There's no universally-fit-all coffee maker. We've compiled our top picks, starting with 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 making you knowledgeable about the art of making espresso. It's our top choice for a machine that makes coffee.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top option for those who wish to make espresso at home, without making huge sacrifices in terms quality. This prosumer espresso machine is designed with a limited counter space in mind and is built to last with a high-end build quality and 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 time.
The machine looks fantastic and has a round design on the side panel with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is a fresh update on the classic design of Rocket and is already impressive for a small machine. It also includes the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to indicate when the boiler is ready to use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than most other models. You'll need be extra cautious when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case if you use it frequently. This is a sacrifice that comes with having less footprint. This is not a problem specific to this model.
This machine is capable of handling your coffee demands. However, we would recommend investing in a good grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with a Rocket Portafilter to improve the tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create some great drinks and it is easy to create Latte Arts. However, it's important to remember that the machine isn't designed for novices, and there is a bit of a learning curve for those who are upgrading from appliances. The heat exchanger can be difficult to work with, and you'll need to learn how to perform cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento allow connecting to a water supply, which allows you to always have cold, fresh filtered water on hand for your drinks. The latter comes with a smaller 2.25-liter tank that is harder to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's top standards. The machine is able to reach the temperature of brewing quickly, meaning you can prepare your first cup in just 35 second. The water tank can be filled easily, as the lid can be removed to create an enormous hole. You can fill it up with tap water if you want.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the range, but it packs a punch. When you buy it at full price, it costs under PS100 which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. This makes the Jolie a great option for those who don't have the money or space for an espresso maker, but who are looking to enjoy the benefits of authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and requires little counter space. You only need to press one button to turn on the machine, and then press it again to start dispensing your chosen pod. The button has a backlight to let you know how much you have consumed. You can also stop the process should you prefer to consume the pod in smaller portions.
This model does not come with a steam wand, but you can add some creamy froth to your milk using an optional milk frother. The machine is also quite quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen working space.
The pods aren't inexpensive, but they come in a wide range of blends that will suit all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. You can find them in many supermarkets, as well as regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer. It comes with an 75cm power cable, plug along with a quick-guide as well as a warranty card, as well as a test box of nine Lavazza pods which include six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to fit under a cupboard or flat surfaces.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that's beyond the budget of many average consumers. If you're willing and able learn to use it and make it work, then this is a great at-home espresso maker. It performs better than many of the more expensive models. It's among the best priced in its class, and is especially suitable for those who do not have an espresso maker yet, which could cost them another $100 or more.
This model sits right in the middle of the line for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive, costing $2,199) However, it's an excellent choice for baristas at home on a budget. It's loaded with options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It's also a single boiler machine, which means it can only do steaming or brewing at one time.
Breville is an incredibly newcomer to the market for espresso machines, has quickly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no different and has enough control to let aspiring baristas develop their skills without spending hundreds more than necessary.
The unit does not come without its flaws. For instance, the hopper on this model is positioned on the side of the unit, instead of on top--which isn't a huge deal however it can be frustrating if you're trying to give multiple shots at once. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to see the amount of liquid left.
If you're willing to invest some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an ideal, all-purpose machine for any home espresso lover. The only issue is the price, which can be a nagging issue for certain buyers. If you're looking for a low-cost alternative, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines have similar capabilities and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the price.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee machine with a simple user interface that produces great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design with backlit LED screen gives your kitchen a sophisticated look. It has one dial that allows you to program the number of cups. There are two options: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing process is similar to pour over the grounds, which many coffee lovers believe is the most delicious coffee. The water is heated up to the ideal temperature, and then poured evenly over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The coffee is collected in the double-walled thermal carafe that can be kept for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour function lets you to remove the carafe during brewing and fill your cup. The machine pauses the brewing process and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it, then resumes and finishes brewing.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is an SCAA-certified coffee maker which means it complies with the organization's rigorous technical standards. Its brew time is approximately the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides more control over temperature, brewing duration and quality.
In our testing in our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup brewed an excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe of coffee in just 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 good cup.
It also requires that you grind your own beans prior to making. You can use an old-fashioned coffee grinder or opt for a more automatic model, such as the Baratza Encore, which has multiple grind settings and a hopper that holds whole beans.
The only downside is that the carafe and the water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe this could be a problem 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 easy to use interface.
