The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no one-size-fits-all coffee machine. We've rounded up our top picks for your home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatics that give you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and needing to be able to master the art of espresso-making. It's our top pick for a coffee-to-cup machine.
- Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those looking to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with limited counter space in mind and 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 Head so you can steam your milk and brew your coffee 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 an upgrade to Rocket's original design that is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also comes with an black pressure gauge that indicates when the boiler is ready to use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than other models. This means that you will be more cautious about emptying and www.coffeee.uk refilling the machine, especially when you are using it regularly. This is a trade-off that results in smaller footprint. This isn't a problem specific to this model.
This machine is able to handle your coffee demands. We would suggest investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with an Rocket portafilter to help improve the process of tamping.
As a professional espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and is easy to create latte art. However, it's important to remember that the machine was not designed for novices and has some learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchange boiler may be a little tricky to operate and you'll have to learn the basics of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento provide the option of connecting to a water supply which allows you to always have clean, cold filtering water available for your drinks. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank, which can be more difficult to refill than some of its competitors.
- Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, allowing you to prepare your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is quick and easy to fill by removing the lid completely to make a wide opening. You can fill it with tap water if you like.
This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range, but it still has a lot of punch. It's priced less than PS100 at retail - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those without the budget or space for an espresso maker, but who are looking to enjoy the benefits of real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is incredibly simple to use and takes up very little counter space. Pressing one button will start the machine. After pressing it again, it will start dispense the pod you've selected. There's a backlight on the button to ensure that you are able to see clearly the amount of dispensed and you can also manually stop the process in case you prefer drinking the pod in smaller amounts.
There's no steam wand available on this model, however you can add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or work space.
Pods aren't inexpensive, but there's an array of blends to choose from to satisfy everyone from mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. You can find them in many supermarkets, as well as regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule with an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm power cable and plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet, and a test box that contains nine Lavazza pods that include six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be stored on an even surface or placed under the cupboard.
- Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. If you're willing and able learn to use it this is a great home espresso maker. It performs better than many of the more expensive models. It's a great price for the class and is especially useful for those who aren't experienced enough to own an espresso machine, which can cost up to $100.
This model sits right below the top of the line 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 plenty of customizable features, and includes an integrated burr grinder to make the entire experience cheaper. It's also a single boiler machine, which means that it can only handle one thing at the same time.
Despite being a relatively newcomer to the market for espresso machines, Breville has quickly made their mark with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception and has enough adjustability to let baristas who are aspiring burnish their skills without spending hundreds of dollars more than they have to.
The unit is not without its flaws. One example is that the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit, instead of on top--which isn't a huge deal, but it can be annoying if you're trying dispense multiple shots at once. It's also not very easy to know the amount of water left in the tank, because of its rear position.
If you're willing to invest some time in learning how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for any espresso lover at home. The only drawback is the cost, which can be a deterrent for some buyers. If you're seeking a cheaper option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are similarly capable and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost a fraction of what this Breville model does.
- OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker that produces great coffee with a simple user interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add a sophisticated design to your kitchen. It has one dial to set how many cups you want it to make and includes two cup settings as well as a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing method is similar to pour over that many coffee enthusiasts believe produces the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to a perfect temperature and poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The brewed coffee then collects in the thermal, double-walled carafe for up to 60 minutes. Its pause and pour feature allows you to remove the carafe while brewing to fill your own cup. The machine pauses brewing and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it, after which it resumes brewing and is finished.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is certified by SCAA, which means it complies with the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. Its brew time is approximately as long as those of the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers greater control over temperature, brewing duration and quality.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup made excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe of coffee in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require but well within the range coffee experts recommend for a great cup of drip.
It also requires you to grind your own beans before brewing. You can use a manual coffee grinder or choose a more automated model, such as the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and an hopper that can hold whole beans.
The only issue with this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could pose a problem for some users. The stainless steel is easily cleaned by hand, however. The OXO 9-Cup is a leading contender for the top drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and easy-to use interface.