Ten Best Coffee Machines That Really Improve Your Life
The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There is no one-size-fits-all coffee machine. We've compiled our top choices, ranging from a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them to a semiautomatic which gives you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend between automation and having to know the ropes of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a bean-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those looking to make espresso at home without having to compromise on quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was specifically designed for people who have little counter space. It combines excellent build quality and a small footprint. It is equipped 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 the same simultaneously.
The machine looks great as well, and has an insert for the side of the machine with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is a modernization of Rocket's traditional design which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also has the black pressure gauge, which will let you know when the boiler is ready for use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than most others. This means you'll have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, especially when using it frequently. This is a natural trade-off for less footprint, however it is not a problem specific to this model.
You can still make a large amount of coffee with this machine, and it can easily meet the demands of your customers. We suggest investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, to improve consistency and taste. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to increase the tamping.
As a prosumer espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and is easy to create Latte art. It is important to remember that this machine isn't designed for novices. There is a small learning curve for people who are upgrading from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit difficult to operate and you'll have to learn the ins and outs of 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 be capable of drinking cold and filter-filtered water. The latter has a 2.25-liter water tank that could be more difficult to refill 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 the brewing temperature, which allows you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 minutes. The water tank is quick and easy to fill and the lid can be removed completely to reveal a large opening. You can fill it up using tap water, should you wish.
This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still packs a punch. At its full price, it costs under PS100 - which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great choice for those who do not have the space or budget for a traditional espresso machine, but still want to experience a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely simple to use and takes up just a little counter space. Pressing one button will start the machine. When you press it again, it will start dispensing the specific pod you've chosen. 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.
There's no steam wand included on this model, however you can make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you like. The machine is also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen work space.
They're not cheap, but there is an array of blends to choose from to satisfy everyone from mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are readily available in many supermarkets, along with regular ground coffee machine coffee and coffee beans and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule that comes with an integrated milk warmer. It comes with a 75cm power cord and plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty card, as well as a test box of nine Lavazza pods that include six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be placed under a cupboard or on a flat surface.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that's out of the budget of a majority of consumers. If you're willing to invest the time to learn how to use it this is a great espresso maker for home use that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models available. It's a great value for the money and is particularly helpful for those who aren't experienced enough to have an espresso machine that costs up to $100.
This model is priced less than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199), but is still a good choice for baristas who are on a budget. It comes with a variety of options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means that it can only do brewing or steaming at one time.
Despite being a relatively newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and it comes with enough control to let new baristas develop their abilities without spending a lot more than is necessary.
It's not without its flaws however. One example is that the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit instead of on top. This isn't an issue however it can be frustrating if you're trying to disperse multiple shots at a time. It's also not very easy to determine how much water remains in the tank because of its rear position.
If you're willing to invest some time in learning 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 can be a deterrent for certain buyers. If you're looking for a budget option, we recommend 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 only a fraction of the price. Breville model can do.
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 a sophisticated look to your kitchen. It comes with one dial that lets you to program the number of cups. There are two settings: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the right temperature, then evenly poured over the coffee grounds with shower heads. The coffee is stored in the double-walled thermal carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 min. The pause-and-pour feature allows you remove the carafe while making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine pauses the brewing process, and displays the red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, that means it is in compliance with the organization's rigorous technical standards. The brew cycle is longer than the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides more control over temperature, brewing duration and also quality.
In our tests, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed a pot of excellent drip coffee with a full-carafe of coffee in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. It's slightly longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but still within the range coffee experts recommend for a good cup of drip.
It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to making coffee. You can use a manual coffee grinder, or choose a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and an hopper that can hold whole beans.
The only issue is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe, which could be a issue for some users. The stainless steel is still easily cleaned by hand, however. The OXO 9-Cup is a leading contender for the top drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and easy-to use interface.