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. They have features that are automatic and are also digitally-controlled. 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 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 packed with features that make it an ideal choice for anyone who wants to upgrade from the basic Breville espressi machines or those who want an option that is more automated 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 when you press the button. It uses a technology known as Thermo jet that allows it to heat up in only 3 seconds. This means you'll be able to get your coffee faster than other espresso machines at home.
The machine was built with simplicity in mind. There is just one button to manage everything. You can select one or two shots, and you can also set the brewing time that you're required to manually like other espresso machines in this price range. The polished stainless finish gives it a high-end appearance, and its compact size is perfect for those with limited counter space or a tighter kitchen.
The Bambino Plus also includes all the equipment you require to get started brewing, such as the 54mm tamper from a steel and the dose trimmer tool. It's the only machine in this category that does this, and it shows that Breville is dedicated to making their products as reliable as is possible. It also has built-in reminders to clean and descale to keep it running smoothly.
If you're a novice to espresso coffee, the Bambino Plus is arguably the best choice for an affordable home espresso machine. It's user-friendly and has a quick heat-up time, and does a good job of automatically blending milk for you. The high cost of the product could 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 is suitable for beginners and coffee aficionados alike. It's simple to use and looks good on the counter and produces excellent cappuccinos, espresso and lattes. However, it has some drawbacks which must be taken into consideration.
In our brewing metrics, the Stilosa scored average to below-average for its brew quality and control. This was due to the tiny filter baskets and the absence of temperature control. Both of these issues limit your ability customize extraction. We were impressed by the fact that this machine is quick to heat up and that the spout could be adjusted to a suitable height.
It also includes a convenient water tank that holds up to 34 ounces and comes with a built-in indicator for the level so you can tell when it's time to refill. It's also removable, which can be beneficial if you have to clean it or don't have access an indoor sink. The model also comes with an adjustable drip pan that allows you to use taller cup sizes underneath the spout.
In our steaming performance metrics, the Stilosa also came up short. This was due to its insufficient control over steam temperature and lack of a pre-infusion function, both of which are standard features on much more expensive machines. Despite these flaws we were pleased with the fact that it doesn't require regular maintenance and is backed by a one-year guarantee. The De'Longhi Stilosa is a great addition to a home coffee bar. It's more user-friendly than other models we've seen and will help you save money on cafe drinks.
3. Breville Barista Express Impress
The Breville Express Impress Barista (that's quite a mouthful, wouldn't you agree?) This machine is intended for people who are new who are interested in espresso. This single pump-driven boiler is designed to make it simple for anyone to take an espresso shot without sacrificing flavor and consistency in the brewing.
Its easy-to-use controls allow you to alter the settings for the grinder, tamper and brew groups. You can select between double and single shots, as well as the temperature you prefer. The thermocoil heater built-in ensures that your espresso is ready to use in 30 seconds. This is much quicker than the typical wait of 30 minutes single boiler machines need to get to temperature.
Another key feature is the "impressive" dosing and tamping mechanism that works with the tamper in order to adjust the correct amount of ground coffee per shot. This system makes use of an integrated sensor to measure the depth of the basket, and adjusts amount of ground coffee dispensed. If you aren't sure about your ability to control the grind size and water temperature manually the machine has presets that can help.
The Barista Express Impress includes the famous single-hole steam wand, which is capable of churning out some stunning Latte art, too. This is the same wand you'll find in Breville's premium Barista Express machines, and it's a great tool.
I'm not a big advocate for coffee shortcuts, fully automated machines or even pods, however the Impress does exactly what it's supposed to do without being too difficult or removing the fun of preparing an excellent espresso. I'm happy to give it a thumbs up for that!
4. Diletta Mio
The Diletta Mio is a great option for home baristas who prioritize quality design, aesthetics and user-friendliness. Its sleek design, professional-grade components, and consistent performance make it an eye-catching addition to your coffee bar. It's also a great choice for those who are new to the coffee industry and want to understand the ins and outs of steaming and espresso without being overwhelmed by programming and complexity.
The brew heater controlled by PID is among its most impressive features. It ensures rapid warm-up times and stable temperature water. This is essential, especially for espresso, as even minor changes in water temperature can affect the taste and quality.
Another noteworthy feature is steaming thermoblock that is separate to the Diletta that lets you make espresso and steam milk at the same time. This can be a significant time-saver and assists in ensuring that your milk is of the proper texture for your beverages. This can save energy since it only draws energy when it is needed.
This machine also has an indicator of pressure at the head of the group, which is a nice addition that lets you track the pressure of your extraction in real time. You can adjust the OPV to fine-tune the extraction, which gives you an option of personalization that's typically reserved for 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 10-minute increments to two hours. The insulated wrap More hints minimizes heat loss, and its dual temperature control system minimizes static electricity. This means less waste and lower costs.
However, some customers have reported issues with the durability of this machine and long repair times. Diletta has also been criticized for its poor customer service and difficulty in resolving warranty problems.
5. Jura E8
This premium super-automatic machine offers a wide variety of specialty drinks that are made at the push of a single button. It can also make macchiato, cappuccino and ristretto and flat whites alongside hot chocolate and plain coffee. Its innovative brewing technology and its sleek color display are just a few of the features that set this machine apart from other machines.
The E8 utilizes an Aroma G3 grinder to provide an efficient and precise grind of whole beans. It has eight grind settings, which might appear to be a lot when compared to other super automatics that only have three or four. But the fact is, the higher settings give you more control over the size and consistency of your grind and this is essential to make a great cup of coffee.
The Jura E8 is equipped with a powerful burr grinder and an intelligent pre-infusion process. These two components are responsible for producing an espresso cup that is consistently top-quality. The PEP process utilizes short bursts of water to force the coffee through the grinder, allowing full flavor extraction. The resulting cup is richer, fuller, and more flavorful than your typical instant coffee that comes from a Keurig.
The Jura E8 is designed to make a wide variety of drinks and it does so extremely well. It produces a strong smooth cappuccino, as well as an excellent espresso. The only real drawback is that it's not able to make a proper latte, which requires high pressure from steam boilers to produce a thick foam.
Like most super automatics that are available, this one requires a bit of maintenance however it is relatively easy to keep clean. It will automatically clean and descale after each use. It can also be programmed to perform a deeper cleaning once or every two years. It will remind you to change the filter after 80 drinks.