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"Automatics Over $500"
The Breville Oracle Touch has been a top pick for many at-home baristas for so many reasons. It is favored for its ease of use, making it a great choice for beginners, but also, it has room for you to grow your skills with its manual options. Now there’s an upgraded version of the Barista Express, and it’s called Barista Touch.
If you’ve seen the Breville Oracle Touch which we’ve written about in a previous post, then you know how the Touch system in Breville’s new espresso machines work. It allows you to automatically create barista-style coffee drinks, customize them to your taste and even save your creations under any name you want, all with the simple to use touch screen display.
But that’s not all, of course. So, let’s have a look at the specs of the Barista Touch and see what makes it special.
Features of Breville Barista Touch:
- Color touch screen display with pre-set coffee drinks. Simply press the icon for your preferred drink to start making it.
- Customize the temperature and texture of your coffee drink and milk. You can also save your customized drink under any name you want. You can save up to 8 customized drinks.
- Presets include: Americano, Latte, Cappuccino and Flat White.
- Automatic steam wand automatically textures milk to your liking. Simply select the temperature and texture of milk you want using the touchscreen display.
- 3-second heat up time.
- Pre-infusion function gradually increases water pressure to ensure even extraction of the coffee.
- Automatic purge function cleans the steam wand after use.
- Cradle holds the portafilter while grinding for hands-free operation.
- Magnetic built-in tamper.
- Built-in stainless steel burr grinder.
- Bean hopper capacity: 1/2 lbs.
- Water reservoir capacity: 67 oz
- Stainless steel housing.
Click here to learn more about Breville Barista Touch, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Breville Barista Express vs. Barista Touch, What’s The Difference?
Breville BES880BSS Barista Touch Espresso Maker, Stainless Steel
Breville the Barista Express Espresso Machine, BES870XL
Controls
Touch display
Buttons
Steam Wand
Automatic texturing & milk temperature options
Manual
Drink Presets
Save Customized Recipes
More Info
Breville BES880BSS Barista Touch Espresso Maker, Stainless Steel
Controls
Touch display
Steam Wand
Automatic texturing & milk temperature options
Drink Presets
Save Customized Recipes
More Info
Breville the Barista Express Espresso Machine, BES870XL
Controls
Buttons
Steam Wand
Manual
Drink Presets
Save Customized Recipes
More Info
Controls:
The first biggest difference between the two machines is the touch screen, which is the most innovative part of the Barista Touch. The Barista Express has buttons and dial control for choosing your espresso shots and grind controls.
Microfoaming and Steaming:
- The Barista Touch has automatic milk foaming and texturing, and you get to choose the texture your like as well as the temperature.
- With the Barista Express, microfoaming is manual and there’s no temperature selection. So, getting the exact texture and temperature you want will take some practice.
Customization:
- With the Barista Touch, there are a number of drink selections to choose from, as well as your own customized drinks. You get to save up to 8 customized drinks, and customization options include the grind settings, milk texture, temperature and volume.
- On the Barista Express, you can customize your drinks by choosing your grind settings and reprogramming the volume for each espresso shot. There’s no temperature settings or milk texture settings. And there’s no way to save a full customized drink recipe under a name. However, your reprogrammed espresso volumes will be saved.
- Apart from those features, both Barista Express and Barista Touch have the same bean hopper capacity, water reservoir capacity, built-in grinder and pre-infusion/purge functions.
Click here to learn more about the Breville Barista Express, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Barista Touch vs. Oracle Touch, What’s The Difference?
Breville BES880BSS Barista Touch Espresso Maker, Stainless Steel
Breville BES990BSSUSC Fully Automatic Espresso Machine, Oracle Touch
Boilers
Single Boiler
Dual Boiler
Water Reservoir Capacity
67 oz
84 oz
Portafilter Size
54mm
58mm
Grinder
Auto grind/Tamp and Polish
Auto Grind only
More Info
Breville BES880BSS Barista Touch Espresso Maker, Stainless Steel
Boilers
Single Boiler
Water Reservoir Capacity
67 oz
Portafilter Size
54mm
Grinder
Auto grind/Tamp and Polish
More Info
Breville BES990BSSUSC Fully Automatic Espresso Machine, Oracle Touch
Boilers
Dual Boiler
Water Reservoir Capacity
84 oz
Portafilter Size
58mm
Grinder
Auto Grind only
More Info
Now let’s compare the Barista Touch to its more expensive competitor, the Oracle Touch.
Boilers:
- The Oracle Touch is a dual-boiler machine. This means you can extract espresso and heat and foam milk at the same time. You can also change the temperature of the boilers using the machine settings.
- The Barista Touch is a single boiler, so you have to do each task one at a time. As for the boiler temperature, it is pre set and can’t be changed.
Capacity:
- The Oracle Touch is a larger machine. It has a 84 oz water reservoir. The water reservoir can be filled from top of the machine using a filling slot on the top front part. But if you need to take out the tank for cleaning, it can be pulled from the back of the machine easily.
- The Barista Touch has a 67 oz water reservoir capacity. The reservoir is removable so it can be easily cleaned or filled.
Portafilter Size:
- 58mm on the Oracle Touch.
- 54mm on the Barista Touch.
Grinder:
- The Oracle Touch automatically grinders, tamps and polishes. So all you have to do is set your portafilter to the grinder’s cradle and lock it and it will do it all.
- With the Barista Touch, you’ll have to place your portafilter in the grinder cradle and push to activate the grinding. You’ll also level off the grind and tamp it manually.
Auto Start Settings:
- The Oracle Touch can be programmed to automatically start and turn off at any set time. It won’t brew your coffee at the set time, but it will start, heat up and be ready for you to use at any time you need it to.
- This option is not available on the Barista Touch.
Dimensions:
- Barista Touch: 12.5″ x 13.25″ x 16”
- Oracle Touch: (L) 16¼” x (D) 15″ x (H) 18″
Click here to learn more about the Breville Oracle Touch, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Which One To Buy?
- Like any other buying decision, it all starts with your budget. Since the Oracle Touch is more advanced and packs more features, naturally, it is more expensive than the Barista Touch.
- Features wise, The Oracle Touch does everything for you. Grinding, leveling out any extra grind and tamping. Milk texturing is also done for you. Espresso extraction and milk foaming can be done at the same time, since it’s a dual boiler machine. So there’s no wait time.
- If you don’t mind doing some of the work, like holding the portafilter to collect the grind and tamping manually, or the wait between extraction and milk foaming, then you’ll be happy with less expensive Barista Touch.
- On the other hand, it’s important to keep in mind that the Oracle Touch is larger, while the Barista Touch has an overall smaller footprint. At 18” high, you’ll want to make sure you can fit the Oracle Touch under your cabinets, or have the space for it, before you buy it.
- If automation is not your thing and you’d rather do everything manually, or semi-manually, then the Barista Express is definitely worth considering.
Video Reviews:
Breville Barista Touch Review:
Breville Oracle Touch Review:
Saeco Philips are makers of the best superautomatic espresso machines. You can find a range of super autos from Saeoc with cool features and at a range of prices that make it affordable to many people.
In this post, we’ll be looking at the Saeco Philips Intelia Deluxe, an easy to use, bean-to-cup espresso maker that will brew your favorite coffee drinks with simple push of a button.
The Intelia Deluxe is a superautomatic that will make you a fresh cup of coffee, as fresh as can be, thanks to its built-in grinder that grinds the beans as soon as you push a button for your favorite drinks. It is available in two models: HD8759/47 and HD8771/93 (also known as Intelia Deluxe Cappuccino), which we will be comparing later in the post.
Features of the Saeco Intelia Deluxe Cappuccino HD8771/93:
- Prepares all espresso based drinks like Cappuccino, Latte, Macchiato, Americano and more with a push of a button.
- Built-in ceramic grinders that last longer and never overheat.
- Built-in milk frother pitcher automatically froths milk and adds it to your cup.
- Milk frothing pitcher is detachable, which allows you to store left over milk in the fridge.
- Quick Heat boiler allows you to prepare your drinks with no wait time.
- Choose from 5 strength settings, 10 grind settings and temperature settings.
- LCD display allows you to easily program your machine.
- Dedicated buttons for each coffee drink for quick operation.
- Water reservoir capacity: 50 oz.
- Bean hopper capacity: 10 oz.
- Made in Italy
What Is The Difference Between Saeco Philips Intelia Deluxe HD8759/47 vs HD8771/93
This is the Intelia Deluxe HD8759/47. It is identical to the Intelia Deluxe Cappuccino but with one slight difference:
The Intelia Deluxe lacks the milk frother carafe. Instead, it has a a hose that connect to the frother at one end, and you have to put in in a milk jug so it draws the milk, froth it and add it to your cup. After the milk in added, you’ll have to manually move your cup to the coffee spout for the next step. You can also use a frothing wand, which means you’ll have to froth the milk manually.
Click here to learn more about Saeco Philips Intelia Deluxe, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Video Reviews
Review of Intelia Deluxe:
Review of Intelia Deluxe Cappuccino:
Common Questions:
Can I Use Non-dairy Milk like Almond or Soy Milk?
Yes, you can use whichever kind of milk you like. However, the results of froth will vary and it’s not guaranteed that you’ll get the best results.
Can I Use Pre-Ground Coffee or Do I Have To Use the Grinder?
There’s an option to turn off the grinder so you can use any ground coffee you like.
Can I Adjust the Temperature Settings to Make My Coffee As Hot As I Like?
Yes, there are adjustable temperature settings. You can also adjust the grind and strength settings, so you can make your coffee exactly to your preference.
Breville espresso machines are known for their sleek and precise design. They’re packed with features, have superior quality and are available in a range that works for both beginner or intermediate and professional espresso machine users.
In previous posts, we’ve looked at machines like the Breville Infuser and Barista Express and have compare them to each other. In this post, we’ll look at the Beville Duo-Temp Pro, its features and how it compares to other Breville espresso machines.
Features of the Breville Duo-Temp Pro:
- 15-bar Italian Pump.
- 1600W thermocoil stainless steel heater that accurately controls water temperature.
- Auto purge function automatically adjusts water temperature after steam use.
- Pre-infusion function applies low water pressure to the coffee ground to expand it before extraction.
- Electronic PID control for increased temperature stability.
- 61 oz removable water reservoir.
- Hot water can be dispensed through the frothing wand for making Americanos or for pre-heating cups.
- Built-in storage for accessories.
- Included accessories:
- Tamper magnetically attached to the machine
- Razor Precision Dose Trimming Tool
- 54mm portafilter with 4 filter baskets.
- 16 oz stainless steel frothing jug.
- Cleaning tools.
- Water filter holder and a replaceable filter.
Click here to learn more about the Breville Duo-Temp Pro, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Breville Duo-Temp Pro (BES810BSS ) vs. Breville The Infuser (BES840XL) :
There’s a lot of similarities between the Breville Duo Temp and the Infuser, but they’re not quite the same. The Infuser has some extra design features that you won’t find in the Duo-Temp Pro:
- On the Infuser, there are two programmable buttons for a single or double shot. You can reprogram the volume metric for these buttons for automatic extraction. On the Duo-Temp Pro, there’s just one selector button for Steam or Hot Water, and then with the dial knob you can either choose to extract, froth or dispense water.
- Speaking of dispensing water, the Infuser has an independent spout for dispensing hot water. While the Duo-Temp Pro uses the frothing wand for dispensing water.
- On the Infuser, you’ll see there’s a gauge on the middle of the front panel that allows you to monitor the pressure of the machine. The Duo-Temp Pro doesn’t have this gauge.
- The Infuser is available in 3 colors.
All other features like water tank capacity, accessories, power and pump are the same.
Click here to learn more about the Breville Infuser, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Breville Duo-Temp Pro (BES810BSS ) vs. Breville Barista Express (BES870XL):
The Barista Express is rather a big jump from both the Duo-Temp Pro and the Infuser. While the do share the basic features, the Barista Express makes an all-in-one coffee bar without the need for additional gadgets:
- It has a built-in stainless steel conical burr grinder with a sealed bean hopper.
- It has a 67 oz water reservoir, so it’s larger than both the Duo Temp Pro and The Infuser.
- It has a portafilter cradle that allows for hands-free automatic grinding.
- On its control panel, you’ll find: grind amount selector, single/double shot buttons, program button, filter size selector, pressure gauge.
- Like The Infuser, it has a dedicated hot water dispenser.
- The Barista Express is available in 3 colors.
Like the other Breville Espresso machines, it comes included with all accessories: cleaning kit, portafilter with 4 baskets, water filtration, frothing jug.
Click here to learn more about the Breville Barista Express, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Breville Duo-Temp Pro vs. Gaggia Classic:
The Gaggia Classic is a manual espresso machine that packs a lot of power. Like the Breville Duo-Temp Pro, there’s no progammability, you start and end your shot manually. Other features of the Gaggia Classic:
- 72 oz water reservoir, so it’s notably larger than the 62 oz Duo-Temp Pro reservoir.
- The controls on the Classic are switch buttons. On the Duo-Temp Pro the controls are LED backlit press buttons.
- It has a chrome-plated brass portafilter and brew head, which gives you more temperature stability over your shot.
- It has a 58mm portafilter, which is bigger than Breville’s 54mm portafilter.
- The Classic has a 17 1/2 bar pump pressure. While the Duo-Temp Pro (and other Breville espresso makers) has the standard 15 bar pressure.
- The Classic includes: single/double filter baskets, measuring scoop and coffee tamper. You’ll have to buy a frothing jug separately.
Click here to learn more about the Gaggia Classic, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Which Of These Espresso Machines Should You Buy?
When it comes to choosing the right espresso machine for you, it is very important to know exactly what you’re looking for. More expensive doesn’t always translate to the best choice, a bigger or more advanced espresso maker could be great but it can also have features that you might not need, so in a case like this, you could save some money to put towards another thing for your at-home coffee bar.
- If you don’t need programmability and automatic brewing, then either the Breville Duo Temp Pro or Gaggia Classic would be an excellent choice that will save you around $100 to $150 or even $300 ( in comparison to the more advanced Barista Express or Infuser) that you could put towards a decent conical burr grinder for example.
- If you prefer an all in one solution instead of buying separate gadgets, the Breville Barista Express would make an excellent choice. You’ll have everything you need right out of the box. And although it looks complicated to use, it isn’t. It has automatic as well as manual, so you have room to learn and grown your barista skills.
- Overall, the Breville machines give you great value for your money thanks to their great quality and the great bundle of accessories included with every machine.
Watch These Video Reviews:
Review of Breville Duo-Temp Pro:
Review of the Breville Infuser:
Review of Breville Barista Express:
How To Make a Cappuccino with Gaggia Classic:
The Nespresso Creatista Plus is an impressive piece of design that combines the luxury and convenience of Nespresso’s system with the brilliance of Breville’s design.
Nespresso has always been known to create espresso makers that make you your favorite coffee beverages with a touch of a button. And Breville is well-know for its top of the line, Barista level espresso makers (like Barista Express and Breville Oracle Dual Boiler ) which give you full control over the creation of your drink. This is the one thing you couldn’t do with a Nespresso machine, as it’s a fully automatic espresso maker, you couldn’t control the temperature of the milk or the espresso, and since it used an electric milk frother, the milk foam wasn’t texturized, so you couldn’t do art latte like you would with texturized steamed milk.
All of this has changed with the Creatista Plus, it is the first truly Barista-style espresso maker by Nespresso that gives you full control over your drink.
Features of the Nespresso Creatista Plus by Breville:
- Single-serve espresso maker that uses Nespresso OriginalLine capsules.
- Fully automatic brewing and milk steaming.
- Choose from 7 pre-set and re-programmable drinks: Espresso, Lungo, Cappuccino, Latte, Macchiato, Ristretto and Flat White.
- Choose from 8 different adjustable milk textures for drinks like Cappuccino, Latte or Flat White.
- Choose from 11 adjustable milk temperatures.
- Milk is steamed and has ‘micro-foam’, which allows you to create latte art.
- Cool to touch steam wand with auto purge for cleaning.
- Color display allows you to easily choose and customize your drink with step by step directions.
- Quick 3-second start-up time
- Full Stainless steel housing.
Click here to learn more about the Nespresso Creatista Plus, read the customer reviews and buy it.
How Is The Nespresso Creatista Plus Different From Other Nespresso Machines?
The Creatista Plus takes your at-home coffee experience to a new level. It is still as convenient as other Nespresso makers, yet, it allows you to do so much more:
- Using the colored screen on top of the Creatista, you can choose your drink, milk texture, coffee volume, and choose temperature of the milk. You’re customizing everything in your coffee drink.
- Place the included stainless steel milk jug under the frothing wand. The Creatista features a temperature sensor for the milk, which is how it knows it reached your desired milk temperature.
- After the brewing and milk steaming is done, it’s your turn to put together the espresso and milk. Latte art will require some practice on your part, and it will certainly be a fun thing to do!
Watch The Nespresso Creatista Plus in Action:
What Kind of Capsules Does Nespresso Creatista Plus Use?
The Creatista Plus is an OriginalLine Nesprsso machine, so it can use any of the OriginalLine Nespresso capsules and Nespresso-compatible capsules. You can check out our best picks for the best Nespresso capsules for Lattes here.
Can I Make Regular Coffee with the Nespresso Creatista?
No, the Nesprseso Creatista doesn’t make a regular cup of coffee. However, you can always make an Americano, which is a shot of Espresso with added hot water to dilute it, and it results in a coffee-like drink. If you want a Nespresso machine that makes coffee, then check out the Nespresso Vertuoline or Evoluo.
Creatista vs. Creatista PLUS vs. Lattissima Pro, What’s The Difference Between Them?
We have a detailed post answering this particular question. Click here to read the answer.
Creatista vs. Nespresso Vertuo, What’s The Difference?
Vertuo and Creatista belong to two different lines of Nespresso’s products:
- VertuoPlus pictured above is one of Nespresso’s Vertuo machines. Vertuo can make espresso and coffee using especially designed capsules for Vertuo machines. Vertuo can make espresso and coffee in different sizes, you can also make cappuccinos, lattes and more using the Aeroccino milk frother which makes pretty much a standard froth of milk. You can learn more about VertuoPlus here.
- Creatista is one of Nespresso’s OriginalLine machines. It’s an espresso machine that’s compatible with all Nespresso OriginalLine capsules. What sets it apart is the professional frother that it’s equipped with. It’s not a frother that merely whisks milk, Creatista’s frother is a steam wand similar to professional espresso machine’s. The micro foam it produces allows you to do and practice real latte art. This is in addition to its beautiful touch screen, customization and all the great features we mentioned above.
Should You Buy the Nespresso Creatista?
The Creatista is one of Nespresso’s high-end espresso machines, it comes with a price tag higher than the average Nespresso makers, which might make you wonder, is it really worth it?
With its premium materials and customization options, the Nespresso Creatista is up there with espresso makers like the Breville Barista Express. It gives you drinks that are as customizable as you’d get from a semi-automatic espresso maker, and the fact that you finally get the option to professionally steam (and just froth up) milk, as well as choose the texture and temperature, and it’s all done automatically for you (no room for error here, your milk will be perfect every time), all of these new features makes it absolutely worth the price.
However, if all of these options aren’t important to you, then you can still enjoy quality coffee drinks using an entry-level Nespresso maker like the Inissia or a mid-range like the CitiZ.
Click here to learn more about the Nespresso Creatista Plus, read the customer reviews and buy it.
German brand KRUPS has a lot of great fully automatic espresso makers under its name, many we’ve already featured: The Espresseria, the Barista One Touch, and the XP9000 Coffee Center… just to name a few. In this post, we’ll be talking about yet another fantastic creation by KRUPS, the Falcon EA84 full-auto espresso maker.
Features of the KRUPS Falcon Espresso Machine:
- One-touch, fully automatic espresso and coffee maker.
- Built-in conical burr grinder with adjustable grind settings.
- Color touch screen for simple use and programing.
- Patented compact thermoblock system with 15-bar pressure.
- Automatic frothing system allows you to adjust the froth density to your liking.
- Height adjustable spout accommodates cup of all sizes.
- 1.7 Liter (57 oz) water reservoir.
- 8.8 oz (250g) bean hopper capacity.
- Coffee puck (used coffee ground) container holds up to 12 pucks before need to discard.
Click here to learn more about the KRUPS Falcon, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Who Should Buy the KRUPS Falcon Automatic Espresso Maker?
An automatic espresso maker like the KRUPS Falcon is a fantastic addition to any home where coffee enthusiasts live. If you’re a lover of fine coffee and gourmet coffee drinks like Cappuccinos and Lattes and find yourself spending too much money on your local cafe, a machine like this would cost you upfront, but will save you a lot of money on the long run.
With a press of a button, and within a minute, you’ll be able to enjoy a cup of specialty coffee without the hard work of preparing one. The machine automatically measures the correct amount of beans required for your drink, grinds them on the spot and turns it into coffee. You’ll have to option to tune your drink as you want: fine or coarse grind, bold or light taste, dense creamy foam or light smooth froth. It’s your coffee, you’ll have it as you like!
The KRUPS Falcon isn’t only a luxury, but a true convenient addition to your home that will save you a lot of coffee trips and money. If that’s something you’d like, then this is the machine to buy.
KRUPS EA84 Falcon vs. EA8250 Espresseria, What’s The Difference?
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The Espresseria is somewhat an older version of the Falcon. Although they share many similar features, the Falcon has a few upgraded features:
Display and Controls:
- The Espresseria has a black/white LCD with dial control.
- The Falcon has a color touch-screen where you do all the programming.
Milk Frothing:
- Espresseria allows for manual frothing using the steam wand.
- With the Falcon, you can either froth the milk manually or use the included auto-frothing accessory. You can also adjust the density of the froth.
Water Tank and Bean Hopper Capacity:
- The Espresseria has a slightly larger water tank capacity of 1.8 L and larger bean hopper of 275 g capacity.
- The Falcon has a 1.7 L water tank and 250 g bean hopper.
As you can see, the differences aren’t major to be honest. The two machines produce the same quality of coffee, but easy of use that the Falcon provides is more likely to provide you with a better experience.
You can click here to learn more about the Espresseria, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Watch Video Reviews of the KRUPS Falcon and Espresseria Espresso Makers:
The Falcon:
The Espresseria:
When I first stumbled across the SAECO Pure super-automatic espresso machine, the SAECO Minuto immediately came to mind, thinking they were the same machine but under different names. Upon further investigation, turns out, they’re not the same. So in this post, we will be discussing the difference between these two machines.
SAECO Pure vs. Minuto:
Features:
Both machines have similar basic features like:
- Push-button bean to cup operation.
- Classic wand milk frother/ hot water dispenser.
- All options are reprogrammable.
- 5 grind settings from fine to coarse.
- Automatic grinding and descaling.
- Adjustable coffee spout to fit different cup sizes.
How Are They Different?
- The Saeco Minuto is actually more advanced than the Pure;
- The Minuto has a ceramic grinder that preserves as much oils and flavor as possible without burning the beans, where the Pure has a metal grinder.
- The Minuto’s pressure can be adjusted to low so it brews a regular cup of coffee and adjusted back to 15 bar for espresso brewing. The Pure does NOT have this feature and can only make espresso and espresso based drinks.
- The Minuto has an LED screen and memorization features so it can save different drink settings at the same time. The Pure does not have any display.
Which One Should You Buy? The Saeco Minto Focus or Pure?
Click here to learn more about the Saeco Pure, read customer reviews and buy it.
By now it’s obvious the Saeco Minuto Focus offers more features that the Pure, but you have to decide for yourself if they’re features you need or not. One of the Minuto’s most notable features is its dual pressure feature that allows you to brew coffee as well as espresso, a feature that many super-automatics lack.
Another factor that will affect your decision is budget. The Minuto is more expensive than the Pure, around $300 more, so that’s another thing to consider.
You can visit our post about the SAECO Minuto Focus to learn more about it by clicking here.
Most, if not all, espresso machines come with an integrated steam wand that you can use to froth milk for a delicious cup of cappuccino or latte. But some people find this feature to a hassle and prefer a quicker way to froth milk. If you happened to be one of them, you’ll definitely prefer the use of an automatic milk frother instead of a steam wand. What’s the difference between them?
- With a steam wand, you’ll have to hold the milk pitcher and wait for your milk to steam and froth. You may or may not get it right, and it can take a bit of practice.
- With an integrated automatic milk frother, all you have to do is fill a milk tank and push a button and all the frothing will be done for you.
We’ve featured many espresso makers that feature automatic milk frothers, and they’re available at a wide range of features and budgets. Here’s a look at the best ones:
Mr. Coffee BVMC-ECMP1000 Café Barista Espresso Maker:
This is a fantastic entry-level espresso and cappuccino maker for a budget under $200. The Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista prepares everything with a push of a button; it features a classic portafilter that you can use with your choice of coffee ground or E.S.E coffee pods (Not to be confused with Coffee Capsules). The integrated milk tank pours the frothy milk right into your mug, and it’s detachable so you can easily store any left-over milk in the fridge. See a review of the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista here.
Click here to learn more about it, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Nespresso CitiZ Espresso Machine with Built-in Aeroccino Milk Frother:
One of the most popular Nespresso machines, the CitiZ features a built-in milk frother that can prepare hot or cold froth in under a minute. The frother sits on the same base as the machine and uses the same power source, but it does not pour milk automatically into the cup,you’ll pour the milk in yourself. But frothing is done with a simple push of a button and is fully automatic.
The CitiZ uses Nespresso espresso capsules only. It prepares Espresso and Lungo, and you can reprogram all the automatic features in the machine to your preference. Click here to read our review of the CitiZ.
Click here to learn more about the CitiZ, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Saeco Syntia Espresso Machine with Built-in Grinder and Integrated Milk Frother:
This is a super-automatic espresso machine for someone with a large budget and looking for a high-end machine. The Saeco Syntia features a built-in conical burr grinder that grinds coffee on demand, giving you a cup of coffee with beans that has been ground right before brewing. It also features an integrated milk tank that automatically froths milk for cappuccinos and lattes and it pours right into the cup. The Syntia packs a lot of advanced features that you can read about by clicking here.
Read the customer reviews of the Saeco Syntia and buy it here.
We’ve already compared two Lattissima models, the EN 750MB vs. EN 720 M. Today, we’re comparing yet another similar set of Lattissima machines, the Lattissima Pro (America EN750MB) vs. the Lattissima Plus.
Comparison Chart: Lattissima Pro vs. Lattissima Plus:
The Lattissima Pro is a more high-end version of the Plus. It has a stainless steel finish and blue LED backlight.
Most importantly, the Lattisima Pro has a touch-display for machine control. the Lattissima Plus uses buttons.
- The Lattissima Pro has 6 pre-set drinks: ristretto, espresso, lungo, cappuccino, latte and hot milk). It also includes a hot water function. The Lattissima Plus has 2 coffee options and 3 milk options.
- The Lattissima Pro has an auto-clean feature for the machine as well the milk frother.
- The used coffee capsule drawer for the PRO holds up to 16 capsules, 12 capsules on the PLUS.
- Water tank capacity: 44 oz for the PRO, 30 oz for the PLUS
- Milk frother capacity: 17 oz for the PRO, 8 oz for the PLUS.
- Preheat time: the Lattissima PRO heats up in 25 seconds while the PLUS heats in 40 seconds.
Which Is Best To Buy, DeLonghi Lattissima Pro or Lattissima Plus?
The Lattissima PRO is far more superior than the Lattissima PLUS. But it costs more, better suited for a budget of $600. So it all goes down to your budget, if you can afford it, you won’t go wrong with the Lattissima Pro, while the Lattissima Plus will make a less expensive alternative for under $400.
Click here to learn more about the Lattissima PRO, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Click here to learn more about the Lattissima PLUS, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Watch This Video of How Lattissima Pro Works:
Note: The owner of the video did the mistake of cleaning the frother into their coffee. This is clearly an oversight, you should always remove your brewed coffee before the machine starts the cleaning process.
Lattissima Pro vs. Lattissima Touch, How Are They Different?
The Lattissima Touch isn’t that different from the Lattissima Plus which we’ve already compared to the Lattissima Pro. The only difference to the Plus version is that Lattissima Touch has touch buttons and has a larger water reservoir capacity (44 oz). So, water capacity on the Touch is the same as the capacity of the Lattissima Pro. As for the milk container, the Lattissima Pro definitely has the largest capacity of all three machines.
Design wise, the Lattissima Touch is the same as the Plus. And the Lattissima Pro is the most superior with its brushed metal exterior, which is far more elegant and more durable.
Drink presets on the Lattissima Touch are also the same as the Lattissima Plus.
Click here to learn more about the Nespresso Lattissima Touch, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Popular Nespresso and DeLonghi Accessories to Consider:
DeLonghi Double Walled Thermal Latte Glasses. Also available as Espresso and Cappuccino glasses.
Nifty Nespresso Capsule Drawer
Nespresso Capsules – 50 count of best flavors mix.
Further Questions About the Lattissima Pro and Plus:
What’s In The Box of Lattissima Pro and Lattissima Plus?
For each machine you’ll get the machine and all its components as well as a sampler pack of Nespresso capsules (one of each flavor).
Does The Lattissima Pro/Plus Make Regular Coffee?
No it doesn’t. It makes espresso and espresso based drinks. The closest thing to a regular coffee would be to make Espresso and add hot water to it (Americano).So far, the only Nespresso machine that makes regular coffee is the new VertuoLine machine.
What Can The Nespresso Lattissima Make?
Espresso, Lungo, Americano (espresso + hot water), Macchiato, Latte, Cappuccino. Basically any espresso based drink.
What Is the Integrated Milk Frother Made From? Is It Dishwasher Safe?
It is made of plastic, and yes, it is dishwasher safe.
Can I Make Hot Chocolate With The Lattissima Pro or Plus?
With the Lattissima Pro, you have the option of frothing milk only without preparing coffee, which you can easily add chocolate powder or shavings too. This option is NOT available in the Lattissima Plus.
Can I Use My Own Coffee Ground?
All Nespresso machine are designed to use Nespresso Capsules exclusively. There are a few unofficial refillable nespresso pods, however they’re not usually recommended. Nespresso has a wide range of coffee flavors and blends, so you won’t be disappointed. If you’re looking for additional flavors, you can try Nespresso compatible capsules.
Where Can I Buy Nespresso Capsules?
They’re available from Nespresso online store or Amazon. More on this in this post and in this post about nespresso capsule variety packs.
Where Is The DeLonghi Lattissima Pro/Plus Made?
Both machines are made in Italy.
Should I Buy a Lattissima or a CitiZ?
You can read our comparison here to help you with your decision.
We’ve covered a few of the espresso machines that use illy’s iperEspresso coffee pods, like the Francis Francis X7.1, Francis Francis Y1.1 and Gaggia for illly. A new comer to the world of iperEspresso espresso machine is the Cuisinart Buona Tazza Super-Automatic Espresso, Cappuccino and Latte Machine. It’s a bit different than the others and more automated, so let’s have a look at its features:
- Brews the perfect espresso every single time, with a push of a button.
- 19 bar pump pressure.
- Features an automatic milk frother and built-in milk tank that froths and dispenses milk automatically.
- Eight LED lit control buttons to choose your desired drink.
- Ability to adjust coffee volume, strength and temperature.
- Accommodates different cup sizes from an espresso cup to a travel mug.
- 34 oz water tank, removable.
- 22 oz milk container.
- steam wand with dial knob control.
- Measures 14″ x 7.75″ x 11.70″
How the Cuisinart Buona Tazza Is Different From Other iperEspresso Machines?
- We love that this machine makes it much easier to make your espresso as well as other coffee drinks. If you’re not used to milk frothing or using a steam wand, the Buona Tazza makes it simple and easy as it does it all for you.
- With the Buona Tazza, there’s no clean up necessary after brewing your coffee. The used capsule will go into a container which you only have to clean after it’s filled up with many capsules. The milk container can be removed and kept in the fridge if there’s any milk left in it.
- The steam wand on the machine uses a patent-pending technology that allows it to clean itself after every use.
The Cuisinart Buona Tazza is the only superautomatic iperEspresso machine available yet. It’s the perfect choice for anyone looking for a truly delicious cup of espresso, cappuccino or latte with a single touch of a button.
Click here to learn more about this machine, read the customer reviews and buy it.
See it in action in this video:
If there’s only one downside of superauto espresso machines with built-in coffee grinders, it would be the big price tag attached to them. They offer a great convenience of brewing you the freshest cup of coffee on demand, but it usually comes with a price. But NOT always!
The usual price range of an espresso machine with built-in grinder would be $800 to $1000+, but we’ve managed to find a few really great machines that go for $600 to $400! That is QUITE a steal for such machines. So, let’s have a look at them…
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine with Grinder:
- Full stainless steel housing.
- Conical burr grinder with 1/2 lbs capacity.
- Adjustable grind settings.
- Automatic water temperature adjustment for perfect espresso extraction.
- 1600W stainless steel heating system.
- pre-set, manual and reporgrammable esperesso shot volume.
- Steam wand for milk frothing.
- Built-in tamper.
- 2 Litre (67 ounce) water reservoir.
- Available in three colors
Click here to learn more about the Breville BES870XL Barista Express and read the customer reviews.
Philips Saeco RI9753/47 Odea Go Plus Automatic Espresso Machine:
- Built-in ceramic grinder, which never rusts, gives you a better grind and a quieter operation.
- No wait time between milk frothing and espresso extraction.
- Steam wand with pannarello attachment which helps create better foam.
- Adjustable coffee grind settings.
- Adjustable coffee volume and strength.
- 50 ounce removable water tank with water filter.
Click here to learn more about this machine and read the customer reviews.
Philips Saeco Vienna Plus Automatic Espresso Machine:
- Adjustable built-in conical burr grinder.
- 12 ounce bean hopper.
- Opti-Dose adjustable doser.
- 57 ounce water tank.
- Adjustable coffee volume and grind strength.
- Steam wand with pannarello attachment.
- Stainless steel boiler.
Click here to read more about the Saeco Vienna Plus and read the customer reviews.
Disclaimer:
Prices, or budget indicated is valid as of the time of writing the post. Prices may change without notice. Kindly visit ‘Learn More’ links provided above to see the latest prices.
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