Complex, rich, concentrated & delicious… espresso is one of the favorite takeaways to kickstart the day. Although, not so much when you have to pay a good amount at your local coffee shop, espresso being on the expensive edge of the menu. This is why a lot of espresso lovers are turning to homemade coffee that is low-cost and convenient. Are you one of these? If you have started your research for purchasing an espresso machine, the variations in different types of espresso machines available in the market could overwhelm you.
To help you with your search for the best espresso machine for you, we have curated an exhaustive list of 15 types along with their pros and cons so that you can make the right decision. So what are you waiting for? Grab your cup of espresso and get going.
Decoding Espresso Machines
Before we go on to explore the different types of coffee machines, let’s know the fundamentals of it for a better understanding of how these espresso machines actually differ and how does it impact the final product.
Espresso is made when boiling / near-boiling water or steam is forced through dark roasted and very finely ground coffee. Some espresso machines also consist of steam wands for milk-based espresso drinks like a cappuccino or latte. Since steam uses water heated up to far hotter temperature (as compared with brewing espresso), the machines use a variety of heating techniques which you will hear about in the sections below.
Categorizing Espresso Machines
There are broadly 15 types of espresso machines that can be categorized on the basis of water flow (volumetric, reservoir, or direct connect), boilers (heat exchanging, single and double), mechanism (pump-driven, lever, and steam-driven), and automation (automatic, semi-automatic, or super-automatic).
The 15 Types of Espresso Machines
#1 Pour Over or Reservoir Espresso Machine
With the popularity of at-home coffee makers and Keurig machines, you must already be aware of the reservoir coffee machine model as well. As the name suggests, this coffee machine consists of a reservoir that can hold a certain amount of water for the making of espresso—this way, you don’t need a dedicated supply of water for every time you make a cup of coffee.
It is perfect for people who want a mobile espresso machine that they can relocate at their convenience. It does not require any plumbing during the installation process as well.
Pros
- Mobile
- No installation
Cons
- Need regular water refills
- Need descaling & cleaning regularly
#2 Plumbed-In Espresso Machine
A plumbed-in or direct connect espresso machine is the opposite of the reservoir, and requires to be connected with a dedicated water supply. These machines do not need to store water, as they use they get the same from the direct water line, just like your faucets. So there is no worry of running the coffee machine without water and damage.
Since they are plumbed into a direct water supply, the installation process is complex and will need the help of a professional. Perfect for those who make a lot of espressos, and are willing to spend the money and time for installation, it is a delight for all espresso lovers.
Pros
- Continuous water supply
- Great for making espresso in large volumes
- No worry about machine damage due to water shortage
Cons
- Needs a dedicated plumbing line
- Complex installation process
- Costly and time-taking installation
- Not easy to relocate
#3 Volumetric Espresso Machine
Access water in your espresso can make it feel diluted and well, not really feel like espresso anymore. That’s where volumetric espresso machines come into the picture. Designed to make the perfect cup of espresso, they measure water flow from the source (direct or reservoir) and stop the brewing process when it dispenses a certain specified amount of volume through your espresso. You’ll have a delicious and consistent espresso every time.
Most of these allow you to personalize the settings by determining the volume of each shot so you are not dependent on any external scale or experience for your cup of coffee.
Pros
- Consistency in coffee
- Personalization in settings
- No experience required
Cons
- The level of personalization could be limited
- Does not consider ground volume or size
#4 Single Boiler Espresso Machines
Lying on the affordable edge, single boiler espresso machines use one heating element for water and milk/cream. Owing to the temperature difference in the water used for making a cup of espresso and for steaming milk, the machine needs time to cool down in between shots. It goes without saying that it is not for commercial use where they are required to make multiple cups in a short span of time to serve the customers; however, if you are planning to get one for your home, this might be a perfect choice as it is affordable and does not take much counter space.
Pros
- Cheaper than almost all other options
- Consists of a steaming wand for milk
- Portable
Cons
- Requires cool-down periods between shots
- Not for commercial applications
#5 Double-Boiler Espresso Machines
Similar to the previous one, but of course, having two heat sources, the double-boiler espresso machine has dedicated boilers for steaming milk and boiling water. However, the additional boiler makes them bulky and expensive, they do not need a period between shots and can be used to make multiple cups of coffee in a short time span. These are a good solution for commercial applications, in large families, or for people who love to have a cup of espresso multiple times every morning.
Pros
- Allows milk steaming
- No cool-down breaks between shots required
Cons
- Bulkier & costlier than single-boiler espresso machines
#6 Heat Exchanging Espresso Machines
Targeting both the concerns, i.e., high prices and weight, the heat exchange machine uses only one boiler to fetch double results. These consist of one boiler to heat water and steam milk and have a mechanism to control the heating temperature, overcoming the drawback of single-boiler espresso machines.
Pros
- Little to no cooling time is required between shots
- Allows to steam milk
- Affordable and less bulky solution
Cons
- Less control over brew temperature
- Shots could be inconsistent
#7 Manual Espresso Machine
Espresso is made by forcing water under high pressure through ground coffee to extract the flavors. With manual espresso machines, this pressure is put on by you. Not a laborious task, since its lever makes applying pressure conveniently, these machines allow you to customize your brew by controlling brew time and water flow.
Pros
- Enables high customization
- No machinery/pump failure
Cons
- Requires physical work
- Requires experience to create the right brew
#8 Steam Driven Espresso Machines
Steam-driven machines boil water to build up steam pressure. This pressure moves to the coffee ground for brewing—while designed for heavy stress, these machines can also be delicate and need the proper experience for safe use.
Pros
- Produce high-pressure for the perfect espresso
- No need for physical exertion
Cons
- Expensive
- Can be delicate & difficult to use
#9 Pump-Driven Espresso Machine
Pump-driven espresso machines skip the manual work and the potential problems in steam-driven machines. These use a pump to create the right pressure required for making espresso. They make consistent shots and allow little customization – the use of quality pumps however leads to higher cost, and the machine thus falls on the expensive side.
Pros
- Cheaper than steam machines
- No manual effort needed
- Creates consistent shots
Cons
- Costlier than manual pumps
- Little space for customization
#10 Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines
Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine contains an on/off toggle for controlling the flow of water as it runs through espresso grounds—you’ll have to observe and stop water flow at the right time to achieve the perfect espresso shot. This also allows customization as not only can one create a shot as needed but can also use its milk steaming option for a latte or cappuccino.
Pros
- Often has the option of steaming milk
- Allows customization
Cons
- Less or no temperature control
- Need experience in brewing to get the perfect shot
- Required attention in the brewing process
#11 Automatic Espresso Machine
Automatic espresso machines shut the water supply automatically, leaving little to no control over brewing time and temperature. These machines also have timers so that you can get fresh espresso when you wake up.
Pros
- No professional experience required
- Allows setting timer
- The simple and automatic brewing process
Cons
- Very less customization
#12 Super-Automatic Espresso Machine
Super-Automatic Espresso Machines provide super-fresh coffee as it has the functionality to grind beans, enhancing the taste and quality of your brew. They offer less customization, and the grid may not be as consistent as in the case of standalone grinders or manual machines. A little expensive but worth the convenience it provides.
Pros
- Provides fresh espresso
- No experience required
- Often has timer
Cons
- Little customization
- Cannot use pre-ground espresso
An espresso is a highly-personalized and complex beverage—to decide on the right machine, you’ll need to factor in the time you’ll need to make the coffee, frequency, customization and much more. Every make offers a plethora of opportunities, and the one you choose must match the kind of espresso person you are.
