Making coffee is an art. And, similar to art, there are many different tools you can use in the creation process. If you’re considering brewing espresso at home, your options are nearly endless. To find the perfect appliance, it’s helpful to learn the nuances of different types of espresso machines.
Sometimes called a lever espresso machine, these tactile espresso machines allow the user to manually pull down on a lever that lowers a piston at a precise pressure to pump hot water through the tamped coffee grounds.
For those who love this step-by-step espresso-making process, we recommend the Barista Express® Impress, an assisted manual espresso machine. It offers modern, convenient DIY features, as well as an assisted tamping lever that delivers a reliable 22lbs of pressure with a 7° barista twist.
As hands-on as it is, this machine still takes some of the load off. The smart dosing system remembers your last drink dose and makes the right adjustments, making your espresso coffee just how you like it each time. This machine is perfect for the coffee lover who wants to take the lead in the brewing process with a little help from technology.
Semi-automatic espresso machines are for tinkerers who want to manipulate some of the variables in the coffee-making process but also want consistency from the machine.
Usually, a semi-automatic machine allows you full reign over the grinding, tamping, and preparing of the coffee beans in the first part of the process. Then, the machine carries you across the finish line, utilizing an electrical pump to automatically handle the water flow, pressure, and time.
An excellent choice for those wanting a semi-automatic machine capable of creativity and performance is the Dual Boiler™ from Breville. This machine is easy to use thanks to the consistent 9 bar extraction and Dual Boiler heating system, but it allows you to grind and tamp your coffee beans however you like.
Unlike a fully automatic machine, the semi-automatic espresso machine offers both automatic and manual shot control—choose the preset one or two shot options or input your preference manually for an espresso shot that hits the spot every time.
Automatic espresso machines are the standard commercial espresso machines for most specialty coffee shops and are popular for at-home barista setups. They combine the convenience of automating the entire extraction process yet offer different settings to allow freedom over espresso yield, coffee strength, and more.
In many cases, baristas using automatic espresso machines will process the ground and tamped beans into portafilters that go into the machine. A simple button press later, the machine starts extracting the espresso and stops upon hitting a target weight.
The Barista Touch™ is a fully automatic espresso machine that can take your at-home coffee-making to the next level, emulating the taste and feel of your favorite coffee shop.
Featuring an automatic precision burr coffee grinder to grind your beans to perfection and an automatic steam wand to deliver silky smooth foam on demand, this machine will effortlessly produce all the delicious coffee concoctions you can dream up for that coffee shop experience.
This product also includes our Dosing Funnel, which hooks to the portafilter to catch ground coffee fallout for less mess and waste, so you can spend more time brewing and less time cleaning.
Sometimes, you just want to spoil yourself; there’s no shame in that. Whether you don’t have the time for manual tasks like grinding and tamping or you just want a streamlined and painless process, super-automatic espresso machines do all the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.
Super-automatic machines can seem more like magic than mechanics. With one of these machines, all you need to add are the coffee beans and the water, and the machine takes care of everything else, acting as a coffee grinder, tamper, and extractor. Some machines can even automatically infuse the milk.
The Oracle® Touch is your ultimate super-automatic espresso machine. With fully automatic grinding, brewing, and milk distribution, this next-generation machine does it all while still allowing you to customize variables such as texture, strength, and temperature.
Milk texturing guides the aesthetic of your latte, and the Oracle's automatic steam wand does the work but lets you run the show with adjustable milk texture and temperature settings for making the best latte art.
The super automatic machine also features a shot control clock, so every espresso shot is extracted and dosed to perfection. By way of accessories, this machine includes a Mini Grinds Bin to collect used ground coffee for easy dumping, spare parts for your automatic steam wand, and more.
How do the different espresso makers stack up against each other in terms of cost, ease of use, and performance? Below, we’ll examine each machine type’s differences, strengths, and weaknesses.
● Cost – While prices can vary, machines in the super-automatic category are typically the most expensive due to the machine’s complexity and ultimate convenience. In contrast, the most affordable machines will often be manual, although plenty of competitively priced automatic and semi-automatic options exist.
● Ease of use – Super-automatic machines are usually the most accessible and least complicated—there are fewer opportunities for human error when the coffee maker handles most of the processes. However, anyone can learn to master and love the manual espresso brewing process, and many coffee artisans enjoy the greater control that manual and semi-automatic machines offer.
● Performance – Each espresso machine can make a delicious cup of coffee. The difference comes down to your preferences and passion for the brewing routine. No matter which style of espresso you enjoy or want to learn, you can find the highest standard of quality and convenience from Breville’s signature line of espresso machines. Once you make your choice, check out the must-have espresso accessories for coffee lovers.
Like any art form, espresso-making isn’t just about the final product; it’s about the joy you get from the process.
Breville has an at-home espresso machine for every coffee artist—whether you’re budding or experienced, hands-on or hands-free, traditional or new school. Visit Breville kitchen appliances today to find the best espresso machine for you.
Sources:
1. Perfect Daily Grind. Manual espresso machines: How to pull the perfect shot. https://perfectdailygrind.com/2023/11/manual-espresso-machines-perfect-shot/
2. Perfect Daily Grind. Is specialty coffee starting to embrace fully-automatic espresso machines? https://perfectdailygrind.com/2023/10/fully-automatic-espresso-machines/
3. Perfect Daily Grind. How are super-automatic espresso machines evolving? https://perfectdailygrind.com/2021/06/how-are-super-automatic-espresso-machines-evolving/