There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. This is why we've compiled our top picks for your 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 strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process while requiring you to be familiar with the art of espresso-making. This is our top choice for a machine that makes coffee.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those who want to make espresso at home without having to make significant sacrifices in terms of quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was created for those who have small counter space. It has a great build 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 your coffee at the same time.
The machine is also beautiful and features a round insert on the side panel with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is a new take on the classic look of Rocket that is already impressive for a machine that is so small. It also has an black gauge for boiler pressure to show when the boiler is ready to use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this model than other models. You will need be extra cautious when emptying and refilling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a sacrifice that is a result of having less footprint. This isn't a problem specific to this model.
This machine can easily handle your coffee demands. We suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante to improve consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to increase the tamping.
As a professional espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making delicious drinks, and is easy to make the latte art. However, it's worth noting that the machine isn't designed for beginners, and there is an enlightening curve for those upgrading from appliances. The heat exchange boiler can be a little tricky to manage and you'll have to master the ins and outs of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento provide the option of connecting to a water source, that means you will always have clean, cold water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter comes with a 2.25-liter water tank, which is more difficult to refill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, allowing you to prepare your first cup of coffee in less than 35 minutes. The tank can be easily refilled, as the lid can be removed to make an enormous hole. You can fill it using tap water, should you wish.
This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still is a powerful machine. It's priced less than PS100 at full price which is less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie an excellent choice for those without the budget or space for a traditional espresso maker, but who would like to experience the pleasure of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and requires small counter space. You only need to press a single button to activate the machine, and then press it again to start dispensing your chosen pod. The button is illuminated so you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also manually stop the process, if you want to drink the pod in smaller quantities.
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 quite quiet, too and can be utilized in a small area or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing anyone else.
The pods aren't cheap, but they come in a range of blends that will suit anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in most 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 sleek capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and a frother. It comes with an 75cm power cable, plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty sheet, and a test box of nine Lavazza pods: six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be kept on the floor or placed under the cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is out of the budget of most average consumers. If you're willing put in the work to learn how to use it this is a fantastic espresso maker for your home that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models on the market. It's a great price for the class and is particularly useful for those who are new to the field and don't have an espresso maker that costs up to $100.
The model is priced lower than the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199), but is still an excellent option for baristas who are on a budget. It comes with a variety of customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine that means it can only be used for brewing or steaming at one time.
Breville, a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has quickly established a reputation for high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and it comes with enough control to let aspiring baristas develop their skills without spending hundreds more than they need to.
There are some quirks, though. The hopper is situated on the side, not at the top, of this model. It's not a major issue, but it can be frustrating if you want to dispense several shots at once. It's also difficult to determine the amount of water left in the tank, due to its rear placement.
If you're willing to invest time learning to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for any espresso lover at home. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is its cost, which may be a stumbling block for some buyers. If you're looking for a less expensive option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally capable and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost a fraction of what this Breville model does.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker with a user-friendly interface that makes great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED screen provides your kitchen with a stylish look. It comes with one dial that allows you to set the amount of cups. There are two settings: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. The brewing method is similar to pour-over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe is the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The brewed coffee then collects in the double-walled, thermal carafe for upto 60 minutes. The pause and pour feature lets you remove the carafe during brewing to fill your individual cup. The machine pauses brewing and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it, after which it resumes brewing and is finished.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is an SCAA-certified coffee maker which means it meets the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. Its brew cycle is about the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers greater control over temperature, brewing time and also quality.
In our testing we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup made an excellent drip coffee with a full-carafe of coffee in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the time range that coffee experts suggest to make a good cup.
It also requires that you grind your own beans before making coffee. You can use a manual coffee grinder or go for a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which has various grind settings as well as an hopper that can hold whole beans.
The only issue with this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a concern for some customers. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and easy-to-use interface make it a top contender among the best drip coffee makers.
