The Best Home Espresso Machine Case Study You'll Never Forget
The Best Home Espresso MachineA superautomatic espresso machine is an ideal option for those who don't have barista expertise but is looking to enjoy premium coffee at home. They have features that are automatic and are also digitally-controlled. They also are quick to heat up and don't take up a lot of counter space.
The model is programmable for volumetric dosing and a variable pre-infusion. It also comes with a steam wand and commercial-grade group head.
1. Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus, despite its cute name is a serious machine. It's packed with features that make it a good pick for anyone wanting to move up from the basic Breville espressi machines, or for those who want an automated alternative to manual.
It uses an PID controller that handles the temperature and pressure control, meaning it's ready to brew when you press the button. It uses a technology known as Thermo jet, which lets it heat up in only 3 seconds. This means you can make your coffee faster than other espresso machines at home.
The machine was built with simplicity in mind. There is just one button that controls everything. You can select a single or double shot and also set the brewing time, which is something you have to do manually like other espresso machines of this price range. The brushed stainless finish gives it a classy appearance, and its compact size is ideal for those with a small counter space or a smaller kitchen.
The Bambino Plus also comes with all the accessories you need to start brewing, including the 54mm tamper from a steel and a dose trimmer tool. This is the only machine of its kind that can do this. It shows how Breville intends to make their products as foolproof and reliable as they can. It is equipped with reminders to descale and clean it, ensuring that it runs efficiently.
The Bambino Plus may be the most affordable espresso machine for those new to the world of espresso. It's easy to use, heats up quickly, and then automatically texts milk for you. However, its high cost could make it beyond the reach of some people.
2. De'Longhi Stilosa
The De'Longhi Stilosa manual espresso machine is a well-rounded, budget-friendly option that is ideal for novices and coffee lovers. It's simple to use and looks good on the counter, and produces excellent cappuccinos, espresso, and lattes. There are some disadvantages, which should be considered.
The Stilosa scored below average for its brew control and quality in our metrics for brewing. This was mostly due to its small filter baskets and the absence of temperature control, which both limit your ability to customize the extraction process. We did however like the fact that it takes only a few minutes for the machine to heat up and it has an excellent amount of adjustment in the spout's spout's height.
It also comes with a water tank that can hold up to 34 ounces and includes a built-in level indicator to tell you when it's time to refill. It's also removable which is useful in the event that you want to clean the tank, or when there's no sink close by. Another new feature on this model is a movable drip tray that allows you to place taller cups underneath the spout.
In our steaming metrics, the Stilosa also fell short. This was largely because of its lack of control over steam temperature as well as the absence of a pre-infusion function that are common features on more expensive machines. Despite these shortcomings we did like the fact that it doesn't require much maintenance and is backed by a one-year warranty. For its price and performance the De'Longhi Stilosa makes a great addition to any home coffee bar. It's much easier to use than other models we've tested and will help you save money on cafe drinks.
3. Breville Barista Express Impress
The Breville Barista Express Impress (that's a mouthful I bet!) is a machine designed specifically for people who are interested in espresso. This single boiler, pump-driven machine aims to make it simple for anyone to get a decent shot of espresso without sacrificing flavor or brewing consistency.
Its simple-to-use controls make it easy to adjust the settings of the grinder, tamper, and brew groups. You can also choose between single or double shots and choose the desired temperature. The thermocoil heating feature built-in ensures your espresso will be ready to go in around 30 seconds which is much faster than the half-hour that the majority of single boiler machines require to get to temperature.
Another important feature is the "impressive" dosing and tamping mechanism that works with the tamper to adjust the correct amount of ground coffee per shot. The system utilizes sensors to measure the basket depth and alters how much ground coffee is dispersed. And if you're feeling less confident about your ability to manually control 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, that can create stunning latte art. It's the same wand you will find in Breville's more advanced, high-end Barista Express models, and it's a great tool.
I'm not a fan of coffee shortcuts, fully-automatic machines, or pods. However, the Impress does exactly what it says without being intimidating or taking the fun from making espresso. I'm glad to give it a thumbs-up for that!
4. Diletta Mio
The Diletta Mio makes a great alternative for home baristas who focus on design, quality and user-friendliness. Its sleek design, professional grade components, and consistently high-quality performance make it a stunning addition to your coffee corner. Beginners can also benefit from this machine, because it lets them learn about espresso and steaming without worrying about programming or complexity.
One of the most striking features of this machine is the brew boiler that is this contact form controlled by PID that ensures rapid warming up time and a steady temperature. This is important, especially for espresso because even small variations in temperature of the water can affect the taste and quality.
The separate steaming thermoblock of the Diletta is another thing that stands out. It allows you to steam milk and make espresso at the simultaneously. This can be a significant time-saver, and it helps to ensure that your milk is of the proper texture for your beverages. This saves energy as it only requires energy only when it is required.
This machine also features a pressure gauge on the head of the group. This is a nice touch that lets you track the pressure of your extraction in real time. You can adjust the OPV to fine-tune the extraction, which gives you an option of personalization that's typically reserved for more expensive machines.
Other noteworthy characteristics of the Diletta include its easy-to-clean, accessible water tank on the side and its optional energy saver mode, which can be adjusted in increments of 10 minutes that can last up to two hours. The insulated wrap minimizes heat loss, and its dual-temperature control system reduces static electricity. This means less waste and lower cost.
However, some customers have complained about the longevity of this machine and long repair times. Additionally, some have experienced poor customer service from Diletta and have had trouble solving warranty issues.
5. Jura E8
This high-end super-automatic machine is capable of offering a wide variety of specialty drinks that are made at the push of a single button. It can also make ristrettos, cappuccinos, macchiatos, flat whites and teas along with plain hot chocolate, plain coffee and plain espresso. Its cutting-edge brewing technology and sleek color display are just some of the features that set this machine apart from other machines.
The E8 utilizes an Aroma G3 grinder to provide a fast and precise grinding of whole beans. It also has 8 grind settings, which may seem like a lot compared to other super-automatics which only offer 3 or 4. But the fact is, the higher settings give you greater control over the size and consistency of your grind, and this is crucial for creating a great cup of coffee.
The Jura E8 is equipped with powerful burr grinders and an intelligent pre-infusion process. These two elements are the reason for an espresso that is consistently high quality. The PEP process uses short bursts of water to force the coffee through the grinder, allowing full flavor extraction. The resulting cup is richer, fuller, and more flavorful than your typical instant coffee made by Keurig.
The Jura E8 is designed to create a range of drinks, and it does it very well. It makes an excellent, strong espresso and a silky-smooth cappuccino. The only downside is that it's not able to make a latte. This requires a high pressure steam boiler to produce a thick, foamy the foam.
Like most super automatics, this machine does require a bit of maintenance but is fairly easy to keep clean. It will automatically descale and self-clean after every use. It is easy to program it to do more thorough cleaning at least every two or three times a year. It will also remind you to change the filter every 80 drinks.