The Best Home Espresso Machine

Superautomatic espresso machines are an excellent alternative for those who do not have barista experience but still want to enjoy high-quality coffee at home. These machines come with electronic features that are automatic and provide convenience. They are quick to heat up and don't take up any counter space.

This model is programmable with a volumetric dose as well an adjustable preinfusion. It comes with a steaming wand and a commercial-grade grouphead.

1. Breville Bambino Plus

Despite its cute name the Bambino Plus is a serious espresso machine. It's packed with features, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to upgrade from the standard Breville espresso machines or wants an alternative that is more automated than a manual.

It has a PID controller to do the heavy lifting of controlling temperature and pressure so that it's ready to brew when you press the button. It also has the technology known as Thermo Jet which allows it to warm up in just 3 seconds, meaning you can enjoy your espresso quicker than 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 choose the brewing time as well, which is something you have to do manually like other espresso machines of this price range. The polished stainless steel finish gives it a premium look, and the small size makes it perfect for anyone with limited countertop space or a tight kitchen.

The Bambino Plus includes everything you require to get started with brewing. It comes with a metal 54mm tamper, as well as a dose trimming tool. It's the only one in this category that does this, and shows that Breville is dedicated to making their products as secure as they can. It also has built-in reminders for descaling and cleaning to ensure that it is running efficiently.

The Bambino Plus may be the most affordable espresso machine for those who are new to the world of espresso. It's simple to use, has a fast heat-up time and does a great job of automatically blending milk for you. However, its price could put it out of reach for a few people.

2. De'Longhi Stilosa

The De'Longhi Stilosa manual espresso machine is an excellent, budget-friendly choice that is ideal for novices and coffee lovers. It's simple to use, looks great on the counter, and can make excellent cappuccinos, espressos, and lattes. It does have some drawbacks that should be considered.

In our brewing metrics The Stilosa scored between average and below average for its brew quality and control. This was due to the small size of the filter baskets, as well as the lack of a temperature control. Both of these factors make it difficult to customize extraction. We were impressed by the fact that this machine can be heated quickly and that the spout is able to be adjusted to an ideal height.

The unit also has an easy-to-fill reservoir that can hold up to 34 ounces. It comes with an inbuilt indicator for the level to let you know when it's time to refill. It's also removable, which is beneficial if you have to clean it or don't have access an indoor sink. The model also comes with an adjustable drip pan that allows you to use taller cups under the spout.

Stilosa was also a disappointment in our steaming measurements. This resulted from its lack of control of the temperature of the steam, and lack of pre-infusion options. Both of these are features that are common in machines that cost much more. Despite these shortcomings we liked that it is easy to maintain and comes with a 1-year warranty. The De'Longhi Stilosa is a great addition to a home coffee bar. It's easier to use than other models we've seen and will help you save money on cafe drinks.

3. Breville Barista Express Impress

The Breville Barista Express Impress (that's a mouthful do you not think?) is a machine designed specifically for espresso-curious beginners. This single pump-driven boiler is designed to make it simple for anyone to make an espresso shot without sacrificing flavor or consistency of the brewing.

Its easy-to-use controls allow you to adjust 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 heating feature built-in ensures your espresso will be ready in less than 30 seconds which is much quicker than the half hour that most traditional single boiler machines require 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 a sensor to measure the basket depth and adjusts the amount of ground coffee that is dispensed. If you're less confident about your ability to control manually the size of the grind, water temperature, and dosing, the machine comes with several presets to aid you.

The Barista Express Impress also comes with the well-known single hole steam wand, which can produce some pretty impressive latte artwork. The same wand will find in Breville's more advanced, top-of-the-line Barista Express models, and it works a treat.

I'm not one who advocates for coffee shortcuts, fully automated machines or even pods however, the Impress does exactly what it's supposed to do without becoming difficult or removing the pleasure of espresso machine coffee making a good shot of espresso. I'm happy to give it a thumbs up for that!

4. Diletta Mio

The Diletta Mio makes a great option for home baristas that focus on design, quality and convenience. Its sleek and modern design, high-end components, and consistently high-quality performance make it an ideal conversation piece for your coffee bar. Beginners will also benefit from this machine, because it lets them learn about steaming and espresso without having to worry about programming or the complexity.

The brew heater controlled by PID is among its most striking features. It provides quick warm-up times and stable temperature water. This is crucial for espresso drinks, as even tiny fluctuations in water temperature can have a significant impact on the flavor and quality of your coffee.

The separate steaming thermoblock of the Diletta is another thing that stands out. It allows you to steam milk and brew espresso at same time. This will save you a lot of time and ensure that your milk is the right texture. This helps conserve energy as it only requires energy only when it is required.

This machine has an indicator of pressure on the head of the group. It's a nice feature, as it allows you to monitor the pressure of your extraction in real time. You can adjust the OPV to fine-tune the extraction, which provides you with the ability to customize your extraction, something that is normally reserved for more expensive machines.

Other notable characteristics of the Diletta include its easy-to-clean, side-accessible water tank and its energy-saving mode, which can be adjusted in 10-minute increments up to two hours. The boiler wrap that is insulated reduces heat loss, and its dual-temperature system minimizes static electricity, which results in less waste and lower energy costs.

However, some customers have reported issues with the longevity of the machine as well as long repair times. Some have also experienced poor customer service from Diletta and have experienced difficulties resolving warranty issues.

5. Jura E8

This top-quality super-automatic espresso machine has a dazzling variety of specially-programmed drinks that you can choose from the click of a button. It also makes ristrettos, cappuccinos, macchiatos, flat whites and teas and plain hot chocolate, plain coffee and plain espresso. This machine is distinguished by its cutting-edge technology for brewing and stylish color display.

The E8 utilizes an Aroma G3 grinder to provide an efficient and precise grind of whole beans. It also comes with 8 grind settings, which could seem like a lot when compared to other super-automatics that provide three or four. But the reality is that the higher settings give you more control over the size and the 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 each time. The PEP process makes use of short bursts of water to force the coffee through the grinder, allowing for full flavor extraction. The resultant cup is richer and fuller as well as more flavorful than your typical instant coffee from a 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 drawback is that it cannot produce the proper latte that really needs the high pressure of steam boilers to make the thick foam.

This machine is not as difficult to clean as other super-automatics. It will automatically self-clean and descale after every use. It can also be easily programmed to do an additional cleaning once or twice per year. It will also remind to change the filter every 80 drinks.