There's no universally-fit-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 a semiautomatic that gives you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend between automation and the need to know the ropes of espresso-making. This is our top choice for a machine that makes coffee.1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those who want to make espresso at home without having to make significant sacrifices in terms of quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was created for those who have small counter space. It combines excellent build quality and a small 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 is also beautiful and has a round panel on the side with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is a new take on the classic design of Rocket that is already impressive for a machine that is so small. It also includes an black gauge for boiler pressure to let you know when the boiler is ready to use.
The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this machine than others. It is important to be careful when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case when you are using it often. This is a cost that comes with having smaller footprint. This is not something that is unique to this model.
This machine is able to handle your coffee needs. We recommend investing in a 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 enhance the tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make excellent drinks and is simple to make latte arts. It is important to remember that this machine is not designed for novices. There is a small learning curve for people who are upgrading from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit difficult to manage, and you will have to learn the basics of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento offer the option of connecting to a water supply which means you'll always have cold, fresh water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter comes with a 2.25-liter water tank that can be more difficult to refill than some of its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from the Lavazza machine this one was made with quality in mind. The machine reaches the temperature of brewing quickly, meaning you can prepare your first cup in just 35 second. The water tank is quick and easy to fill, with the lid detaching completely to make a wide opening. You can fill it up with tap water depending on what you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the range, but it is a powerful machine. It's priced less than PS100 at the full price which is less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who do not have the space or budget for a traditional espresso machine however still want to enjoy an authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely easy to use and takes up very little counter space. You just need to press one button to start the machine, and then press it again to begin dispensing the chosen pod. There's a backlight on the button to ensure that you are able to see clearly how much has been dispensed, and you can stop the process at any time if you prefer to drink your drink in smaller portions.
There's no steam wand on this model, however you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you like. The machine is quite quiet as well and can be used in a small area or in a kitchen with flatshare without causing any disturbance to anyone else.
The pods aren't cheap, but they come in a range of blends that can be used by anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in many supermarkets, as well as regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer and frother. It comes with a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty card along with a quick guide and a test pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasts (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is small enough to be placed under a cupboard or on flat surfaces.
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 a majority of consumers. If you're willing put in the work to learn how to use it this is a great espresso maker for home use that performs better than some of the more expensive models on the market. It's the best value in its class, and is especially good for novices who don't have an espresso grinder yet, which could cost them $100 or more.
This model is priced below the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199), but is still an excellent choice for baristas on a budget. It's loaded with options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means it can only do steaming or brewing at one 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 hundreds of dollars more than they need to.
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 huge deal, but can be a hassle if you need to give multiple shots at once. It's also not very easy to know the amount of water left in the tank, because of its position at the rear.
If you're willing to invest some time to learn how to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent choice for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only issue with the Breville Barista Express is its cost which could be a deterrent 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 provide a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you only a fraction of the price. Breville model can do.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine that makes great coffee with a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED screen gives your kitchen a sophisticated look. It comes with only one dial to program the amount of cups you want to make. It comes with the 2-4 cup setting and a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing process is similar to pour-over the grounds, which many coffee lovers believe produces the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to a perfect temperature and poured over the grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The coffee is stored in a double-walled carafe and can be stored for up to 60 min. The pause and pour function lets you remove the carafe while brewing to fill your individual cup. The machine pauses the brewing process and displays a red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is an SCAA-certified coffee maker which means it complies with the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. The brew cycles it uses are the same as the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing time.
In our tests, the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced a pot of excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. That's a little longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but still within the range experts in the field suggest for a decent cup of drip.
You must also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can opt for an manual grinder or an automated model, such as the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and an hopper for beans that are whole.
The only drawback is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe and could cause issue for certain users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is an excellent contender for the best drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and easy-to use interface.
