Best Espresso Machine [UPDATED]

What is the best espresso machine? Here are some of the most recommended espresso makers. Each have their own pros and cons so it ultimately comes down to what the best espresso machine for your needs would be!

Choosing The Perfect Coffee Machine

As the craze for high-quality fresh coffee brew increases, companies have come up with state-of-the-art espresso machines to quench the thirst of caffeine lovers.

However, researching the best home espresso machine to find the one that best suits your needs can easily become complicated. If your particular drink is espresso, here is a look at the factors you should consider when searching for a suitable automatic espresso machine.

What to look for when buying an espresso machine

Everyone has different wants and needs when it comes to a kitchen appliance as sophisticated as the espresso machine. Our budgets and kitchen space are different too. This makes it important to buy an espresso machine that best matches your wants and needs.

Think about the following aspects of a machine before purchasing one.

1. Performance & ease of use

Even if most manufacturers include a user manual to help the buyer understand how their specific appliance is used, some instructions can be complicated to understand and implement. Especially for beginners who may not expect the slight learning curve and practice needed to make a great espresso.

Do not go for a complicated machine unless you buy from a vendor who can demonstrate how the equipment is used before purchasing. Or at the least have very adequate manuals. Luckily all the machines we review here won't leave you hanging!

There are automated and semi-automatic machines that do not require a lot of hands-on prepping, user control and so forth. They are programmable such that the user needs to only set a few functions to get the same espresso drink every time.

Also, when considering an espresso machine's performance, it is helpful to think about other features of the machine that could affect ease of use. For instance, does it come with an built-in grinder, frother (steam wand), water reservoir with water filter? If a machine lacks these, it means you will do additional work to get the flavor and quality of beverage you are after.

If you are a "double shot" kind of person that loves strong coffee drinks, make sure the machine you are getting can do that without you having the wait 5 minutes in between shots.

2. Ease of maintenance & cleaning

Even with a machine that is easy to use, you need to think about its care. If you’ll have difficulties cleaning it, chances are after some time, you will endure dirty, ugly equipment for the rest of its lifetime unless you part with some money for professional care.

Also, some coffee remains may collect inside it and interfere with its function or mar the taste of the brew you get from the coffee maker. Find out about the cleaning process so that you can assess if it’s something you’ll be happy to carry out as needed.

3. Types of espresso drinks it can brew 

There are different kinds of good espresso drinks one can brew at home. These include cappuccino, Americano, espresso shot, latte, and macchiato. The basic drink is the espresso shot, the rest are preferences based on it. 

If you want to experiment with the various options, you should consider equipment that is versatile enough to produce them.

4. Design & durability

Machines can also add to the aesthetic appeal of your home. This makes it useful to consider how the appliance is designed. Fortunately, there are numerous classic and modern stylish designs of espresso coffee makers that improve the appearance of any kitchen.

Whichever you choose, make sure it is designed with sturdy materials meant to last a long time. Some brands come with a warranty or money-back guarantee. This can boost your confidence that you are getting a durable machine worthy your money.

5. Cost

People have different purchasing abilities depending on their financial status. Thankfully, the models of coffee makers on the market today are varied, some with high prices and others low. This caters for people with different budgets. Of importance is to avoid compromising on quality features for a cheaper deal.

The price will depend on the quality of materials used, features, and technology or ease of use. If an espresso maker is designed to last a long time, you are likely to pay more for it compared to the price of one that is made of low-quality materials.

Also, intelligent machines are likely to be more expensive than manual ones. Extra features such as a water filter, hot water dispensing capability, frother and so forth will increase the price of a machine too.

6. Size

There are huge espresso makers in the market today. You cannot opt for such if you have a tiny kitchen with limited counter space. That’s why there are also small designs that can fit in almost every kitchen effortlessly.

Also, some designs are actually miniature allowing you to carry the machine wherever you go so you won’t miss the thrill of a home-made high-quality espresso drink anytime anywhere.

Different styles of espresso machines

When you set out to look for an espresso machine, you will come across three broad categories. These include the bean-to-cup, capsule, and manual espresso machine. Here is a look at the key differences between each style.

• Bean-to-cup espresso machines

If you love fresh coffee from freshly ground beans, this is the kind of machine you should consider. It is designed to grind the coffee beans before brewing it and pouring into your cup.

Simply put, all you need is properly roasted beans in the bean hopper and the built-in coffee grinder (burr grinder) grinds it into just the right grind size before the brewing process begins. This ensures optimal consistency in every brew.

• Capsule machines

Capsule machines have been designed to offer a fresh cup of coffee fast and without a mess. The coffee is prepared from fresh grounds of high-quality coffee enclosed in a capsule-like packaging. The machine will give one cup at a time. If you love good coffee but do not have time refill the beans regularly (or cleaning after), this is your go-to choice.

Capsules are, however, an expensive alternative to freshly roasted beans.

• Manual espresso machine

In case you have seen what many coffee shops use, then you have an idea what a manual espresso machine looks like.

The machine can come with a single boiler or double boiler. Dual boilers can be expensive but enable you to brew your coffee and froth milk at the same time.

It may require some level of manual work to get these kinds of machines ready for brewing, but they allow you the control you need to obtain an espresso brew of your choice.

Getting the perfect brew out of such machine may require some skill, practice, and patience. This is because you have to monitor the temperatures to know when to add your ingredients or when to remove the brew, clip the grounds into the group head or tamp the coffee powder.

There will be some cleaning left to do after the entire process as well.

A quick review of the best espresso machines on the market today

Mr. Coffee K-Cup Brewing System with Reusable Grounds Filter, Silver, SC100

Ensure a daily caffeine fix conveniently every morning with this versatile and affordable espresso maker. With a capacity of up to 10 ounces, this Mr. Coffee K-Cup brewing system is affordable for the results it gives.

It is a top pick among home users who wants to save time when serving the family or guests without compromising on the quality of their coffee.

You can choose between ground coffee and K-Cups, yet still keep your brewing space clean and neat by utilizing the removable and washable drip tray.

Its compact design in silver color makes this brewing system a suitable kitchen appliance for any home owner who is sensitive about style.

Capresso 12401 Ultima Pro Programmable Espresso and Cappuccino machine

Enjoy your home coffee brewing experience with this programmable machine. For the same price, the Capresso 12401 Ultima Pro comes with 2 cup and saucers of 3 oz, a stainless steel frothing pitcher, and a handheld milk frother.

It is a heavy-duty design with the outer surfaces accented with stainless steel polish. You can set it to brew one or two cups of espresso using the illuminated programming buttons and icons.

The portafilter is large and self-tamping making brewing of your cappuccino or espresso at home hassle-free.

MiniPresso GR Espresso Maker by Wacaco Company

If you enjoy a quality shot of espresso throughout the day - no matter where you are - this mini espresso machine should top your buying list.

With a stellar rating of 4.5 on Amazon and retailing under $60* at the time of penning this review, its compact, sleek design is a beauty to behold. Furthermore, it weighs 12.8 ounces only and doesn’t require batteries or electricity to operate, yet it produces exceptional results. 

This makes it a perfect companion for your trip, outdoor excursions, or when you are in college, office, hotel room, or even throughout the day at home.

Nespresso Inissia Espresso Maker

From a leading brand in the coffee industry, Nespresso’s Inissia Espresso maker brings you convenience in brewing close-to-traditional quality espresso.

It is lightweight, compact and installed with an ergonomic handle to make your life easier during brewing. Besides, the Inissia capsule coffee maker comes in various colors, including black, white and red, to meet the preferences of different users.

Beware, though, the Nespresso Inissia Espresso maker is designed to work with Nespresso coffee capsules only.

Aside of its enviable qualities are 2 programmable buttons to prepare Espresso or lungo, a dense brewing unit technology, energy efficient and a 24-ounce water tank for a large serving.

Hamilton Beach 40792 Espresso & Cappuccino Maker

At face-value, you might think it’s difficult to operate. On the contrary, it comes with a Slide and Lock filter holder that makes the setup process a breeze.

With this coffee maker, you have the option of using finely ground espresso powder or a pod. Using the selector dial, you can command it to produce steam or espresso.

With 15 bars of pressure, the machine is capable of powerful extraction to give the perfect brew and rich crema. It is of a considerable size and beautifully polished with stainless steel which makes it a suitable addition to your kitchen. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the best espresso machine for your needs requires considering several factors. It's important to think about the machine's performance and ease of use, as well as its maintenance and cleaning requirements.

Additionally, the types of espresso drinks it can brew, design and durability, cost, and size are all important factors to consider. By taking these factors into account, you can find an espresso machine that suits your preferences and budget.

Among the top espresso machines on the market today (reviewed on this page) are the Minipresso GR Hand Held Espresso Maker, Capresso 12401 Ultima PRO, Nespresso Inissia Espresso Maker, and Hamilton Beach 40792 Espresso Maker. Each of these machines has its own unique features and benefits, making them worth considering for your espresso brewing needs.

Frequently Asked Questions