The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no universally-fit-all
coffee machine. That's why we've rounded up our favorite picks for your home, ranging from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatic machines that give you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automating the process and making you familiar with 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 option for those who want to make espresso at home, without making big sacrifices in terms of quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with limited counter space in mind. It offers top-quality build and the smallest footprint. It comes with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk and brew espresso simultaneously.
The machine looks fantastic and has a circular insert on the side panel with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic design of Rocket that is already impressive for a machine that is so small. It also includes the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to let you know 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 those of other machines. It is important be extra cautious when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is particularly true if you use it frequently. This is a natural trade-off to have smaller footprint, however it is not a problem particular to this model.
This machine is able to handle your coffee needs. However, we would recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with a Rocket Portafilter to improve tamping.
As a prosumer espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and is easy to create the latte art. It is important to remember that this machine was not designed for beginners. There is a slight learning curve for those who upgrade from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchanger is tricky to handle, and you'll need to master the art of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to an water source, allowing you to always be in a position to drink cold pure, filtered water. The latter model has smaller 2.25-liter tank that is difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in just 35 minutes. The water tank is able to be filled, as the lid can be removed to create an enormous hole. You can also fill it up with tap water if you prefer.
This is the smallest machine in the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it packs a punch. At its full price, it costs under PS100 which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those without the budget or space to buy a traditional espresso maker, but who would like to experience the pleasure of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is incredibly simple to use and occupies very little counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to start the machine and again to start dispensing the chosen pod. There's a backlight that's on the button so that you can easily see the amount of liquid that has been dispersed and you can choose to manually stop the process if you prefer to drink your drink in smaller portions.
This model doesn't come with a steam wand, but you can add some creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. The machine is also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or working space.
The pods aren't expensive, but they are available in a variety of blends that are suitable for all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. You can find them in most supermarkets, along with regular grounds
fresh coffee maker and coffee beans. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer. It includes a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty card, a quick guide, and a test pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine itself is small enough to be able to be stowed on an even surface or placed under the cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. If you're willing put in the work to learn how to use it this is a great do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than many of the more expensive models on the market. It's the best value in its class, and it's especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso machine yet--which can easily cost them $100 or more.
This model sits right below the top 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 on a tight budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and comes with a built-in burr grinder to make the entire experience cheaper. It is also a single-boiler machine, which means it can only do one thing at one time.
Despite being a relatively newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves by offering top-quality equipment. This machine is no exception and has enough control to let aspiring baristas develop their abilities without spending more than is necessary.
It's not without its flaws 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 significant however it can be a little frustrating if you're trying to dispense multiple shots at once. It's also difficult to determine the amount of water left in the tank, due to its rear placement.
If you're willing to spend some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an excellent, all-purpose appliance for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only issue is the price, which could be a turnoff for certain buyers. For those looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost a fraction of the cost.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine that makes great coffee with a simple user interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen give a sophisticated appearance to your kitchen. It comes with a single dial to program the number of cups you would like it to make. It also comes with the 2-4 cup setting as well as a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing process is similar to pour-over, which many coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee brewed is then stored in the thermal, double-walled carafe for upto 60 minutes. The pause and pour function lets you take out the carafe in brewing and fill your own cup. The machine stops the brewing process and shows the red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. It then resumes brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup
coffee machines uk machine industrial (
additional reading) maker is certified by SCAA, that means it is in compliance with the organization's rigorous technical standards. The brew cycles are the same as the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it allows for more control over temperature and brewing time.