The Best Home Espresso Machine
Superautomatic espresso machines are a fantastic alternative for those who do not have barista experience but still would like to enjoy premium coffee at home. These machines are equipped with automated features and digital convenience. They also heat up quickly and don't take up a lot of counter space.
This model comes with a programmable volumetric dose as well an adjustable preinfusion. It includes 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 packed with features that make it a good choice for anyone looking to step up from the basic Breville espresso machines or who require a more automated option than a manual.
It comes with an PID controller that performs the heavy lifting of temperature and pressure control so that it's ready to drink at the time you press the button. It also makes use of the technology known as Thermo Jet, which lets it heat up in only 3 seconds, which means you can make your espresso quicker than other espresso machines for home use (which require between 10 and 30 minutes to warm up).
This machine is built with simplicity in mind, so there's just one button that can control everything. You can choose either a single or double shot and also determine the time of brewing, which is something you have to do manually like other espresso machines of this price range. The polished stainless finish gives it a classy 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 of the tools you need to begin brewing, including a metal 54 mm tamper and the dose trimmer tool. It's the only machine in this class that can do this, and it shows that Breville is dedicated to making their products as foolproof as is possible. It is equipped with reminders to descale and clean it, ensuring that it runs smoothly.
The Bambino Plus may be the best entry-level espresso machine for those new to the world of espresso. It is easy to use, warms up quickly, and automatically sends milk to 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's suitable for beginners and coffee aficionados alike. It's user-friendly, looks nice on the counter, and produces fantastic cappuccinos, great espresso and lattes. It does have some drawbacks that should be considered.
The Stilosa scored below average for its brew control and quality in our metrics for brewing. This was primarily due to its small filter baskets and lack of temperature control, which both limit your ability to customize the extraction process. We liked that this machine is quick to heat up and that the spout can be adjusted to an ideal height.
The model also comes with 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 also removable, which can be useful if you need to clean it or don't have access to a sink. This model 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 metrics. This resulted from its lack of 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 its shortcomings we liked that it is easy to maintain and comes with a one-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 seen and can save money on cafe drinks.
3. Breville Barista Express Impress
The Breville Barista Express Impress (that's quite a mouthful do you not think?) is a machine specifically designed for people who are interested in espresso. This single boiler, pumps-driven machine was designed to make it simple for anyone to take an espresso shot without sacrificing flavor or consistency of the brewing.
Its easy-to-use controls make it easy to adjust the settings for the grinder, tamper and brew groups. You can also choose between single or double shots and select the desired temperature. A thermocoil heating system built into the machine guarantees that your espresso will be ready in less than 30 seconds, which is a lot quicker than the half hour that the majority of traditional single boiler machines require to reach temperature.
The "impressive" dosing-andamping system that works with the tamper, adjusts the amount of ground coffee per shot. The system utilizes sensors to measure the depth of the basket, and then adjusts the amount of ground coffee that is dispensed. And if you're feeling a little less confident in the ability to control the size of the grind, the water temperature, and dosing, the machine offers a variety of presets to help.
The Barista Express Impress also comes with the well-known single hole steam wand which can create stunning latte art. The same wand will find in Breville's more advanced, high-end Barista Express models, and it's an absolute delight.
I'm not a huge fan of coffee shortcuts, fully-automatic machines or even pods. However, the Impress does exactly what it says without being too intimidating or taking the joy from making espresso. I'm happy to give it a thumbs up for this!
4. Diletta Mio
The Diletta Mio makes a great option for home baristas that are adamant about quality, design and user-friendliness. Its sleek design, professional-grade components and constant performance make it a stunning addition to your coffee area. It's also a good option for those who are just beginning to master the basics of steaming and espresso without getting overwhelmed by the programming and complexity.
This machine's PID-controlled brew heater is one of its most impressive features. It ensures rapid warm-up times and stable temperature water. This is essential, especially for espresso because even tiny variations in temperature of the water can alter the taste and quality of the espresso.
Another notable feature is steaming thermoblock that is separate to the Diletta that lets you brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously. This can be a major time-saver and helps ensure that your milk has the right texture for your beverages. It also conserves energy by only using power when it's required.
The machine also has a pressure gauge at the head of the group. This is a nice feature that lets you monitor the pressure of your extraction in real time. You can adjust the OPV to fine-tune your extraction, which provides you with the ability to customize your extraction, something that is typically reserved for much more expensive machines.
The Diletta also has an accessible side-by-side, easy-to-clean water tank, and an optional energy-saving mode that can be set in increments of 10 minutes 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.
Some users have complained about the lengthy repair times and poor durability of this machine. In addition, some have had poor customer service from Diletta and have experienced difficulties resolving warranty issues.
5. Jura E8
This high-end super-automatic espresso maker comes with a dizzying variety of specially-programmed drinks that can be accessed by pressing the button. It can also make ristretto, cappuccino, macchiato, and flat whites, along with tea, hot chocolate, and plain coffee. Its cutting-edge brewing technology and sleek color display are just a few of the features that separate this machine from the rest.
The E8 makes use of an Aroma G3 grinder that provides a fast and precise grinding of whole beans. It also comes with 8 grind settings, which may seem like a lot compared to other super-automatics that only provide three or four. But the fact is, the higher setting gives you more control over the size and the consistency of your grind and this is important to make a great cup of coffee.
In addition to the powerful burr grinder, the Jura E8 has an intelligent pre-infusion system and pulse extraction process, both responsible for delivering a premium cup of espresso each time. The PEP process makes use of short bursts of water to push the coffee through the grinder, which allows for full flavor extraction. The result is a cup that is more rich, fuller, and more flavorful than your typical instant coffee that comes from a Keurig.
The Jura E8 can make a variety of drinks and does it exceptionally well. It makes excellent, strong espresso and smooth cappuccino. The only issue is that it can't produce a latte. This requires a steam high pressure boiler to make the thick, fluffy foam.
Like many super automated machines however, this one does require a bit of maintenance however it is relatively easy to keep Source clean. It will descale automatically and self-clean after every use. It is easy to program it to perform an additional thorough cleaning every year, or at least twice. It will also remind you to change the filter every 80 drinks.