There's no one-size-fits-all coffee maker. We've compiled our top picks, starting with 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 automatizing the process while making you proficient in the art of making espresso. It's the best bean-to cup machine we've come across.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento makes a great choice for those looking to make espresso at their home without having to compromise on quality. This espresso machine for the prosumer is designed with a limited counter space in mind. It is built to last with a high-end build quality and a very small footprint. It is equipped with an 1.8-liter copper heat exchange boiler as well as a commercial E61 group head so you can steam milk and make espresso at the same time.
The machine looks fantastic as well and features an elongated side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is an upgrade to Rocket's traditional design which is already impressive for a small appliance. It also includes an black gauge for boiler pressure to indicate when the boiler is ready for use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this machine than most other models. This means that you will need to be extra vigilant when emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when using it frequently. This is a cost that results in less footprint. This is not a problem specific to this model.
You can still brew a lot of coffee with this machine, and it will easily keep up with the demands of your customers. That being said, we would recommend investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Gigante, to ensure consistency and better flavor. You can also pair this machine with a Rocket portafilter to improve the process of tamping.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, can create some great drinks and it is simple to make Latte Arts. It is important to remember that this machine was not designed for novices. There is a slight learning curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit difficult to operate and you'll need to master the basics of 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 able to drink cold and filtered water. The latter model has smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be harder to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's top standards. The machine can reach the temperature of brewing quickly, which means you can prepare your first cup in less than 35 second. The tank can be easily refilled, as the lid can be removed to create the large hole. You can fill it up with tap water, if you like.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the models, but it packs a punch. When you buy it at full cost, it's less than PS100 which is lower 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 funds for a traditional espresso machine however still want to experience an authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is easy to use and takes up little counter space. You just need to press one button to turn on the machine, then again to start dispensing your chosen brew. There's a light on the button, so you can easily see how much has been dispensed, and you can stop the process at any time should you prefer to drink the pod in smaller amounts.
There's no steam wand included on this model, however you can make use of an optional milk frother (available separately) to add some creamy froth if you want. The machine is quite quiet, too, and can be used in a small space or in a kitchen with flatshare without disturbing anyone else.
The pods are not expensive, but they are available in a variety of blends that can be used by all - from the lightest espresso drinker to the most demanding. 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 on the internet.
The Jolie and Milk is a smart-looking capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer and frother. It comes with a 75cm power plug and power cable, a warranty sheet along with a quick guide and a tester pack of nine Lavazza pods. Six are roasted (two Qualita Rossa and two Lungo Dolce) and two are decaffeinated. The machine is small enough to fit under a cabinet or on a flat surface.
3. Breville BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express appears to be a high-priced espresso machine. But if you're willing to take the time to learn how to use it, this is an excellent espresso maker for home use that performs better than some of the more expensive models on the market. It's a good price for the class and is particularly useful for those who are new to the field and don't have an espresso maker, which can cost up to $100.
The model is priced lower than the most expensive Breville Oracle (the most expensive at $2199), but is still an excellent choice for baristas who are on a tight budget. It's loaded with options to customize and features, including an integrated burr mill, which makes it more affordable. It is also a single-boiler machine, which means it can only perform one task at the same time.
Although it is a relatively newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made an impact with their high-quality appliances. This machine is no different, and it offers just enough control that it can be adjusted to allow aspiring baristas to develop their skills without spending hundreds of dollars more than they have to.
The unit is not without its flaws. The hopper is located on the side, not the top, of this model. It's not a big problem, but it could be frustrating if you want to disperse multiple shots at once. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to determine the amount of liquid left.
If you're willing to put in some time to learn how to use the Breville Barista Express then it's an excellent appliance for any coffee lover at home. The only drawback is the price, which can be a deterrent for some buyers. If you're looking for a low-cost option, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both are equally capable and provide a bit more control than the Barista Express, but they'll cost less than the Breville model can do.
4. OXO Brew 9-Cup
A high-tech, smart coffee machine that makes great coffee using a simple interface. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display gives your kitchen a sophisticated look. It comes with one dial that allows you to program the number of cups. There are two options: 2-4 cups and 5-9 cups. Its brewing process is similar to pour-over that many coffee enthusiasts believe is the most delicious coffee. The water is heated to the perfect temperature and then poured over grounds with a shower-head for uniform saturation. The coffee is then brewed in the thermal, double-walled carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour function lets you take out the carafe during brewing to fill your cup to the brim. The machine stops brewing and displays a red carafe light on its LED interface until you return it, then resumes and finishes 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 those of the Bodum Bistro and the Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it allows for more control over temperature and brewing times.
In our tests in our tests, the OXO Brew 9 Cup produced an excellent cup of drip coffee, with an entire carafe in just 7 minutes 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 coffee experts recommend for a good cup of drip.
You should also grind your beans before brewing. You can opt for either a manual grinder or a more automated model, such as the Baratza Encore. It has multiple grind settings, and a hopper for whole beans.
The only issue with 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 user-friendly interface make it one of the top contenders among top drip coffee makers.
