Espresso Machines Buying Guide

The hottest appliance for kitchens today is the home espresso machine.  Once restricted to coffee shops  and restaurants, espresso machines are now popular kitchen accessories for people who want a real caffeine fix first thing in the morning. There are several different types that offer varying levels of user control throughout the different steps of brewing espresso. No matter which type you choose, you are bound to find a good one on the market for you. Know your budget before you start shopping; however, top-of-the-line features can cost quite a lot, and some models are priced at $2000 or more.

Ever wonder why espresso machines are so noisy? What's going on in there that makes a little cup of coffee take so much effort? Basically, espresso machines work by forcing near-boiling water through densely packed, finely ground coffee at high pressure. To help you get your machine search started, here are some highly recommended espresso makers.

Quick Picks

There are lots of variables in buying an espresso machine. With three major kinds available and a wide price and durability range, it's hard to pick just a few. There are many review sites to choose from; these picks are compiled from ConsumerSearch.com and WholeLatteLove.com.

Everybody Loves Silvia

Silvia  -- no model number, just Silvia -- is made by Rancilio. It is generally regarded as the "best in show" espresso machine. See below for "best in group" winners. At $500, she's about mid-range on price. She's a semi-automatic, which means you'll need a separate grinder and you need to know about tamping and such. Miss Silvia, as she is frequently called, might need a little "getting to know you" time, but once you two are well acquainted, she might easily become your best friend

Best in Group
Super Automatics The Gaggia Syncrony Digital  ($900) got an average 5.8 out of 6 with 88 reviews on WholeLatteLove.com.	Automatic/Semi-Automatic Breville ESP8XL  ($250), works almost as well as Silvia at half the price.	Manual La Pavoni  ($500 to $800) is the go-to brand; there aren't that many choices.

Basic Options

Stovetop Espresso

Stovetop machines  are an older, more traditional way of making espresso. Hard to maintain temperature, so they can burn the coffee. Pressure never gets high enough for proper espresso brewing. They may not make a great cup of espresso, but some machines will make espresso good enough for a cappuccino.

Manual Pump Lever

Manual pump machines  can make good espresso. Gets pressure high enough to properly extract the coffee. Requires considerable finesse to get the timing right (don't want the pull to be too long or too short), but once you get it, these machines will produce great espresso.

Semi-Automatic and Automatics

Semi-automatic  and automatic  machines are fairly similar. Use a pump to standardize the pressure through the coffee grounds. This standardization is key to consistent espresso. Automatic machines also control how much water is used, virtually guaranteeing flawless espresso every time with very little work on your part. Requires you to measure and tamp (or compress the coffee grounds into the filter) before brewing.

Super-Automatics

Super-automatics  are the foolproof way to make perfect espresso every time. Instead of requiring you to measure out a scoopful of grounds, you simply add whole beans to the machine. When you want a cup of coffee, the machine will grind exactly the right amount for you. All you need to do is keep it full of filtered water and beans, clean out the grounds when the machine is full, and occasionally clean the other parts of the machine.

Important Features

• Steamer
• Like cappuccino and other espresso drinks? Better make sure your espresso machine has a steamer attachment for steaming and foaming milk. 
• A cup warming surface to keep your beverage hot is also helpful.
• Durable Components
• Metal or heavy plastic is better than light plastic.
• Boiler systems are better than thermal coils.
• Brass porta-filters are better than aluminum -- more durable and retain heat longer.
• When a review says "built like a tank," it's usually meant as a compliment.
• Cleaning
• Removable parts help to make cleaning your machine easier.
• A removable drip tray is also a handy feature.
• Pump-Driven
• Far better than steam driven, which doesn't always hold heat evenly.
• Better than piston-lever models, which can be hard to use.

Extra Options

Still unsure about which machine to buy? Take a look at some last minute picks.

Delonghi EC155 Espresso Machine  This pump driven espresso machine comes with two thermostats that enable you to control water and steam pressure separately. A swivel jet frother, adjustable steam emission, and removable drip tray make this machine the utmost in performance and convenience.	Saeco 00354 Aroma Stainless Steel Espresso  This is a more traditional model that will give you just the features you need with no confusing extras. Easy to use and perfect for a home with limited counter space, this espresso machine will make quality drinks in no time.	Cuisinart EM-200 Programmable 15-Bar Espresso Maker  This model comes with 15 bars of pressure and can be pre-programmed to make specific cup sizes of espresso. Comes with a steam wand, tamping tool, and even a recipe book.	Saeco S-PR-SG Primea Ring Espresso  This tiny model is super automatic and has a click wheel function that makes it easy to select menu options. It is also designed with an integrated system to prepare 2 cappuccinos or lattes  at once.	Mr. Coffee ECM21 4 Shot Espresso Machine and 8 Cup Coffee Maker Combo  This machine truly has it all. Designed to make coffee and espresso, it comes with brew-strength settings, steam control, and removable parts for easy cleaning and use.

Related Guides

Coffee Makers	Coffee Grinders	Coffee	Everyday Glassware

External Links

• HowStuffWorks.com: A detailed explanation of the inner workings of espresso machines.
• CoffeeGeek.com: Another coffee site; they have a section just for consumer espresso machines.
• Yahoo.net: Information on how to use a tamper.

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see:
NL: Espressomachine Shopgids