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

As you would expect from a Lavazza machine, this one is made with quality in mind. The machine can reach the temperature of brewing quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in less than 35 second. The water tank is also fast and easy to refill, with the lid detaching completely to reveal a large opening. You can fill it with tap water if that's what you prefer.

This is the smallest machine in the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still packs a punch. At full price, it costs under PS100 which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great choice for those who do not have the space or funds for a traditional espresso machine however, they still want to enjoy a real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very small counter space. By pressing a single button, you can begin the process. When you press it again, it will start dispensing the pod you've selected. The button is illuminated so you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also manually stop the process in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller amounts.

There's no steam wand available on this model, however you can add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is quite quiet also and can be used in a small space or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing anyone else.

The pods aren't expensive, but they are available in a wide range of blends that are suitable for anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in many supermarkets, as well as regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. You can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.

The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and a frother. It comes in a box with an 75cm power cable, plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty sheet and a tester box containing nine Lavazza pods that include six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be placed under a cupboard or on flat surfaces.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance at first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is not within the budget of most average consumers. If you're willing and able to learn to use it this is a great home espresso maker. It's far superior to many of the more expensive models. It's a great value for the money and is especially useful for those who are new to the field and don't have an espresso machine that costs up to $100.

This model is priced less than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199), but is still an excellent option for baristas on a budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and comes with a built-in burr grinder that makes the entire experience cheaper. It's also a single boiler machine, which means it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.

Although it is a relatively newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves by offering top-quality equipment. This machine is no exception and offers enough adjustable control to allow aspiring baristas to develop their abilities without spending hundreds of dollars more than they have to.

The unit does not come without its quirks. For instance, the hopper on this model is placed on the side of the unit instead of on top--which isn't a huge deal, but it can be a little difficult to disperse multiple shots at a time. It's also not very easy to see how much water remains in the tank, because of its rear position.

If you're willing some time to learn how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for any coffee lover at home. The only issue with the Breville Barista Express is its cost which could be a hindrance for certain buyers. If you're looking for a lower-cost alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally capable and offer a bit 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 coffee maker with a simple user interface that makes great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add a sophisticated look to your kitchen. It comes with one dial that lets you to program the amount of cups. There are two settings: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour over the grounds, which many coffee lovers believe produces the best coffee machine tasting coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature and then poured over grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee that is brewed is stored in the double-walled thermal carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 min. The pause-and pour feature lets you remove the carafe while making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine stops the brewing process, and displays the red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. It then resumes the brewing process.

The OXO 9-Cup ground coffee machine maker has been SCAA certified, which means it complies with the strict technical standards. Its brew cycle is about as long as those of the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides more control over temperature, brewing duration, and quality.

In our testing we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed excellent drip coffee with a full cup 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 of time that experts in the field suggest for a decent cup of drip.

You must also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can use a manual coffee grinder or choose a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which has multiple grind settings and 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 still easy to clean by hand, though. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and easy-to-use interface make it one of the top contenders among best drip coffee makers.