Contributors (4)
Contributors (4)
Best espresso machines are able to grind, brew, and create delicious cafe style foam at the push of a single button.
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Nothing beats pulling the perfect shot from an espresso machine for those who are obsessed with crema. The entire process, from preparation to final production, requires patience and time. Or does it? Automatic espresso machines are the secret weapon of baristas at home. They can do almost anything, from grinding beans to pulling shots and even foaming milk! Add your favorite type of coffee bean to create a café-style beverage in just minutes.
“Fully automatic machines, as the term implies, do almost everything for you. Usually all that’s required of the user is adding water and/or beans and pressing a button. Think of these as the Keurig’s of espresso.”
Tom valentine
Director of Quality Assurance/Wholesale at Crema Coffee Roasters
Many machines can make almost any café-style beverage. While many automatic espresso machines may be simple, they are not the only ones. You can even choose your shot size and strength. It’s hard to decide which espresso machine is best with so many options. The Editors of the magazine tested seven espresso machines in order to determine which one was best for each need and budget. Here are their top choices.
The Best of the Overall
Breville Oracle Jet
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The Most Customizable
KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Maker KF8
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Fastest
De’Longhi Rivelia Espresso Machine Fully Automatic
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The Best Beginner’s Guide
Philips Series LatteGo 3200
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The Best Budget
Terra Kaffe Demi
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Best Compact
Jura ENA 8.
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Nicole Doster, Taste of Home
Pros:
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A beautiful and durable build
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Automatic frothing modes
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Save your own custom drinks
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Cold drinks are available
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Gorgeous, useful touchscreen
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Size settings for manual grinders
Cons:
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Prices are high
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Sometimes beans get caught in the hopper
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Setup involved
The Breville Oracle jet can create any drink, whether it’s cold, hot, espresso based, or even just foamed hot milk. The Breville Oracle Jet is a fully automatic espresso maker with countless features. From cold shots to lattes made with one touch, it has options for customization. The machine remembers your custom settings so that you can create the drinks you like at the push of a single button.
The setup took about 30 minutes, and it included installing the firmware and testing water hardness. The touchscreen was what I found most impressive. Nicole Doster, in her review, says that at first, she laughed, but the graphics are comparable to those of my iPad. The step-by-step setup instructions also made it easy. “The interactive diagram allowed me to click on the different components of the machine and watch quick videos to understand their function.”
Nicole Doster, Taste of Home
The machine is capable of making almost any type of coffee, whether you are a barista or an absolute beginner. The machine handles the whole process from the grinding of the beans, to the tamping and pulling the shot. The machine has a variety of options for foaming milk. It does this automatically after the user chooses the drink. This isn’t just any foamed drink–it produces the silky microfoam found in cafes.
Nicole, who has been using her espresso machine for nearly a year, says: “I continue to use it daily (1 to 2 shots). It works great.” I created a drink that was set up to suit my preferences for steam wands. You can choose the icon, name and settings of any drink.
KATIE BANDURSKI/TASTE of HOME
VIA MERCHANT
Pros:
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Incredible intuitive design
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Espresso drinks are available in a wide range of flavours.
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Bottom wheels for ease of movement
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Cleaning cycles that are intuitive
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Included are options of regular milk or plant milk
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Very quiet
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Sturdy construction
Cons:
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Costly
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Accessories (filters, tabs for cleaning, etc.). are pricey
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It takes up a lot of room
Spend a little extra on the KitchenAid to eliminate the guesswork when it comes to making fancy coffee drinks. The KitchenAid KF8 is a do-it all machine that has changed Katie Bandurski, Deputy Editor of the magazine from being a person who only used a manual espresso machine to an automatic espresso machine enthusiast. This home barista can make cafe-style drinks with ease and speed. It has over 40 recipes, plus a variety of customisation options.
Katie’s full review says: “After I had my first latte, it became my mission to test every recipe on the machine.” I enjoyed many coffee house favorites like flat whites and macchiatos. There were also some drinks that I had never tried before, such as an espresso lungo or ristretto.
KATIE BANDURSKI – TASTE of HOME
The KF8 has a huge selection of drinks and is extremely easy to use. The built-in full-color screen displays everything, from cleaning notifications to the drink options. The touchscreen menu allows users to choose many custom options including milk type, strength and the number of ounces they want.
I am happy to report that the KitchenAid kF8 is still performing like a charm after one year of constant use. Katie says that it has become one of our most-used (and favorite) kitchen appliances. One of the features I love about this machine is how it lets you know when and how to clean it. The previous coffeemakers that I owned had hard water stains, and ground stuck to the machine.
Buy Now
Melany Love for Taste of Home
Pros:
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One-touch operation is very simple.
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Custom profiles available
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Easy setup
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Fasten up
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Consistent Results
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Extensive menu featuring many espresso drinks
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Helpful touchscreen
Cons:
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Cold Brew Kit is separate.
One-touch drinks might sound like they’re from a science fiction book. The De’Longhi Rivelia is a machine that delivers the exact same experience for coffee lovers. It’s easy to use and anyone can operate it. It’s also incredibly fast, so it is a superhero for caffeine addicts.
Melany Love, tester of the product in its entirety says: “As you switch it on the screen guides you through the entire process.” It’s much easier for me to follow the instructions on the manual than to have it explain them to you. The carafe is reminded to be cleaned after each use. “As someone who has chronic memory loss, this is a big plus for me.”
Melany Love for Taste of Home
Melany is surprised to find that this espresso machine doesn’t take up nearly the same space as an entire espresso bar. The machine takes up about one-third of the coffee cart, and it fits perfectly from front to back. It’s slim design makes it a great option for those who live in apartments or have limited counter space. De’Longhi’s machine has interchangeable carafes so you can switch between cold and hot drinks within seconds.
Melany says that “that one button will make cappuccinos and espressos as well as cortados, lattes iced, flatwhites, and many other coffee beverages.” You can create a profile to pre-customize drinks. The LatteCrema comes with an attachment that allows you to make hot drinks. You can purchase the LatteCrema Cold Upgrade for cold drinks and cold foam.
Emily Way at Taste of Home
Pros:
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Simple to install and use
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Cheap
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Five drink options, including coffee
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Customizable cups
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Included is a milk frother
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Adjustable spout
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Ground beans or grounds are used.
Cons:
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Small water tanks
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Beans running low? No need to panic
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It’s a little bit of an adjustment to clean and maintain your home.
As someone used to using a manual machine for her shots, I initially skepticism about the Philips 3200. It exceeded all of my expectations, and then some. It’s become my lifeline after three months of use. I have five (!!!) It’s my go-to espresso and coffee maker. This machine is ideal for me because it offers many different options, including espresso, coffees, Americanos, Cappuccinos and Latte Macchiatos. You can select between single or double sizes for the Americano, coffee, and espresso settings.
The machine will automatically froth milk in the removable tank at the front. There are options to choose the strength, volume and amount of milk for each cup. It grinds fresh beans and pours them into the top chamber by default. However, some settings let you choose to use already ground coffee that you can spoon into the special hatch at the top.
Emily Way at Taste of Home
This machine produces a pretty good espresso. The shots have a strong and nice shot, with a good crema. This machine’s coffee is even better than my pour-over! The coffee is dark and strong with a crema on the top. This was used to prepare a coffee for a friend, who has several cups of tea throughout the day. He even commented how delicious it tasted.
It is an impressive machine. It’s not ideal for those with limited counter space, or who live in apartments. However, it makes a great cup of coffee. It’s easy to use once you learn the basic functions. This is perfect for those who don’t wake up in time for their morning jolt.
Mary Henn, Taste of Home
Pros:
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We tried the cheapest option
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Each drink includes freshly ground coffee beans
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Fast and efficient operation
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No too loud
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Customizable settings
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Digital display
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It is not too large on the counter
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The addition of a pour light increases visibility
Cons:
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Regularly empty and clean the waste bin
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Coffee that is not strong
Terra Kaffee Demi makes it easy to make espresso in your home. It’s not necessary to be a professional to make great tasting shots. It’s much cheaper than other options, too, at under $800. Mary Henn was impressed with the compact and sleek design from the start. The machine is easy to use, as it has a power button, water tank, and bean hopper all on one side. On the right, there’s a control dial that allows you to scroll through different settings and drinks.
This single-serving brewing machine is great because it doesn’t use plastic pods. Mary says that you can use any beans and the little gadget on your countertop can produce everything from a simple cup of drip coffee to a double-shot. It’s a coffee maker that can replace any espresso machines and coffee makers.
Mary Henn, Taste of Home
You can choose between espresso, lungo or americano as well as drip coffee, hot water, and Americano. The side knob controls the strength, volume, and number of shots for each cup. You can also adjust the general settings to clean, rinse and descale. Set the display time and sound, or enable automatic wake-up to enter sleep mode.
Mary says, “I used the espresso machine for the first time and made several shots.” Each time I made the espresso it was creamy, rich and delicious. Although I have made drip coffees a few times, I also make espresso every morning. The presets have produced a slightly weaker cup. My favorite coffee is dark and bold. “I think I need to play around with the settings to get the right strength for me.”
Marisa Hills for Taste of Home
Pros:
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Sleek, compact design
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Coffee that is consistently delicious
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Offering rich and creamy foam
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Simple to Use
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Excellent customer service
Cons:
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The cost of cleaning and accessories for machines is high
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Small water tanks
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Repair costs are high when the warranty has expired
Marisa Hillson’s Jura ENA8 is her first fully-automatic espresso maker, and now she won’t be going back to regular coffee makers. Each drink can be customized, so she gets the coffeehouse-style drink at the touch of a single button. Marisa tried an older version of the ENA8, but it has been upgraded and has now a touchscreen and two-cup function, as well as more drink options.
Let’s face the elephant. Marisa says that this machine costs $2,000 and is therefore expensive. If you are a coffee lover like me, you will find it worth the price. It’s been a while since I was in a Starbucks. Although it’s been quite a while, I still remember that my flat white was better than the one I bought. Since then, I’ve never been back.
Marisa says, “I have used both coffee machines with built-in milk frothers and handheld milk frothers. But nothing compares to the foam produced by the Jura.” It is smooth, creamy, and requires nothing more than connecting the milk system to the Jura and pressing a single button. Drinks include espresso, coffee, flat white, cappuccino, latte, and espresso macchiato. Hot water and foamed milk are available as well.
Marisa eventually started receiving an “error system filling”. The customer service representative walked Marisa through some troubleshooting methods, but it was likely a small leak inside her machine. It would cost $350 for her to have it repaired since her machine was out of warranty. She got 4 good years from it.
How to choose an automatic espresso maker
Nicole Doster, Taste of Home
Before switching to an espresso machine, there are some things to consider. Consider the cost first. Prices for automatic espresso machines can range from $300 up to $2,000 or more. A $2,000 machine may make sense to a coffee enthusiast who hosts often or a barista at home, but it might be too expensive for espresso beginners.
The next step is to consider the settings. Some automatic espresso machines only cover espresso. Others offer settings to make milk-based cappuccinos and lattes. Others offer coffee, Americanos or hot water at the push of a single button. Last but not least, consider the size. Even though a large, powerful machine can make excellent drinks, without enough counter space, the machine will not work. Some of these machines are quite big.
What is the best way to find espresso beans? Do not rule out the possibility of using your favourite coffee bean. Sydney Manning, a former barista and tester says that most people believe you have to use espresso beans in order to make an espresso. This is not true. The amount of pressure in the espresso machine is what makes the espresso. This is usually around 30 pounds. You can therefore use regular coffee or espresso beans to make both kinds of brews.
Tom Valentine, wholesale/quality assurance manager at Crema Coffee Roasters says that you should look for user reviews and certificates before buying.
He says that user reviews, certifications from the industry and your personal preferences are important factors to consider when buying an espresso machine. Being certified by the Specialty Coffee Association can be a positive sign. A machine that has received high marks from baristas can also be regarded as a quality product. “Personal reviews from other users are helpful, if not always reliable.”
This expert also says that while budget espresso machines are a great first step for those who have just discovered the art of making coffee, upgrading is advisable.
Tom says that the old saying “you get what your pay for” is particularly true when it comes to espresso machines. A machine $500 less expensive than other machines in the same category will likely be so because of a specific reason. And it is rarely good.
What We found to be the best automatic espresso machines
The team that conducted the research began with the top brands and models. In addition, we considered models that we have or currently use. We then thoroughly tested every top-rated appliance for several weeks using as many settings as we could. Our editors owned Jura, KitchenAid and Breville machines so we could test them for a longer period of time. They’ve been used anywhere between six months and several years.
We took note of any quirks or pain points we encountered during the testing. We brewed dozens of coffees on each machine and paid special attention to settings which would be used daily. Most of these settings were for espresso and coffee. Also, we took note of how each machine performed with specialty drinks – especially ones that included foamed or frothed milk.
We also considered other factors, such as the water tank, its size, and any controls. Even areas not related to the coffee-making process were scored, such as appearance, noise, speed, and included accessories. We’re sure that after all this scrutiny we have found the best automatic espresso machine for both the home barista as well as the casual coffee drinker.
Other Products We Have Tested
- The Jura S8 : After several years, Marisa decided to test the Jura S8 after her Jura ENA8 died. Unfortunately, the machine began to have problems after only a few weeks of usage. She was fortunate to still be covered by warranty, and could work with the customer service team to resolve the issue. We recommend Jura ENA8 if you are deciding between these two machines.
The FAQ
KATIE BANDURSKI – TASTE of HOME
What is a Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine?
Tom Valentine, Wholesale/Quality Assurance manager at Crema Coffee Roasters says that semi-automatic machines do some of the brewing for baristas. Tom Valentine continues to say that this is most common in volumetric machines where the machine stops brewing after it has used a certain amount of water.
He continues, “There are many variations of this category. But the biggest benefit is they provide convenience and still allow the user to control some of the brewing parameter so that they can continuously evaluate and improve the procedure.” Think of them as standard drip coffee machines. “They do most of the work, but require some user input.”
Is it worth buying an automatic espresso machine?
Tom Valentine, Wholesale/Quality Assurance manager at Crema Coffee Roasters, says that automatic machines are perfect for people who enjoy espresso, but don’t care too much about the quality of their brew. They’re also great for new parents who need caffeine quickly and might not have time to do it right.
We Are Trustworthy
Although I am a coffee enthusiast, I do not hold a certification. But I am a coffee expert. You can also find out more about the following: As a coffee enthusiast, I know quite a lot about the brewing process. My experience with the De’Longhi Dedica duo, and my OXO Rapid Brewer for creating concentrates has taught me a great deal about how to make a delicious cup of coffee. Since over 12 years, I have been brewing my own coffees using an Aeropress and French press.
Tom Valentine, Wholesale/Quality Assurance manager at Crema Coffee Roasters, was also interviewed for this article. Tom Valentine provided us with information about the products and what to look out for.