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The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. We've put together our top picks, from a superautomatic machine that grinds your beans and packs them into semi-automatic machines that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes a perfect balance between automating the process and needing you to be knowledgeable about the art of making espresso. It's the most efficient bean-to-cup machine we've found.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those who are looking to make espresso at their home without having to compromise on quality. This espresso machine with a small footprint was created for those who have little counter space. It has a great build quality with a compact footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group heads so that you can steam milk while making espresso simultaneously.
The machine looks fantastic as well, and has a round side panel insert with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is a fresh update on the classic design of Rocket and is already impressive for a compact machine. It also comes with the black pressure gauge, which indicates when the boiler is ready for use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and reservoir for water are smaller than most other machines. You will need to be careful when emptying and refilling the machine. This is particularly true when you are using it often. This is a natural trade-off for smaller footprint, however, and not an issue particular to this model.
You can still brew a lot of ground coffee machine with this machine, and it will easily keep up with the demands of your customers. That being said, we would suggest investing in a good grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante for greater consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with an Rocket portafilter to improve the tamping process.
As a prosumer espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento is capable of making some great drinks, and is easy to make latte art. It's important to note that the machine isn't designed for beginners, and there is some learning curve for those upgrading from appliances. 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 source, which allows you to always have fresh, cold water that has been filtered for your drinks. The latter has a smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be difficult to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. The machine is able to reach the temperature for brewing quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in less than 35 seconds. The water tank is able to be filled, as the lid can be removed to create the large hole. You can fill it with tap water if that's what you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the range, but it is a powerful machine. It's priced at less than PS100 at the 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 do not have the space or budget for traditional espresso machines however, they nevertheless want to drink the authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is simple to use and requires small counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to turn on the machine, and then press it again to start dispensing your chosen brew. The button has a backlight so that you can see the amount you've consumed. You can also manually stop the process in case you wish to drink the pod in smaller portions.
This model does not come with a steam wand however, you can add creamy frosting to your milk by using an optional milk frother. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or workspace.
The pods aren't cheap, but they come 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 many supermarkets, as well as regular household coffee machines beans and grounds coffee. You can also buy coffee machine Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods online.
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 document, a quick guide, and a tester pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasts (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is small enough to be kept on an even surface or placed under your cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that's out of the budget of a majority of consumers. But if you're willing to take the time to master its use this is a fantastic espresso maker for your home that performs better than some of the more expensive models available. It's the best value in its class, and is particularly suitable for beginners who do not have an espresso maker yet, which could cost them another $100 or more.
This model is a bit below the top of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive model at $2,199) However, it's a solid choice for baristas at home 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, which means that it can only do brewing or steaming at one time.
Although it is a relatively newcomer to the market of espresso machines, Breville has quickly made an impact with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no different, and it has just enough control to let budding baristas improve their abilities without spending more than they need to.
The unit is not without its quirks. For one, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit instead of on top. This isn't significant however it can be frustrating if you're trying to dispense 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 to learn how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for anyone who loves espresso at home. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is the price which could be a deterrent for some buyers. For those looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at 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 less than the Breville model does.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker with a simple user interface that produces great coffee. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen provides your kitchen with a stylish appearance. It has one dial that allows you to program the amount of cups. There are two settings: 5-9 cups and 2-4 cups. Its brewing technique is similar to pour-over brewing, which coffee enthusiasts believe makes the best-tasting coffee machines industrial. The water is heated to the ideal temperature, and then evenly poured over the coffee grounds with shower heads. The coffee brewed is then stored inside the double-walled thermal carafe for up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour feature lets you take out the carafe in brewing and fill your own cup. The machine pauses the brewing process and shows the red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. Then, it resumes the brewing process.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee machine deals maker is certified by SCAA, which means it meets the strict standards of SCAA's technical standards. Its brew cycle is about as long as those of the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, but it provides greater control over temperature, brewing duration and also quality.
In our testing, the OXO Brew 9-Cup made an excellent drip coffee that was served in a full-carafe in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a little more than the 6 minutes that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster requires, but still within the range of time that coffee experts suggest to make a great cup.
It also requires you to grind your own beans before making. You can choose either a manual grinder or an automated model like the Baratza Encore. It has multiple grind settings, and a hopper for whole beans.
The only drawback to this product is that it's not dishwasher safe. This could be a problem for some customers. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek design and easy-to-use interface make it a top contender among the top drip coffee makers.