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The best automatic espresso machines will do it all! They are fully automated, so will grind the coffee, make sure each cup has enough, tamp it, brew it, and even get rid of the used grounds when the process is finished.
These are among the most expensive type of espresso machines out there, but they’re great for folks who don’t have the time or energy to focus on their coffee but who still want that perfect barista-style coffee at home.
But while espresso machines themselves are stress-free, trying to pick the right one for you can be a little more tricky. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide including the best automatic espresso machines on the market, a buyer’s guide, and the most frequently asked questions.
In my opinion, the DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica is the best value for money in this range, but let’s see what I found during my research.
At A Glance – Best Automatic Espresso Machines
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1. De’Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super Automatic Espresso & Coffee Machine
De’Longhi is known for its high-quality appliances, and the ‘Magnifica’ is no exemption.
It’s equipped with an easy-to-use control panel that allows you to adjust the menu settings for temperature, coffee strength, and cup size according to your preferences – then sit back and let the machine do the rest of the work.
The Magnifica is equipped with a professional burr grinder that has 13 adjustable settings to grind fresh beans every time and ensure maximum freshness. The “Direct-to-Brew” system allows you to use your favorite coffee beans to create your perfect espresso and grinds beans with less visible oil and maximum flavor.
If you want a versatile machine, you’ll be impressed by De’Longhi’s adjustable manual Cappuccino System that mixes steam and milk to create the thickest, longest-lasting foam for your cappuccino. You can also easily adjust the levels to create a creamy latte, macchiato, or flat white.
Once you’ve identified your ideal espresso and cappuccino experience by entering your preferences, the machine ‘remembers’ your details, including the strength, size and much more.
Pros:
- The Control panel is easy to use
- Adjust temperature, strength, and cup size
- The professional burr grinder has 13 adjustable settings
- Grinds your favorite beans with less visible oil
- Cappuccino System allows you to mix steam and milk for long-lasting foam
- The machine remembers your drink preferences and settings
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Some people warm their cup prior to grinding as the espresso isn’t as hot as they’d like
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2. Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
The Philips 2300 offers 4 different coffees with the simple press of a button: Espresso, Coffee, Americano, and Espresso Lungo. The intuitive touch display makes it easy to select your favorite coffee and customize the strength, volume, and temperature.
The durable ceramic grinders can be adjusted to 12 different levels, so you can grind your beans ultra-fine, super coarse, and anything in between.
The aroma seal keeps your beans fresh for longer, and the AquaClean water filter ensures minimal maintenance and cleaning. Simply change the filter at the machine’s request, and it won’t need descaling for up to 5000 cups.
This espresso machine is also equipped with a classic milk frother that dispenses steam and allows you to easily prepare silky-smooth milk froth for the perfect cappuccino. The milk frother is made up of only two parts, so it’s super easy to clean and is even dishwasher safe, as are the other removable parts.
Pros:
- Makes 4 different types of coffee
- Intuitive touch display for easily adjusting the strength, temperature, and quantity of your beverage
- 12-step grinder adjustment
- Aroma seal keeps your beans fresh for longer
- Up to 5,000 cups without descaling thanks to AquaClean
- Dishwasher safe parts for your convenience
- Durable, 100% ceramic grinders
Cons:
- Avoid dark roasts as they’re too oily for the burr grinder
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3. Saeco Xelsis Super Automatic Espresso Machine
The Xelsis by Saeco allows you to take full control over your drink. You can program everything, from milk and espresso volume to dose, temperature, and texture.
Once your favorite drinks are dialed in, they’re saved to your own user profile so you can easily access them every time you go to make a coffee. This is all carried out from the responsive and accurate 3.5” touchscreen.
The Xelsis definitely comes out on top in terms of the variety of drinks it’s capable of making. If you’re looking for a machine that will cater to your entire family, or you simply want the luxury of choice – look no further.
With the Xelsis, you can enjoy 15 different drinks: espresso, coffee, cappuccino, latte macchiato, caffe latte, flat white, espresso lungo, americano, espresso macchiato, ristretto, espresso doppio, cafe au lait, cafe cortado, milk froth, warm milk and hot water.
Unlike other machines, milk drinks are simple to make with the Xelsis, thanks to the hassle-free HygieSteam which cleans up the whole milk circuit with steam, from the spout to the milk tubes, at your command.
In addition, each time you make a drink with milk, the machine automatically cleans the milk system with a jet of hygienic steam, so it is clean and ready to be used again. Not only this, but the fridge-ready milk carafe packs in texture control and creates velvety-smooth coffee.
The double thermo blocks allow you to brew and steam at the same time and offer accurate temperature controls for every drink you make.
The overall design of the machine also offers refined ergonomics – from a front-access water tank to the adjustable spouts and scratch-resistant drip tray.
Pros
- 6 customizable user profiles to save your family’s favorite drinks
- Creates 15 different drinks
- The ‘Coffee Equalizer’ allows you to intuitively adjust the characteristics of your drinks via the touch screen, to adjust strength, volume, temperature, the taste of coffee, the milk foam amount, volume, and even the coffee and milk order.
- HygieSteam – a self-cleaning milk frother system
- Double thermo blocks offer accurate temperatures for every drink you make
Cons
- It comes with a high price tag
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4. Mr. Coffee One-Touch CoffeeHouse Espresso Maker and Cappuccino Machine
The Mr. Coffee Espresso Maker is affordable and highly-rated, offering a one-touch Control Panel that allows you to choose from a single or double shot of espresso, cappuccino, or latte.
The automatic milk frother turns your favorite milk (whole, skim, 2%, soy, almond, etc.) into a light, frothy foam with ease, and the easy-to-fill milk reservoir has enough capacity for 6 cappuccinos or 3 lattes and is removable for convenient cleaning.
The 19-bar Italian pump provides the ideal amount of pressure to extract dark, robust espresso brews, while the thermocouple heating system quickly and evenly heats water so you can get your brew in no time at all.
The adjustable cup tray can accommodate tall or short mugs, and the machine can be easily cleaned by the touch of a button which activates the cleaning cycle.
Pros:
- One-touch control panel to personalize your favorite drinks
- Automatic milk frother for a light, frothy cappuccino or creamy latte
- Removable milk reservoir for easy cleaning
- 19-bar Italian pump creates perfectly even, aromatic espresso
- Thermocouple heating system for fast, convenient brewing
- Adjustable cup tray to accommodate a range of mug sizes
- Great price point
Cons:
- Pump and frother are quite loud!
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5. Jura D6 Automatic Coffee Machine
Jura coffee machines are all the range at the moment, and the D6 is one of the best on the market.
It offers supreme coffee quality thanks to Jura’s exclusive technology Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.) which optimizes extraction time and allows you to achieve perfect, professional-quality espresso.
Not only this, but the Jura D6 also makes the ultimate cappuccino with its Fine Foam Frother which prepares frothed milk in no time and provides unlimited steam output for multiple cappuccinos.
The fast and precise AromaG2 integrated grinder, combined with the Pulse Extraction Process technology ensures optimal tasting coffee every time, while the customizable settings allow you to adjust the water level, coffee strength and temperature for a perfectly personalized brew.
The design of the D6 is simple and streamlined, with a digital plain text display and rotary dial for easy operation which allows you to choose from 7 different specialties.
The Intelligent Water System (I.W.S.) with RFID technology automatically detects the CLEARYL Smart water filter and alerts you when the filter needs to be changed, so you can rest assured that the water you’re using is top quality.
Pros
- Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.) which optimizes extraction time
- Fine Foam Frother which prepares frothed milk for your cappuccino in no time
- Fast and precise AromaG2 integrated grinder
- Customizable settings allow you to adjust the water level, coffee strength, and temperature
- The Intelligent Water System (I.W.S.) with RFID technology automatically detects the CLEARYL Smart water filter and lets you know when it needs changing
Cons
- Jura comes with a high price tag!
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6. Gaggia Brera Superautomatic Espresso Machine
The Gaggia Brera Superautomatic really is a nice super automatic espresso machine; it has a small foot print that could leave you with lots of countertop space.
The Italian Brera is carefully designed to optimize user efficiency. The dregs compartment, drip-tray and water tank are all accessible to the front of the appliance, just for simple and fast cleanup as well as maintenance.
Push button settings and an LED display using illuminated symbols ensure it is simple to navigate through the options, which are many on the Gaggia Brera.
Espresso aroma, strength, as well as volume can be customized. And the grinder will take advantage of the adapting system to adjust the revolutions per minute to ensure the correct amount of coffee grounds.
The Brera is definitely a great looking machine with a stylish brushed stainless-steel front panel. The side sections can be purchased in black or silver to enhance your interior decoration.
The Gaggia Brera is excellent for entertaining as it will support a multitude of user choices and the compact design and style is far more space efficient compared to the majority of machines in the class.
Should you choose to serve visitors pre-ground decaffeinated coffee, or classic coffee you can do so using the by-pass doser. Specialized treats like cappuccinos and lattes can be produced effortlessly and speedily, because the Brera comes with a stainless-steel Panarello steam-wand with Rapid Steam Technology.
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Buyer’s Guide
Buying an Automatic Espresso Machine
The purchase of an automatic coffee maker is a major investment for most people, both because of the cost of these machines and because coffee connoisseurs care a lot about how their coffee tastes.
Then, you can investigate the different options for yourself and choose the one that best suits your needs, desires, budget, and available space.
Before you even start educating yourself, though, there are some things you can consider.
- Some of these automatic machines are quite large, so you’ll want to determine where you’ll put your machine and how much space it can take up. After all, the last thing you want is to choose your favorite machine, only to find out when it arrives that it won’t fit in your home.
- You’ll also want to consider how much you want to spend on an automatic coffee machine. They can get very expensive, especially if you want one with a lot of bells and whistles.
- On the other hand, you may choose to pay more for a machine that is reliable and that produces great coffee every time.
While the purchase of these automatic coffee machines is an investment, think of how much you’ll save in the long run when you can brew your own espresso.
Brew Method
In this article, we’ve focused on super automatic espresso machines, but you should note that not all espresso machines are created equal: you’ll find semi-automatic machines as well as automatic ones.
Automatic espresso machines are pretty similar to semi-automatic ones, however, they’re also able to stop the flow of water, meaning there’s no need to watch over them while you brew your coffee – they won’t overfill. These are great for busy people who are often multitasking and want a machine that will do all the hard work for them.
Espresso machines that aren’t fully automatic may use a portafilter and grouphead for brewing, so they’re not fully automatic. The portafilter holds the espresso during extraction, and with these, you have to manually move the portafilter from the grouphead (where the espresso is extracted) to the grinder spout that dispenses the espresso.
This process produces the highest quality espresso and is used by coffee houses, however, some people will be put off by the extra work required. Having said that I find the Breville Barista Express very easy to use.
Other espresso machines will use either a removable or non-removable brew group. This has the same function as a portafilter, but it’s located internally. When you press a button on your machine to select a drink type, the beans are automatically dispensed, ground, and sorted into the brew group.
There’s usually a chamber that holds the expended coffee grounds. It’s a good idea to opt for a machine with a non-removable brew group if you choose one of these methods, mainly because these are self-cleaning and will require minimal maintenance.
Efficiency
One of the main reasons why you’re looking for an automatic espresso machine is to enjoy perfect coffee within seconds.
Coffee machines with a ‘dual’ or ‘double’ boiler indicate extra efficiency, and these are capable of steaming milk and extracting espresso simultaneously. This is a common function in most modern espresso machines, but you may want to double-check that any you look at also offer this.
Brew Strength and Grind Size
Brew strength is something that’s pretty personal, and that’s why it’s a common customizable trait of automatic espresso machines. Usually, the machine will give you an option of a single or double shot.
Some machines will also offer adjustable grinder settings: so you can make the grind more coarse (bigger) or finer (smaller).
Sometimes, if the extraction is very slow, or your espresso tastes very bitter, it could be a sign that your coffee grounds need to be more coarse to allow more water to move through. On the other hand, if the coffee is extracted very quickly, and tastes weak, adjust the machine to a finer grind.
Milk Frothing
If you drink mainly espresso, you may not be that interested in the option of milk frothing, but this is great for broadening the amount of drinks your machine can offer, and is always handy if you have a guest who likes cappuccino or latte.
The simplest milk frothing option is the detachable milk carafe. These allow the milk to be automatically dispensed into the mug through the spout so they’re super convenient and easy to use. You also have the option of a steam wand. These require more work and input on your end.
Temperature
Temperature is pivotal in creating the perfect, balanced espresso shot.
Some machines offer a handy area on the top where you can preheat your mug, but if your machine doesn’t have this, you can simply put some boiling water in it before brewing to ensure it’s as warm as possible.
Cleaning and Maintenance
One of the greatest advantages to a super automatic espresso machine, as opposed to semi-automatic ones, is the ease of cleaning the machine. However, as with all features, some machines offer more self-cleaning options than others.
If you want minimal clean-up after using your coffee machine, look for one with the following features:
- Automatic steam wand purging
- Automatic milk carafe purging
- Non-removable brew group
- Easily removable drip tray and grounds box
- Water filtration system
You also want to consider the maintenance of the machine. This is one of the reasons why a water filtration system is important, particularly if you live in an area with hard water.
With a filtration system, you won’t have to stress about decalcifying your machine as often as you normally would.
Customization
If you’re fussy about your coffee, this will be an important factor for you. Some super-automatic coffee machines come with fewer customization options, whereas others allow you to alter the strength, texture, volume, and much more.
For example, Saeco’s ‘Coffee Equalizer’ allows you to adjust the characteristics of your drinks via the touch screen, where you can alter the strength, volume, temperature, taste of coffee, the milk foam amount, volume, and even the order of the coffee and milk!
If this is less important to you, and you just want a streamlined coffee-brewing system, a machine with several presets will suffice.
Presets
Most modern espresso machines offer a range of presets, and these allow you the ease of making a latte or cappuccino – or another variation of coffee – with the simple press of a button.
Some machines even go so far as to let you choose your own custom profile with your drink preferences saved to it, which is great if you’re sharing this machine with a partner or a big family where everyone has different coffee preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are automatic espresso machines good?
Automatic espresso machines are a quick and convenient way to brew barista-standard espresso at the touch of a button. They also allow you to customize your drink in a variety of ways and may even come with a milk frother so that you can make cappuccinos or lattes.
These machines are easier to use than semi-automatic machines, and they’re designed to be efficient and simple, but they’re not 100% mess-free.
Beneath the automation, there’s still a fair amount of maintenance work that has to be done, and even with self-cleaning cycles, you’ll need to clean parts of the machine, or even descale it, yourself.
Which is better, Saeco or DeLonghi?
Both of these brands are great for producing quality coffee, however, if you like your espresso hot, DeLonghi is probably a better choice, with their drinks heated to about 166 ℉, while Saeco’s usually peak at around160 ℉.
This temperature is ideal if you like to make milk drinks, like cappuccino or latte, as these get cooler quicker when the milk is added. DeLonghi also produces stronger coffee, which may be a selling point if you like your coffee robust and flavorsome.
What is the best milk to use for frothing?
Baristas usually use whole milk (full-fat) for frothing, as it creates a thicker, creamier foam which will give your coffee an indulgent texture and provide it with more body.
Low-fat milk and skim milk can be used if you’re looking for a low-fat alternative, though these create a lighter froth and larger quantities of foam with larger air bubbles.
If you’re vegan or want to use plant-based alternatives, soy milk, almond milk or oat milk can also be used in a frother but they may not yield the same quality of froth as dairy does – the results are often quite thin.
There’s nothing better than waking up in the morning and smelling freshly brewed coffee coming from your kitchen. Except maybe being able to make a cup within minutes without leaving your bed! That’s exactly what the the DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica automatic espresso machine will let you do: wake up.
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