Super-Automatic Espresso Machines: Are They worth Buying?
We all love our coffee, and nothing can give us a jolt than a shot of espresso. It is no wonder that there are coffee shops on every corner. We want the convenience of grabbing a cup wherever we are.
For those who want to have a good cup at home, we choose from conventional coffee makers, French presses, and the automatic cappuccino machines. Have you heard of the all-in-one, super-automatic espresso machines?
These coffee machines are quite expensive as they can cost between $700-$1000 apiece. However, it promises a lot of benefits for that price. Think about getting a cup of good espresso at the push of the button.
How many of these claims are true? We will find out here as we answer the question: are super-automatic espresso machines worth every penny?
What is a Super-Automatic Espresso Machine?
Do you like to drink espresso but don’t like to do the grinding and tamping. A super-automatic espresso machine is an answer to your problem.
Yes, it is the Ferrari of espresso machines. If you are a proud owner of an espresso machine, you might want to upgrade them now to these drool-worthy super-automatic machines.
There are many espresso machines you can find in the market, but all of them still require a little effort before getting a good shot of espresso. You need to ground the beans, tamp them down, heat water, and so on.
Super-Automatic espresso machines have streamlined the process of how to get an espresso in an instant. It is fully automated. All you need to do is dump the beans. It will grind them to perfect fineness, tamper them down, and heat the water to the right temperature.
When it says super-automatic, it is fully automatic. All you have to do is to refill it with beans and water. You will get consistent flavor at every shot too.
Convenience at What Cost?
We can wax poetic about how super are super-automatic espresso machines. However, you have to be ready to shell out a grand for all these conveniences. If you are an avid espresso drinker, having this machine at home can save you money and time running to the coffee shop every time you need one.
However, espresso connoisseurs may not get the rich flavor that they could get from the manual machines. They might find the espresso from these super-automatic machines too bland for their taste, especially if they like their espresso in a specific way.
The reason for this uniform taste is because these machines do not give any control over how the espresso will turn out in terms of flavor. Even if some machines offer adjustments, there is no guarantee that you get the flavor that matches your taste. Plus, since the machine steams the milk, there is no way you can make that latte art with the machine.
Best Super-Automatic Espresso Machines
Here is a line-up of top-rated super-automatic espresso machines to choose from for your kitchen counter.
1. Gaggia Anima Prestige
The brand Gaggia Anima has elevated the super-automatic espresso machine to the next level, especially for coffee lovers who love to experiment with their cup of java. Aside from the grinder, tamper, and water heater, it also has an integrated automatic frother.
Yes, this feature is also available in espresso machines, but they are usually manual. You will need to separately froth the milk. This Anima model froths it for you and adds it to your cup without any help.
It has a large reservoir and beautiful stainless steel panel, which makes this super-automatic espresso machine highly coveted.
What We Like About It
*Large water reservoir
*Single touch operation
*Programmable brew settings
*Three temperature settings
What We Don’t Like
*Customer service has a lot to be desired
2. Jura ENA 8 Automatic Coffee Machine
According to BBHF review of jura ena 8, The machine is a good quality automatic coffee machine that has all the features you are looking for in a super-automatic espresso machine. It also shares the same Jura technology as the previous models, E6 and ENA Micro 90. However, this model has the distinction of coming up with 10 different programs.
Among its outstanding features includes an intuitive TFT touchscreen, AromaG3 grinder that offers better flavor, and different cup sizes.
What We Like About It
*Offers different coffee sizes and flavors
*Better coffee flavor
*Compact design
*User-friendly interface
What We Don’t Like
*Smaller water reservoir and bean hopper
3. Saeco Incanto Carafe Automatic Espresso Machine
Another super-automatic espresso machine that will make your espresso cravings satisfied at any time is the Saeco Incanto Carafe. It is superior when it comes to styling and size as the Incanto is compact with a 60.9 oz water reservoir container that is big enough. You don’t have to refill it quite often. It features a slim, stainless design with horizontal buttons that perfectly matches a stylish and modern kitchen.
What We Like About It
*Large bean holder and water reservoir
*Equally large container for used grounds
*Automatic descaling and cleaning function
*Removable brewing unit
What We Don’t Like
*A bit larger than its contemporaries
4. Philips Saeco HD8771/93 (Saeco Philips Intelia Deluxe) Espresso Machine
This is another product from Saeco with unique features, including 100% ceramic grinders. According to espresso experts, this type of grinder is the best. It also has the answer for those looking for a faster espresso machine, and it caters to the demand for immediacy with the quick heat boiler.
It offers different specialty coffees with a press of a button and a large water reservoir. The look and design of this machine fit a hipster coffee shop. Meaning it looks more commercial than others on the list.
What We Like About It
*Dual chamber froth carafes
*Easy to clean with removable brewer
*Ceramic grinders
*Stainless steel body
What We Don’t Like
*Difficult to figure out at first. You need to read the manual
5. DeLonghi ECAM45760B Digital Super Automatic Espresso Machine
To step up your espresso game, you will need this super-automatic espresso machine from DeLonghi. It is a digital machine with a built-in silent burr grinder that has 13 settings. Meaning you will get the perfect cup without waking up the whole house.
It features two separate heating elements, for the espresso and the milk, so both have the same temperature. You can also adjust the amount of milk and froth you want.
What We Like About It
*Storage for your coffee beans
*Silent grinder
*Digital readouts to know when refill water, beans, and milk
*Self-cleaning feature
What We Don’t Like
*Read the manual carefully to get a great cup
Conclusion
Are super-automatic espresso machines worth the money? When it fits the needs of the coffee lover, it is worth it. This type of espresso machine is a significant investment. However, if you love drinking espresso but don’t enjoy the process of making it, buying one is definitely worth looking into.
