20 Things That Only The Most Devoted Best Coffee Machine Fans Should Know
The Best Coffee Machines For HomeThere is no one-size-fits-all coffee machine. That's why we've rounded up our top picks for the home, ranging from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans to semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process and needing you to be proficient in the art of making espresso. This is our top choice for a bean-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those who want to make espresso at home without making big sacrifices in terms of quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was specifically designed for people with small counter space. It has a great build quality and a small footprint. It is equipped with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group head, so you can steam milk and make espresso simultaneously.
The machine looks fantastic and has a circular insert on the side panel with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is a fresh update on the classic design of Rocket, which is already pretty impressive for a compact machine. It also comes with an black gauge for boiler pressure to let you know when the boiler is ready for use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than the majority of machines. It is important to be careful when emptying and refilling the machine. This is particularly true when you are using it often. This is a cost that results in smaller footprint. This isn't an issue that is specific to this model.
You can still brew plenty of coffee with this machine, and it is able to easily meet your demands. 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 increase tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make some great drinks and it is simple to make latte arts. It's important to know that this machine is not designed for beginners. There is a slight learning curve for those who upgrade from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit difficult to control and you'll need to learn the basics of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento allow connecting to a water source, that means you will always have cold, fresh filtered water on hand for your drinks. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank that could be more difficult to refill than some of its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. The machine can reach the temperature for brewing quickly, meaning you can make your first cup in just 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill by removing the lid completely to create a large opening. You can fill it up using tap water, depending on what you prefer.
This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still has a lot of punch. It's priced at less than PS100 at retail which is less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those with a limited budget or space for a traditional espresso maker, but who are looking to enjoy the benefits of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is simple to use and takes up little counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to start the machine, then again to start dispensing your chosen pod. The button has a backlight so you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also stop the process should you prefer to consume the pod in smaller quantities.
This model doesn't come with a steam wand, but you can add some creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. The machine is very quiet as well and can be utilized in a small space or in a kitchen with flatshare without causing any disturbance to anyone else.
They're not cheap, but there is a variety of blends to choose from to suit everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are readily available in many 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 comes with a 75cm power plug and power cable, a warranty card and a quick reference, and a tester pack comprising nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasts (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is compact enough to fit under a cupboard or the floor.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that's beyond the budget of most average consumers. If you're willing take the time to learn how to use it this is a great do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than many of the more expensive models available. It's the best value in its class, and is particularly suitable for beginners who do not have an espresso maker yet, which could cost them another $100 or more.
This model is a bit below the top of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) however, it's an excellent choice for baristas at home on a budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and comes with a built-in burr grinder to make the whole experience much less expensive. It's also a one-boiler machine, meaning it can only perform one task at the same time.
Breville is relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has swiftly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no different, and it offers just enough adjustability to allow aspiring baristas to burnish their skills without spending hundreds of dollars more than they have to.
It's not without its flaws however. The hopper is situated on the side, not the top, of this model. It's not a huge deal, but can be frustrating if you want to give several shots at a time. It's also difficult to determine how much water is left in the tank, because of its position at the rear.
But if you're prepared to spend 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 downside is the cost, which can be a turnoff for certain buyers. For those seeking a cheaper option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally capable and offer a little more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you only a fraction of the price. Breville model does.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine with a simple user interface that produces great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED display creates a chic kitchen look. It comes with one dial that allows you to program the number of cups. There are two settings: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. The brewing method is similar to pour-over that many coffee enthusiasts believe produces the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to the right temperature, then poured evenly over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The brewed coffee is then stored in the double-walled thermal carafe that can be kept for up to 60 min. Its pause and pour feature lets you take out the carafe during brewing to fill your cup to the brim. The machine stops the brewing process and displays the red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. The machine then begins the brewing process.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is certified by SCAA, which means it meets the organization's rigorous technical standards. Its brew cycles are about the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but here it lets you control the temperature and brewing times.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup made excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a little more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the time range that coffee experts suggest to make a great cup.
It is also necessary to grind your beans before brewing. You can make use of a manual coffee grinder, or choose a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and a hopper that holds whole beans.
The only downside is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe and could cause hassle for some users. The stainless steel is still easy to clean by hand, but. The OXO 9-Cup is a top contender for the top drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and easy-to use interface.