The Best Home Espresso Machine
Superautomatic espresso machines are an excellent alternative for those who don't have barista experience, but desire to enjoy top-quality coffee at home. These machines are equipped with automated features and digital convenience. They are quick to heat up and don't need any counter space.
The model is programmable for volumetric dosing as well as an adjustable pre-infusion. It also comes with a steam wand and commercial-grade group head.
1. Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus, despite its cute name, is an actual machine. It's loaded with features, making it a great option for those looking to upgrade from the standard Breville espresso machines or want an alternative that is more automated than a manual.
It comes with an PID controller that performs the hard work of controlling temperature and pressure so that it's ready to drink the moment you press the button. It also uses a technology called Thermo Jet which allows it to warm up in only 3 seconds, which means you can make your espresso faster than most other espresso machines for home use (which take 10 to 30 minutes to warm up).
The machine was designed with simplicity in mind. There is only one button to control everything. You can select one or two shots and also determine the time of brewing as well, which is something you're required to manually like other espresso machines of this price range. The polished stainless finish gives it a premium appearance, and its small size is perfect for those with limited counter space or a small kitchen.
The Bambino Plus also comes with all the tools you need to get started brewing, such as the 54mm tamper from a steel and a dose trimmer tool. This is the only machine of its kind that does this. It demonstrates how Breville strives to make their products as foolproof and reliable as possible. It also comes with built-in reminders for cleaning and descaling to ensure it runs smoothly.
The Bambino Plus may be the most basic espresso machine for those who are new to the world of espresso. It's simple to use, heats up quickly, and then automatically sends milk to you. Its high price may be difficult for some people.
2. De'Longhi Stilosa
The De'Longhi Stilosa is an affordable and well-rounded manual espresso machine that's suitable for both coffee lovers and beginners alike. It's user-friendly, looks nice on the counter, and makes good espresso, cappuccinos and lattes. There are some disadvantages that should be considered.
The Stilosa scored below average in its control of brew and quality in our brewing metrics. This was due to the small size of the filter baskets and lack of temperature control, both of which restrict your ability to modify the extraction process. However, we liked the fact that it doesn't take long for this machine to preheat and that it offers an excellent amount of adjustment on the spout's height.
It also includes a convenient water tank that holds up to 34 ounces and includes a built-in level indicator 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. Another feature that's new to this model is a movable drip tray that lets you place taller cups underneath the spout.
In our steaming metrics, the Stilosa also came up short. This was largely because of its limited control over the steam temperature as well as the absence of a pre-infusion option which are both standard features on much more expensive machines. Despite these issues we were pleased with the fact that it doesn't require much maintenance and is backed by a one-year guarantee. For its price and performance it's a great choice. 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 Barista Express Impress (that's quite a mouthful, don't you think?) is a machine made specifically for people who are interested in espresso. This single boiler, pump-driven machine aims to make it easier for anyone to pull a decent espresso without sacrificing flavor or brewing consistency.
Its easy-to-use controls allow you to alter the settings for the grinder, tamper and brew groups. You can also select between double or single shots and select the desired temperature. The thermocoil heater in the machine ensures that your espresso is ready to go within 30 seconds. This is much quicker than the typical wait of 30 minutes single boiler machines need to reach temperature.
Another important feature is the "impressive" dosing and tamping system that communicates with the tamper in order to adjust the correct amount of ground coffee per shot. This system uses an integrated sensor to gauge the depth of the basket and adjusts the amount of ground coffee dispersed. If you're feeling less certain about your ability to manually control the grind size, water temperature, and dosing, the machine offers a variety of presets to aid you.
In addition, the Barista Express Impress includes the famous single-hole steam wand, which can create some stunning artworks of latte, too. The same wand can find in Breville's sophisticated, premium Barista Express models, and it works a treat.
I'm not a huge fan of coffee shortcuts, fully-automatic machines or pods. However, the Impress does exactly what it claims to do without being intimidating or taking the fun from making 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 are devoted to quality design, style and convenience. Its sleek design, professional-grade components, and consistent performance make it a striking addition to your coffee area. It's also a good option for those who are new to the coffee industry and want to understand the ins and outs of steaming and espresso without getting overwhelmed by the programming and complexity.
One of the most impressive aspects of this machine is the brew boiler that is controlled by PID, which ensures rapid warm-up time and a steady temperature. This is important, especially for espresso, because even tiny variations in temperature of the water can impact the taste and quality.
The Diletta's steaming thermoblock is another unique feature. It lets you steam milk and make espresso at the simultaneously. This can save best budget espresso machine you a lot of time and ensure that your milk is the right consistency. It also helps conserve energy by only consuming power when it's required.
This machine also has a pressure gauge at the group head, which is a nice addition that lets you track the pressure of your extraction in real time. You can adjust the OPV to fine-tune your extraction, which provides you with an option of personalization that's normally reserved for more expensive machines.
Other noteworthy characteristics of the Diletta include its easy-to-clean, side-accessible water tank and its energy-saving mode, which is adjustable in increments of 10 minutes to two hours. The insulated wrap helps reduce heat loss, and its dual temperature control system helps reduce static electricity. This means less waste and lower costs.
Some users have complained about the lengthy repair times and poor durability of this machine. Diletta has also been criticized for its poor customer service and inability to resolve warranty problems.
5. Jura E8
This premium super-automatic espresso machine is equipped with a wide assortment of specially-programmed drinks at the touch of the button. It can also make macchiato, cappuccino and ristretto and flat whites along with tea, hot chocolate, and plain coffee. Its modern brewing technology and stylish color display are just a few of the attributes that set this machine apart from the rest.
The E8 utilizes an Aroma G3 grinder to provide a fast and precise grinding of whole beans. It comes with eight grind settings that may seem a lot when compared to other super automatics that only have 3 or 4. But the fact is, the higher range gives you more control over the size and consistency of your grind, and this is essential to ensure a perfect cup of coffee.
In addition to its powerful burr grinder, the Jura E8 has an intelligent pre-infusion system and a pulse extraction process, both responsible for making a top-quality cup of espresso every time. The PEP process uses short bursts in water to force the coffee through the grinder, allowing full flavor extraction. The result is a cup that is more rich, fuller, and more flavorful than typical instant coffee made by Keurig.
The Jura E8 can make a variety of drinks and it does it extremely well. It makes an excellent, strong espresso and smooth cappuccino. The only real drawback is that it's unable to make an adequate latte, which requires high pressure from steam boilers to produce an extremely thick foam.
This machine isn't as difficult to clean as other super automatics. It will automatically clean itself and descale after each use and it can be programmed to do an additional cleaning once or twice a year. It will also remind you to change the filter every 80 drinks.