Whether you are looking for a new espresso machine to fulfill your home kitchen appliances or simply just to upgrade your old espresso machine into something better, you’ve come to the right place.
Today’s article provides you with the best semi-automatic espresso machine to suit not only your taste but also your wallet.
Best Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine
These picks are based on our research and personal experience, with models of different key features as well as a buying guide to aid you in choosing the most suitable model to meet your needs.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
De’Longhi ECP3120 15 – Our Top Pick
We have chosen the De’Longhi ECP3120 15 to be the best semi-automatic coffee machine on today’s list, if not the finest on the market. Here’s why.
What people love most about this machine is that despite being just a machine, it can serve your drink the same way a Starbuck barista. Just be honest, it would be such a bummer if your coffee maker always sticks to one trick only and that feels like torture for your coffee-fueled heart?
Well, this semi-automatic espresso machine can save you from this misery with its adjustable control, letting you modify your drink however you want. This means every cup you make with it will turn out to be the best espresso ever!
Depending on your preference, you can even decide whether your morning coffee will be one-shot or two-shot with the three-in-one filter holder. A brilliant feature for those who fancy diversification in their drink!
Another noteworthy feature of De’Longhi is the well-designed manual frother that allows you to add a milky layer of foam right atop of your steaming coffee, which will intensify the flavor even more.
The only downside to this product is the water heating process. Its work is amazing, and there is no denying that. Still, it can take minutes to boil just a cup of water, and so people often in a hurry might find this a nuisance
Pros:
● Classic-looking design
● Adjustable control
● Reasonably priced
● Included frother
Cons:
● Take too long to boil water
Final Verdict: The Breville BES870XL Espresso Machine is one of the few machines in this price range to offer such amazing build quality and a simple hands-on approach.
Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Espresso Machine – Best Entry Level Machine
The Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro is the perfect pick for espresso novices or someone who knows their way around an espresso maker but is simply just in a rush.
This machine is an upgrade of its forerunner – the Gaggia Classic. Compared with the older version, this model has been paired with some improvements in terms of quality.
The reason to make it Gaggia’s best seller is the ease of use. RI9380/46 comes with simple rocker switches that don’t require you to be a tech geek to understand and use, unlike most respectable semi-automatic models out there.
Another special aspect of this unit is the commercial-style steam wand. People have wanted a steam wand on the Classic to make it a true commercially-built machine. And finally, it has arrived. The wand can be rotated in any direction to get the ideal angle you want, allowing you to make cafe-quality drinks with foam.
However, even though the machine is simple to use, its process tends to be quite messy. For instance, any cups taller than 3.5 inches are not going to fit under the portafilter. You will either tilt your cup to a certain angle to stop your coffee from getting everywhere or use a smaller cup.
Pros
● Commercial-styled steam wand
● Heat up quickly
● Rugged build
● User-friendly
● Makes perfect shots of espresso
Cons
● Not enough room for bigger mugs
Final Verdict: The Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro makes a great entry-level machine for espresso novices. You can hardly find any semi-automatic units with such quality at this price range.
Coffee B007K9OIMU Espresso and Cappuccino Maker – Budget Pick
If you’re shopping on a budget, Mr. Coffee B007K9OIMU is definitely worth considering. Let’s take a look at the outstanding features, shall we?
If you’re fond of creamier coffee, B007K9OIMU has an impressive pressure level of 15 settings to provide coffeehouse-quality crema and wonderfully extracted espresso with minimal fuss.
Besides, you can also use B007K9OIMU to make cappuccino or latte if you are in the mood for changing your coffee routine a bit – all can be done thanks to the simple one-touch operation. There is also an automatic milk frother to remove the guesswork and, at the same time, helps you master the art of making the final touches for your latte.
Of course, there has to be a few drawbacks to this product. It can be quite a pain when you have to wait 15-20 minutes for the machine to cool down and heat up again when making a latte. Plus, it’s quite a noisy machine, even though most espresso machines don’t tend to make much noise.
Pros
● Great looking
● 15 pressure levels
● 3-in-1 machine
● Budget-friendly
● Automatic milk frother
Cons
● Not very powerful
● Quite bulky
Final Verdict: Mr. Coffee B007K9OIMU Espresso and Cappuccino Maker is a go-to for those who don’t want to cost a fortune for a decent semi-automatic unit.
Buyer’s Guide
You may have already known the answer to the question: “What is a semi-automatic espresso machine?”. But do you know the answer to the question “How to pick one?”
Just relax! Below are some of the elements you should look into when buying a semi-automatic espresso machine.
● Budget: It can be quite pricey when you want to invest in a decent espresso machine. If you can only spend around $500 or less, it can be tough to find a high-quality coffee maker like the Mr. Coffee B007K9OIMU. It’s better if you can expand your budget into the range of $500-1000. There are more options in this price range for you to find the one that best meets your needs.
● Ease of Use: Not everyone is an expert when it comes to making espresso with a machine. It’s best to find a unit that is easy to use, so anyone in the family can have a nice cup of coffee how they like it.
● Build Quality: A well-constructed machine is very much needed for those who press their machine into action many times a day.
● Grinder: Most semi-automatic espresso machines don’t come with a grinder and those that do usually cost an arm and a leg.
Coffee drinkers know the importance of how the coffee is ground, so you really should consider buying a separate grinder or an integrated one that comes with the machine if you want to enjoy your coffee with a fuller and more unique flavor.
● Size: The dimensions of a unit also matter; you can’t have a bulky machine if your kitchen space, or anywhere you’re planning to put the unit, is limited.
What We Choose
Your choice for the best semi-automatic espresso machine should depend on your budget and needs. Each one I mentioned both has its pros and cons, but they are all worth it. If you still don’t know which one to opt for, we want to recommend the De’Longhi semi-automatic espresso machine as it ticks all the boxes in terms of performance and flexibility.