The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There is no one-size-fits-all coffee machine. That's why we've rounded up our top picks for your home, from a fully automated that grinds and packs your beans, to a semiautomatic that gives 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 seen.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those who want to make espresso at their home without having to compromise on quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with a limited counter space in mind and offers top-quality build and tiny footprint. It comes with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group head, so you can steam milk and make espresso simultaneously.

The machine looks stunning too, and comes with an insert for the side of the machine with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's classic design which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also includes an black gauge for boiler pressure to let you know when the boiler is ready to use.

The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than most others. This means that you will need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when using it frequently. This is a natural trade-off to have smaller footprint, however this is not a problem specific to this model.

This machine is capable of handling your coffee needs. We suggest investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gante, to improve consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with a Rocket portafilter to enhance the tamping process.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make excellent drinks and is easy to create Latte Arts. However, it's important to remember that the machine isn't made for beginners and there's an enlightening curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchange boiler can be a bit difficult to control, and you will have to master the basics of 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 always be capable of drinking cold pure, purified water. The latter, however, comes with a 2.25-liter water tank that is more difficult to refill than its competitors.

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 prepare your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill and the lid can be removed completely to create a large opening. You can also fill it with tap water if that's what you prefer.

This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range, but it still packs a punch. It's priced at less than PS100 at full price - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great option for those who don't have the space or money for traditional espresso machines however, they nevertheless want to drink the authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is extremely simple to use and occupies very little counter space. You just need to press a single button to activate the machine and again to begin dispensing your chosen brew. There's a light on the button so that you are able to see clearly how much has been dispensed, and you can stop the process at any time should you prefer to drink the pod in smaller amounts.

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 pro coffee Machines in a small kitchen or work space.

The pods aren't cheap, 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 sold in most supermarkets along with regular coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.

The Jolie and Milk is a smart-looking capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and a frother. It comes with a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty card and a quick reference, and a tester pack comprising nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasts (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 your cabinet.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso maker that's beyond the budget of many average consumers. If you're willing and able to master it, then this is a great at-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 those who are new to the field and don't 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 at $2,199) However, it's an excellent choice for home baristas on a budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and it even has a built-in burr grinder, making the entire experience less expensive. It's also a single boiler, which means it can only do steaming or brewing at one time.

Breville, a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has swiftly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no different and has enough adjustability to let aspiring baristas develop their abilities without spending more than they should.

The unit does not come without its flaws. The hopper is on the side, not the top of the model. It's not a huge issue, but it can be a hassle if you need to give multiple shots at once. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to know how much liquid is left.

But if you're prepared 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 is the price, which could be a nagging issue for certain buyers. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, read our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally powerful and offer a little more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you less than the Breville model can do.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech smart coffee machine with a user-friendly interface that makes great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display add an elegant design to your kitchen. It comes with a single dial that allows you to set the number of cups. There are two settings available: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing process is similar to pour-over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe is the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to a perfect temperature and poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee is then brewed in the thermal, double-walled carafe for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour function lets you to take the carafe out while making your coffee machines coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine pauses the brewing process and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it. It after which it resumes brewing and is finished.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is an SCAA-certified coffee maker that means it is in compliance with the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. The brew cycles are the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it allows for more control over temperature and brewing time.

In our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee that filled an entire carafe in just 7 minutes 41 seconds. It's slightly longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but it falls within the range of time that coffee experts suggest for a decent cup of drip.

It is also necessary to grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can use a manual coffee grinder, or opt for a more automatic model like the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and an hopper that can hold whole beans.

The only downside is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe this could be a hassle for certain users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is an excellent contender for the best drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and easy to use interface.