Are You In Search Of Inspiration? Try Looking Up Best Coffee Machine
The Best Coffee Machines For HomeThere is no one-size-fits-all coffee machine. We've compiled our top picks, from a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them into a semiautomatic which gives you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process while requiring you to be familiar with the art of making espresso. It's the best bean-to-cup machine we've seen.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those looking to make espresso at home without making huge sacrifices in terms quality. This espresso machine for prosumers is designed with limited counter space in mind and combines outstanding build quality with a very small footprint. It comes with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group head, so you can steam milk and brew espresso at the same time.
The machine looks great as well, and has an elongated side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is an update to Rocket's traditional design which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also comes with an black pressure gauge that indicates when the boiler is ready to use.
One drawback of this compact machine is that the drip tray and the water reservoir are smaller than those of other machines. This means that you'll need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, especially when using it frequently. This is a natural tradeoff to have a smaller footprint, though this is not a problem specific to this model.
You can still brew plenty of coffee using this machine, and it is able to easily meet the demands of your customers. We would suggest investing in a quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante to ensure consistency and better 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 delicious drinks, and it's simple to make Latte art. However, it's important to remember that the machine was not designed for novices and there's an enlightening curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger is tricky to handle 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 supply that means you will always have cold, fresh filtered water on hand for your drinks. The latter has a smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from the Lavazza machine this one was designed with quality in mind. The machine reaches the temperature for brewing quickly, so you can prepare your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is able to be filled with ease, since the lid can be removed to make an enormous hole. You can also fill it with tap water if you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the models, but it packs a punch. When you buy it at full cost, it's less than PS100 which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great option for those who do not have the space or funds for traditional espresso machines however, they still want to experience a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is simple to use and takes up small counter space. By pressing a single button, you can activate the machine. When you press it again, it will start dispensing the pod you have selected. There's a light on the button, so you can clearly see how much has been dispensed, and you can manually stop the process in case you prefer drinking your drink in smaller portions.
The model isn't equipped with a steam wand however, you can add creamy froth to your milk using an optional milk frother. The machine is very quiet as well and can be utilized in a small area or in a kitchen with flatshare without causing any disturbance to anyone else.
They're not expensive, but there's an array of blends available to suit everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. 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 that comes with an integrated milk warmer. It comes in a box with an 75cm power cable, plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet and a tester box containing nine Lavazza pods which include six roasts (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
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. But if you're willing to invest the time to master its use this is a fantastic espresso maker for home use that performs better than many of the more expensive models available. It's the most affordable in its class, and is especially suitable for those who do not have an espresso maker yet--which can easily cost them another $100 or more.
The model is just in the middle of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199), but it's still an excellent option for baristas at home who are on a tight budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and check here it even has a built-in burr grinder, making the entire experience less expensive. It is also a single-boiler machine, meaning it can only handle one thing at a time.
Breville, a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has swiftly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and has enough control to let budding baristas hone their abilities without spending more than is necessary.
It's not without its flaws however. The hopper is on the side, not the top, of this model. It's not a huge issue, but it can be a hassle if you need to disperse several shots at once. The rear position of the tank makes it difficult to see how much liquid remains.
If you're willing some time to learn how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for any espresso lover at home. The only issue is the cost, which can be a deterrent 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 are similarly capable and provide 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, intelligent coffee maker that makes excellent coffee using a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen give a sophisticated appearance to your kitchen. It has a single dial to program the amount of cups you want to make. It comes with the 2-4 cup setting and a 5-9 cup setting. Its brewing process is similar to pour-over the grounds, which many coffee lovers believe is the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature before being poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The brewed coffee then collects in the double-walled, thermal carafe for upto 60 minutes. 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 an red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. It then resumes the brewing process.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, which means it meets the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. The brew cycle is longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has greater control over temperature, brewing time and also quality.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee that filled an entire carafe in just 7 minutes 41 seconds. This is a little more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the range that coffee experts suggest for making a quality cup.
You must also grind your beans before brewing. You can opt for an manual grinder or an automated model, such as the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and a hopper for whole beans.
The only issue with this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a concern for some customers. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and user-friendly interface make it a top contender among the best drip coffee makers.