The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There is no single-size-fits all coffee machine. We've rounded-up our top picks, starting with a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them to semiautomatics that give you the best control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automating the process and making you knowledgeable about the art of making espresso. It's the most efficient bean-to-cup machine we've seen.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those who are looking to make espresso at their home without losing quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was specifically designed for people with small counter space. It combines excellent build quality with a compact footprint. It comes with a 1.8 milliliter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head so you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same at the same time.

The machine looks great too, and comes with a round side panel insert with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic design of Rocket and is already impressive for a compact machine. It also includes a black boiler pressure gauge to show when the boiler is ready for use.

The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this model than others. This means that you'll have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you use it often. This is a cost that results in less footprint. This is not an issue that is specific to this model.

This machine is able to handle your coffee demands. We recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gante, to increase consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with an Rocket portafilter to improve the grinding process.

As a prosumer espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and is easy to make the latte art. It's important to note that the machine isn't made for beginners and has an enlightening curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger can be difficult to operate and you'll need to master the art of cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to a water source, allowing you to be in a position to drink cold, filtered water. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank that could be more difficult to fill than its competitors.

1. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. The machine reaches the brewing temperature quickly, so you can make your first cup in just 35 second. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill, with the lid detaching completely to create a large opening. You can also fill it with tap water if you prefer.

This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it packs a punch. When you buy it at full price, it costs under PS100 which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great choice for those who don't have the space or funds for traditional espresso machines however still want to enjoy the authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very little counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to turn on the machine and again to begin dispensing the chosen pod. The button is illuminated so that you can see how much you have consumed. You can also manually stop the process should you prefer to consume the pod in smaller quantities.

This model doesn't come with a steam wand but you can add some creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. The machine is quite quiet also, and can be used in a small area or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing others.

The pods are not inexpensive, but they come in a range of blends that can be used by all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are readily available in many 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 smart-looking capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and frother. It comes with a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty card, a quick guide, and a test pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasts (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is small enough to be stored on an even surface or placed under your cabinet.

1. Breville BES870XL

At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is beyond the budget of most average consumers. If you're willing to master it and make it work, then this is a great home espresso maker. It's more efficient than most of the more expensive models. It's among the best priced in its class, and is especially good for novices who don't have an espresso machine yet--which can easily set them back another $100 or more.

The model is just below the top of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive at $2,199) however, it's a solid choice for home baristas on a budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and it even comes with a built-in burr grinder that makes the entire experience more affordable. It's also a single boiler that means that it can only do brewing or steaming at one time.

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

It's not without its quirks, though. For instance, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit, instead of on top. This isn't significant however it can be difficult to disperse multiple shots at a time. The rear-facing position of the tank makes it difficult to see the amount of liquid left.

If you're willing time learning to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is its price, which may be a hindrance for some buyers. If you're looking for a budget alternative, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are similarly capable and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost only a fraction of the price. Breville model does.

1. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech smart machine for coffee with a user-friendly interface that makes great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display gives your kitchen a sophisticated look. It has one dial that lets you to set the amount of cups. There are two options: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing process is similar to pour over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe produces the best tasting coffee. The water is heated up to the perfect temperature and then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The coffee brewed is then stored inside the double-walled thermal carafe for upto 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour function lets you to take the carafe out while making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. 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 coffee maker is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, which means it meets the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. The brew cycles it uses are the same as the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing time.

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 little more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the range of time that coffee experts suggest to make a good cup.

You should also grind your beans before brewing. You can make use of a manual coffee grinder, or choose a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which has various grind settings as well as a hopper that holds whole beans.

The only drawback to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a problem for some customers. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is an excellent contender for the best drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and easy-to use interface.