Espresso Machine Review

Testing espresso machines

Of all the publications that review espresso machines, Australian publication Choice magazine tests the largest number (19 manual and semi-automatic and nine automatic espresso makers). Editors rate each on espresso taste, ease of use, features, frothing ability and build quality. New Zealand's Consumer magazine rates 11 manual and semi-automatic espresso makers. Editors also test espresso machines against uniform criteria, and they alone test for temperature consistency between shots of espresso. Although these two sources offer the most thorough evaluations we found during our research, most of the tested espresso machines aren't available in the U.S., which limits these reviews' usefulness.

Although its professional reviews are not as comprehensive as those at Choice or Consumer, CoffeeGeek.com is an outstanding source for detailed reviews - and all of its tested espresso makers are available in the U.S. Editors provide quick looks at new-to-market machines, as well as lengthier reviews of time-tested models like the Rancilio Silvia (*Est. $700). Editors often pit the machine they're testing against costlier espresso machines, which enables them to comment on value. CoffeeGeek.com also allows owners to post reviews, and the owner comments here are usually more insightful than those at general-interest sites such as Epinions and Amazon.com. Comments on long-term reliability are particularly useful. Owners also provide tips and "hacks" for various machines that help boost espresso quality.

Consumer Reports' latest report covers just seven espresso machines, so highly regarded brands such as Breville, Solis, Gaggia and Rancilio aren't included at all. We're disappointed that Cook's Illustrated magazine has not tested espresso machines since 1996. In the intervening years, editors have tested a single stovetop cappuccino maker, the Bialetti Mukka Express Stovetop Cappuccino Maker (*Est. $90), which is a close relative of the traditional Moka pot. The Mukka brews espresso and steams milk simultaneously. Editors report that it does a decent job with lattes, but say you shouldn't use it to brew cappuccino.

Despite the somewhat inconsistent espresso machines reviews we found, experts generally agree that $200 is the baseline price for a quality espresso maker. Several models costing less just don't make the grade. Making espresso requires steam, hot water and pressure -- elements that can quickly damage units made with less expensive, lower-grade plastics and less durable parts.

We read mixed reviews for two entry-level pump-driven espresso machines, the Krups XP4030 (*Est. $130) and Krups XP4050 (*Est. $250) at CoffeeGeek.com and Amazon.com. The XP4050 doesn't outperform others in professional tests, either; in tests at Money magazine, its steam wand broke during the review process. The Krups XP4030 is said to have leaky seals and also has a steam wand that can detach from the machine during frothing -- a problem that's both messy and potentially dangerous. Many owners report that the Krups XP4050 espresso machine is noisy and has durability issues.

Some owners say that while the Gaggia Syncrony 9306 Super-Automatic (*Est. $560) espresso machine is sleekly beautiful and capable of making great espresso, it's prone to breaking and has confusing controls. Even owners who like this machine say it's noisy, and that the included directions are not very helpful.

Finally, experts agree that you shouldn't even consider an inexpensive "steam-driven" espresso machine. Only pump espresso machines make real espresso, say experts. Steam-driven machines are incapable of brewing true espresso because water is forced through coffee grounds at only one to three bars of pressure, far less than the nine bars of pressure required to make espresso. What you end up with, according to most experts, is strong coffee rather than espresso. If you're just after strong coffee, you should instead consider a moka pot like the Bialetti Moka Express (*Est. $20) or a French press coffee maker, both of which are far less expensive than even a cheap espresso machine.