What is your budget?
How much money do you want to invest on an espresso machine? Many high end models have many features and maybe help you make a better expresso, but many budget models can suit your needs. First check the price ranges to see the features available on each.
Under $100.00
Between $100.00 and $500.00
Over $500.00
What Kind of Machine?
The world of expresso machines is different from the world of coffee makers since there are different kind of expresso machines. They all extract expresso from coffee under pressure, but the way this pressure is created, varies from machine to machine.
Lever/Piston Espresso Machines
Steam Powered Espresso Machines
Moka Pots
Pump Espresso Machines
- These use a powered pump to produce the right amount of water pressure
- Usually the most expensive
- Can be quite large, bulky and noisy
- Produces excellent espresso
- Pump can get clogged with mineral deposits from the water
- Commercial machines are often this type
- There is a manual lever and piston on these models to create the pressure
- Can be hard on the arm
- Very quiet machine
- Espresso quality can vary
- Few parts, low maintenance
- The steam from heated water creates the pressure
- Pressure isn't always strong enough to make a good Espresso
- Smaller machine, sleek design
- Quick and easy to use
- These are simple stove-top pots
- Water in the bottom half of the pot, forces steam through the coffee into the top half of the pot
- Super simple
- Less pressure than the mechanized versions
- No milk frothing/foaming attachments
- Least expensive of all these models
What Features do You Need?
Maybe you don't have any idea of what features are available if you haven't own an expresso machine before.
A good espresso machine can be a bit of an investment. Before you make your decision, you should know about all the various functions that you can choose from. You may want to get a feature you never knew existed.
Cup Warmer
Not exactly a high-tech feature. Most 'cup warmers' are just flat space on top of the machine, where it is warm. That's it.
Frothing Wand
A steam wand for frothing milk is a must-have if you plan on making lattes or cappuccinos. Simpler espresso machines have just a wand, but more elaborate machines will actually have a cannister for milk.
Hot Water Dispenser
A simple but very handy little feature if you use hot water around the kitchen. Saves you from dragging out the kettle when you want tea or hot chocolate.
Strength controls
A little more elaborate than coffee maker controls, good espresso machines allow you to control how much water is used for each pull (and even the amount of grounds, for semi or fully automatic machines that dose automatically). By fine-tuning water and grounds, you can really produce the exact espresso you're looking for.
Pre-Moistening Cycle
Different brands will have their own name for this bit of technology. It basically just means that the coffee grounds are moistened prior to your shot being pulled. This little trick will help pull out the aromatic oils for a better espresso.
Pod Compatible
The lastest thing in espresso making are pods. These little pre-packed discs of coffee grounds make espresso preparation a snap with no mess. Some of the newer models can take pods as well as regular loose coffee grounds.
Water Filter
Many espresso machines have built-in water filters to take out any chlorine or iron tastes from your tap water. A nice addition, but it also adds extra maintenence and cost (replacing the filters).
Integrated Bean Grinder
Not a typical feature, but you can buy espresso machines that have a built-in grinder. These types of machines will usually grind just enough coffee with each use, for the freshest brew around. You'll pay for this advanced feature though.
Bypass doser
This feature goes along with the last one, and really only applies to automatic machines that grind as well as brew. If you want to use a different coffee than what is already in the grinder hopper, you can use the bypass doser. A good option for folks who might want to make a cup of decaf once in a while.
A good espresso machine can be a bit of an investment. Before you make your decision, you should know about all the various functions that you can choose from. You may want to get a feature you never knew existed.
Cup Warmer
Not exactly a high-tech feature. Most 'cup warmers' are just flat space on top of the machine, where it is warm. That's it.
Frothing Wand
A steam wand for frothing milk is a must-have if you plan on making lattes or cappuccinos. Simpler espresso machines have just a wand, but more elaborate machines will actually have a cannister for milk.
Hot Water Dispenser
A simple but very handy little feature if you use hot water around the kitchen. Saves you from dragging out the kettle when you want tea or hot chocolate.
Strength controls
A little more elaborate than coffee maker controls, good espresso machines allow you to control how much water is used for each pull (and even the amount of grounds, for semi or fully automatic machines that dose automatically). By fine-tuning water and grounds, you can really produce the exact espresso you're looking for.
Pre-Moistening Cycle
Different brands will have their own name for this bit of technology. It basically just means that the coffee grounds are moistened prior to your shot being pulled. This little trick will help pull out the aromatic oils for a better espresso.
Pod Compatible
The lastest thing in espresso making are pods. These little pre-packed discs of coffee grounds make espresso preparation a snap with no mess. Some of the newer models can take pods as well as regular loose coffee grounds.
Water Filter
Many espresso machines have built-in water filters to take out any chlorine or iron tastes from your tap water. A nice addition, but it also adds extra maintenence and cost (replacing the filters).
Integrated Bean Grinder
Not a typical feature, but you can buy espresso machines that have a built-in grinder. These types of machines will usually grind just enough coffee with each use, for the freshest brew around. You'll pay for this advanced feature though.
Bypass doser
This feature goes along with the last one, and really only applies to automatic machines that grind as well as brew. If you want to use a different coffee than what is already in the grinder hopper, you can use the bypass doser. A good option for folks who might want to make a cup of decaf once in a while.
Making Coffee too?
One feature that you might find convenient is a machine capable of doing expresso and regular coffee. This combo machines saves space and are cheaper than buying two separate machines.
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