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#1 Mr. Coffee Café Barista
The first thing you should know about the Mr. Coffee Café Barista is it’s far from the perfect machine. It can be inconsistent in temperature and can get messy. The quality of its espresso also varies from shot-to-shot.
That said, it’s great for people who love coffee but don’t want to bust the bank for a machine that costs hundreds of dollars more.
What makes this espresso machine stand out above other similarly priced models is it’s relatively simple to use. It comes with three preprogrammed drink buttons: one for espresso, one to make a cappuccino, and one to make a latte. Once the portafilter has been installed, you can simply place your cup underneath the machine and it will do the rest.
The Café Barista’s milk frother is unique in that it’s part of the machine itself, rather than the standard jug and wand setup. The milk compartment is located next to the portafilter. It froths with a push of a button. When it’s done, you simply slide the nozzle over and froth pours right into your cup. It’s very convenient – even if the quality of the froth leaves a little to be desired.
#2 Breville BES870XL Barista Express
Breville BES870XL Barista Express is your best option if you want great café-quality espresso in the comfort of home. This machine is power-packed with important commercial-grade features giving you the convenience of in-home use without compromising your brew’s quality.
The BES870XL model, which is an upgraded version of the Breville BES860XL Barista Express, is the most recent version. It is available in the following colors: stainless steel, cranberry red, and black sesame.
It features a sleek design and easy-to-understand controls on the front panel.
It’s a semi-automatic machine and the only manual tasks that you need to learn to operate it are to load up the coffee beans and replace the water reservoir.
#3 Nespresso CitiZ & Milk
Of the two pod espresso machines we reviewed, the Nespresso CitiZ&milk is the best by a mile. And it’s not only the best pod machine we tested, but it’s also the easiest and fastest way to get your morning cup. We found that the time it takes to make your espresso, cappuccino, or latte is less than one minute.
This is thanks to the machine’s great design – all you have to do is place a pod (or capsule) in the top of the machine, close the lid and press one button, and you’ll have a flavorful espresso shot in short order.
The coffee the CitiZ&milk made was among our testing team’s favorites. The crema was equally good, if not better than the espressos made from ground-based beans.
The machine also includes the best automatic milk frother that we have ever seen. It’s a handsome thermos-style jug that fits on a base connected to the machine itself. Simply fill the jug and place it on the base. Then, hit the start button. The CitiZ&milk’s specially designed spring swirls the milk around to frothy perfection. It’s truly the best froth produced by any espresso machine we tested.
#4 Delonghi EC680M DEDICA
DeLonghi is a household brand in the coffee industry and produces award-winning products at an affordable price.
This machine is ultra-slim and finished in sleek stainless steel. You can enjoy premium espresso without a large unit dominating your kitchen. It’s ideal for anyone with a smaller kitchen.
DeLonghi offers a variety of espresso options, including single and double shots or frothy cappuccinos.
Heating up in less than a minute and including a nifty cup warmer, making espresso couldn’t be easier. You can enjoy high-quality coffee at home with the 15-bar pressure.
This machine is easy to use and reliable. It’s a great investment if you don’t mind giving up quality coffee but want to avoid going to Starbucks every day. It’s available for purchase now!
#5 Mr. Coffee ECMMP1000
The Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista is a top seller in super-automatic espresso machines under $200. It’s easy to use and clean. It’s the type of product that can simplify a busy kitchen or break room.
Its built-in milk frother is irstup.
Not every espresso machine has an automatic milk frother that will deliver smooth, creamy drinks like a high-end coffeehouse, but the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista does.
It also offers single- and dual-shot options for cappuccinos, lattes of all sizes, and lattes.
Next comes the one-touch control panels. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know how to use your espresso machine. But the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista makes it easy.
The buttons come with pictures to make it easy to see what you are doing.
You’ll also receive a measuring scoop, tamper, and single and double-shot filters as part of your order. The company will even throw in free coffee recipes at no extra charge. The Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista includes everything you need to get going.
#6 De’Longhi 15 Bar Pump
Another De’Longhi creation is the 15 Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker. It is a popular choice in semi-automatic espresso machines.
What sets De’Longhi’s model EC155 apart is its 15 bar pressure pump. This allows for espresso to be made at the perfect brewing pressure.
It comes with a small built-in tamper and a frothing wand.
This model is ideal for people who want to try out an espresso machine but are not confident enough to buy a more expensive machine.
Most user reviews online report that they’ve had their De’Longhi espresso makers for 5 years or more.
#7 Cuisinart E-100
While it’s definitely not *the* cheapest espresso machine on this list, it does remain quite affordable for almost anyone. It has all the features espresso lovers are looking for in a quality machine. It has 15 bars of pressure, which ensures a perfect cup every time. The machine also includes a steamer, frothing tool, and drip tray, so there is no mess and no fuss. It is an affordable option for espresso enthusiasts and a great choice for anyone looking to grow their coffee drinking without breaking the bank.
#8 Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine
Gaggia Brera Black Super Automatic Espresso Machine, with Frother. Ramping things up on the price front, the Brera is towards the upper end of the legendary Gaggia’s starter range. This means that the machine can be operated by anyone without requiring a PhD.
This compact unit is simple to use and has a sleek stainless-steel finish. Fill the water tank and the bean hopper with water, then hit the button and let it do its job.
While hand-frothing milk may seem inconvenient, it gives you more control over the drink. All other aspects of coffee making are completely automated.
It is easy to clean and maintain your home. It is also important to descale it every now and again.
Road test the Gaggia Brera if you have a large budget and want an espresso machine that can make different types of coffee. It delivers in fine fashion.
#9 Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine
The most notable feature of the Rancilio Silvia is its volume capacity. It holds 12oz in its boiler, and 62oz inside its water reservoir. It’s the largest espresso machine in its price range. It can produce cup aftercup without slowing down or straining any of its resources.
It is well-suited for personal and professional settings that require more than one cup of coffee per day.
Rancilio Silvia is well-known for its steaming capabilities. A steaming knob lets you adjust the pressure incrementally, and an articulated steam wand allows you to move in a full range. These tools will help you achieve the perfect froth.
Rancilio Silvia may also appeal to you because of its strength and size. This espresso maker is made with iron frames, stainless steel side panels, and a chrome-plated boiler. It can withstand the apocalypse. It won’t fail like the cheaper models on the market. It’s a sturdy, durable machine that will last as long you take care of it.
#10 Gaggia Classic Espresso Machine
ThThe semi-automatic e Gaggia Classic Espresso machine (model 14101), can be used as a combination espresso/coffemaker machine. It is known for its durability and is a top seller in its category. Gaggia is known for being one of the first coffee-maker manufacturing companies in the country. This is the main reason why you can still find many coffee lovers using the company’s older models after ten or so years.
Even if there are some complaints over cosmetic changes in recent models, old time users of the machine agree that the machines still produce the same great-tasting coffee.
The Gaggia Classic Espresso Machine weighs a hefty 20 pounds and is notably heavier than its counterparts from other brands. The machine’s weight is due to its brushed stainless steel finish and built. It also boasts all the typical features needed for a great espresso machine.