Pressure is the key to great espresso

Espresso machines use either a pump or steam to create pressure, but experts say only pump machines drive enough pressure to create a true espresso with a thick crema. Pod machines use prepackaged coffee, allowing users to forego grinding the coffee themselves. Some espresso machines can use either ground coffee or coffee pods. Manual and semi-automatic espresso machines require more work than automatic machines but generally produce better espresso, reviewers say.

Reviewers say to look for the following when buying a home espresso machine:

  • Look for a pump-driven machine. Steam-driven models can't maintain the correct water temperature or generate adequate pressure.
  • Skip the lightweight machines; bulkier espresso machines are sturdier. That's because they often use metal in their construction instead of plastic.
  • Budget for a top-quality bean grinder. Mark Prince of CoffeeGeek.com says that if your budget is $500, you should spend half on an espresso machine and half on a top-quality burr grinder -- the grinder is far more important than the espresso machine. Blade grinders can't grind coffee beans finely enough for espresso. See our companion report on coffee grinders.
  • Opt for a cup warmer, detachable water reservoir and removable drip tray. Owners say many drip trays are too shallow, but you can position a bowl beneath them to catch any runoff.
  • Think about brand if you go for a pod model. Consider compatibility with pods other than the espresso machine's proprietary brand and the variety of pods available.

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