The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no one-size-fits-all coffee maker. We've compiled our top picks, starting with a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them into semi-automatic machines that give you the best control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend between automation and needing to be able to master the art of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've come across.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those who want to make espresso at home without making significant sacrifices in terms of quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was designed for those with small counter space. It is built to last and has excellent quality and a 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 coffee at the same simultaneously.

The machine is also beautiful and has a round design on the side panel with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic look of Rocket and is already impressive for a compact machine. It also comes with the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to indicate when the boiler is ready to use.

The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this machine than others. This means you'll be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when using it frequently. This is a trade-off that comes with having smaller footprint. This isn't a problem specific to this model.

This machine can easily handle your coffee demands. We would suggest investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with a Rocket portafilter to help improve the tamping process.

As a prosumer espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and is easy to create the latte art. However, it's worth noting that the machine was not designed for novices, and there is a bit of a learning curve for those upgrading from appliances. The heat exchanger can be difficult to operate, and you'll need to learn how to perform cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to an water source, which allows you to always be capable of drinking cold and filtered water. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank, which could be more difficult to refill than its competitors.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's top standards. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in just 35 seconds. 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 with tap water, should you wish.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the series, yet it packs a punch. It's priced less than PS100 at full price and is much less expensive than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great option for those who do not have the space or funds for a traditional espresso machine however still want to enjoy a real Italian espresso.

The Jolie is simple to use and takes up little counter space. You only need to press one button to start the machine and again to start dispensing the chosen pod. The button has a backlight to let you know the amount you've consumed. You can also manually stop the process, in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller portions.

This model does not come with a steam wand, however, you can add creamy froth to your milk using an optional milk frother. The machine is also 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 are suitable for everyone - from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are sold in most supermarkets alongside regular ground coffee and coffee beans and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.

The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and frother. It comes in a box with an 75cm power cable, plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty card, as well as 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 compact enough to fit under a cupboard or flat surfaces.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso here machine that's out of the budget of many average consumers. If you're willing to take the time to learn how to use it this is a great do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than some of the more expensive models available. It's among the best priced in its class, and is particularly suitable for beginners who do not have an espresso maker yet, which could cost them $100 or more.

This model is a bit in the middle 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 delivers plenty of tweakable features, and includes an integrated burr grinder to make the whole experience much more affordable. It's also a one-boiler machine, meaning it can only do one thing at a time.

Breville is relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has swiftly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no different, and it offers just enough adjustability to let aspiring baristas improve their skills without spending hundreds of dollars more than they need to.

It's not without its flaws, though. The hopper is on the side, not the top of the model. It's not a huge problem, but it could be a problem if you wish to disperse several shots at once. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to see how much liquid is left.

If you're willing some time in learning how to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent choice for any espresso lover at home. The only downside is the price, which can be a deterrent for certain buyers. If you're looking for an affordable alternative, we suggest the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally powerful and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you a fraction of what this Breville model does.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech, smart coffee maker that produces great coffee with a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screens gives your kitchen a sophisticated look. It comes with one dial that lets you to program the amount of cups. There are two settings: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. The brewing process is similar to pour-over, which most coffee lovers believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the right temperature, then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds with shower heads. The brewed coffee then collects in the double-walled, thermal carafe for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour function lets you to remove the carafe during making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine pauses brewing and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it. 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 standards for technical quality. The brew cycles are the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it lets you control the temperature and brewing time.

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. It's slightly longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but it falls within the range that coffee experts recommend for a good cup of drip.

It is also necessary to grind your own beans prior to making. You can use an old-fashioned coffee grinder or opt for a more automatic model like the Baratza Encore, which has various grind settings as well as 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 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.