Our choice was based on price, features, but mainly on user ratings on Skroutz, with criteria such as ease of use / cleaning, coffee taste and build quality.

The best quality-price ratio

The Delonghi Dedica is one of the best automatic machines for home use. It has a sleek design with small dimensions, so it doesn't take up much space in the kitchen, while also standing out for its sturdy construction. In addition to ground coffee, you can also use paper pods as the coffee maker comes with the relevant filter. It has the ability for automatic extraction, which means that it stops on its own once the coffee is ready.

The best budget espresso machine for beginners

The Gruppe machine is one of the most popular models on Skroutz and is one of the best budget options. It is relatively sturdy for its cost, with a practical size that fits on countertops taking up minimal space, and is very easy to use. It is a semi-automatic espresso machine with a start/stop switch, where you start and stop the extraction at the point you desire. It does not have a filter for paper pods.

The best Nespresso capsule machine

If you want to have a good cup of coffee quickly and easily, without having to clean your countertop, the Krups Inissia will become your favorite! It is quite affordable (usually under €80), in a truly mini size and due to its small width it takes up minimal space on the countertop. The Nespresso capsules are the most popular on the market and besides the official Nespresso store, you can purchase capsules through Skroutz from most well-known brands, such as Illy, Lavazza and Jacobs.

The best Dolce Gusto capsule coffee machine

The Krups Mini Me is a very affordable coffee maker compatible with Dolce Gusto capsules. Its main difference, compared to Nespresso capsule machines like the Inissia, is that you can make, in addition to espresso, many other ready-made hot and cold drinks such as cappuccino, latte, chocolate, and tea. Like all capsule machines, it is extremely easy to use (1 button) and small in size, so it doesn't take up much space. A user who bought it reports:

The best machine for aspiring baristas

The Gaggia Classic belongs to the category of semi-automatic machines, so if you need coffee at the touch of a button, it may not be suitable for you. To get the most out of it and make the cost of purchase worthwhile, you will need to experiment quite a bit with the timing, the grinding of the coffee, etc. Fortunately, due to the great popularity of this particular machine, you will easily find a wealth of information on forums and videos to help you use the machine in the best possible way.

The best super automatic machine

Do you want to have exceptional quality freshly ground coffee combined with ease of use? The Delonghi Magnifica is a super automatic espresso machine with the option of using pre-ground or whole bean coffee from the built-in grinder. It is equipped with a steam wand for frothing milk and a cup warming tray. With dimensions of 23x43x34 (cm) and a weight of 9 kg, it certainly requires space on the kitchen counter. A user on Skroutz reports:

The best semi-professional use

Do you want to have all the conveniences of a super-automatic espresso machine, a professional quality construction, and the ability to effortlessly make dozens of coffees every day for your colleagues or friends? The Gaggia Cadorna will make you feel like you have a professional barista in your space.

The Best Home Coffee Maker (Espresso Pot)

It is not exactly an espresso machine like the ones above, but it is an excellent, affordable option to make a pretty good espresso at home. These specific coffee makers, like the Bialetti Express, produce low pressure (2-3 bar) and therefore the coffee they produce cannot be considered a regular espresso (usually known as mocha). They are traditional espresso brewing devices, still very popular today in Italy and very easy to use.

Types of Espresso Machines

In this buying guide, espresso machines are divided into 5 broad categories based on their type. The main differences between espresso machines lie in their ability to perform automatic or manual functions (such as creating pressure, extracting coffee, etc.) and the type of coffee they accept (ground, whole beans, capsules).

Stovetop Coffee Makers (Espresso Machine or Moka Pot)

Traditional espresso preparation devices are still very popular in Italy today. Visually, they remind us of the familiar "briki" and only require a stove (kitchen burner) to operate. They come in various sizes (for 1, 2, 3 or more cups of coffee).

• Easy to use
• Low purchase cost
• Easy and fast to clean
• Ability to operate without electricity (e.g. camping stove, country house)
• Small size and easy to move

• They produce low pressure (2-3 bar) and therefore the coffee they produce cannot be considered regular espresso (usually known as mocha)
• The amount of coffee that needs to be put in the special container is predetermined and depends on the size of the coffee maker (if we have, for example, a 3-cup espresso maker, we always have to put the amount of coffee for 3 cups)

For people looking for a quick, easy and above all economical solution for a fresh homemade espresso (or better yet, mocha coffee).

Manual espresso machines (Lever / Piston)

They use a plunger that is manually pushed through a lever/handle to create the necessary pressure. They give us the ability to have full control over the entire process. We can determine the pressure, start and stop of the extraction, as well as the amount of ground coffee we put in.

• The ability to manually adjust all the parameters that determine the result of the extraction, so that the coffee is perfectly in line with our preferences
• The feeling that the result is due to our skills
• The sturdy construction and unique appearance

• The difficulty of use, as it requires a lot of experience and skill
• The cost of purchase, which is at high levels
• The process, which is done manually, resulting in a greater chance of error
• The large volume they occupy

For coffee lovers who want to make decisions and control all the stages involved in the traditional preparation of an espresso coffee.

Semi-automatic espresso machines

They use an electric water pump to create pressure. Starting and stopping the extraction is done manually.

• The set pressure helps us achieve a more consistent result compared to manual espresso machines
• The easy creation of milk foam, through a special accessory that most machines have
• The ability to use ground coffee (some also work with pre-packaged espresso portions known as ESE pods)

• The fact that it requires practice (determining the amount of coffee, tamping it in the corresponding part of the machine, and calculating the extraction time) to achieve a tasty espresso
• The coffee must be properly ground

For those who seek a balance between control of the preparation process and ease of use. In other words, for individuals who are interested in experimenting in order to achieve the taste and texture they desire.

Automatic espresso machines

They have the same characteristics as semi-automatic machines, with the difference that extraction times can be determined if desired. They usually operate with 2 programs, one for a single and one for a double espresso shot, in addition to manual start-stop of extraction.

One type of automatic machines is the super-automatic espresso machines in which all intermediate stages of preparation (coffee grinding, tamping, start-stop of extraction, milk frothing) are done automatically, producing a ready-made drink (espresso, cappuccino, latte, etc.) in our cup.

• Their ease of use as the only requirement is to input the coffee and select a program
• The ability to automatically prepare other drinks based on espresso (e.g. cappuccino)
• The speed of drink preparation
• The consistency and stability in the quality of coffee they produce
• The automatic cleaning function that some models have

• The high purchase cost
• The higher susceptibility to malfunctions due to their complex construction
• The absence of any intervention capability during the espresso preparation process
• The large volume they occupy

For individuals who demand speed and consistency from an espresso machine. Due to their speed, these machines are feasible to quickly deliver many cups of coffee, making them a very good choice for a professional space.

Capsule System Machines

As their name suggests, they are powered by suitable coffee capsules. Preparing espresso is done by pressing a button. In capsule espresso machines, the coffee extraction time can be programmed (automatic) or manually set (semi-automatic).

• Their ease of use
• The ability to prepare other beverages by supplying the machine with the appropriate capsule
• The small size they occupy
• The absence of the need for cleaning

• The coffee, although stored airtight in the capsules, cannot be ground precisely before being produced in the machine
• The higher cost per cup of beverage
• The limitation on the coffee varieties we can try, as most machines only work with specific capsules. It should be noted that companies are constantly expanding the variety of capsules.

For those who want a small and portable machine to quickly and easily prepare various beverages (e.g. espresso, hot chocolate).

Capsule or Not Capsule Coffee Maker?

Basically, this will depend on your own needs and the use you intend to make of it.

On the one hand, capsule coffee makers are certainly the easiest to use and relatively economical. You can buy a coffee maker for less than 100 euros and with 0.15€ - 0.50€ per dose, you have a coffee in a minute, with the press of a button, without dirtying your kitchen at all. The negatives are that although they have a steady performance, they cannot reach the quality of a freshly ground coffee from a good semi-automatic or automatic machine. In addition, the environmental footprint from plastic or aluminum can be another negative factor, although many companies recycle the capsules they produce.

On the other hand, machines with ground coffee or beans require a little more experimentation until you achieve good results, especially if they are semi-automatic. Ground coffee takes a little longer to clean the parts of the coffee maker, as well as your countertop that may get dirty. However, if you give them a little time and find what suits you in taste and texture, the result will justify you.

How many Bars should an espresso machine have?

In order to achieve an authentic espresso, the machine should have at least 9 Bars. Therefore, when choosing a coffee maker, prefer a range of bars from about 9-15 to have a rich and aromatic espresso.

Important: There are several factors that affect the perfect espresso, such as the coffee ratio, extraction time, and extraction temperature. Therefore, in order to achieve the best result, it is not enough to just have the pressure, but also the overall quality of the coffee maker's construction and the correctness of the process we follow for its preparation.

Which type of espresso machine should you get?

Your final choice should be based on your actual requirements from the machine, taking into account the positives and negatives of each type of machine.

In general,

• If you are interested in ease of use and want to have a good result with the press of a button, then a capsule or super-automatic machine will satisfy you.
• If you are interested in saving money on coffee, you can choose a stovetop espresso maker or an economical semi-automatic machine that takes ground coffee.
• If you want to experiment in order to achieve the perfect taste and texture, then a quality semi-automatic machine with a grinder will be ideal for you.