The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. We've put together our top picks, from a superautomatic that grinds your beans and packs them to semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automatizing the process and requiring you to be proficient in the art of making espresso. It's our top pick for a bean-to-cup machine.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those who wish to make espresso at home without having to make big sacrifices in terms of quality. This espresso machine for prosumers is designed with a limited counter space in mind and combines outstanding build quality with the smallest footprint. It comes equipped with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head so you can steam milk and make espresso simultaneously.

The machine also looks great and has a circular panel on the side with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's traditional design that is already impressive for a small appliance. It also has a black boiler pressure gauge to indicate when the boiler is ready to use.

The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than other models. It is important be cautious when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is particularly true in the event that you frequently use it. This is a cost that comes with having less footprint. This isn't an issue that is specific to this model.

This machine can easily handle the demands of your coffee. However, we would recommend investing in a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante, to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also pair this machine with a Rocket portafilter to enhance the tamping process.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make delicious drinks and it is easy to create Latte Arts. It's important to note that this machine was not intended for novices. There is a slight learning curve for people who are upgrading from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. The heat exchanger can be tricky to handle, and you'll need to master the art of cooling flushes.

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

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. The machine reaches the temperature for brewing quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in just 35 seconds. The water tank is also fast and easy to refill and the lid can be removed completely to create a large opening. You can fill it up using tap water, should you wish.

This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range, but it still packs a punch. When you buy it at full price, it's priced at PS100 - which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. This makes the Jolie an excellent choice for those without the budget or space to buy a traditional espresso maker, but would like to experience the pleasure of real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is simple to use and requires little counter space. Pressing a single button will begin the process. After pressing it again, it will start dispensing the specific pod you've chosen. The button is illuminated to let you know the amount you've consumed. You can also manually stop the process should you prefer to consume the pod in smaller quantities.

There's no steam wand on this model, but you can add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you like. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or workspace.

The pods aren't inexpensive, but they come in a variety of blends that will suit all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. You can find them in the majority of supermarkets, along with 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 stylish coffee machines capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and Sleek coffee makers a frother. It comes in a box with an 75cm power cable, plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty sheet, and a test 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 is small enough to fit under a cabinet or on a flat surface.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso maker that's beyond the budget of most average consumers. If you're willing to learn to use it and make it work, then this is a great at-home espresso maker. It's more efficient than many of the more expensive models. It's a good value for the money and is especially useful for those who aren't experienced enough to have an espresso maker that can cost up to $100.

This model is a bit below the top of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive at $2,199) However, it's an excellent option for home baristas who are 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 it can only do brewing or steaming at one time.

Breville is relatively new to the market for espresso and coffee combo machines machines, has swiftly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no exception and it comes with enough control to let budding baristas develop their abilities without spending more than they need to.

The unit does not come without its flaws. For instance, the hopper in this model is located 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 dispense multiple shots at once. The rear-facing position of the tank makes it difficult to determine how much liquid is left.

If you're willing to invest time learning to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for any coffee lover at home. The only issue is the price, which can be a nagging issue for some buyers. If you're looking for a low-cost option, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost less than the cost.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech smart coffee maker that produces great coffee using a simple interface. Its Sleek coffee Makers stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add an elegant appearance to your kitchen. It comes with a single dial that allows you to set the amount of cups. There are two options: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. The brewing process is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee lovers believe makes the best-tasting coffee. The water is heated up to the right temperature, then evenly poured over the coffee grounds using a shower head. The coffee that is brewed is collected in the double-walled thermal carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 min. The pause-and-pour feature allows you to remove the carafe during making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine stops the brewing process and Sleek Coffee Makers shows the red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. It then resumes brewing.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is an SCAA-certified coffee maker that means it is in compliance with the organization's rigorous technical standards. Its brew cycles are about the same as the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing times.

In our testing we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup made excellent drip coffee and a full cup in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the range that coffee experts suggest for making a quality cup.

It also requires you to grind your own beans prior to making coffee. You can use a manual coffee grinder, or go for a more automated model like the Baratza Encore, which has multiple grind settings and the hopper can hold entire beans.

The only downside is that the carafe and water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe and could cause issue for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and user-friendly interface make it a top contender among the top drip coffee makers.