What Do You Need to Look at When Comparing Espresso Machines

So you are considering buying an espresso machine and should ou choose the wrong one you will have wasted money and if you choose a good one then you will be rewarded for years to come. 

When  looking at any espresso machine comparisons there are a number of factors which need to be taken into consideration before you make your final choice.

1.  The Price

Certainly this is a consideration for most people and as a general rule you do get more for your money where espresso machines are concerned.  You find with the more expensive versions you will get more metal and less plastic, the workmanship will be of a higher quality and more controls.  Also often with the more expensive machines you find the support services provided by the manufacturer are much better.  But if you are someone who only wants the occassional cappuccino then most of the cheaper versions can produce a pretty decent one. 

2.  Type of Machine

Do you want a moka or steam, semi automatic, automatic or super automatic.

The steam machines provide pressure to push the water through a bed of coffee grounds and the length of brewing time is controlled by the user. 

Whilst a semi automatic has a pump which provides the pressure but you still need to grind, dose and tamp the coffee into the portafilter.  The brewing pressure and temperature is set and controlled by the semi automatic machine. Again the length and volume of the brewing is controlled by the person operating it.

Next we come to the automatic which has a pump to provide pressure and you also have to grind, dose and tamp the coffee into the portafilter.  As with the semi automatic the brewing pressure and temperature are set and controlled by the machine and it also automatically predetermines the volume of espresso it makes.

Finally we look at the super automatic this also has a pump to provide pressure but it does everything it grinds, doses, tamps and brews the espresso to a pre-determined volume and will then eject the spent puck and all at the bush of a button.

So when looking at an espresso machine comparisons it is  important that you remember what you want to spend what features you want and what you will be using it for in order to find the right type of machine for you.