The Best Coffee Machines For Home

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

The Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend between automation and having to understand the basics of espresso-making. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've seen.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those looking to make espresso at their home without losing quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was designed for those with limited counter space. It combines excellent build quality with a compact footprint. It is equipped with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk and make espresso simultaneously.

The machine looks fantastic and has a circular insert on the side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a new take on the classic design of Rocket and is already impressive for a small machine. It also comes with the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to let you know when the boiler is ready to use.

One disadvantage of this tiny machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than those of other machines. It is important be cautious when emptying and refilling the machine. This is particularly true when you are using it often. This is a trade-off that comes with having a smaller footprint. This isn't an issue that is specific to this model.

This machine is capable of handling your coffee machine brands needs. We recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gante, to improve consistency and taste. You can also pair the machine with a Rocket Portafilter to increase the tamping.

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

Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento provide the option of connecting to a water source, that means you will always have fresh, cold water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter comes with smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be more difficult to refill.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. The machine is able to reach the brewing temperature quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is fast and easy to refill and the lid can be removed completely to make a wide opening. You can fill it up with tap water if you prefer.

The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the range, but it is a powerful machine. It's priced less than PS100 at the full price which is less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie an ideal choice for those who don't have the money or space to buy a traditional espresso maker, but want to get their fix of authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to use and takes up little counter space. You just need to press a single button to activate the machine, and then press it again to begin dispensing the chosen pod. The button is illuminated so you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also stop the process, in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller quantities.

There's no steam wand included on this model, however you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is quiet as well, and can be used in a small area or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing anyone else.

The pods aren't expensive, but they are available in a wide range of blends that can be used by 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 on the internet.

The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule with an integrated milk warmer. It comes 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: six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be placed under a cabinet or on the floor.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso maker that's not within the budget of a majority of consumers. If you're willing and able to master it, then this is a great home espresso maker. It's more efficient than many of the more expensive models. It's among the best home coffee machine priced in its class, and is especially suitable for those who don't have an espresso grinder yet. This could easily set them back another $100 or more.

The model is just below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive, costing $2,199) However, it's an excellent option for home baristas on a budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and it even has a built-in burr grinder to make the whole experience much cheaper. It's also a single boiler, which means it can only do brewing or steaming at one time.

Although it is a relatively newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made an impact through their top-quality machines. This machine is no different, and it has just enough control to let budding baristas improve their abilities without spending a lot more than is necessary.

The unit has its quirks. For one, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit instead of on top--which isn't a huge deal however it can be frustrating if you're trying to dispense multiple shots at once. The rear-facing position of the tank makes it difficult to see the amount of liquid left.

If you're willing to invest some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's a great, do-it-all appliance for any home espresso lover. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is its price which could be a stumbling block for certain buyers. For those looking for a less expensive option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the price.

4. 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 appearance. It comes with one dial that lets you to set the amount of cups. There are two settings available: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. The brewing method is similar to pour over the grounds, which many coffee lovers believe produces the best home coffee machine tasting coffee. The water is heated to a perfect temperature and then poured over grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The coffee is stored in the double-walled thermal carafe and can be stored for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and pour feature lets you to remove the carafe during making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine pauses the brewing process and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it. It then it resumes and completes brewing.

The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker is SCAA certified, meaning it meets the organization’s strict technical standards. Its brew time is approximately longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has greater control over temperature, brewing duration, and quality.

In our tests, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made excellent drip coffee with a full-carafe of coffee in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. That's a little longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require but well within the range of time that coffee experts recommend for a great cup of drip.

It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to making. You can choose either a manual grinder or an automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has various grind settings, as well as it has a hopper that can be used for whole beans.

The only issue is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe and could cause hassle for some users. 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.