There 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 best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automating the process and making you knowledgeable about the art of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a bean-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those looking to make espresso at home without making huge sacrifices in terms quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was specifically designed for people who have little counter space. It is built to last and has excellent quality and a small footprint. It comes with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk and make espresso simultaneously.
The machine also looks great and has a circular design on the side panel with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is a fresh update on the classic look of Rocket and is already impressive for a small machine. It also includes the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to show when the boiler is ready to use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than those of other machines. This means that you will be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you are using it regularly. This is a sacrifice that comes with having less 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 keep up with the demands. However, we would recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante for increased consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with an Rocket portafilter to improve the process of tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, makes delicious drinks and it is easy to create Latte Arts. However, it's worth noting that the machine isn't made for novices, and there is some learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchange boiler can be a bit tricky to control, and you will have to master the basics of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to an water source, allowing you to be capable of drinking cold, filter-filtered water. The latter has smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be harder to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from a Lavazza machine this one has been designed with quality in mind. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, which allows you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and simple to refill, with the lid detaching completely to create a large opening. You can even fill it with tap water if that's what you prefer.
This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range, but it still packs a punch. At full price, it costs under PS100 which is lower than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great option for those who don't have the space or money for a traditional espresso machine however still want to enjoy a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is simple to use and takes up little counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to turn on the machine, then again to start dispensing your chosen pod. The button is illuminated so you can see how much you have consumed. You can also manually 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 make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is very quiet, too, and can be used in a small space or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing others.
The pods aren't cheap, but they come in a wide range of blends that can be used by everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in the majority of supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer. It includes a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty sheet, 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 the floor.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is beyond the budget of many average consumers. If you're willing to master it this is a great home espresso maker. It's more efficient than many of the more expensive models. It's the best value in its class, and is especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso grinder yet--which can easily set them back another $100 or more.This model is priced less than the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199), but is still an excellent choice for baristas working on a tight budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and includes an integrated burr grinder that makes the whole experience much cheaper. It's also a single boiler, which means it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.
Despite being a relatively newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves by offering top-quality equipment. 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 is not without its quirks. The hopper is situated on the side, not on the top, of this model. It's not a big problem, but it could be a problem if you wish to dispense several shots at once. It's also not very easy to see how much water is left in the tank, because of its position at the rear.
If you're willing to put in time learning to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for any coffee lover at home. The only issue is the cost, which can be a nagging issue for certain buyers. If you're looking for a budget alternative, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the price.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart machine for coffee with a user-friendly interface that produces excellent coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add an elegant look to your kitchen. It comes with one dial that allows you to set the amount of cups. There are two options: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. 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 the ideal temperature, and then evenly poured over the coffee grounds using a shower head. The brewed coffee then collects inside the double-walled thermal carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour feature allows you to remove the carafe while 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. It after which it resumes brewing and is finished.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is an SCAA-certified coffee maker that means it is in compliance with the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. Its brew cycle is about longer than the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides greater control over temperature, brewing time, and quality.
In our tests in our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee that filled an entire carafe in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. It's slightly longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but it falls within the range coffee experts recommend for a great cup of drip.
You should also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can select a manual grinder or a more automated model, such as the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and a hopper for whole beans.
The only drawback is that the carafe as well as the water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe, which could be a problem for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and easy-to-use interface make it one of the top contenders among top drip coffee makers.
