The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no one-size-fits-all coffee maker that is perfect for every. That's why we've rounded up our top picks for your home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans to a semiautomatic that gives you the most control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automatizing the process while needing you to be familiar with the art of espresso-making. It's our top pick for a machine that makes coffee.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top pick for those who want to make espresso at home without making huge sacrifices in terms quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with a limited counter space in mind. It is built to last with a high-end build quality and tiny footprint. It comes with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head so you can steam milk and make espresso simultaneously.

The machine looks fantastic and has a round insert on the side panel with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is a fresh update on Rocket's classic aesthetic 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 drawback of this compact machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than those of other machines. You'll need to be careful when emptying and refilling the machine. This is especially true in the event that you frequently use it. This is a sacrifice that results in less footprint. This is not a problem specific to this model.

You can still brew plenty of coffee with this machine, and it is able to easily meet your demands. That being said, we would recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with an Rocket portafilter to enhance the process of tamping.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create some great drinks and it is simple to make Latte Arts. It's important to know that this machine is not intended for novices. There is a little learning curve for people who are upgrading from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchanger can be difficult to work with, and you'll need to master the art of cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to an water source, which allows you to always be able to drink cold, filtered water. The latter has smaller 2.25-liter tank that is more difficult to refill.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. The machine reaches the brewing temperature quickly, so you can prepare your first cup in just 35 second. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill, with the lid detaching completely to reveal a large opening. You can also fill it up with tap water if that's what you prefer.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the models, but it is a powerful machine. It's priced less than PS100 at the 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 money for an espresso machine of the traditional type however, they still want to enjoy a real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is incredibly simple to use and occupies very little counter space. Pressing a single button will begin the process. After pressing it again, it will begin dispensing the pod you've selected. 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 amounts.

There's no steam wand on this model, but you can use an optional 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 work space.

The pods aren't expensive, but they are available in a range of blends that will suit everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are sold in most supermarkets along with regular ground coffee and coffee beans and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.

The Jolie and Milk is a smart-looking capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It comes with a 75cm power cable and plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty sheet and a tester box of nine Lavazza pods that include six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is compact enough to fit under a cupboard or on a flat surface.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing and able learn how to use it, then this is a great home espresso maker. It's more efficient than many of the more expensive models. It's a great value for its class and is especially useful for beginners who don't yet own an espresso machine that can cost up to $100.

This model sits right below the top of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive at $2,199) However, it's an excellent choice for baristas at home coffee machines who are on a tight budget. It's loaded with customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It's also a single boiler, which means that it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.

Breville, a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has rapidly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and offers enough control that it can be adjusted to let baristas who are aspiring improve their abilities without spending more than they need to.

It's not without its quirks however. For one, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit instead of on top. This isn't significant, but it can be frustrating if you're trying to give multiple shots at once. It's also not very easy to determine how much water is left in the tank, due to its rear placement.

But if you're prepared to invest some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an excellent, all-purpose appliance for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is the price which 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 provide a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the cost.

4. OXO Brew 9 Cup

A high-tech, intelligent coffee maker that makes excellent coffee with a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display provides your kitchen with a stylish appearance. It has a single dial that allows you to program the amount of cups. There are two settings available: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over, which many coffee lovers believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature and poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee drip machine is stored in a double-walled carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 min. The pause and pour feature lets you take out the carafe in brewing and fill your cup to the brim. The machine stops 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 coffee machines coffee maker is an SCAA-certified coffee maker that means it is in compliance with the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. The brew cycles are the same as the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it gives you more control over temperature and brewing time.

In our testing in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed excellent drip epresso coffee machines (Recommended Web site) that was served in a full cup in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the range that coffee experts recommend to make a good cup.

It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to making. You can make use of a manual coffee grinder, or choose a more automated model like the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and a hopper that holds whole beans.

The only drawback to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a problem for some users. The stainless steel is easily cleaned by hand, though. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and user-friendly interface make it an undisputed contender among the top drip pro coffee machines makers.