There’s no one-size-fits-all espresso machine. That’s why we’ve rounded up our top picks for your home, from a fully automated that grinds and packs your beans to a semiautomatic that gives you the best control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automatizing the process while requiring you to be proficient in the art of making espresso. It’s the best bean-to-cup machine we’ve found.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a top pick for those who want to make espresso at home without having to make huge sacrifices in terms quality. This espresso machine for prosumers is designed with a limited counter space in mind. It offers top-quality build and tiny 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 your coffee at the same simultaneously.
The machine looks stunning as well, and has an insert for the side of the machine with engraved hot water and steam spouts. This is an update to Rocket’s classic design, which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also includes the black pressure gauge, which will let you know when the boiler is ready for use.
One downside to this small machine is that the drip tray and water reservoir are smaller than the majority of machines. This means that you will need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, especially when you are using it regularly. This is a natural tradeoff to have a smaller footprint, though, and not an issue that is unique to this model.
You can still brew plenty of coffee bean shop (for beginners) using this machine, and it will easily meet the demands. However, we would suggest purchasing a high-quality grinder, such as the Baratza Sette Gigante for greater consistency and flavor. You can also pair this machine with the Rocket portafilter to improve the tamping process.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can make excellent drinks and is easy to create latte arts. However, it’s worth noting that the machine isn’t made for novices and has some learning curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade machines. The heat exchanger can be difficult to work with and you’ll need to learn how to do cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca as well as the Rocket Appartamento have the option to connect to an water source, allowing you to be capable of drinking cold and filter-filtered water. The latter, however, has a 2.25-liter water tank that is more difficult to refill than some of its competitors.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
As you might expect from the Lavazza machine, this one is made with quality in mind. The machine is able to reach the brewing temperature quickly, which means you can make your first cup in just 35 seconds. The tank can be filled easily with ease, since the lid can be removed to make the large hole. You can fill it up with tap water if you want.
This is the smallest machine in the Lavazza A Modo Mio range however, it still is a powerful machine. When you buy it at 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 budget for an espresso online shop machine of the traditional type however, they still want to experience a real Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and takes up little counter space. Pressing a single button will start the machine. After pressing it again, Coffee Bean Shop it will begin dispensing the pod you’ve selected. The button has a backlight so that you can see how much you have consumed. You can also stop the process if you want to drink the pod in smaller portions.
This model doesn’t come with a steam wand however, you can add 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 working space.
The pods aren’t expensive, but they are available in a variety of blends that are suitable for anyone from the mildest espresso drinker to the most demanding. They are available in most supermarkets alongside regular coffee bean shop coffee (for beginners) 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 with a 75cm power cable and plug as well as a quick-guide and warranty card, as well as a test box containing nine Lavazza pods: 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 a flat surface or slipped under the cupboard.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a costly espresso machine. If you’re willing and able to learn to use it, then this is a fantastic home espresso maker. It performs better than most of the more expensive models. It’s among the best priced in its class, Coffee Bean Shop and is particularly suitable for beginners who do not have an espresso maker yet. This could easily cost them another $100 or more.
The model is priced lower than the top-of-the-line Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199), but is still a good choice for baristas working on a budget. It’s loaded with options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It’s also a single boiler machine that means it can only be used for steaming or brewing at the same time.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made a name for themselves by offering top-quality equipment. This machine is no different and it comes with enough control to let aspiring baristas develop their skills without spending hundreds more than necessary.
There are some quirks, though. The hopper is on the side, not at the top, of this model. It’s not a huge problem, but it could be a hassle if you need to dispense several shots at once. It’s also difficult to determine the amount of water left in the tank, due to its rear placement.
If you’re willing to invest some time learning how to master the Breville Barista Express, it’s a great, do-it-all appliance for any home espresso lover. The only drawback to the Breville Barista Express is the price which could be a hindrance for certain buyers. For those looking for a less expensive option, check out our review of the Gaggia Classic or the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines are similar in capability and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the price.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech, intelligent coffee maker that makes excellent coffee with a simple user interface. Its sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED screen add a stylish appearance to your kitchen. It has one dial that allows you to set 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 produces the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to the ideal temperature and then poured over grounds using a showerhead to ensure uniform saturation. The coffee machines for coffee shops brewed is then stored inside the double-walled thermal carafe for up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour feature allows you to remove the carafe in brewing and fill your individual cup. The machine pauses the brewing process and shows a red light for the carafe on its LED interface until you return it. It after which it resumes brewing and is finished.
The OXO Brew 9-Cup coffee maker is a SCAA-certified coffee maker, that means it is in compliance with the organization’s rigorous technical standards. Its brew time is approximately the same length as the Bodum BISTRO and Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741, however, it has more control over temperature, brewing time and quality.
In our tests we found that the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee that filled an entire carafe in just 7 minutes and 41 seconds. It’s slightly longer than the 6 minutes or less that the Bonavita Connoisseur and the Moccamaster require but well within the range that experts in the field recommend for a great cup of drip.
You must also grind your own beans prior to brewing. You can opt for either a manual grinder or a more automated model such as the Baratza Encore. It has different grind settings and an hopper for beans that are whole.
The only downside to this product is that it’s not dishwasher safe. This could pose a problem for some users. The stainless steel is easily cleaned by hand, however. The OXO Brew 9-Cup’s sleek aesthetic and user-friendly interface make it a top contender among the best drip coffee makers.