Best 5 German Espresso Machines: Why Are German Brands So Special?

Germany is well known for its high marks in appliance production, so no wonder that German espresso machines are highly sought. Choosing a well-trusted brand ensures that you will get optimal value for the machine’s price.

We gathered all the information about the valued brands and their top-rated appliances to help you find the perfect machine as easily as possible. So let us get started.

The Rundown

Why Should You Choose A German Model?

German customers seek trust above all else. For that reason, German brands put quality above quantity, and this is something you can see in the craftsmanship of their appliances.
This is very important as the quality of the espresso machine determines its lifespan. The average lifespan you can expect from an automatic German espresso brewer is about 5 years, but many last as long as 10 years.

Which German Brands Can You Trust The Most?

The most known and respected German brand is Krups. It offers versatile machines with amazing features including programmable performance, grinders, etc. It is followed by Mielle which produces espresso machines that are suitable for brewing cappuccinos, lattes, and other espresso/milk-based beverages. Furthermore, you might come across Bosch and Braun espresso machines.

Other brands you might find on the market are:

• Tchibo
• Klarstein
• AEG
• ECM
• Melitta
• Russel Hobbs
• Severin
• Siemens
• WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik

Things You Should Look Out For

There are some things you should think about before you decide to invest money in a German brewer:

Wattage

First things first, you need to check the wattage or power rating of the brewer you want to buy. Automatic espresso brewers generally use between 1000 to 1500 Watts. Needless to say, the higher the better rule applies. Espresso brewer with a lower power rating will need about 5 minutes to heat up and start the brewing process whole a more powerful one can cut that time in half.

Voltage & Power Plug

Since you are buying a coffee machine from a European manufacturer, you need to check their voltage rating and power socket compatibility. Generally, EU appliances are made to operate at 220 Volts while a standard voltage line in the US is 120 Volts. Also, while Europe uses type F power socket, the USA uses type A or B. This is something you want to check before purchase as you will probably need to use additional converters (like the one in the picture below).

Find out more about the voltage differences to ensure that you choose the best moded for your needs.

Generally About The Machines

Once you are sure that a German model is a good fit for you, it is time to check out more general features of the brewer:

• Size & Design – Make sure that the espresso machine you like fits safely atop your countertops. Additionally, while they may be of lower quality, plastic brewers are just fine for home use. However, if you decide to purchase a brewer for professional use, go with a stainless steel one.
• Brewing Capacity – In general, most espresso brewers provide a single-serve brewing capacity. However, they usually provide you with a single & double shot option or cup size adjustments to ensure that you can enjoy the brew you like.
• Built-In Grinder – Some German brewers come equipped with an additional coffee grinder. They are an amazing choice for everyone who enjoys the bean-to-cup experience. They still provide the option of brewing using pre-ground coffee so you can easily switch between the two.
• Frothing System – This is something every espresso machine should offer. The frothing system allows you to steam milk and prepare versatile beverages including lattes, cappuccinos, etc.
• User-Friendly Indicators – Some German machines come with user-friendly indicators such as cleaning and descaling alert, water reservoir indicator, etc. They let you know when it’s time to clean the machine or if its water reservoir needs to be refilled.
• Cleaning Requirements – Make sure that you thoroughly clean your espresso machine at the end of the day. This includes the water reservoir, brewing unit, and the machine’s exterior. Parts like filters and milk steamers need to be cleaned after every use.

Best 5 German Espresso Machines

Each of the listed espresso brewers is made by a trusted German brand and will easily satisfy your brewing needs. While the first one offers a powerful brewing performance and automatic frothing system, the third one comes equipped with a coffee bean grinder to ensure that you always get the freshest brew.

Klarstein BellaVita Espresso Machine

This automatic model for home uses a powerful 20 bar extraction pressure to pull a perfect espresso shot. Its simple control panel is front-mounted on the machine and allows you to make desired adjustments with a simple touch of a finger.

Even though this brewer provides a single-serve capacity, you can adjust the preferred cup size. It is also worth mentioning that its bottom drip tray is height-adjustable. This means that you can easily fit small espresso cups as well as larger ones for cappuccinos.

Its highly convenient self-cleaning system takes care of the machine’s frothing mechanism so you don’t have to worry about cleaning it manually. The rest of its parts, such as reservoir, portafilter, etc., are removable and easy to clean under tap water.

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Krups Espresso Cappuccino Maker

This brewer uses a 15 bar extraction pressure to provide you with a perfect cup of espresso. It doesn’t come with programmable functions but you can switch it from a brewing and frothing system using the rotating control knob.

As opposed to the previously reviewed model, this espresso/cappuccino machine comes with a frothing wand. The great thing is that you get to control its performance manually. Most importantly, its nozzle is silicone coated to ensure that you don’t accidentally suffer a heat burn.

The top of the machine works as a heating plate. This is an amazing feature as it allows you to keep your espresso cups warm during the brewing process. As a result, the brewed espresso will remain at its optimal temperature level for a much longer time.

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Tchibo Coffee & Espresso Machine

Since it comes with a coffee grinder, this model provides you with the complete bean to cup brewing experience. It has a small footprint, offers a simple touch control panel, and is very easy to use. Its grinder is mounted atop the machine to ensure that you can easily access and refill it when needed.

It provides you with fully automatic performance. Although you can’t program its performance, you can adjust it from versatile pre-programmed settings. It is a single-serve brewer, but, it does provide you with 3 different cup sizes to ensure that you can get your perfect caffeine fix.

Note that this German brewer comes in the package with two 12-ounce bags of whole coffee beans. This includes one Röstmeister and one Classic Blend. Thanks to this feature you can start enjoying your brewer the minute it arrives.

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Miele Coffee Espresso Machine

This machine features a compact design. Thanks to this feature it will fit perfectly atop your kitchen countertops. Its simple touch control panel is front-mounted to ensure that you can easily access it and adjust its parameters to your needs and likings.

Another amazing thing about this 15 bar machine is that it comes with 2 programmable user profiles. This means that you can save all your unique settings and have them ready for use at a touch of a finger whenever you want.

Apart from its multiple cup sizes, this brewer also provides you with a convenient carafe mode. It allows you to make up to 40 ounces of coffee at once. It also comes with an integrated hot water spout you can use to dispense hot water on demand whenever you want.

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Bosch Tassimo Brewing System

This espresso maker comes equipped with specially designed bar code technology. It allows you to prepare each brew using optimal temperature, amount of water,  extraction pressure, and time. As a result, every drink you make will be perfectly brewed.

Although it is a somewhat smaller machine, it provides an instant heating performance. Thanks to this feature you won’t have to wait a long time for that first cup of coffee in the morning. Most importantly, you can customize its performance with a single touch of a button.

The best thing is that it provides a much quieter performance. It comes equipped with a noise reduction system that keeps its noise levels to a minimum. It also has very low energy consumption. Most importantly, it consumes exactly zero watt-hours once it is in standby mode.

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Warranty, Customer Service, And Support

Warranty is very important as it informs you about how long you can service your espresso machine for free if its fault is not user-made. For instance. Krups espresso brewers usually offer a 2-year warranty against any manufacturing defect in workmanship and materials.

As you don’t want to send your brewer back and forth from the USA to Germany, it’s good to know that most German brands have their offices and repair centers in the US. They repair espresso machines that are both under and out of warranty. They also sell spare parts and accessories. You can easily contact their customer service at any time and get the answers related to their products and service options. Contact forms are available on their websites.