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 have automatic features and are digitally convenient. They are quick to heat up and don't take up any counter space.
This model features programmable volumetric dosing and an adjustable pre-infusion. It comes with steaming wand as well as a commercial-grade grouphead.
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 automated alternative to manual.
It is equipped with a PID controller that does the hard work of temperature and pressure control so that it's ready to drink the moment you press the button. It also makes use of the technology known as Thermo Jet, which lets it heat up in only 3 seconds, which means you can make your espresso quicker than other espresso machines for home use (which take between 10 and 30 minutes to warm up).
The machine was created with simplicity in mind. There is only one button that controls everything. You can select a single or double shot as well as choose the brewing time that you have to do manually with other espresso machines of this price range. The brushed stainless steel finish gives it a luxurious look, and its compact dimensions make it ideal for anyone with little space for countertops or a small kitchen.
The Bambino Plus includes everything you need to get started with brewing. This includes a metal 54mm tamper and a dose trimming tool. It's the only machine in this category that does this, and it demonstrates that Breville is committed to making their products as reliable as possible. It also has built-in reminders to clean and descale to ensure it runs smoothly.
The Bambino Plus may be the best entry-level espresso machine for those who are new to the world of espresso. It's easy to use and has a quick heat-up time and does a decent job of automatically texturing milk for you. However, its high cost could make it beyond the reach of some people.
2. De'Longhi Stilosa
The De'Longhi Stilosa manual espresso machine is an excellent, budget-friendly choice that's ideal for beginners and coffee enthusiasts. It's simple to use and looks great on the counter and makes excellent espresso, cappuccinos, and lattes. However, it has a few drawbacks that should be considered.
In our metrics for brewing The Stilosa scored between average and below average for its quality of brewing and control. This was mostly due to its small filter baskets and lack of temperature control, both of which restrict your ability to modify the extraction process. We liked that this machine is quick to heat up and that the spout is able to be adjusted to a suitable height.
The unit also has a convenient water reservoir that can hold up to 34 ounces. It has an integrated indicator for level that lets you know when to refill. It's removable, which can be useful if you need to clean it or don't have access an indoor sink. This model also has a drip pan that is removable, which allows you to use taller cups under the spout.
Stilosa was also a disappointment in our steaming measurements. This was due to its limited control of the temperature of steam and the absence of pre-infusion features. Both of these are features that are common in machines that cost more. Despite its flaws we were pleased to see its ease of maintain and comes with a 1-year warranty. The De'Longhi Stilosa is a great addition to your home coffee bar. It's a bit easier to use than some other models we've tried 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 boiler, pump-driven machine hopes to make it easy for anyone to get a decent espresso without sacrificing flavor or consistency.
First of all, it takes the guesswork out of adjusting the grinder, tamper, and brew group settings using its simple-to-use controls. You can choose between single and double shots, as well as your preferred temperature. The built-in thermocoil heater 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 require to get to temperature.
Another feature that is important is the "impressive" dosing and tamping system that communicates with the tamper to adjust the proper amount of ground coffee per shot. This system makes use of an integrated sensor to gauge the depth of the basket, and adjusts amount of ground coffee that is dispensed. If you're not sure of your ability to regulate the size of the grind and water temperature manually the machine has presets that can be helpful.
Finally, the Barista Express Impress includes the famous single-hole steam wand, which can produce some impressive artworks of latte, too. This is the same wand that you'll find in Breville's premium Barista Express machines, and it works great.
I'm not a big 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 an excellent espresso. I'm pleased with it and give it a thumbs up!
4. Diletta Mio
The Diletta Mio makes a great alternative for home baristas who focus on design, quality and ease of usage. Its sleek design, professional-grade components and constant performance make it a conversation piece in your coffee bar. Beginners will also benefit from this machine because it lets them learn about steaming and espresso without worrying about programming or the complexity.
One of the most striking features of this machine is the brew boiler that is controlled by PID, which ensures quick warm up times and stable water temperature. This is especially important for espresso, as small fluctuations in water temperature can have a huge impact on the flavor and quality of your coffee.
The separate steaming thermoblock of the Diletta is another feature that stands out. It lets you steam milk and brew espresso at same time. This will save you a lot of time and ensure that your milk has the right consistency. This saves energy as it only requires energy when it is needed.
This machine comes with a pressure gauge on the head of the group. It's a nice touch that allows you to monitor the pressure of your extraction in real time. You can adjust the OPV to fine-tune your extraction, which provides you with the ability to customize your extraction, something that is typically reserved for more expensive machines.
Other notable features of the Diletta include its easy-to-clean accessible water tank on the side and its optional energy saver mode, which can be adjusted in 10-minute increments up to two hours. Its insulated boiler wrap further reduces heat loss, and its dual-temperature technology reduces static electricity, which means less waste and lower energy costs.
However, some customers have complained about the longevity of this machine and long repair times. Some have also experienced poor customer service from Diletta and have had difficulty solving warranty issues.
5. Jura E8
This premium super-automatic espresso machine comes with a dizzying variety of specially-programmed drinks that can be accessed by pressing one button. It can also make ristretto, cappuccino, macchiato, and flat whites, along with tea, hot chocolate and plain coffee. This machine is distinguished by its cutting-edge technology for brewing and stylish display in color.
The E8 makes use of an Aroma G3 grinder that provides an efficient and precise grind of whole beans. It also has 8 grind settings, which could seem like a lot compared to other super-automatics that offer 3 or 4. But the reality is that the higher setting 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 and an intelligent pre-infusion procedure. These two components are the reason for an espresso that is consistently of high-quality. The PEP process makes use of short bursts in water to force the coffee through the grinder, allowing index for full flavor extraction. The result is a cup that is more rich and fuller, as well as more flavorful than the average instant coffee made by Keurig.
The Jura E8 can make a variety of drinks, and it does this very well. It produces excellent, strong espresso and a smooth and silky cappuccino. The only issue is that it's not able to make the latte. This requires a high pressure steam boiler to make an extremely thick, foamy foam.
Like many super automated machines that are available, this one requires some attention, however, it is quite easy to keep clean. It will automatically descale and self-clean after every use. You can easily program it to do an additional thorough cleaning every two or three times a year. It will remind you to change the filter after every 80 drinks.