The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There is no single-size-fits all coffee maker that is perfect for every. We've rounded up our top picks for the 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 requiring you to be familiar with the art of espresso-making. This is our top choice for a coffee-to-cup machine.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those who wish to make espresso at home without making big sacrifices in terms of quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with the smallest counter space in mind. It is built to last with a high-end build quality and a very small footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8 liter copper heat-exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Heads so that you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same time.

The machine looks stunning as well and features an elongated side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a modernization of Rocket's classic design, which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also has the black pressure gauge, which indicates when the boiler is ready for use.

One drawback of this compact machine is that the drip tray and water reservoir are smaller than most other machines. It is important be cautious when emptying and refilling the machine. This is particularly true if you use it frequently. This is a cost that is a result of having a smaller footprint. This isn't something that is unique to this model.

This machine can easily handle the demands of your coffee. We recommend buying a good grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gante, to increase 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 delicious drinks and it is simple to make Latte Arts. It is important to remember that this machine isn't intended for novices. There is a little learning curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit difficult to manage and you'll need to master the basics of cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento allow connecting to a water supply which allows you to always have fresh, cold water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter comes with a 2.25-liter water tank, which is more difficult to refill than some of its competitors.

1. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

As you might expect from a Lavazza machine this one has been designed with quality in mind. The machine is able to reach the temperature for brewing quickly, meaning you can make your first cup in just 35 second. The water tank is also quick and simple to refill, with the lid detaching completely to reveal a large opening. You can fill it up using tap water, depending on what you prefer.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the models, but it is a powerful machine. When you buy it at full cost, it's less than PS100 - which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who do not have the space or budget for a traditional espresso machine however still want to enjoy the authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is extremely easy to operate and takes up just a little counter space. You only need to press one button to start the machine, and then press it again to start dispensing your chosen pod. The button is illuminated to let you know how much you have consumed. You can also stop the process in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller amounts.

There's no steam wand included on this model, but you can add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you like. The machine is also quite quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen work space.

The pods are not inexpensive, but they come in a wide range of blends that are suitable for anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are sold in most supermarkets alongside regular coffee machine cheap beans and ground coffee and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.

The Jolie and Milk is a smart-looking capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer and a frother. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cable and plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty sheet, and a test box of nine Lavazza pods: six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be placed under a cupboard or a flat surface.

1. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be an expensive espresso machine. If you're willing and able to learn to use it, then this is a fantastic home espresso maker. It's more efficient than most of the more expensive models. It's the best value in its class, and it's especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso grinder yet, which could cost them another $100 or more.

This model is priced below the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199), but is still an excellent option for baristas working on a tight budget. It has a lot of customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means it can only perform one task at a time.

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

It's not without its flaws, though. For one, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit instead of on top. This isn't a huge deal, but it can be frustrating if you're trying to give multiple shots at once. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to determine how much liquid remains.

If you're willing 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 drawback to the Breville Barista Express is the price which could be a stumbling block for some 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 bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost a fraction of what this Breville model does.

1. OXO Brew 9 Cup

A high-tech, intelligent coffee machine that makes great coffee with a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display creates a chic kitchen design. It comes with one dial that allows you to set the number of cups. There are two settings: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing process is similar to pour over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe is the best tasting coffee. The water is heated up to the ideal temperature, and then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds using a shower head. The coffee that is brewed is stored in a double-walled carafe and can be stored for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and pour feature lets you remove the carafe while brewing and fill your cup. The machine pauses brewing and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it, after which it resumes brewing and is finished.

The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker has been SCAA certified, which means that it meets the organization’s strict technical standards. The brew cycle is longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers more control over temperature, brewing duration, and quality.

In our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee with the carafe filled in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the 6 minutes that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the time range that experts in the field recommend for making a quality cup.

You should also grind your own beans prior to making. You can choose a manual grinder or an automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has various grind settings, as well as 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 this could be a hassle for some users. The stainless steel is still easy to clean by hand, though. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and easy-to-use interface make it an undisputed contender among the top drip coffee makers.