The Best Home Espresso Machine
A superautomatic espresso machine is an ideal option for those who don't have barista experience but wants to enjoy quality coffee at home. These machines have electronic features that are automatic and provide convenience. They also are quick to heat up and don't take up much counter space.
The model is programmable for volumetric dosing as well as an adjustable pre-infusion. It comes with steaming wand as well as a commercial-grade grouphead.
1. Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus, despite its cute name, is a serious machine. It's loaded with features that make it an ideal option for those looking to step up from the basic Breville espresso machines or who want an automated alternative to manual.
It has a PID controller that does the heavy lifting of controlling temperature and pressure so that it's ready to drink at the time you press the button. It also uses a technology called Thermo Jet that lets it heat up in just 3 seconds, meaning you can get your espresso faster than most other espresso machines at home (which take 10 to 30 minutes to warm up).
The machine was built with simplicity in mind. There is only one button to control everything. You can choose a single or double shot as well as choose the brewing time that you have to do manually like other espresso machines in this price range. The polished stainless steel finish gives it a classy appearance, and its small size makes it ideal for those with little countertop space or a cramped kitchen.
The Bambino Plus includes everything you require to get started 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 can do this. It demonstrates how Breville intends to ensure that their products are as secure and reliable as they can. It also comes with built-in reminders for descaling and cleaning to ensure it runs smoothly.
The Bambino Plus may be the best entry-level espresso machine for those new to espresso. It's user-friendly and has a quick heat-up time and does a great job of automatically texturing milk for you. Its price is out of reach for many people.
2. De'Longhi Stilosa
The De'Longhi Stilosa is an affordable and well-rounded manual espresso machine that is suitable for beginners and coffee aficionados alike. It's simple to use and looks great on the counter and makes good cappuccinos, espresso, and lattes. It does have some drawbacks which must be taken into consideration.
The Stilosa was below average for its control of brew and quality in our metrics of brewing. This was due to its small filter baskets as well as its lack of temperature control, which both make it difficult to alter the extraction process. However, we did like the fact that it's not a long time for the machine to heat up and also that it provides a nice amount of adjustability on the spout's height.
It also includes a convenient water tank that can hold up to 34 ounces and includes a built-in level indicator to let you know when it's time to refill. It's also movable, which is helpful if you want to clean the tank or in the event that you don't have a sink in the vicinity. This model also has a removable drip pan that allows you to use taller cups under the spout.
In our steaming metrics, the Stilosa also came up short. This resulted from its lack of control of the steam temperature and the lack of pre-infusion features. Both of these are standard features in machines that cost more. Despite these flaws, we did appreciate the fact that it doesn't need any maintenance and is covered by a one-year warranty. For the price and the performance the De'Longhi Stilosa makes a great addition to any home coffee bar. It's much easier to use 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 intended for people who are new who are interested in coffee. This single boiler, pump-driven machine is designed to make it easy for anyone to pull a decent shot of espresso without sacrificing flavor or brewing consistency.
First of all it takes the guesswork out of changing the grinder, tamper and brew group settings with its easy-to-use controls. You can choose between double and single shots, as well as the temperature you prefer. The thermocoil heating feature built-in makes sure that your espresso is ready in less than 30 seconds which is much quicker than the half-hour the majority of traditional single boiler machines need to reach temperature.
Another important feature is the "impressive" dosing and tamping mechanism that works with the tamper to dial in the right dose of ground coffee per shot. The system makes use of a sensor to measure the depth of the basket, and then alters how much ground coffee is dispensed. If you aren't sure about your ability to control the size of the grind and temperature of the water manually The machine comes with presets that may help.
The Barista Express Impress also comes with the well-known single hole steam wand, that can create impressive latte artwork. The same wand can find in Breville's advanced, top-of-the-line Barista Express models, and it works a treat.
I'm not one to advocate for coffee shortcuts, fully automated machines or even pods, however, the Impress does exactly what it's supposed to do without becoming daunting or removing the enjoyment of making an excellent espresso. I'm glad to give it a thumbs up for that!
4. Diletta Mio
The Diletta Mio makes a great alternative for home baristas who are adamant about quality, design and ease of usage. Its sleek aesthetic, professional-grade components, and constant performance make it a conversation piece for your coffee bar. It's also a good option for beginners who want to learn the ins and outs of steaming and espresso without being overwhelmed by the complexity of programming and programming.
One of the most striking features of this machine is its brew boiler controlled by PID that ensures quick warm up times and stable water temperature. This is essential, especially for espresso, because even tiny changes in the temperature of water can impact the taste and quality.
Another noteworthy feature is steaming thermoblock that is separate to the Diletta that lets you brew espresso and steam milk at the same time. This can save you a lot of time and ensure that your milk has the right consistency. It also conserves energy by only consuming power when it's needed.
This machine comes with a pressure gauge on the head of the group. It's a nice feature that allows you to monitor the pressure of your extraction live. You can adjust the OPV to fine-tune your extraction, which gives you the ability to customize your extraction, something that is typically reserved for more expensive machines.
Other notable characteristics 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 10-minute increments up to two hours. The boiler wrap is insulated, which reduces heat loss and its dual-temperature system minimizes static electricity, which results in less waste and lower energy costs.
However, some customers have reported issues with the longevity of the machine as well as long repair times. Some have also experienced poor customer service from Diletta and have experienced difficulties in resolving warranty issues.
5. Jura E8
This high-end super-automatic machine is capable of offering an array of specialty drinks that can be made at the push of just a single button. It also makes macchiatos, ristrettos, cappuccinos, flat whites and teas along with plain hot chocolate, plain coffee and plain espresso. Its innovative brewing technology and its stylish color display are just a few of the features that separate this machine from the rest.
The E8 makes use of the Aroma G3 grinder to grind whole beans quickly and accurately. It comes with eight grind settings that may seem like a lot if compared to other super automatics which have only 3 or 4. The higher range allows you to regulate the size and consistency, which is essential for a great cup.
The Jura E8 is equipped with a powerful burr grinder and an intelligent pre-infusion procedure. These two elements are the reason for an espresso cup that is consistently of high-quality. The PEP process makes use of short bursts in water to force the coffee through the grinder, allowing for full flavor extraction. The result is more full and more flavorful than instant coffee made with a Keurig.
The Jura E8 is designed to create a range of drinks, and it does so extremely well. It makes excellent, strong espresso as well as a smooth and silky cappuccino. The only downside is that it's unable to make the proper latte that requires high pressure of steam boilers to make an extremely thick foam.
Like many super automated machines however, this one does require some attention, however it is relatively easy to keep clean. It will automatically clean itself and descale after each use, and it can be programmed to perform a deeper cleaning once or twice per year. It will also remind you to change the filter after 80 drinks.