The best automatic espresso machines are the ideal fit for the home espresso drinker that wants real café drinks at home without the learning curve of a more manual machine. You might think that this is a price game - spend more, you get more, and while there’s some truth to that the reality is that there are great superautomatic espresso machines available for every budget. So what metrics matter most? It’s not all about price, the best machine for you will be the one that fits your space, brews the drinks you want, offers the customization options you need, and fits your budget. We’re also here to tell you that an automatic espresso machine can still produce great drinks - you just lose a bit of the precision and control you get with manual options. With all of this in mind, let’s talk about the basics!
In This Article
- What Is a Superautomatic Espresso Machine?
- How to Choose the Right Automatic Espresso Machine for You
- DeLonghi Magnifica Evo — Best Budget
- Terra Kaffe Demi — Best Compact
- DeLonghi Rivelia — Best for Customization
- Terra Kaffe TK-02 — Best Smart / App-Connected
- Jura E8 — Best Premium / Splurge
- Automatic Espresso Machine FAQs
What Is a Superautomatic Espresso Machine (and Why It Might Be the Easiest Upgrade to Your Mornings)?
Superautomatic espresso machines are all-in-one, end to end solutions for brewing café style espresso drinks at home. This means that they dose, grind, tamp, and brew espresso shots, and many also steam and froth milk. These machines also regulate themselves, with rinse cycles running on their own, and clear notifications for when maintenance and deeper cleaning are required (which are usually simple to perform). These machines are designed to use whole bean coffee, though most have an option for a pre-ground pass through (often used for decaf), as opposed to pod based options like Nespresso. We love superautos because they cut down on mess, often work fast, have simple learning curves, and are very consistent from drink to drink. This year espresso machines saw more adoption of smart features like apps and updateable firmware, there are also more compact, aesthetically minded machines than ever. So which is right for you?
New to superautos? Start with What's So SUPER About a Superautomatic Espresso Machine? for the full rundown on how these machines work.
How to Choose the Right Automatic Espresso Machine for You
There are five key factors that we consider when evaluating a superautomatic espresso machine. First, there’s the types of drinks the machine can produce, which goes hand in hand with how it handles milk. Next, there’s the design and footprint, which will matter to some, but not everyone. We also evaluate the ease of cleaning and maintenance, and finally, the pricing and value.
Milk Matters (Auto, Manual, or None at All)
Automatic milk systems come in a few different varieties. Some machines feature a traditional steam wand with automatic or assisted steaming, where you’ll place your pitcher of milk and push a button. More common are some variation on a siphon system, which pulls the milk into a steam chamber through a tube, then dispenses the frothed milk. These systems can operate using carafes, pitchers, or other containers. The main differences between different milk systems are the types of milk it produces best (frothy cappuccino foam or microfoam for lattes), the quality of the froth, and how easy it is to clean. While milk system may matter, the bigger question is whether you’ll need it at all. There are great options out there that omit the milk steaming, which are perfect for the user who only drinks straight shots or americanos.
Related: Want to go deeper on how superautos handle milk? See Superauto Milk Steaming Systems.
Counter Space & Footprint
Counterspace and design are not elements that will make or break a machine for most, but can be very important to some. It’s important to measure your space and select a machine that will fit comfortably. Keep in mind that you’ll often need to access the top of the machine to fill the bean hopper, and sometimes to access the water tank. These can be key factors when placing a machine under cabinets. You’ll also want to ensure cup clearance if you plan to use any cup warmers featured on the machine. Note that compact machines are becoming more and more common, and that a smaller footprint doesn’t mean less power or drink quality.
Cleaning, Maintenance & the "Will I Actually Keep Using This?" Test
While machines can automate almost everything, there’s always a bit of maintenance that must be done by hand. Most superautomatic espresso machines are smart enough to manage rinsing cycles and purging of their milk systems, but you’ll still need to remove components like the brewing unit to rinse. Many machines will also feature a cleaning cycle, and will need regular descaling. Finally, there’s water filters, which are frequently important to reduce the need for descaling. The last big question is the value, which plays into the question of whether you will use it week in and week out. For this last piece, it’s easy to get hung up on how much you’ll need to save on your daily latte from the coffee shop, but we prefer to take a different approach. Evaluating the value of a machine really just comes down to how much you enjoy using it, and whether you like the drinks it produces. If you balance these questions against the cost and the maintenance time you will generally arrive at a clear conclusion on whether it’ll be an option that finds its way into your routine for good. Read on for some recommendations!
1. DeLonghi Magnifica Evo ECAM29043SB — Best Budget Automatic Espresso Machine
DeLonghi Magnifica Evo ECAM29043SB
The Magnifica Evo is one of the new kings of the budget automatic espresso landscape. This no-frills, entry-level offering brings you exactly what you need for solid espresso drinks without an enormous price tag. And that’s why it made our list here, because it’s a fantastic value. You’ll be manually frothing using the machine’s traditional steam wand, but this does mean that you control the milk quality yourself - something many users will appreciate. The espresso itself is quite good, easily besting pod-based alternatives. The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo is the perfect automatic machine for any budget-conscious buyer, or for the person who wants to try out superautomatic ownership before committing to a higher cost option.
Best for first-time superauto buyers, budget-minded shoppers, and anyone happy to froth milk by hand.
2. Terra Kaffe Demi — Best Compact Automatic Espresso Machine
Terra Kaffe Demi
The best compact espresso machine on our list is the Terra Kaffe Demi. This user-focused automatic espresso machine is compact and offers some exceptional coffee at a solid price point. The catch? This machine forgoes the milk frother to fit in smaller spaces. For some, this will be a deal breaker, but if you’re only interested in coffee and espresso the Demi is an excellent option. We put it on our list because it is so flexible when it comes to where you can fit it, and it brews great espresso. As a bonus, it’s easy to maintain and comes in multiple colorways, proving that you don’t need to compromise on aesthetics and ease of use along with the lack of milk system. In the end the Demi is best for the user without a lot of space who might be considering a pod machine. This option is a much better one, so long as you don’t need milk frothing.
Best for apartments and tight counters, design-conscious buyers, and black-coffee or americano drinkers.
Tight on space? See more small-footprint ideas in The Best Compact Coffee Setups for Small Spaces and Life on the Go.
3. DeLonghi Rivelia — Best for Customization & Two-Bean Households
DeLonghi Rivelia
The DeLonghi Rivelia offers an easy to use color touchscreen, milk frothing, and a compact footprint along with a real game-changing feature - it has two hoppers. Normally swapping beans is pretty unheard of for superautomatic espresso machines, and the only way to achieve an alternative bean would be to grind and use a pass through. With the Rivelia, changing out the hopper is a breeze. This machine’s degree of drink customization and its tried and true DeLonghi performance are the real stars here, but the ability to swap beans easily is a huge boon. A hidden feature here is that being able to remove the hopper really allows you even more flexibility with what beans you use - you can dump the remaining beans in the hopper into a storage container and swap in something different, something that’s either a huge pain or totally impossible with most machines. These features make the Rivelia the best automatic espresso machine for customization on this list, and perfect for the household with decaf and full caf drinkers under one roof (or for the coffee fan who likes to try lots of different beans).
Best for households juggling multiple coffee preferences, customization tinkerers, and one-touch milk-drink fans.
Comparing DeLonghi superautos? Read Which DeLonghi Superautomatic Espresso Machine is Right for You?
4. Terra Kaffe TK-02 — Best Smart / App-Connected Automatic Espresso Machine
Terra Kaffe TK-02
The Terra Kaffee TK-02 is the company’s full-featured, app-connected superautomatic espresso machine. With excellent milk frothing and easy drink control using the app, this machine makes the list as our favorite smart espresso machine. The TK-02 is also wildly versatile, with excellent options for hot and iced drinks, and even lower pressure drip brewing. This level of versatility and easy to use app-based adjustment makes this a great machine for a tech-focused buyer excited about the prospect of brewing different kinds of drinks. It’s also great for users in homes that prefer a wide selection rather than just the standard latte, cappuccino, and americano options.
Best for tech-forward buyers, iced-coffee devotees, and homes that want espresso, drip, and milk drinks in one machine.
Want the hands-on take? Check out our Terra Kaffe TK-02 Crew Review.
5. Jura E8 — Best Premium / Splurge Automatic Espresso Machine
Jura E8
If you really want to go big then the Jura E8 is the machine for you. This entry makes our list as our pick for best premium automatic espresso machine. With Jura’s considerable build quality and exceptional superauto brewing technology as the base, the E8 takes everything about other machines on this list and amplifies it. The biggest benefit here though is machine longevity. While proper care and maintenance of any of the machines on this list can make them last for years, the E8 is truly built for a high volume environment. This option is the one for you if you’re a serious at home espresso drinker who wants to get as close to having a café on your countertop as possible with the least amount of effort.
Best for serious enthusiasts, high-volume households, and buy-it-for-life shoppers who want the widest menu.
Keeping a Jura running: Bookmark the Jura Espresso Machine Cleaning and Maintenance Guide.
Automatic Espresso Machine FAQs
Are superautomatic espresso machines worth it?
That depends, but if you’re asking the question the answer is that they probably are for you! A superauto is a great way to get easy access to your favorite café drinks without having to trek to the coffee shop. This is value enough for many users!
What's the difference between an automatic and a superautomatic espresso machine?
There isn’t one! We just use the terms interchangeably here at times.
Do automatic machines make "real" espresso?
Yes they do! While exact pressure can vary from machine to machine, these brewers actually tamp and then push water through a puck of coffee grounds, just like a manual espresso machine.
How much should I spend on a good automatic espresso machine?
Whatever fits your budget! There’s superautomatics at a wide range of price points available. We do recommend planning to spending the $500 range on the low end to get a machine that produces quality drinks and lasts.
How do I clean and maintain a superautomatic machine?
The key thing here is to follow your owner’s manual. We know it’s tempting to throw it in a drawer after you set the machine up, but it’s important to perform scheduled maintenance whenever it's needed. Most machines will alert you to this, and you’ll just need to follow on-screen prompts or the steps in the manual to complete whatever maintenance is needed.
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