Finding the Best Espresso Machine
By pressing one button, an espresso machine can make drinks that rival those you can find in cafes. But finding the right one is contingent on your needs and level of expertise.
Fully automated machines take care of everything for you, but they're expensive and often lack room for experimentation. Manual models let you control the brewing, but they're more likely to make mistakes.
1. Wacaco Picopresso
If you're looking for a portable espresso maker that can make the perfect double shot The Wacaco Picopresso is one of the top choices available. It's not cheap, but it feels high-end and comes with a 2 year warranty. It's also among the most advanced of the Wacaco coffee makers. It's the smallest, but the most efficient in making espresso.
Picopresso does not use electricity, but instead relies on a hand-pump to create pressure of up to 18 bar. This is more than enough to extract an espresso double shot with thick crema, and it's far superior to what you can expect from the majority of third-wave cafes. The device is small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, and has a stylish faux leather sleeve to help to keep the Picopresso cooler when you use it to extract your coffee.
It's the most compact of the manual espresso machines, yet it feels substantial in your hands. It's made of strong plastic and sturdy metal parts, and all the accessories that come with it are also durable. This includes a tamper that is ergonomically made of stainless-steel funnel, brush and funnel and an instrument for distribution made of plastic to aid in achieving an even puck and the ideal extraction pressure.
This model doesn't include any fancy milk bottles or steam wands, however it does come with a mirror to allow you to monitor your bottomless extractions in privacy. It's a nice feature and is in line with the Picopresso's traveling friendly philosophy. Another option to think about is the Picopresso stand that can be used to make brewing at home too.
This lets you pre-heat the piston and pump hot water through it before you start brewing your espresso. This is a good practice since it ensures that you get the most out of your Picopresso because all the essential oils are extracted from the ground coffee. It is important to remember that making use of the Picopresso is time-consuming. This is especially relevant if you follow Wacaco's guidelines for weighing the beans and adjusting tamping force to ensure you get a great espresso every time.
2. Rancilio Silvia
The Rancilio Silvia espresso machine is the ideal choice for those who want to learn how to make espresso. This single boiler semi-automatic espresso maker is renowned for its durability and longevity. Many reviewers compare it to the Gaggia Classic Pro and claim that the coffee is of similar quality. The stainless cup tray and steam wand offer a stylish design that can be incorporated into any kitchen design.
This coffee maker comes with brass boilers capable of achieving the ideal temperature for brewing espresso. It also has a thermostat that prevents the boiler from overheating. The Silvia comes with an insulated steam wand which allows you to create creamy, rich steamed milk for cappuccinos and macchiatos. The brewing unit is also made of robust materials that are easy to clean and maintain.
The user-friendliness is among the most important things to think about when choosing an espresso machine. espresso maker for home is one of the most user-friendly machines. Silvia is built with a streamlined portafilter as well as a simple, four-rocker switch interface that makes it simple to operate. It also includes an adjustable water reservoir and drip tray that is easy to clean. This machine also has an inbuilt feature that shuts off the heating element after 30 minutes.
The soft infusion feature is a further feature that makes the Silvia stand out from other espresso machines. This feature decreases the amount of pressure that is applied to the ground coffee during brewing, helping to preserve and enhance the sensory qualities of the beans. The two settings can be adjusted to suit the type of espresso you are preparing.
Espresso enthusiasts can upgrade the Silvia to enhance its capabilities. The Silvia does not come with an automatic shot timer or adjustable pump pressure, but it can be paired with a range of aftermarket accessories such as PID controllers.
The Rancilio Silvia is a great espresso machine for beginners and experienced baristas alike. Its simple design doesn't allow for the customization required by more sophisticated espresso makers, but it still makes great espresso. It's a great option for those who are seeking to improve their barista abilities because it gives the feedback needed to ensure better shots every time.
3. Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus is an entry-level machine, but it still has many of the features that professional baristas need. For starters, it has an impressive steam wand which can make microfoam for lattes that are latte art. It comes with a stainless steel milk jug and a tamper of high quality. The Bambino Plus has a PID temperature controller that keeps a constant temperature for consistent results.
The Bambino Plus is compact. It's one of the slimmest single-boiler espresso machines on the market which makes it ideal for small areas. It can be heated up in only three seconds, which means it's ready to go as soon as you hit the button. This is the same technology that Breville used for its Oracle line, which means you'll get a top-of-the-line espresso machine for a very low cost.
The Bambino Plus, like its siblings is a well-made machine that is simple to use and clean. It comes in brushed stainless that gives it a sleek appearance and feel, all at an affordable price. It also includes a tamper, portafilter, as well as a stainless milk jug made of stainless steel.
This is among the most affordable espresso machines available for sale and is a great option for those looking to enhance their morning routine without breaking the bank. This is the cheapest espresso maker that can make high-quality espresso and steam-milk at home. It's also the simplest to use, and is easy to clean.
Although the Bambino Plus doesn't come with a grinder but you can use any espresso-quality grinder to use it. The only issue is that it does not have the ability to pre-infuse but you can fix this by running hot water through the portafilter several times before brewing the shot. It's also important to flush and descale the boiler on a regular basis to keep it working smoothly. If you flush it on a regular basis and follow the guidelines you're given, you shouldn't have any issues with maintenance or buildup. If you want to be extra certain, you can purchase an inexpensive descaler on the internet.
4. Philips 3200 Series
The Philips 3200 Series is a excellent super-automatic espresso machine with a lot of great features. This is a great option to start learning how to make espresso, but don't have much cash to spend. The machine is less than half the price of our next choice, the Gaggia Cadorna Prestige, and it can still make some delicious drinks. However the Cadorna comes with a number of coffee options, including four user profiles for saving drinks as well as a better grinder, but it's also in sale, so you might be able to locate it at a similar price.
This machine is a great option for those who love cappuccino and latte, but don't need a wide range of espresso flavors. It can also make decent Iced Espresso this is a feature that is becoming increasingly popular among coffee machines for home use. The 3200 features a specific making feature that utilizes the lower temperature for iced coffee in order to keep the flavor from being diluted.
The Philips 3200, like other machines in this list can be used with ground and whole beans. It comes with a large hopper for both and is simple to fill. You can adjust the grind size according to your preferences. This machine has a bypass doser, which is ideal for people who want to make coffee but do not want decaf.
If you like drinks made from milk The Philips has a LatteGo system that can serve heated or frothed milk in a single step. It is one of the most simple milk frothing machines to use. It is also able to heat and froth other milks, like almond, soy and Oat.
It's not the quietest machine however it's more quiet than some of the other choices on this list. It's not nearly as loud as a professional espresso machine but is comparable to what you might hear in the local coffee shop. The only downside is that it takes a time to warm up, however this can be changed by setting the settings on the machine.