Finding the Best Espresso Machine
By pressing one button, a great espresso machine can create drinks that rival those you can find in cafes. However, finding the best one depends on your needs and level of expertise.
Fully automated machines can handle everything for you. However, stovetop espresso maker are expensive and lack the flexibility to experiment. Manual models let you control the brewing however they are more likely to make errors.
1. Wacaco Picopresso
If you're looking for a compact espresso maker that can create an authentic double shot The Wacaco Picopresso is one of the top choices available. It's not expensive, but it feels high-end and comes with a 2-year warranty. Wacaco's coffee maker is the most professional. This means it's the smallest however it's also the most efficient in making premium espresso.
The Picopresso doesn't rely on electricity and relies on hand pumps to create up to 18 bars of pressure. This is enough for two shots of espresso, with a thick, creamy crema. It's much better than the third-wave cafes. The Picopresso is small enough to fit in the palm of your hands. It also has an authentic leather sleeve to keep it cool when you are making espresso.
It's the smallest of Wacaco's manual espresso machines, yet it feels substantial in your hands. The machine is constructed of a mixture of metal and sturdy parts. All of the accessories are durable as well. It includes a stainless-steel ergonomic tamper, funnel and brush as well as the plastic distribution tool to aid in getting an even puck and ideal extraction pressure.
There aren't any fancy steam wands or milk carafes on this model, however it does include mirrors to observe your bottomless filter extractions in peace. This is a nice addition that is compatible with Picopresso's travel-friendly ethos. Picopresso stands can also be utilized at home to brew.
This allows you to pre-heat the piston and pump hot water through it prior to when you start brewing your espresso. It's a good idea as this ensures that you get the most benefit from your Picopresso by getting all the essential oils from your ground coffee. It's worth pointing out that using the Picopresso is a bit time-consuming, particularly if you follow Wacaco's recommendations for weighting your beans and changing the tamping pressure to get an excellent espresso every time.
2. Rancilio Silvia
The Rancilio Silvia espresso machine is a great option for those looking to learn how to make espresso. This single boiler, semi-automatic espresso machine is known for its reliability and longevity. It is often compared to the Gaggia Classic Pro, and numerous reviewers believe that it produces coffee of the same quality. The stainless steel steam wand and cup tray are stylish design that will complement any kitchen design.
This coffee maker comes with brass boilers capable of reaching the ideal temperature to make espresso. It also comes with a thermostat that prevents the boiler from overheating. The Silvia is also equipped with an insulated steam wand which lets you easily make rich, creamy steam-steamed milk for cappuccinos as well as macchiatos. The brewing unit also features durable materials that are easy-to-clean and maintain.
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an espresso machine is the ease of use. The Silvia comes with a sturdier portafilter and an easy-to-use four-rocker interface which makes it easy to use. It also includes an adjustable water reservoir and drip tray that is easy to clean. This machine also has a built-in feature that turns off the heating element after 30 minutes.
Another feature that sets the Silvia distinct from other espresso machines is its soft infusion function. This feature decreases the pressure applied to the coffee grounds during brewing. This helps to preserve the sensory qualities and quality of the beans. The two settings can be adjusted to suit the type of espresso that you are preparing.
Espresso enthusiasts can upgrade the Silvia to enhance its capabilities. The Silvia comes with a shot-timer as well as an adjustable pressure pump however, it is compatible with many aftermarket accessories including PID controllers.
The Rancilio Silvia is a great espresso machine that is suitable for beginners and experienced baristas too. Its basic design doesn't allow for the customization required by more sophisticated espresso makers, yet it still makes great espresso. It is also a good option for those looking to learn how to hone their barista skills, since it gives them the feedback needed to improve their shots each time.
3. Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus may be an basic machine, but it has many of the features that professional baristas want. It has an efficient steam machine that can make microfoam to be used in lattes. It comes with a stainless-steel milk jug and a Tamper that is of top quality. The Bambino Plus also has a PID controller that maintains the temperature at a constant level so you can achieve consistently good results.
The Bambino Plus is compact. It's among the slimmest single-boiler espresso machines available which makes it ideal for small spaces. It can be heated up in only three seconds, meaning it's ready when you hit the button. This is the same technology that Breville employed in its Oracle line, so you'll get a high-tech espresso machine at a low cost.
The Bambino Plus, like its counterparts, is a machine that's well-made that is easy to operate and clean. It comes in brushed stainless, which gives it a sleek look and feel at a reasonable price. It also includes a tamper, portafilter, as well as a stainless steel milk jug.
This is an excellent price for espresso machines and is a great choice for anyone looking to improve their morning routine while not spending a fortune. It's the cheapest espresso machine that can produce quality espresso at a cafe and steam milk at home. It's also the most simple to clean and use.
Although the Bambino Plus doesn't come with a grinder however, you can use any grinder of espresso quality to use it. It doesn't have an option for preinfusion. However you can easily fix it by running hot water multiple times through the portafilter before taking a shot. You'll also need to flush and descale the boiler periodically to ensure it's functioning properly. If you flush it frequently and follow the guidelines, it shouldn't experience any maintenance issues or scale buildup. If you want to make sure, you can purchase an online descaler.
4. Philips 3200 Series
The Philips 3200 Series comes with many great features. It's a great option for anyone who wants to get started with espresso making but doesn't want to spend an excessive amount of money. The machine is less than half as our second best option, the Gaggia Cadorna Prestige. It can still produce some delicious drinks. However it's not as good as the Cadorna offers a variety of coffee options including 4 user profiles for saving drinks as well as a better grinder, but it's usually in sale, so you may be able to get it at a similar price.
This machine is a great choice for people who frequently enjoy cappuccino and latte but don't require a full range of espresso flavors. It also makes decent iced coffee which is becoming more and more popular in coffee machines for home use. The 3200 has a dedicated brewing feature that uses an lower temperature for iced coffee to ensure that the flavor is not diminished.
The Philips 3200, like other machines in this list can be used with whole and ground beans. It comes with a large hopper for both and is simple to fill. You can alter the grind size according to your preferences. This machine also has an efficient bypass doser that is ideal for those who do not want to make decaf, but still need their caffeine fix.
If you like drinks made from milk If you like milk-based drinks, Philips offers a LatteGo system that can dispense heated or frothed milk in a single step. It is one of the most simple milk frothing machines to use. It can also heat and froth different milks, like soy, almond and the oat.
It's not the most quiet machine out there however it's more peaceful than the other options on this list. It's not as loud as an espresso machine however, it's close to the noise you would hear in a coffee shop. One downside is that it takes time to warm up, however this can be changed by setting the settings on the machine.