The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There is no single-size-fits all coffee machine. That's why we've rounded up our favorite picks for your home, from a fully automated that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatic machines that give you the best control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automating the process and making you familiar with the art of making espresso. It's our top pick for a coffee-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 small-footprint espresso machine was created for those with limited counter space. It combines excellent build quality and a compact footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk and brew espresso at the same time.

The machine looks stunning too, and comes with a round side panel insert with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a refreshing update on Rocket's classic aesthetic that is already impressive for a compact espresso machines 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 those of other machines. This means that you will have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you are using it regularly. This is a natural trade-off for a smaller footprint, though this is not a problem that is unique to this model.

This machine is able to handle your coffee needs. That being said, we would suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, for greater consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with a Rocket Portafilter to improve the tamping.

As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and is easy to create the latte art. It's important to note that this machine was not intended for novices. There is a slight learning curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler can be a bit difficult 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 supply, that means you will always have clean, cold filtered water on hand for your drinks. The latter model has a smaller 2.25-liter tank that is difficult 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. The machine reaches the brewing temperature quickly, which means you can make your first cup in less than 35 second. The water tank is able to be filled by removing the lid. be removed to create the large hole. You can fill it with tap water, should you wish.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the range, but it packs a punch. It costs less than PS100 at retail - that's 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 budget for a traditional espresso machine however nevertheless want to drink the authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is extremely simple to operate and takes up just a little counter space. Pressing one button will start the machine. Pressing it again will start dispensing the pod you've selected. There's a light on the button to ensure that you can easily see how much has been dispensed and you can choose to manually stop the process if you prefer to drink your drink in smaller portions.

There's no steam wand included on this model, but you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth, if you'd like. The machine is quite quiet also and can be used in a small space or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing others.

The pods aren't expensive, but they are available in a range of blends that are suitable for everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in most supermarkets along with regular ground coffee and coffee beans and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.

The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule machine 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 of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine itself is small enough to be kept on a flat surface or slipped under the cabinet.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is not within the budget of most average consumers. But if you're willing to invest the time to learn how to use it, this is an excellent espresso maker for your home that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models available. It's a good value for its class and is particularly helpful for those who are new to the field and don't have an espresso maker that costs up to $100.

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 option for baristas at home on a budget. It's loaded with customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler, which means it can only be used for brewing or steaming at one time.

Despite being a relative newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no different, and it has just enough control to let aspiring baristas improve their abilities without spending more than necessary.

The unit is not without its flaws. For instance, the hopper on this model is placed on the side of the unit instead of being on top. This isn't really an issue, but it can be annoying if you're trying give multiple shots at once. The rear position of the tank makes it difficult to determine how much liquid is left.

If you're willing to invest some time in learning how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for any coffee lover at home. The only downside is the price, which can be a nagging issue for some buyers. If you're seeking a cheaper alternative, take a look at our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the cost.

4. OXO Brew 9 Cup

A high-tech, smart coffee machine that makes great coffee with a simple user interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add a sophisticated appearance to your kitchen. It has one dial that allows you to set the amount of cups. There are two settings available: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over, which many coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the perfect temperature and then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds using a shower head. The brewed coffee then collects in the thermal, double-walled carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. Its pause and pour feature lets you take out the carafe during brewing to fill your individual cup. The machine pauses 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 has been SCAA certified, which means that it meets the strict standards for technical quality. The brew cycles it uses are the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it gives you more control over temperature and brewing times.

In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee with a carafe full in just 7 minutes 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster calls for, but it is within the range that coffee experts suggest for making a quality cup.

It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to making. You can choose either a manual grinder or an automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and it has a hopper that can be used for whole beans.

The only drawback is that the carafe and water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe and could cause issue for certain users. The stainless steel is easy to clean by hand, however. The OXO 9-Cup is an excellent contender for the top drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and easy to use interface.