The Best Home Espresso Machine
A superautomatic espresso machine is a great choice for someone who doesn't have barista skills but still is looking to enjoy premium coffee at home. These machines are equipped with automatic features and are also digitally-controlled. They heat up quickly and don't take up much counter space.
This model has a programmable volumetric dose and an adjustable preinfusion. It also comes with a steam wand and commercial-grade group head.
1. Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus, despite its cute name, is a serious machine. It's packed with features, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to upgrade from the standard Breville espresso machines or need a more automated alternative than manual.
It uses a PID controller to manage the temperature and pressure control, meaning it's ready to make espresso when you press the button. It uses a technology known as Thermo jet, which lets it get hot in just 3 seconds. This means you can make your coffee faster than other espresso machines at home.
The machine was created with simplicity in mind. There is only one button to manage everything. You can choose one or two shots as well as determine the time of brewing that you're required to manually with other espresso machines in this price range. The polished stainless steel finish gives it a classy look, and its compact size makes it perfect for anyone with limited space for countertops or a small kitchen.
The Bambino Plus includes everything you need to begin making your own. It comes with a metal 54mm tamper, as well as a dose trimming tool. This is the only machine of its kind that does this. It shows how Breville intends to ensure that their products are as secure and reliable as they can. It also has built-in reminders to clean and descale to ensure that it is running efficiently.
The Bambino Plus may be the most basic espresso machine for those who are new to the world of espresso. It's simple to use, has a fast heat-up time and does a great job of automatically blending milk for you. Its high price may be too expensive for some 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, looks nice on the counter, and makes excellent cappuccinos, espressos, and lattes. However, it does have some drawbacks that need to be taken into consideration.
The Stilosa scored below average for its brew control and quality in our brewing metrics. This was due to the tiny filter baskets and the absence of temperature control. Both of these factors limit your ability customize extraction. We did however like the fact that it doesn't take long for the machine to heat up and also that it provides an excellent amount of adjustment on the spout height.
It also comes with a water tank that can hold up to 34 ounces and has a built-in level indicator so you can tell when it's time to refill. It is removable, which is useful if you need to clean it or don't have access a sink. Another feature that's new to this model is a removable drip tray that lets you place taller cups underneath the spout.
Stilosa was also a disappointment in our steaming measurements. This was due to its insufficient control of the temperature of the steam, and lack of pre-infusion options. Both of these are features that are common in machines that cost much more. Despite these shortcomings we were pleased to see that it is easy to maintain and comes with a 1 year warranty. The De'Longhi Stilosa is a great option for a home coffee bar. It's a little easier to use than other models we've tested and will save you money on the cost of cafe drinks.
3. Breville Barista Express Impress
The Breville Express Impress Barista (that's quite a mouthful, don't you think?) is a machine made specifically for those who are interested in learning about espresso. This single boiler, pumps-driven machine is designed to make it easy for anyone to take an espresso shot without sacrificing flavor and consistency of the brewing.
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 also choose between double or single shots and choose your preferred temperature. The built-in thermocoil heater guarantees that your espresso will be ready to go within 30 seconds. This is much faster than the typical wait of 30 minutes single boiler machines need to get to temperature.
The "impressive" dosing-and-tamping device that works with the tamper, adjusts the amount of ground coffee for each shot. The system makes use of sensors to measure the depth of the basket and adjusts the amount of ground coffee that is dispensed. If you're feeling less confident about your ability to control manually the grind size, water temperature and dosing, the machine comes with several presets that can help.
In addition, the Barista Express Impress includes the infamous single-hole steam wand that is capable of churning out some impressive latte art also. It's the same wand you can find in Breville's more sophisticated, premium Barista Express models, and it works a treat.
I'm not a fan of coffee shortcuts, fully-automatic machines or even pods. However, the Impress does exactly what it claims to do without being too intimidating or taking the joy out of preparing an espresso. I'm happy with that and I'm giving it a thumbs-up!
4. Diletta Mio
The Diletta Mio is a great choice for home baristas who are devoted to quality design, aesthetics and user-friendliness. Its sleek and modern design, high-end components, and consistent performance make it a conversation piece for your coffee area. Beginners can also benefit from this machine, because it lets them learn about steaming and espresso without having to think about programming or complexities.
This machine's PID-controlled brew heater is one of its most impressive features. It guarantees quick warm-up time and stable temperature water. This is especially important for espresso, as small fluctuations in water temperature can have a huge impact on the flavor and quality of your coffee.
Another noteworthy feature is separate thermoblock in Diletta's steaming that lets you brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously. This could save you a lot of time and ensure that your milk has the right consistency. It also saves energy by only consuming energy when it is needed.
This machine has an indicator of pressure on the group head. It's a nice feature, as it allows you to monitor the pressure of your extraction in real time. You can adjust the OPV to fine-tune the extraction, which gives you a level of customization that's typically reserved for much more expensive machines.
Other noteworthy characteristics of the Diletta include its easy-to-clean, accessible water tank on the side and its energy-saving mode, which can be set in increments of 10 minutes 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.
Some users have complained about the lengthy repair times and low durability of this machine. Some have also received poor customer service from Diletta and have had difficulty resolving warranty issues.
5. Jura E8
This top-quality super-automatic machine provides an array of specialty drinks that can be made at the push of just a single button. It also makes macchiatos, ristrettos and cappuccinos flat whites, and teas and plain hot chocolate, plain coffee and plain espresso. Its cutting-edge brewing technology and elegant color display are only some of the features that separate this machine from other machines.
The E8 uses the Aroma G3 grinder to grind beans with speed and precision. It also comes with 8 grind settings, which may seem like a lot when compared to other super-automatics which only offer 3 or 4. The higher settings allow breaking news you to regulate the size and consistency of your cup, which is crucial for a good cup.
The Jura E8 is equipped with powerful burr grinders and an advanced pre-infusion process. These two elements make for an espresso cup that is consistently top-quality. The PEP process makes use of short bursts of water to force the coffee through the grinder, which allows for full flavor extraction. The cup produced is fuller and more flavorful than instant coffee brewed with a Keurig.
The Jura E8 can make a variety of drinks, and it does this very well. It makes an excellent, strong espresso and smooth cappuccino. The only drawback is that it's unable to make a proper latte, which requires the 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 self-clean after every use. You can easily program it to do a more thorough cleaning every year, or at least twice. It will remind you to change the filter every 80 drinks.