There is no single-size-fits all coffee maker. We've rounded-up our top choices, ranging from a superautomatic that grinds your beans and packs them into semiautomatics that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend between automation and the need to be able to master the art of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a coffee-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those looking to make espresso at home without losing quality. This espresso machine for prosumers is designed with the smallest counter space in mind. It combines outstanding build quality with tiny footprint. It comes with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 group head, so you can steam milk while making espresso at the same time.
The machine is also beautiful and has a circular insert on the side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a new take on Rocket's classic aesthetic, which is already pretty impressive for a machine that is so small. It also comes with the black pressure gauge, which will let you know when the boiler is ready for use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than others. You will need to be careful when emptying and re-filling the machine. This is especially the case when you are using it often. This is a natural trade-off for a smaller footprint, though, and not an issue particular to this model.
This machine is able to handle your coffee needs. We recommend purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gante, to increase consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with a Rocket portafilter to enhance the tamping process.
As a prosumer espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and is easy to make the latte art. It's important to note that the machine isn't designed for novices and has a bit of a learning curve for those upgrading from appliances. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit tricky to control and you'll have to learn the ins and outs of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to an water source, which allows you to be able to drink cold, filter-filtered water. The latter has a smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be more difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you would expect from the Lavazza machine this one has been 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 can be easily refilled with ease, since the lid can be removed to create an enormous hole. You can also fill it up with tap water if you want.
This is the smallest machine in the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it is a powerful machine. At its full price, it's priced at PS100 - which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great option for those who do not have the space or money for a traditional espresso machine, but nevertheless want to drink a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is simple to use and takes up little counter space. It's as easy as pressing a single button to activate the machine and again to start dispensing the chosen pod. There's a backlight that's on the button so that you are able to see clearly the amount of liquid that has been dispersed, and you can stop the process at any time in case you prefer drinking your drink in smaller portions.
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. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or work space.
They aren't expensive, but there's a wide variety of blends to choose from that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are readily available in many supermarkets, along with regular coffee beans and ground coffee and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods online.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule with an integrated milk warmer. It comes in a box with an 75cm power cable, plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty card, as well as a test box of nine Lavazza pods which include six roasted (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 on the floor.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. If you're willing and able master it, then this is a great at-home espresso maker. It's far superior to most 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 maker, which can cost up to $100.
This model is priced below the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199), but is still a good choice for baristas on a tight budget. It's loaded with 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 steaming or brewing at one time.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made an impact through their top-quality machines. This machine is no different and it comes with enough control to let budding baristas develop their skills without spending hundreds more than they need to.
It's not without its quirks, though. For one, the hopper on this model is placed on the side of the unit, instead of being on top. This isn't really an issue however it can be a little annoying if you're trying give multiple shots at once. The rear-facing position of the tank makes it difficult to determine the amount of liquid left.
But if you're prepared to learn how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an excellent, all-purpose appliance for any home espresso lover. The only issue is the cost, which can be a nagging issue for some buyers. For those seeking a cheaper alternative, read our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally powerful and offer a little more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost a fraction of what this Breville model can do.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech, smart coffee maker that produces great coffee with a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen give an elegant design to your kitchen. It comes with only one dial to program the number of cups you would like it to make and includes a 2-4 cup setting and a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing process is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee aficionados believe produces the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature, and then evenly poured over the coffee grounds using a shower head. The coffee is stored in a double-walled carafe, which can be stored for up to 60 min. The pause and pour feature lets you remove the carafe in brewing and fill your cup to the brim. The machine pauses brewing and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it, after which it resumes brewing and is finished.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is an SCAA-certified coffee maker which means it complies with the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. Its brew time is approximately the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it offers greater control over temperature, brewing duration and quality.
In our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee that filled an entire carafe in just 7 minutes 41 seconds. This is a bit longer than the 6 minutes or less the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but it falls within the range that experts in the field suggest for a decent cup of drip.
It also requires you to grind your own beans prior to making. You can use a manual coffee grinder, or choose a more automated model, such as the Baratza Encore, which has different grind settings and the hopper can hold entire beans.
The only issue with this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could pose a problem for some users. The stainless steel is still easy to clean by hand, though. The OXO 9-Cup is a top contender for the best drip coffee maker because of its sleek design and easy-to use interface.
