Reviews of the Best Home Espresso Machines — 2019 picks
A home espresso machine makes it possible to enjoy barista-quality coffee or something close to that, and here we are all about helping you choose one with some detailed reviews and buying tips.
Comparison
A nice cup of espresso is always the best way to start or finish the day for most of us.
Sometimes it is also that one midday shot that can help to spice up a rather boring day and cheer us up so that we can get some work done.
And so having a home espresso machine is one of those wise investments that you should make if you are an "espresso lover".
Because there are millions of people across the globe that cannot do without their cup of espresso, you can be certain that there are many home espresso machines in the market as different companies compete for this large market.
While most of these machines can make espressos, the taste and quality of brew that you get will often differ from one brand and type to the other.
So you need to take adequate precautions when shopping to ensure that you do not end up with something substandard that makes bad coffee.
To help you out with this, below we review 5 top quality home espresso machines and also show you how to choose a good one.
Here's our picks
Mr. Coffee Café Barista by Mr. Coffee
Pros
- One touch control panel
- More efficient 15-bar pump system
- 3-in-1 semi-automatic machine
- Easy to use and trouble-free automatic frother
- Easy to fill and removable water/milk reservoirs
- Free recipe book included
Cons
If you love coffee, you should already know about Mr. Coffee products as they are a highly reputable brand.
Their Café Barista is designed for regular individuals that are looking for something convenient and easy to use for making coffee at home.
It is a small capacity espresso machine that uses an efficient 15-bar pump system to produce great tasting espresso.
It is a 3-in-1 machine that will also make some nice cappuccinos and lattes and it uses a convenient one-touch control panel to make it easy to use.
Also, there is an automatic milk frother and both the milk and water reservoirs are removable for easy cleaning and refilling.
This product is a versatile espresso machine that can make various drinks and comes in a great price tag.
For more about Mr. Coffee Café Barista, check out customer reviews on Amazon. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon
Mr. Coffee Auto Dual Shot Espresso Machine by Mr. Coffee
Pros
- 15-bar pump system
- Convenient dual shot brewing
- High-speed thermal block heating system
- Removable and washable drip tray
- Easy refill water reservoir
- Comes with recipes and tamping tool
Cons
It is not necessary to spend a lot of cash to get a machine that can make some good espresso.
A highly affordable one like this one from Mr. Coffee can still make some good brew.
The machine makes both espresso and cappuccino, and it has a powerful 15-bar pump system that will extract a rich and great tasting espresso.
The machine also includes a frothing arm that makes a nice froth for topping up your brews.
And with the high-speed thermal block heating system, you will get quick and barista quality heating and brewing.
Other things like the dual shot brewing capability, removable drip tray and easy fill and removable reservoir also help to make this a great espresso machine.
When shopping on a tight budget but still want a great espresso machine that delivers great tasting brew, this is what you should buy.
You know what’s the most important feature of Mr. Coffee Auto Dual Shot Espresso Machine? One customer wrote details about this on Amazon. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon
SharkNinja Auto-iQ Programmable Coffee Maker by SharkNinja
Pros
- Works with any coffee brand
- Allows for different brew types and sizes
- Intelligent warming plate
- Patented flavor extraction technology
- Built-in frother
- One-touch intelligence technology
Cons
With the capability to make up to 5 different brews and 6 cup sizes, this Shark Ninja coffee maker is one of the most versatile that you can get at that price tag.
And one of its key selling points is the Auto-iQ intelligence that ensures that it will draw just the right amount of water from the reservoir depending on the brew type and size.
Also, the coffee maker has an intelligent warming plate and a glass carafe that will allow you to make enough coffee for several servings.
The patented flavor extraction technology ensures that you get rich and great tasting brews and because this is a pod-free machine, you can use almost any coffee brand.
Conveniently programmable coffee maker that allows you to choose different brew types and sizes.
You know what’s the most important feature of SharkNinja Auto-iQ Programmable Coffee Maker? One customer wrote details about this on Amazon. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon
Gaggi 14101 Semi-Auto Espresso Machine by Gaggia
Pros
- Rugged stainless steel construction
- Convenient and easy-to-use frother
- Brews both single and double shots
- Drip-free operation
- Different portafilter basket styles
Cons
Gaggi 14101 is a well-built entry-level espresso machine designed to not only provide great tasting coffee but also to last a long time.
It has a rugged stainless steel construction that will also look great in your kitchen counter, and it is designed to brew both single and double shot espressos.
There is also a convenient and easy to use frother attachment to give your espressos that nice and creamy topping.
And you can be confident of always getting a drip-free brewing experience thanks to the 3-way solenoid valve.
When you buy this espresso machine, you will also get three portafilter basket styles.
This is a great choice for those that prefer the speed, convenience and great brew quality of a semi-automatic espresso machine.
For more about Gaggi 14101 Semi-Auto Espresso Machine, check out customer reviews on Amazon. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon
DeLonghi Nespresso Original Espresso Machine by DeLonghi
Pros
- Super high-pressure pump system
- Fast and efficient heating
- Auto shuts off to save energy
- Programmable and with one-touch buttons for ease of use
- Smart and convenient design
Cons
DeLonghi makes this espresso machine with a 19-bar high-pressure pump system that ensures that you get great tasting espressos by unlocking all those delicate flavors.
Also, the system heats up fast and efficiently, and in just 25 seconds it should be ready to make some nice coffee.
It will also shut down automatically after 9 minutes to save energy.
This is also an easy to use espresso machine that is programmable and comes with one-touch buttons for convenient and easy control.
With the red indicator light, this is also quite a smart machine as you will not have to guess when to refill the tank and there is also a folding drip tray that allows you to use larger cups.
With up to 19 bars of pressure on the pump, this machine is designed to unlock the most delicate flavors to give you rich and great tasting brews.
For more about DeLonghi Nespresso Original Espresso Machine, check out customer reviews on Amazon. If this is what you're looking, Check current price and Buy Now on Amazon
Key factors when choosing
Unless you are a seasoned barista or are have been using espresso machines all your life, all will look the same to you, and so picking one can be a little confusing.
But besides going for a top brand you should also watch out for the following things to ensure you make a more informed pick.
01. Brew Ability
Even if espresso is your favorite brew, you might not always feel like taking it, and so it is always a good idea to go for a machine that can make other drinks. Also, if you do not live alone, the other
people in the house might prefer other things like lattes, and so you also need to consider this when shopping for an espresso machine.
Luckily most can also make lattes and cappuccinos.
Also, when considering the brewing capability of the machine, also consider the strength of the brew and make sure it is ideal for you.
02. Capacity
How many shots of espresso do you take in the morning or every day? This is an important question to answer when choosing your espresso machine.
The higher the capacity the better as it means you can have all the espresso you need without having to wait for ages.
The water tank size often dictates the capacity of the machine, and so you should always go for something with a relatively larger tank.
03. Ease of Use and Cleaning
No one wants to waste half an hour in the morning trying to figure out how to make some espresso on their new machine.
Hence, before you buy any machine you need to make sure that it is designed to be straightforward to use.
Watch out for things like one-touch control panel and automatic operation as they are an indication that the machine will be easy to use.
Also, consider how easy it is to clean because you will need to do it often to ensure you maintain that great espresso taste.
04. Budget
Espresso machines will come in varying price ranges, and so you need to come up with a budget before you start shopping for one.
You can get simple models for slightly under $100 while the fully automatic and feature-rich ones can retail for upwards of $500.
Hence, you need to decide how much you are willing to spend.
Conclusion
A home espresso machine makes it possible to enjoy rich and great tasting brews without having to go to the coffee shop. And with this guide to help you out, you can easily find the perfect one for your home.
For recommendations, the Mr. Coffee Auto Dual Shot is a good choice when shopping on a budget while Mr. Coffee Café Barista is our best overall model.
See also our picks of the Best Steam espresso machines and Super automatic espresso machines from many great brands.
See also our picks for the Best automatic espresso machines
Learn more and buy now
01 |
Mr. Coffee Café Barista
by Mr. Coffee
|
This product is a versatile espresso machine that can make various drinks and comes in a great price tag. | Buy now on Amazon |
02 |
Mr. Coffee Auto Dual Shot Espresso Machine
by Mr. Coffee
|
When shopping on a tight budget but still want a **great espresso machine** that delivers great tasting brew, this is what you should buy. | Buy now on Amazon |
03 |
SharkNinja Auto-iQ Programmable Coffee Maker
by SharkNinja
|
Conveniently **programmable coffee maker** that allows you to choose different brew types and sizes. | Buy now on Amazon |
04 |
Gaggi 14101 Semi-Auto Espresso Machine
by Gaggia
|
This is a great choice for those that prefer the speed, convenience and great brew quality of **a semi-automatic espresso machine**. | Buy now on Amazon |
05 |
DeLonghi Nespresso Original Espresso Machine
by DeLonghi
|
With up to **19 bars of pressure** on the pump, this machine is designed to unlock the most delicate flavors to give you rich and great tasting brews. | Buy now on Amazon |
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