Ten Best Coffee Machines That Really Improve Your Life
The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no single-size-fits all coffee maker. This is why we've compiled our top picks for your home, ranging from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatics that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend between automation and needing to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's the most efficient bean-to-cup machine we've come across.
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 prosumer espresso machine is designed with the smallest counter space in mind and combines outstanding build quality with the smallest footprint. It comes with a 1.8 Liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Heads so that you can steam your milk and brew your coffee at the same simultaneously.
The machine also looks great and features a round design on the side panel with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a new take on Rocket's classic aesthetic and is already impressive for a machine that is so small. It also includes the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to show when the boiler is ready to use.
One disadvantage of this tiny machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than most other machines. You will need be extra cautious when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case if you use it frequently. This is a sacrifice that results in smaller footprint. It's not something that is unique to this model.
You can still make a large amount of coffee machines small using this machine, and it will easily keep up with the demands of your customers. That being said, we would recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair the machine with a Rocket Portafilter to improve the tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create some great drinks and it is easy to make Latte arts. It's important to note that this machine was not designed for novices. There is a small learning curve for people who are upgrading from appliances-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler can be a little tricky 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 source, that means you will always have fresh, cold filtering water available for your drinks. The latter has a smaller 2.25-liter tank that is harder to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. The machine is able to reach the brewing temperature quickly, meaning you can prepare your first cup in just 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and simple to refill, with the lid detaching completely to create a large opening. You can fill it up with tap water, should you wish.
This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it is a powerful machine. At its 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 choice for those who don't have the space or funds for a traditional espresso machine however nevertheless want to drink an authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very little counter space. By pressing a single button, you can start the machine. After pressing it again, it will start dispensing the specific pod you've chosen. There's a light on the button to ensure that you are able to see clearly how much has been dispensed and you can also stop the process at any time should you prefer to drink the pod in smaller amounts.
There's no steam wand available on this model, but you can make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth, if you'd like. The machine is very quiet as well, and can be used in a small space or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing others.
The pods are not inexpensive, but they come in a wide range of blends that will suit everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. You can find them in most supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer. It comes in a box with an 75cm power cable, plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet and a tester box that contains nine Lavazza pods which include six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine itself is small enough to be stored on a flat surface or slipped under your cupboard.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso maker that's beyond the budget of a majority of consumers. If you're willing to master it and make it work, then this is a fantastic home espresso maker. It's far superior to most of the more expensive models. It's among the best priced in its class, and is especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso grinder yet. This could easily set them back another $100 or more.
This model sits right below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) however, it's a solid choice for home baristas on a budget. It has a lot of 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 the same time.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made an impact by offering top-quality equipment. This machine is no different and has enough control to let budding baristas hone their abilities without spending more than necessary.
It's not without its flaws however. For instance, the hopper on this model is placed on the side of the unit instead of on top--which isn't significant however it can be a little frustrating if you're trying to give multiple shots at once. It's also difficult to determine how much water remains in the tank, due to its rear placement.
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 any home espresso lover. The only issue is the cost, which can be a deterrent for some buyers. If you're looking for a low-cost alternative, we suggest the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost less than the cost.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker with a simple user interface that produces excellent coffee. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED screens creates a chic kitchen appearance. It has only one dial to program the number of cups you would like it to make and includes two cup settings as well as a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing method is similar to pour over the grounds, which many coffee lovers believe is the best tasting household coffee machines. The water is heated to the ideal temperature, and then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The coffee is then brewed in the double-walled, thermal carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour function allows you to remove the carafe during brewing to fill your own cup. The machine stops the brewing process, and displays a red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes the brewing process.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker comes SCAA certified, which means that it complies with the strict standards in terms of technology. Its brew cycle is about as long as those of the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides more control over temperature, brewing duration and quality.
In our testing in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed an excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. It's slightly longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but still within the range coffee experts recommend for a great cup of drip.
You should also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can choose an 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 downside to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a problem for some customers. The stainless steel is still easily cleaned by hand, however. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and user-friendly interface make it an undisputed contender among the top drip ground coffee machines makers.