The Best Home Espresso Machine
Superautomatic espresso machines are an excellent alternative for those who don't have barista experience but still would like to enjoy premium coffee at home. These machines come with electronic features that are automatic and provide convenience. They also rapidly heat up and don't take up much counter space.
This model comes with programmable volumetric dosing and a variable 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 an actual machine. It's packed with features that make it a great option for those looking to step up from the basic Breville espressi machines or those who prefer a more automated option than manual.
It is equipped with an PID controller that handles the temperature and pressure control, so it's ready to brew the moment you push the button. It makes use of a technology referred to as Thermo jet, which lets it get hot in just 3 seconds. This means you'll be able to get your coffee faster than other home espresso machines.
This machine is built 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 point. The polished stainless steel finish gives it a classy look, and its compact size makes it ideal for anyone with limited space for countertops or a small kitchen.
The Bambino Plus also includes all the accessories you need to start brewing, including the 54mm tamper from a steel and the dose trimmer tool. It's the only one in this class that can do this, and it demonstrates that Breville is dedicated to making their products as secure as is possible. It has reminders to descaling and clean it, ensuring it can run smoothly.
The Bambino Plus may be the most basic espresso machine for those who are new to espresso. It's user-friendly and has a quick heat-up time and does a great job of automatically blending milk for you. However, its price tag may put it beyond the reach of some people.
2. De'Longhi Stilosa
The De'Longhi Stilosa manual espresso machine is an excellent, budget-friendly choice that's perfect for both beginners and coffee enthusiasts. It's easy-to-use, looks good on the counter, and can make excellent cappuccinos, espressos, and lattes. However, it does have a few drawbacks that should be taken into consideration.
The Stilosa scored below average in its brew control and quality in our metrics for brewing. This was mostly due to the small size of the filter baskets and lack of temperature control, which limit your ability to customize the extraction process. We were impressed by the fact that this machine is quick to heat up and that the spout is able to be adjusted to a good height.
The unit also has a water reservoir that can hold up to 34 ounces. It also has an integrated level indicator to let you know when it's time to refill. It's removable, which is useful if you need to clean it or don't have access to the sink. It also has a removable drip pan that allows you to use taller cups underneath the spout.
In our steaming measurements, the Stilosa also fell short. This was due to its limited control of the temperature of the steam and the absence of pre-infusion options. 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. The De'Longhi Stilosa is a great addition to coffee espresso machine your home coffee bar. It's more user-friendly than other models we've tried 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 think?) This machine is designed for beginners who are interested in espresso. This single boiler, pump-driven machine hopes to make it simple for anyone to pull a decent shot of espresso without sacrificing flavor or brewing consistency.
Its simple-to-use controls make it easy to alter the settings for the grinder, tamper, and brew groups. You can select between double or single shots, as well as the temperature you prefer. The thermocoil heater built-in ensures that your espresso is ready to drink in just 30 seconds. This is a lot faster than the typical wait of 30 minutes single boiler machines require to reach temperature.
Another key feature is the "impressive" dosing and tamping system that works with the tamper in order to adjust the proper amount of ground coffee per shot. The system utilizes sensors to determine the depth of the basket, and then alters how much ground coffee is dispensed. And if you're feeling a little less confident in your ability to manually control the size of the grind, water temperature, and dosing, the machine offers a variety of presets to help.
The Barista Express Impress includes the famous single-hole steam wand, which can produce some impressive artworks of latte as well. 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 big advocate for coffee shortcuts, fully automated machines or even pods, but the Impress does what it's designed to do without becoming daunting or removing the enjoyment of making an excellent espresso. I'm pleased with it and give it a thumbs up!
4. Diletta Mio
The Diletta Mio makes a great choice for home baristas who focus on design, quality and ease of usage. Its sleek design, professional grade components, and consistently high-quality performance make it an eye-catching addition to your coffee corner. Beginners will also benefit from this machine, since it allows them to learn about espresso and steaming without having to think about programming or complexity.
One of the most impressive features of this machine is its PID-controlled brew boiler, which ensures quick warm up time and a steady temperature. This is especially important for espresso drinks, as even tiny fluctuations in the temperature of water can have a big impact on the taste and quality of your coffee.
Another standout feature is the Diletta's separate thermoblock for steaming that lets you prepare espresso and steam milk at the same time. This can be a significant time-saver and helps to ensure that your milk has the perfect texture for your beverages. It also saves energy by only consuming power when it's needed.
The machine also has a pressure gauge at the group head, which is a nice feature that lets you monitor your extraction pressure in real-time. You can adjust the OPV for a finer extraction. This is a feature normally reserved for machines costing much more.
The Diletta also has an accessible side-by-side, easy-to-clean water tank, and an optional energy-saving mode that can be adjusted in increments of 10 minutes to 2 hours. Its insulated boiler wrap further reduces heat loss, and its dual-temperature system reduces static electricity, resulting in less waste and lower energy costs.
However, some customers have complained about the longevity of this machine and long repair times. In addition, some have experienced poor customer service from Diletta and have experienced difficulties solving warranty issues.
5. Jura E8
This top-quality super-automatic machine provides an array of specialty drinks that can be prepared with one button. It can also make macchiatos, ristrettos, cappuccinos flat whites, teas and flat whites along with plain hot chocolate, plain coffee and plain espresso. This machine is distinguished by its cutting-edge brewing technology and stylish color display.
The E8 makes use of an Aroma G3 grinder for a quick and accurate grind of whole beans. It also has 8 grind settings, which may seem like a lot when compared to other super-automatics which only offer three or four. The higher settings allow you to control the size and consistency of your cup, which is vital for a good cup.
The Jura E8 is equipped with a powerful burr grinder as well as an advanced pre-infusion process. These two components make for a cup of espresso that is consistently of high-quality. The PEP process uses short bursts in water to force the coffee through the grinder, allowing for full flavor extraction. The resultant cup is richer and fuller as well as more flavorful than typical instant coffee that comes from a Keurig.
The Jura E8 is designed to make a wide variety of drinks and it does it very well. It produces excellent, strong espresso and a silky-smooth cappuccino. The only real drawback is that it cannot produce a proper latte, which really needs the high pressure from a steam boiler to create the thick foam.
Like many super automated machines, this machine does require some attention, however it is relatively easy to keep clean. It will automatically self-clean and descale after every use, and it can be programmed to perform a deeper cleaning once or twice per year. It will remind you to change the filter every 80 drinks.