The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There is no one-size-fits-all coffee machine. This is why we've compiled our top picks for the home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process and requiring you to be knowledgeable about the art of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to-cup machine we've seen.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those looking to make espresso at home, without making significant sacrifices in terms of quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with limited counter space in mind and offers top-quality build and a very small footprint. It comes equipped with a 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 fantastic too, and comes with a round side panel insert 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 will let you know when the boiler is ready to use.

The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this model than other models. You'll need be extra cautious when emptying and refilling the machine. This is particularly true in the event that you frequently use it. This is a natural tradeoff for less footprint, however it is not a problem that is unique to this model.

You can still make a large amount of coffee using this machine, and it can easily keep up with the demands of your customers. However, we would recommend investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with an Rocket portafilter to help improve the process of tamping.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, makes delicious drinks and it is simple to make latte arts. However, it's worth noting that the machine isn't made for novices and there's some learning curve for those upgrading from appliances. The heat exchanger can be tricky to handle and you'll have to learn how to do cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento offer the option of connecting to a water supply which allows you to always have clean, cold water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank, which could be more difficult to refill than some of its competitors.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is able to be filled, as the lid can be removed to make the large hole. It can be filled using tap water, if you like.

This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still is a powerful machine. At full price, it's priced at PS100 - which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those with a limited budget or space to buy a traditional espresso maker, but are looking to enjoy the benefits of authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is incredibly simple to use and takes up only a tiny amount of counter space. It's as easy as pressing a single button to activate the machine, then again to begin dispensing your chosen pod. The button has a backlight so you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also manually stop the process should you prefer to consume the pod in smaller portions.

There's no steam wand available on this model, however you can add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you like. The machine is also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or working space.

The pods aren't inexpensive, but they come in a variety of blends that can be used by everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are readily available in many supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.

The Jolie and Milk is a smart-looking capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and frother. It comes with a 75cm power cord and plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty sheet, and a test box that contains nine Lavazza pods which include six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be placed under a cabinet or on the floor.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. But if you're willing to invest the time to learn how to use it this is a fantastic espresso maker for your home that performs better than many of the more expensive models available. It's the most affordable in its class, and is especially good for novices who don't have an espresso machine yet--which coffee machine is best can easily set them back another $100 or more.

This model is a bit below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) However, it's a solid choice for baristas at home on a budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and includes an integrated burr grinder, making the whole experience much cheaper. It's also a single boiler machine that means it can only be used for brewing or steaming at one time.

Despite being a relative newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made an impact by offering top-quality equipment. This machine is no exception and has enough control to let new baristas develop their skills without spending hundreds more than is necessary.

The unit does not come without its flaws. The hopper is situated on the side, not the top of the model. It's not a major problem, but it could be a hassle if you need to disperse multiple shots at once. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to know the amount of liquid left.

If you're willing to put in some time in learning how to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for any coffee lover at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is its price which coffee machine is best could be a hindrance 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 similar in capability and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost a fraction of the cost.

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 display add an elegant look to your kitchen. It has only one dial to program the amount of cups you want it to make. It also comes with two cup settings and a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over that many 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 brewed is then stored in the thermal, double-walled carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. Its pause and pour feature lets you remove the carafe during brewing to fill your own cup. The machine pauses the brewing process and shows a red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. The machine then begins the brewing process.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is certified by SCAA, which means it complies with the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. Its brew cycles are about the same as the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing times.

In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed a pot of excellent drip coffee with a full-carafe of coffee in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the 6 minutes that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the range of time that coffee experts suggest to make a good cup.

You must also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can make use of a manual coffee machine black Friday (telegra.ph) grinder or go for a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which coffee machines are best has various grind settings as well as the hopper can hold entire beans.

The only drawback to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could pose a problem for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and easy-to-use interface make it one of the top contenders among best coffee machine drip coffee makers.