The best Express coffee makers
Espresso coffee machine – Buying Guide, Opinions and Analysis
Espresso machines could be a very useful tool in your kitchen if you usually enjoy a good coffee with your breakfast or snack. The market offers all kinds of coffee machines for home use, but among so many options it can be a bit difficult to choose which one to buy. If so, we advise you to consider the De’Longhi ECP33.21 model, since it is an espresso machine with an attractive design and a power of 1,100W so you can have your drink ready in just a few minutes. Another good alternative could be the Saeco 10004477. This model is made of stainless steel and has an energy saving system so as not to consume much electricity when used.
The 9 Best Espresso Machines – Opinions 2022
If you have problems deciding which espresso machine to buy, here we present a selection with some options, which have proven to have good performance and quality in general, so you can find out what they have to offer you. This could help you make the most of your investment and acquire a practical and good value for money model.
De’Longhi espresso machine
1. De’longhi ECP33.21 Espresso machine
De’Longhi offers you what could become the best espresso machine on the market with its ECP33.21 model. This coffee maker stands out for being able to work with both ground beans and capsules in case you have a preference for a particular type of coffee.
On the other hand, this De’Longhi espresso machine has a very attractive design. It has dimensions of 24 x 18.5 x 30.5 centimeters and weighs 4.91 kilograms, making it comfortable and easy to place on your countertop. In addition, it has brushed aluminum finishes that give it an elegant look to match your kitchen.
Also, it can reach a power of 1,100W and has the capacity to prepare up to a liter of coffee with a single load of its tank, being suitable for serving several cups at once, so you can serve your guests as it should be.
The characteristics of this model could make it the best espresso machine of the moment and here you will know its pros and cons:
Pros
Filters: This espresso machine includes three filters so you can replace them when necessary.
Vaporizer: You have a vaporizer available with options for creaminess in the foam, as well as freedom of movement.
Tank: The tank of the coffee maker can hold up to 1 liter of water so you can have coffee for several people in a short time.
Tray: Thanks to its anti-drip tray, you will avoid dirtying the top in case of spills.
Cons
Instructions: The instruction manual is not explicit enough for people new to the use of espresso machines.
Saeco espresso machine
2. Saeco Lirika Plus Coffee Machine
Lirika Plus Silver could be the answer to which is the best Saeco espresso machine, since it stands out for having low energy consumption as it has category A, being an economical appliance to use even on a daily basis.
On the other hand, the Saeco espresso machine has a modern design with resistant and durable manufacturing finishes. It is made of stainless steel so you don’t have to worry about wear and tear and its dimensions are 21.5 x 43 x 38.1 centimeters with a weight of 5 kilograms. Thanks to this, it will be easy for you to find a corner to accommodate it in your kitchen.
Regarding its functions, this could be among the best espresso machines of 2022, since it has a 2.5-liter tank for water, as well as an integrated grinder in case you like freshly ground coffee, a screen to verify the operation of the coffee maker and, of course, its respective vaporizer for milk foam.
For some users, Saeco could be the best brand of espresso coffee machines, so below you will learn more about its product:
Pros
Power: This Saeco option works with a power of 1,850W so you don’t have to wait too long for your drink.
Grinder: It has an integrated grinder to break natural coffee beans and thus enjoy greater freshness and flavor.
Vaporizer: Its vaporizer will allow you to create milk foam to accompany your cups of coffee and prepare latte drinks.
Consumption: It is an economical model to use thanks to its class A energy management.
Cons
Off: You must be aware of turning off the coffee maker, since it does not have an automated system for it.
Cecotec express coffee machine
3. Cecotec Espresso Power Espresso 20 Matic coffee maker
This Cecotec option could be the answer to the question of which espresso machine to buy if you are looking for a comfortable and compact model. The V1704521 coffee maker has dimensions of 32 x 31.8 x 26.4 centimeters and its weight is 3.2 kilograms. Structurally, it is rectangular, so it will be easy for you to fit it on the countertop.
Likewise, this Cecotec espresso machine stands out for being made of stainless steel, a reliable material that is resistant to normal wear and tear caused by heat and humidity. Its design is attractive and it offers buttons also made of steel and with a brushed finish, so you can operate your coffee maker with ease and confidence.
In addition to this, the equipment has a screen with intuitive touch sensors and a series of light indicators to guide you through the coffee preparation process. It can reach a pressure of 20 bars and has a maximum power of 850W.
When in doubt about which espresso machine to buy, don’t forget to review its positive and negative aspects:
Pros
Design: It is an option with a modern look and resistant finishes so that you can use it with confidence for a long time.
Outputs: It has two outputs so you can prepare two cups of coffee at the same time without having to exchange them.
Tray: The tray, in addition to being anti-drip, can also keep the coffee hot for a certain time.
Accessories: The purchase includes a measuring spoon so you can more easily add the right amount of coffee.
Cons
Noise: Its noise level when preparing drinks may be a bit annoying for some users.
Philips espresso machine
4. Philips Series 2200 EP2220/10 Super automatic coffee machine
Philips is a well-known brand that has in its catalog an option that could be the best espresso machine for the taste of some buyers, the EP2220/10 model. This equipment has everything you need to prepare different caffeine-based drinks thanks to the presence of a vaporizer and various automatic programs.
With the Philips espresso machine you can also enjoy an internal grinder made 100% in ceramic, to be able to grind the coffee beans and thus enjoy a fresher drink.
As for its design, the coffee maker is modern, black in color and has a series of buttons and indicators so you can easily operate it. It has a size of 37.1 x 24.6 x 43.3 centimeters and its weight is 7.5 kilograms. It is made of stainless steel and includes various accessories so that you can make the process much easier and faster.
To determine if this equipment is the one you really need, we have selected its most outstanding positive and negative characteristics:
Pros
Water filter: It has an Aqua Clean filtration system that guarantees the preparation of 20,000 cups of coffee without calcification.
Cleaning: It has an automatic programming for cleaning in case of accumulation of lime or old coffee remains.
Screen: It has a touch screen where you can choose the intensity of the coffee, how many to prepare, activate the vaporizer, etc.
Accessories: A measuring spoon, a hardness strip and a tube of lubricant are included for maintenance.
Cons
Noise: One of the disadvantages presented is that it produces more noise than others when it is in operation.
Ufesa express coffee machine
5. Ufesa CE7141 Duetto Creme Espresso Maker
Ufesa’s CE7141 is an espresso machine that works with a power of 1,050W at a maximum pressure of 15 bars, so you can prepare aromatic coffees on every occasion.
Also, this Ufesa espresso machine stands out for having a casing made of stainless steel, which gives it high resistance to oxidation and wear, so you can use it daily without worries.
The tank, for its part, has a capacity of 1.5 liters of water and is removable so that you can clean it thoroughly after each use, which is recommended to avoid the accumulation of limescale inside the coffee maker’s pipes.
Regarding its size, the equipment measures 30.9 x 22.5 x 27.1 centimeters and weighs approximately 3.73 kilograms, making it comfortable to have at home and place on the counter. It has its respective vaporizer and a drip tray.
Knowing in depth the model of espresso machine that interests you will let you know how practical and useful it will be at home or in the office:
Pros
Materials: It is made of stainless steel, one of the most recommended materials thanks to its resistance to wear and deformation.
Pressure: It has a pressure of 15 bars to prepare coffee or use the tool to produce steam.
Vaporizer: The vaporizer is adjustable so that you can position it correctly inside the jug when heating the milk.
Tray: With its tray you won’t have to worry about possible spills from your cup.
Cons
Space: The space for the positioning of the cup is somewhat low, so you can only place small units.
Capsule espresso machine
6. Nespresso De’Longhi Inissia EN80.B Single-Dose Coffee Machine
If you are looking for an espresso capsule coffee machine, you could consider the option of the De’Longhi Nespresso line. The EN80.B equipment is a model with an attractive design that has dimensions of 12 x 32 x 23 centimeters and a weight of 2.4 kilograms, taking up little space in your kitchen or worktop. It is black in color and its polished finishes make it look elegant.
It works with a pressure that reaches 19 bars with a power of 1,260W, which allows it to use the Thermoblock system which will be able to have the coffee maker ready for use in just 25 seconds after it is turned on.
In addition to this, the system has an automatic shutdown function after 9 minutes of inactivity, to avoid accidents due to overheating or overvoltage in the equipment.
On the other hand, this coffee maker offers you an ejection mechanism for the capsules, which will facilitate the task of extracting those that are already empty.
Since it could be the best espresso machine for 60 euros, you should take a look at its advantages and disadvantages:
Pros
Design: The De’Longhi coffee maker has a modern and youthful design with good manufacturing finishes and a compact size to be used easily.
Power: Its 1,260W power allows you to prepare coffee in a short time, as well as heat the water.
System: The coffee maker system is made up of functions such as the aforementioned Thermoblock and also Flow Stop, in charge of automatically programming the preparation of the coffee.
Tank: Its tank has a capacity of 0.8 liters of water, enough for you to prepare several cups of coffee for breakfast.
Cons
Vaporizer: Being a capsule-only espresso machine, it does not have a vaporizer so you can prepare milk-based foam, which somewhat limits the use of the equipment.
20-bar espresso machine
7. Ecode Espresso Forte Touch 20 Bar Coffee Maker
In order to buy a good espresso machine, you must make sure that it is ergonomic and intuitive, and from the Ecode brand we present this 20-bar espresso machine that has a panel of touch sensors, which will help you activate it to prepare your coffee easily in a short time. weather.
This model, in this case, belonging to the Ecode brand catalog, has a semi-professional design with a size of 26 x 21 x 28 centimeters and a weight of 4.2 kilograms. Its manufacture is made up of stainless steel and other plastic parts depending on its use, offering a durable, reliable and convenient to locate appliance.
It has the capacity to serve two cups of coffee at the same time, as well as create foam thanks to the side steamer. This makes use of the 1,050W of power of the coffee maker to be able to reach the right temperature and raise the cream.
Considering both the good and the bad of an espresso machine can help you avoid a bad investment:
Pros
Pressure: With this coffee maker you can enjoy a pressure of 20 bars to guarantee the straining of the coffee at a constant temperature, obtaining better flavor, color and texture.
Panel: The touch panel is made up of light indicators that will let you know what action each button performs, so you can operate your coffee maker without problems.
Steamer: Your steamer has a stainless steel nozzle that will prevent oxidation due to contact with water and milk.
Cups: The outlet of the coffee maker will allow you to place two cups to be served at the same time and thus share the hot drink with another person without having to wait.
Cons
Noise: It is said that this coffee maker is quite noisy, which could cause discomfort to some users during the morning, for example.
Espresso coffee maker with grinder
8. Krups Roma EA810870 Super Automatic Coffee Machine
In case you are looking for an espresso machine with a grinder, you may be interested in the Krups brand equipment. Its EA8108 model has a conical metal grinder and an upper tank so that you can place the coffee beans and they are treated just before preparing your drink.
The equipment has an attractive design with elegant finishes and good quality. It has a size of 36.5 x 26 x 32 centimeters and its weight is 7 kilograms. The casing of the coffee maker, for its part, stands out for being made of stainless steel, preventing wear and tear and keeping the equipment looking like new for longer. In addition, this facilitates its external cleaning enormously.
On the other hand, you should know that its pressure is 15 bars and it offers two outlet nozzles in case you want to place another cup next to yours to serve two coffees at once.
If you want more details about this Krups product, you can read the following pros and cons:
Pros
Settings: This machine offers you various options so that you can regulate your coffee as you like, either by changing its intensity or quantity.
Materials: The entire coffee maker, as well as its accessories, are made of reliable and durable materials that are easy to clean.
Nozzles: The Krups model puts at your disposal two outlet nozzles to serve a couple of cups at the same time and so no one has to wait for the coffee maker to prepare the coffee again.
Maintenance: The purchase of this product includes its own cleaning kit, so you can get rid of the coffee and limescale residues accumulated after using it.
Cons
Reservoir: The water reservoir may drop some residue during coffee preparation, but this does not affect its performance at all.
Solac espresso machine
9. Solac CE4480 Espresso 19 Bar Coffee Maker with Vaporizer
Solac has in its catalog an express coffee machine model that might interest you, the CE4480. This equipment uses a power of 850W with a constant pressure of 19 bars for the preparation of your drink, guaranteeing good taste, smell and texture.
It should be added that the Solac espresso machine is also capable of resisting wear and oxidation, thanks to the fact that it is made of stainless steel with a brushed finish, to give it a more attractive appearance and easy to combine with the appliance. In addition, its dimensions are 26 x 32 x 32.6 centimeters and its weight is 2.8 kilograms so you can easily change its place if you need it.
It is also noteworthy to mention that it may become the best value for money espresso machine as it is one of the cheapest products that offers double coffee output, vaporizer and automated systems for the use of the equipment in general.
Since it is one of the cheapest options, it is advisable to consider what this Solac model offers you:
Pros
Design: This coffee maker has a simple but modern design that is easy to accommodate thanks to its size and light weight.
Tank: The integrated tank has a capacity of 1.25 liters so you can prepare several cups of coffee before worrying about refilling it.
Vaporizer: It has an integrated stainless steel vaporizer with which you can heat milk and make foam in just a couple of seconds.
Functions: The automatic functions of this model are responsible for managing energy consumption and turning off the equipment after a period of inactivity to save electricity.
Cons
Vibration: The power of this coffee maker can cause vibrations when preparing the drink and this, in turn, noise that would bother some people.
Shopping guide
Enjoying a delicious cup of aromatic and full-bodied espresso coffee involves a very special preparation process, which not all coffee machines can provide. Here is a guide to buying the best espresso machine, with the intention that you take home the best choice, to add the energy that this peculiar drink provides to your day.
purpose and capacity
When thinking about buying an espresso machine, not everyone has the same goals. For example, if it is a coffee machine to be installed in the office, it is very likely that the main purpose for such a device is to meet the demand for cups of coffee in a practical and comfortable way. Then, it will be important to check the capacity of the coffee maker’s water tank, as well as that of the coffee reservoir. In this way, the process will be carried out automatically on numerous occasions, before having to fill them out.
In the case of a home coffee maker, then, the amount of water may not be so important, instead, other aspects such as its appearance, ease of use and versatility, will be the ones that become a priority.
Programs and settings
Although this type of coffee machine mainly prepares espresso, it is common for each person to want to make some changes to adapt the drink to their preferences. For this reason, it is convenient that the coffee maker, in addition to being good and economical, offers different programs, or that it allows manual changes in relation to the amount of water, the pressure or the amount of coffee. In this way, whoever uses it will obtain the intense or mild flavor that they want for their drink.
At this same point, it must be added that espresso or express coffee is the base ingredient for multiple drinks. In this sense, if you are going to invest in a coffee maker of this type, it might be worth checking if it could help you prepare lattes, cappuccinos, etc. In this way, you will obtain more advantages with your purchase and you could pamper your guests by offering them just the drink of their choice.
Generally, to identify that a coffee maker has this quality, you can check if it has a frother or a special tank to include milk in the preparation. In fact, there are some espresso machines that are very versatile and can be compatible with both ground coffee and single-serving capsules for different drinks, including teas and chocolate. It may not be the cheapest options in a comparison of espresso machines, but its versatility could make you not pay too much attention to how much it costs, since the benefits will outweigh the cost.
water pressure and speed
Another quality that might interest you is the speed with which the coffee can be prepared. Let’s remember that, in order to extract all the flavor of the grains in an efficient way, it is necessary that the water that will pass through them is at the correct temperature. This process may take more or less time, depending on the model, so we invite you to review this feature if you want your drink to be ready in a short time.
On the other hand, an issue that often worries those who are going to buy a coffee maker is the number of bars it offers. This is because, just like temperature, the pressure with which the water passes through the ground coffee has a direct effect on the body of the drink. If you are wondering what is the right pressure for the coffee obtained to be intense, we can say that you will get good results with a coffee maker that offers between 15 and 20 bars of pressure.
Design
Generally, coffee makers are devices that are kept on the counter at all times. For this reason, it is important that you do not overlook their appearance. It must be a device that matches the environment, forming part of the decoration, adding a personal touch to the place. At this point you will have no problem finding something that suits your needs, as manufacturers offer coffee makers with a classic, modern style, vibrant colors or neutral and sober ones.
Similarly, you can choose coffee makers with stainless steel casings, highly recommended for intense use. But there are also rugged options that are lightweight and portable, made with robust plastic covers, that are also easy to clean. In this sense, you will have the last word, choose the one that best suits your needs and that complements the space in which you are going to place it.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: How to use an espresso machine?
The first step is to fill the coffee maker tank with drinking water. Then, turn it on so that it heats up while you place the filter along with the ground coffee inside it. Use the compactor if necessary and secure everything with the filter holder of the coffee maker.
Don’t forget to place a cup underneath, so that the coffee doesn’t spill when it starts to be produced by the machine. All you have to do is press the brew button and wait for the process to finish to enjoy your drink.
Q2: How to clean an espresso machine?
If you notice that the water in your espresso machine is not as clean as it should be, perhaps it is time to clean it. To do it you will only need a little white vinegar and running water.
Fill the tank with a mixture that is half vinegar and half water and then activate your coffee maker as you normally would to prepare your coffee. When you verify that the tank is at least half empty, turn off the coffee maker for half an hour. Turn it back on after the time and wait for the process to finish.
This should leave your coffee machine completely free of bacteria, stains and bad odours, so you can safely continue preparing your drinks. However, we recommend that you check the manual of your equipment to find out if it is compatible with this type of cleaning.
Q3: How many bars should an espresso machine have?
In general, models of coffee machines for domestic use usually work with a pressure of between 15 bars and 20 bars, although this may depend on the model and its capacity. However, you should consider that some experts on the subject consider that the machine should be less powerful (specifically 9 bars) than those mentioned to enjoy a better flavor in the coffee.
Q4: How to heat milk in an espresso machine?
To do this, you need to take the pitcher and fill it 1/3 of your preferred milk. Then, go to your coffee maker and let the residual water come out of the steamer by activating it a few times. When it is dry, put the component inside the jar and activate it at its maximum power.
Wait for the milk foam to rise and bring the tip of the frother to the center of the jug to turn it off and remove it safely. Ready, you already have your hot milk through an espresso machine.
Q5: How to descale an espresso machine?
One of the easiest and fastest methods to get rid of limescale buildup in your coffee maker is to clean it with lemon juice.
To achieve this you must fill the tank of the equipment with a part of lemon and two of water. Activate your coffee maker and press the button to prepare the coffee and let the process finish completely.
When it has been emptied, let the coffee maker rest for about 20 minutes and repeat everything using only water until you can remove all the lemon remains that may have remained on your equipment.
Q6: How to make foam with an espresso machine?
To create foam with an espresso machine you will need it to have a vaporizer and have a jug with a little milk on hand. Place the vaporizer on one side of the pitcher and turn it on at full power. The heat will warm the milk and the air will create the foam, so you’ll need to wait for the foam to rise on its own. When you notice that the foam is reaching the limit, direct the frother to the center of the pitcher and turn it off to be able to serve the drink.
Q7: How to unclog the filter of an espresso machine?
If you have noticed that the filter of your coffee maker is clogged with traces of lime or coffee, you can use the methods of activating the preparation of coffee with the tank full of vinegar with water or lemon with water, and since these have properties to eliminate these waste, you will be able to notice an improvement in the general performance of your espresso machine.
Q8: What coffee to use for an espresso machine?
The truth is that there is no “ideal” type of coffee to use with an espresso machine, although it is recommended that it have a finely ground texture. That is to say, that it does not present grains and is more similar to wheat flour, for example.
This type of grinding has a better absorption of water so that your coffee can come out as concentrated as you want and thus adjust its flavor with milk or any other addition of your choice.
