The Best Coffee Machines For Home

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

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automating the process and making you knowledgeable about the art of espresso-making. This is our top choice for a machine that makes coffee.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento is a top pick for those looking to make espresso at home, without making huge sacrifices in terms quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with limited counter space in mind. It combines outstanding build quality with a very 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 the same at the same time.

The machine looks stunning too, and comes with an insert for the side of the machine with the engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic look of Rocket, which is already pretty impressive for a machine that is so small. It also has the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to show when the boiler is ready to use.

One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and water reservoir are smaller than most other machines. It is important to be careful when emptying and refilling the machine. This is especially the case in the event that you frequently use it. This is a natural tradeoff for less footprint, however this is not a problem particular to this model.

automatic bean to cup coffee machine can still brew plenty of coffee using this machine, and it will easily meet the demands. That being said, we would suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Giante, to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also pair this machine with the Rocket portafilter to enhance the grinding process.

Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make some great drinks and it is easy to make Latte Arts. It's important to note that this machine was not designed for beginners. There is a little learning curve for people who are upgrading from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. The heat exchange boiler could be a bit tricky to manage and you'll have to master the ins and outs of 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 2.25-liter water tank, which can be more difficult to refill than its competitors.

2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie

This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. The machine can reach the temperature of brewing quickly, which means you can make your first cup in less than 35 second. The water tank is also quick and easy to fill, with the lid detaching completely to reveal a large opening. You can also fill it up with tap water if you want.

This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still packs a punch. It's priced less than PS100 at the full price which is less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great choice for those who don't have the space or budget for traditional espresso machines however, they still want to enjoy the authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is easy to use and occupies very small counter space. You just need to press a single button to activate the machine, and then press it again to start dispensing your chosen pod. There's a light on the button to ensure that you are able to see clearly the amount of dispensed, and you can manually stop the process if you prefer to drink your pod in smaller doses.

There's no steam wand on this model, however you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you like. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen workspace.

Pods aren't inexpensive, but there's an array of blends to suit everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. You can find them in most supermarkets, along with regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. You can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.

The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer. It includes a 75cm plug and power cable, a warranty document, 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 is small enough to be able to be stowed on an even surface or placed under the cupboard.

3. Breville BES870XL

At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is out of the budget of many average consumers. If you're willing to master it, then this is a great home espresso maker. It's more efficient than many of the more expensive models. It's a great value for its class and is especially useful for those who aren't experienced enough to have an espresso machine that can cost up to $100.

The model is just below the top of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive, costing $2,199) However, it's a solid choice for home baristas 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 is also a single-boiler machine, meaning it can only perform one task at one time.

Breville, an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has rapidly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no different, and it has just enough control to let budding baristas improve their abilities without spending a lot more than they need to.

It's not without its flaws, though. The hopper is situated on the side, not the top, of this model. It's not a big problem, but it could be a problem if you wish to give several shots at once. It's also not very easy to know how much water is left in the tank, because of its rear position.

If you're willing to put in time learning to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only issue is the cost, which can be a deterrent for some buyers. For those looking for a less expensive alternative, read our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally capable and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost you only a fraction of the price. Breville model can do.

4. OXO Brew 9 Cup

A high-tech, smart coffee maker that makes excellent coffee with a simple user interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add a stylish design to your kitchen. It has a single dial that allows you to program the amount of cups. There are two settings: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing method is similar to pour-over, which many coffee aficionados believe produces the best-tasting coffee. The water is heated up to the perfect temperature and then poured evenly over the coffee grounds using a shower head. The brewed coffee is then stored in the double-walled thermal carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and pour feature lets you remove the carafe while brewing and then fill your cup. The machine pauses the brewing process and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it, then it resumes and completes brewing.

The OXO Brew 9-Cup is certified by SCAA, which means it meets the organization's rigorous technical standards. The brew cycle is longer than the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers more control over temperature, brewing time and quality.

In our tests, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a little more than the 6 minutes that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the range of time that experts in the field recommend to make a great cup.

It is also necessary to grind your beans before brewing. You can choose either a manual grinder or an automated model, such as the Baratza Encore. It has multiple grind settings, and it has a hopper that can be used for whole beans.


The only drawback to 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 9-Cup is a leading contender for the top drip coffee maker due to its sleek design and easy to use interface.