11 Best Automatic Espresso Machines of 2024 – Our Updated Reviews of Automatic Machines
Automatic espresso machines, which grind, brew, and froth milk for you, are an excellent investment if you love your morning espresso but are getting a bit tired of trekking to the coffee house each day. If you want a bit more than a traditional coffee maker and think it’s time to invest in your own machine, keep reading to learn a bit about the best espresso machines on the market.
Before we dive deeper into the topic, let’s take a look at this great video from Seattle Coffee Gear about the TOP 3 Superautomatic Espresso Machines:
Our Top Pick:
Our top pick for best automatic espresso machine is the Breville Barista Express espresso machine. It’s got many great features, and the Breville name carries a lot of weight in the coffee industry.
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part of the Barista Series that offers all in one espresso machines with integrated grinder to go from beans to espresso in under one minute
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on demand to deliver the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction
- MANUAL MICROFOAM MILK TEXTURING: The powerful steam wand performance allows you to hand texture microfoam milk that enhances flavor and enables creation of latte art
- ESPRESSO MACHINE WITH GRIND SIZE DIAL: Simple and intuitive, giving you control over the grind size no matter what type of bean you're grinding
- ESPRESSO MAKER WITH BUILT-IN COFFEE GRINDER: Innovative grinding cradle allows any at home barista to grind directly into the espresso portafilter for the perfect espresso
- INCLUDED ACCESSORIES: Razor Dose Trimming Tool, 54mm Stainless Steel Portafilter, 1 & 2 cup Single & Dual Wall Filter Baskets, Coffee Scoop, Integrated Tamper, Stainless Steel Milk Jug, Cleaning Disc, Tablets, Brush Tool & Allen Key, Water Filter & Filter Holder
- WARRANTY: 1 Year Limited Product Warranty; Power: 1600 Watts; Voltage: 120 Volts
Features
Of all of the automatic and semi-automatic espresso machines we tried, the Barista Express came out on top. It has been Breville’s top-selling automatic espresso machine for some time now, and for good reason. It offers professional-grade espresso drinks at a price far below commercial machines.
One of the best things about the Barista Express is it allows you to gauge the quality of the espresso as you’re making it. This feature is great because it helps you determine what adjustments to make to guarantee the perfect cup next time.
The tiger-striped crema that settles on top of the richly-brewed coffee is also evidence of what a high-quality machine the Barista Express is. Not only is it dense, but it’s full of flavor, too.
The frothing wand is also top-tier. The steam delivers foam that’s perfect for lattes and cappuccinos. Even better, the foam is so densely-packed that you can try your hand at creating “latte art.”
The Breville Barista Express offers piping hot espresso drinks on par with some of the best coffee houses. So if you want professional quality drinks without buying a commercial machine, the Barista Express is our pick.
- Built-in grinder for fresh coffee.
- Precise extraction for great espressos.
- Powerful steam wand for milk-based drinks.
- Customization options.
- Durable stainless steel build.
- Takes up space.
- Noisy grinder.
- Requires regular maintenance.
De’Longhi Magnifica Best Automatic Espresso Machine – Multi-Purpose
- FRESH ESPRESSO FOR EVERY CUP: The professional burr grinder with 13 adjustable settings grinds fresh beans every time to ensure maximum freshness. You can also use pre-ground in the second chamber. Your choice of regular, specialty or decaf.
- YOUR FOAM, YOUR WAY: A manual frother mixes steam and milk to create a rich, creamy froth for evenly textured drinks – just the way you like them.
- CONSISTENT BREWING EVERY TIME: Each cup is automatically brewed to the perfect temperature, richness and density. And you can customize the settings to ensure its always just the way you like it.
- EASY TO CLEAN AND HANDLE: The compact, extractable brew unit is not only easy to clean, it self-adjusts for one or two shots of espresso.
- DELICIOUS CAPPUCCINO AND LATTE: The adjustable manual Cappuccino System mixes steam and milk to create the thickest, longest-lasting foam for your cappuccino. And it’s easy to adjust the levels to prepare a creamy latte, macchiato or flat white.
- CUSTOMIZED ESPRESSO DRINKS: Design your ideal espresso and cappuccino experience by programming in your preferences. The machine “remembers” the details, from the strength of your espresso to your preferred size beverage and much more.
- EASY-TO-USE CONTROL PANEL: Simply adjust the menu settings for temperature, coffee strength and cup size according to your preferences. The machine takes care of the rest.
- COMPACT DESIGN: Each model has the features of a full-size automatic machine but in a streamlined, compact design that fits beautifully on your kitchen countertop.
- NO WAITING BETWEEN CUPS: The Rapid Cappuccino System maintains the optimal temperature so you can brew cup after cup instantly.
- FRONT-ACCESSIBLE COMPONENTS: Removable water tank and drip tray, as well as used espresso grounds, are front-accessible for easy cleanup. Indicators tell you when it’s time to clean the machine, and all parts are dishwasher safe.
Features
The De’Longhi Magnifica is an automatic espresso machine that doubles as a coffee machine, which is one of its best features. It has a patented direct-to-brew system that grinds your beans and immediately brews your cup for you. If you’ve opted for a morning latte, the machine will get right to work frothing up milk for you.
This machine is ideal if you share a home with people who enjoy a mix of drip coffee and espresso. It brews a pretty big cup of coffee, but can easily handle a small and mighty cup of espresso, too.
The main issue with the Magnifica is the grinder noise. Unfortunately, noise comes with the territory when it comes to bean grinders. Still, the Magnifica was quite a bit louder than the other machines we tested.
- Versatile
- Compact design.
- Easy-to-use.
- Customizable settings.
- Integrated grinder.
- Can be a bit noisy.
- Smaller water and bean reservoirs.
Jura ENA 8 Metropolitan Best For the Basics
- COMPACT ONE TOUCH: Prepare 10 barista quality specialties including espresso doppio, cappuccino, flat white and latte macchiato at the touch of a button
- PERFECT ESPRESSO: Ultimate coffee quality thanks to JURA's exclusive Pulse Extraction Process
- CONICAL BURR GRINDER: Fast and precise AromaG3 grinder grinds whole beans to the optimum fineness
- ECO FRIENDLY: JURA is always freshly ground, not capsuled - fresh taste with very limited waste - single serve machine
- CAPACITY: 37 ounce cylindrical-shape, easy-grip water tank, 4.4 ounce bean container, optional pre-ground chute
Features
The super-automatic Jura ENA 8 is a great hybrid model that serves up .5 oz espresso to 8 oz long pull coffee. Although the bean hopper and water reservoir capacities were a bit smaller than we liked, the quality of the coffee more than made up for that.
This machine is great if you’re just looking for the basics and want to go with an industry-leading brand. Milk options include latte, cappuccino, and macchiato. However, if you’re aiming for fancier drinks, such as flat whites or cortados, this one won’t be for you.
- Stylish and compact design.
- Touchscreen interface for easy operation.
- Consistent espresso quality.
- Customizable coffee strength and size.
- Quiet operation.
- High price point.
- Limited beverage variety (primarily espresso-based).
- Smaller water and bean containers.
- Regular maintenance required.
Breville Barista Touch Best For Frothy Drinks
- Get up to 24 bags of coffee beans with the purchase of this machine from September 19, 2022 to October 3, 2022. Visit beanz.com/us/en/promotions/coffee-day-2022.html to redeem. T&C apply.
- The Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine helps you create third wave specialty coffee with ease with intuitive touch screen display with pre-programmed cafe drinks in 3 easy steps Grind Brew and Milk; You can easily adjust the coffee strength, milk texture and temperature to suit your taste.
- Precise Espresso Extraction: Digital Temperature Control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature ensuring optimal espresso extraction
- Faster Heat Up Time: Innovative ThermoJet heating system achieves the optimum extraction temperature in 3 seconds; Ready to make your best coffee without the wait
- Automatic Micro Foam Milk Texturing: Auto steam wand allows you to adjust the milk temperature and texture to suit your taste; Delivering barista quality micro foam that enhances the flavor of the coffee and is essential for creating latte art
- Integrated Coffee Grinder: With a single touch the integrated conical burr grinder with dose control delivers the right amount of coffee on demand, for maximum flavor
- Hands Free Operation: Innovative grinding cradle allows any at home Barista to grind directly into the espresso portafilter
- Warranty: 1 Year Repair Warranty; Power; 1680 Watts; Voltage: 110 to 120 Volts
Features
If you like frothy–and we mean frothy–espresso drinks, then the Breville Barista Touch is for you. With eight froth density options to choose from, you’re guaranteed to get the airiest, fluffiest cappuccinos and creamiest lattes you could ever ask for.
Not to mention, you can create your own drinks. Did you have the perfect cappuccino at a local coffee house? Set your grind time, milk temperature, and froth density to your exact specifications, and within sixty seconds, you’ll be sipping on your perfect drink.
Our main complaint about the Barista Touch was the temperature control. The Touch only offers drink temperatures up to 170 degrees, so if you like your coffee scorching hot, you may end up a bit let down.
- User-friendly touchscreen interface.
- Excellent milk frothing for lattes and cappuccinos.
- Customizable coffee settings.
- Durable stainless steel build.
- Built-in conical burr grinder.
- Relatively large in size.
- Regular maintenance needed.
- Some components may wear over time.
Gaggia Brera Automatic Espresso Machine Best For Small Spaces
- Mavea Water Filter - four stages of filtration to remove impurities and reduce scale build up
- Low energy consumption - standby mode activates after one hour of idle time
- Programmed to notify users when care is required
- Pre-infusion feature ensure maximum flavor and aroma extraction
Features
If you’re short on counter space but still want to enjoy a cup of espresso each morning, the Gaggia Brera is an excellent alternative to the more expensive machines. At the low end of the price range, the Brera offers a pricier machine’s perks but without the price tag.
One of the cool things about the Brera is the “smart grinding” system. Many machines can be fussy when it comes to the type of bean you put in their grinder. The Brera actually adjusts grinding settings based on the kind of roast you’re using.
The main issue with the Brera was that the lower price means lower-quality parts. Much of what would typically be stainless steel in other machines is plastic in the Brera. That said, it doesn’t affect the brew quality at all. The device still puts out a fantastic cup of coffee.
- Compact design ideal for small spaces.
- Easy to use and clean.
- Adjustable coffee strength and grind settings.
- Affordable for an automatic espresso machine.
- Decent espresso quality.
- Limited water reservoir capacity.
- Smaller bean hopper.
- May not produce as fine a grind as some other machines.
- Fewer advanced features compared to higher-end models.
- Some plastic components in the build.
Phillips 3200 Series Espresso Machine Best Milk System
- Enjoy 5 coffees
- Intuitive touch display
- 12-step grinder adjustment
- 20,000 cups of finest coffee with durable ceramic grinders
- Keep your beans fresh for longer thanks to the aroma seal
- Up to 5,000 cups without descaling thanks to AquaClean
- Dishwasher safe parts for your convenience
- Easy cleaning thanks to fully removable brewing group
- Makes Espresso, hot water, cappuccino, coffee, latte macchiato and americano
- Includes: Measuring scoop, water hardness test strip, AquaClean filter, LatteGo storage lid, grease tube
Features
If you want a quick and easy espresso drink without the fuss of frothing milk, the Phillips 3200 is just what you need. With just the push of a button, you’ll have perfect, frothy drinks. The tubeless milk system is a cinch to clean, too, so you’ll never have to worry about cleaning tubes.
Another thing we loved about the Phillips 3200 was the adjustable temperature controls. Whether you like your espresso warm or piping hot, you’ll be able to adjust the temperature for your needs.
- Easy-to-use and clean.
- Fast milk frothing with LatteGo system.
- Compact design.
- Decent espresso quality.
- Customizable coffee settings.
- Limited coffee temperature control.
- Smaller water reservoir.
- Plastic build in some areas.
- Relatively basic compared to higher-end models.
- May not be suitable for those who prefer more advanced espresso features.
Saeco Xelsis Automatic Espresso Machine Best For Multiple Users
- 15 coffee varieties at your fingertips: Explore the world of coffee - Espresso, cappuccino, macchiato, and a range of specialty drinks
- Personalized Preferences: Everyone’s custom coffee favorites can be saved in up to 6 user profiles for instant selection. Personalize each profile down to the finest detail
- LatteDuo System: Prepare and enjoy single or double serving of any coffee recipe with one touch, including Cappuccino or Latte Macchiato
- LattePerfetto: The external milk carafe creates a dense milk foam with a fine, silky texture
- Optimal grinds: With high-tech ceramic grinders your fresh beans are gently ground, without the risk of overheating, extracting all the best flavors and aroma for at least 20,000 cups
Features
The Saeco Xelsis is one of the best super-automatic machines out there. It has a large hopper and water reservoir, so you can quickly get away with filling both up once a week, depending on how much you drink.
The espresso drinks the Xelsis creates are top-notch. The quality of the espresso is supreme, with a bold flavor and just the right amount of crema on top. And with six user profile options, the machine will be easy to share if you have roommates.
- Advanced customization for multiple users.
- High-quality espresso and milk frothing.
- Large water and bean reservoirs.
- Durable stainless steel build.
- Variety of beverages.
- Premium price.
- Learning curve for customization.
- May be larger for some kitchen spaces.
- Regular maintenance required.
- Some components may require replacement over time.
Jura S8 Automatic Coffee Machine Best For Variety
- ONE TOUCH: Prepare 15 barista quality specialties including espresso, coffee, cappuccino, flat white and latte macchiato at the touch of a button
- PERFECT ESPRESSO: Ultimate coffee quality thanks to JURA's exclusive Pulse Extraction Process
- CONICAL BURR GRINDER: Fast and precise AromaG3 grinder grinds whole beans to the optimum fineness
- ECO FRIENDLY: JURA is always freshly ground, not capsuled - fresh taste with very limited waste - single serve machine
- CAPACITY: 64 ounce water tank, 10 ounce bean container
Features
The Jura S8 is a high-quality machine that produces a whopping 15 different pre-programmed espresso drinks. So if you’re not a die-hard macchiato drinker and like to change it up now and then, the S8 will be perfect.
Using Jura’s Pulse Extraction Process, the S8 pulses water through the grinds in short bursts, providing one of the best-tasting cups of espresso you could ask for. The best part? If you’re partial to milk drinks, don’t expect to spend a lot of time cleaning your milk system. The S8 has a self-cleaning milk system that takes care of the mess for you.
The main disadvantage to the S8 is the maintenance cost. The cleaning tablets, milk cleaning liquid, and filters can get expensive. With the up-front cost of a top-tier espresso machine already denting your wallet, make sure you look into how much it’ll cost you in the long run, too.
- Wide variety of coffee and specialty drinks.
- Excellent build quality.
- User-friendly touchscreen interface.
- High-quality espresso.
- Adjustable settings for customization.
- High price point.
- Regular maintenance is needed.
- Some might find it complex to operate initially.
- Larger footprint.
- Limited to Jura's proprietary coffee beans and maintenance products.
De’Longhi Magnifica XS Espresso Machine Best Entry Level
- This compact machine has a professional burr grinder with 13 adjustable settings grinds fresh beans every time to ensure maximum freshness. You can also use pre-ground in the second chamber. Your choice of regular, specialty or decaf.
- The adjustable manual cappuccino system mixes steam and milk to create the thickest, longest-lasting foam for your cappuccino. And it’s easy to adjust the levels to prepare a creamy latte, macchiato or flat white. Height adjustable Coffee spout
- Simply adjust the menu settings for temperature, coffee strength and cup size according to your preferences. The machine takes care of the rest.
- Maintenance: de’longhi machines require half the cleaning time of other brands, unlike competitor machines, which require chemical cleaning tablets monthly.
- Warranties may not apply to purchases from an unauthorized retailer.
Features
The De’Longhi Magnifica XS is a smaller, more compact version of the Magnifica S that we reviewed above. It’s perfect as an entry-level machine because it offers a lot of flexibility to learn how to make your ideal cup of coffee.
Some of the nicer features of this model are its ability to brew up to two long coffees in one go, the intuitive controls, and the energy-save mode.
The main downside to the Magnifica XS is that the convenient size adds to the cost of the machine. That said, if you’re short on space and want a reliable, entry-level machine, this one will be perfect.
- Compact and affordable for an entry-level machine.
- Simple to use.
- Built-in conical burr grinder.
- Customizable settings.
- Consistent espresso quality.
- Limited beverage variety (primarily espresso-based).
- Smaller water and bean containers.
- Can be noisy.
- Regular maintenance required.
- No pre-ground coffee option.
Jura 15089 GIGA W3 Automatic Coffee Machine Best for Offices
- The ingenious, self-explanatory operating concept includes a ball bearing-mounted rotary switch and TFT display for maximum speed and efficiency
- The integrated rinsing, cleaning and descaling programs reduce the effort involved to a minimum. Active bean monitor is available
- with accessories such as cup warmers and milk coolers, it is possible to design an optimum complete Coffee solution for any requirement
- The GIGA W3 is also capable of producing the internationally popular flat white
- Elegant and professional, the automatic Coffee machine provides everything that counts in a modern working environment for customers, visitors and employees
- Only Original Jura maintenance products Guarantee complete hygiene and protection. Only our protective formulas have been carefully optimized to suit the programmed and materials used in Jura automatic machines.
Features
Your employees will absolutely love this professional-grade addition to the workplace coffee station. The Jura GIGA W3 serves up cup after cup of espresso and coffee drinks with minimal refills.
The GIGA W3 comes programmed with a total of 43 customizable drink options. The best part? You can avoid long lines at the espresso machine by brewing two drinks at once.
When you set up your machine, you can set it to automatically turn on and shut off at specific times of the day. It also features Jura’s automatic cleaning system, which means you won’t have to worry about scrubbing your machine down daily to keep it clean.
- High-capacity for office use.
- Wide variety of coffee and specialty drinks.
- High-quality construction.
- User-friendly touchscreen interface.
- Dual spouts for simultaneous coffee preparation.
- Large and heavy, takes up space.
- Regular maintenance needed.
- Complex for some users.
- Limited to Jura's proprietary coffee beans and maintenance products.
Espressione 8212S Automatic Espresso Machine Best for Single Users
- Powerful 19 bar pressure technology
- Elegant LED panel with one touch keys
- Frothing mechanism to froth and foam milk, make cappuccinos and macchiato with ease
- Boiler/thermo block delivers precise water temperature during entire brewing process and regulates between frothing and brewing ensuring taste quality.
- Built in stainless steel coffee grinder (extremely quiet-low noise-70db) with 5 Precise fineness settings-use your favorite beans to make the espresso you love!
- Thermoblock heater (die-cast aluminum with integrated stainless steel tube)
- Hot water function allows you to make hot tea and other beverages
- ECO System with auto-stop (ASO) and programmable automatic shut-off
- Adjustable coffee dispenser and removable drip tray accommodates large cups and mugs
- Coffee size memory function for convenience
Features
The Espressione 8212S is a small, intuitive machine that can brew a perfect cup of espresso in no time. The espresso has a rich flavor with just the right amount of crema, which matches some of the high-end machines we reviewed above.
The main downside to this machine is that it doesn’t offer the same versatility as other machines. It also needs to be cleaned daily to prevent coffee or milk from gunking up the device.
- Compact and suitable for single users.
- User-friendly operation.
- Affordable for an automatic machine.
- Decent espresso quality.
- Easy maintenance.
- Limited coffee customization.
- Smaller water and bean reservoirs.ű
- Basic features compared to higher-end models.
- Some plastic components in the build.
Espresso Machine FAQ
If you are still unsure about which automatic espresso machine to buy, explore our answers to some of the most common questions people have about these machines.
What are “bars”?
When researching espresso machines, you’ll commonly see a bar number in machine descriptions. That number refers to the bars of pressure – or PSI – the machine can handle.
What bar pressure should I aim for?
Nine bars are considered ideal for espresso machines. No matter what bar level you choose, though, just remember that the water needs to be forced into your grinds for at least 25 seconds.
What’s the difference between coffee and espresso?
You might think espresso is simply strong coffee with high caffeine content. However, that’s not quite the case. Although you can make espresso with any type of bean, there are two caveats. First, espresso uses a powdery-fine coffee grind size . Second, the water that extracts the coffee is pushed through at much higher pressure than pour-over coffee.
What is crema?
Crema is the soft foam that appears on your espresso. It’s typically a pale brown or whitish color, and in the best cases, forms “tiger stripes.” The presence of crema indicates that the espresso you’re drinking is a high-quality shot.
Should I use distilled water to make espresso?
Distilled water can help prevent you from having to descale your machine frequently. It’s also a good choice if your tap water has a lot of flavor to it. For example, if your water is heavily chlorinated or iron-rich, those flavors might carry over into your coffee.
What to Look for In Your Automatic Espresso Machine
Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re shopping around for your new espresso machine.
Budget
There are two things to remember when choosing a budget for your espresso machine.
1. Espresso machines are not cheap.
2. You get what you pay for.
As a rule, espresso machines are usually an investment. A low-end or budget option will easily run you several hundred dollars. If you click on the links above, you’ll see just how varied the costs can get.
You also pay for quality when you purchase an espresso machine. Espresso is a temperamental drink, so you’ll need a device that can handle creating a perfect cup.
Maintenance/Customer Service
All espresso machines require regular maintenance to ensure they’re performing their best. The level of care each machine requires varies, though. For example, some have self-cleaning milk systems, while others require cleaning each component by hand. In addition, most devices will need regular descaling, and in some cases, you might need special cleaners.
When you’re shopping for an espresso machine, make sure you read up on what kind of maintenance you’ll be taking on. Some care may not require more than elbow grease, but other maintenance might require added costs.
Programmability
If you’re pretty basic in terms of what kind of espresso drink you want, then you’ll have a ton of options to choose from. However, if you want highly customizable beverages, then you’ll need to seek out a machine that makes it easy to craft your own drinks.
In addition, you’ll also want to be able to program when your machine turns on and off to avoid wasting electricity. Most machines have an automatic on/off switch already installed.
Water Tank Capacity
Water tank capacity is an important feature. If you’re only brewing espresso for yourself, a smaller reservoir will suit you fine. However, if you and your three roommates all like your morning lattes, you’ll want a more extensive reservoir to minimize how often you need to fill up.
Milk Frother Types
There are two milk frother types covered in our reviews. One is automatic, which froths milk as part of the brewing process and pours it into the cup for you. The other type is a wand, which might have a bit of a learning curve.
Ultimately, though, it comes down to preference. If you want to carefully control how frothy your milk is, a wand frother will be your best bet.
Verdict: Are Fully Automatic Espresso Machines Worth It?
If you love espresso and want to cut back on the amount of time you wait in line at your local coffee house, then an automatic espresso machine will be perfect for you. Even if you purchase a high-end machine, it will more than make up for the cost you would’ve spent at a coffee house.
Of the machines on this list, we feel the Breville Barista Express is the best automatic espresso machine out there. It’s professional-grade, offers lots of options, and never fails to brew the perfect cup.