Imagine this: You wake up, and the thought of a rich, creamy espresso is what gets you out of bed. But when you go to buy an espresso machine, you’re met with a dizzying array of choices. From super-simple to super-fancy, it’s easy to feel lost.
Choosing a mid-level espresso machine can be tricky. You want something that makes great coffee without costing a fortune or being too complicated to use. Maybe you’re tired of spending so much money at coffee shops, or perhaps your current machine just isn’t cutting it anymore. You’re looking for that perfect balance of quality and value.
In this post, we’ll help you figure out exactly what to look for in a mid-level espresso machine. We’ll break down the important features and guide you toward a machine that will make your morning coffee routine something to look forward to. Get ready to become your own favorite barista!
Our Top 5 Mid Level Espresso Machine Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Mid Level Espresso Machine Detailed Reviews
1. De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine
Rating: 9.1/10
Dreaming of delicious, café-quality espresso right in your own kitchen? The De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine makes it a reality. This compact coffee maker fits perfectly on any counter, adding a touch of modern style without crowding your space. It’s super easy to clean, too. With a powerful 15-bar pump, it extracts the perfect amount of pressure for a rich, flavorful single or double espresso every time. Plus, the manual milk frother lets you create creamy, authentic lattes and cappuccinos with ease. It even comes with a tamper, portafilter, and two filters for single or double shots. The adjustable cup holder means you can brew into mugs or small espresso cups.
What We Like:
- Its contemporary and compact design looks great and saves counter space.
- The 15-bar pump ensures rich, perfect espresso extraction.
- The manual milk frother lets you easily create delightful lattes and cappuccinos.
- The durable stainless steel boiler is built to last and perform consistently.
- It includes a portafilter with filters for both single and double shots.
- The two-level cup holder accommodates various cup sizes.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users might prefer automatic frothing for ultimate convenience.
- Learning to master manual frothing takes a little practice.
The De’Longhi Stilosa is a fantastic choice for anyone wanting to enjoy authentic espresso drinks at home. It offers great features and impressive performance for its size.
2. Gevi Commercial Espresso and Coffee Makers
Rating: 9.1/10
Dreaming of café-quality coffee at home? The Gevi Commercial Espresso and Coffee Makers might be your answer. This sleek, stainless steel machine promises to deliver delicious espresso-based drinks with a professional touch, right on your countertop.
What We Like:
- Optimal Flavor Extraction: With a powerful 20-bar pump, precise temperature control (NTC), and pre-infusion, this machine extracts the best flavor from your coffee beans. It even has a pressure gauge so you can see exactly what’s happening.
- Perfect for All Coffee Lovers: Whether you crave a rich Espresso, a creamy Latte, or a bold Americano, this machine handles it all. It’s also a fantastic gift idea for coffee enthusiasts in your life.
- Powerful Steam Wand: Easily create silky smooth milk foam for cappuccinos and lattes with the strong steam wand. Cleaning is a breeze thanks to the removable froth nozzle.
- Compact and Stylish: The full stainless steel body looks great in any kitchen and is built to last. Its compact size means it won’t take up too much precious counter space.
- User-Friendly Operation: Making barista-level coffee is simple with its easy-to-understand controls and semi-automatic brewing. You’ll be enjoying delicious drinks with minimal fuss.
- Versatile Hot Water Function: Beyond coffee, you can use the hot water dispenser for making tea, instant soups, or even warming your cups before brewing.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the machine is designed for ease of use, mastering the perfect milk frothing technique might take a little practice for beginners.
- The “commercial” aspect might imply a higher price point than some basic home coffee makers, but the features justify the investment.
This Gevi espresso maker offers a great balance of professional features and home-friendly design. It’s a solid choice for anyone looking to elevate their home coffee experience.
3. Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL
Rating: 8.7/10
The Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL in Brushed Stainless Steel brings the coffee shop experience right to your kitchen. It’s designed for coffee lovers who want to make delicious, cafe-quality espresso drinks at home. This machine is an all-in-one solution, meaning it grinds your beans and brews your espresso, all in under a minute.
What We Like:
- It grinds beans fresh for every shot, giving you the best flavor.
- The machine has a special pre-infusion step that helps pull out all the tasty flavors from the coffee.
- You get precise temperature control, so your espresso is always brewed perfectly.
- You can steam milk to make creamy foam for lattes and cappuccinos, and even try latte art.
- It comes with everything you need to get started, like a grinder, tamper, and milk jug.
- The bean hopper holds a good amount of beans, and the water tank is also quite large.
- It includes a 1-year limited warranty for peace of mind.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users might find the initial setup and learning curve a bit steep.
- While it’s a great all-in-one, professional baristas might prefer separate, high-end grinders and machines for ultimate control.
This Breville Barista Express is an excellent choice for anyone looking to elevate their home coffee game. It offers a fantastic balance of convenience, control, and quality for delicious espresso drinks.
4. CASABREWS Ultra Espresso Machine with LCD Display
Rating: 9.5/10
Dreaming of café-quality coffee at home? The CASABREWS Ultra Espresso Machine with its LCD display, powerful milk frother, and customizable temperature settings is here to make that dream a reality. You can easily whip up your favorite lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. It’s a fantastic addition to any home or office, and it makes a wonderful gift.
What We Like:
- It brews delicious, café-quality espresso, lattes, and cappuccinos right in your kitchen.
- The LCD display makes it super easy to use and understand.
- You can adjust the brewing temperature to four different settings, so your coffee is always perfect for you.
- The powerful 20-bar Italian pump and 1350W boiler give you that rich, flavorful espresso every time.
- Its advanced steam wand creates creamy microfoam, perfect for beautiful latte art.
- The sleek brushed stainless steel design looks great in any kitchen.
- The large 73 oz water tank means less refilling.
What Could Be Improved:
- The temperature adjustment only applies to the espresso brewing, not other functions.
- To get the best results, you need to pay attention to grind size, coffee dose, and tamping, which might take a little practice for beginners.
This espresso machine brings the coffee shop experience to your doorstep. Get ready to impress yourself and your guests with amazing homemade coffee drinks.
5. Gevi [2024 Upgraded Dual Boiler Espresso Machine EzBru 2000
Rating: 8.8/10
The Gevi [2024 Upgraded Dual Boiler Espresso Machine EzBru 2000 in Sterling Silver is a seriously impressive machine for anyone wanting to make coffee shop-quality drinks at home. Its sleek, full stainless steel housing looks fantastic on any counter. This machine is packed with features to help you brew the perfect espresso and create creamy, delicious milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
What We Like:
- Powerful Pressure System: It expertly pushes hot water through your coffee grounds for rich flavor and aroma, making every shot of espresso taste amazing.
- Precise Temperature Control: The NTC and PID systems keep your coffee and milk at the perfect temperature. This means balanced coffee flavor and smooth, quick milk frothing every time.
- Barista-Level Steam Wand: You can easily create beautiful, velvety foam for your cappuccinos and lattes, just like a professional barista.
- Built-in Grinder: It comes with a grinder that has 31 different settings, so you can get the perfect grind size for your espresso.
- Easy to Clean: The detachable water tank and drip tray make cleaning up a breeze.
- All-Inclusive Package: It includes everything you need to get started, like a milk pitcher, tamper, and different filter baskets.
- Great Support: Gevi offers a 12-month warranty and lifetime tech support, so you can buy with confidence.
What Could Be Improved:
- Learning Curve: For beginners, there might be a slight learning curve to master all the settings and techniques for the perfect shot.
- Counter Space: While compact, it still requires a dedicated spot on your kitchen counter due to its feature set.
If you’re looking to elevate your home coffee game, the Gevi EzBru 2000 is an excellent investment. You’ll be enjoying delicious, café-style beverages in no time.
Your Guide to Awesome Mid-Level Espresso Machines
So, you’re ready to ditch those instant coffee packets and start making real espresso at home? That’s fantastic! A mid-level espresso machine is your golden ticket to delicious lattes, cappuccinos, and straight-up espresso shots that will make your taste buds sing. This guide will help you pick the perfect one.
What to Look For: Key Features
When you’re shopping, keep an eye out for these important features:
- Boiler Type: This is a big deal for how fast your machine heats up and how well it steams milk.
- Thermoblock: Heats water quickly, great for single shots. It’s usually faster to get ready.
- Single Boiler: Has one boiler for both brewing espresso and steaming milk. You might have to wait a bit between making your coffee and steaming your milk.
- Heat Exchanger (HX): Has one boiler that heats water for espresso and also heats water to steam milk at the same time. This is a step up!
- Dual Boiler: Two separate boilers, one for brewing and one for steaming. This is the best for making coffee and steaming milk at the exact right temperatures, all at once. It’s the fastest and most flexible.
- Pump Pressure: Most good machines have a 9-bar pump. This is the standard pressure needed for perfect espresso extraction.
- Portafilter Size: Look for a 58mm portafilter. This is the professional standard and helps you get great results.
- Water Tank: A decent-sized tank means you won’t be refilling it every few drinks. Easy to remove tanks are a bonus.
- Steam Wand: A good steam wand lets you froth milk like a pro. Look for one that swivels easily.
- Programmable Settings: Some machines let you save your favorite shot sizes and temperatures. This makes making your usual drink super easy.
What It’s Made Of: Important Materials
The parts of your machine matter for how long it lasts and how well it works.
- Stainless Steel: This is a great material for the body and internal parts. It’s strong, doesn’t rust, and looks nice.
- Brass: Some machines use brass for the boiler or brew group. Brass holds heat well, which is good for consistent espresso.
- Plastic: While some plastic parts are okay, you want to avoid too much of it, especially for the water tank or drip tray. Sturdier materials usually mean a better machine.
What Makes It Great (or Not-So-Great): Quality Factors
Several things make an espresso machine shine or fall flat.
- Temperature Stability: A machine that keeps its temperature steady will make better, more consistent espresso. This is where better boiler types really help.
- Build Quality: A heavy, solid machine usually means it’s built to last. Wobbly parts and flimsy plastic are red flags.
- Ease of Cleaning: You’ll need to clean your machine regularly. Look for parts that are easy to reach and remove for cleaning.
- Grinder (Built-in or Separate): While not always included in mid-level machines, having a good grinder is crucial. Freshly ground beans make a huge difference. If your machine doesn’t have one, be prepared to buy a good separate grinder.
Using Your Machine: User Experience and Use Cases
A mid-level machine is perfect for the home barista who wants more than just a basic coffee.
- For the Enthusiast: If you love learning about coffee and enjoy the process of making espresso, a mid-level machine offers enough control and features to keep you experimenting and improving.
- For the Home Cafe: Want to impress friends and family with delicious coffee drinks? This machine is your go-to. You can make a variety of drinks, from simple espressos to creamy cappuccinos.
- Everyday Use: For daily coffee drinkers who appreciate quality, a mid-level machine provides a significant upgrade without the complexity or cost of professional machines. You’ll get great-tasting coffee every morning.
Your Mid-Level Espresso Machine FAQs
Q: What is a mid-level espresso machine?
A: A mid-level espresso machine is a step up from basic, entry-level models. It offers better features and quality for making delicious espresso drinks at home. It’s a good balance between price and performance.
Q: How much should I expect to spend on a mid-level espresso machine?
A: You can typically expect to spend between $300 and $800 for a good mid-level espresso machine. Prices can vary based on brand and specific features.
Q: Do I need a separate grinder?
A: Yes, most of the time. While some machines have built-in grinders, a separate, high-quality burr grinder is usually recommended for the best espresso results. Freshly ground beans are key!
Q: How long does it take for a mid-level machine to heat up?
A: This depends on the boiler type. Thermoblock machines heat up quickly, often in under a minute. Single boiler and heat exchanger machines might take 5-15 minutes to reach optimal temperature.
Q: Can I make milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos?
A: Absolutely! Mid-level machines come with steam wands that allow you to froth milk. The quality of the steam wand and boiler will affect how easily you can create good microfoam.
Q: What’s the difference between a single boiler and a heat exchanger machine?
A: A single boiler uses one boiler for both brewing and steaming, so you might need to wait between steps. A heat exchanger uses the same boiler but has a separate pipe to heat water for steaming, allowing you to brew and steam more closely in time.
Q: Is a dual boiler machine better than a heat exchanger?
A: For convenience and temperature control, yes. Dual boilers have separate boilers for brewing and steaming, allowing you to make drinks back-to-back without temperature fluctuations. However, they are usually more expensive.
Q: How important is pump pressure?
A: Very important! A consistent 9 bars of pressure is needed to properly extract espresso. Most mid-level machines will have this built-in.
Q: How do I clean my espresso machine?
A: Cleaning involves regular tasks like rinsing the portafilter, wiping down the steam wand, and emptying the drip tray. You’ll also need to descale your machine periodically to remove mineral buildup. Check your machine’s manual for specific instructions.
Q: What kind of coffee beans should I use?
A: For espresso, you’ll want to use espresso roast beans. These beans are roasted darker and are often blends of different coffee types. Freshness is also key, so buy beans roasted recently.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
Hi, I’m Larry Fish, the mind behind MyGrinderGuide.com.. With a passion for all things kitchen appliances, I created this blog to share my hands-on experience and expert knowledge. Whether it’s helping you choose the right tools for your culinary adventures or offering tips to make your kitchen more efficient, I’m here to guide you. My goal is to make your time in the kitchen not only easier but also enjoyable! Welcome to my world of kitchen mastery!