The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. We've rounded-up our top picks, from a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them to semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and the need to be able to master the art of espresso-making. This is our top choice for a bean to cup coffee machine-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those looking to make espresso at home, without making big sacrifices in terms of quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was designed for those who have limited counter space. It is built to last and has excellent quality and a small footprint. It comes with a 1.8 Liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head, so you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same at the same time.
The machine is also beautiful and has a round panel on the side with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic design of Rocket and is already impressive for a small machine. It also includes a black pressure gauge that indicates when the boiler is ready for use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than most other machines. You will need be cautious when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case if you use it frequently. This is a natural trade-off to have a smaller footprint, though this is not a problem particular to this model.
You can still make a large amount of coffee with this machine, and it is able to easily keep up with the demands of your customers. We would suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, best coffee machines for Home like the Baratza Sette Giante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with a Rocket portafilter to improve the process of tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, makes excellent drinks and is easy to create Latte Arts. However, it's worth noting that the machine isn't designed for beginners and there's an enlightening curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger can be difficult to operate and you'll have to learn how to do cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to a water source, allowing you to be able to drink cold, filter-filtered water. The latter, however, comes with a 2.25-liter water tank, which could be more difficult to refill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from a Lavazza machine, this one is made with quality in mind. The machine reaches the brewing temperature quickly, which means you can make your first cup in less than 35 second. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill and the lid can be removed completely to make a wide opening. It can be filled using tap water, depending on what you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the models, but it 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. The Jolie is a great option for those who don't have the space or money for an espresso machine of the traditional type however, they still want to enjoy the authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is incredibly simple to operate and takes up just a little counter space. Pressing a single button will start the machine. After pressing it again, it will start dispense the pod you've selected. There's a backlight that's on the button so that you can easily see how much has been dispensed and you can also stop the process at any time in case you prefer drinking your drink in smaller portions.
There's no steam wand available on this model, but you can add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is very quiet as well, and can be used in a small workspace or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing others.
The pods are not cheap, but they come in a variety of blends that can be used by all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are sold in most supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule that comes with an integrated milk warmer. It includes a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty card and a quick reference, and a tester pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is compact enough to fit under a cupboard or a flat surface.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing to take the time to master its use this is a fantastic do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than many of the more expensive models available. It's a good price for the class and is particularly useful for those who aren't experienced enough to have an espresso maker that can cost up to $100.
This model is priced below the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199), but is still a good choice for baristas who are on a budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and has a built-in burr grinder that makes the entire experience more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means it can only be used for steaming or brewing at one time.
Although it is a relatively newcomer to the market for espresso machines, Breville has quickly made an impact with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and it comes with enough control to let new baristas improve their abilities without spending a lot more than they need to.
It's not without its flaws, though. For instance, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit instead of on top--which isn't an issue, but it can be a little frustrating if you're trying to dispense multiple shots at once. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to determine how much liquid remains.
But if you're prepared to spend some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an ideal, all-purpose machine for any home espresso lover. The only drawback is the price, which can be a deterrent for some buyers. For those looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost a fraction of the cost.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart machine for coffee with a user-friendly interface that produces great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED screen provides your kitchen with a stylish appearance. It comes with only one dial to program the number of cups you would like to make. It comes with a 2-4 cup setting as well as a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing method is similar to pour over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe is the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and poured over the grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The brewed coffee then collects in the thermal, double-walled carafe for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and pour feature lets you to take the carafe out while making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine pauses brewing and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it, then it resumes and completes brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, that means it is in compliance with the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. Its brew cycles are about the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing times.
In our testing we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup made an excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the time range that coffee machines experts recommend for making a quality cup.
It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to making. You can make use of a manual coffee grinder or opt for a more automatic model like the Baratza Encore, which has various grind settings as well as a hopper that holds whole beans.
The only downside to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a concern for best coffee machines for home some customers. The stainless steel is still easily cleaned by hand, however. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and easy-to-use interface make it an undisputed contender among the top drip coffee machine filter makers.
There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. We've rounded-up our top picks, from a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them to semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and the need to be able to master the art of espresso-making. This is our top choice for a bean to cup coffee machine-to-cup machine.1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those looking to make espresso at home, without making big sacrifices in terms of quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was designed for those who have limited counter space. It is built to last and has excellent quality and a small footprint. It comes with a 1.8 Liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head, so you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same at the same time.
The machine is also beautiful and has a round panel on the side with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic design of Rocket and is already impressive for a small machine. It also includes a black pressure gauge that indicates when the boiler is ready for use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than most other machines. You will need be cautious when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case if you use it frequently. This is a natural trade-off to have a smaller footprint, though this is not a problem particular to this model.
You can still make a large amount of coffee with this machine, and it is able to easily keep up with the demands of your customers. We would suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, best coffee machines for Home like the Baratza Sette Giante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with a Rocket portafilter to improve the process of tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, makes excellent drinks and is easy to create Latte Arts. However, it's worth noting that the machine isn't designed for beginners and there's an enlightening curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger can be difficult to operate and you'll have to learn how to do cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to a water source, allowing you to be able to drink cold, filter-filtered water. The latter, however, comes with a 2.25-liter water tank, which could be more difficult to refill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from a Lavazza machine, this one is made with quality in mind. The machine reaches the brewing temperature quickly, which means you can make your first cup in less than 35 second. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill and the lid can be removed completely to make a wide opening. It can be filled using tap water, depending on what you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the models, but it 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. The Jolie is a great option for those who don't have the space or money for an espresso machine of the traditional type however, they still want to enjoy the authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is incredibly simple to operate and takes up just a little counter space. Pressing a single button will start the machine. After pressing it again, it will start dispense the pod you've selected. There's a backlight that's on the button so that you can easily see how much has been dispensed and you can also stop the process at any time in case you prefer drinking your drink in smaller portions.
There's no steam wand available on this model, but you can add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is very quiet as well, and can be used in a small workspace or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing others.
The pods are not cheap, but they come in a variety of blends that can be used by all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are sold in most supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule that comes with an integrated milk warmer. It includes a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty card and a quick reference, and a tester pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is compact enough to fit under a cupboard or a flat surface.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing to take the time to master its use this is a fantastic do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than many of the more expensive models available. It's a good price for the class and is particularly useful for those who aren't experienced enough to have an espresso maker that can cost up to $100.
This model is priced below the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199), but is still a good choice for baristas who are on a budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and has a built-in burr grinder that makes the entire experience more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means it can only be used for steaming or brewing at one time.
Although it is a relatively newcomer to the market for espresso machines, Breville has quickly made an impact with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and it comes with enough control to let new baristas improve their abilities without spending a lot more than they need to.
It's not without its flaws, though. For instance, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit instead of on top--which isn't an issue, but it can be a little frustrating if you're trying to dispense multiple shots at once. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to determine how much liquid remains.
But if you're prepared to spend some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an ideal, all-purpose machine for any home espresso lover. The only drawback is the price, which can be a deterrent for some buyers. For those looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost a fraction of the cost.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart machine for coffee with a user-friendly interface that produces great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED screen provides your kitchen with a stylish appearance. It comes with only one dial to program the number of cups you would like to make. It comes with a 2-4 cup setting as well as a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing method is similar to pour over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe is the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and poured over the grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The brewed coffee then collects in the thermal, double-walled carafe for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and pour feature lets you to take the carafe out while making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine pauses brewing and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it, then it resumes and completes brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, that means it is in compliance with the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. Its brew cycles are about the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing times.
In our testing we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup made an excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the time range that coffee machines experts recommend for making a quality cup.
It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to making. You can make use of a manual coffee grinder or opt for a more automatic model like the Baratza Encore, which has various grind settings as well as a hopper that holds whole beans.
The only downside to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a concern for best coffee machines for home some customers. The stainless steel is still easily cleaned by hand, however. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and easy-to-use interface make it an undisputed contender among the top drip coffee machine filter makers.