The People Closest To Best Coffee Machine Have Big Secrets To Share
The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. We've compiled our top picks, from a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them to semi-automatic machines that give you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend between automation and having to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to-cup machine we've come across.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those who want to make espresso at home without sacrificing quality. This espresso machine for prosumers is designed with the smallest counter space in mind and combines outstanding build quality with the smallest footprint. It comes with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group head so you can steam milk and brew espresso simultaneously.
The machine looks fantastic and has a circular panel on the side with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is an update to Rocket's classic design, which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also has the black pressure gauge, which will let you know when the boiler is ready for use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than most other models. You'll need be extra cautious when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is particularly true when you are using it often. This is a normal trade-off to have less footprint, however, and not an issue particular to this model.
You can still brew plenty of coffee using this machine, and it will easily keep up with your demands. That being said, we would suggest investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante for greater consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to improve tamping.
As a professional espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and it's easy to make the latte art. It is important to remember that this machine isn't designed for beginners. There is a little learning curve for people who are upgrading from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit tricky to manage and you'll have to learn 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 able to drink cold pure, purified water. The latter model has smaller 2.25-liter tank that is more difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from the Lavazza machine this one has been made with quality in mind. The machine is able to reach the temperature of brewing quickly, meaning you can make your first cup in just 35 seconds. The tank can be filled easily with ease, since the lid can be removed to create the large hole. You can also fill it with tap water if you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the range, but it packs a punch. It's priced at less than PS100 at retail and is much less expensive 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 a traditional espresso machine, but still want to enjoy an authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and takes up small counter space. By pressing a single button, you can start the machine. When you press it again, it will start dispensing the pod you have selected. The button is illuminated so that you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also stop the process, in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller portions.
There's no steam wand included on this model, but you can make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you like. The machine is quite quiet, too, and can be used in a small workspace or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing others.
The pods aren't cheap, but they come in a range of blends that can be used by everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in most supermarkets, along with regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.
The Jolie and Milk is a stylish capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and frother. It includes a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty sheet along with a quick guide and a tester pack of 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 the floor or placed 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 this is a great at-home espresso maker. It's far superior to most of the more expensive models. It's the most affordable in its class, and it's especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso machine yet. This could easily cost them another $100 or more.
This model is priced below the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) However, it's an excellent option for baristas working on a tight budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and it even comes with a built-in burr grinder that makes the whole experience much more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means that it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.
Breville, relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has rapidly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no different and it comes with enough control to let new baristas hone their abilities without spending a lot more than necessary.
There are some quirks however. coffee pot machine is on the side, not on the top of the model. It's not a major deal, but can be a hassle if you need to give several shots at once. It's also difficult to know how much water remains in the tank because of its rear position.
But if you're prepared to invest some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an ideal, all-purpose machine for any home espresso lover. The only issue is the cost, which can be a turnoff for some buyers. For those seeking a cheaper option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are similarly capable and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost only a fraction of the price. Breville model does.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine with a simple user interface that produces excellent coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add a stylish look to your kitchen. It comes with a single dial to program the amount of cups you want it to make. It also comes with the 2-4 cup setting as well as a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing method is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee aficionados believe produces the most flavorful 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 inside the double-walled thermal carafe for up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour function lets you take out the carafe in brewing and fill your cup to the brim. The machine stops the brewing process and shows an red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. The machine then begins the brewing process.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker is SCAA certified, which means it meets the organization’s strict standards for technical quality. The brew cycles it uses are the same as the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it allows for more control over temperature and brewing time.
In our tests, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made an excellent drip coffee that was served in a full cup in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the range that experts in the field recommend to make a good cup.
It also requires you to grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can make use of a manual coffee grinder or choose a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and an hopper that can hold whole beans.
The only issue is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe this could be a issue for certain users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek style and user-friendly interface make it one of the top contenders among top drip coffee makers.