Buying coffee every day can get expensive, so maybe it’s time you save up for that gorgeous espresso machine you’ve been daydreaming about. Espresso machines are great for a variety of different coffee based beverages for any point in the day. Some of the best espresso machines for your kitchen can help you get your caffeine fix right from the comfort of your own home. On the other hand, an espresso machine is an investment, especially if you want one that specifically fits to your standards. Consider these espresso machines and start deciding which one will look the best in your home.
Table Of Contents
- 1 Terminology to Know While Shopping
- 2 Top 10 Best Espresso Machines for Your Kitchen
- 2.1 #1 Breville The Barista Express Espresso Machine
- 2.2 #2 Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Maker
- 2.3 #3 Nespresso Inissia Original Espresso Machine by De’Longhi
- 2.4 #4 Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
- 2.5 #5 DeLonghi Magnifica XS Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
- 2.6 #6 DeLonghi 15 Bar Pump Espresso Machine
- 2.7 #7 DeLonghi La Specialista Espresso
- 2.8 #8 Ultima Pro By Capresso
- 2.9 #9 Mr. Coffee Occasions Coffee Maker
- 2.10 #10 Super Automatic Espresso and Cappuccino Machine By Krups
- 3 Now It’s Time For You To Try!
Terminology to Know While Shopping
Deciding to buy a new espresso machine as a beginner? Well, I know you are probably looking at the manual right now and you have many questions. There are many different terms that you should probably know about before purchasing any of these machines. Check it out!
Bar Pressure
It’s all about the pressure within your machine. Bar pressure has to do with the standard of atmospheric pressure. Most espresso machines are able to reach up to 15 bars of pressure to make an espresso shot. You’ll also find that traditional espresso machines use about seven to nine bars of pressure to produce an espresso shot.
Portafilter
The portafilter is part of the machine that is responsible for locking the coffee grounds and filter basket into place. Some espresso machines provide different basket sizes that compliment the size and strength of your ideal espresso shot. Additionally, there may even be removable filter baskets that are used in order for the machine to be compatible with express pods.
Tamping
This term refers to compacting the grounds before they are placed in the espresso machine. This is important in order for the water to smoothly push through the grounds when brewing.
Steam Wand
Here’s the fun part of the machine. It is used simply for heating up and frothing milk for different espresso based beverages. Get to stirring!
Boiler
Espresso machines use boilers to heat the water to the most accurate brewing temperature. A single boiler system is used to brew espresso and also to heat up the steam wand. You will also find espresso machines with double boiler systems that are used for individual functions, allowing you to brew espresso and steam milk at the same time.
Pressure Gauge
You’ll see this on the front of your machine. Typically, pressure gauges have two needles that indicate the boiler pressure and the pump operating pressure. You will want to pay attention to this as it can determine the lifespan of your machine. To put it simply, it monitors the health of your machine as the espresso brewing temperature and pressure is essential in your machine.
Burr Grinder
These two revolving grinders are useful for crushing and tearing the beans apart. These are important as they help mill the beans to a specific ground size. You will want your burr grinders in great shape in order to ensure that your beans won’t end up burnt.
Crema
You may be confused as to what that white thin foam at the top of your espresso is. Well, good news, it’s crema! When you see crema at the top of your espresso, that typically means that it’s well brewed. The coloring of crema can range from white to reddish brown depending on the strength and the brewing process.
Top 10 Best Espresso Machines for Your Kitchen
#1 Breville The Barista Express Espresso Machine
Without a doubt, Breville’s Barista Express Espresso machine comes in first place. If you’re looking for a serious and all-around perfect espresso machine, this is it. The machine has a built in grinder and steamer to make your espresso experience hassle free as it is an all-in-one masterpiece. It’s sleek design and customizable functions make it useful for any coffee lover’s home. It’s features include a digital temperature control and a low-pressure system to ensure that your espresso is at the perfect temperature every time. Even the stainless steel grinder can hold up to half a pound of espresso beans at a time!
#2 Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Maker
Running late and need to whip up something quick for your long day? If so, then Nespresso is the machine that you need to keep in your kitchen. This is a quick and easy alternative for someone who isn’t looking for anything fancy, but also wants a quality espresso. It’s a simple task, just pop the pod in, press the button, and watch as your specialty coffee is made right before your eyes in the comfort of your own home. The feature that stands out the most, is the milk frother that comes with the bundle. This is easy when making different specialty beverages and experimenting with your coffee.
#3 Nespresso Inissia Original Espresso Machine by De’Longhi
For those of you who don’t want to worry about the pressure of grinding up beans and hoping that your coffee comes out just right, don’t look any further, this machine understands. On the weekend, sometimes we may feel a bit lazy or maybe even impatient. If you know what I’m talking about, that feeling of your first sip of coffee is important, and that’s why this machine is perfect for you. Any time that you need a cup, just pop a capsule in this machine and Voilà, you’ve got yourself a quick and savory cup of coffee without the stress. Try making this one of the best espresso machines for your kitchen.
#4 Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
Mr. Coffee’s unique dimensions offer a built in frother that pours steamed milk directly into your cup. This machine is recommended for a mess free, convenient experience. Because Mr. Coffee does most of the pouring, mixing, and brewing for you, it saves you time while also guaranteeing a fresh cup fit to your coffee needs. It also has a one-touch control panel that will make espresso, cappuccinos, and lattes with just a push of a button. The craftsmanship of this machine will not only leave you with a great cup of coffee, but also a timely and quality experience.
#5 DeLonghi Magnifica XS Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
This machine was designed for the simple coffee lovers. If you aren’t picky in picking your espresso beverages and are just looking for the same beverage every time, then this is the one that will work for you. You can program the automatic espresso machine to remember your personal drink preferences, so that you don’t have to mess with it every time you want to enjoy an easy cup of coffee. This includes the size of your drink and the strength of your preferred beverage, which ensures that you will get your ideal cup of coffee every time.
#6 DeLonghi 15 Bar Pump Espresso Machine
This unique but simple machine allows you to brew espresso pods as well as ground beans to meet your specific daily coffee needs. With it’s long lasting water tank, it can hold up to 1.5 liters of water at a time. The appliance’s signature cappuccino system keeps the temperature regulated and can brew multiple cups in a row, allowing consumers to skip the long wait in-between brewing. This device has most of the features that any first-time espresso machine buyer would want in their life. It utilizes 15 bar pressure for its shots and heats up quickly for a hassle and wait free experience.
#7 DeLonghi La Specialista Espresso
Looking for an automatic, high end, and dependable espresso machine? The La Specialista Espresso machine is perfect for your everyday lifestyle. Whether this is a machine that sits in your kitchen or in your restaurant, you will not be disappointed. This automatic espresso machine delivers coffee that looks as fancy as the machine does. It’s slick features offer six grind sizes, and a diverse selection of single espresso, double espresso, Americano, or just plain old coffee.
Oh, and just in case you’re a tea lover, it dispenses hot water for whenever you want to change things up a bit. The machine has a built-in mechanism that helps pack your grounds perfectly, and a pressure gauge you can play with to ensure you’re making the perfect cup.
#8 Ultima Pro By Capresso
You can get the best of both worlds with Ultima Pro whether you prefer a traditional or modern espresso machine. This espresso machine is very easy to use with just a few buttons on the front to give you exactly what you need with just a click of a button. It’s features include buttons for double espresso, hot water, and steam used to froth milk with the attachable wand. The most unique feature of the Ultima Pro is under the lid — a holder for the coffee measuring spoon and extra coffee filters. Considering all of these helpful gadgets, this one definitely makes the cut off for the best espresso machines for your kitchen.
#9 Mr. Coffee Occasions Coffee Maker
This is considered the best all in one espresso machine, as it can make K-cup based drinks, espresso, or a full pot of coffee in a thermal pitcher. Included with the machine is a steam wand to froth milk, which is common for most espresso machines, but not all. The thermal is useful to keep the coffee hot and fresh for hours when you need to. This is a simple and affordable alternative to buying one of the best espresso machines for your kitchen.
#10 Super Automatic Espresso and Cappuccino Machine By Krups
As it says right in its name, Krups made a quick, easy, and super automatic espresso machine enabled for just about anyone to use. The easy buttons and step-by-step screen will help you understand how to work and set-up your espresso machine for whenever you need to use it. The screen will also teach you how to preheat, brew and clean your machine to maintain its quality to the fullest extent. You can also choose up to five sizes, three milk options and three water temperature options. If you’re a beginner at espresso machines, consider investing in a helpful machine such as this one.
Now It’s Time For You To Try!
Well, now that you know so many different espresso terms, along with the best espresso machines for your kitchen in the market, you are ready to purchase one that will look best in your counter! Choosing the right espresso machine that matches your specificities can get a bit hard and time consuming, but in the end it will pay off. Don’t forget to refer back to the terminology to help you out when setting up your new machine and to have fun doing it. Happy brewing!
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