Finding the Best Espresso Machine

A top espresso machine can create quality drinks at the push of an button. However, choosing the right machine depends on your needs and level of expertise.

Fully automatic machines handle everything for you, but they're expensive and often lack room for experimentation. Manual models let you control the brewing process, but they are more likely to mess up.

1. Wacaco Picopresso

If you want a portable espresso maker that can create an authentic double shot The Wacaco Picopresso is one of the best choices around. It's not cheap however it is a premium feel and comes with a two-year warranty. Wacaco's coffee maker is the most professional. It's the smallest but also the most efficient in making espresso.

The Picopresso doesn't use electricity and relies on hand pumps to create up to 18 bar of pressure. This is enough to make two shots of espresso that have a thick creamy crema. It's far superior to the third-wave cafes. The device is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, and has a stylish faux leather sleeve to help to keep the Picopresso cooler when you use it for extractions.

It's the most compact of the manual espresso machines, but it feels substantial in the hands. It's a mix of strong plastic and sturdy metal components, and the accessories included feel durable too. The set comes with a stainless steel funnel and tamper that is ergonomic, as well as a plastic distribution device that will ensure you have an even puck.

This model does not include any fancy milk bottles or steam wands, but it includes a mirror to let you observe your bottomless extractions in complete privacy. This is a great feature that fits in with Picopresso’s lifestyle of a more relaxed and comfortable travel. Another option to look at is the Picopresso stand, which can be used for brewing at home, too.

This lets you warm the piston by pumping hot water through it, before you begin brewing espresso. It's a good idea as this ensures that you get the best results from your Picopresso by removing all of the essential oils out of your ground coffee. It is important to remember that making use of the Picopresso is time-consuming. This is particularly true if you follow Wacaco’s recommendations for weighing the beans and adjusting the tamping force to ensure a great espresso every time.

2. Rancilio Silvia

The Rancilio Silvia is a popular choice for anyone looking to get into espresso making. This single boiler semi-automatic espresso machine is well-known for its longevity and durability. It is often compared to the Gaggia Classic Pro, and many reviewers say that it produces coffee with similar quality. The stainless steel cup tray and steam wand feature a sleek design to complement any kitchen design.

The coffee maker features a brass boiler that can reach the ideal temperature to make espresso. The boiler is protected by an adjustable thermostat. The Silvia comes with an insulated steam wand which allows you to create creamy, rich steam-steamed milk for cappuccinos as well as macchiatos. The brewing unit is also made of durable, high-quality materials that are easy to clean and maintain.

The user-friendliness is one of the most important factors to take into consideration when choosing an espresso machine. Silvia is one of the most user-friendly machines. Silvia is designed with an ergonomic portafilter and a simple, four-rocker switch interface that makes it easy to operate. It has an adjustable drip tray and reservoirs of water that are easy to clean. This model also comes with an inbuilt feature that shuts off the heating element after 30 minutes.

The soft infusion feature is another feature that makes the Silvia stand apart from other espresso machines. This feature reduces pressure applied to grounds of the coffee during brewing. This helps to preserve the quality and taste of the beans. It is available in two different settings, and can be altered according to the kind of espresso you're making.

Espresso enthusiasts can upgrade the Silvia to improve its performance. The Silvia comes with a shot timer and a programmable pressure pump however, it is compatible with many aftermarket accessories including PID controllers.

The Rancilio Silvia is a great espresso machine for novices and experienced baristas alike. Its basic design doesn't allow for the customization needed by more sophisticated espresso makers, but it still makes excellent espresso. It's also a great choice for those trying to improve their barista abilities, as it provides the feedback needed to create better shots each time.

3. Breville Bambino Plus

The Bambino Plus may be an entry-level machine but it still offers the features that professional baristas would like. For starters, it has an impressive steam wand which can make microfoam for latte art. It also comes with a top-quality metal tamper and a stainless steel milk jug for making lattes and cappuccinos. The Bambino Plus has a PID temperature control system that ensures the temperature at a constant level for constant results.

The best part is that the Bambino Plus has a compact footprint. It's one of the smallest single boiler espresso machines available that makes it ideal for small spaces. It is ready to heat up in just three seconds, so you can begin using it immediately after the button is hit. This is the same technology that Breville used in its Oracle range, so it's a highly sophisticated espresso machine at this price.

Like its counterparts like its siblings, the Bambino Plus is a well-made espresso machine that is simple to clean and use. It's available in brushed stainless steel, which gives it a premium appearance and feel for an inexpensive model. It also comes with a tamper portafilter, and a stainless milk jug made of stainless steel.

This is a fantastic value for espresso machines, and a great choice for anyone who wants to improve their daily routine without spending a fortune. This is the most affordable espresso maker that produces cafe quality espresso and steamed-milk espresso machine coffee at home. It's also the simplest to operate and easy to clean.

The Bambino Plus does not come with a grinder. However, you can use any grinder with espresso-quality. The only downside is that it doesn't come with a pre-infusion function however, you can fix this by running hot water through the portafilter several times before grabbing the shot. It is also necessary to flush and descale the boiler periodically to ensure it's functioning properly. If you regularly flush it and follow the instructions in the manual, you shouldn't face any problems with scale buildup or other maintenance issues. If you want to make sure, you can buy an inexpensive descaler online.

4. Philips 3200 Series

The Philips 3200 Series comes with many amazing features. It's a great choice for anyone looking to get started with espresso making but doesn't want to spend a lot of money. The machine is less than half the price of our second-best choice that is the Gaggia Cadorna Prestige, and it can still make delicious drinks. However the Cadorna comes with a number of coffee options, including 4 user profiles for saving drinks and a better grinder, but it's also available for sale, so you might be able to locate it for less.

This machine is an excellent choice for those who enjoy cappuccino and latte but don't need a wide variety of espresso flavors. It can also make decent espresso iced and is a feature that is becoming more and more popular among home coffee machines. The 3200 also comes with a brew system that utilizes a lower temperature to brew coffee iced so it won't dilute the flavor.

The Philips 3200, like other machines in this list can be used with whole and ground beans. It comes with a large hopper for both and is easy to fill. You can also adjust the size of the grind to suit your preferences. This machine comes with a bypass doser, which is perfect for those who want to brew caffeine but don't want decaf.

If you like drinks made from milk, the Philips has a LatteGo system which can serve frothed or heated milk automatically. It is one of the most simple milk frothing machines to use. It can also heat and froth non-dairy milks like soy, almond and the oat.

It's not the quietest machine available, but it's a bit more peaceful than the other choices on this list. It's not as loud as an espresso machine but it is comparable to the sound you'd hear in a coffee shop. The only downside is that it takes while to warm up, however this can be changed with the settings on the machine.