Ten Best Coffee Machines That Really Improve Your Life
The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all coffee machine small 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-automatics that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process while making you knowledgeable about the art of making espresso. It's our top choice for a coffee-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those who wish to make espresso at home coffee machines, without making huge sacrifices in terms quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with limited counter space in mind. It is built to last with a high-end build quality and tiny footprint. It comes with a 1.8 liter copper heat-exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Heads so that you can steam your milk and brew your coffee at the same at the same time.
The machine looks fantastic and has a round insert on the side panel with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is a refreshing update on Rocket's classic aesthetic, which is already pretty impressive for a compact machine. It also includes an black pressure gauge that indicates when the boiler is ready to use.
The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this machine than most others. This means you'll be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when using it frequently. This is a natural tradeoff for less footprint, however this is not a problem that is unique to this model.
You can still make a large amount of coffee using this machine, and it is able to easily meet your demands. That being said, we would recommend investing in a good grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also pair the machine with a Rocket Portafilter to improve the tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create delicious drinks and it is simple to make Latte arts. It's important to know that this machine is not designed for beginners. There is a slight learning curve for those who upgrade from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler can be a little tricky to operate, and you will have to learn the basics of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento allow connecting to a water supply which allows you to always have fresh, cold water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter has smaller 2.25-liter tank that is difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from a Lavazza machine this one was made with quality in mind. The machine is able to reach the brewing temperature quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in less than 35 second. The water tank is also fast and easy to refill and the lid can be removed completely to create a large opening. You can even fill it with tap water if you prefer.
This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range, but it still is a powerful machine. It's priced less than PS100 at the full price and is much less expensive than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who do not have the space or money for a traditional espresso machine however still want to experience a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely simple to use and takes up just a little counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to turn on the machine, then again to start dispensing your chosen pod. There's a backlight that's on the button, so you can clearly see how much has been dispensed and you can choose to stop the process at any time if you prefer to drink your drink in smaller portions.
The model isn't equipped with a steam wand, but you can add some creamy frosting to your milk by using an optional milk frother. The machine is very quiet also and can be used in a small space or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing others.
The pods are not expensive, but they are available in a variety of blends that can be used by everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in many supermarkets, as well as regular grounds coffee and coffee machine cheap beans. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and Milk is a smart-looking capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It includes a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty document, 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 the floor or placed under your cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing take the time to master its use this is a great espresso maker for your home that performs better than many of the more expensive models available. It's a good value for the money and is particularly helpful for beginners who don't yet have an espresso maker, which can cost up to $100.
This model sits right below the top of the range 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 comes with plenty of adjustable features, and includes an integrated burr grinder to make the whole experience much cheaper. It's also a single boiler that means it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.
Breville, a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has swiftly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception and has enough control to let aspiring baristas improve their skills without spending hundreds more than they need to.
There are some quirks, though. The hopper is situated on the side, not the top, of this model. It's not a huge deal, but can be a hassle if you need to give several shots at once. It's also difficult to see how much water remains in the tank due to its rear placement.
If you're willing to learn how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's a great, do-it-all appliance for any home espresso lover. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is its cost which could be a hindrance for certain buyers. For those seeking a cheaper alternative, read our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and offer a little 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 with a user-friendly interface that makes great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display creates a chic kitchen appearance. It comes with one dial that lets you to set the amount of cups. There are two settings: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing method is similar to pour-over brewing, which 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 coffee that is brewed is stored in a double-walled carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 min. Its pause and pour feature allows you to remove the carafe during brewing to fill your cup to the brim. 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 coffee maker has been SCAA certified, meaning it meets the organization’s strict technical standards. The brew cycle is longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has more control over temperature, brewing duration, and quality.
In our tests, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed excellent drip coffee with a full-carafe of coffee in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the 6 minutes that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster calls for, but it is within the time range that coffee experts suggest for making a quality cup.
You should also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can choose either a manual grinder or an automated model, such as the Baratza Encore. It has various grind settings, as well as it has a hopper that can be used for whole beans.
The only downside to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could pose a problem for some customers. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is a leading contender for the top drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and simple to use interface.
