The Best Home Espresso Machine
A superautomatic espresso machine is the perfect choice for someone who doesn't have barista expertise but is looking to enjoy premium coffee at home. These machines are equipped with automatic features and are digitally dependable. They heat up quickly, and they don't require large counter space.
This model features programmable volumetric dosing and a variable pre-infusion. It also comes with steam wand, commercial grade group head.
1. Breville Bambino Plus
Despite its cute name, the Bambino Plus is a serious espresso machine. It's loaded with features, making it a great option for those looking to upgrade from the standard Breville espresso machines or need a more automated alternative than manual.
It has a PID controller to do the heavy lifting of temperature control and pressure control so that it's ready for brewing the moment you press the button. It also has the technology known as Thermo Jet, which allows it to warm up in just 3 seconds, which means you can make your espresso quicker than other espresso machines for home use (which take between 10 and 30 minutes to warm up).
The machine was designed with simplicity in mind. There is just one button that controls everything. You can choose a single or double shot as well as determine the time of brewing, which is something you're required to do manually like other espresso machines in this price range. The polished stainless finish gives it a premium appearance, and its small dimensions are ideal for those with a small counter space or a smaller kitchen.
The Bambino Plus also includes all the accessories you need to start brewing, including a metal 54 mm tamper and the dose trimmer tool. It's the only one in this category that can do this, and shows that Breville is dedicated to making their products as reliable as possible. It also has built-in reminders to clean and descale to ensure it runs smoothly.
The Bambino Plus may be the best entry-level espresso machine for those new to the world of espresso. It's simple to use and has a fast heating time, and does a good job of automatically texturing milk for you. The high cost of the product could be too expensive for some people.
2. De'Longhi Stilosa
The De'Longhi Stilosa manual espresso machine is a well-rounded, budget-friendly option that's ideal for beginners and coffee enthusiasts. It's easy to use, looks nice on the counter and produces excellent cappuccinos, espresso, and lattes. However, it does have a few drawbacks that should be considered.
The Stilosa scored below average in its brew control and quality in our metrics for brewing. This was due to the tiny filter baskets, and the lack of a temperature control. Both of these issues limit your ability customize extraction. However, we did like the fact that it's not a long time for the machine to heat up and it has the ability to adjust on the spout 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 it's time to refill. It is removable, which can be beneficial if you have to clean it or don't have access an indoor sink. The model also comes with a drip pan that is removable, which allows you to use taller cup sizes underneath the spout.
Stilosa was also a disappointment when it came to our steaming metrics. This resulted from its lack of control of the steam temperature and the absence of pre-infusion options. Both of these are features that are common in machines that cost much more. Despite its 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 some other models we've tried and will reduce the cost of the cost of cafe drinks.
3. Breville Barista Express Impress
The Breville Express Impress Barista (that's quite a mouthful, wouldn't you think?) is a machine made specifically for those who are interested in learning about espresso. This single boiler, pump-driven machine hopes to make it easier for anyone to make a decent shot of espresso without sacrificing flavor or consistency.
The simple controls make it simple to adjust the settings of the grinder, tamper, and brew groups. You can also select between single or double shots and select the desired temperature. The thermocoil heater built-in makes sure that your espresso is ready to go within 30 seconds. This is much quicker than the 30 minutes that most single boiler machines require to reach temperature.
Another feature that is important is the "impressive" dosing and tamping system that works with the tamper to automatically adjust the correct amount of ground coffee per shot. This system uses a sensor to measure the basket depth and adjusts the amount of ground coffee that is dispersed. And if you're feeling less certain about your ability to control manually the size of the grind, water temperature and dosing, the machine offers several presets to help.
In addition, the Barista Express Impress includes the famous single-hole steam wand, which can create some stunning latte art as well. This is the same wand that you will find in Breville's more advanced, high-end Barista Express models, and it's an absolute delight.
I'm not one to advocate for coffee shortcuts, fully automated machines, or even pods, but the Impress does what it's designed to do without being too difficult or removing the fun of preparing an espresso shot that is delicious. I'm pleased with it and give it a thumbs up!
4. Diletta Mio
The Diletta Mio is a great option for home baristas who are devoted to quality design, style and user-friendliness. Its sleek design, professional-grade components and consistently high-quality performance make it an ideal conversation piece in your coffee bar. It's also a great option for those who are just beginning to understand the basics of steaming and espresso 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 that guarantees quick warm up time and a steady temperature. This is crucial for espresso drinks, as even tiny fluctuations in water temperature can have a significant impact on the flavor and quality of your beverage.
The Diletta's steaming thermoblock is another feature that stands out. It lets you steam milk and brew espresso at simultaneously. This can be a significant time-saver and assists in ensuring that your milk is of the proper texture for your drinks. It also saves energy by only consuming energy when it is needed.
The machine has a pressure gauge on the head of the group. It's a nice feature that lets you monitor your extraction pressure live. You can adjust the OPV to fine-tune your extraction, which gives you an option of personalization that's typically reserved for more expensive machines.
Other notable features of the Diletta include its easy-to-clean side-accessible water tank, as well as its energy saving mode, which can be set in 10-minute increments up to two hours. Its insulated wrap reduces heat loss, and its dual temperature control system helps reduce static electricity. espresso machine with frother means less waste and lower costs.
However, some customers have complained about the longevity of the machine as well as long repair times. Additionally, some have had poor customer service from Diletta and have had trouble in resolving warranty issues.
5. Jura E8
This top-quality super-automatic machine provides many different specialty drinks that can be made with just a single button. It can also make ristretto, cappuccino, macchiato, and flat whites, as well as tea, hot chocolate, and plain coffee. This machine is distinguished by its cutting-edge brewing technology and elegant color display.
The E8 uses an Aroma G3 grinder for a quick and accurate grind of whole beans. It comes with eight grind settings, which might appear to be a lot when compared to other super automatics which have only 3 or 4. But the fact is, the higher settings give you greater control over the size and consistency of your grind, and this is crucial for creating a great cup of coffee.
In addition to the powerful burr grinder, the Jura E8 has an intelligent pre-infusion system as well as a pulse extraction process that are both responsible for making a top-quality cup of espresso every time. The PEP process is a method of forcing water through the ground coffee in short bursts which allows the coffee's flavors to be fully extracted. The resulting cup is richer, fuller, and more flavorful than your typical instant coffee made by Keurig.
The Jura E8 is designed to make a wide range of drinks, and it does it very well. It makes excellent, strong espresso and a silky-smooth cappuccino. The only drawback is that it cannot produce the proper latte that requires high pressure of steam boilers to make a thick foam.
Like most super automatics, this machine does require some attention, however, it is quite easy to keep clean. It will automatically clean itself and descale after every use. It can also be programmed to do more thorough cleaning at least twice per year. It will remind you to change the filter after every 80 drinks.