With all of the options, features and industry buzzwords – selecting an espresso machine can seem like a daunting task. You want to make sure you get the right machine for your needs, but where to start? This guide should help your decision making process.
The first aspect to consider is how much effort are you willing to put in? There are basically four types of espresso machines: manual, semi-automatic, fully automatic and super automatic. These four espresso machine types differ mainly in how much the machine does versus how much is left to the operator. A manual requires skill and attention but offers complete control over espresso extraction. While a super automatic only needs you to push a button. The semi-automatic is the most popular category because of its balance of effort and lower price. But for those who do not trust themselves to know when to stop the flow of water through ground beans, they prefer a fully automatic – which will automatically turn off the flow of water at just the right time.
Although a machine’s price will probably increase with the amount of automation, price is actually determined by many other factors. Construction material (housing and boiler), capacity (how many cups it will make between fill-ups or heat-ups), machine complexity, convenience features and brand reputation.
Now take a moment to think about where your new machine will live. How much space do you have (dimensions)? What kind of electricity is available (110 or 220 v)? How much weight can your countertop support? Do you plan on running a water line in or filling up a water tank?
Another aspect to consider when selecting an espresso machine is the quantity of drinks you’ll want to make (capacity). Are you going to just make one drink in the morning or serve 8 cappuccinos after dinner? If you think you’ll need the capability to make multiple drinks without taking time to fill-up, you’ll want to look for a machine with a larger reservoir (boiler or tank size). And if you don’t want to wait for heat-up time, you’ll want to investigate the machine’s heating system.
Is cleanliness a big concern for you? Many people love the ease and cleanliness of of a pod-capable system. With no loose coffee grounds to spill, a pod machine tends to offer a cleaner espresso station. However, the pods themselves can be more expensive than ground espresso with less variety to choose from – which is why many people pick an espresso machine that is versatile enough to allow either pod or grounds.
