Types of espresso machines
If you’re a fan of espresso or enjoy a cappuccino or latte every time you’re at a coffee shop, there’s no reason you should settle for standard drip coffee at home.
But choosing an espresso machine can be daunting because there are so many options. You may have heard your coffee-snob friends discussing bars of pressure and manual versus automatic machines. Let’s explore the differences between pump and lever varieties, and why a person might choose one or the other.
Pump espresso machines
Most espresso machines are pump machines, meaning the water is pumped from a reservoir through the portafilter automatically. The greater the pressure, the stronger the espresso taste. That’s what makes espresso different from drip coffee: water forced through the grounds quickly with a lot of pressure rather than slowly.
Pump machines come in all shapes and sizes, but the best ones are capable of nine to 15 bars of pressure and brew at a consistent temperature. Some also feature cup warmers, milk frothers and automatic bean grinders, and there are fully-automatic machines that perform all these steps at the push of a button.
Pump espresso machine pros
Easy to apply a lot of pressure.
Many have built-in grinders as well as milk frothers to easily create cappuccinos and lattes.
Greater consistency of temperature, pressure, and dosing.
Pump espresso machine cons
The best ones are very expensive.
They are not easily portable.
Difficult to adjust if you have highly specific taste.
The best pump espresso machines
Breville Barista Pro: available at Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond and Sur la Table
The Barista Pro is the cream of the crop when it comes to home machines. The integrated grinder delivers precise dosing, and the powerful steam wand lets you craft creamy foam. If you don’t need your coffee at blistering speed, you can save money with the Barista Express, which isn’t quite as fast but still outperforms most other machines on the market.
Calphalon Temp iQ: available from Amazon
With 15 bars of pressure, a stainless-steel frothing pitcher, and a cup warmer, this reasonably-priced machine can produce single or double shots of espresso. It’s incredibly compact and lightweight and ideal for those with little counter space. What it lacks is a grinder, but if you wish you can go for the larger version, which has one.
De’Longhi La Specialista: available from Sur la Table
De’Longhi makes a lot of different machines, from simple space-saving options to fully-automatic behemoths that can do it all. The Specialista gets the nod because it allows for precise adjustment and temperature control. It’s quite heavy but starts up in only one second and has a proprietary system that makes proper tamping easier.
Philips 2200 Series Fully Automatic: available from Bed Bath & Beyond
One of the most annoying things about many espresso machines is the difficult cleaning process. That’s why it’s such a relief that this model from Philips has dishwasher-safe parts. It’s also equipped with the LatteGo system, which takes the guesswork out of frothing milk, making this a great choice for households where not everyone is an aspiring latte artist.
Jura A1 Super Automatic: available from Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond and Sur la Table
Jura is another brand that makes a variety of different machines, including several heavy-duty commercial-grade options that can automatically produce a variety of drinks. The A1 doesn’t have a milk frother, so espresso drinkers can save money while still getting features like automatic shutoff, an adjustable spout and a self-cleaning program.
Lever espresso machine
Lever machines generally don’t do anything automatically. You utilize your own strength to force the water through the grounds. This uses less electricity and takes up less space, and gives you more control, so you can get your coffee just how you like it.
However, because they don’t have advanced features, you’ll need a separate grinder as well as a milk frother for cappuccinos and lattes. You can get better quality by combining the best products in all these categories, but it’ll take a lot of shopping and know-how to achieve the results you want.
Lever espresso machine pros
Can be taken with you on vacation and used anywhere.
It’s less expensive than a pump espresso machine.
Allows you to control the amount of pressure applied manually.
Lever espresso machine cons
Requires a lot of knowledge to get good results.
There aren’t many options to choose from.
You’ll still need to get a grinder, kettle and milk frother.
The best lever espresso machines
Flair Classic: available from Amazon
The gold standard when it comes to manual espresso systems, the Flair Classic is also lightweight and fully portable, thanks to its included travel case. Once you get the hang of using it, you’ll be able to produce consistent espresso with a lovely crema that’s exactly to your liking, no matter where you find yourself.
Simpresso Portable: available from Home Depot
If you’re torn between fresh beans and Nespresso capsules, you’re in luck, because the Simpresso doesn’t force you to choose. You can either use purchased pods or add your own grounds to one of the included capsules and employ up to 19 bars of pressure to produce fresh espresso.
Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker: available from Bed Bath & Beyond and Sur la Table
A much less expensive portable solution is the Aeropress, which fits over the top of a mug. One drawback is that since you’re pushing on it (similar to a French Press), a tight seal for the plunger is required, so if it gets warped at all, it won’t work as well. It comes with 350 microfilters, so you won’t have to replace them anytime soon.
La Pavoni ESPAB-16 Esperto: available from Amazon
There are a few incredibly fancy lever machines out there, but this one takes the cake because it has all the features of the best pump machines like temperature control and milk frothing along with the precision of a lever model. It has a steep learning curve, and the price is very high, but it’ll wow any guests that come to your home.
Other ways to make espresso
Though all of the machines featured here use either whole beans or grounds, don’t overlook pods if you’re seeking quality. Nespresso makes some great capsule machines, including the Essenza Mini, though waste could be an issue. Another option is a moka pot, which is a good choice for making a lot of espresso at once but doesn’t give you much precision or flexibility
Should you get a pump or lever espresso machine?
To summarize, pump machines are automatic, hands-off and consistent, while lever machines are manual, less expensive and allow for greater control. Ultimately, most consumers will want a pump machine. When used at home, they’re more consistent, easier to operate and generally require you to purchase fewer additional appliances or accessories. Lever machines are a niche item, and if you aren’t sure that you need one, then you probably don’t. But if you’re a frequent traveler, an espresso perfectionist, or want to lower your carbon footprint, a lever model is worth considering.
Gregg Parker is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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