The Best Home Espresso Machine
A superautomatic espresso machine is the perfect choice for someone who doesn't have barista expertise but wants to enjoy quality coffee at home. These machines are equipped with automatic features and are also digitally-controlled. They also heat up quickly and don't take up much counter space.
This model features programmable volumetric dosing and an adjustable pre-infusion. It comes with a steaming wand and a commercial-grade grouphead.
1. Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus, despite its cute name is a serious machine. It's packed with features that make it a good choice for anyone wanting to move up from the standard Breville espresso machines or who want an option that is more automated than a manual.
It's an PID controller that handles the temperature and pressure control, so it's ready to brew when you press the button. It uses a technology known as Thermo jet which allows it heat up in only 3 seconds. This means you can get your coffee faster than other espresso machines at home.
The machine was designed with simplicity in mind, which is why there's just one button to control everything. You can choose between one shot or a double shot, and set the brewing time, something that you cannot do with other espresso machines at this price. The brushed stainless finish gives it a premium appearance, and its small size is ideal for those who have limited counter space or a tighter kitchen.
The Bambino Plus also comes with all the equipment you require to get started brewing, such as a metal 54 mm tamper and the dose trimmer tool. This is the only machine of its kind to do this. It demonstrates how Breville intends to ensure that their products are as secure and reliable as they can. It is equipped with reminders to descale and clean it so that it runs efficiently.
If you're a novice to espresso coffee, the Bambino Plus is arguably the best choice for an entry-level home espresso machine. It's user-friendly and has a fast heating time, and does a good job of automatically blending milk for you. Its high price may be difficult for some people.
2. De'Longhi Stilosa
The De'Longhi Stilosa manual espresso machine is an excellent, budget-friendly choice that is ideal for novices and coffee lovers. It's easy-to-use, looks good on the counter, and makes fantastic cappuccinos, great espresso and lattes. However, it has some drawbacks which must be taken into consideration.
In our metrics for brewing, the Stilosa scored below average to average for its quality of brewing and its control. This was due to its small filter baskets as well as its lack of temperature control, which both restrict your ability to modify the extraction process. We liked the fact that this unit can be heated quickly and that the spout is able to be adjusted to a good height.
The unit also comes with a water reservoir that can hold up to 34 ounces. It also has an inbuilt level indicator to let you know when to refill. It is removable, which is useful if you need to clean it or don't have access to an indoor sink. It also has a removable drip pan that allows you to use taller cup sizes underneath the spout.
Stilosa was also a disappointment on our steaming measurements. This resulted from its lack of control of the temperature of the steam and the absence of pre-infusion options. Both of these are standard features in machines that cost much more. Despite its flaws we were pleased to see its ease of maintain and comes with a one-year warranty. The De'Longhi Stilosa is a great addition to your home coffee bar. It's a little simpler to use than the other models we've tried 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?) This machine is aimed at beginners who are interested in coffee. This single pump-driven boiler is designed to make it easy for anyone to make an espresso shot without sacrificing flavor or consistency in the brewing.
First of all, it takes the guesswork out of adjusting the grinder, tamper, and brew group settings using its easy-to-use controls. You can also choose between double or single shots and choose the temperature you prefer. The thermocoil heater in the machine makes sure that your espresso is ready to drink in just 30 seconds. This is much quicker than the 30 minutes that most single boiler machines need to be at temperature.
Another key feature is the "impressive" dosing and tamping system that communicates with the tamper in order to dial in the right dose of ground coffee per shot. This system makes use of an integrated sensor to measure the depth of the basket and adjusts the amount of ground coffee that is dispensed. If you're less confident about your ability to control manually the size of the grind, the water temperature, and dosing, the machine has a variety of presets that can help.
The Barista Express Impress includes the infamous single-hole steam wand that can create some pretty impressive artworks of latte as well. This is the same wand you'll find in Breville's premium Barista Express machines, and it's great.
I'm not one who advocates for coffee shortcuts, fully automatic machines or even pods however, the Impress does what it's designed to do without becoming daunting or removing the fun of preparing an excellent espresso. I'm glad to give it a thumbs up view it now for that!
4. Diletta Mio
The Diletta Mio makes a great option for home baristas that prioritize quality, design and user-friendliness. Its sleek and modern design, high-end components and consistently high-quality performance make it an ideal conversation piece for your coffee bar. It's also a great option for those who are new to the coffee industry and want to master the ins and outs of espresso and steaming without being overwhelmed by the programming and complexity.
One of the most impressive features of this machine is the brew boiler that is controlled by PID, which ensures quick warm up time and a steady temperature. This is crucial, particularly for espresso, as even tiny variations in temperature of the water can impact the taste and quality.
Another standout feature is the separate thermoblock in Diletta's steaming that lets you prepare espresso and steam milk at the same time. This can save you a lot of time and ensure that your milk is the right texture. This helps conserve energy as it only draws energy when it is needed.
This machine has a pressure gauge on the head of the group. It's a nice touch because it lets you check the pressure of your extraction live. 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.
The Diletta also comes with an easy-to-clean side tank, as well as an energy-saving mode that can be adjusted in increments of 10 minutes to 2 hours. Its insulated boiler wrap further reduces heat loss. Its dual-temperature system reduces static electricity, which results in less waste and lower energy costs.
However, some users have complained about the durability of the machine as well as long repair times. In addition, some have experienced poor customer service from Diletta and have experienced difficulties in resolving warranty issues.
5. Jura E8
This top-quality super-automatic espresso machine has a dazzling variety of specially-programmed drinks at the touch of the button. It can also make macchiato, cappuccino and ristretto, and flat whites, along with tea, hot chocolate and plain coffee. Its cutting-edge brewing technology and stylish color display are just a few of the features that set this machine apart from the rest.
The E8 utilizes an Aroma G3 grinder for a quick and accurate grind of whole beans. It also has 8 grind settings, which might seem like a lot when compared to other super-automatics that only provide three or four. The higher range allows you to manage the size and consistency, which is essential to a perfect cup.
In addition to the powerful burr grinder, the Jura E8 has an intelligent pre-infusion system and pulse extraction process, both responsible for making a top-quality cup of espresso every time. The PEP process makes use of short bursts of water to push the coffee through the grinder, allowing full flavor extraction. The result is a cup that is more rich, fuller, and more flavorful than your typical instant coffee from a Keurig.
The Jura E8 is designed to create a range of drinks, and it does so extremely well. It makes a robust smooth cappuccino as well as an excellent espresso. The only real drawback is that it's not able to make the proper latte that requires the pressure of steam boilers to make the thick foam.
Like most super automatics, this machine does require a bit of maintenance however it is relatively easy to keep clean. It will automatically descale and clean itself after each use. You can program it to perform a more thorough cleaning every two or three times a year. It will also remind you to change the filter after every 80 drinks.