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10 Best Automatic Espresso Machines (Easy Espresso at the Touch of a Button)

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Scott

October 10, 2023

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A fully automatic espresso machine isn’t a cheap buy but what you get for your money makes the investment worthwhile. If you’re fed up with weak, tasteless coffee and don’t want to traipse to a coffee shop every time you need a pick-me-up, then these machines will suit you down to the ground.

An automatic espresso machine makes delicious tasting espresso that’s as simple as pressing a button. You don’t need to buy a separate grinder or milk frother as these are typically built into the machine. Simply add coffee beans, adjust the settings and watch as the coffee is brewed right into your favorite mug.

There are hundreds of great options when it comes to buying one of these machines so to help you narrow down the competition, here are ten of the best options available on the market. We will look at each machine individually, its pros and cons, and what makes it worth considering.

Have a browse and if you like the look of any of these options then click the ‘Price and Reviews’ button to check current prices. Now let’s get straight into it with our top choice, the Barista Express by Breville.

• 1. Top Choice – Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine
• 2. Runner Up – Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine
• 3. Best Cost-Effective Option – De’Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso & Coffee Machine
• 4. Best For Easy Milk Frothing – Gaggia Anima Prestige Automatic Coffee Machine
• 5. Best Customizable Option – Saeco PicoBaristo Super Automatic Espresso Machine

1. Top Choice – Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine

When you’re in the market for a fully automatic espresso machine, nothing beats the Barista Express. Dose-controlled grinding uses a superior, conical burr grinder to deliver the perfect amount of ground coffee into the portafilter. Low pressure, pre-infusion ensures the perfect extraction every time and digital temperature control means your coffee never tastes burnt or bitter.

The 15 bar, Italian pump ensures optimal coffee flavor is extracted and you can control the grind size using the dial on the side of the machine. This gives you room to experiment with your coffee brewing but also gives the ease of an automated machine.

The steam wand is hands-on like a Barista so needs some practice to get optimal results. Once you get used to it, the thick, creamy microfoam is hard to beat.

This coffee maker doesn’t take up much space in your kitchen thanks to its compact footprint but it doesn’t make a lot of coffee in a hurry. This option is better for homes with 1-2 coffee lovers.

2. Runner Up – Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine

If you’re looking for a coffee machine that does a whole lot more then Gaggia has got you covered! The Brera super-automatic espresso machine has loads of great features that make it the ideal choice for any home.

With a built-in grinder, you can add your fresh whole beans or, if you prefer, you can bypass this and use pre-ground coffee. This is great for a de-caff option. The LED screen and touch button display make this machine really easy to use and you can select pre-programmed drinks or create your own!

It has an adapting system that adjusts itself depending on the coffee you use and sets the grinder optimally. The water reservoir and waste bucket slide out the front of the machine with ease and the brew group comes away easily for maintenance and cleaning.

The steam wand heats up in under 10 seconds and creates the most delicious, thick, microfoam textured milk. It has the added benefit of doubling as a hot water dispenser so you can create americano or use it to make tea.

This machine is pretty compact so fits well in a small space. The downside with this is that the maximum cup height it can accommodate is 4.5 inches so not suitable for most travel mugs. It can’t make a lot of coffee in a hurry so is perfect for a smaller household or one where you only have one or two coffee lovers.

3. Best Cost-Effective Option – De’Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso & Coffee Machine

This, easy to use espresso machine by De’Longhi has a built-in burr-grinder with 13 adjustable settings so you can customize it to suit whichever coffee beans you prefer. The manual milk frother takes a bit of practice but delivers superior quality microfoam for the perfect latte or cappuccino.

The charcoal water filter reduces limescale build-up and helps maximize your flavor experience.

The control panel is a simple push-button and rotary control so very easy to use and you can create a variety of specialty drinks as well as simple, one-touch espresso brewing. The downside with this machine is you can’t set the temperature as this is pre-programmed. Although it’s not the best for customization, this machine is very reasonably priced, easy to use, and makes a delicious cup of coffee.

4. Best For Easy Milk Frothing – Gaggia Anima Prestige Automatic Coffee Machine

Gaggia has simplified coffee making with this Anima Prestige. With a built-in grinder, you can go from beans to cup without any hassle. Simple, pre-programmed drink options and a clear display screen make it super simple to use.

This machine isn’t as customizable as other options but it does have a temperature control setting which is a nice feature. It has a by-pass system so you can also use pre-ground coffee if you prefer. The bean hopper is easy to access if you are using whole beans and makes for a high-quality espresso at the touch of a button.

The milk carafe does all the hard work for you as it froths and dispenses the milk as required. You can even remove it to store the milk in the fridge when the machine is not in use.

The water reservoir is easy to remove to fill or clean and the removable brew group is also simple to detach for regular rinsing. Overall, this coffee maker is extremely well designed for daily use made makes it a great espresso to rival any coffee shop.

5. Best Customizable Option – Saeco PicoBaristo Super Automatic Espresso Machine

If you love brewing espresso drinks in a manner that suits your own taste preferences then you need a programmable machine. This model by Saeco allows you to adjust the length and strength of the coffee and has the option of ten grind size settings to chose between. You can also save your preferred settings so you get the perfect espresso every time.

An AquaClean filter helps reduce the need to descale this machine and makes for great-tasting coffee. The grinder is made with ceramic burrs which are not only extremely tough and durable but will never overheat and affect the coffee flavor.

The boiler heats up extremely quickly so you don’t have to wait around for your coffee. The only downside I could find with this machine is the housing is plastic so gathers dust and watermarks easily. It’s easy to clean and doesn’t affect the brewing process but doesn’t look as sturdy as a stainless steel model.

Super-Automatic Espresso Maker Buying Guide

Grinder

Using whole beans is the very best way to ensure you get the best tasting coffee out of your machine. A super-automatic espresso maker often comes with a grinder built-in which can save cost as well as hassle. It’s best to opt for a conical burr grinder as these ensure an even grind size so you get a more consistent flavor each time you brew.

Portafilter Size

The option for a single vs double shot of espresso is down to the capacity of the portafilter and programming of the espresso machine. Make sure you choose one that can handle your coffee needs!

Milk Frother

A milk frother can elevate your coffee-making game from espresso to all kinds of specialty coffee. To create the best microfoam texture in your latte a steam wand is the best choice. They do take some practice but are well worth the investment. Pairing these with a milk jug that has a narrow spout helps to create wonderful latte art to impress your friends. If you’re more of a hands-off coffee-making type then a milk frothing jug does the job for you, no skills necessary. Automatic espresso machines can come with either option so check you’re choosing the milk frother that suits your needs.

Customization

Pre-programmed coffee makers are easy to use but to really get the most out of your coffee, the ability to customize your machine can really make a difference. Some coffee makers let you adjust the brew strength, volume, grind size, temperature, and more. Having the option to adjust these settings and then saving this under a user profile is a really great feature.

Cleaning

When you’re looking to buy an espresso machine you have to consider the maintenance it requires. From daily cleaning after each use to less frequent de-scaling and general maintenance, make sure you understand what’s involved with your particular machine. Read the user manual and make sure you follow the guidelines stated by the manufacturer otherwise your warranty can end up invalidated.

F.A.Q.s

How do I ensure a thick crema when brewing espresso?

To get a lovely thick crema you need to strike a balance between grind setting, tamping, and beans used. If the beans are too coarse or not tamped firmly enough then the coffee ends up thin and lacking in crema. A rich, dark roast choice of coffee bean can help create more crema as the oils released in the longer/hotter roasting process add to this fatty layer on top of the espresso.

What’s the difference between a fully automatic and a semi-automatic espresso machine?

The fully automated machine usually goes from bean to cup with only pressing one or a few buttons. The semi-automatic espresso machine typically has you grinding the beans, loading and tamping the portafilter, and controlling the infusion of hot water through the puck of coffee. It’s a much more involved machine but gives you a lot of control over the espresso.

What’s the best automatic espresso machine available on Amazon?

The Breville Barista Express is the perfect balance between hands-on coffee making and the ease of an automated machine. It’s not too pricey and suits pretty much every need.

Are super-automatic espresso machines worth it?

The answer depends on you. Making espresso is an involved and messy procedure. If you’re looking to keep faff to a minimum then a super-automatic machine will certainly reduce the work and clean up needed. They are not a magic fix however and do require input from you as well as maintenance. They are a great compromise between great coffee and less hassle but if you really want your coffee without lifting a finger then buy a cup from your local coffee shop.

How do I choose a fully automatic espresso machine?

Consider the machine and how well made it is. A user-friendly interface is a must and the ability to customize the settings is really useful. Consider the milk frothing system, how easy is it to use, and does it have a cleaning cycle? Make sure there are options to adjust grind size and temperature if you really want to get the most out of your machine.

More Super-Automatic Espresso Machines Reviewed

6. Jura E6 Automatic Coffee Center

Another great bean-to-cup machine, the Jura E6 delivers a consistently delicious espresso at the push of a button. It has six specialty drink options and a built-in milk frother. It’s not fully automated in the sense that it pours a latte for you, you do have to layer milk drinks manually but the frother makes this a simple task.

It only produces milk foam so a flat white isn’t really an option with this machine but lattes, latte macchiato, and cappuccino are simple to brew with this machine.

The pulse extraction process optimizes the brew cycle so you get a thick crema and delicious, full flavor with every espresso. A built-in water filter minimizes the need for descaling and strength settings give you the option to brew a perfect cup every time.

The only downside with this machine is there’s no by-pass option for using pre-ground coffee. Whole beans do give a rich and fuller flavor so this is maybe not such a bad thing?

7. Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine

Pod machines are the epitome of simple coffee brewing. With the simple press of a button, you get an espresso shot or any coffee drink you prefer. Using the barcode on the capsule the machine automatically adjusts brewing parameters necessary to make single or double shot espresso or three sizes of americano.

You can expand your drink options with the Aeroccino milk frother that comes with this bundle. This froths up hot or cold milk ready to create your favorite coffee drinks without the skill needed to use a steam wand.

The water tank is removable so this makes filling and cleaning it really easy and the drip tray can sit at a variety of heights depending on cup size.

This machine is absolutely the best option for ease of use, but, as with all pod machines, it creates more waste. Nespresso pods are now recyclable thanks to the Nespresso recycling program so this helps minimize the environmental impact of using this machine.

8. Breville Oracle Touch Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

Breville knows a thing or two when it comes to espresso makers and the Oracle is no exception to their high-end machines. It has a dual boiler that offers advanced water temperature control and precision extraction backed up by digital temperature control.

An over-pressure valve limits the maximum bars of pressure this machine can deliver so avoids bitter, over-extracted coffee. The fine controls built into this machine allow for easy personalization so you can choose the strength and temperature that best suits you. You can even save your settings to deliver your preferred coffee every time.

You will need some practice if you’re not used to using a steam wand but once you perfect the technique, latte art will be routine. The steam wand cleans itself after use so is hygienic by design.

Automated, touch screen controls make this option really user-friendly, and the auto-grind and tamp settings take care of all the hard work. The only thing this machine is lacking is the 3-second heat-up time that other Breville models have. Although you have to wait a bit, this machine performs extremely well and is the perfect choice for all coffee lovers out there.

9. Saeco Xelsis Super Automatic Espresso Machine

If you need a coffee machine to satisfy more than one coffee lover in your home or workplace then look no further. The Saeco Xelsis is a high-end choice that consistently delivers. It has a built-in, coffee equalizer that allows the user to adjust all parameters from strength to volume using the touch screen display.

You can save these settings with your user profile and this machine allows up to six different people to save their preferred coffee.

Double thermo-blocks deliver the perfect temperature whether you’re brewing coffee or steaming milk so you’ll never end up with hot water burning the coffee grounds by accident. The Hygiesteam system cleans the milk steam system for you so it remains clean and ready to use.

A ceramic conical burr grinder creates an even, cool grind every time, no matter what kind of beans you choose. This machine boasts the ability to make 15 different coffee drinks from espresso to espresso lungo and ristretto to latte macchiato, this machine can handle them all!

The only downside I could find is that you can’t adjust the milk temperature. It delivers lovely warm milk, perfect for a latte, but if you want it extra hot or cooler then you don’t have this option.

10. Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

Last up we have the Philips 3200 Series and this fully automatic espresso machine is definitely one to consider. 12 adjustable settings for the ceramic burr grinder make it easy to customize and 3 temperature settings keep your coffee as hot as you need it.

The milk frother component delivers foamy milk straight to your glass with the Latte-Go system to make the perfect specialty drink and this is all easy to clean in the dishwasher. The touch control display is so easy to use and gives you control over your coffee.

This option can be a bit loud so isn’t ideal for small apartments or studio layout where someone wishes to remain asleep!

This machine is the perfect balance between functionality and customization and really is one of the best super-automatic espresso machines available to buy. We certainly have saved one of the best till last!

Final Thoughts

An automatic espresso machine is a great investment if you love premium coffee but want to avoid a lot of hassle when brewing it. There are so many great options out there and the best machine comes back to your needs. I hope this review has helped clear up any confusion around these machines and given you a good idea of which option best suits you!