10 Best Super Automatic Espresso Machines | Fourth Estate – Hold

If you’re a true coffee lover, chances are you’re partial to a shot of espresso.

The process of espresso making has been honed over the centuries in Italy. Espresso making is the only method that can fully optimize the 800 compounds in roasted coffee without also allowing naturally occurring acids like tannins to taint the brew.

You brew espresso by forcing near-boiling pressurized water through your ground coffee and filter. Espresso is very thick and highly concentrated.

A great shot of espresso gives you everything you want in your coffee and nothing you don’t want so how can you recreate that at home?

With so many espresso machines flooding the market, there’s every chance you’re feeling confused.

Today we’re here to help you with our look at the very best automatic and super-automatic espresso machines on the market.

Before we outline the pros and cons of the best super-automatic espresso machines on the market in a little more depth, here is a quick snapshot of our overall pick for the most effective fully automated home espresso machine, the Breville Oracle Touch…

What’s the difference between these different types of espresso machine?

Automatic Espresso Machine

If you spot push-button functionality, it’s an automatic espresso machine.

As the name suggests, the machine does pretty much everything for you. The coffee and water will be measured and dosed so all you need to do is choose between a single or double shot and hit the button. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

Most automatic espresso machines come with onboard grinders.

With all main functionality taken care of at the press of a button, all you need to do is load up the filter and froth the milk and you’re good to go.

Automatic espresso machines are extremely simple to use but they will require some cleaning.

Super-Automatic Espresso Machine

The name of this machine also nails its colors to the mast…

With a automatic, all you need to do is pop your cup in the tray, push a button and wait for your golden shot.

While you’ll usually be able to make very small adjustments to grind size, you’ll otherwise have very little control over the variables.

Another major downside of super-automatic espresso machines is that they normally require professional cleaning.

Many automatic espresso machines come packing a milk tank that froths and pours milk, perfect for cappuccino and latte. Most have an integrated grinder.

I. How To Choose The Best Automatic Espresso Machine

There are some simple tactics you can use to simplify any buying decision.

Work out a budget and stick rigidly to this. Not only will you safeguard yourself against rash overspending, you’ll immediately whittle down your options and streamline your shortlisting process.

Once you’ve got the money straight, it’s time to double down on reading plenty of user reviews. Whether these are aggregate reviews or based on extensive testing of products, you can get an overall feel for where these espresso machines stand and fall.

Now it’s time to focus on some key issues that should inform your buying decision…

1. Category of Espresso Machine: Do You Really Want an Automatic Machine?

This might seem like a foolish question but it’s key if you want to end up with a coffee machine ideally suited to your needs.

The primary advantage of an automatic machine is convenience with speed coming a close second. On the downside, you generally won’t be able to make as many adjustments during the brewing process.

As long as you’re prepared to accept the limitations of an automatic machine as a trade-off for gourmet coffee in an instant, you’ll need to think about the different sub-classes of espresso machine…

2. Type of Automatic Espresso Machine

There are 3 broad types of machine:

Be aware that some dual boiler machines perform poorly in North America on 110 volts so look closely at the voltage issue if you’re interested in a dual boiler.

3. User-Friendliness

Once you’ve dialed in the style and type of espresso machine you’re after and you’ve got some options in view, think carefully about how easy it is to use. It’s pointless investing in an appliance to save you time and effort if it ends up giving you a headache to navigate.

Think about the controls and how easy they are to access and think also about how conveniently the machine will pop on your counter top.

4. Build Quality

When you’re investing a considerable amount in an automatic espresso machine, you should place build quality and durability uppermost.

Most machines at this price point will come in stainless steel or aluminum and they’ll have varying degrees of plastic components.

Double down on user reviews where people will generally be pretty honest if a product has let them down.

You generally get what you pay for and espresso machines are no different. While you can get a perfectly serviceable machine without bankrupting yourself, if you’re looking for the finest coffee, you’ll need to dig a little deeper.

5. Cleaning and Maintenance

Let’s face it, cleaning espresso machines can be a real grind.Look for models that include at least some degree of auto-cleaning so you’ll have at least some of the work taken care of.

Beyond this, look for parts that detach easily and keep your eyes peeled to determine whether the machine you’re interested in is dishwasher-safe if that’s a priority for you.

Most of the great machines should demand relatively little upkeep.

6. What Degree of Customization Can You Achieve?

One of the chief drawbacks with super-automatic espresso machines is the fact you’re largely thrown at the mercy of pre-sets.

If you prefer to exercise a little more control over your brew while still enjoying the convenience of an automatic machine, look for models allowing you to make adjustments to water temperature, froth and coffee strength as well as the type of drink you want. Many automatics now deliver a surprisingly flexible experience.

7. Range of Drinks Available

II. 10 Best Super-Automatic Espresso Machine Reviews

1) Our Pick: Breville Oracle Touch Automatic Manual Coffee Machine

The integrated burr grinder ensures you get a uniform grind every time, essential for consistency in your espresso. You can easily tweak the grind size allowing you maximum flexibility whether you’re looking for a short, sharp espresso or a frothy latte.

Once ground, the machine will tamp the coffee automatically into the portafilter. This enables you to exert the same pressure every brew, another way of dialing in the variables.

You can let the Oracle froth your milk expertly or use the wand and whip it up yourself.

There’s a pre-set extraction system in place although you can tweak the times if you are extremely particular about your espresso.

Thanks to the dual burner, you’ll be able to extract your coffee while also steaming milk resulting in your drink served in under a minute. This speed of operation is one of the key selling points of the Oracle. It’s ideal for anyone with a hectic schedule but not prepared to compromise on choice coffee.

One thing that elevates the Breville above most of the competition is the variety of drinks at your disposal. Whether you want a jolt of espresso or a leisurely long black, you can choose from 5 preset beverages with the ability to program in 8 more of your design.

The polished steel finish has a fingerprint-resistant coating so it will still look slick on your counter after years of faithful use.

If you’re looking for a top-notch espresso and you’re caught between the simplicity of an automatic machine and the flexibility of a semi-auto, the Breville Oracle Touch is in a class of its own delivering just what you’re looking for. While it’s not cheap, there are far more expensive options out there, and overall it’s our top pick super-automatic espresso machine.

You Can Brew The Following Cups With This Machine:

2) Best Budget: Jura 15068 IMPRESSA C65 Automatic Coffee Machine

Unlike many espresso machines which are incredibly complex and awkward to use, the Jura has a central color display and a rotary switch so you can flick through the menus seamlessly.

If you prefer longer drinks, you’re spoiled for choice with 13 styles of coffee from espresso through to macchiato and latte. Frothing is first-rate so you can enjoy the finest longer drinks not just the best shot of espresso.

While you might generally like using fresh coffee beans and grinding them just before drinking, sometimes you might also fancy using pre-ground. Maybe you just want a quick cup of decaf without needing to empty out the hopper. It’s nice to have this option, even if you don’t make use of it very often.

You should never overlook the importance of water when aiming for the fine coffee. You’ll get a replaceable water filter with the Impressa which is ideal if you live somewhere where the water supply is too hard or soft for your liking.

Speed is of the essence with this automatic espresso machine. A large part of the delay with many machines is the need to heat the water. The Impressa does this as it passes through the machine so you’ll have a tasty drink in your cup in no more than a minute.

Since you have such a broad spread of choice when it comes to drink type, you’ll appreciate the adjustable spout so you can easily accommodate even much taller cups and mugs without spilling coffee everywhere.

If you’re looking for an entry into the world of automatic espresso machines without bankrupting yourself, you can’t beat the Jura Impressa. You’ll be covered by a warranty for 2 years or 6000 brewings, whichever comes first, so you can buy without any headaches.

You Can Brew The Following Cups With This Machine: