The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no one-size-fits-all coffee maker. We've rounded-up our top picks, starting with an automatic that grinds your beans and packs them into semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automating the process and making you familiar with the art of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a bean-to-cup machine.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those who are looking to make espresso at home without losing quality. This espresso machine for prosumers is designed with limited counter space in mind. It is built to last with a high-end build quality and tiny footprint. It is equipped 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 at the same time.

The machine also looks great and has a circular insert on the side panel with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's classic design, which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also comes with the black pressure gauge, which indicates when the boiler is ready to use.

The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this machine than most other models. You'll 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 trade-off that results in smaller footprint. This is not something that is unique to this model.

This machine can easily handle your coffee demands. We recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante to increase consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to improve the tamping.

As a prosumer espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making delicious drinks, and it's simple to create the latte art. It's important to note that the machine isn't made for novices, and there is a bit of a learning curve for those upgrading from appliances. The heat exchanger can be tricky to handle, and you'll need 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 in a position to drink cold pure, filtered water. The latter has smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be more difficult to refill.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

As you might expect from a Lavazza machine this one has been made with quality in mind. The machine reaches the temperature of brewing quickly, so you can prepare your first cup in just 35 second. The tank can be filled easily with ease, since the lid can be removed to create a large hole. You can fill it using tap water, if you like.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the series, yet it is a powerful machine. It's priced at less than PS100 at retail and is much less expensive than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great choice for those who don't have the space or budget for an espresso machine of the traditional type however nevertheless want to drink an authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very small counter space. By pressing a single button, you can start the machine. Pressing it again will start dispense the pod you have selected. The button has a backlight to let you know the amount you've consumed. You can also stop the process, in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller amounts.

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 want. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or work space.

Pods aren't cheap, but there is an array of blends available to suit everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are sold in most supermarkets, along with regular ground coffee and coffee beans and you can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.

The Jolie and Milk is a stylish capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cord and plug, 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 cupboard or the floor.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso maker that's beyond the budget of many average consumers. If you're willing to put in the work to master its use, this is an excellent do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than some of the more expensive models available. It's the most affordable in its class, and is especially suitable for those who do not have an espresso maker yet, which could cost them $100 or more.

The model is just below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive at $2,199) however, it's an excellent choice for baristas at home 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 that means it can only be used for steaming or brewing at one time.

Despite being a relative newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception, and it has just enough control to let new baristas hone their skills without spending hundreds more than necessary.

The unit does not come without its quirks. The hopper is located on the side, not at the top of the model. It's not a major problem, but it could be a hassle if you need to give multiple shots at once. It's also not very easy to determine how much water remains in the tank because of its position at the rear.

If you're willing to invest some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's a great, do-it-all appliance for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is its cost which could be a deterrent for certain buyers. If you're looking for a budget alternative, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines have similar capabilities and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the cost.

4. OXO Brew 9 Cup

A high-tech smart coffee maker that makes excellent coffee with a simple user interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add an elegant look to your kitchen. It has a single dial that allows you to program the number of cups. There are two settings available: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. The brewing method is similar to pour-over that many coffee enthusiasts believe is the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the right temperature, then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds with shower heads. The coffee brewed is then stored in the double-walled, thermal carafe for up to 60 minutes. Its pause and pour feature allows you to remove the carafe while brewing to fill your individual cup. The machine pauses the brewing process and displays the red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. It then resumes brewing.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is an SCAA-certified coffee maker which means it meets the organization's rigorous technical standards. Its brew time is approximately the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers greater control over temperature, brewing time, and quality.

In our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee pot machine with the carafe filled in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the time range that experts in the field recommend to make a great cup.

You must also grind your beans before brewing. You can select either a manual grinder or a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore. It has various grind settings, as well as it has a hopper that can be used for whole beans.

The only drawback to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could pose a problem for some customers. The stainless steel is easy to clean by hand, though. The OXO 9-Cup is an excellent contender for the best drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and easy-to use interface.