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The Best Coffee Machines For Home

There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. 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 most control over your espresso.

The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automatizing the process and needing you to be proficient in the art of espresso-making. This is our top choice for a bean-to-cup machine.

1. Rocket Appartamento

Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those who want to make espresso at home without having to compromise on quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with the smallest 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 and commercial E61 Group Heads so that you can steam your milk and brew coffee machines for offices at same at the same time.

The machine also looks great and features a round design on the side panel with the steam engraved and hot water spouts. This is a new take on the classic design of Rocket, which is already pretty impressive for a small machine. It also comes with the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to indicate when the boiler is ready for use.

The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than most others. This means that you will be more cautious about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you use it often. This is a normal trade-off for less footprint, however, and not an issue specific to this model.

This machine can easily handle the demands of your coffee. We suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gante, to increase consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with the Rocket portafilter to enhance the tamping process.

As a prosumer espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and it's simple to make the latte art. However, it's important to remember that the machine isn't made for beginners, and there is a bit of a learning curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger can be difficult to operate and you'll have to learn how to perform cooling flushes.

Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to an water source, allowing you to always be able to drink cold pure, purified water. The latter comes with 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 top standards. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, allowing you to prepare your first cup of coffee in just 35 minutes. The water tank is quick and easy to fill and the lid can be removed completely to make a wide opening. You can fill it with tap water if you like.

This is the smallest machine within the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still packs a punch. At full cost, it's less than PS100 which is lower than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great choice for those who don't have the space or funds for an espresso machine prices of coffee machines the traditional type however nevertheless want to drink the authentic Italian espresso.

The Jolie is extremely simple to use and occupies only a tiny amount of counter space. You only need to press a single button to activate the machine, then again to start dispensing your chosen brew. There's a light on the button to ensure that 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 foam to your milk with 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 range of blends that will suit all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. You can find them in the majority of supermarkets, along with regular grounds coffee and popular coffee machines beans. You can also buy 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 in a box with a 75cm power cable and plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty card, as well as a test box of nine Lavazza pods: six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be placed under a cabinet or on flat surfaces.

3. Breville BES870XL

The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. If you're willing invest the time to learn how to use it this is a fantastic espresso maker for your home that performs better than many of the more expensive models on the market. It's an excellent value for the money and is especially useful for those who are new to the field and don't have an espresso maker, which can cost up to $100.

This model is priced less than the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is an excellent choice for baristas on a budget. It comes with a variety of customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a single boiler that means that it can only do brewing or steaming at one time.

Breville is a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has quickly gained a reputation as a top-quality appliances. This machine is no different and it comes with enough control to let new baristas improve their abilities without spending a lot more than necessary.

The unit does not come without its flaws. For instance, the hopper on this model is placed on the side of the unit, instead of being on top. This isn't really an issue, but it can be frustrating if you're trying to dispense multiple shots at once. It's also difficult to know the amount of water left in the tank, due to its rear placement.

But if you're prepared to spend some time learning 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 downside to the Breville Barista Express is the price which could 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 machines are comparable in their capabilities and offer a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they cost less than the cost.

4. OXO Brew 9-Cup

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

The OXO Brew 9-Cup is certified by SCAA, that means it is in compliance with the organization's rigorous technical standards. Its brew cycles are about the same as the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it allows for more control over temperature and brewing time.

In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee with a carafe full in just 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 recommend for making a quality cup.

It is also necessary to grind your own beans prior to making. You can choose an manual grinder or an automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and a hopper for whole beans.

The only drawback is that the carafe as well as the water reservoir aren't dishwasher-safe and could cause hassle for certain users. The stainless steel is still easily cleaned by hand, though. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and user-friendly interface make it a top contender among the best drip coffee makers.