If you are unable to start the day without your caffeine fix, or to round off your lunch (or dinner) with a coffee, welcome to the caffeine club!
We are talking about having a good coffee, the one that awakens your neurons, but also your sense of taste. No instant preparations, but the delicious experience of espresso, that is, fast but delicious.
Although if the coffee maker you have leaves a lot to be desired, many times you end up going to a coffee shop where you know that they prepare it properly. Fortunately, more and more good espresso machines can be found on the market that helps you prepare your favorite drink with considerable savings of time and money, and making the coffee to your liking!
The idea is to choose a coffee machine that makes it perfect for you, that you use without getting lazy and that you can clean in less time than it takes to empty the cup. You can choose between the typical express similar to those of coffee shops and the most modern capsules. Both prepare the coffee in the same way, under pressure, and the main difference is that with classic espresso machines you can choose which coffee you want to use, even choose between ground or bean to better preserve the flavor, while with capsule coffee machines you have a limited variety depending on the brand.
With this guide, you will be able to choose your espresso machine in less time than it will take to explode the bubbles in its packaging.
The 4 best espresso machines without capsules
1. DeLonghi Magnifica
The pressure coffee maker for demanding baristas with little time
Capsules: no
Measurements: 23x43x35 cm
Tank: 1.8 L
Cups: 2
Among the pressure coffee machines, the automatic ones are the most comfortable ... and also the most expensive, because they give you everything practically done so that you only have to worry about savoring your coffee.
This is what the DeLonghi Magnifica does to perfection: by pressing a single button and turning a dial, you can make a shorter or longer coffee, adjust the intensity of the aroma, and even the temperature of the water.
It has an integrated grinder that grinds the coffee bean just at the time of making your drink so that it does not lose its aroma. It has 13 programs so you can adjust the grind to your liking, although if you prefer you can use already ground coffee, for example when you fancy a decaf.
To savor a delicious coffee with milk or a cappuccino, you have the vaporizer tube (Cappuccino System) with which to froth your drink as much as you want.
Do you want more advantages?
It incorporates an automatic cleaning system, which makes the machine rinse every time it is turned on and off.
Also, it will notify you when it is necessary to do a manual descaling (the term will depend on how you use the coffee maker).
Continuing with the cleaning, two important details: the water tank is removable, and so is the drip tray.
In short, the DeLonghi Magnificent lives up to any reputable coffee shop. Your friends will want to go to your house for coffee!
Pros
You can adjust the automatic grinder to get the desired grind.
The double hopper for grain and ground (great for decaffeinated).
It accepts glasses and cups of different sizes.
The cost per coffee is much cheaper than per capsules (and of better quality)
Cons
The price. This type of coffee maker is not cheap.
It is quite large and you will need space to place and use it.
2. Solac CA4810
For practical connoisseurs who want a personalized coffee.
Capsules: no
Measurements: 42.8 x 37.2 x 23 cm
Tank: 1.2 L
Cups:1
This Solac super-automatic coffee maker is among the most expensive in the ranking, but its price is justified. It does almost everything quickly, and it also offers a lot of customization options for your coffee.
Her capacity has caught our attention:
It has a 160 gr container for the coffee beans that grinds it, prepares the infusion in just 40 seconds, and when finished, it cleans itself.
If you like to drink coffee in large cups, you can regulate your drink up to 160 ml. You can also customize it with the amount of coffee you want, with steam to froth or heat the milk, and you can even prepare infusions with the water heater.
This solar has an easy-to-remove 1.2-liter tank that, although not the largest, is enough to not have to worry about filling it every two by three.
We liked its pre-infusion system with which Solac manages to intensify the flavor and we believe that the aroma it gives off will please even coffee lovers.
We have already told you that cleaning is easy thanks to its automatic system, but it also includes a brush, a cloth, and several descaling sachets so that you can have your coffee maker in perfect condition. With its LED light indicators, you will know when to perform maintenance.
Finally, we have found interesting its energy-saving system with automatic shutdown that you can program at the time that suits you best.
The Solac is an espresso machine that will allow you to prepare the coffee to your liking in a practical, fast, and personalized way.
Pros
Customize your coffee
Very fast preparation
Includes self-cleaning and maintenance kit
Cons
It only admits coffee beans
The deposit is fair
For a single cup
3.Express Coffee Machine Cecotec Power Instant
The espresso machine with the highest pressure and the best price.
Capsules: no
Measurements: 25x30x30 cm
Tank: 1.5 L
Cups: 2
Power:1450
The Cecotec Power Expresso Coffee machine is clearly aimed at the sector of coffee growers looking for a good espresso machine without making a large outlay.
Its best value is a great value for money (it does not reach € 100), and several details that differentiate it from its competitors: an upper tray to preheat cups (like those in coffee shops), hot water for making infusions, vaporizer tube, removable 1.5-liter tank ...
Obviously, it is not a small coffee maker - all those extras need space - but it more than fulfills its mission of achieving a perfect espresso with all the cream that characterizes it.
It is very easy to use because its control panel has been simplified to the maximum: with three buttons you have everything under control, apart from the thread for the vaporizer tube. It allows making two cups of coffee simultaneously.
Another detail: although it is used with ground coffee (it does not include an internal grinder, as you may have deduced from its price), it is also compatible with single-dose, thus multiplying its functionality.
The Cecotec Power Expresso is a great option to start as a barista without risking your monthly budget.
Pros
Good value for money.
Very easy to use and clean.
You can prepare two cups at a time.
Its weight 1000gm
Its stainless steel finishing
400ml milk container
450w power
ZQALOVE Brand
Cons
It is quite bulky.
It has no automatic stop.
4. Solac CE4480
Sencilla, funcional y eficiente: una cafetera express de las de toda la vida.
Cápsulas: no
Medidas: 26x32x32 cm
Depósito: 1,2 L
Tazas: 2
Solace is a Spanish brand founded in the early 20th century and launched its first domestic coffee maker in 1935, so they know something about it. This Solac CE4480 is made of stainless steel, it is resistant and easy to clean.
The removable tank contains 1.2 liters and has a cup warming tray, to warm the container before preparing the coffee. The tray is made of stainless steel, like the frothing tube for frothing the milk, much more hygienic than other models with a plastic seal.
The portafilter must be filled with ground coffee manually and allows you to make one or two cups at the same time.
Its operation is very simple through three buttons: on / off, coffee extraction, and ignition of the vaporizer, which is regulated with a thread, like those in coffee shops. It turns itself off after a period of inactivity (how much can be programmed).
The space between the spout and the tray is quite wide, which allows you to use cups or glasses larger than a single coffee.
With all these features, the Solac CE4480 is an economical option for a more than acceptable result.
Pros
Good price.
Compact and resistant.
Automatic shutdown after a period of inactivity.
Easy cleaning and maintenance.
Cons
The vaporizer tube is a bit stiff.
It could be quieter.
Top 3 Nespresso Capsule Coffee Makers
1. Krups Nespresso Essenza Mini
A Nespresso capsule coffee maker for small and stylish kitchens.
Capsules: Nespresso
Measurements: 20x8x33 cm
Tank: 0.6 L
Cups: 1
In this Krups Nespresso Essenza, there are many functions, despite its small size.
Still, it has the usual strength in Nespresso and allows you to enjoy an excellent coffee with all its crema. As is customary for the brand, you have the option to customize it to your liking, making it more intense or longer.
From the moment you turn it on, you only have to wait 25 seconds to make the coffee. And the energy-saving mode is activated after 3 minutes. Lastly, it turns itself off after 9 minutes of inactivity. You don't have to worry about anything!
If you decide on this coffee maker, you can start enjoying it immediately, because it includes a box with several capsules for you to try the different flavors of Nespresso. It also has a € 20 voucher for you to buy more capsules, but conditional on a larger purchase.
It is also not mandatory that you use the original Nespresso coffee: numerous white brands manufacture compatible.
It has a used capsule container with a capacity for 9 units and a 0.6-liter tank (about five coffees). If you drink your coffee with milk in a large cup, keep in mind that the drip tray is removable but not hinged. That is, you have to remove it to fit the cup.
It is perhaps the most uncomfortable failure of this Krups Nespresso, which is otherwise an excellent coffee maker for kitchens with little space.
Pros
Good value for money.
Ultra-compact size.
Heats up in just 25 seconds.
Allows you to adjust the intensity and amount of coffee.
Cons
If you are using a large cup, the drip tray must be removed.
The water tank admits only 0.6L (approx. 5 coffees).
2. Nespresso Pixie
A Nespresso of urban design for demanding coffee growers.
Capsules: Nespresso
Measurements: 34x18x27 cm
Tank: 0.7 L
Cups: 1
The Pixie coffee machine is a Nespresso original. Small but powerful, the Pixie has a great design - we expected no less from the brand - and excellent functionality.
In addition to the possibility of choosing the intensity of the coffee, the welcome capsule pack, and its very rapid heating from the moment you turn it on incorporates an automatic shutdown system after 9 minutes of inactivity.
If you run out of the water, red lights come on to warn you before the engine suffers. It is not necessary to remove the tank to refill it, so it is very convenient. Plus:
The tank holds 0.7 liters of water and can store up to 10 used capsules.
The drip tray folds up so you can use taller cups in your milk preparations.
Come on, everything you need to enjoy a delicious espresso without having to pay attention to small details.
And also, aesthetically it is very beautiful, in any of its colors. Due to its design and its value for money, the Pixie is one of the most popular models from Nespresso.
Pros
Empty tank indicator light.
Foldable tray to use larger cups.
It heats up very quickly and turns itself off after 9 minutes of inactivity.
Modern design.
Cons
It is a bit louder than other Nespresso machines.
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