The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. We've rounded-up our top choices, ranging from 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 achieves the perfect balance between automation and the need to be able to master the art of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've come across.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those looking to make espresso at home, without making big sacrifices in terms of quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was created for those with limited counter space. It combines excellent build quality and a 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 brew espresso at the same time.

The machine looks stunning too, and comes with an elongated side panel with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is a modernization of Rocket's traditional design which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also comes with a black boiler pressure gauge to show when the boiler is ready to use.

One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than most other machines. This means you'll need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you are using it regularly. This is a sacrifice that results in a smaller footprint. This isn't a problem specific to this model.

You can still brew plenty of coffee with this machine, and it is able to easily meet the demands. That being said, we would recommend investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante for increased consistency and flavor. You can also pair the machine with an Rocket Portafilter to improve tamping.

As a prosumer espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making delicious drinks, and it's simple to create Latte art. It is important to remember that this machine is not designed for beginners. There is a small learning curve for those upgrading from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. The heat exchanger is difficult to operate and you'll need to learn how to do 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 in a position to drink cold and filter-filtered water. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank, which can be more difficult to refill than its competitors.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

As you might expect from a Lavazza machine this one has been designed with quality in mind. The machine can reach the brewing temperature quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in just 35 second. The water tank can be easily refilled with ease, since the lid can be removed to create the large hole. You can fill it up using tap water, depending on what you prefer.

This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it has a lot of punch. At its 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 alternative for those who do not have the space or budget for a traditional espresso machine however, they still want to experience a real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to clean coffee machines to use and occupies very small counter space. Pressing one button will begin the process. Pressing it again will begin dispensing the pod you have selected. There's a light on the button, so you can easily see the amount of dispensed and you can also stop the process at any time should you prefer to drink your drink in smaller portions.

The model isn't equipped with a steam wand, however, you can add creamy froth to your milk using an optional milk frother. The machine is also quite quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen working space.

The pods are not inexpensive, but they come in a wide range of blends that are suitable for anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in most supermarkets along with regular coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.

The Jolie and Milk is a stylish capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and frother. It comes with a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty card, 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 compact enough to fit under a cupboard or flat surfaces.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. But if you're willing to put in the work to learn how to use it this is a fantastic espresso maker for your home that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models available. It's the most affordable in its class, and it's particularly suitable for beginners who do not have an espresso maker yet. This could easily cost them another $100 or more.

This model sits right in the middle of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive, costing $2,199), but it's still a solid choice for baristas at home who are on a tight budget. It has a lot of options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine that means it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.

Breville, relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has rapidly established a reputation for high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception, and it has just enough control to let new baristas improve their skills without spending hundreds more than they need to.

The unit does not come without its flaws. The hopper is situated on the side, not at the top of the model. It's not a big issue, but it can be frustrating if you want to give several shots at a time. It's also difficult 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 appliance for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only issue is the price, which can be a nagging issue for some buyers. If you're looking for a budget alternative, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the cost.

4. OXO Brew 9 Cup

A high-tech, Best coffee machines smart coffee maker that produces great coffee using a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED screens creates a chic kitchen design. It comes with one dial that allows you to set the amount of cups. There are two options: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing method is similar to pour-over, which most coffee lovers believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature and then poured over grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The brewed coffee then collects in the thermal, Best Coffee Machines double-walled carafe for upto 60 minutes. Its pause and pour feature lets you take out the carafe in brewing and fill your individual cup. The machine stops brewing and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it. It then it resumes and completes brewing.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, which means it meets the organization's rigorous technical standards. The brew cycles are the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing times.

In our tests, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made excellent drip portable coffee makers and a full-carafe in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. It's slightly 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.

It is also necessary to grind your own beans prior to making. You can make use of an old-fashioned coffee grinder or opt for a more automatic model like 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 concern 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 a top contender among the best drip coffee makers.