The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There is no one-size-fits-all coffee machine. That's why we've rounded up our top picks for the home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatics that give you the most control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch achieves the perfect balance between automation and the need to be able to master the art of espresso-making. It's our top pick for a machine that makes coffee.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those who want to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was created for those with small counter space. It has a great build quality and a small footprint. It comes with a 1.8 Liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Heads so that you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same at the same time.

The machine looks fantastic as well and features a round side panel insert with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is a fresh update on the classic look of Rocket and is already impressive for a small machine. It also has the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to let you know when the boiler is ready to use.

One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than most other machines. This means you'll have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you are using it regularly. This is a natural tradeoff for less footprint, however, and not an issue particular to this model.

This machine can easily handle your coffee needs. We recommend investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, to improve consistency and taste. You can also use the machine in conjunction with a Rocket Portafilter to improve tamping.

As a professional espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and it's simple to make the latte art. It's important to note that the machine isn't designed for novices, and there is a bit of a learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchanger can be difficult to work with and you'll have to learn how to do cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento offer the option of connecting to a water source, which allows you to always have clean, cold water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter comes with smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be harder to refill.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

As you might expect from a Lavazza machine this one has been made with quality in mind. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in just 35 minutes. The tank is able to be filled with ease, since the lid can be removed to make a large hole. It can be filled with tap water, depending on what you prefer.

This is the smallest machine of the Lavazza A Modo Mio range, but it still has a lot of punch. At its full price, it's priced at PS100 which is lower 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 budget for a traditional espresso machine however, they nevertheless want to drink an authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is simple to use and occupies very little counter space. You only need to press one button to turn on the machine and again to start dispensing your chosen pod. There's a backlight that's on the button so that you can easily see the amount of liquid that has been dispersed and you can also stop the process at any time should you prefer to drink the pod in smaller amounts.

This model does not come with a steam wand, but you can add some creamy froth to your milk using an optional milk frother. The machine is quiet also, and can be used in a small area or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing anyone else.

Pods aren't inexpensive, but there's a wide variety of blends available that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are readily available in many 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 stylish capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and frother. It comes in a box with a 75cm power cord and plug, a quick-guide and warranty card, as well as a test box that contains nine Lavazza pods: six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine itself is small enough to be stored on the floor or placed under your cupboard.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance at first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is not within the budget of many average consumers. If you're willing and able master it this is a great home espresso maker. It performs better than most of the more expensive models. It's a great price for the class and is especially useful for those who are new to the field and don't own an espresso machine that costs up to $100.

The model is priced lower than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is a good choice for baristas who are on a budget. It has a lot of customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It's also a one-boiler machine, meaning it can only perform one task at one time.

Although it is a relatively newcomer to the market for espresso machines, Breville has quickly made an impact by offering top-quality equipment. This machine is no exception and has enough control to let new baristas hone their abilities without spending more than is necessary.

The unit is not without its flaws. The hopper is situated on the side, not on the top, of this model. It's not a major issue, but it can be a hassle if you need to disperse several shots at a time. It's also not very easy to determine how much water is left in the tank because of its rear position.

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 anyone who loves espresso at home. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is the price, which may be a hindrance for certain buyers. If you're looking for a budget option, 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 you less than the Breville model does.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

A high-tech smart machine for coffee with a user-friendly interface that produces great coffee. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display add an elegant appearance to your kitchen. It has one dial that lets you to set the number of cups. There are two settings available: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee lovers believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the right temperature, then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The brewed coffee then collects in the thermal, double-walled carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour feature allows you remove the carafe while brewing and then fill your cup. The machine pauses the brewing process and displays the red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. The machine then begins brewing.

The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker has been SCAA certified, meaning it complies with the strict standards in terms of technology. Its brew cycle is about the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides greater control over temperature, brewing time and also quality.

In our testing we found that the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced a pot of excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe of coffee in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster calls for, but it is within the range that experts in the field recommend to make a great cup.

You must also grind your beans before brewing. You can choose either a manual grinder or a more automated model, such as the Baratza Encore. It has various grind settings, as well as a hopper for whole beans.

The only downside to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a problem for some customers. The stainless steel is still easily cleaned by hand, though. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and easy-to-use interface make it an undisputed contender among the best drip coffee makers.