The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There is no single-size-fits all coffee maker. That's why we've rounded up our top picks for your home, from a fully automated that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatics that give you the best control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend between automation and the need to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've come across.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top pick 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 and combines outstanding build quality with the smallest footprint. It is equipped 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 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 modernization of Rocket's classic design, which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also includes an black gauge for boiler pressure to show when the boiler is ready for use.

One drawback of this compact machine is that the drip tray and water reservoir are smaller than the majority of machines. This means that you'll need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you are using it regularly. This is a natural tradeoff for a smaller footprint, though this is not a problem that is unique to this model.

This machine can easily handle the demands of your coffee. We suggest investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante to improve consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with an Rocket portafilter to improve the tamping process.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, makes some great drinks and it is simple to make latte arts. However, it's worth noting that the machine isn't designed for novices and there's a bit of a learning curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchange boiler can be a bit difficult to operate and you'll have to learn the basics of cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento provide the option of connecting to a water supply which allows you to always have fresh, cold filtering water available for your drinks. The latter comes with a 2.25-liter water tank that 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 is made with quality in mind. The machine can reach the temperature of brewing quickly, meaning you can prepare your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is fast and easy to refill, with the lid detaching completely to create a large opening. You can fill it up using tap water, should you wish.

This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it packs a punch. It costs less than PS100 at retail - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those who don't have the money or space to buy a traditional espresso maker, but want to get their fix of authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is incredibly simple to use and takes up only a tiny amount of counter space. You just need to press a single button to activate the machine and again to start dispensing the chosen pod. The button has a backlight to let you know how much you have consumed. You can also stop the process should you prefer to consume the pod in smaller amounts.

This model doesn't come with a steam wand but you can add some creamy froth to your milk using an optional milk frother. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or work space.

The pods aren't inexpensive, but they come in a range of blends that are suitable for all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are readily available in many supermarkets alongside regular coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.

The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule with an integrated milk warmer. It comes with an 75cm power cable, plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty sheet, and a test box containing nine Lavazza pods that include six roasts (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 the floor.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. If you're willing to learn to use it and make it work, then this is a great home espresso maker. It's more efficient than most of the more expensive models. It's the most affordable in its class, and is especially good for novices who do not have an espresso maker yet. This could easily cost them $100 or more.

The model is priced lower than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) However, it's an excellent option for baristas on a tight budget. It's loaded with options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a one-boiler machine, meaning it can only handle one thing at the same time.

Breville, an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has rapidly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine isn't an exception and offers enough control that it can be adjusted to let baristas who are aspiring improve their skills without spending more than they need to.

It's not without its flaws, though. For one, the hopper on this model is placed on the side of the unit, instead of on top--which isn't significant however it can be a little difficult to dispense multiple shots at once. It's also not very easy to know how much water remains in the tank, because of its rear position.

But if you're prepared to spend some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an ideal, all-purpose machine for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only issue with the Breville Barista Express is its price which could be a deterrent for certain buyers. If you're looking for a lower-cost option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost less than the price.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech smart coffee machine with a user-friendly interface that produces excellent coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add a stylish appearance to your kitchen. It has one dial to set the amount of cups you want it to make and includes a 2-4 cup setting and a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing technique is similar to pour over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe is the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds with a shower head. The coffee is stored in a double-walled carafe that can be kept for up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour feature lets you take out the carafe in brewing and 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 comes SCAA certified, which means it meets the organization’s strict technical standards. Its brew time is approximately the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides greater control over temperature, brewing time, and quality.

In our testing in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed excellent drip coffee with a full cup in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the 6 minutes that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the time range that coffee machine for business experts recommend for making a quality cup.

You must also grind your own beans prior to making. You can use an old-fashioned coffee grinder or go for a more automated model like the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and a hopper that holds whole beans.

The only issue is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe and could cause problem for certain users. The stainless steel is still easy to clean by hand, though. The OXO 9-Cup is an excellent contender for the top drip coffee Machines best maker because of its sleek design and easy to use interface.