Did you know coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world?
Coffee, as we know it today, has become popular in the 17th century. The first café was opened in Venice in 1645. Today, there is a café in every corner, however, many of us prefer to enjoy coffee directly in the comfort of our homes, without any disturbance and surrounded by family or our loved ones.
Beautiful sunny morning, gorgeous air and coffee smell coming straight from your kitchen, an amazing idea, right?
Or a cold winter, flying snowflakes behind the window, and you are wrapped in your warm blanket, enjoying your favorite coffee directly from your couch. Doesn’t it also sound brilliant?
Everyone knows the feeling of how great it is to have a morning espresso, which powers you up and gives you all that energy you need to have before entering the workplace. However, usually, you will not make it to work on time if you stop to get one on the way there.
To be honest, the coffee from the machine at work only very slightly resembles that dreamed out espresso. There is a simple solution; get your own espresso machine.
Best Espresso Machines 2018
It is so easy these days, they are available for everybody. Some of you might be worried about the price, however, there are many types of machines on the market which are available at reasonable prices so even college students can afford them.
Other people might get a feeling that you need to pass some barista training to be able to use all of the buttons and levers on the machine, nonetheless, also in this case, there are many products which work simpler than a toaster.
So you should not hesitate.
- Huge milk reservoir
- Multiple features
- Affordable price
- Short life expectancy
- Lower quality espresso
- Easy cleaning
- High quality espresso
- Integrated grinder
- Only semi-automatic
- Special cappuccino system
- Fully automatic
- Intuitive control
- You have to use higher quality coffee beans
- Fully automatic
- Modern design
- Sensors issues
- A bit messy cleaning process
- Design
- Reasonable price
- Easy cleaning process
- Uses capsule
- Quality of espresso is not so good
- High quality materials
- Great aroma espresso
- Long life expectancy
- Semi-automatic
- Not so easy to use
- Price
- Design
- LCD Screen
- Patented thermoblock system
- Noisy
- Extra cheap
- Quality of materials and coffee is not good
- Temperature is not stable
1. Mr. Coffee ECMP1000
Mr. Coffee ECMP1000 is an espresso and coffee machine that has a unique design and great functions and features. With this machine you will prepare an espresso during just a couple of minutes. Moreover, thanks to the huge milk reservoir you can make delicious cappuccinos or other milk containing coffee beverages.
The Mr. Coffee ECMP1000 package includes a single shot filter, double shot filter, measuring scoop, tamper, and coffee recipes. Thanks to these recipes you will be able to prepare amazing coffee drinks for you and your friends such as cafe mocha or espresso martini.
First problems as breaking parts, or significantly lower quality of coffee or decreasing quantity of coffee getting from the machine to the cup, might appear just after about six-month usage of the product.
Features
Product Dimensions: 12 x 14 x 12.2 inches
Product Weight: 9 pounds
15-bar high-pressure pump
- Makes shots of espresso automatically
- Steaming of milk
- All in one system, the machine makes several kinds of coffee drinks
- Refrigerating milk reservoir can be used as a place for storage
- Easy preparation, everything is based on the pressing of one button
- The quality of espresso is not very high
- It may get clogged in cases you are using finely ground coffee
- The life expectancy is not really long
2. Breville BES870BSXL – Best Professional Espresso Machine
Breville BES870BSXL is a professional coffee machine which offers fresh, great and very high-quality espressos. The additional functions and components such as integrated conical burr grinder and half-pound bean hopper, filter size button, tamper, espresso pressure gauge and many others guarantee that the satisfaction with this machine is 100 %.
Moreover, extra accessories which come in the package will be helpful in case you are preparing other types of coffee beverages. The results are amazing and this product can be reviewed as the best large size home espresso machine available.
Features
Product Dimensions: 13.2 x 12.5 x 15.8 inches
Product Weight: 23 pounds
15-bar high-pressure pump
- Has qualities and features of a professional espresso machine
- Unique stainless-steel design
- High quality and great taste of espresso
- Easy cleaning thanks to the Clean me light
- Integrated conical burr grinder and half-pound bean hopper
- Temperature system control
- As it is not fully automatic machine you will need some time to learn how it exactly works
- If some of the parts get broken it is hard to find a replacement and if so it is very costly
3. DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica – My personal choice
With this coffee maker, you can easily prepare your favorite coffee: espresso or espresso lungo for one or two cups. For each coffee, you can select the intensity and the size by using the rotary button.
You can adjust the coffee size and save it in the coffee maker’s memory. In case you like to enjoy a creamy cappuccino, this coffee machine has a unique cappuccino system, which will help you to create not only a cappuccino but also other favorite coffee drinks of yours such as a regular latte or latte macchiato.
Features
Product Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 14 inches
Product Weight: 27.7 pounds
15-bar high-pressure pump
- Delicious taste of espresso
- Integrated burr grinder
- Easy to be used, you just need to choose the type, size, temperature and strength of your coffee
- Easy cleaning
- Cup tray keeps the coffee warm before you drink it
- Special cappuccino system
- Removable water container
- Issues, such as not working steaming function or the burr grinder working too slowly or making too much noise, might appear after several months of machine usage
- Oily coffee damages the burr grinder
4. Gaggia Brera – Best Automatic Home Espresso Machine
Modern design, technology, and additional functions are the strengths of this espresso maker. The steam and hot water nozzle are made of stainless steel and can prepare milk drinks or hot water for tea.
Simple controls and easy-to-read icons are a great help when you are learning how this machine works and how to prepare coffee with it. The cleaning system works almost with no pause.
The size of the machine also suits smaller kitchens. This Italian miracle is really perfect for beginners, as it is fully automatic and has great opportunities to improve your barista knowledge.
Features
Product Dimensions: 10 x 15.5 x 11.5 inches
Product Weight: 18 pounds
15-bar high-pressure pump
- Traditional espresso machine design
- Makes great coffee drinks
- The foam for cappuccinos and lattes is perfect thanks to the Pannarello Steam Wand
- Helpful display which indicates the chosen process
- Two smaller cups can be filled at the same time
- Stainless Steel Front Panel
- Hopper and Bypass Dozer
- Lower quality of espresso shots
- After you turn the machine on, you need to prepare an extra cup before the preparation as the water comes right after the start of the machine
- Problems with sensors. The machine might turn on and off automatically by itself or start other functions with no previous “commands” from you
- Lacks control of the steam quantity during the foam formation
5. Nespresso Inissia C40 – Best Capsule Espresso Machine under 150 bucks
Espresso Inissia allows you to make coffee using only capsules that contain the finest Grand Cru coffee. Thanks to the capsule system, the coffee is completely protected from air and thus it guarantees the freshness of the ground coffee.
The large variety of coffees you can make with this machine goes up to 23 types. You can choose the type of coffee, intensity, and size of the cup. Once the start button is pressed it will take only about 25 seconds until the water reaches the ideal temperature.
Preparation of up to 9 coffees without any refill of water is possible. Thanks to the beautiful design, DeLonghi Nespresso Inissia can be the perfect kitchen complement as there is a possibility of several color variants.
Except for the machine, the package includes 16 welcome capsules. According to the customer reviews, this product is one of the most popular coffee machines on the market and the best espresso machine under 200 dollars.
Features
Product Dimensions: 12.6 x 4.7 x 9 inches
Item Weight: 5.3 pounds
19-bar high-pressure pump
- Highest variety of capsules on the market
- A Class energy rating, this espresso machine high energy savings
- Easy and very fast preparation since there is no warming phase for the machine
- Almost no cleaning is necessary due to the capsule system and the removable water container
- Reasonable price
- Nespresso coffee capsules only
- It might happen that sometimes the water stays in capsule instead of being poured into the cup, so that means wasting of capsule
- Holder is too small for mugs so it might happen that the coffee splashes all over
6. Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine – Best Italian Espresso maker
Rancilio Silvia is just one model of a home coffee machine from the brand Rancilio. Silvia model manufacturing was based on the quality and experience of the professional coffee makers industry. So even at your home, you have the opportunity to take advantage of these benefits.
The large boiler allows preparing various coffee beverages. The body of the coffee maker is made of metal and is coated with massive stainless steel covers to maintain a long service life. Silvia is equipped with passive cup warmers and a hot water supply to prepare an extended espresso or other drinks such as tea or chocolate.
Great position of steam nozzle makes the foaming of milk much comfortable and easier.
Features
Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 11.4 x 13.3 inches
Product Weight: 30.8 pounds
10-bar high-pressure pump
- High quality and great aroma espresso shots
- Metalhead and lever, brass boiler, no plastic materials
- The best one in its class on the market
- Long life expectancy
- Easy operation
- Harder preparation of coffee, not good for people who do not have any experiences with espresso machines
- Smaller size of water reservoir
7. KRUPS EA8250 Espresseria – Best design
French designed Krups EA8250 Espresseria can be used by coffee beginners as well as by professional baristas. KrupsEA8250, as other Krups coffee makers, is equipped with a unique, hydraulic compression system by which the coffee is being compressed and this function ensures the most intense enjoyment of full coffee flavor and aroma.
It has the option of automatic cleaning. This coffee machine also adjusts the water temperature and its volume according to the selected beverage. According to the many satisfied customers, this one is one of the best automatic espresso machines.
Features
Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8 x 12.5 inches
ProductWeight: 10.4 pounds
15-bar high-pressure pump
- LCD screen which helps with usage also for people who have their first espresso maker
- Totally automatic and fast preparation
- Patented thermoblock system
- Metal conical grinder
- It’s “communicative”, draws attention to all that is necessary to do
- No worries with cleaning as you can only set the automatic program or manually select the rinsing chamber rinse
- Noisy
- Milk frothing accessory tends not to work properly all the time
- Short life expectancy
8. Mr. Coffee ECM160 – Best Budget coffee maker
This machine is perfect for someone who likes both espresso and milk based coffee drinks. With special pour glass carafe, you will be able to prepare 4 shots of espresso. Thanks to the powerful milk frother, the lattes and cappuccinos will have amazing creamy froths and delicious taste.
Recipes and measuring scoop are part of the package. This machine is one of the most affordable coffee machines on the market, moreover, in a matter of low-cost products, it belongs to the favorite ones.
Features
Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.5 x 10.5 inches
Product Weight: 7 pounds
3-bar high-pressure pump
- Easy pour glass carafe
- Makes good coffee drinks
- Easy cleaning and no additional mess thanks to the removable drip catcher which is also washable
- Even the machines small the possibility of double shot is possible
- Weak pump
- Low quality of espresso
- The temperature is not stable
9. DeLonghi EC155
The coffee maker is designed to prepare espresso for every day, moreover, it makes perfect cappuccinos with rich and creamy foam thanks to the perfect mixture of steam, air and milk.
It has a stainless steel boiler for longer service life. Thanks to the start-up preparation system, the coffee maker is ready to be used immediately after the push on the switch button.
Easy cleaning of this product was also important for its manufactures so the drip grille is removable as it makes its maintenance unproblematic.
Features
Product Dimensions: 8 x 11 x 10 inches
Product Weight: 6.7 pounds
15-bar high-pressure pump
- Cappuccino system with Swivel Jet Frother perfectly blended milk, steam and air and thus makes a beautiful fluffy, rich foam
- Easy cleaning
- For every single cup, the machine makes a thick layer of delicious cream
- Poor quality of espresso shots
- Lower quality of components due to the materials
- Poor design
- Problems with leaking of water from the water container or during the steaming procedure
Best Espresso Machines 2018 – Buyer’s guide
As I have already mentioned at the very beginning of this review there are many types of coffee machines on the market. However, not all work on the same basis, and not all of them will make a coffee with the same taste, consistency or smell. So, if you are thinking about buying a new machine, a few recommendations and advice will definitely help you to choose your own one.
Basically, we can say that at home people use one of these three types of coffee machines:
- steam machine
- automatic or semi-automatic coffee machine with grinder
- capsule coffee maker
Steam Coffee Maker
A steam coffee maker is actually just a smaller professional coffee machine adapted to home conditions. It is relatively compact and can produce quality coffee. Even between these kinds of coffee makers, there might be big differences in quality. In addition, you have to be aware of fact that you will have to spend more time with a preparation of the coffee. But it is worth it. There is no better feeling than enjoying your espresso in properly humidified and air-conditioned room.
Good and strong steaming is a sign of a good coffee maker and guarantees the perfect coffee. Higher quality steam machines are heavier, massive, and made of metal. They are easy to be cleaned and thanks to its robustness it keeps the coffee temperature and smoothness longer at the same level.
The price of these machines can be less than 100 dollars, however, it can reach 1000 dollars, too. The difference is not only in the brand but often in the quality of components. So in particular, in the size of the boiler that heats the water, or in the quality of the steam nozzle and the ability to maintain a stable temperature but also design.
Automatic Coffee Machine
Although each automatic coffee machine seems to have something special and extra by which it differs from its competitors, these devices have the majority of the basic features in common. You should notice and pay attention to the quality of a product, the functionality and, last but not least, the design.
Quality, in this case, is judged on the basis of material’s quality, the noisiness of grinder, as well as the duration of coffee preparation and life expectancy of the machine. An automatic coffee maker will, of course, prepare you a coffee. Nonetheless, that’s not everything it can do. Most machines can do more.
They have special features such as milk preparation, foaming and storing, cleaning programs, automatic shutdown, energy saving, custom coffee recipes and much more.
Capsule Coffee Maker
The coffee maker market for capsules is growing rapidly. The advantage of these capsules is based primarily on their easy way of usage. In case you are interested in this type of coffee machine you should bear in mind the availability of the capsules for it. Not every grocery store might sell the refills for your coffee maker.
If you do not want to go to special coffee shops, make sure you buy one which does not need special and hardly get capsules. The availability is actually connected to the compatibility. Every brand of coffee makers produces its own branded capsules, however, for some coffee makers, different coffee companies are providing the capsules which might be much cheaper (in some cases half of the price) and more available.
Make sure that your coffee machine uses capsules that contain high-quality, freshly ground and well-depressed coffee.
