3 Ways The Best Coffee Machine Can Influence Your Life
The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no universally-fit-all coffee maker. This is why we've compiled our top picks for your home, from a fully automated that grinds and packs your beans to semi-automatics that give you the best compact coffee machine control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process and making you proficient in the art of making espresso. It's our top choice for a bean-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top pick for those who wish to make espresso at home, without making huge sacrifices in terms quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with limited counter space in mind and is built to last with a high-end build quality and tiny footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8 milliliter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head, so you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same simultaneously.
The machine also looks great and has a circular panel on the side with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a new take on Rocket's classic aesthetic and is already impressive for a compact machine. It also has a black pressure gauge that indicates when the boiler is ready for use.
The drip tray and the water reservoir tray are smaller on this model than other models. You'll need be cautious when emptying and refilling the machine. This is particularly true when you are using it often. This is a natural trade-off for less footprint, however it is not a problem that is unique to this model.
This machine is capable of handling your coffee needs. We suggest buying a good grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, to improve consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with an Rocket Portafilter to increase tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, makes delicious drinks and it is easy to create Latte Arts. However, it's important to remember that the machine isn't designed for beginners and there's a bit of a learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchanger is difficult to work with and you'll need to learn how to perform cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento offer the option of connecting to a water supply, which allows you to always have clean, cold filtering water available for your drinks. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank, which could be more difficult to fill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from the Lavazza machine, this one is designed with quality in mind. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, allowing you to prepare your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is able to be filled with ease, since the lid can be removed to make the large hole. You can fill it up with tap water if that's what you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the range, but it is a powerful machine. It's priced at less than PS100 at full price which is less than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who don't have the space or money for an espresso machine of the traditional type however still want to experience a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and takes up small counter space. You only need to press a single button to activate the machine and again to begin dispensing your chosen brew. The button is illuminated so that you can see how much you have consumed. You can also stop the process if you want to drink the pod in smaller amounts.
There's no steam wand on this model, but you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is very quiet as well and can be utilized in a small area or in a flatshare kitchen without disturbing others.
The pods aren't inexpensive, but they come in a range of blends that are suitable for anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are sold in most supermarkets along with regular ground coffee and coffee beans and you can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine with an integrated milk warmer and frother. It comes with a 75cm power plug and power cable, a warranty card and a quick reference, and a test pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is small enough to fit under a cupboard or flat surfaces.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is beyond the budget of most average consumers. If you're willing to master it, then this is a great at-home espresso maker. It performs better than many of the more expensive models. It's the most affordable in its class, and it's especially good for novices who do not have an espresso maker yet--which can easily set them back another $100 or more.
This model is a bit below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive at $2,199), but it's still a solid choice for baristas at home who are on a tight budget. It comes with plenty of adjustable features, and has a built-in burr grinder that makes the whole experience much less expensive. It's also a single boiler machine that means it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.
Despite being a relatively newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made their mark through their top-quality machines. This machine isn't an exception, and it offers just enough adjustable control to let baristas who are aspiring burnish their abilities without spending more than they should.
The unit does not come without its quirks. For instance, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit, instead of being on top. This isn't really significant, but it can be annoying if you're trying dispense multiple shots at once. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to determine how much liquid is left.
But if you're prepared to learn how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's a great, do-it-all appliance for anyone who is a coffee lover at home. The only drawback is the price, which can be a nagging issue for some buyers. If you're looking for an affordable alternative, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are comparable in their capabilities and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the price.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart machine for coffee with a simple user interface that makes great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED display gives your kitchen a sophisticated appearance. It features one dial to set the number of cups you would like it to make. It also comes with two cup settings and a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing process is similar to pour-over, which many coffee lovers believe makes the most flavorful coffee. The water is heated up to the right temperature, then evenly poured over the coffee grounds using 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 lets you to take the carafe out while making your coffee and filling it with the right amount. The machine stops the brewing process and shows an red light on its LED interface until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes the brewing process.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup is certified by SCAA, which means it meets the rigorous standards of SCAA's technology. The brew cycles are the same as the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it gives you more control over temperature and brewing times.
In our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made an excellent drip coffee making machine that was served in a full-carafe in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit more than the 6 minutes the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the time range that coffee experts suggest to make a great cup.
It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to making coffee machines. You can opt for an manual grinder or a more automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has various grind settings, as well as an hopper for beans that are whole.
The only downside is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe and could cause issue for certain users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO 9-Cup is a leading contender for the top drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and simple to use interface.