The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. That's why we've rounded up our top picks for the home, from a fully automated that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatics that give you the most control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch achieves the perfect balance between automation and needing to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to-cup machine we've seen.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those who wish 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 the smallest footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head, so you can steam milk and brew espresso simultaneously.

The machine also looks great and has a circular design on the side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a modernization of Rocket's traditional design which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also has an black pressure gauge that indicates when the boiler is ready for use.

The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this model than others. This means that you will be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you use it often. This is a trade-off that is a result of having a smaller footprint. It's not an issue that is specific to this model.

This machine is able to handle the demands of your coffee. That being said, we would recommend investing in a good grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to increase tamping.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create some great drinks and it is easy to create Latte Arts. It is important to remember that this machine isn't designed for novices. There is a small learning curve for those who upgrade from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler could be a bit tricky to manage and you'll 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, allowing you to always be capable of drinking cold and filtered water. The latter has smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be harder to refill.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. The machine reaches the temperature of brewing quickly, which means you can make your first cup in just 35 seconds. The water tank is able to be filled, as the lid can be removed to make a large hole. You can also fill it up with tap water if you want.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the series, yet it is a powerful machine. It costs 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 choice for those who do not have the space or funds for an espresso machine of the traditional type, but nevertheless want to drink a real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is extremely simple to use and takes up only a tiny amount of counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to start the machine and again to begin dispensing your chosen brew. The button is illuminated to let you know the amount you've consumed. You can also manually stop the process if you want to drink the pod in smaller quantities.

This model does not come with a steam wand, but you can add some creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. The machine is quiet as well and can be used in a small workspace or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing anyone else.

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

The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule machine that comes with an integrated milk warmer. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cord and 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 stored on the floor or placed under the cupboard.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance at first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso maker that's beyond the budget of a majority of consumers. But if you're willing to take the time to learn how to use it, this is an excellent espresso maker for your home that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models available. It's an excellent value for the money and is particularly helpful for those who are new to the field and don't have an espresso machine that costs up to $100.

The model is just in the middle of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) However, it's an excellent option for baristas at home on a budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and it even includes an integrated burr grinder to make the entire experience less expensive. It's also a one-boiler machine, which means it can only do one thing at the same time.

Breville is a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has quickly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine isn't an exception and has enough adjustability to allow aspiring baristas to burnish their abilities without spending more than they have to.

The unit is not without its flaws. The hopper is situated on the side, not at the top of the model. It's not a major problem, but it could be a problem if you wish to dispense several shots at once. The rear-facing position of the tank makes it difficult to determine how much liquid is left.

But if you're prepared to invest some time learning 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 the price which could be a deterrent for certain buyers. For those looking for a less expensive alternative, read our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and provide a bit 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 display add an elegant appearance to your kitchen. It comes with only one dial to program the amount of cups you want to make. It comes with a 2-4 cup setting and a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing method is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee lovers believe makes the best budget coffee machine-tasting coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature, and then evenly poured over the coffee grounds with a shower head. The brewed coffee then collects in the double-walled, thermal carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour feature allows you to take the carafe out while making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine pauses brewing and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it. then resumes and finishes brewing.

The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker has been SCAA certified, which means it meets the strict standards for technical quality. Its brew cycles are about the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing time.

In our tests in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made a pot of excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe of epresso coffee machines in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. It's slightly longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require but well within the range coffee experts recommend for a great cup of drip.

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

The only issue is that the carafe as well as the water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe and could cause problem for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and user-friendly interface make it one of the top contenders among best drip automatic coffee machines makers.