Espresso has powerful charms that can hook you like no other coffee beverage, but making it at home can be a tall order. If you don't do your homework, you could end up with an awful appliance that slings terrible drinks. Many coffee makers billed as domestic espresso machines aren't really espresso machines, but we can help you avoid this problem and buy a home espresso machine that produces superb shots.
The best home espresso machines have an advanced brewing process and handy bells and whistles such as a double portafilter basket for double-shot drinks or a milk frother and steam wand for a cappuccino or latte. A good automatic espresso machine doesn't come cheap though, and you can expect to pay at least $500 for something that whips up legit cafe-caliber espresso drinks (or an espresso shot, if that's your thing). But when in doubt, try to remember how much you'll be saving on all the cappuccinos, lattes and double shots from the coffee shop.
Espresso coffee is uniquely powerful and flavorful. It's the ultimate test for home brewers.
Lynn La/CNETYou can also drop as little as $100, if you're willing to settle for a mediocre espresso, but I urge you not to pounce on products that cost less, especially if you plan on drinking espresso regularly. Seemingly affordable espresso machines may look like a bargain at first blush, but they're often a waste of money and counter space.
For those on a budget, "espresso brewers" (in the $30 to $50 price range) typically lack motorized pumps and are powered by steam pressure alone. What they produce is really moka pot coffee, the sort of drink made by simple stovetop brewers; it won't taste quite like the espresso you're used to from the barista at your local coffee shop or cafe. That's not inherently bad -- it's just not really espresso.
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To find the best espresso machine for espresso lovers, I spent over 80 hours putting 10 available espresso machines through their paces. I limited my testing to manual espresso machines, not the ones that make espresso from a coffee pod or capsule (after all, is espresso from an espresso pod really espresso?). I also revisited three other espresso machines I reviewed previously. During the process, I made and sampled scores of espresso shots, double shots, lattes, cappuccinos and pitchers of steamed milk and milk froth. Basically, if it was a coffee drink, I made it. I also took into account things like water reservoir and storage, water filter, control panel, grinding capabilities and automatic milk frother length (and its ability to steam and froth milk).
After my experience, these are the three I'd pick as the best home espresso machines. While they all get the job done and offer the essential features you need -- like a steam milk frother, drip tray, substantial water reservoir and easy-to-clean stainless-steel base -- the key differentiating factor between them is the price. And how much you spend on an espresso machine does have a major impact on what type of coffee you'll ultimately get.
I limited this list to automatic machines and semiautomatic espresso machines. I excluded any "super automatic" espresso machine options, as sold by Krups, Philips, Miele and others. Those models are a breed apart, costing many times more ($2,000 to $3,000). I update this list periodically, and you'll find my testing methodology below.
Still with me? Keep going -- delicious espresso will soon be yours!
You can't beat the Breville Barista Express and its combination of performance, features and price. For under $700, the machine's formidable grinder pulverizes espresso beans and smart technology doses grounds directly into its portafilter basket, plus its sturdy frother steams milk well and makes thick foam. It also consistently pulled the best-tasting shots of espresso in my test group. So while it's not exactly a cheap espresso machine, you're getting a lot for the price.
The control panel may be a little intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of things, a delicious shot (or double shot) of espresso, latte or other coffee-based drink of choice will be your reward. Made from stainless steel, the Barista Express is a cinch to clean as well. And to seal the deal, Breville includes premium metal tools such as a handy dose trimmer and tamper.
I will note, though, that this machine is not small. If counter space is at a premium in your kitchen, you may want to look at the next machine on the list instead. Read more.
For those who crave great espresso at home but are nervous about getting the technique down, the Breville Bambino Plus is the perfect choice. It's dead simple to use and to keep clean, and it's compact in size -- and I found it pulled delicious shots of espresso second only to Breville's Barista Express. I especially appreciate how easy it is to froth milk with the Bambino. Just insert the steam wand into the Bambino's stainless-steel milk pitcher (included), then press one button. Less than a minute later, you'll have expertly steamed milk foam ready for lattes and cappuccinos.
While it lacks its own coffee grinder, the Cuisinart EM-100 has plenty going for it when it comes to making an espresso, cappuccino or latte. This budget espresso machine has a compact design but is powerful enough to brew from a fine coffee grind. It also pulls flavorful espresso shots of good quality and strength. The machine features a long stainless-steel frother for steaming milk and a built-in cup warmer heating element too. A solid espresso machine at about a third of the price of the Breville.
How we test espresso machines
My evaluation process for home espresso machines is similar to how I test standard drip coffee makers. First, I hand-wash and dry all removable parts and accessories. For most espresso products, that includes the filter basket, metal portafilter inserts, water tank and so on. Next, I run one brewing cycle with just hot water to flush away any residual material from manufacturing.
Most espresso machines, save for fancy superautomatic models, lack an integrated coffee grinder, and I prefer to test with freshly ground coffee, not preground coffee. So I supply my own grinder: the Breville Smart Grinder Pro. I chose this conical burr grinder for two reasons. First, it's calibrated more for espresso than for drip or other brewing styles. That means it produces a grind that's quite fine. Second, its grind size is consistently uniform. Both factors are critical for a proper espresso brewing process.
To pull shots, I start with the suggested method outlined in a given machine's product manual. Usually that covers the amount of coffee grounds expected per shot, along with any guidelines regarding coarseness level. Likewise, I follow tamping instructions (light, medium or hard tamp) if the manual provides them.
Whenever possible, I brew double shots of espresso for all my test runs. I make sure to record the weight of the grounds I use, plus the weight of espresso for each shot I pull. This data, along with readings from a portable refractometer, allows me to calculate two important percentages: total dissolved solids and extraction percentage.
Just as for any coffee brew, the ideal extraction percentage for espresso is a range between 18% and 22%. This yields a balanced cup, assuming you perform an even and efficient extraction of coffee compounds from your grounds (both flavor and caffeine).
Not many home espresso machines can brew quality shots. This one was pulled from the Breville Barista Express.
Tyler Lizenby/CNETIf you overextract, you run the risk of leaching out unpleasant flavors (bitterness) after the good. On the opposite end of the scale, underextracted brews tend to have undeveloped flavors. Lacking sugars and other caramelized organic chemicals, these shots will taste sour, weak and watery.
Unlike a cup of drip coffee, espresso should be concentrated. While excellent drip typically has a TDS percentage of 1.3% or 1.4%, great espresso has a much higher percentage. The Breville Barista Express, for example, produced shots with TDS percentages as high as 12.4%.
The shots I pulled were balanced, with an extraction of 18.6%. The test beans I use are the same variety I employ for standard coffee makers -- Costco Kirkland Colombian. It's a medium dark roast, suitable for brewing espresso as well.
Many espresso machines have steaming wands for frothing milk. The Breville Bambino makes steaming milk especially easy.
Brian Bennett/CNETLastly, I try my hand at frothing milk with each coffee machine equipped with a steam wand. I record the overall experience with the steam wand, whether the process is a snap, a tricky chore or somewhere in between.
You can use steamed milk to create cafe-style espresso drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
Brian Bennett/CNETWant more options for your cup of coffee? Check out this list of espresso machines I've tested in addition to the ones above.
More coffee advice from CNET and Chowhound
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