Best Espresso Machines 2022 | Best Espresso Makers

2022-09-16 19:08:39 By : Mr. Larry Zhang

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Find the espresso maker you’ll like a latte.

An espresso might be the fuel you need for a morning run. And a great espresso machine can help you whip up a silky latte or potent ristretto to get you through the rest of your day.

An espresso maker adds lots of new possibilities to your morning routine. I regularly make chocolate cakes and muffins with espresso, and I crave the steamed eggs from an espresso machine at a local coffee shop.

Here are the seven espresso machines that will bring plenty of good buzz to your breakfast table.

Espresso machines are like exercise bikes: There are no shortages of bells and whistles, so finding the right one for you means knowing what kind of ride you want to take.

Although your budget matters, you should also consider the amount of space you have for an espresso machine (you’ll need about the size of a small toaster oven). Likewise, think about your standard coffee shop order. Are you getting a double shot of espresso or a foamy cappuccino? Lastly, do you prioritize convenience and want coffee quickly, or do you want to geek out with a single origin bag of coffee?

For those of us who need caffeine immediately, automated machines, which can easily run close to $1,000, often take care of everything. Most will grind your beans, measure the amount of coffee you need, froth milk (for lattes and cappuccino), and dispense the espresso drink of your choice at the push of a button.

If you want to find out if you like espresso, manual espresso makers are cheaper and often smaller, great if you’re looking to store them in a cabinet or take them on the road. Bear in mind, the more you use them, you’ll likely want to purchase a coffee grinder and milk frother.

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I have owned nearly every type of coffee machine out of a mix of professional curiosity and a desire to play around with coffee. I took what I know about coffee and balanced that with credible online reviews to find espresso machines that can produce café-worthy drinks on your counter. I also delved into customer reviews and review videos to discover which machines were user-friendly, could fit on most counters, and did a solid job of frothing milk.

It won’t add your name to your cup, but the Breville Barista Touch will do pretty much everything else. With touchscreen controls and a clear set of tutorials, you can make an espresso with exquisite crema or a rich latte as soon as this espresso machine is set up. It’s got a built-in grinder and an automatic milk frother that eliminate a lot of the mistakes that could leave you with bitter or weak coffee. Switch to manual controls, if you feel like taking a turn behind the coffee bar.

Your coffee journey has to start somewhere, and this simple model from De’Longhi with a removable water tank is a good first step. It’s a simple, small machine, which lets you focus on learning how to properly tamp down grounds, pull shots of espresso, and steam milk. Best of all, at this price point, you’ll have some money left to spend on great coffee beans and a grinder.

The Philips 3200 is helpful if you feel like something different from the espresso-based coffee menu every day. Pick the grind (from 12 settings) and strength for a double shot of espresso on Monday before you use the included milk frother (bonus: the container is dishwasher safe) for a latte on Tuesday. Round out the week with a coffee, cappuccino, and Americano, before running the self-cleaning cycle on the weekend. The Philips also lets you know when the grinder bin needs emptying or the water filter should be replaced.

If Goldilocks was an espresso drinker, she’d opt for the Breville Bambino Plus. The petite, stainless steel espresso maker fits easily on a counter. Meanwhile, latte fans will appreciate smooth, frothy milk at the push of a button. This is a machine that lets you tinker with the milk temperature or merely add coffee grounds and milk if all the settings are just right.

Espresso machines typically don’t leave the counter, but that doesn’t stop your craving for espresso when you head to another city for a race. That’s why Wacaco’s manual espresso maker is a reliable travel companion. Pack in ground coffee, tamp it down, and add hot water. All that’s left to do is press in the piston on the side repeatedly to create pressure and extract the shot of espresso from a small hole in the bottom of the cylinder into your waiting cup. Voila, espresso on the go.

With the Nespresso machine, espresso can be convenient. Pop in a pod. Pick a cup size. And enjoy your morning espresso (single or double) or coffee in less than a minute. With a large water tank that holds 60 ounces and an automatic shutoff, it’s easy to have a week’s worth of caffeine with minimal effort. For $50 more, the VertuoPlus Deluxe also comes with an automatic milk frother for latte drinkers.

Tea drinkers will appreciate the ritual of using Bialetti’s stovetop espresso maker, which was invented by Alfonso Bialetti in 1919. Water goes in the base followed by fresh, fine grounds in the basket. You screw on the aluminum top and heat everything to a boil. As the water pressure builds, your coffee enters the upper chamber, accompanied by a pleasing, burbling sound. After a quick stir and a pour, you’ve got a concentrated coffee akin to an Americano.

A sleek black rectangle that’s at home in any modern kitchen, the Jura A1 is a modern marvel. A conical burr grinder lets you dial in the grind for a ristretto (a short pour of espresso), espresso, and coffee. There’s also a filter system for water and a self-cleaning setting to keep your machine running smoothly. The Jura even has a 37-ounce water tank and a coffee spout that automatically adjusts its height depending on what type of coffee drink you select.

RW: What’s your preferred type of espresso machine? JB: One day I will have the time to recreate a complete coffee shop set-up in my house. Since I know that day is not today, I’ll opt for as much automation as my budget allows. An espresso machine that cranks out silky, foamed milk and bright, clean espresso is how morning coffee feels like a luxury and not a chore.

RW: How do you keep your espresso machine in good working order? JB: Like all of us, espresso machines need a lot of love. Regular cleaning is part of owning an espresso maker. Flush your brew system with water daily. Do a deep clean of the parts (steam wands, for example) weekly. Look at changing gaskets—the silicone rings can wear out over time—once a year. Espresso still funky? Test your water to know if the mineral content matches your machine’s specifications.

RW: What other tools do you recommend for making at-home espresso? JB: If your machine doesn’t include a grinder, it’s worth investing in one for freshly ground coffee. Find ceramic cups you love. A demitasse works for a shot or two of espresso, while an “egg” cup, which is deeper and has a wider rim, is perfect for cappuccinos. Making latte art? Start with a 12-ounce stainless steel milk pitcher with a round spout (good for designs like tulips or hearts).