Ten Best Coffee Machines That Really Improve Your Life

The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There is no single-size-fits all coffee maker that is perfect for every. This is why we've compiled our favorite picks for your home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process while needing you to be proficient in the art of making espresso. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've come across.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top pick for those who wish to make espresso at home, without making big sacrifices in terms of quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with the smallest counter space in mind. It is built to last with a high-end build quality and tiny footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head, so you can steam milk and make espresso simultaneously.

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

The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this model than others. This means that you will be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you are using it regularly. This is a natural tradeoff to have less footprint, however it is not a problem specific to this model.

You can still brew plenty of coffee with this machine, and it will easily keep up with the demands of your customers. That being said, we would recommend investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with an Rocket portafilter to improve the process of tamping.

As a professional espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and is easy to make latte art. It's important to note that the machine was not designed for novices, and there is some learning curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a little tricky to manage and you'll have to learn the basics of cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to an water source, allowing you to be capable of drinking cold and filter-filtered water. The latter, however, comes with a 2.25-liter water tank, which can be more difficult to fill than its competitors.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

As you might expect from a Lavazza machine this one was made with quality in mind. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, which allows you to prepare your first cup of epresso coffee machines in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is also quick and simple to refill by removing the lid completely to create a large opening. You can fill it up using tap water, if you like.

This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it packs a punch. It costs less than PS100 at retail - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who do not have the space or funds for traditional espresso machines, but nevertheless want to drink an authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is extremely simple to use and takes up very little counter space. Pressing a single button will activate the machine. After pressing it again, it will start dispense the pod you have selected. The button has a backlight so that you can see how much you have consumed. You can also manually stop the process, in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller amounts.

This model doesn't come with a steam wand, however, you can add creamy froth to your milk using an optional milk frother. The machine is very quiet, too and can be utilized in a small workspace or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing anyone else.

The pods are not inexpensive, but they come in a wide range of blends that will suit anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. You can find them in the majority of supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.

The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer and frother. It includes a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty sheet along with a quick guide and a tester pack comprising nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine itself is small enough to be stored on an even surface or placed under your cabinet.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance at first, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso maker that's out of the budget of a majority of consumers. If you're willing and able learn to use it this is a fantastic home espresso maker. It's far superior to many of the more expensive models. It's the most affordable in its class, and is especially good for novices who don't have an espresso machine yet, which could set them back another $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 tight budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and includes an integrated burr grinder to make the entire experience less expensive. It's also a single boiler machine that means that it can only do steaming or brewing at one time.

Breville is a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has quickly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no exception and it comes with enough control to let aspiring baristas develop their skills without spending hundreds more than is necessary.

The unit is not without its flaws. For one, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit instead of on top. This isn't an issue, but it can be a little annoying if you're trying give multiple shots at once. It's also difficult to see the amount of water left in the tank because of its position at the rear.

But if you're prepared to spend some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an excellent, all-purpose appliance for anyone who is a coffee lover at home. The only issue is the cost, which can be a turnoff for some buyers. If you're looking for a budget alternative, 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 a fraction of the cost.

4. OXO Brew 9 Cup

A high-tech smart coffee maker with a simple user interface that produces excellent coffee. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED screens gives your kitchen a sophisticated design. It comes with a single dial that allows you to program the number of cups. There are two options: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing method is similar to pour-over, which many coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most flavorful coffee drip machine. The water is heated to a perfect temperature before being poured over the grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The coffee machines small brewed is then stored in the double-walled, thermal carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour feature allows you to remove the carafe in brewing and fill your own cup. The machine pauses brewing and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it. It then resumes and finishes brewing.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup is a 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 gives you more control over temperature and brewing time.

In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee with the carafe filled in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is slightly more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the range that experts in the field recommend to make a good cup.

You must also grind your own beans prior to making. You can opt for either a manual grinder or a more automated model, such as the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and an hopper for beans that are whole.

The only drawback is that the carafe and water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe and could cause hassle for certain users. The stainless steel is still easily cleaned by hand, but. The OXO 9-Cup is a top contender for the top drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and easy to use interface.