There's no universally-fit-all coffee machine. We've compiled our top picks, starting with a superautomatic that grinds your beans and packs them into a semiautomatic which gives you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automatizing the process while needing you to be familiar with the art of espresso-making. It's our top choice for a bean-to-cup machine.1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a fantastic choice for those who want to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was designed for those who have limited counter space. It has a great build quality and a small footprint. It comes with a 1.8 Liter copper heat exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head, so you can steam your milk and brew coffee at the same simultaneously.
The machine is also beautiful and has a circular design on the side panel with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is a refreshing update on the classic design of Rocket, which is already pretty impressive for a compact machine. It also comes with the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to show when the boiler is ready for use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this model than other models. This means that you'll need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when using it frequently. This is a normal trade-off for having smaller footprint, however this is not a problem that is unique to this model.
This machine is capable of handling your coffee demands. That being said, we would suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante, for increased consistency and flavor. You can also use the machine in conjunction with a Rocket Portafilter to increase the tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, makes some great drinks and it is easy to create Latte Arts. It is important to remember that this machine is not designed for novices. There is a small learning curve for people who are upgrading from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler could be a little tricky to manage, and you will have to master 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 pure, filter-filtered water. The latter comes with a 2.25-liter water tank that can be more difficult to refill than some of its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's top standards. It is quick to reach brewing temperature, which allows you to prepare your first cup of coffee in less than 35 minutes. The tank can be easily refilled by removing the lid. be removed to make a large hole. It can be filled using tap water, depending on what you prefer.
This is the smallest machine in the Lavazza A Modo Mio range and yet it is a powerful machine. At its full price, it costs under PS100 - which is less than the Nespresso Essenza and similar machines from SMEG and Desea. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who do not have the space or budget for an espresso machine of the traditional type however, they still want to enjoy the authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely simple to use and occupies just a little counter space. Pressing a single button will activate the machine. Pressing it again will start dispense the pod you have selected. There's a light 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 on this model, however you can use an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or work space.
The pods aren't inexpensive, 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 sold in most 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 machine that has an integrated milk warmer and frother. It comes with an 75cm power cable, plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet and a tester box containing nine Lavazza pods which include six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine itself is small enough to be able to be stowed on the floor or placed under your cupboard.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. If you're willing to learn to use it and make it work, then this is a great at-home espresso maker. It's more efficient than many of the more expensive models. It's the most affordable in its class, and it's especially suitable for those who do not have an espresso maker yet--which can easily 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 at $2,199), but it's still a solid choice for home baristas who are on a tight budget. It delivers plenty of tweakable features, and it even comes with a built-in burr grinder that makes the entire experience less expensive. It is also a single-boiler machine, which means that it can only handle one thing at the same time.
Breville, a relative newcomer on the market for espresso machines, has swiftly earned a reputation for its high-quality appliances. This machine is no exception and has enough control to let budding baristas develop their skills without spending hundreds more than they need to.
It's not without its flaws however. For instance, the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit, instead of on top. This isn't an issue 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 know how much liquid is left.
If you're willing to spend some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an ideal, all-purpose machine for any home espresso lover. The only downside to the Breville Barista Express is the price which could be a stumbling block for certain buyers. For those looking for a lower-cost option, check out 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 you only a fraction of the price. Breville model can do.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech smart coffee maker with a simple user interface that produces excellent coffee. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display creates a chic kitchen look. It comes with one dial that lets you to program the amount of cups. There are two options: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. The brewing method is similar to pour over the grounds, which many coffee lovers believe is the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature before being poured over the grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee that is brewed is stored in the double-walled thermal carafe that can be kept for up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour feature lets you remove the carafe in brewing and fill your own cup. The machine stops brewing and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it. It after which it resumes brewing and is finished.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker has been SCAA certified, which means that it meets the strict standards for technical quality. Its brew cycle is about the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has more control over temperature, brewing time, and quality.
In our tests in our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee, with the carafe filled in 7 minutes 41 seconds. This is a little more than the time that the Bonavita Connoisseur or the Moccamaster calls for, but it is within the range that coffee experts suggest for making a quality cup.
You should also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can use a manual coffee grinder, or choose a more automated model like the Baratza Encore, which has various grind settings as well as a hopper that holds whole beans.
The only issue is that the carafe and water reservoir aren't dishwasher safe and could cause hassle for some users. The stainless steel can be cleaned by hand. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek aesthetic and easy-to-use interface make it an undisputed contender among the top drip coffee makers.
