

It all depends on how much you want to spend and what you need the machine for. If you’re looking for the best stovetop Italian espresso maker, we recommend the Bialetti Moka pot.

Our runner-up is the versatile Gaggia Brera Italian Espresso Machine, and our value pick is the sleek, affordable Delonghi Italian Espresso Machine. To review, our pick for the best Italian espresso machine is the Delonghi ESAM 3300, a super-automatic machine that’s easy to use and clean.
DELONGHI ESPRESSO MACHINE HOW TO
All of these are good machines that produce a good cup (if you know how to use them properly). Instead, you might want to shell out the extra thousand dollars for the Simonelli Oscar II. Some machines have small reservoirs and can only yield a few cups, while others might be more suitable for social gatherings.įor instance, if you were having your buddies come over to try a new bean, you probably wouldn’t want to do so with a small Bialetti 06800. Yes, you should think about how much you’re spending, but you may also want to consider about how much espresso you want to brew. If that’s the case, maybe aesthetics matter more than functionality. Is your Italian espresso machine just for your morning pick-me-up, or do you want one that will impress your friends? Maybe you’re going to host a party and you want it to be the centerpiece.

SEE ALSO: What’s the difference between Semi-Automatic, Automatic, and Super-Automatic espresso machines? Are you entertaining larger groups? Once you gain some experience, you can work your way up to a semi-automatic machine. You could also ask your local barista to give you a few pointers. If you want more of an experience but are still a novice, maybe take a class or two. If you are new to coffee, maybe it’s best to start with something fully automatic. How much coffee do you drink? Do you really need a Simonelli Oscar II? Do you need to be able to steam milk, or would you rather buy a separate steamer or frother? These are good questions to ask yourself before making your purchase. It may seem pricey, but if you compare it to a machine that a coffee shop would use, then you realize that you got a good deal. You pay for an awesome espresso machine, and that’s what you get. But fair warning: don’t expect to get extra stuff (milk pitchers, grinder, etc.). You can also choose between single shots, double shots, timed shots or volume shots.Īesthetically, this machine is beautiful. You can control the water temperature, which adds some pretty interesting possibilities. With the lever controlled wand you also have a better chance of not accidentally burning your milk (read: steaming your milk too hot, burning yourself, then pulling the milk from the steam wand). The steam wand is a lever as opposed to a wheel, making things easier on your wrist. Once you have the barista skills and knowledge to make a great drink, this machine gives you really fun options. To put it another way, if our top pick intrigues you, you should stay away from this machine. This machine is as close to commercial as it gets for home use, so it wouldn’t be recommended for those who want the work done for them. And the steam wand dispenses the hot water, which may be a little less sanitary. It’s not a tall machine, so some cups won’t fit under the dispenser. Let’s also be clear – this is not a hard machine to use it’s just harder than the first machine. Of course, once you become proficient as frothing your own milk, you’ll be able to make better drinks, so in the long run, this machine could yield a better product. It doesn’t come with the patented technology that our first model does, so you’ll have to figure frothing out on your own. From the strength of your coffee to the grind of your bean, this machine will let you decide. Here’s the thing: this bad boy has options.

It isn’t our pick for the best Italian espresso machine, but it might be a better option for some of you out there. This Gaggia Brera Super Automatic is not quite as easy to use as the Delonghi ESAM 3300, which is to say that you have to do more than just push a button.
