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Espresso Machines

Espresso Machines Overview

If you love a good cup of coffee but are tired of handing over your hard earned cash to your local Barista each morning, now might be a good time to consider purchasing a home espresso machine.

With the vast array of quality brands available in this growing market, you should have no problem finding the perfect machine for your specific needs. Even the snobbiest of coffee snobs will be surprised at how easy it can be to match or even exceed the quality of coffee offered at their favorite cafes.

What espresso machine is right for you? That will depend on some key factors such as the amount of counter space you’re okay with dedicating to your new appliance, how much effort you’re willing to put into making your coffee and what accessories are important to you.

With so many options, we’ve done our best to narrow down your search by comparing some of the most popular espresso machines on the market. Whether you’re looking for a fully automated system or prefer a manual coffee making experience, we’re confident that our comparison will help you choose the perfect espresso machine for your home so you can brew when you like and how you like it – at a fraction of the cost.

Understanding the Different Levels of Automation

If you're reading this comparison page you have likely done some research on Espresso Machines and have come to learn that there are 3 main types, Semi-Automatic machines, Fully Automatic machines, and Super Automatic machines. There is also a newer type called the Ultra Automatic machine which is essentially a souped up version of the Superautomatic so we'll lump those 2 together for now.

Semi-automatic machines tend to be the most popular choice for those looking for a more traditional machine. Most of the features are automated as with the Fully and Superautos, but the big difference is you control when the extraction begins and ends. This allows you to customize and perfect the shot to your liking. The other difference is that most (but not all) Semi-Automatic machines do not come with a built-in grinder. This just means that you either need to get your own separate grinder or use ground coffee beans.

Fully Automatic machines are quite similar to Semi-Automatics, just with a little less control over the process. You still need to grind the beans and start the extraction process yourself but these machines stop the water flow for you automatically after a certain amount of time. This means you don't have stand over the machine as it brews and allows you to step away to do other things.

Finally, the Superautomatic machine which basically takes care of the entire process. They grind the beans, start and stop the extraction and even froth the milk for you. They are very consistent in their brewing giving you the same cup every time. This is great if your happy with the machines final product but can be a problem if it doesn't brew it the way you like it. As a result they are typically more expensive and require more research to ensure you get the right one for you.

So choosing which type depends on what level of involvement you would like to have. If you're looking for ease and reliability, than Superautomatic machines may be the way to go. But if you're looking to experiment and create the ideal cup of espresso to match your taste, than less automation may be the choice for you.