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The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no single-size-fits all coffee machine. We've compiled our top picks, from a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them into semiautomatics that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and the need to be able to master the art of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a machine that makes coffee.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top pick for those who want to make espresso at home, without making significant sacrifices in terms of quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with limited counter space in mind. It offers top-quality build and a very small footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8 milliliter 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 the engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's traditional design, which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also includes an black gauge for boiler pressure to let you know 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 refilling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a sacrifice that results in less footprint. This is not something that is unique to this model.
This machine is able to handle your coffee needs. We suggest investing in a quality 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, makes some great drinks and it is simple to make Latte arts. It's important to note that this machine isn't designed for novices. There is a slight learning curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchanger is tricky to handle, and you'll need to learn how to do 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 capable of drinking cold, filtered water. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank that is more difficult to fill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you might expect from a Lavazza machine, this one is designed with quality in mind. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, which allows you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is fast and easy to refill by removing the lid completely to create a large opening. You can even fill it up with tap water if you want.
This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range, but it still has a lot of punch. machine coffee 's priced less than PS100 at the full price and is much less expensive than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie an excellent choice for those without the budget or space for a traditional espresso maker, but who want to get their fix of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is simple to use and takes up little counter space. Pressing a single button will activate the machine. When you press it again, it will start dispense the pod you've selected. There's a backlight that's on the button, so you can clearly see the amount of dispensed and you can also stop the process at any time if you prefer to drink the pod in smaller amounts.
There's no steam wand on this model, however you can add a milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth, if you'd like. The machine is also quite quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen working space.
The pods are not cheap, but they come in a range of blends that will suit anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are readily available in many supermarkets along with regular coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.
The Jolie and Milk is a smart-looking capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and a frother. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cord and plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet and a tester 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 kept on a flat surface or slipped under your cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that's not within the budget of many average consumers. If you're willing to put in the work to master its use, this is an excellent do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than many of the more expensive models on the market. It's among the best priced in its class, and it's especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso grinder 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 model at $2,199) however, it's a solid choice for baristas at home on a tight budget. It has a lot of options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It is also a single-boiler machine, meaning it can only handle one thing at a time.
Breville is relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has rapidly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no different and offers enough adjustable control to let baristas who are aspiring burnish their abilities without spending more than they have to.
It's not without its quirks however. The hopper is located on the side, not on the top, of this model. It's not a big problem, but it could be frustrating if you want to disperse several shots at a time. The rear-facing position of the tank makes it difficult to see how much liquid is left.
If you're willing some time to learn how to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for any coffee lover at home. The only downside is the price, which could be a turnoff for some buyers. For those 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 cost less than the price.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine with a user-friendly interface that produces excellent coffee. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen provides your kitchen with a stylish appearance. It has one dial that lets you to program the amount of cups. There are two options: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. The brewing method is similar to pour-over the grounds, which many coffee lovers believe is the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and then poured over grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The brewed coffee is then collected in the double-walled thermal carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour feature lets you remove the carafe while brewing to fill your cup to the brim. The machine stops the brewing process, and displays the red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. It then resumes brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is certified by SCAA, which means it meets the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. Its brew cycles are about the same as the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it gives you more control over temperature and brewing time.
In our testing in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed a pot of excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the range that coffee experts suggest for making a quality cup.
It also requires you to grind your own beans before making. You can use an old-fashioned coffee grinder or choose a more automated model like the Baratza Encore, which has multiple 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 be a problem for some customers. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is a top contender for the best drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and easy-to use interface.