The Best Home Espresso Machine
A superautomatic espresso machine is an ideal choice for someone who doesn't have barista expertise but is looking to enjoy premium coffee at home. These machines come with automatic features and digital convenience. They are quick to heat up, and they don't require large counter space.
This model has a programmable volumetric dose as well an adjustable preinfusion. It also comes with steam wand as well as a commercial-grade group head.
1. Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus, despite its adorable name, is a serious machine. It is packed with features that make it a good choice for anyone who wants to upgrade from the basic Breville espresso machines or wants an alternative that is more automated than manual.
It uses a PID controller to manage the temperature and pressure control, which means it's ready to brew when you press the button. It utilizes a technology known as Thermo jet, which lets it to heat up in just 3 seconds. This means that you will get your coffee faster than other home espresso machines.
This machine is built with simplicity in mind, so there's just one button that can control everything. You can choose between a single shot or a double shot and set the brewing time which isn't something you can do with other espresso machines at this price. The polished stainless finish gives it a classy appearance, and its compact size is perfect for those with limited counter space or a small kitchen.
The Bambino Plus comes with everything you need to get started making your own. This includes a metal 54mm tamper and a dose trimming tool. It's the only one in this category that does this, and shows that Breville is committed to making their products as reliable as possible. It will remind you to descal and clean it, so it can run smoothly.
If you're just beginning to learn about espresso and want to learn more, the Bambino Plus is arguably the best choice for an basic home espresso machine. It is easy to use, warms up quickly, and then automatically sends milk to you. However, its high cost could make it out of reach for a few people.
2. De'Longhi Stilosa
The De'Longhi Stilosa manual espresso machine is an affordable, well-rounded option that's perfect for both beginners and coffee enthusiasts. It's easy to use and looks good on the counter and makes good espresso, cappuccinos, and lattes. There are some disadvantages which must be taken into consideration.
In our brewing metrics The Stilosa scored average to below-average for its quality of brewing and its control. This was mostly due to the small size of the filter baskets as well as its lack of temperature control, both of which make it difficult to alter the extraction process. We liked that this machine heats up quickly and that the spout could be adjusted to an ideal height.
It also comes with a handy water tank that holds up to 34 ounces. It comes with a built-in indicator for the level so you can tell when it's time to refill. It's also movable which is useful when you need to clean the tank, or in the event that you don't have a sink nearby. It also has a removable drip pan that allows you to use taller cup sizes underneath the spout.
Stilosa was also a disappointment on our steaming metrics. This was mainly due to its limited control over the steam temperature and lack of a pre-infusion feature that are standard features on much more expensive machines. Despite these flaws we did like the fact that it doesn't require much maintenance and is backed by a one-year warranty. In terms of price and performance, the De'Longhi Stilosa makes a great addition to any home coffee bar. It's a little easier to use than other models we've tested and will reduce the cost of paying for cafe drinks.
3. Breville Barista Express Impress
The Breville Express Impress Barista (that's quite a mouthful don't you agree?) This machine is aimed at beginners who are interested in coffee. This single pump-driven boiler is designed to make it easy for anyone to make an espresso shot without sacrificing flavor or consistency of the brewing.
The simple controls make it simple to adjust the settings for the grinder, tamper and brew groups. You can also choose between single or double shots and select your preferred temperature. A thermocoil heating system built into the machine guarantees that your espresso will be ready in less than 30 seconds which is considerably quicker than the half hour that the majority of single boiler machines take to reach temperature.
The "impressive" dosing-and-tamping device, which works with the tamper dials in the correct amount of ground coffee per shot. The system makes use of sensors to measure the basket depth and adjusts how much ground coffee is dispersed. And if you're feeling less certain about your ability to manually control the grind size, water temperature, and dosing, the machine offers several presets to aid you.
The Barista Express Impress also comes with the infamous single hole steam wand which can create impressive latte artwork. The same wand will find in Breville's more sophisticated, premium Barista Express models, and it works a treat.
I'm not a fan of coffee shortcuts, fully automated machines, or pods. However, the Impress does exactly what it says without being intimidating or taking the fun out of making an espresso. I'm pleased to give it a thumbs-up for that!
4. Diletta Mio
The Diletta Mio makes a great choice for home baristas who are adamant about quality, design and ease of usage. Its sleek design, professional grade components, and consistent performance make it an eye-catching addition to your coffee bar. It's also a great option for those who are new to the coffee industry and want to learn the basics of espresso and steaming without getting overwhelmed by the programming and complexity.
One of the most striking features of this machine is its PID-controlled brew boiler, which ensures quick warm up time and a steady temperature. This is particularly important for espresso drinks, as even tiny fluctuations in the temperature of water can have a huge impact on the flavor and quality of your drink.
The separate steaming thermoblock of the Diletta is another thing that stands out. It allows you to steam milk and make espresso at the same time. This could save you lots of time and ensure that your milk has the right texture. This helps conserve energy as it only uses power when needed.
The machine has an indicator of pressure on the head of the group. It's a nice feature that allows you to monitor your extraction pressure live. You can adjust the OPV to fine-tune the extraction, which provides you with a level of customization that's normally reserved for more expensive machines.
Other notable characteristics of the Diletta include its easy-to-clean, side-accessible water tank and its optional energy saver mode, which is adjustable in increments of 10 minutes that can last up to two hours. The insulated wrap minimizes heat loss, while its dual-temperature control system minimizes static electricity. This means less waste and lower costs.
Some users have complained about the lengthy repair times and poor durability of this machine. Additionally, some have had poor customer service from Diletta and have had trouble solving warranty issues.
5. Jura E8
This top-quality super-automatic espresso machine comes with a dizzying variety of specially-programmed drinks that can be accessed by pressing the button. It also makes macchiatos, ristrettos and cappuccinos flat whites, teas and flat whites, as well as plain hot chocolate, plain coffee and plain espresso. Its cutting-edge brewing technology and stylish color display are just some of the features that set this machine apart from other machines.
The E8 makes use of an Aroma G3 grinder for a quick and accurate grind of whole beans. It has eight grind settings, which might appear to be a lot when you compare it to other super-automatics that only have three or four. The higher setting allows you to control the size and consistency, which is essential to a perfect cup.
The Jura E8 is equipped with a powerful burr grinder as well as an advanced pre-infusion process. These two features are the reason for a cup of espresso that is consistently top-quality. The PEP process makes use of short bursts of water to force the coffee through the grinder, which allows for full flavor extraction. The resultant cup is richer, fuller, and more flavorful than the average instant coffee from a Keurig.
The Jura E8 is designed to create a variety of drinks and it does it very well. It produces excellent, strong espresso as well as a smooth and silky cappuccino. The only drawback is that it cannot produce an adequate latte, which requires high pressure of steam boilers to produce a thick foam.
Like many super automated machines, this machine does describes it require a bit of maintenance however, it is quite easy to keep clean. It will automatically clean and descale after every use and it can be programmed to perform an additional cleaning once or every two years. It will also remind you to change the filter every 80 drinks.