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Espresso Machines

Best Espresso Machines

Scott Wilkerson

August 17, 2020

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Best Espresso Machines: The Models You Need To Get Your Hands On

The method of brewing espresso is an art form, but why spend money at a coffee shop when you can make great espresso in the comfort of your home? With the right coffee machine, you can live out your barista dreams and get the perfect pull every time. Keep reading to find the 10 best espresso machines on the market!

Our Top 3 Picks

There are tons of espresso machines out there that can help you brew each espresso shot like a true coffee master. The problem is that picking the right one can take days (or weeks) of research. But don’t worry, if you aren’t sure about which espresso makers to buy, just check out our top three recommendations:

• The Best Espresso Machine (10/10)

  
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• The Most Affordable Espresso Machine (9/10)

  
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• The Most Reliable Espresso Machine (8/10)

  
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Espresso Machines 101

Nothing wakes the senses like a shot of hot espresso first thing in the morning! If you’re a legit coffee lover, then owning a home espresso machine is a must-have so you can enjoy your coffee drinks for half the price and effort. Since the latest innovations have made it possible to match the quality of professional cafes, you can spend more time learning about the ins and outs of your favorite refreshments. On average, a decent espresso maker can cost anywhere between $100 to over $1000, and we’re here to demystify the differences between them all.

Image	Model	Type	Grinder	Price
	Breville BES890XL Oracle	Fully-Automatic	Conical burr grinder	Check Price
	De’Longhi EC155	Semi-Automatic	Conical burr grinder	Check Price
	Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista	Semi-Automatic	Ceramic Disc grinder	Check Price
	Breville BES870XL	Semi-Automatic	Conical burr grinder	Check Price
	Philips SAECO HD8917/48	Super-Automatic	Conical burr grinder	Check Price
	Gaggia Anima Prestige R18762	Super-Automatic	Ceramic burr grinder	Check Price
	De’Longhi ESAM3300	Super-Automatic	Conical burr grinder	Check Price
	Philips 3200 Series	Fully Automatic	Ceramic grinder	Check Price
	Cuisinart EM-100	Manual	Conical burr grinder	Check Price
	Nespresso Essenza	Semi-Automatic	Conical burr grinder	Check Price

Types Of Espresso Machines

There’s a different type of espresso maker to suit every lifestyle, and it’s all about choosing one that works best for you. Whether you enjoy old school gear or the latest technology, you’ll never run out of options to choose from. Here are the four types of espresso machines for every kind of coffee enthusiast out there:

• Manual Machine – This takes expert experience with manually grinding beans, tamping, and steaming milk, so it’s ideal for more seasoned coffee connoisseurs.
• Semi-Automatic Machine – If you’re moderately experienced, you can get the best of both worlds! These have automated functions built into the machine along with manual components.
• Fully Automatic Machine – This is perfect for newbies or people on-the-go – just customize your preferences and you can leave it to do its thing!
• Super Automatic Machine – Similar to fully automatic machines, this is for people who want ultimate convenience. It includes added custom features on top of doing all the hard work for you, including cleaning itself so you don’t have to!

The Parts Of An Espresso Machine

Before we jump into the details of each machine, let’s talk about the essential components of espresso machines:

• Grinder – Not all machines have built-in grinders for coffee beans, but those that do allow for custom settings from fine to coarse.
• Water reservoir – Espresso machines use tons of water, so make sure to replenish the water tank when it runs out. If your machine has a big capacity, just fill the water tank up daily.
• Pump – This sucks the water from the reservoir and into the heating system of the machine.
• Single/double boiler or heat exchanger – Depending on the boiler type, they heat the water, the steam wand, or both.
• Portafilter – This detachable part holds the filter for your ground coffee and water to pass through.
• Drip tray – Collects excess water, spillage, and needs to be drained at the end of each day.

The 10 Best Espresso Machines

From lattes and cappuccinos to macchiatos and americanos, the possibilities are endless when it comes to using espresso machines! Every year, companies push the envelope to give us better features and settings, but which ones are the best of the best? We’ve got an impressive line up to satisfy your inner coffee junkie! Whether you’re looking for something easy to use or more challenging, we guarantee that these espresso machines are sure to deliver.

1. Breville Oracle Espresso Machine Model: BES980XL

If you want maximum precision every time, you need to upgrade to the new and improved version of the classic Breville Barista Express. This Australian brand is at the top of its game with its machines’ super automatic features, easy to use functionality, and digital controls. The Oracle is also quite playful – it flashes you a smiley face signal to show you if you’re steaming at the right temp. Hands down, this is the most convenient product you’ll ever find, and we guarantee you’ll love it as much as we do!

• Best Features: Stainless steel, conical burr grinder, programmable milk texture and temperature

2. De’Longhi EC155 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker

The world renowned brand gives you access to authentic Italian coffee at a great bargain! Don’t let its size fool you – this manual espresso machine packs enough of a punch to rival other more automated options on the market. It also comes with a 3-in-1 filter holder so you can choose between brewing one or two shots. What makes this one stand out is its double wall filters that make your espresso extra creamy and dreamy!

• Best Features: Stainless steel, swivel jet milk frother, self-priming capabilities, cup warmer

3. Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista

Making espresso for your favorite coffee drinks has never been easier! With the push of a button, you can make anything as if it were off the menu by adding your own syrup and milk ratio per drink. Just fill up the milk and water reservoir, pick the size you want, and let it handle the rest. As a bonus, it’s got a compact build that makes it easy to move around in the kitchen if needed.

• Best Features: Comes in silver or red, automatic milk frother, adjustable cup tray

4. Breville BES870XL The Barista Express

This has been number one on many ‘best espresso machine’ lists all over the web, but it still holds up against our top three recommendations. For starters, it’s got a cheaper price compared to the new Breville Oracle without compromising on value and performance. It also has a separate water dispenser for making an Americano and hot tea. The best part? You can choose to toggle between manual or automatic operations depending on your skills and mood!

• Best Features: Comes in stainless steel, black, or red, built-in conical burr grinder

5. Philips SAECO HD8857/47 Exprellia EVO

This is one of the best fully automatic espresso machines out there, and it’s got loads of special features for something so small. It comes with a milk carafe, a removable brewing cup, and control over how strong your espresso shots. Some of its unique features are its crema adjuster which allows you to add less or more depending on your preference and it’s got a milk foam controller. This machine specializes in custom froth for a rich brew every single time!

• Features: Stainless steel, ceramic grinder, crema adjustment knob

6. Gaggia R18762 Anima Prestige

This super automatic espresso machine is sturdy and easy to use with its simple interface and intuitive controls. It has six buttons and an auto-frothing function for milk along with programmable brewing so you can adjust how strong your shots are. A very useful feature is how it can save you money on your electricity bill when it’s on standby mode!

• Features:Stainless steel, ceramic burr grinder, low-energy standby mode, pre-infusion feature

7. De’Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica

Integrated with a patented cappuccino frother, direct-to-brew systems, thermoblock technology, this machine has all its rights reserved to give you the coffee you deserve! While these terms may sound complicated, they’re used to make your life much easier. It creates a delicate froth every time – just place a pitcher of milk under the steam wand and watch it work like magic.

• Best Features: Conical burr grinder, cup warmer, adjustable coffee spout, decalcification indicator

8. Philips 3200 Series

The first thing you’ll notice about this fully automatic machine is its sleek and modern design along with light-up buttons during usage. Though it does have a learning curve for most first-timers, it gradually gets better the more you get used to it. The machine lets you make four delicious drinks that you can tweak to your liking, and it produces silky smooth results with minimal effort.

• Best Features: Ceramic grinder, touch controls, adjustable aroma, volume, and strength controls, classic milk frother

9.Cuisinart EM-100

Though not as popular as other brands on this list, this is one of those machines you can get a reasonable price! Since it’s pretty small, this is ideal for a single user who doesn’t have to make a lot of cups in a day. You can make your drinks hot or iced, and the low cost makes it an attractive option for people who want a straightforward machine.

• Best Features: Stainless steel, warming tray

10. Nespresso Essenza By De’Longhi EN85BAE

Last but not least, we’re looking at a tiny machine that uses coffee capsules for drinks of any size. This is a newer version of the Nespresso Inissia, and it comes with improved performance along with its patented Aeroccino 3 milk frother. To get you started, each purchase is bundled with a complimentary welcome gift of capsules with a range of awesome flavors!