Every machine is unique, they come in different prices, sizes, and levels of automation.
Luckily for you, the answer to this question can be easily found by considering several points.
Let’s take a look at them.
Manual or Automatic?
One of the most important things to consider when buying a brand new espresso machine is the type.
There are manual or automatics, right?
Well, it is not that simple.
You can find espresso machines in the following categories:
- Manual
- Semi-Automatic
- Automatic
- Super Automatic
Which one to choose? Well, you need to make that decision by seeing your needs first.
Let’s describe each type of espresso machine for you to know which one suits your needs better.
Manual Espresso Machines
We can say that these machines are the simplest but also the most complex to use.
But why?
Manual espresso machines are simple mechanisms, they don’t have electric parts so they are super old school.
The most difficult part of using these machines is the process.
They require technique and you have to do everything, including grinding and operation.
The good part is that they produce the best espresso shots. This is because of the level of attention they require.
Also, they are often really cheap since they are simple devices.
You can find a high-quality manual espresso machine for less than $200 (If you want to get the best of these machines you will need a coffee grinder so this price will go up).
However, keep in mind that for producing awesome espresso shots with a manual machine you need to practice A LOT.
Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines
These machines are the perfect balance between an automatic espresso machine and a manual espresso machine.
They offer a lot of flexibility and automation features that you can use to make your life easier.
We can say that the major difference between these machines and the automatic ones is that you can actually stop the flow of coffee by pressing a button which gives you a little bit of customization over the fully automatic ones.
Automatic Espresso Machines
The fully-automatic espresso machines are very flexible and ideal for people who don’t want to be involved in the espresso-making process.
You just have to press a button and you will get an espresso shot in a few seconds.
The major downside of these machines is that they are less customizable than the semi-automatic machines but they are really consistent since you are removing the human factor.
Super-automatic espresso machines
The super-automatic espresso machines are the closest thing to a robotic barista that exists.
This machine does virtually everything for you, you just have to insert the coffee beans in the top of the integrated coffee grinder, press a button, and you are done.
They have lots of customization options, however, the final quality is not as good as a trained barista and they are incredibly expensive.
Frequency
When choosing an espresso machine you want to make sure that it accomplishes your needs.
Coffee shops invest a lot of money in heavy machines for two reasons: speed and durability.
With a big heavy machine, you can create lots of espresso shops in a few minutes.
However, if you are a home barista who only wants to make an espresso shot every morning, you should choose a smaller machine.
Built-In Coffee Grinder
If you like to grind your own coffee beans at home, you might want to look for an espresso machine with a built-in espresso machine.
These machines are very convenient since you don’t have to buy a separate grinder.
But, if you don’t care about grinding your own beans this is not worth considering.
Space
Make sure to choose an espresso machine that fits in your space properly.
You won’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a device that you cannot use because it is too big and does not fit in your kitchen.
Cost
You don’t want to overspend money right?
Espresso machines come at different prices. Usually, the ones with the most complex systems are the most expensive.
For example, if you want to buy a super-automatic espresso machine you will spend a lot more than if you buy a manual or semi-automatic espresso machine.
This will highly depend on your needs.
If you are a new coffee enthusiast I recommend you start with a semi-automatic espresso machine. They are not too expensive or too cheap and allow you a lot of customization options for you to experiment with.
Another thing that you have to keep in mind is the brand. Some brands are over-expensive since they put a lot of effort into the exterior, they convert espresso machines into pieces of art.
If you are trying to save some money this is not ideal. You might want to look for a brand that is of good quality, durable and affordable.
Final Words
Now you know several aspects to take into account before buying a new espresso machine.
Make sure to evaluate your needs carefully, like frequency, space, and budget (which is extremely important).
If you select a machine by thinking about these factors at first you will be very pleased with the end.