Best espresso machine for beginners: five choices

[@craftcoffeespot]

Find the espresso machines here: amzn.to/3R5z7f1 (affiliate link). Remember, every espresso machine has tradeoffs, so focus on what’s most important to YOU. I hope video helps people get started, and we have more detail on other videos.

[@HotTakeAndy]

Good timing on this video. I’ve been spending 8 bucks a day on mostly iced espresso from Starbucks. About time I bought one but I’m totally new to the hobby.

[@craftcoffeespot]

It’s a learning curve but so worth it. We can’t go back to Starbucks now. For help, Watch our other videos on the channel. The one on pressurized portafilters, breville barista pro (my best dialing in video), and others will get you up to speed. And it takes some time. Realize your first bag or two will be a mess. For tools, a simple $10 coffee scale goes a long way. Lastly, if you got the Philips 3200, you’ll need no practice.

[@yttean98]

Stay with semi auto, manual is too fiddly. stay away from Gaggia and Rancho, etc besides too expensive

[@simonlamnouar2641]

Do you think the automatic tamper is a must have? Or it’s something I can master ?

[@craftcoffeespot]

You can master tamping easily, but if you do it manually you should also use a scale. The nicest part of the Impress tamping is it measures the coffee dosed, so you use the right amount of coffee every time. A lot of beginners don’t like (or skip) the weigh and tamp, but it can be learned easily.

[@simonlamnouar2641]

@@craftcoffeespot thank you for the information

[@garyn7067]

The half-step is to get a tamper with a leveling plate, so you don't tamp at an angle, which is really easy to do. And one with either a calibrated release, so it "clicks" when the set pressure is reached (more expensive), or has a spring of X pounds (less expensive). Both options take away some of the uncertainty about how MUCH pressure to tamp with.

[@craftcoffeespot]

@@garyn7067 yes, you can buy a simple tamper to do self-leveling. Tamping is simple. But, the Impress system is still a lot easier for an absolute beginner as it also measures the dose too.

[@Caleb-tg1nx]

What is your opinion of the delonghi all in one coffee and espresso machine (COM532M)? Does it produce quality espresso and brewed coffee? Thanks

[@craftcoffeespot]

Personally, I'd get a DeLonghi ECP3420. It's an espresso-only model but it gets the job done as a "starter option". I almost included it in this video as an ultra-budget option. You can see it here: craftcoffeespot.com/espresso/delonghi-ecp3420-review/

[@Caleb-tg1nx]

@@craftcoffeespot thank you for your info…I have been watching your videos and reading your blogs. You provide a lot of helpful information. I had thought the all in one coffee machine and espresso would be a good option since I wanted all three of those functions. However, what I’ve gathered from your info, I’d be compromising the espresso taste/flavor by using the espresso function included. Now I’m considering returning this all-in-one machine that I bought and purchase the bambino and baratza grinder and then buy a separate brew coffee machine. I thought the delonghi would be a good choice because of their history; however, I’m starting to doubt that and believe that a Breville might be better overall (although I don’t know how accurate my instinct is.) this is my first venture into espresso machines. I just want some good tasting coffee.

[@craftcoffeespot]

@@Caleb-tg1nx delonghi’s are still good (see our Dedica review), it’s just you get what you pay for…a cheap, integrated COM machine will compromise. Of course, the nice thing is it’s cheap and one device, which is simpler. You’re going to like the Bambino and Baratza, and you’ll have a lot of options if you want to try French press, Chemex, drip coffee, or something else down the road.

[@Caleb-tg1nx]

@@craftcoffeespot thanks. I really appreciate your time and thoughts.

[@christ2180]

Ive seen a lot machines like Gaggia Classic Pro that doesnt have a double espresso button how do u make a double a espresso with these machines ?????

[@craftcoffeespot]

You just let it run for twice as long.

[@christ2180]

@@craftcoffeespot I have to count time or I just press the button for a second time and it automatically stops?

[@craftcoffeespot]

@@christ2180 it’s manual switch on/off. Place a scale under the cup and turn off when it hits desired volume….If this feels complicated, stick with a Breville.

[@piplup10203854]

You're right it's not easy to pick a machine at all. I am having a super tough time picking between the Bambino and Gaggia Classic Evo Pro. I am planning on just getting the DF64 Grinder because a lot of people how important it is to learn how to dial in the grind size so even though I am only using an Aeropress I am realizing how important all those factors are. I like Medium/Light roast coffee but I do like a dark roast if I can drink it black cause I like not having to use any sugar. I am glad you mentioned not to worry about the pressure cause I see listing for 15 or 20 on Amazon and it's like oh that sounds good. I can get the Bambino for 299 but I like the look of the Gaggia Classic and to me it looks more like that Cafe coffee machine and people say the build quality is a lot better in terms of longevity over the Bambino and I really can only get one machine or setup but I like the steam wand cause I do have milk drinks as it helps masks the bitterness of the coffee since I don't really know how to make a good cup of espresso with the aeropress 🫠 it is so tough to just pick a machine.

[@craftcoffeespot]

Focus on what’s most important to you: price, ease, or quality. Choose based on that. All of these can make solid espresso, but depends on what you want.

[@piplup10203854]

@@craftcoffeespot ☺ Thank you! I'll certainly be thinking on it more. I still got time, I just want to catch it on sale to save a little money. I'm leaning towards the gaggia because you mentioned you can have a smart outlet that can have it ready to go as soon as I am awake in the morning instead of waiting that heating time :) that's really smart I'd never think of that.

[@wongxinhao1996]

Come on bro, beating starbucks is such a low benchmark

[@craftcoffeespot]

Not if your starting point is a Mr coffee machine! But once you learn to dial in espresso, then yeah, you scoff at all those “baristas”

[@craftcoffeespot]

I like the challenge tho

[@cesiliaduarte1781]

Hi, I have had the breville bambino for years. One complaint I have is I feel the coffee does not come put hot enough. Is it just me or did you have the same experience? Thanks for sharing.

[@craftcoffeespot]

@@cesiliaduarte1781 you should preheat it first. Just insert an empty portafilter and run a two-cup shot at least once. Then it’ll be much hotter when you brew the espresso.