The Best Home Espresso Machine
Superautomatic espresso machines are a fantastic alternative for those who don't have barista experience, but desire to enjoy top-quality coffee at home. These machines have automated features and digital convenience. They also rapidly heat up and don't take up a lot of counter space.
This model features programmable volumetric dosing and a variable pre-infusion. It comes with steaming wand as well as a commercial-grade grouphead.
1. Breville Bambino Plus
Despite its adorable name, the Bambino Plus is a serious espresso machine. It's loaded with features that make it an ideal choice for anyone looking to step up from the basic Breville espresso machines or who want an automated alternative to a manual.
It uses a PID controller that does the temperature and pressure control, which means it's ready to brew when you press the button. It makes use of a technology referred to as Thermo jet that allows it to heat up in only 3 seconds. This means you can make your coffee quicker than other espresso machines for home use.
The machine was designed with simplicity in mind. There is just one button to manage everything. You can select either a single or double shot as well as set the brewing time as well, which is something you're required to manually like other espresso machines of this price range. The polished stainless steel finish gives it a luxurious look, and the small size makes it perfect for anyone with limited countertop space or a tight kitchen.
The Bambino Plus comes with everything you require to get started brewing. This includes a metal 54mm tamper, as well as a dose trimming tool. This is the only machine of its kind that does this. It demonstrates how Breville wants to make their products as foolproof and reliable as possible. It has reminders to descaling and clean it so that it runs efficiently.
If you're new to espresso coffee, the Bambino Plus is arguably the ideal entry-level home espresso machine. It's easy to use and has a quick heat-up time and does a great job of automatically texturing milk for you. Its high price may be difficult for some people.
2. De'Longhi Stilosa
The De'Longhi Stilosa is a well-rounded and budget-friendly manual espresso machine that's ideal for both coffee lovers and beginners alike. It's simple to use, looks nice on the counter and makes good cappuccinos, espresso, and lattes. However, it does have a few drawbacks that should be thought about.
The Stilosa was below average for its brew control and quality in our metrics for brewing. This was mostly due to the small size of the filter baskets as well as its lack of temperature control, both of which restrict your ability to modify the extraction process. We liked that this machine is quick to heat up and that the spout can be adjusted to a suitable height.
The unit also has an easy-to-fill reservoir that can hold up to 34 ounces. It also has an integrated indicator for level that lets you know when it's time to refill. It's removable, which can be useful if you need to clean it or don't have access to an indoor sink. The model also comes with an adjustable drip pan that allows you to use taller cups under the spout.
Stilosa was also a disappointment when it came to our steaming measurements. This was due to its insufficient control of the temperature of the steam, and lack of pre-infusion features. Both of these are features that are common in machines that cost much more. Despite its flaws, we appreciated its ease of maintain and comes with a one-year warranty. For its price and performance the De'Longhi Stilosa makes a great addition to any home coffee bar. It's a little simpler to use than some other models we've tested, and will save you money on paying for cafe drinks.
3. Breville Barista Express Impress
The Breville Barista Express Impress (that's an impressive name, don't you think?) This machine is designed for beginners who are interested in coffee. This single pump-driven boiler is designed to make it simple for anyone to make an espresso shot without sacrificing flavor and consistency of the brewing.
First of all, it takes the guesswork out of setting the grinder, tamper and brew group settings using its simple-to-use controls. You can also choose between single or double shots and pick your preferred temperature. The thermocoil heater built-in guarantees that your espresso will be ready to use in 30 seconds. This is much faster than the 30-minute wait most single boiler machines require to get to temperature.
The "impressive" dosing-and-tamping device that works with the tamper dials in the right amount of ground coffee per shot. The system utilizes an integrated sensor that measures the depth of the basket and adjusts the amount of ground coffee dispensed. If you are not confident about your ability to control the grind size and temperature of the water the machine has presets that may help.
The Barista Express Impress includes the famous single-hole steam wand that can produce some pretty impressive latte art also. This is the same wand is found in Breville's top-of-the-line Barista Express machines, and it's a great tool.
I'm not one who advocates for coffee shortcuts, fully automated machines, or even pods, however, the Impress does what it sets out to do without being too intimidating or taking away the enjoyment of making an excellent espresso. I'm happy with that and I'm giving it a thumbs-up!
4. Diletta Mio
The Diletta espresso machine with frother Mio makes a great choice for home baristas who prioritize quality, design and convenience. Its sleek aesthetic, professional-grade components and consistently high-quality performance make it an ideal conversation piece for your coffee bar. Beginners can also benefit from this machine since it allows them to learn about espresso and steaming without worrying about programming or complexities.
One of the most impressive features of this machine is its brew boiler controlled by PID that guarantees quick warm up times and stable water temperature. This is crucial for espresso, as small variations in temperature of the water can have a significant impact on the flavor and quality of your coffee.
The separate steaming thermoblock of the Diletta is another thing that stands out. It allows you to steam milk and brew espresso at same time. This is a huge time saver, and also helps to ensure that your milk has the right texture for your drinks. This helps conserve energy as it only requires energy only when it is required.
This machine has an indicator of pressure on the head of the group. It's a nice touch, as it lets you check the pressure of your extraction in real time. You can adjust the OPV to fine-tune the extraction, giving you a level of customization that's typically reserved for much more expensive machines.
Other important features of the Diletta include its easy-to-clean side-accessible water tank, as well as its optional energy saver mode, which can be set in increments of 10 minutes that can last up to two hours. Its insulated wrap reduces heat loss, while its dual-temperature control system minimizes static electricity. This means less waste and lower cost.
However, some users have complained about the durability of the machine and lengthy repair times. Diletta has also been criticized for its poor customer service and inability to resolve warranty problems.
5. Jura E8
This high-end super-automatic machine is capable of offering many different specialty drinks that can be prepared by pressing a single button. It also makes macchiatos, ristrettos and cappuccinos, flat whites and teas along with plain coffee, hot chocolate and plain espresso. This machine is distinguished by its cutting-edge technology for brewing and stylish display in color.
The E8 utilizes the Aroma G3 grinder to grind beans quickly and precisely. It comes with eight grind settings, which might seem a lot when contrasted with other super automatics which have only 3 or 4. The higher setting allows you to control the size and consistency, which is essential to a perfect cup.
The Jura E8 is equipped with a powerful burr grinder as well as an intelligent pre-infusion process. These two features make for an espresso cup that is consistently of high-quality. The PEP process pushes water through the ground coffee in short bursts which allows the flavor to be fully extracted. The cup produced is fuller and more flavorful than instant coffee brewed with a Keurig.
The Jura E8 is designed to create a range of drinks and does so very well. It produces a strong smooth cappuccino as well as an excellent espresso. The only downside is that it's unable to make a proper latte, which requires high pressure from steam boilers to produce an extremely thick foam.
This machine isn't as difficult to clean as super automatics. It will automatically descale and clean itself after every use. You can program it to do a more thorough cleaning every year, or at least twice. It will also remind you to change the filter every 80 drinks.