The Best Home Espresso Machine
A superautomatic espresso machine is an ideal option for those who don't have barista skills but still wants to enjoy quality coffee at home. These machines come with automated features and digital convenience. They are quick to heat up and don't take up any counter space.
This model comes with programmable volumetric dosing and an adjustable pre-infusion. It also includes a steam wand and commercial-grade group head.
1. Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus, despite its cute name is a serious machine. It is packed with features and makes it a great choice for anyone who wants to upgrade from the basic Breville espresso machines or need an alternative that is more automated than manual.
It has an PID controller that performs the hard work of temperature and pressure control so that it's ready to brew at the time you press the button. It utilizes a technology known as Thermo jet, which lets it to heat up in just 3 seconds. This means that you will make your coffee faster than other home espresso machines.
This machine is built with simplicity in mind, so there's just one button to control everything. You can select a single shot or a double shot and set the brewing time which is something you can't do with other espresso machines at this price point. The polished stainless steel finish gives it a classy look, and its compact dimensions make it ideal for those who have small countertop space or a cramped kitchen.
The Bambino Plus also comes with all of the equipment you require to get started brewing, such as a metal 54 mm tamper and a dose trimmer tool. This is the only machine of its kind that can do this. It shows how Breville intends to ensure that their products are as secure and reliable as they can. It will remind you to descal and clean it, so that it runs efficiently.
The Bambino Plus may be the best entry-level espresso machine for those who are new to the world of espresso. It's easy to use, warms up quickly, and automatically texts milk for you. However, its cost could make it out of reach for a few people.
2. De'Longhi Stilosa
The De'Longhi Stilosa is a well-rounded and budget-friendly manual espresso machine that is suitable for both coffee lovers and beginners alike. It's user-friendly and looks great on the counter and makes good cappuccinos, espresso, and lattes. However, it does have some drawbacks that need to be considered.
The Stilosa scored below average in its brew control and quality in our metrics of brewing. This was due to the tiny filter baskets and the absence of a temperature control. Both of these issues limit your ability customize extraction. However, we liked the fact that it doesn't take long for the machine to warm up and it has the ability to adjust on the spout's height.
The model also comes with an easy-to-fill reservoir that can hold up to 34 ounces. It has an inbuilt indicator for level that lets you know when to refill. It's also removable, which is helpful in the event that you want to clean the tank, or in the event that you don't have a sink close by. It also has a removable drip pan that allows you to use taller cups under the spout.
Stilosa was also a disappointment on our steaming measurements. This was largely because of its limited control over the steam temperature as well as the absence of a pre-infusion feature, both of which are common features on more expensive machines. Despite its shortcomings, we appreciated its ease of maintain and comes with a 1 year warranty. The De'Longhi Stilosa is a great option for a home coffee bar. It's easier to use than other models we've tested and can save money on cafe drinks.
3. Breville Barista Express Impress
The Breville Express Impress Barista (that's quite a mouthful don't you agree?) is a machine specifically designed for espresso-curious beginners. This single boiler, pump-driven machine aims to make it easier for anyone to get a decent espresso without sacrificing flavor or consistency.
First of all, it takes the guesswork out of adjusting the grinder, tamper, and brew group settings with its simple-to-use controls. You can choose between double and single shots, and your preferred temperature. The thermocoil heater in the machine guarantees that your espresso will be ready to go within 30 seconds. This is much quicker than the typical wait of 30 minutes single boiler machines require to be at temperature.
The "impressive" dosing-and-tamping system that is integrated with the tamper, automatically dials in the right amount of ground coffee for each shot. This system uses sensors to measure the depth of the basket and adjusts how much ground coffee is dispensed. If you're feeling a little less confident in your ability to control manually the size of the grind, water temperature and dosing, the machine offers several presets that can help.
The Barista Express Impress also comes with the well-known single hole steam wand, that can create stunning latte art. This is the same wand that is found in Breville's top-of-the-line Barista Express machines, and it's a great tool.
I'm not a huge fan of coffee shortcuts, fully-automatic machines, or even pods. However, the Impress does exactly what it says without becoming intimidating or taking the fun out of making an espresso. I'm happy to give it a thumbs-up for this!
4. Diletta Mio
The Diletta Mio is a great option for home baristas who are devoted to quality design, style, and ease of use. Its sleek design, professional-grade components and consistent performance make it a striking addition to your coffee corner. Beginners will also benefit from this machine, because it lets them learn about steaming and espresso without having to worry about programming or complexities.
The brew heater controlled by PID is among its most striking features. It ensures rapid warming-up times and stable temperatures of water. This is crucial, particularly for espresso because even minor changes in water temperature can impact the taste and quality.
Another standout feature is the steaming thermoblock that is separate to the Diletta that allows you to prepare espresso and steam milk simultaneously. This can be a major time-saver, and it helps to ensure that your milk has the right texture for your beverages. This can save energy since it only uses energy only when it is required.
The machine has a pressure gauge on the group head. It's a nice touch, as it allows you to monitor the pressure of your extraction in real time. You can adjust the OPV to fine-tune your extraction, which gives you an option of personalization that's typically reserved for more expensive cafe espresso machine machines.
Other noteworthy characteristics of the Diletta include its easy-to-clean side-accessible water tank and its optional energy saver mode, which is adjustable in 10-minute increments up to two hours. The insulated wrap minimizes heat loss, and its dual-temperature control system reduces static electricity. This means less waste and lower cost.
However, some customers have reported issues with the durability of the machine as well as long repair times. Some have also had poor customer service from Diletta and have experienced difficulties resolving warranty issues.
5. Jura E8
This top-quality super-automatic machine provides an array of specialty drinks that can be prepared by pressing one button. It also makes macchiatos, ristrettos, cappuccinos flat whites, and teas, as well as plain coffee, hot chocolate and plain espresso. Its modern brewing technology and elegant color display are only a few of the features that set this machine apart from other machines.
The E8 utilizes the Aroma G3 grinder to grind whole beans quickly and accurately. It also comes with 8 grind settings, which could seem like a lot when compared to other super-automatics which only provide three or four. But the fact is, the higher range gives you more control over the size and consistency of your grind, and this is important to ensure a perfect cup of coffee.
The Jura E8 is equipped with powerful burr grinders and an advanced pre-infusion process. These two components are responsible for producing an espresso that is consistently high quality. The PEP process utilizes short bursts in water to force the coffee through the grinder, allowing full flavor extraction. The resulting cup is richer and fuller, as well as more flavorful than typical instant coffee from a Keurig.
The Jura E8 can make a variety of drinks and does it exceptionally well. It makes excellent, strong espresso as well as a smooth and silky cappuccino. The only real drawback is that it's unable to make an adequate latte, which requires the pressure from a steam boiler to create an extremely thick foam.
This machine isn't as difficult to clean as most super automatics. It will descale automatically and clean itself after each use. You can easily program it to do more thorough cleaning at least every year, or at least twice. It will also remind you to change the filter every 80 drinks.