The Best Home Espresso Machine
Superautomatic espresso machines are a great option for those who don't have barista experience but still desire to enjoy top-quality coffee at home. These machines have automatic features and are digitally dependable. They are quick to heat up and don't need large counter space.
This model is programmable with a volumetric dose and an adjustable preinfusion. It also comes with a steam wand and 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 that make it a great option for those looking to step up from the standard Breville espresso machines or who require a more automated option than a manual.
It is equipped with a PID controller to manage the temperature and pressure control, meaning it's ready for brewing at the push of a button. It makes use of a technology referred to as Thermo jet that allows it to get hot in just 3 seconds. This means you'll be able to make your coffee quicker than other home espresso machines.
The machine was designed with simplicity in mind, and so there's only one button that controls everything. You can select one shot or a double shot, and set the brewing time, something that you cannot do with other espresso machines at this price point. The brushed stainless steel finish gives it a premium appearance, and its small dimensions make it ideal for anyone with limited countertop space or a tight kitchen.
The Bambino Plus also comes with all of the accessories you need to start brewing, including an tamper made of metal measuring 54 millimeters and a dose trimmer tool. This is the only machine of its kind to do this. It demonstrates how Breville wants to make their products as foolproof and reliable as is possible. It will remind you to descal and clean it so that it runs smoothly.
If you're a novice to espresso coffee, the Bambino Plus is arguably the ideal basic home espresso machine. It's simple to use, warms up quickly, and it automatically texts milk for you. Its high price may be out of reach for many people.
2. De'Longhi Stilosa
The De'Longhi Stilosa is a well-rounded and budget-friendly manual espresso machine that's ideal for coffee novices and coffee enthusiasts alike. It's user-friendly, looks nice on the counter, and makes excellent espresso, cappuccinos and lattes. It does have some drawbacks that should be considered.
The Stilosa scored below average in its control of brew and quality in our metrics of brewing. This was due to the small size of the filter baskets, as well as the lack of temperature control. Both of these factors make it difficult to customize extraction. However, we liked the fact that it's not a long time for this machine to preheat and that it offers a nice amount of adjustability on the spout's height.
It also comes with a water tank that can hold up to 34 ounces and has a built-in level indicator to let you know when it's time to refill. It's also movable and can be used in the event that you want to clean the tank or if there's no sink in the vicinity. Another new feature on this model is a removable drip tray that allows you to place taller cups underneath the spout.
In our steaming metrics, the Stilosa also fell short. This was largely because of its lack of control over steam temperature as well as the absence of a pre-infusion function, both of which are standard features on much more expensive machines. Despite its shortcomings we liked the fact that it's easy to maintain and comes with a 1-year warranty. For its price and performance the De'Longhi Stilosa makes a great addition to any home coffee bar. It's a bit easier to use than some other models we've tested, and will save you money on paying for cafe drinks.
3. Breville Barista Express Impress
The Breville Express Impress Barista (that's quite a mouthful, wouldn't you agree?) is a machine specifically designed for those who are interested in learning about espresso. This single pump-driven boiler is designed to make it simple for anyone to make an espresso shot without sacrificing flavor and consistency of the brewing.
The simple controls make it easy to alter the settings for the grinder, tamper, and brew groups. You can also choose between double or single shots and choose your preferred temperature. The built-in thermocoil heater makes sure that your espresso is ready to go within 30 seconds. This is much faster than the 30 minutes that most single boiler machines need to be at temperature.
Another key feature is the "impressive" dosing and tamping system that communicates with the tamper to dial in the right dose of ground coffee per shot. The system utilizes sensors to determine the depth of the basket and adjusts the amount of ground coffee that is dispersed. If you aren't sure that you can control the size of the grind as well as the temperature of the water the machine has presets that may help.
The Barista Express Impress includes the famous single-hole steam wand that can produce some pretty impressive latte art also. This is the same wand you'll find in Breville’s high-end Barista Express machines, and it works great.
I'm not a big advocate for coffee shortcuts, fully automatic machines, or even pods, however the Impress does exactly what it's supposed to do without being too intimidating or taking away the enjoyment of making an excellent espresso. I'm happy with that and I'm giving it a thumbs-up!
4. Diletta Mio
The Diletta Mio is a great choice for home baristas who prioritize quality, design, and ease of use. Its sleek design, professional grade components and consistently high-quality performance make it an eye-catching addition to your coffee corner. It's also a good option for those who are new to the coffee industry and want to understand the basics of steaming and espresso without being overwhelmed by programming and complexity.
This machine's PID-controlled brew heater is among its most striking features. It guarantees quick warming-up times and stable temperatures of water. This is crucial for espresso drinks, as even tiny variations in temperature of the water can have a big impact on the flavor and quality of your coffee.
The Diletta's separate steaming thermoblock is another feature that stands out. It allows you to steam milk and brew espresso at the simultaneously. This can be a major time-saver, and it helps ensure that your milk is of the proper texture for your drinks. This saves energy as it only draws energy when it is needed.
This machine has an indicator of pressure on the head of the group. It's a nice feature that lets you check the pressure of your extraction in real time. You can adjust the OPV to fine-tune the extraction, giving you the ability to customize your extraction, something that is typically reserved for much more expensive machines.
The Diletta also comes with an easy-to-clean side tank, and an optional energy-saving mode that can be set in 10-minute increments to two hours. Its insulated boiler wrap further reduces heat loss, and its dual-temperature system minimizes static electricity, resulting 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. Diletta has been criticized for its poor customer support and difficulty in resolving warranty issues.
5. Jura E8
This high-end super-automatic machine is capable of offering a wide variety of specialty drinks that can be prepared with a single button. It can also make ristrettos, cappuccinos, macchiatos flat whites, teas and flat whites and plain hot chocolate, plain coffee and plain espresso. Its cutting-edge brewing technology and sleek color display are just some of the features that separate this machine from other machines.
The E8 utilizes the Aroma G3 grinder to grind whole beans with speed and precision. It also comes with 8 grind settings, which could seem like a lot when compared to other super-automatics that provide three or four. The higher setting allows you to regulate the size and consistency of your cup, which is crucial for a good cup.
In addition to its powerful burr grinder In addition to its powerful burr grinder, the Jura E8 has an intelligent pre-infusion system as well as a pulse extraction process that are responsible for delivering a premium espresso coffee maker cup of espresso every time. The PEP process is a method of forcing water through the ground coffee in short bursts which allows the flavor to be fully extracted. The resulting cup is richer, fuller, and more flavorful than typical instant coffee made by Keurig.
The Jura E8 is designed to make a wide variety of drinks and it does so extremely well. It makes a powerful smooth cappuccino as well as an excellent espresso. The only real drawback is that it's unable to make an adequate latte, which requires the pressure of steam boilers to make a thick foam.
Like many super automated machines, this machine does require some attention, but is fairly easy to keep clean. It will automatically clean itself and descale after each use. It can also be easily programmed to do more thorough cleaning at least twice per year. It will also remind to change the filter every 80 drinks.