20 Things That Only The Most Devoted Best Coffee Machine Fans Know
The Best Coffee Machines For HomeThere's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. This is why we've compiled our top picks for your home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans to semi-automatic machines that give you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend between automation and needing to know the ropes of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a coffee-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those who are looking to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was created for those who have limited counter space. It has a great build quality with a compact footprint. It is equipped with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head, so you can steam milk while making espresso simultaneously.
The machine is also beautiful and has a circular insert on the side panel with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's traditional design which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also comes with a black boiler pressure gauge to indicate when the boiler is ready to use.
The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this model than others. This means that you'll need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you use it often. This is a trade-off that comes with having a smaller footprint. This is not an issue that is specific to this model.
This machine is capable of handling your coffee needs. However, we would recommend investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with a Rocket portafilter to help improve the tamping process.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make excellent drinks and is simple to make Latte arts. It is important to remember that this machine was not intended for novices. There is a slight learning curve for those who upgrade from espresso machines that are appliance-grade. 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 supply that means you will always have cold, fresh filtered water on hand for your drinks. The latter comes with smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be harder to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's top standards. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, allowing you to prepare your first cup of coffee in just 35 seconds. The tank can be easily refilled, as the lid can be removed to create an enormous hole. It can be filled with tap water, depending on what you prefer.
This is the smallest machine in the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it packs a punch. It's priced at less than PS100 at retail - that's less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. This makes the Jolie an excellent choice for those with a limited budget or space for a traditional espresso maker, but who would like to experience the pleasure of real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely simple to use and occupies very little counter space. Pressing one button will begin the process. After pressing it again, it will start dispense the pod you have selected. The button is illuminated to let you know the amount you've consumed. You can also stop the process, if you want to drink the pod in smaller quantities.
There's no steam wand included on this model, however you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth, if you'd like. The machine is also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen workspace.
The pods are not expensive, but they are available in a wide range of blends that can be used by all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in the majority of supermarkets, along with regular grounds coffee and coffee beans. 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 a 75cm power cable and plug along with a quick-guide as well as a 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 is compact enough to fit under a cupboard or the floor.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso maker that's not within the budget of most average consumers. If you're willing to invest the time to learn how to use it, this is an excellent do-it-all home espresso maker that is more efficient than some of the more expensive models on the market. It's a good price for the class and is particularly useful for those who are new to the field and don't have an espresso machine, which can cost up to $100.
This model is a bit in the middle of the range here for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) however, it's a solid choice for baristas at home who are on a tight budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and it even comes with a built-in burr grinder to make the whole experience much less expensive. It's also a single boiler machine, which means that it can only handle one thing at a time.
Although it is a relatively newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves with their high-quality appliances. This machine isn't an exception and has enough adjustability to allow aspiring baristas to improve their abilities without spending more than they should.
The unit is not without its flaws. For instance, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit, instead of on top. This isn't a huge deal however it can be difficult to give multiple shots at once. It's also not very easy to know the amount of water 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 any home espresso lover. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is its cost which could be a hindrance for some buyers. For those looking for a less expensive alternative, read our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the cost.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech, smart coffee machine that makes great coffee with a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screens gives your kitchen a sophisticated look. It comes with one dial that lets you to set the number of cups. There are two settings: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over, which many coffee enthusiasts believe makes the most flavorful coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature, and then evenly poured over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The coffee that is brewed is stored in a double-walled carafe that can be kept for up to 60 min. The pause-and pour feature lets you remove the carafe while brewing and 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 Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is certified by SCAA, which means it complies with the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. The brew cycle is as long as those of the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides more control over temperature, brewing duration and also quality.
In our tests in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed a pot of excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe of coffee in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the 6 minutes that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but within the time range that coffee experts suggest to make a great cup.
It also requires that you grind your own beans before making coffee. You can opt for an manual grinder or an automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and an hopper for beans that are whole.
The only issue with this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a concern for some users. The stainless steel is easy to clean by hand, however. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and user-friendly interface make it one of the top contenders among top drip coffee makers.