The Best Home Espresso Machine
A superautomatic espresso machine is the perfect choice for someone who doesn't have barista experience but would like to enjoy a quality cup of coffee at home. These machines are equipped with electronic features that are automatic and provide convenience. 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 also comes with steam wand, commercial grade group head.
1. Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus, despite its cute name is an actual machine. It's loaded with features that make it a good option for those who wants to upgrade from the basic Breville espresso machines or who prefer an option that is more automated than a manual.
It has a PID controller to do the hard work of temperature control and pressure control so that it's ready for brewing when you press the button. It also makes use of the technology known as Thermo Jet, which allows it to 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).
The machine was created with simplicity in mind. There is only one button to manage everything. You can choose between a single shot or a double shot, and set the brewing times which is something you can't do with other espresso machines at this price. The polished stainless steel finish gives it a luxurious look, and its compact size makes it perfect for anyone with limited countertop space or a cramped kitchen.
The Bambino Plus also includes all the equipment you require to begin brewing, including a metal 54 mm tamper and the dose trimmer tool. This is the only machine of its kind that can do this. It shows how Breville wants to make their products as foolproof and reliable as possible. It will remind you to descal and clean it, ensuring it can run smoothly.
If you're just beginning to learn about espresso, the Bambino Plus is arguably the most suitable basic 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. However, its price could put it beyond the reach of some people.
2. De'Longhi Stilosa
The De'Longhi Stilosa manual espresso machine is an affordable, well-rounded option that is ideal for beginners and coffee enthusiasts. It's easy-to-use, looks good on the counter, and produces excellent cappuccinos, espressos, and lattes. However, it has a few disadvantages that need to be considered.
In our brewing metrics The Stilosa scored average to below-average for its quality of brewing and control. This was due to the small size of the filter baskets, and the lack of a temperature control. Both of these factors limit your ability customize extraction. We did however like the fact that it doesn't take long for the machine to warm up and that it offers a nice amount of adjustability on the spout height.
The model also comes with an easy-to-fill reservoir that can hold up to 34 ounces. It also has a built in indicator for level that lets you know when it's time to refill. It's removable, which is helpful if you want to clean the tank or in the event that there's no sink nearby. Another feature that's new to this model is a movable drip tray that lets you put taller cups on the spout.
In our steaming performance metrics, the Stilosa also fell short. This resulted from its lack of control of the temperature of steam, and lack of pre-infusion functions. Both of these are standard features in machines that cost more. Despite these shortcomings, we did appreciate the fact that it doesn't need much maintenance and is backed by a one-year warranty. For its price and performance the De'Longhi Stilosa makes a great addition to any coffee bar. It's a bit easier to use than other models we've tested, 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 don't you think?) This machine is designed for beginners who are interested in espresso. This single boiler, pump-driven machine aims to make it easy for anyone to get an espresso shot that is decent without sacrificing flavor or brewing consistency.
First of all it takes the guesswork out of adjusting the grinder, tamper, and brew group settings by using its simple-to-use controls. You can choose between single and double shots, as well as the temperature you prefer. The thermocoil heater built-in ensures that your espresso is ready to go within 30 seconds. This is much faster than the typical wait of 30 minutes single boiler machines need to be at temperature.
Another important feature is the "impressive" dosing and tamping mechanism that works with the tamper to automatically dial in the right dose of ground coffee per shot. This system uses an integrated sensor that measures the depth of the basket and adjusts the amount of ground coffee dispersed. If you aren't sure that you can control the grind size and water temperature manually, the machine has presets that can be helpful.
In addition, the Barista Express Impress includes the famous single-hole steam wand that is capable of churning out some pretty impressive Latte art also. This is the same wand that you will find in Breville's more advanced, top-of-the-line Barista Express models, and it's an absolute delight.
I'm not one to advocate for coffee shortcuts, fully automatic machines or even pods, but the Impress does what it's designed to do without becoming daunting or removing the enjoyment of making a good shot of 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, and ease of use. Its sleek and modern design, high-end components and constant performance make it a conversation piece for your coffee corner. Beginners can also benefit from this machine, since it allows them to learn about steaming and espresso without having to worry about programming or the complexity.
One of the most impressive features of this machine is the brew boiler that is controlled by PID that ensures quick warm up times and stable water temperature. This is especially important for espresso drinks, since even small fluctuations in the temperature of water can have a significant impact on the flavor and quality of your beverage.
The separate steaming thermoblock of the Diletta is another thing that stands out. It lets you steam milk and brew espresso at simultaneously. This will help you save time and ensure that your milk is the right consistency. This helps conserve energy as it only draws power when needed.
This machine also has a pressure gauge on the head of the group, which 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 a level of customization that's typically reserved for much more expensive machines.
The Diletta also has an easy-to-clean side tank, as well as an energy-saving mode that can be adjusted in increments of 10 minutes to 2 hours. Its insulated boiler wrap further reduces heat loss and its dual-temperature system minimizes static electricity, which results in less waste and lower energy bills.
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 had difficulty in resolving warranty issues.
5. Jura E8
This top-quality super-automatic machine provides many different specialty drinks that are made by pressing one button. It can also make macchiato, cappuccino, ristretto and flat whites along with tea, hot chocolate and plain coffee. Its modern brewing technology and sleek color display are just some of the features that distinguish this machine from the rest.
The E8 makes use of the Aroma G3 grinder to grind beans with speed and precision. It also has 8 grind settings, which may seem like a lot when compared to other super-automatics that offer 3 or 4. However, the higher range gives you greater control over the size and the consistency of your grind and this is crucial for creating a great cup of coffee.
The Jura E8 is equipped with a powerful burr grinder as well as an advanced pre-infusion process. These two components are responsible for producing a cup of espresso that is consistently high quality. The PEP process makes use of short bursts in water to force the coffee through the grinder, which allows for full flavor extraction. The resultant cup is richer and fuller as well as more flavorful than the average instant coffee from a Keurig.
The Jura E8 can make a variety of drinks and does it exceptionally well. It produces an excellent, strong espresso and 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 an extremely thick foam.
This machine isn't as difficult to clean as other super automatics. It will automatically clean and descale after every use, and it can be easily programmed to do an additional cleaning once or twice per year. It will also remind you to change the filter every 80 drinks.