If you’re on the hunt for a quality espresso machine, the following options each offer unique features to elevate your home brewing experience. From budget-friendly models to professional-grade machines, there’s something that caters to every coffee lover’s needs. Below is a roundup of key models, showcasing their strengths and considerations.
Machine Features and Performance
Other nice features include a removable water tank that pulls out from the front, providing ample cup clearance to accommodate a 20-ounce travel mug. It also offers a cold extraction option, which performs comparably to other machines we tested. However, if you’re exploring “cold” settings on espresso machines, it’s worth noting that they generally do not rival the flavor quality achieved through more labor-intensive methods like immersion cold brew or flash chilling.
The primary reason the Cuisinart didn’t secure a spot on our top picks is its steam wand, which does not perform as well as its brewing operation. The milk texture it produces is often uneven and tends to be quite thin. Despite this, we believe that for anyone considering the Breville Bambino Plus priced at $500, the machine remains a reasonable entry point into the espresso world, though crafting cappuccinos may require some persistence.
Solis Barista Perfetta Plus
The Solis Barista Perfetta Plus stands out as an excellent budget machine, featuring an adaptive PID, which is a rarity in this price range. The built-in pressure gauge provides valuable feedback, while its powerful steam wand outshines some models that cost significantly more. With one of the smallest footprints among espresso machines, it fits easily into any kitchen.
However, we hesitate to fully endorse it due to stock inconsistencies, often leaving potential customers disappointed.
De’Longhi La Specialista Touch
De’Longhi stands as a prominent name in the $500–$1,000 home espresso machine market, and the La Specialista Touch represents the brand’s latest innovation, rivalling the Breville Barista Touch. This model can brew nine different coffee drinks, both espresso-based and otherwise.
It assists in dialing in the grind through its integrated burr grinder and tracks extraction time for optimal results. Users can save specific settings for various beans, simplifying the transition between blends. The machine also features automatic milk texturing, although it can be switched to manual for those who prefer more control. While Breville’s auto-steaming may have a slight edge, the La Specialista Touch consistently offers five distinct milk drinks: cappuccino, flat white, latte, and latte macchiato.
Additionally, this De’Longhi model has a screw-on funnel that fits over the portafilter, keeping the grinding and tamping process tidy compared to many competitors.
The machine includes a cold extraction setting, which brews slowly, resulting in a smoother coffee flavor than traditional hot brewing methods. While not a standout feature for some, it could appeal to coffee enthusiasts looking to explore cold coffee options.
However, during extensive testing, we did experience the steam wand malfunctioning twice, though restarting the machine rectified the issue.
The Infuser is an older model from Breville, essentially a Barista Express without a built-in grinder. It brews flavorful espresso, features a pressure gauge, and comes with an adequate steam wand. However, the dial that toggles between steam and hot water lacks the finesse of newer Breville machines. It can also be a bit trickier to find in stores. Overall, while the Bambino Plus might offer a better feature set, this model is worth considering if found at a competitive price.
The Victoria model from Lelit is a lower-tier alternative to the MaraX, priced about 40% less. However, the compromises may not be worth the savings. This machine is a single-boiler model, lacking a heat exchanger, meaning you’ll need to wait nearly a minute to steam milk after brewing. When steaming, it does not achieve the same milk texture as its higher-end counterpart. While it does come with a PID controller and shot timer, we believe similar quality can be achieved at a more affordable price with a mid-range Breville machine.
