5 Best Home Automatic Espresso Machines: For Espresso Newbies

Are you looking for the best home automatic espresso machine?

Then keep reading my post!

I found and reviewed five of the best models you can currently find available for sale. Check them out, compare the beneficial features they have to offer and their cost, and find the one that fits your needs perfectly.

The Rundown

What Do We Mean By Automatic?

Wheter you call them fully automatic, super-automatic, or bean-to-cup, these espresso machines are the easiest possible way to a perfect espresso brew. This is because they do the entire job for you.

How Do These Machines Work?

All these machines provide very simple performance and are very easy to use:

1. Since most models come with a grinder, they start by grinding the fresh coffee beans into a fine coffee powder you need for espresso.
2. Then, a perfect amount of coffee ground is dispensed straight into the filter so you do not need to measure the grounds yourself.
3. Now, you get to choose the desired brewing program and make additional fine adjustments if there are any (i.e. coffee size. strength, frothing volume, etc.)
4. Once you complete all these steps, the machine will automatically dispense the perfect brew straight into your cup.
5. If you set an espresso/milk-based beverage, the machine will also froth milk and dispense it into your cup (in case it comes with a frothing system). If the machine comes with a steam wand, you are in control of this part of the process.

That is it. Since they do most of the work for you, these machines are the perfect choice for beginners.

How Are They Different From The Semi-Automatic Models?

The main difference is the automation level. As we explained, automatic machines do the work for you. Now, semi-automatic machines require you to program every step of the brewing process. This includes coffee dosing, shot timing, adjusting the strength, volume, brewing temperature, etc.

Are Automatic Espresso Machines Better Than Manual?

This depends on how much you want to be involved in the brewing process. Manual machines allow you to control and adjust every aspect of the brewing process, but, for this, you need to have a somewhat higher skill level.

Brands You Can Trust

Once you decide to purchase an espresso machine you need to know whcich brands you can trust the most. The most beloved ones are:

• Breville
• DeLonghi
• Philips
• Gaggia
• Jura

Is It Worth It To Have An Auto Espresso Machine At Home?

If you are truly passionate about espresso, it is not only worth it to have an espresso machine at home, it is a must because you:

• never have to look for “the” coffee shop that makes espresso to your liking
• get to enjoy espresso any time you want without leaving the comfort of your home
• can try out different brewing styles
• are in control of the bean roast type you use
• make versatile espresso/milk-based hot beverages

The only downside of having a home machine is that you need to invest in its maintenance if you want it to provide you with lasting performance.

Features And Functions You Should Think About

Before you decide which model you like the best, here are some features and functions you should think about:

Size And Design

While the size of the machine does not affect the quality of its performance, you still need to consider it especially if you have very little room in your kitchen. A 7 x 15.6 x 12.4-inch model is a great choice for countertops with little free space. On the other hand, if you have a lot of free counter space, a somewhat larger, 20 x 19.5 x 12.25-inch model can be a great choice.

Quality Level

If you want to emphasize quality, a stainless steel machine is the best way to go. In case you opt for a plastic machine, make sure that the parts that come in contact with the brew are at least made out of stainless steel. Plastic ones will damage the quality of your brew and will malfunction much faster.

Control Panel

Since these machines come with pre-programmed settings you want to choose one that features a user-friendly control panel. Touch screens are the most modern option and are the easiest to use. You can make the desired adjustments with a simple touch of a finger.

Extraction Pressure

When it comes to extraction pressure, the “the higher the better” rule applies but to a certain point. While a 9-bar pressure is good enough, a 15-bar pressure will allow you to make barista-style beverages. You don’t want the pressure to be any higher than 20 bars as it will only burn your grounds.

Coffee Grinder

All grind and brew coffee makers will provide you with a dose of freshly ground beans. However, when it comes to the quality and the efficiency of the grinder you need to pay attention to its construction and the number of RPMs it creates per minute. Conical burr grinders are the best as they do not heat up during the process.

Milk System

You can either buy a machine with an automatic frothing system or a steam wand (steam hose) you can control manually. The former does the job for you and dispenses the froth straight into your cup. Its only downside is that it does not steam. The latter allows you to steam the milk and control how much steam is combined into your milk during the process.

Separate Thermostats

Models that come with two separate thermostats are a great choice because they allow you to control the temperature of both incoming water and the steam. As a result, you get to enjoy perfect brewing and steaming process.

PID Control

While this is not the case with all models, some do offer a PID temperature control system. It is the most precise way to track the brewing and the steaming temperature throughout the brewing/steaming process. In case the machine does not come with it, you can purchase a separate PID controller (like one shown below) and install it on your machine.

Water Filters

While this is not true for all models, some automatic espresso machines come with built-in water filters. This is an amazing feature because it ensures the top quality of the incoming water. Filters also remove the toxins from the water to ensure that you always get the freshest results.

5 Best Home Automatic Espresso Machines

Philips 3200 Espresso Machine

User-Friendly Control Panel
This machine features a user-friendly control panel that provides versitile brewing options. It is conveniently placed on the front side of the unit to ensure that you can always check and reset desired brewing options.

Programmable Features 
Another amazing thing about this model is that its features are completely programmable. For example, it allows you to choose the size of the brew you want to make, adjust its strength, set the cleaning process according to your schedule, etc.

Adjustable Grinder
The included ceramic grinder provides you with up to twelve different adjustments. This is a great thing because it means that you will be able to choose whether you want to make ore coarse grounds or a fine coffee powder.

Automatic Frother
Since this machine under $1000 features a fully programmable design, it also has an automatic milk frother. The frother combines air and the milk at a very high speed inside the frothing chamber to ensure that you get the most perfect texture of the froth.

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Saeco PicoBaristo Espresso Machine

Stainless Steel Construction
You can be sure that this home automatic machine will provides amazing quality and durability. It is made out of stainless steel material that is highly resistant to all kinds f exterior damages including rust, corrosion, dents, scratches, etc.

Customizable Drinks
The best thing about this Italian model is that it provides you with completely customizable drinks. Simply use the coffee equalizer and save the desired settings on one of the six profiles that this machine provides.

Time Efficient Boiler
Due to its powerful time-efficient boiler, you will be able to brew one cup of coffee after the other. No need to wait for the water to heat up again. This feature makes the machine very desirable because it provides great results in a very short time.

Aqua Clean Filter
By replacing the water filter, when the replacement is required, you will be able to enjoy up to five thousand cups of coffee without having to descale the coffee maker. Additionally, the hygiesteam function takes care of the entire milk circuit to ensure that it is always clean.

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Gaggia Anima Coffee Machine

Stylish LCD
This is another 15 bar machine that features a stylish backlit display. It is specially designed to help you control the temperature settings, the strength of the aroma inside the brew, choose the shot size you want to make, etc.

Versitile Notifications
The mentioned LCD will also display highly convenient notifications on the screen, such as “descaling alert” and “maintenance needed”. It will also let you know when the water level is too low and when the bean hopper is empty.

Temperature Control
This machine also provides you with precise temperature controls. This is a great thing because you will be able to choose whether you want to brew your coffee at a minimal, medium, or maximal temperature level.

Removable Water Reservoir
The included water reservoir is completely removable from the unit. Thanks to this feature you won’t have any trouble refilling it once it’s empty. This also makes the cleaning process much easier because you won’t have to move the entire machine to clean the reservoir.

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Espressione 8212S Espresso Machine

19 Bar Pressure
This coffee maker uses a nineteen-bar pressure pump to extract all flavors that usually remain locked inside the grounds. Thanks to this feature you can be sure that it will always provide the best brewing results, whether you’re making cappuccino, latte, coffee, etc.

LED Touch Control Panel
Another advantage about this machine is that it comes with an LED touch control panel that features simple one-touch keys. The panel is located atop the unit to ensure that you can always access all its functions without any trouble.

Thermoblock System
Thanks to its specially designed thermoblock system, this coffee maker will provide you with an even brewing temperature throughout the brewing process. It will also regulate the temperature between the brewing cycles to ensure that you don’t have to wait a long time after the last brew.

Built-In Grinder
It also comes with a built-in stainless steel grinder. The best thing is that the grinder produces very low noise, below seventy decibels, so you don’t have to worry that it might be too loud. The grinder is also adjustable to ensure that you can choose from a fine coffee powder to more coarse grounds.

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Jura D6 Automatic Coffee Machine

Modern Design
This espresso cappuccino machine also features a beautiful and modern design. Thanks to this feature you won’t have any trouble finding the perfect place for it inside your kitchen. Its pulse extraction technology ensures optimal results with every single use.

Simple Controls
Just like the rest of the models, I reviewed in this post, this machine also provides very simple controls. It also allows very quick and simple adjustments. That means that you will be able to control the strength of your brew, its temperature, etc.

Transparent Water Tank
The included water tank is completely transparent. This feature can come in very handy because you will be able to tell when the water level inside the tank is too low and the tank needs a refll. Note that you should never refill it over the “max” line because you might cause spills or other malfunctions.

Itelignet Water Sistem
The best thing about this model is that it comes with a specially designed Intelligent Water System that can automatically detect the Smart water filter. The system will alert you when the water filter needs to be changed to ensure that you always use premium quality water to brew your coffee.

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How To Use Automatic Espresso Machines At Home?

These machines make great espresso. All brewing parameters are already pre-programmed so even if you are completely new to the brewing world you will be able to get a perfect espresso shot. However, if you run into some problems, here are the tips you might find helpful:

1. Choose the bean roast you want to use to make espresso (make sure that the beans are not oily as this will damage the grinder long-term).
2. In case your brew seems to be watery and flavorless, your grinder is set on a too coarse grinding level and the water simply passes through without absorbing coffee oils and flavors from the grounds.
3. In case your brew seems to be too thick and bitter, your grinds are too finely ground.
4. Once you adjust your grinder to the perfect settings check that the brewing temperature is at its highest level.
5. Now, you can choose and adjust the brew strength according to your liking.
6. If you are using a frother/steamer, make sure that you use cold milk from the refrigerator to ensure that you get the best results.
7. After you are done using the machine, give it a thorough clean to ensure that its performance remains at its optimal level.

How Much Should I Spend On An Espresso Machine?

For a home model, a budget between 400 and 700 dollars is enough for a high-quality machine with great performance. That being said, if you want a machine with versatile features and functions, you will need to invest a bit more (anywhere from 500 to 1500 dollars).

Is It Worth Getting An Expensive Espresso Machine?

This depends solely on what you expect from a machine. If you just want a machine that is easy to use and provides quick brew on demand, an affordable model will provide you with that. However, if you are big on brewing espresso and want to try out different brewing options, investing a bit more money is definitely worth it.

Does Buying An Espresso Machine Save Money?

While buying an espresso machine may seem like a large investment at first, yes, it does save you a lot of money long-term. For instance, with a $900 savings per year, even a fancy model would pay itself off within two years (more basic models much quicker).

How Long Should An Espresso Machine Last?

Generally, a good espresso machine will last you anywhere from 5 to 15 years. However, keep in mind that this depends not only on how often you use it, but also on the brand, design’s complexity, and many other factors. Also, automatic models last much longer than semi-automatic machines because they are much simpler and have fewer parts that might need a replacement.

Proper Maintenance

To ensure that the automatic machine you buy has the longest lifespan possible, you need to pay special attention to its cleaning and maintenance:

1. use water filters – they purify water and ensure that you do not need to descale the machine (as the scale is created only by hard water). In case you do not want to use the filters make sure that you descale the machine regularly.
2. consider cleaning tablets – in case you have a machine with a built-in brew group the best way to clean it is by using cleaning tablets as they clean everything thoroughly and ensure that the machine is completely safe to use.
3. brush out the filter baskets and the portafilter after every use – this is to ensure that you remove all the leftover grounds that might stick once the brewing process is done.
4. make sure to clean the milk system – by doing so the steaming/frothing system won’t get affected by bacteria or get clogged due to milk residue.
5. do not forget about the grounds container and the drip tray – do this on a regular basis to avoid the mold.