The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no one-size-fits-all coffee maker that is perfect for every. This is why we've compiled our top picks for the home, from a fully automated that grinds and packs your beans, to a semiautomatic that gives you the best control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and having to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a bean-to-cup machine.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those who want to make espresso at home without making significant sacrifices in terms of quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with the smallest counter space in mind and offers top-quality build and a very small footprint. It is equipped with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head so you can steam milk and brew espresso simultaneously.

The machine looks great as well and features an elongated side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's traditional design that is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also comes with a black pressure gauge that shows when the boiler is ready to use.

One drawback of this compact machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than those of other machines. It is important be cautious when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially true if you use it frequently. This is a trade-off that is a result of having a smaller footprint. This is not a problem specific to this model.

This machine can easily handle your coffee demands. We suggest investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante to improve consistency and taste. You can also pair the machine with a Rocket Portafilter to enhance tamping.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create delicious drinks and it is easy to create Latte arts. It's important to know that this machine isn't intended for novices. There is a small learning curve for those who upgrade from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit tricky to control and you'll need to learn the ins and outs 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 be able to drink cold pure, filter-filtered water. The latter comes with smaller 2.25-liter tank that is harder to refill.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, which allows you to prepare your first cup of coffee machines Best in less than 35 minutes. The water tank is quick and easy to fill and the lid can be removed completely to reveal a large opening. You can even fill it up with tap water if that's what you prefer.

This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it 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 alternative for those who do not have the space or money for a traditional espresso machine, but still want to enjoy an authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is incredibly simple to operate and takes up very little counter space. Pressing one button will begin the process. After pressing it again, it will start dispensing the pod you have selected. The button has a backlight so that you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also manually stop the process if you want to drink the pod in smaller amounts.

There's no steam wand available on this model, however you can make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is quite quiet as well and can be used in a small workspace or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing others.

The pods aren't expensive, but they are available in a range of blends that can be used by all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in most supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. 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 comes with a 75cm power cord and plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty card, as well as a test box that contains nine Lavazza pods which include six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine itself is small enough to be stored on a flat surface or slipped under the cupboard.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing and able learn to use it, then this is a fantastic home espresso maker. It performs better than most of the more expensive models. It's an excellent value for its class and is particularly helpful for beginners who don't yet own an espresso machine that can cost up to $100.

The model is priced lower than the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199), but is still a good choice for baristas working on a budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and comes with a built-in burr grinder, making the entire experience cheaper. It's also a single boiler machine, meaning it can only do one thing at a time.

Breville, relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has swiftly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no exception and offers enough adjustability to let baristas who are aspiring burnish their abilities without spending hundreds of dollars more than they need to.

It's not without its quirks however. One example is that the hopper on this model is placed on the side of the unit, instead of being on top. This isn't really an issue however it can be a little annoying if you're trying give multiple shots at once. It's also difficult to know how much water is left in the tank due to its rear placement.

If you're willing some time to learn how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent choice for any espresso lover at home. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is its price, which may be a hindrance for some buyers. If you're seeking a cheaper option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally powerful and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you a fraction of what this Breville model does.

4. OXO Brew 9 Cup

A high-tech, intelligent coffee maker that produces great cheap coffee machine with a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen give a stylish look to your kitchen. It has a single dial that allows you to program the number of cups. There are two settings: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. The brewing process is similar to pour-over, which many coffee lovers believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to a perfect temperature and poured over the grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The coffee brewed is then stored inside the double-walled thermal carafe for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour feature allows you to take the carafe out while brewing and fill your cup. The machine pauses brewing and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it. It after which it resumes brewing and is finished.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup is an SCAA-certified coffee maker which means it meets the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. Its brew time is approximately the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has greater control over temperature, brewing duration, and quality.

In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup made excellent drip coffee with a full cup in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a little more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the range that coffee experts recommend to make a good cup.

You should also grind your beans before brewing. You can opt for a manual grinder or a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and an hopper for beans that are whole.

The only downside to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could pose a problem for some customers. The stainless steel is still easily cleaned by hand, however. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and user-friendly interface make it a top contender among the top drip coffee makers.