Finding the Best Espresso Machine
A great espresso machine can make cafe-quality drinks with a push of the button. The right espresso machine will depend on your skills and your requirements.
Fully automatic machines can handle everything for you. However, they're expensive and lack the flexibility to experiment. Manual models let you control the process but are more likely to make errors.
1. Wacaco Picopresso
Wacaco Picopresso, a portable espresso machine that produces double shots, is one of the top choices. It's not cheap, but it feels high-end and comes with a 2 year warranty. Wacaco's coffee maker is also the most professional. This means it's the smallest however it's also the most capable of producing high-quality espresso.
The Picopresso does not use electricity and relies solely on the hand pump to produce up to 18 bars of pressure. This is enough for two shots of espresso with thick creamy crema. It's far superior to the third-wave cafes. The Picopresso is small enough to fit into the palm of your hands. It also comes with an imitation leather sleeve that will keep it cool when using it to extract espresso.
It's the smaller of Wacaco's manual espresso machines, but it feels sturdy in the hands. The machine is made of metal and strong components. All the accessories are also durable. It includes a stainless-steel ergonomic tamper funnel, a brush, plus a plastic distribution tool to aid in achieving an even puck and perfect extraction pressure.
This model does not include any fancy milk carafes or steam wands. However, it includes a mirror to allow you to monitor your bottomless extractions in complete privacy. It's a nice addition and goes well with the Picopresso's traveling friendly design. Another thing to think about is the Picopresso stand that can be used to make brewing at home too.
This allows you to pre-heat the piston before pumping hot water through it prior to when you begin making your espresso. It's a good idea as this ensures that you get the best results from your Picopresso by getting all the essential oils out of the coffee you grind. It's worth pointing out that using the Picopresso can be a bit laborious, particularly when you follow the recommendations of Wacaco for measuring your beans and then changing the tamping pressure to get an excellent espresso every time.
2. Rancilio Silvia
The Rancilio Silvia espresso machine is the ideal choice for those who want to learn how to make espresso. This single boiler semi-automatic espresso machine is known for its reliability and longevity. Many reviewers compare it to the Gaggia Classic Pro and claim that the coffee is similar in quality. The stainless cup tray and steam wand have a chic design that can be incorporated into any kitchen design.
This coffee maker comes with brass boilers capable of reaching the ideal temperature to make espresso. The boiler is protected by the thermostat. The Silvia also has an insulated steam wand, which lets you create rich creamy steamed milk for cappuccinos or macchiatos. The brewing system also has sturdy materials that are easy to clean and maintain.
The ease of use is among the most important things to take into consideration when choosing an espresso machine. Silvia is one of the most user-friendly machines. Silvia is built with an ergonomic portafilter and a simple, four-rocker switch interface that makes it simple to use. It comes with an adjustable drip tray and reservoirs of water that are easy to clean. This machine also has a built-in feature that turns off the heating element after 30 minutes.
The soft infusion feature is a further feature that makes Silvia Silvia stand out from other espresso machines. This feature reduces the amount of pressure applied to the coffee grounds while brewing, which helps to preserve and enhance the sensory qualities of the beans. The two settings can be adjusted to suit the type of espresso that you are making.
The Silvia comes with a variety of upgrades that can be installed by espresso enthusiasts to enhance the functionality of the machine. The Silvia comes with a shot-timer and a programmable pressure pump, but is compatible with many aftermarket accessories including PID controllers.
The Rancilio Silvia is a great espresso machine for beginners as well as experienced baristas. Its basic design doesn't offer the kind of customization that more advanced espresso makers require however it still produces excellent, high-quality espresso. It's also a great option for those trying to improve their barista skills by providing the feedback needed to ensure better shots every time.
3. Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus is an entry-level machine, but it has many of the features that professional baristas need. It has an efficient steam machine that can create microfoam to be used in latte art. It comes with a stainless-steel milk jug and a tamper of high quality. The Bambino Plus has a PID temperature controller that keeps the temperature at a constant level for reliable results.
The best part is that the Bambino Plus has a compact footprint. It's among the smallest espresso machines on the market, making it ideal for small spaces. It is also ready to heat up in less than three seconds, meaning it's ready to use the moment you press the button. This is the same technology that Breville used in its Oracle range, so it's a highly sophisticated espresso machine for such a low price.
The Bambino Plus, like its counterparts, is a machine that's well-made that is easy to use and clean. It comes in brushed stainless that provides it with a stylish design and feel for an affordable price. It also comes with a tamper, portafilter, as well as a stainless steel milk jug.
This is a fantastic value in espresso machines, and is a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade their daily routine without breaking the bank. It's the most affordable espresso machine that produces high-quality cafe-quality espresso and steamed milk at home. It's also one of the easiest to clean and use.
Although the Bambino Plus doesn't come with grinder but you can use any espresso-quality grinder to use it. It doesn't have an option for preinfusion. However you can easily fix it by running hot water several times through the portafilter prior to pulling shots. Additionally, you'll have to flush the boiler and descale it regularly to ensure it's running smoothly. If you regularly flush it and follow the directions in the link home manual, it shouldn't be having any issues with scaling or other issues related to maintenance. If you want to make sure, you can purchase an online descaler.
4. Philips 3200 Series
The Philips 3200 Series comes with numerous great features. This is a great choice for those who want to learn how to make espresso but don't have a lot of money to spend. The machine is less than half the cost of our second-best choice, the Gaggia Cadorna Prestige, and it can still make some delicious drinks. However it's not as good as the Cadorna offers a variety of coffee options including 4 user profiles to save drinks as well as a better grinder, but it's usually available for sale, so you might be able to locate it at a similar price.
This machine is a great option for those who enjoy latte and cappuccino but don't need a full variety of espresso flavors. It also makes decent iced coffee that is becoming more and more popular in coffee machines for home use. The 3200 also comes with a dedicated brewing option that makes use of a lower temperature to brew iced coffee so that it doesn't muddle the flavor.
Like the other machines on this list like others, the Philips 3200 can use both ground and whole beans. It comes with a large hopper for both and is simple to fill. You can also adjust the size of the grind to meet your preference. This machine has a bypass doser that is perfect for those who wish to brew coffee but do not want decaf.
If you prefer drinks that are based on milk The Philips has a LatteGo system which can serve heated or frothed milk in a single step. This is a major selling point for the device since it is one of the most user-friendly milk frothing systems out there. It is also able to heat and froth other milks, like soy, almond and the oat.
It's not the quietest machine however it's quieter than the other alternatives on this list. It's not nearly as loud as an espresso machine but is comparable to what you'd find in your local coffee shop. The only issue is the time it takes to warm up. This can be lowered by changing the settings.