There's no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. That's why we've rounded up our favorite picks for your home, from a super-automatic that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatic machines 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 familiar with the art of making espresso. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've seen.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top choice for those who want to make espresso at home without making huge sacrifices in terms quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with the smallest counter space in mind. It combines outstanding build quality with the smallest footprint. It is equipped 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 simultaneously.
The machine is also beautiful and has a circular insert on the side panel with engraved steam and hot water spouts. This is an update to Rocket's original design, which is already impressive for a compact appliance. It also comes with the black gauge of pressure in the boiler to 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 be cautious when emptying and refilling the machine. This is especially the case when you are using it often. This is a sacrifice that comes with having a smaller footprint. This is not an issue that is specific to this model.
You can still brew plenty of coffee using this machine, and it can easily meet your demands. We suggest investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, to improve consistency and taste. You can also use this machine in conjunction with a Rocket portafilter to enhance the process of tamping.
As a professional espresso machine The Rocket Appartamento is capable of making great drinks, and it's simple to make the latte art. It is important to remember that this machine was not designed for novices. There is a slight learning curve for those who upgrade from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchanger is difficult to operate, and you'll need to master the art of cooling flushes.Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento provide the option of connecting to a water supply, which means you'll always have clean, cold filtering water available for your drinks. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank, which is more difficult to fill than its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's high standards. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The tank can be easily refilled, as the lid can be removed to make an enormous hole. You can fill it with tap water, depending on what you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest of the series, yet it is a powerful machine. It's priced at less than PS100 at retail 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 funds for an espresso machine of the traditional type however still want to enjoy an authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is extremely simple to operate and takes up only a tiny amount of counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to turn on the machine and again to start dispensing your chosen brew. There's a backlight that's on the button to ensure that you can clearly see the amount of dispensed, and you can stop the process at any time if you prefer to drink your drink in smaller portions.
The model isn't equipped with a steam wand but you can add some creamy froth to your milk using an optional milk frother. The machine is also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen or work space.
Pods aren't inexpensive, but there's a variety of blends available to satisfy everyone from mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are available in many supermarkets, as well as regular coffee beans and grounds coffee. You can also purchase Lavazza A Modo Mio Compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and Milk is a sleek capsule machine that includes a milk warmer and frother. It comes with a 75cm power cable and plug, a quick-guide and warranty sheet and a tester box of nine Lavazza pods that include six roasted (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be kept on a flat surface or slipped under your cabinet.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is not within the budget of many average consumers. But if you're willing to take the time to learn how to use it, this is an excellent do-it-all home espresso maker that performs better than some of the more expensive models available. It's a great price for the class and is particularly helpful for those who are new to the field and don't have an espresso machine that costs up to $100.
The model is priced lower than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199) however it is an excellent choice for baristas working on a budget. It has plenty of customizable features, and it even includes an integrated burr grinder, making the whole experience much less expensive. It's also a single boiler machine that means that it can only do steaming or brewing at the same time.
Breville, relatively new to the market for espresso machines, has rapidly established a reputation for high-quality appliances. This machine is no different, and it has just enough control to let new baristas hone their abilities without spending a lot more than is necessary.
The unit has its flaws. One example is that the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit instead of on top--which isn't a huge deal however it can be annoying if you're trying disperse multiple shots at a time. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to determine how much liquid remains.
If you're willing to put in some time in learning how to make use of the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent option for any espresso lover at home. The only issue is the cost, which can be a turnoff for certain buyers. If you're looking for a low-cost alternative, we suggest the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are similarly capable and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost less than the Breville model does.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech, intelligent coffee maker that makes excellent coffee using a simple interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add a sophisticated look to your kitchen. It features only one dial to program how many cups you want it to make. It also comes with a 2-4 cup setting and a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing process is similar to pour-over, which most coffee enthusiasts believe makes the best-tasting coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature, and then evenly distributed over the coffee grounds with a shower head. The coffee is then brewed in the double-walled, thermal carafe for up to 60 minutes. The pause-and-pour feature allows you to take the carafe out while brewing and fill your cup. The machine stops brewing and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it. then it resumes and completes brewing.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker comes SCAA certified, meaning it meets the strict technical standards. Its brew cycles are about the same as the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it gives you more control over temperature and brewing time.
In our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent pot of drip coffee, with the carafe filled in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. This is a bit longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require, but still within the range of time that coffee experts suggest for a decent cup of drip.
It also requires you to grind your own beans before making coffee. You can use a manual coffee grinder, or opt for a more automatic model, such as the Baratza Encore, which has various grind settings as well as the hopper can hold entire 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 is still easily cleaned by hand, but. The OXO Brew 9-Cup's sleek style and easy-to-use interface make it a top contender among the top drip coffee makers.
