The Best Home Espresso Machine
A superautomatic espresso machine is the perfect choice for someone who doesn't have barista expertise but wants to enjoy quality coffee at home. These machines have automated features and digital convenience. They also heat up quickly and don't take up a lot of counter space.
This model is programmable with a volumetric dose and an adjustable preinfusion. It includes a steaming wand and a commercial-grade grouphead.
1. Breville Bambino Plus
Despite its cute name, the Bambino Plus is a serious espresso machine. It's packed with features that make it an ideal pick for anyone who wants to upgrade from the standard Breville espressi machines, or for those who require a more automated option than manual.
It comes with an PID controller that performs the hard work of temperature control and pressure control so that it's ready to brew the moment you press the button. It utilizes a technology known as Thermo jet which allows it heat up in only 3 seconds. This means you can get your coffee faster than other home espresso machines.
The machine was created with simplicity in mind. There is only one button to control everything. You can select a single shot or a double shot, and set the brewing time which is something you can't 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 perfect for those who have little space for countertops or a small kitchen.
The Bambino Plus includes everything you require to get started brewing. This includes a steel 54mm tamper, as well as a dose trimming tool. This is the only machine of its kind that does this. It demonstrates how Breville wants to ensure that their products are as secure and reliable as possible. It also comes with built-in reminders for descaling and cleaning to ensure it runs smoothly.
If you're new to espresso and want to learn more, the Bambino Plus is arguably the ideal basic home espresso machine. It's user-friendly, has a fast heat-up time and does a great job of automatically blending milk for you. However, its high price could put it beyond the reach of some people.
2. De'Longhi Stilosa
The De'Longhi Stilosa manual espresso machine is a well-rounded, budget-friendly option that is ideal for beginners and coffee enthusiasts. It's simple to use, looks great on the counter, and produces excellent cappuccinos, espressos, and lattes. It does have some drawbacks that should be taken into consideration.
In our brewing metrics, the Stilosa scored average to below-average for its brew quality and control. 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 heats up quickly and that the spout is able to be adjusted to an ideal height.
The unit also has a convenient water reservoir that can hold up to 34 ounces. It also has an inbuilt indicator for the level to let you know when to refill. It's removable, which can be beneficial if you have to clean it or don't have access to a sink. The model also comes with a removable drip pan that allows you to use taller cups under the spout.
Stilosa was also a disappointment in our steaming measurements. This was due to its insufficient control of the steam temperature and the absence of pre-infusion features. Both of these are features that are common in machines that cost more. Despite these shortcomings, we appreciated the fact that it's easy to maintain and comes with a 1 year warranty. The De'Longhi Stilosa is a great addition to your home coffee bar. It's a little simpler to use than some other models we've tried and will reduce the cost of paying for cafe drinks.
3. Breville Barista Express Impress
The Breville Barista Express Impress (that's an impressive name do you not think?) This machine is aimed at beginners who are interested in coffee. This single boiler, pumps-driven machine is designed to make it simple for anyone to make an espresso shot without sacrificing flavor or consistency in the brewing.
The simple controls allow you to adjust the settings for the grinder, tamper and brew groups. You can also choose between single or double shots and choose the temperature you prefer. The thermocoil heating feature built-in makes sure that your espresso is ready to drink in about 30 seconds which is considerably faster than the half-hour that most traditional single boiler machines need to reach temperature.
The "impressive" dosing-and-tamping system that is integrated with the tamper dials in the right amount of ground coffee for each shot. This system makes use of an integrated sensor to gauge basket depth and adjusts the amount of ground coffee dispensed. If you're less confident about your ability to manually control the size of the grind, the water temperature, and dosing, the machine offers several presets that can help.
The Barista Express Impress also comes with the famous single hole steam wand, that can create impressive latte artwork. The same wand can find in Breville's more advanced, top-of-the-line Barista Express models, and it works a treat.
I'm not a big advocate for coffee shortcuts, fully automatic machines or even pods, however the Impress does what it sets out to do without becoming difficult or removing the pleasure of making an espresso shot that is delicious. I'm happy to give it a thumbs-up for this!
4. Diletta Mio
The Diletta Mio is a great option for home baristas who are devoted to quality, design and user-friendliness. Its sleek design, professional-grade components and constant performance make it a conversation piece in your coffee bar. Beginners can also benefit from this machine, because it lets them learn about espresso and steaming without worrying about programming or the complexity.
One of the most striking features of this machine is the brew boiler that is controlled by PID that guarantees rapid warming up time and a steady temperature. This is important, especially for espresso because even minor changes in the temperature of water can impact the taste and quality.
The Diletta's steaming thermoblock is another thing that stands out. It allows you to steam milk and brew espresso at the simultaneously. This could save you lots of time and ensure that your milk is the right consistency. It also conserves energy by only using power when it's required.
This machine also has a pressure gauge on the head of the group, which is a nice touch that lets you track your extraction pressure in real-time. 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 much more expensive machines.
Other notable characteristics of the Diletta include its easy-to-clean accessible water tank on the side and its energy saving mode, which can be set in 10-minute increments up to two hours. Its insulated boiler wrap further reduces heat loss, and its dual-temperature technology reduces static electricity, which means less waste and lower energy costs.
Some users have complained about the long repair time and the poor quality of this machine. Diletta has been criticized as well for its poor customer service and inability to resolve warranty problems.
5. Jura E8
This top-quality super-automatic machine provides an array of specialty drinks that can be prepared at the push of one button. It can also make ristrettos, cappuccinos, macchiatos, flat whites and teas, as well as plain coffee, hot chocolate and plain espresso. This machine is distinguished by its cutting-edge brewing technologies and stylish display in color.
The E8 utilizes the Aroma G3 grinder to grind whole beans quickly and accurately. It also comes with 8 grind settings, which may seem like a lot compared to other super-automatics which only offer three or four. The higher setting allows you to control the size and consistency, which is vital for a good cup.
The Jura E8 is equipped with a powerful burr grinder and an intelligent pre-infusion procedure. These two Continued features are the reason for an espresso cup that is consistently of high-quality. The PEP process pushes water through ground coffee in short bursts which allows the coffee's flavors to be fully extracted. The resultant cup is richer, fuller, and more flavorful than typical instant coffee from a Keurig.
The Jura E8 is designed to make a wide range of drinks, and it does so very well. It makes an excellent, strong espresso and a silky-smooth cappuccino. The only real drawback is that it's not able to make the proper latte that really needs the high pressure from steam boilers to make the thick foam.
The machine isn't as difficult to clean as super-automatics. It will automatically clean itself and descale after each use. It can also be programmed to do a deeper cleaning once or twice per year. It will also remind to change the filter every 80 drinks.