Espresso Machines: Reviews

Updated October 2011

Not only does making the perfect cup of espresso take some learning (it's a precise method that requires exact measurements and the right grind of beans) but making a cup at home yourself means you need the right kind of machine. If you're going to shell out the big bucks to buy one, you want to make sure you're choosing a model that gets good reviews. We found expert reviews and crossed referenced them with user feedback to select our best reviewed espresso machines.

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Best espresso machine overall

Rancilio Silvia

*Est. $700 Compare Prices

Expert reviewers say this is the best espresso machine for serious coffee aficionados. The Rancilio Silvia gets high marks for its espresso taste, features, ease of use and build quality. The stainless-steel Silvia has a… expandforged-brass boiler for durability and to better retain heat. Some users say the Silvia is sensitive to grind coarseness -- meaning that coffee beans need to be finely ground and tamped properly -- but the machine is compatible with packaged coffee pods as well. A separate pod adaptor kit (*Est. $90) is required, however. Frothing milk properly also takes practice, but experts say that the Silvia lives up to its reputation as best in this price class. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Choice magazine: Editors at Australia's Choice magazine are thorough reviewers of espresso machines, testing each against a standard set of criteria.

Whole Latte Love: WholeLatteLove.com, a retailer, also posts owner-written ratings and product demonstration videos.

CoffeeGeek.com: The top-rated espresso machines discussed here (those garnering more than 60 owner-written reviews) include the Rancilio Silvia.

SweetMarias.com: Although Sweet Maria's is mainly of a purveyor of green coffee beans and home-roasting equipment, experts here do recommend a handful of espresso machines, including the Rancilio Silvia, which they call a "modern classic." Editors point out that like most espresso machines, the Rancilio Silvia is a tool and requires practice to perfect the process.

Epinions.com: There are some owner-written reviews on Epinions.com, and this site is a good place to check once you have your choice narrowed to a few moderately priced models.

Amazon.com: More than two dozen owners give the Silvia a high average rating in Amazon.com user reviews (an average of 4.5 stars out of 5). Some owners say it requires finesse to master, however, and it's advised that you buy a high-quality grinder to go with it.

The Boston Globe: Ike DeLorenzo investigates the possibility of obtaining high-quality espresso from low-end machines by varying the quality of grounds used and ground consistency.

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Buy from Amazon for $629.00
J.L. Hufford for $790.00	Seattle Coffee Gear for $629.00	Zoostores.c- om for $699.99

Best value espresso machine

Gaggia Classic

*Est. $450 Compare Prices

Reviewers say the Gaggia Classic is a pleasure to use, whether you're hand-pulling a shot of espresso or prefer the convenience of using a coffee pod. The Gaggia includes two stainless-steel filter baskets, one for single… expandshots of ground coffee or pods and the other for double shots of ground coffee. Users say the Gaggia makes some of the best espresso in its price range, producing thick and rich crema. Experts say that you can't get better features for the money, including stainless-steel housing, a commercial-style portafilter and a three-way solenoid valve, which is designed to relieve built-up pressure and divert it to the drip tray, resulting in a drier coffee puck and less mess. The Gaggia has an aluminum boiler, however, which is more susceptible to corrosion than brass. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNNMoney.com: The Gaggia Classic places second in this short five-model roundup, just behind the now-discontinued Breville 800ESXL. Charles Passy gives the Gaggia Classic a grade of B, even though he says that it makes a better espresso than Breville, because it lacks a calibrated water tank.

Food & Wine Magazine: The Gaggia Classic is listed as the runner-up in Food & Wine magazine's list of best pod espresso machines.

SweetMarias.com: Editors of SweetMarias.com praise the Gaggia Classic for using high-quality internal components, including a high-output, 55-watt pump that produces over 17 bars of pressure.

CoffeeKid.com: Mark Prince recommends a number of espresso machines in different price categories and for various levels of expertise.

Whole Latte Love: Users at WholeLatteLove.com praise the Gaggia Classic for producing excellent espresso with perfect crema.

CoffeeGeek.com: Consumers at CoffeeGeek.com give the Gaggia Classic high ratings because of its solid construction and ease of use.

Amazon.com: About 45 contributors to Amazon.com say that the Gaggia Classic is a good entry-level machine that produces excellent coffee.

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Buy from Amazon for $387.85
Whole Latte Love for $385.00	Sears for $602.99	Vacuum-Dire- ct for $399.00

Budget espresso maker

DeLonghi EC155

*Est. $100 Compare Prices

Experts agree that higher-priced machines are more durable and give you more value for your money, but users say the DeLonghi EC155 makes a great entry-level machine. Unlike most machines in this price range, it produces… expand15 bars of pump-driven pressure, which reviewers say is sufficient to create a true espresso with a thick crema. The DeLonghi also can use either pods or ground coffee, a convenience that several users appreciate. We did find complaints, however, about cheap plastic parts and an awkwardly positioned frothing wand. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: The DeLonghi EC155 is one of five espresso machines rated in the latest coffee-maker roundup at ConsumerReports.org.

Good Housekeeping: The DeLonghi EC155 produces the best-tasting espresso in Good Housekeeping's test of inexpensive espresso machines.

SingleServeEspresso.com: Editors of SingleServeEspresso.com say that the DeLonghi EC155 has a "strong set of basic features," making it a great value.

Amazon.com: More than 715 owners posting to Amazon.com say the DeLonghi EC155 packs a lot of value for its price.

Cooking.com: Just under 25 owners review the DeLonghi EC155, contributing to an overall average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.

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Buy from Amazon for $79.99
Seattle Coffee Gear for $99.95	eBay for $97.88	Lowe's for $99.99

Nespresso Essenza *Est. $250

3 picks by top review sites.

DeLonghi BAR32 Retro *Est. $100

2 picks by top review sites.

Bialetti Moka Express *Est. $15-$40, depending on size

2 picks by top review sites.

Mr. Coffee ECM160 Steam Espresso and Cappuccino Maker *Est. $50

2 picks by top review sites.

Breville Barista Express BES860XL *Est. $600

2 picks by top review sites.

Nespresso CitiZ & Milk Espresso Machine *Est. $350

2 picks by top review sites.

Mr. Coffee Pump Espresso/Cappuccino/Latte Machine ECMP50 *Est. $100

2 picks by top review sites.

DeLonghi Lattissima EN680 *Est. $600

2 picks by top review sites.


	Nespresso Essenza C101 Espresso Maker, Black In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Mr. Coffee ECMP50 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker, Black In Stock. Average Customer Review: