Coffee Espresso Makers Guide

I’m a coffee lover, no doubt about it, have been for a long time and always will be. However, I have recently re-discovered my passion for espresso — after a few years of sorta forgetting about it — and I’ve been pretty much obsessed. But it gets very expensive buying these incredible drinks from coffee shops everyday, and quite time consuming waiting in line. So, I decided I would get my own machine and start making them at home.

That really was a great decision but it also came with the initial headaches of trying to find the best espresso machine for my needs. There are so many different types out there and the prices range from “way too cheap to get a decent cup” all the way to “breaking the bank expensive” and everything in between.

I knew I didn’t need one that was top of the line but I also didn’t want a piece of crap that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy. Therefore, I decided to research the best options in the mid-range prices in order to get a good machine that would do everything I wanted/needed at a reasonable price.

So, What is the Best Home Espresso Machine in 2022?

Spoiler Alert: After much research, I went with the “Breville BES870BSXL The Barista Express Coffee Machine” and I absolutely freaking LOVE it!

As they say, it creates cafe quality coffee at home, and I 100% agree. You truly can make great tasting espresso super fast without any hassle whatsoever. I think it is just as good as you can get at any coffee shop (if not better) but a lot more convenient, and a heck of a lot less expensive. It’s simply amazing!

Okay, I’ve done enough blabbing about my experience, so let me give you some information about the Breville BES870BSXL and what makes it so great…

At the time of writing the Barista Express Coffee Machine is the #1 best seller in semi-automatic espresso machines on Amazon, and I can definitely see why.

The Quick Specs of this Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine:

• 15 Bar Italian Pump
• Purge function automatically adjusts water temperature after steam for optimal espresso extraction
• Stainless steel conical burr grinder with 1/2 lb. sealed bean hopper
• 1600W thermocoil heating system
• Large removable water tank

Breville BES870BSXL Description

– Color: Black Sesame
– Style: Espresso Machine
– Great crema from fresh beans (fresh is best!)
– Dual wall filters (Included dual wall filters provide great practice for aspiring baristas)
– Single wall filters (Included single wall filters give more challenge for the masters of espresso)
– Barista Express portafilter with commercial style spouts
– Easy filling for the portafilter directly from the integrated burr grinder
– Convenient storage compartment for the filters
– Cleaning kit

When it comes to coffee the “freshness” can literally be measured in mere minutes. After even a few minutes have passed, ground beans are starting to lose their flavor. Grinding beans every time you want a high quality, fresh espresso takes time. Which is why it often becomes a trade-off between great taste and convenience for most people. However, the Breville Barista Express solves this problem by delivering fresh and superior quality espresso at a an incredible speed. You can go from beans to espresso in about a minute, and this is done completely in the comfort of your own home.

It’s no secret that espresso making is infamous for being both an art and a science in one, and this requires you to carefully adjust all of the inputs such as grind size, grind amount, temp, pressure, etc… But you can be a complete beginner, aspiring barista, or full blown expert and still pull off the perfect shot from a Breville Barista Express!

For the beginning espresso makers, it includes two dual-wall, pressurized filters that regulate pressure and help optimize the extraction. For the more experienced “barista” types, it comes with two single-wall, non-pressurized filters that give you more room to experiment with different grind sizes, amounts, tamping pressure, and more. This means the Breville BES870BSXL can serve as a crash-course or a continuation study in the art of espresso making.

It has an integrated burr grinder, a 15 bar Italian pump, and a thermocoil heating system that assures accurate regulation of water temperature for a full-flavored espresso. The pre-brewing function and flat shower head ensures the water is optimally distributed through the coffee puck. The Breville BES870BSXL barista express also has multiple other great features; such as a cup warmer on the top of the machine and a feature that removes excess water from the filter basket after coffee extraction, so the used grounds form a dry puck for quicker cleanup. It also boasts a stainless steel 360-degree swivel action steam wand for lattes and cappuccinos.

To me, it’s quite obvious that the Breville Barista Express is made with high-quality materials and built very sturdy. Plus, the no-slip feet keep it from sliding across the counter when the burr grinder is going. It is also housed in a sleek stainless steel casing, which makes it attractive and a timeless addition to your kitchen. The whole unit is really easy to clean and comes with a hidden storage compartment for the cleaning tools (included) and an easily removable drip tray. It’s truly impressive if you ask me!

The Barista Express Coffee Machine Features

• Integrated conical burr grinder and half-pound bean hopper: stainless steel conical burrs optimize extraction of flavor from the bean by maximizing the surface area of the grinds. Use freshly ground beans for every shot for more full espresso flavor. Hopper has locking system for easy removal, storage and transfer of coffee beans.
• Grind size and grind amount selector dials: choose among grind settings from fine to coarse and adjust the amount of freshly ground espresso dosed into the filter basket.
• Filter size button: indicate whether you are using a single- or double-wall filter basket and the grinder will dispense the required amount of ground coffee for the appropriate filter type.
• 54mm tamper: for expert tamping control. With magnetized storage, but removable for easy tamping.
• Hands-free grinding cradle: push portafilter into cradle and freshly ground espresso will be dispensed directly into the filter. Grinder automatically stops when the indicated amount has been dispensed.
• 54mm stainless steel portafilter: with commercial style spouts.
• 67 ounce removable water tank: top-fill tank with replaceable water filter to reduce impurities and scale.
• Volumetric control: preset 1 and 2 cup volumes, manual over-ride, or re-programmable shot volumes.
• Espresso pressure gauge: monitors espresso extraction pressure.
• Thermocoil heating system: integrated stainless steel water coil accurately controls water temperature.
• Clean me light: indicates when a cleaning cycle is required. Cleaning kit included.
• 360-degree swivel action steam wand: for effortless milk texturing.
• Auto purge function: automatically adjusts water temperature after steam for optimal espresso extraction temperature.
• Removable drip tray: partitioned for both wet and dry spills, with ‘Empty me!’ indicator for when it’s full.

Final Review of the Breville BES870BSXL Barista Express Coffee Machine

I think if you’ve made it this far then you would know it’s no secret how much I love this espresso maker. I truly don’t have anything particularly negative to say. It does everything I want it to do (plus more) and makes an excellent cup of espresso without breaking the bank. Yes, of course, there are some better machines out there, but they are expensive. I don’t think you will find a better machine at anywhere near this price, and you really don’t need anything more than what this one has to offer if you are simply looking at an espresso machine for your home.

So, to make myself very clear, I will end with this…

My Breville BES870BSXL Review is 100% positive. I think the Barista Express Coffee Machine is a great buy and would recommend it to my own friends and family without hesitation.

What are the best affordable espresso machines for your money? Well, that depends on a lot of factors, which we’ll have to discuss before we actually talk about specific models. The terms “best” along with “affordable” and “for your money” covers a LOT of ground with espresso makers.

For instance, you can buy an espresso machine for anywhere from around $50 to well over $2,000+ so there’s a lot of variables to consider.

Does the $50 variety make the same quality of espresso as the $2,000 model? No, of course not! Is having that higher quality cup every morning worth buying a $2,000 machine for? Well, only you can decide the answer to that question.

Either way, I have a question for you…

Did you know that an espresso maker can actually help you save money?

Yes, it can!

Think about it…

If you are you like me (well, how I used to be) then you pull into Starbucks (or whatever your favorite coffee shot is) at least once a day to get that luscious shot of delicious espresso!

If this is describing you, then you’ve got a problem! No, not your espresso habit (I have that same problem). You’re just spending money when you don’t need to.

Here’s the deal. If you actually owned your own coffee espresso maker, you could save tons of money in the long run and actually have more fun at home. Espresso makers are not that hard to learn to use, they are also much cheaper than going out for your cup each day (after a while), and they make great discussion pieces for any get together.

The fact is, they are more than worth the investment!

The only real question here is what’s the best espresso machine to buy and how much is it going to set you back?

Again, before we get started looking at the top espresso maker for your money, let’s talk some about the types of espresso machines in general. Although there’s some disagreement on which is the best, there are multiple kinds of espresso makers to choose from, and they each have their advantages and disadvantages.

Let’s take a look at them…

The first thing for you to keep in mind is that there are 3 main types of espresso makers: automatic, pump driven, and steam driven machines. These all fall into very different price points as well as their ability to make a superior or inferior cup of coffee, and their ease-of-use also differ vastly.

AUTO

Automatic machines are, well, automatic… They do everything! What’s so great about automatic machines is they do it all for you. They grind and brew the espresso all at one time. No fuss at all. You just pop the beans in and perfectly made, frothy espresso comes out!

What could be easier? Well, nothing really.

It’s not hard to see why most people consider the automatic machine to be the best coffee espresso maker out there. These are great if you want a high quality espresso and you want to avoid the hassle of learning to make it from scratch yourself.

Not interested in roasting and grinding your own beans? Don’t want to learn all about pressures and temperatures? Then, the automatic espresso maker is for you.

However, this option is not for someone on a tight budget!

It’s hard to go wrong here if this option is in your price range, as almost any brand/product will be among the best out there, especially when compared to non-automatic options. But our top choice is the Philips 3200 Series.

STEAM

On the other end of the spectrum for someone with a low budget or for those of you who just want to play around with espresso, the steam driven machine would be considered a good option for you.

Steam driven machines are the “poor mans” best espresso makers for your money. You can get a cheap steam driven machine for around $50 or maybe even less! That’s a far cry from the automatic prices. The problem with steam machines in general is this… For the most part they can’t create the heat and sufficient pressure to make a really outstanding cup of espresso.

Steam driven machines will never satisfy a really discerning palate, or give you anywhere near the quality of a coffee shop, but you can get by with a steam machine might if you need to.

However, even in this price range, there are some options for what I would call the “best espresso makers for your money” if you don’t have much to spend. The Krups Allegro, for instance, makes a nice cup of coffee (for a steam driven machine) and it only costs around $60.

PUMP

Pump machines are the final (and mid-range) category of espresso maker we’re going to talk about. Basically, these machines doesn’t have all the extra features that an automatic machine has, but they are quite a bit better than the steam options.

There aren’t many people who wouldn’t consider a pump driven machine to be the absolute best espresso makers overall. They are the perfect middle ground for the vast majority of espresso drinkers.

Want to get into all the ins and outs of espresso? Want to really get into how a truly world-class cup of espresso is made? Need something that isn’t too cheap or overly expensive? Then, the pump driven machine is for you!

These tend to be the category where most people end up buying their expresso machines. They offer a good combination of price, functionality, and a decent cup of joe.

They aren’t the best espresso makers in the world, but they definitely can get the job done and are good buy for your money. Something like the barista express from breville will satisfy just about anyone looking for a good espresso machine at an affordable price.

So, what’s the best espresso maker, how much do they cost, and which one do you need? As you can see, there is no solid or direct answer to these questions. It all depends upon your budget, needs, and tastes.

A good espresso machine might seem somewhat expensive at first glance, but it will help you save a LOT of money in the long run (assuming you normally purchase your espresso at coffee shops). Plus, they are fun, too!

Do you find yourself spending hundreds — or maybe even thousands — of dollars each year at Starbucks or other coffee shops?

At just $5 per trip, 30 days a month, that’s $150 every month, which comes out to a whopping $1,800 per year! And that’s if you only go once per day — most people do more. This quickly adds up to big money. So, having your own espresso maker — that will last for many years — will save you a ton of money!

Not only that, but a good espresso machine can really be a lot of fun. I don’t know about you, but my friends love it when they come over and I serve espresso based drinks that I made with my own espresso maker at home, using recipes that are better than anything they’ve had before. It makes me feel so good!

So, where do you get one of these amazing machines? There are a lot of high-end coffee manufacturers who have begun making espresso machines for the home.

These machines are a great conversation pieces and make social gatherings at home much better. Plus, with a little practice, you can make a better cup of coffee than Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, or any other coffee place. Which also gives you back all that extra time you used to spend waiting in line, and saves you money.

The biggest issue, when it comes to espresso makers, is what type to buy?

That question has both an easy and a difficult answer. By that I mean, if you only have a limited amount of money to spend, the question doesn’t really matter. You’re just not buying one of the more expensive models. But if money is not the issue, then sure, this is a question you need the answer to. Let’s see how we can help you sort through all of this…

While there are many different variations, you can mainly only find 3 mainstream kinds:

1. Automatic
2. Pump
3. Steam

When it comes to pump driven espresso vs steam driven espresso vs automatic machines, you are talking about three very different technologies at three wildly different price points.

Automatic Espresso Machines

An automatic machine is for people who want the end results and best taste without all the fuss. You don’t have to roast and grind beans. You don’t have to tamp them down. All of this is done for you. Automatic machines are easy to clean and use.

These particular ones are top of the line, so be prepared to spend some of your hard earned money (though it is more than worth it in the end). If you are trying to save money, then the automatics might not be the right type of machines for you.

Whereas pump machines are in the middle price ranges and steam machines are at the lower end, automatic machines are very much at the high end. What’s so great about automatic machines is they do everything, and I do mean everything!

True automatics will grind their own beans and make the perfect espresso from them. All you do is put the beans in an wait. Out comes an amazing espresso!

Pump Driven (Semi-Automatic) Espresso Maker

The pump machines are usually the mid-range products. If you want to really get into the whole process of making espresso at home, then the pump model is likely for you. These are powerful enough and heat the water hot enough to make really good espresso.

With a pump machine, you can get a very nice cup of espresso, and also with a little frothed milk and cinnamon, a good cappuccino.

What makes great espresso is mainly three things: proper temperature of the water, proper pressure as the water goes through the coffee grounds, and also the right fineness of the ground beans. Pump machines take care of two out of three of these. The only thing left to do is to make sure you correctly grind your beans, which for espresso can be somewhat of a headache.

Steam Driven Coffee/Espresso Machine

You might think with the word “steam” that these machines would be able to achieve the correct high temperature to make a really good, authentic cup of espresso. After all steam is super-heated and pressurized water, isn’t it? Well, actually when they say steam they really mean water vapor. The big problem with steam machines is they don’t normally achieve the temperatures necessary to make a proper cup of espresso.

The steam driven machine can get the basic job done, but it is undoubtedly the budget version of espresso makers.

A lot of people don’t like these. They say they leave the coffee tasting bitter and sometimes burned. The major plus side of steam driven machines is that they are cheap. These are not for espresso aficionados, but for those who just want something at home to get them by. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you should not expect your espresso to equal what you’ve learned to love at Starbucks or other coffee shops.

If all you want to do is to play around with espresso and cappuccino making, or you aren’t too concerned with taste, then you can get by with a steam machine. Otherwise, you will need a pump driven or automatic maker.

So, which is the best?… pump driven espresso vs steam driven espresso vs automatic? There’s no doubt that automatic is the best!

However, you can get by with the others depending on how much money you want to spend. I would say that a good mid-range pump driven product is a great investment if you don’t have the funds to get a high-end automatic machine. My advice would be to stay away from the steam makers unless your budget gives you no other choice, but you can still do some good things with these if you need to, so don’t be discouraged.

Now, you see that there are all types of coffee espresso makers. For more information on these machines, you can browse around this blog. We’ve researched and published all kinds of information about how to find the best espresso machines and coffee makers. What’s important is that you enjoy your morning and get a great start to your day!

Want to know how to find the best coffee and espresso maker? Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’re going to talk about all the various types of espresso makers and how much they cost. I’ll also be giving you some tips on price and where to buy the best ones.

Ready to get started?

One of the most important things you need to know is that there are four types of coffee and espresso maker–steam, automatic, pump and piston. Steam driven coffee espresso makers are the lower end of the price spectrum, while the automatic machines are at the top end. You can pick up a steam driven espresso machine for as little as $25. An automatic machine could run you $1,000, or even more! Pump and piston machines are somewhere in the middle of this price spectrum, but more toward the cheaper end of things.

So, really if you’re interested in how to find the best coffee and espresso maker, you need to first off decide what price range you’re in.

Now, your price range might just sort of take care of itself. By that, I mean you might just have $70 to spend on an espresso machine. Well, if that’s the case, then guess what? You’re not buying an automatic machine. You’re probably buying a better grade steam driven machine. I’m sure you see what I mean.

Now, money might not be the issue. You might just want to buy the best espresso maker you can, while spending as little as possible, but you might be willing to spend several hundred dollars or even more, if you get the machine you want.

If that’s you, then you need to know the difference between the various types, the pros and cons, so that you can find the best coffee and espresso maker.

To that end, let’s start with automatic machines. Automatic espresso makers do everything from grind the beans to froth the milk for cappuccino. Some great automatic machines are made by DeLonghi. For instance, I really like their DeLonghi Magnifica, super automatic machine. It will set you back a cool $750, but who cares if you’re that much into espresso, right?

If that’s too rich for your blood, then as far as how to find the best coffee and espresso maker, you’ll need to look at pump and piston machines. Again, DeLonghi makes some nice machines for less than $200. So does Krups.

If you need to stick to the lower end of the market, then again, Krups is a great bet.

So, the question of how to find the best coffee and espresso maker has many answers according to your budget. But if you’ll stick with the manufacturers I’ve mentioned, you should be great!

So, who makes the absolute best espresso machines? I would love to tell you, but it’s not quite that easy. You see there are four types of espresso machine and within each of these four types there are a number of popular manufacturer and also maybe a hundred or so actual models.

Another problem with the idea of finding the absolute best espresso machines is this. How do you rank them? Is a Mr. Coffee 4-shot machine for $64 necessarily inferior to a DeLonghi Magnifica for $750? That’s kind of like comparing a Porsche to a Ford Taurus. Sure, everybody knows a Porsche is better than a Ford Taurus. That is everyone except millions of Taurus drivers who would have to walk if a Porsche was the only thing they could buy.

So, price range has a lot to do with the absolute best espresso machines. But not, perhaps, in the way you might think. What I’m saying is the absolute best espresso machines don’t necessarily cost more money.

Okay, if money’s not an option, then the Mr. Coffee is not going to be the best. It’s a steam driven machine and the espresso that comes from this type, usually, is watery and just not the best. Is the DeLonghi Magnifica the overall best, regardless of money? Well, let me tell you, it makes one heck of a cup of espresso. But then again, so do a number of other machines.

So, it’s not just the taste of the espresso that comes from the absolute best espresso machines that counts. Shouldn’t ease of use count for something? If so, then kudos again go to the DeLonghi machine, again. If not, and if it doesn’t matter than you have to spend a few weeks perfecting how you grind the beans, for instanct, then the DeLonghi machine has a lot of company. From Krups, for instance.

Either way, the absolute best espresso machines are not absolute. They’re relative to you and your needs and your budget. Once you figure out what you want the machine for, how much time you have to devote to the science and art of espresso making, and how much money you want to spend, then perhaps, you can get a bead on the best over all machine.