With the pandemic causing many people to stay at home, there has been a significant increase in the popularity of home espresso machines. These machines allow individuals to enjoy the essential combination of freshly roasted coffee and steamed milk that is commonly found in European and American café culture and helps people start their days energetically.
What are the different types of espresso machines?
The machines we have tested here, as well as those available at major retailers, can mostly be categorized as either semi-automatic espresso makers or super-automatic espresso makers. These electronic machines utilize motor-driven pumps to brew espresso. However, the main differences occur before brewing. While not all semi-automatic machines possess the same features – some have built-in grinders, integrated pressure gauges, or the ability to adjust temperature precisely – all of them require users to fill a portafilter and tamp the coffee grounds into a puck. Additionally, on a semi-automatic machine, users need to insert the portafilter into the group head, which is where water comes out of the machine.
Super-automatic espresso machines take care of all the necessary actions on your behalf. By simply pressing a button, the machine will handle grinding, tamping, brewing, and even frothing milk, without any additional effort required from you. Although they are unquestionably more user-friendly, super-automatic machines typically lack the customization options that semi-automatic machines offer for obtaining precisely the desired flavors in an espresso shot.
De’Longhi Stilosa
Priced at just under $100, the De’Longhi Stilosa is the ideal choice for those seeking authentic espresso beverages at home without breaking the bank. Despite being a competent machine, achieving optimal outcomes requires some skill and experience. It is crucial to finely grind the coffee beans (a quality grinder is essential for all espresso machines) and ensure proper tamping for best results.
Despite our extensive espresso experience, we had to discard around twelve shots as we familiarized ourselves with the Stilosa. The machine rapidly heats up and is ready to use within approximately one minute, although it is necessary to prime the pump and circulate water through the system before extracting the initial shot. However, after becoming accustomed to the machine, we were able to effortlessly produce enjoyable shots. While the quality of the drinks did not match those provided by our higher-end suggestions such as the Bambino Plus or Gaggia Classic, it must be emphasized that this product offers good value for money.
To create frothed milk, you will require an additional 15 to 20 seconds to switch to steam mode. It performs well for simple milk beverages, but it is not capable of producing microfoam of latte art quality.
The Stilosa is suitable for individuals who only drink espresso occasionally or have it in the morning. However, it is not as durable as pricier machines due to its plastic construction. In the long run, it is unlikely to withstand wear and tear, and replacing or repairing the pump might not be worthwhile, especially considering that vibratory pumps can wear out within a couple of years when used frequently.
The Stilosa utilizes a nonstandard dual-wall pressurized portafilter to enable the use of preground or coarse-ground coffee. However, it can be challenging and messy to tamp and clean up with the lightweight, plastic tamper provided. Therefore, it is advisable to use a straight-edged tool like the flat end of a knife to level it. The supplied plastic tamper is not sturdy and can be difficult to use for compressing the coffee puck.
If you are on a tight budget or simply considering the idea of making espresso at home, the Stilosa is a practical choice that can produce excellent coffee, although it may not have long-lasting durability. Alternatively, if you cannot locate the Stilosa, the Capresso EC is a highly comparable machine in terms of both construction quality and performance.
Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus, which is Breville’s entry-level compact espresso machine, makes a great option for beginners who desire top-notch espresso beverages without having to practice or guess. Its rapid startup, automated features, and durable construction contribute to its appeal. In comparison to other machines in the same price range that possess a similar build quality, the Bambino Plus provides a higher degree of digital control and convenience.
The Bambino Plus includes many of the features found in Breville’s pricier and larger machines, allowing you to have extensive control over your shots. What’s most noteworthy is its “ThermoJet” thermocoil which heats up within three seconds, enabling you to rapidly prepare a shot once you switch it on. Conversely, numerous traditional espresso machines require 10 minutes or even longer to reach the desired temperature.
The temperature accuracy is maintained by a built-in PID control system, and you have the option to select and program the shot temperature and timing settings. Furthermore, the process is fully automated, requiring only the push of a button for the machine to pull the shot based on pre-established settings. All machine operations are carried out digitally through the illuminated buttons on the front panel; there isn’t even a separate power switch.
Using the appropriate coffee grind, we discovered that this machine is capable of producing an espresso shot with a better-than-average quality and a satisfactory crema when utilizing the provided non-pressurized baskets. The built-in milk frother, which has a wand that can be adjusted vertically, functions effectively for creating lattes and cappuccinos, and it also includes a setting for dispensing hot water, making it suitable for tea preparation. Nonetheless, during the duration we had the machine, we encountered difficulties in achieving the truly superior microfoam quality that the company claims in its literature.
The reservoir of the machine is of a reasonable size and can be easily removed. However, if the machine is placed against the kitchen wall, it needs to be rotated in order to access the reservoir. The machine comes with a 54mm tamper that is not calibrated or standard, but it can be replaced for around $35. Additionally, there are alternative tamper options available from third-party manufacturers. The drip tray is easily removable and can be cleaned without much difficulty. However, it is small in size and can overflow easily, which is a common characteristic of compact models. Therefore, it is recommended to remove and clean the drip tray after every couple of shots. It is also important to note that in order to achieve optimal performance, it is advisable to use a decent grinder to achieve the proper powder-level grind.
The Bambino has a stylish appearance and comes in various finishes to complement your kitchen decor. However, unlike the Gaggia Classic, which can be easily serviced or upgraded at home using common tools, the Bambino from Breville is not as user-serviceable.
In the event of any issues with the machine, it has been our experience that Breville’s customer service is excellent and easy to work with. Additionally, extended warranties are available for the Bambino Plus, and Breville can either offer a repair or exchange on a refurbished model at a significant discount.
The Bambino Plus and the Gaggia Classic have a similar price, but they are quite distinct machines. The Gaggia Classic, which has a classic appearance and manual controls, is ideal for individuals who want to pursue espresso as a hobby. On the other hand, the Breville Bambino Plus features a thermocoil design for rapid heating and digital convenience. It is designed for individuals who are not interested in developing barista skills but simply desire hassle-free and delicious espresso drinks – and it successfully delivers that.
Solis Barista Perfetta Plus
The flashy Breville Barista Express Impress was our top pick for much of 2022. However, after using it consistently for over six months, we encountered an issue with the built-in grinder. It would jam with lighter roasted coffee beans. This discovery prompted us to reassess our recommendation. As a result, we are now placing the Solis Barista Perfetta Plus back on top. Solis, the Swiss brand responsible for the popular entry-level burr grinder, the Scala, has created an espresso maker that strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and customizability. The espresso shots pulled from the Solis were excellent and on par with those produced by the semi-automatic Breville Machines—the Infuser, the Barista Express, and the Barista Express Impress. These shots had a nicely extracted profile, complete with a striped layer of crema on top. When it came to milk-based drinks, the steam wand on the Solis was powerful and capable of producing fantastic flat whites. Additionally, the machine includes a hot water dispenser for Americanos. It manages to provide all of this in a compact package, measuring barely over seven inches wide. This feature is incredibly beneficial in a category filled with large and space-consuming machines.
The machine is solidly built and not easily moved. It has an adaptive PID controller which functions like a precise thermostat for maintaining water temperature. This feature is necessary for a good semi-automatic machine. There is also a pressure gauge at the front for immediate feedback on shot extraction. Additionally, it allows the user to select from three different brew temperatures and program both pre-infusion and brew time manually. Lastly, the Solis is a relatively affordable option compared to machines with similar features, currently priced around $300 rather than $400.
Diletta Mio
The term “prosumer” is commonly used to describe high-end home espresso machines, although it can also apply to other elite-level kitchen gear like Vitamix blenders. These machines are often smaller versions of commercial counterparts and attract passionate coffee enthusiasts. However, based on our testing, we believe that there are not significant variations in coffee quality among high-end espresso machines. Therefore, when selecting a machine at this level, design considerations, both in terms of aesthetics and functionality, become more important. In this regard, the Diletta espresso machine stood out as the most intelligent choice.
Instead of using switches and dials, this machine utilizes buttons for all of its functions. This not only provides a sleeker appearance, but also enhances the user experience of the steam wand. The steam wand can be toggled on or off instantly, eliminating the need to manually open and close a valve. In addition, the steam wand is connected to its own heating circuit, allowing for independent control. It is advisable to keep the steam wand off when consuming espresso shots in order to conserve energy. The separate circuitry of the steam wand enables immediate usage without the wait time required for the machine to transition from brew mode to steam mode, which was necessary with the Breville.
The Diletta features a digital PID that can be easily adjusted through simple button presses. This PID controller precisely controls the water temperature during brewing. Additionally, the machine has an adjustable eco mode, which puts it to sleep after a set amount of time to save energy without completely shutting it off. This significantly reduces the usually long heat-up time on high-quality espresso machines. According to the temperature gauge, the Diletta heated up within a few minutes. However, we followed the advice of one of the designers and waited at least 10 minutes for the temperature to stabilize.
The pressure gauge provided consistent readings of 8–10 bars for brewing and the portafilter felt substantial when held (note that high-end machines typically use a 58-mm portafilter, while cheaper machines use a 54-mm one. Therefore, if you upgrade, you will need a different tamper). Overall, the Diletta was an aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-use machine that seemed worthwhile for the price.