The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. We've compiled our top picks, starting with a superautomatic that grinds your beans and packs them to semiautomatics that give you the best control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and needing to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a coffee-to-cup machine.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those looking to make espresso at home without having to compromise on quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was specifically designed for people who have little counter space. It combines excellent build quality with a compact footprint. It comes with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group head so you can steam milk and brew espresso at the same time.

The machine looks great too, and comes with an elongated side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a new take on the classic design of Rocket, which is already pretty impressive for a compact machine. It also includes the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to show when the boiler is ready for use.

One disadvantage of this tiny machine is that the drip tray and water reservoir are smaller than those of other machines. This means you'll need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you use it often. This is a normal trade-off for a smaller footprint, though it is not a problem specific to this model.

This machine is able to handle the demands of your coffee. We recommend investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante to improve consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to increase the tamping.

As a prosumer espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and it's simple to make the latte art. It's important to note that this machine is not designed for novices. There is a slight learning curve for those who upgrade from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler could be a bit tricky to operate and you'll have to master the ins and outs 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 and filtered water. The latter comes with a 2.25-liter water tank, which is more difficult to fill than its competitors.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

As you might expect from a Lavazza machine this one has been made with quality in mind. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, which allows you to make your first cup of coffee in just 35 minutes. The tank can be filled easily, as the lid can be removed to make an enormous hole. You can also fill it up with tap water if you want.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the series, yet it packs a punch. It's priced at 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 funds for a traditional espresso machine however, they nevertheless want to drink an authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is simple to use and takes up small counter space. Pressing a single button will begin the process. Pressing it again will begin dispensing the pod you have selected. There's a backlight on the button so that you can clearly see the amount of dispensed and you can choose to manually stop the process should you prefer to drink your pod in smaller doses.

This model doesn't come with a steam wand but you can add some creamy frosting to your milk by using an optional milk frother. The machine is also quiet and can be used to make barista-style coffee machines in a small kitchen working space.

They aren't cheap, but there is an array of blends available that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. You can find them in many supermarkets, as well as 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 and frother. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cord and plug, a quick-guide and warranty card, as well as a test box containing nine Lavazza pods: six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is compact enough to fit under a cupboard or on a flat surface.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance at first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that's not within the budget of a majority of consumers. If you're willing and able learn how to use it and make it work, then this is a great at-home espresso maker. It performs better than many of the more expensive models. It's the best value in its class, and is particularly suitable for beginners who don't have an espresso grinder yet--which can easily cost them another $100 or more.

The model is just in the middle of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive at $2,199) However, it's an excellent option for baristas at home on a tight budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and includes an integrated burr grinder, making the whole experience much less expensive. It's also a single boiler, which means that it can only do steaming or brewing at one time.

Breville is an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has swiftly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and offers enough control that it can be adjusted to allow aspiring baristas to develop their skills without spending more than they should.

It's not without its flaws however. The hopper is located on the side, not on the top, of this model. It's not a huge problem, but it could be a hassle if you need to dispense several shots at once. The rear-facing position of the tank makes it difficult to see the amount of liquid left.

But if you're prepared to invest 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 drawback is the price, which could be a deterrent for some buyers. If you're seeking a cheaper alternative, read our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are similarly capable and offer a little 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, intelligent coffee maker that produces great coffee with a simple user interface. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display creates a chic kitchen appearance. It has one dial that lets you to set the amount of cups. There are two settings available: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over, which many coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most delicious barista-style coffee machines. The water is heated to the ideal temperature and poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee brewed is then stored in the thermal, double-walled carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour function lets you remove the carafe while brewing to fill your individual cup. The machine pauses the brewing process and shows the red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. It then resumes the brewing process.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup is certified by SCAA, which means it complies with the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. The brew cycles are the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it gives you more control over temperature and brewing time.

In our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed an excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe of coffee in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. That's a little longer than the 6 minutes or [Redirect-302] less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require but well within the range coffee experts recommend for a good cup of drip.

It is also necessary to grind your own beans prior to making. You can use an old-fashioned coffee grinder or opt for a more automatic model such as the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and an hopper that can hold whole beans.

The only drawback is that the carafe and water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe, which could be a problem for some users. The stainless steel is still easy to clean by hand, however. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek style and user-friendly interface make it a top contender among the top drip coffee makers.