WHO IS A HOME ESPRESSO MACHINE FOR?
For individuals who have developed a preference for high-quality espresso and desire a dependable home setup that combines automated convenience with moderate skill development, our selections are suitable. Those who have gained knowledge about espresso through frequenting specialty coffee shops or reading coffee-related blogs will be able to enhance their skills using the equipment we recommend. Additionally, those who may feel overwhelmed by coffee terminology should also be able to navigate these machines. If you are familiar with the basics of grinding, measuring, and tamping the coffee grounds, you are already practicing the fundamental elements of what baristas refer to as “adjusting your espresso.” More advanced users may begin experimenting with brewing time and boiler temperature, provided their machines offer such adjustments.
No matter how advanced or powerful a specific model may be, it will still take some time to become familiar with its operation. Additional factors, such as the temperature in your kitchen, the freshness of your coffee beans, and your familiarity with different roasting methods, will also affect your results. Creating excellent drinks at home requires patience and self-control, and it’s important to be aware of this before making a purchase. However, by reading the instructions and carefully evaluating the quality of your shots, you can rapidly become adept at using any of our recommended machines.
There exist three various types of machines (excluding capsule-based machines, such as Nespresso, which merely imitate espresso), which offer varying levels of control over this process.
- Manual espresso machines require you to create the pressure with your own force by pulling on a lever (this is why it’s called “pulling a shot”). Inadequate pressure results in uneven extraction, which is why manual models are the hardest to control of all the styles. Since they’re tricky to master and also uncommon, we decided not to test them.
- Semiautomatic machines use a pump to create the right amount of pressure. Most skilled baristas prefer semiautomatic models because the consistent pressure and boiler temperature allow them to settle on a grind setting, so they can make drink after drink on a busy morning without stopping to adjust. We stuck to testing semiautomatic machines in the interest of recommending models that enable you to learn without too much arduous trial and error.
- Super-automatic machines (also called fully automatic), like those made by Jura, do everything for you: measure and grind the beans, pull the shot, and froth the milk. But they don’t offer much room for experimentation, and they’re often quite pricey. So even though they’re convenient, super-automatic models aren’t the best choice if you’re actually interested in learning how to make good espresso, rather than just drinking it.
SINGLE BOILER & DUAL BOILER VS MANUAL
When many inexperienced home baristas realize that the grinder costs nearly the same as the espresso maker, they are often surprised.
First-time buyers are increasingly opting to invest in a high-quality espresso grinder and a manual espresso machine (such as the Flair) as a cost-saving measure.
If you are interested in learning the art of being a barista, these espresso makers offer various benefits and are generally more affordable when compared to comparable electric espresso machines.
If your intention is to prepare milk-based drinks as well, it would be more suitable to choose a dual or single boiler machine.
THE BEST ESPRESSO MACHINES OF 2023
1: BREVILLE THE BAMBINO PLUS
For those who are both new to the world of making coffee and are on a tight budget, The Bambino Plus from Breville (known as Sage in Europe) is the ideal choice as my top recommendation.
Despite its innocent and vanilla appearance, the Bambino Plus is a thoughtfully designed machine with extensive focus on functionality and features.
When compared to its traditional Italian counterparts, which have remained largely unchanged for decades, it’s significantly simpler to use and more dependable right from the start.
The machine is equipped with an inbuilt PID thermometer, preinfusion, and brews at an appropriate pressure of 9 bars, unlike 15 bars which is excessive.
The PID feature guarantees the correct temperature for pulling shots or steaming, which proves to be quite useful in daily life. It eliminates the need for temperature surfing, a requirement for all Italian single-boilers, so it should not be taken lightly.
Also worth highlighting is preinfusion, a feature typically found only on much pricier machines.
There are presets available for both a single shot and a double. You can program it according to your preference, such as using presets for a lungo and a double if desired.
The steam wand of the Breville Bambino Plus is unexpectedly powerful. Additionally, it has an automated steaming feature.
The primary disadvantage of the Bambino is its inclusion of only a pressurized basket. Therefore, to maximize the machine’s potential, one must acquire a “true” espresso basket. Nevertheless, the cost of a single-wall basket is inexpensive, so it should not act as a significant deterrent.
Please note that when the device is purchased under the name Sage, it comes with a single wall basket included.
With proper practice for a few hours, this machine offers great value for money, allowing you to create delicious espresso and lattes.
2: DELONGHI STILOSA
Many people consider it a classic and it is often the initial experience for many with espresso. An entry-level model, no longer in production, was one of the first machines I ever owned.
The espresso is able to heat rapidly, resulting in a flavorful taste and producing authentic crema. The steam wand, while not top-tier, is still functional.
The Stilosa is particularly appealing in Europe and Asia.
The steam wand included with it has one hole. In the United States, it is designed as a panarello style. In the European Union and Asia, a genuine, non-pressurized espresso basket is also provided as a standard feature.
For those in the US, purchasing a 51 mm portafilter and opting for a high-quality basket like an IMS is a simple and beneficial choice. By doing so, you can achieve a coffee quality that is similar to what you would find in a café. I have personally brewed excellent shots using this equipment.
The Delonghi Stilosa may appear simple at first glance, but it offers more than what initially meets the eye. While its design may not be extravagant, it captures a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of the 90s.
If there is no solenoid valve, the pressure will stay inside. It is important to wait before removing the portafilter to avoid the potentially messy “portafilter sneeze”. Nonetheless, the absence of pressure release can be advantageous for individuals who are experimenting with preinfusion and decreasing pressure patterns.
It might be challenging to achieve latte art using the pannarello steam wand, but it can be removed.
The Delonghi Stilosa is a great choice for beginners or those who want to experience genuine, non-pressurized espresso brewing.
3: GAGGIA CLASSIC PRO
The Gaggia Classic Pro is highly favored among beginners who are looking to venture into espresso machines.
The machine is durable, small in size, and made in Italy, and it also includes a genuine commercial-sized portafilter. In numerous aspects, it is comparable to its longstanding competitor, the Rancilio Silvia.
In my opinion, the Gaggia Classic is a more appealing choice now that it has undergone a redesign, and it is also more cost-effective than the Miss Silvia.
The Gaggia Classic went through a redesign, bringing several improvements while still maintaining an appealing price. The addition of new color options, a superior steam wand, and an enhanced solenoid valve were well received.
This device is renowned for its ability to produce excellent espresso shots, but it also necessitates some modification if you desire optimal outcomes.
A number of users often find themselves making adjustments to the OPV to achieve a pressure of 9 bars, while some users additionally choose to install a PID thermometer for improved temperature stability.
4: ASCASO DREAM PID
The Ascaso Dream PID is a compact and elegant machine that can consistently produce professional-level espresso drinks. If you have some knowledge about espresso and want a machine that is easy to program and provides a hands-on experience, then the Dream PID is the right choice. We found that the espresso made by this machine was remarkably flavorful and complex, surpassing any other machine tested. The quality remained consistent across multiple test rounds, unless intentional changes were made to the settings. With some effort in learning how to use the steam wand, you can achieve the desired milk texture for creamy and flavorful lattes. It is worth noting that there are no automatic settings for the steam wand. This is the first machine that we recommend with a price tag over $1,000, but we believe it is justified. The Ascaso Dream PID is a joy to use and consistently produces superior espresso compared to other machines in its category.