9 Best Espresso Machines Reviews and Buying Guide
Table of Contents
Top Best Espresso Machines – Quick Summary
- Editor’s Choice – Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine
- Best Value for Money – Café Roma Espresso Machine ESP8XL
- Best Home Espresso Machine – Breville BES840XL Infuser Espresso Machine
- Best Versatile Espresso Machine – Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
- Best for Beginners – De’Longhi EC702 15 Bar Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
- Best Budget Espresso Machine – Hamilton Beach 40715 Espresso Maker
- Best Manual Machine – De’Longhi EC155M Manual Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
- Best Espresso Machine With Grinder – De’Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine with Sensor Grinder
- Best Milk Frothing Machine – Philips 3200
Top Rated Espresso Machines Reviews
1. Editor’s Choice – Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine
The coffee grains already ground at the time of purchase have usually already lost some of their aromas. So if you have a cafe or restaurant and want to deliver the best to your customers, you will need a coffee grinder – or at least a coffee maker with a grinder. We, therefore, present here a model that you might like – the Barista Express from the Breville brand. This is the best-selling espresso maker on the internet.
To use it, put in the coffee beans to be ground. Then put water in the tank and the device will do the rest. You will only have to collect the drink afterward. To reduce the coffee beans to powder, this machine will exert up to 16 bar pressure on them. The Barista will then define the quantity and temperature of the water that will suit the coffee for perfect extraction of the coffee taste. So you will get great coffee all the time.
This Barista coffee machine is made of stainless steel. Its tank is 2L and it prepares you a good coffee in 1 minute
2. Best Value for Money – Café Roma Espresso Machine ESP8XL
This Breville brand coffee machine called Roma is a single stainless steel machine. You will not only be able to brew your coffee but you will also be able to produce a cloud of milk.
For the preparation of coffee, this Espresso machine has a 15 bar Thermoblock pump which will extract all the flavor of the coffee. It will automatically set the amount of water at the right temperature to give you the best results.
It should also be noted that the coffee will have to pass through 2 filters before ending up in your cup. You will then obtain a creamy drink. In addition, you can froth your milk using the tube next to it.
3. Best Home Espresso Machine – Breville BES840XL Infuser Espresso Machine
With this espresso machine, Breville scores a hat trick on our list. But what is special about the Infuser Espresso Machine? Well, compared to other machines, it first brews the ground coffee in cooler water and under slight pressure before extraction. At the time of extraction, this temperature and this pressure exerted on the powder will increase.
According to Breville, this method will allow you to get the most out of your coffee. But that’s not all. With this model, you can opt for the preparation of a single cup or two cups of coffee which will save you time. Furthermore, it is possible to make your milk froth via the machine’s pressure tube. Thus, you will have a drink rich in taste and cream.
4. Best Versatile Espresso Machine – Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
Do you like switching up your drink, from the normal coffee brew to a creamy cappuccino or a latte? This espresso machine model can prepare one of the 3 drinks mentioned above for you. This is a stainless steel coffee maker that incorporates a control panel that offers great precision. In addition, everything is almost automated. To prepare coffee, this machine has a pressure system exerting 15 bars on the powdered coffee to extract all the aroma.
From the start, you can set whether it is for a cup or two. In case you have a preference for cappuccinos and lattes, the device also includes a compartment where the milk will be shaken before being poured into your cup. So all you have to do is taste.
5. Best for Beginners – De’Longhi EC702 15 Bar Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
The De’Longhi’s EC702 is made of stainless steel. To make the best coffee, it has two thermostats. One for water and one for steam. Their temperature will be controlled separately before going through the coffee powder.
A pressure of 15 bars is also exerted on the coffee to extract all the taste it has to offer. This will allow you to get a creamy texture on the exit. Your drink will also be at the right temperature. In case you prefer cappuccinos or lattes, be aware that this appliance also has a steam tube on the side. This will help you froth your milk. The best thing about the device is it can serve two cups at the same time and it’s easy to use.
6. Best Budget Espresso Machine – Hamilton Beach 40715 Espresso Maker
Sometimes, you feel like trying out cappuccino, mocha, or even latte. When you choose an Espresso machine, you should therefore choose a model that can prepare all drinks for you, which is what the Hamilton Beach 40715 Espresso Machine does for you.
You can use powdered coffee with this device as you can use capsules. Following a simple activation, this coffee maker will exert a pressure of 15 bars on the filter which contains them. Just ensure you have a tank full of water. It should be noted that this Hamilton Beach machine has two nozzles. You can then serve two cups at the same time.
The concern with this model is that you won’t get a creamy coffee on the way out. This is one of the most frequent feedback received from users. But for its price, you can’t expect more. On the other hand, the machine has a tube that allows the milk to be frothed. However, the Hamilton Beach 40715 is an Espresso machine mostly made of plastic.
7. Best Manual Machine – De’Longhi EC155M Manual Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
Each person has their favorite drink in the morning. Some prefer strong coffee, while others prefer cappuccino or latte. The choices are sometimes varied. This is why you should get a versatile machine like the De’Longhi EC155M.
You can set the coffee strength you want and the appliance will take care of the rest. The machine can also make up to 15 bars of pressure on the ground coffee. The advantage of this machine is that it is also capable of producing coffee cup after cup without stopping, of course, if the water tank is always full.
Note that the De’Longhi’s EC155M is a plastic Espresso machine but it has two spouts and features an arm that allows milk to be frothed.
8. Best Espresso Machine With Grinder – De’Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine with Sensor Grinder
The Specialista is an Espresso machine from the De’Longhi brand. It is aptly named because it features a grinder, a milk sprayer, and two spouts. Pretty much everything you need for a good hot drink is built in. All you have to do is make sure that the coffee bean hopper and the water container are never empty.
Some users however claim that the grinder is not fully efficient. But anyway, the coffee powder resulting from this operation will undergo the appropriate pressure according to the strength of the coffee you are looking for.
The Specialista is a stainless steel Espresso machine. It incorporates a lever that allows you to grind the coffee beans at the desired power and it has two water heating systems.
9. Best Milk Frothing Machine – Philips 3200
With the Philips 3200 espresso machine, you can enjoy a regular coffee, Americano, espresso, or espresso lungo at the simple touch of its readable and easy-to-read touch screen.
In addition, its integrated grinder equipped with a durable ceramic grinding wheel offers 12 different grind choices.
Robustly built, it is nonetheless easy to clean. Its maintenance is also simplified by its AquaClean filter which monitors the water consumption of the machine for you, guaranteeing you a fresh taste. And that’s not all! The sealed Aroma bean container of this automatic machine ensures that the original aroma of the coffee will be preserved and present in every cup while reducing the noise of the grinder. Finally, a sliding water tank makes it easy to fill your machine.
How to Choose an Espresso Machine
Making a choice when it comes to choosing an espresso machine hinge on your needs. You might want to start asking yourself what you want to be sure your choice aligns with what you’re looking for. Choosing a good espresso machine is determined by a lot of factors that this guide aims to address.
Considering the measure of standard espresso machine requires, you will want to avoid going for the wrong one. Determining the right fit for you could be challenging, but it gets a lot easier coasting through your personal preference. But before you go for any, you will want to analyze the features they come with.
10 Factors to Consider When Buying an Espresso Machine
Have it in mind that all espresso machine styles come with their own pros and cons. At the end of this guide, you will have a clearer picture of what an ideal espresso machine should be and the features to consider for long-term use.
1. Types of Machines Available
There are several types of espresso machines. Your choice ranges from manual, electric, or automatic.
- Manual espresso machines were popular decades back. It requires some skills and practice to pull off. But, it’s great for those who want to control everything from start to finish.
- Electric espresso machines are another option to choose from. Here, everything is all about consistency. Your electric espresso maintains the same consistency when brewing. All you have to do is get your coffee measurement right, and the machine takes care of every other thing.
- Semi-automatic machines are quite popular these days for good reasons. It comes with all the features electric espresso possesses as well as additional features like being able to control the ground pressure, the pump, and the amount that goes into the filter basket.
- Super-automatic machines, on the other hand, control the process from start to finish. Including the amount of coffee required. All you have to do is place your cup below the spout and press a button while you wait for the machine to pour in your beverage.
2. Pressurization
One of the factors you will want to consider is the type of pressurization your machine comes with. Is it steam-powered or pump-power?
- Steam-powered espresso makers are less expensive, but they come with some limitations, which include inconsistent pressure. Most modern machines that come with this pressurization type suffer from subpar pressure. Hence, avoid going for steam-powered machines as you will have a hard time producing a perfect shot.
- Pump-powered machines are more consistent and have better temperature management. It gives you more freedom to tweak the settings when brewing. But, pump-powered machines are more expensive.
3. Size of Your Kitchen
Most espresso machines are portable except in the case of manual espresso. Your kitchen size will largely influence your choice of machine. Fortunately, you will find a lot of espresso with compact designs out there. If you go for an electric machine, ensure it’s installed in an area where there’s a power socket to plug it in.
But, if you have limited space in your kitchen, or a compact espresso machine. This type does not depend on electricity and is easy to move around.
4. Drinking Habit
Do you like to invite a few friends over or love your personal space? As silly as this question might sound, it will actually help you make the right choice concerning your espresso machine. Think about your daily routine – do you rush out in the morning and come back late at night? Or you like to eat breakfast while ditching dinner. Answering these questions will determine how your machine will be utilized as well as the style to go for.
For Super-automatic Espresso Machine
For instance, if you go for a super-automatic machine, you should know beforehand that this machine type is automated and can be operated with little or no skill. It’s suitable for those who are always rushing out as all they have to do is press a button to set the machine into motion.
Depending on the model you go for, some super-automatic espresso machines offer drink options ranging from Americano to espresso. Still, advanced machines will allow you the option of customizing to your preferred temperature.
For Semi-automatic Espresso Machine
The semi-automatic model, on the other hand, gives you some amount of control. Allowing you to customize every aspect of your drink manually- this includes the espresso shot and milk.
This semi-automatic espresso machine type requires some level of skills as well as technical know-how. For instance, if you use a high-level machine that comes with a non-pressurized portafilter, you will need to grind consistently to arrive at the required taste and appearance.
For Latte and Cappuccino Lovers
For those who prefer a latte or Cappuccino, you will need the extra help of a steam wand to make your drink dense and achieve a paint-like consistency.
Of course! There are some features abound in both semi-automatic and super-automatic espresso machines. But there are key differences that limit usage.
5. Choice of Drink
How do you want your coffee to taste? Creamy? Dark? Or foamy? If you love Italian or French blends, you will want to stay away from super-automatic espresso machines. This is because the oil emitting from the coffee beans will constantly stick to the grinder, thereby making a mess. If you want something creamy, and smokey, a super-automatic machine won’t be the right fit for you as you will look to avoid any oily coffee beans.
Semi-automatic machines don’t naturally help you create a dark roast but the fact that they’re easier to clean, allows you to grind oily beans with less concern.
6. Personal Preference
Your preference will have a huge impact when it comes to choosing an espresso machine. If you like to change the temperature and grind of your machine to produce a unique taste, the semi-automatic machine will be the right fit for you.
What kind of drinks will you be making with it? Do you love single origins? Keep in mind that semi-automatic machines allow you to configure the machine to your taste, helping you to find the perfect shot.
Drinks that utilize hot water are easier to prepare on semi-automatic machines while those that use a blend are perfect for super-automatic machines.
7. Electronic Display
There are a lot of machines with just a single display which is the temperature gauge. These machines don’t tell you the present pressure and how long it will take to pull a shot. These machines will come cheap, but without a display, you will have to time everything manually.
Having machines with a built-in display makes it a lot easier. It’s more convenient and allow you to make a few changes that will ensure you get a perfect shot. A machine with an extra display will cost extra, but this feature is worth it.
8. Dispenser Spout
Apart from the drinking spout, some machines come with a secondary spout which is termed the “water tea dispenser” spout. This extra spout allows you to fill your cup with hot tea and they’re useful if you want to fill your mug with quick shots from your teabag.
It’s convenient to go for a machine with an extra spout, but if your machine doesn’t come with this, there’s no issue.
9. Steam Wands
Steam wands are extra features that enhance the functionality of a machine. Having steam wands allow your machine to steam your drinks at just the right temperature. If you want your milk to be super bubbly and hot, you will want to go for a device with a steam wand.
However, this feature mostly comes with machines you control manually, unlike the case of semi-automatic machines.
10. Water Source
Before going for an espresso machine, you should know that you will have to satisfy its constant water needs. You can install your machine to a water line or station where there will be plumbing access.
However, connecting to a water line means you don’t have to worry about your brewer running out of water since your water line will constantly provide water for your machine.
Most homeowners fail to analyze this factor before buying a machine. Sometimes, they’re limited by the available space in their kitchen so they resort to moving the machine around whenever they need to.
Rather than going through this, it’s better to connect your machine to a water reservoir. You can conveniently move the water reservoir and even refill it manually whenever it runs out of water.
Wrapping It Up
The pressure system of the espresso machines is what makes them so special. With most of the selected models in the review, you can make normal coffee, espresso, latte, and even cappuccinos. If you’re looking for the best in the market, the Breville BES870XL is the best there is. Meanwhile, if you want a low-budget machine that performs all the works of a typical espresso maker, choose the Hamilton Beach 40715 Espresso Maker.
Trying to figure out the best espresso machine on your own could be a huge challenge. Rather than analyzing the features the machine comes with, you should consider its perks. The perfect machine isn’t one with a classic design but one that’s able to produce drinks just the way you want it.
Before committing yourself to an espresso, think about your daily routine, drinking habit as well as taste. Ask yourself what your favorite drink is and if the existing features a machine comes with aligns with your preference. The right espresso machines will make you feel more comfortable staying at home, enjoying a warm cup of coffee.
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