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- Top Rated Espresso Machines for 2021 | 3 Top Picks for Espresso Enthusiasts
Top Rated Espresso Machines for 2021 | 3 Top Picks for Espresso Enthusiasts
Do you consider yourself an espresso enthusiast? An aficionado, perhaps? If you know a good brew from a mediocre one and you are seeking a machine that will deliver and produce, strong flavorful espresso and cappuccino then this is the list for you. This is our no-holds barred guide for the three best machines, catering to espresso drinkers with discerning palates. We know the array of different options available can be time-consuming to sort through, so our own aficionados have done the research and have culled the field to put together this list of top picks:
Contents
The Top Rated Espresso Machines
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine
Product Name- 4.5Rating
- $$$$Price
- Semi-AutomaticMachine Type
Breville BES900XL Dual Boiler Semi Automatic Espresso Machine
Product Name- 4.5Rating
- $$$$$$Price
- Semi-AutomaticMachine Type
Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker
Product Name- 4.5Rating
- $$Price
- Super AutomaticMachine Type
#1 Choice – Breville BES900XL Dual Boiler Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine
First on the list of the top rated espresso machine is the seriously luxurious Breville BES900XL Dual Boiler Semi Automatic Espresso Machine, coming in at 34 lbs and 16” x 14.2” x 16” in size, the Breville BES900XL Dual Boiler Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine is the heaviest espresso machine on this list, with a strong, sturdy construction and attractive styling.
Espresso lovers seeking an unparalleled espresso drinking experience, with a discerning palate will be blown away by the Breville BES900XL . This espresso machine comes with a myriad of features that together ensure that each cup of espresso it makes is professional-quality.
A few of our favorite features include: dedicated, dual, stainless steel boilers and 2 pumps, which together not only enable the machine to make proper espresso every time, but also enables it to give proper texture to the milk added to each cup at the optimum temperature as well as pressure; programmable functions, which make espresso preparation even easier; an over-pressure valve, which limits the maximum pressure generated throughout the espresso preparation process to the optimum level, ensuring that the pressure is regulated; and low-pressure pre-infusion function that increases water pressure gradually to expand the ground coffee beans gently, ensuring full flavor extraction.
The Breville also has programmable volumetric control, which enables the espresso machine to make espresso with fine-tuned precision; a pressure gauge that enables you to monitor the pressure generated during the espresso-making process; a dedicated hot-water outlet for making your other favorite hot beverages like Americano and for keeping your cup hot if you let it sit for several minutes; a 58 mm commercial grouphead with embedded element, which enables the espresso machine to maintain thermal stability throughout the espresso-making process; a commercial steam wand that can swivel 360 degrees and that enables you to make frothed milk with a remarkably silky texture; and a 84 oz. removable water tank with rear-integrated water filter and water level indicator, which makes cleaning the espresso machine itself a snap.
The rest of the Breville BES900XL Dual Boiler Semi Automatic Espresso Machine’s features are an auto-start function that preheats the espresso machine at a programmed time, enabling it to make espresso machines even faster; audio alerts, which enable you to keep track of your espresso even if you are away from the espresso machine; a backlit LCD that can display shot temperature, shot clock, or time, enabling you to monitor the espresso-making process easily; a drop-down swivel foot for maneuverability; a single-wall filter baskets for 1 and 2 cups; dual-wall filter baskets for 1 and 2 cups; an integrated tamper, which enables you to easily place the ground coffee beans in the tamper evenly; a stainless-steel frothing jug; water filter holder; 1-year supply of water filters; cleaning disc and tablets; and cleaning tool and allen key.
Despite the Breville machine’s wide array of useful features, some customers have aired their reservations about owning it. One says that the espresso machine needs to be serviced professionally every 4-5 years, which could become a large, unwanted expense. Another says that the espresso machine has no proven track record of reliability as it is fairly new to the market, though both of these complaints are rather nit-picky.
Nevertheless, the espresso machine received a strong rating of 4 and a half stars out of 5 on Amazon.
Hot features of the espresso machine:
- Dual stainless steel boilers and dual Italian pumps for simultaneous espresso extraction and steaming
- Over-Pressure Valve (OPV) limits extraction pressure
- Electronic PID temperature control for precise water temperature
- Backlit LCD displays brew temperature, shot clock or time
- Includes water hardness test strip, descale alert and LCD assisted descale procedure
#2 Choice – Breville The Barista Express Coffee Machine
With a weight of 23 lbs and dimensions of 13.2” x 12.5” x 15.8” the Breville Barista Express Coffee Machine is a great average size machine. It isn’t clunky and won’t dominate your kitchen countertop, but it is built to last and the quality of materials is in part evident in the slightly heavier weight.
The Breville Barista Express Coffee Machine comes equipped with several of our favorite features that ensure it will make you a top-notch brew. Most notably, the Barista Express includes: an integrated conical burr grinder with stainless-steel conical burrs, which enables the coffee machine to fully extract flavor from every coffee granule; a pressure gauge that monitors the pressure generated during flavor extraction; a Thermocoil heating system, which controls the temperature of the water with extreme precision; a 54 mm stainless-steel portafilter with commercial-style spouts; and an auto-purge function, which after steaming automatically adjusts the water temperature to the optimal temperature for full flavor extraction and enjoyment.
The rest of the coffee machines features are: a half-pound bean hopper with locking system, which enables you to remove, transfer, and store coffee beans easily; a filter size button, which indicates whether you’re using a single or double-wall filter basket, enabling the grinder to dispense the appropriate amount of ground coffee beans for each filter type; a hands-free grinding cradle, which pushes the portafilter into the cradle, signaling the coffee machine to dispense freshly ground coffee beans into the filter by itself, making preparing espresso using the coffee machine even easier; and a water tank and drip tray, both of which are removable, making cleaning the machine a cinch.
The only complaints that customers have aired about the coffee machine are the occasions where it wasn’t able to generate the needed pressure volume and that where it left a mess after a brewing session. Customers have also pointed out that the coffee maker’s water tank is placed at an awkward position, making detaching and re-attaching it a hassle. All of these are fairly minor issues, but we like to share everything we possibly can about the products we recommend so you can be confident you will love your purchase.
The Breville The Barista Express Coffee Machine, however, received a stellar rating of 4 and a half stars out of 5 on Amazon.
Hot features of the espresso machine are:
- 15 Bar Italian Pump and 1600W Thermo coil heating system
- Purge Function: Automatically adjusts water temperature after steam for optimal espresso extraction temperature
- Stainless steel conical burr grinder with 1/2 lb. sealed bean hopper
- 67 fl.oz (2L) removable water tank with handle
- Newer model of the Breville BES860XL Barista Express
#3 Choice – Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker
If you’re looking for a top-notch, easy to use espresso machine that streamlines the brewing process while still producing a strong, flavorful beverage, the Nespresso C60 Pixie Espresso Maker might be the one for you. Coming in at 8 lbs and 12.8” x 4.3” x 9.2” in dimensions, this espresso machine is definitely petite and was designed using chrome and matte-black plastic, giving it an edgy, modern, sophisticated look. So if you don’t have much space to accommodate the big machines on your kitchen, this will be ideal for you being one of the best small espresso machines available in the market.
If you want your espresso fast, with no hassle, then you’ll love that the Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker promises to make each cup in less than a minute. It really doesn’t get any faster than that. Not only does this espresso machine come with programmable buttons for espresso and lungo, which enables you to make coffee at a push of a button, it can also make a shot of espresso in less than 30 seconds.
The rest of this espresso machine’s features include: backlight indicators, which enable you to monitor the brewing process easily; water level detection, which lets you check whether you poured enough water into the tank by just looking at it; auto power-off, which makes preparing coffee require even less thought; convenient power cord storage; used capsule container; and 24 oz water tank.
Despite how convenient the Nespresso C60 Pixie Espresso Maker makes preparing espresso at home, customers have a few minor complaints. One customer was particularly unhappy with this espresso machine’s water tank. According to that customer, not only does the espresso machine’s small water tank necessitate frequent refills, which makes preparing multiple cups of espresso less than ideal, but it is also hard to remove, making cleaning the espresso machine itself a little tricky.
The espresso machine, however, received a rating of 4 and half stars out of 5 on Amazon. It is also one of the best selling unit for super-automatic espresso machines.
Hot features of the espresso machine are:
- Programmable buttons for espresso and lungo, folding drip tray for larger cups and recipes
- brew ready in 25-30 second
- Backlight indicators, water level detection, auto power-off, used capsule container, convenient power cord storage
- 12.83-Inch length by 4.33-Inch width by 9-1/4-Inch height
- 24-Ounce water tank
We hope this list has helped you narrow your own picks for your next home espresso machine or for office. Let us know if you’ve found espresso love with one of our favorite best options and how it is working out for you!
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About the Author Michael York
I am a die-hard espresso fan. I love every form of the drink from straight espresso shots to lattes and cappuccinos. I currently use a Breville BES870XL Barista, it is an awesome machine. BUT, my dream machine is definitely an Italian Quickmill Andreja. Those bad boys make badass espresso. I love answering your questions, leave a comment or question below!
