Grinders
Mazzer is an old dog that has proven time and time again that it can learn new tricks. It's latest strick is the Philos, a premium single doser grinder with vertically mounted 64mm flat burrs, and a lot to write home about.
Grinders
The Zerno Z1 is the materialization of passion for coffee and mastery of engineering precision. With its premium build, modern design, and host of customizable options, the Zerno Z1 looks to become the new king of top-end single-dosers.
Machines
With its integrated infotainment-like touch screen, boxy futuristic form factor, and firmware upgradable workflow, Decent Espresso’s DE1PRO espresso machine is a techy head-turner that boasts an unrivaled feature set below the five-figure mark.
Grinders
When looking for affordable endgame grinders, the Niche Zero and DF64 almost always come to mind. Although ‘endgame’ and ‘affordable’ used to be oxymorons, these days, you don’t need to spend $1000+ to get a high-quality, easy-to-use grinder that makes quality espresso shot after shot.
Machines
The ACS Minima is one of those dark-horse espresso machines that packs a ton of value into an extremely unique package. With an E61 group toggle switch activated dual boiler, the Minima offers a collection of features normally only found on prosumer machines in a much higher price bracket. If you can get over the 45° angle design (and don’t need to put the Minima in a righthand corner), this ACS option is the perfect pick.
Grinders
If you are looking for a premium single-dose grinder with an elegant design and revered brand image, the Option-O Lagom P64 is the pick for you. If you can wait for the sporadic restocks and handle the eye-watering price, the Lagom P64 will provide you with delicious coffee—pour-over to espresso—for years to come.
Accessories
If you are looking for a go-to tamper that will work for you day in and day out, the Normcore V4 tamper can't be beaten. Built with quality materials, customizable springs, and multiple portafilter size options, the Normcore V4 is one of EspressoSetupBuilder’s top picks.
Accessories
In the world of tampers, the ESPro Calibrated Tamper stands apart in quality, and in price. Built to balance the classic design of handheld standard tampers with the functionality of a modern spring-loaded tamper, the ESPro 30-lb Calibrated Tamper provides beauty and brains, without sacrificing on quality.
Machines
The ECM Classika is arguably the highest-quality single boiler on the market. With a top-spec build quality, rock-solid E61 group and brew lever, and a host of accent features to round it out, the ECM Classika is what every other single boiler tries to be. If you are looking for the best of the best when it comes to build, and don’t need the output of a dual boiler, the ECM Classika is the machine for you.
Coffee
Austin Texas is home to live music and delicious coffee. If you're visiting this Texas capital city, these are the seven best coffee roasters you need to try.
News
For the past 3 years, small hand grinder brands and products have been targeted in EU-based Intellectual Property lawsuits. KINGrinder is the most recent target and has temporarily had to pull their popular K Series from Amazon EU. See why KINGrinder is being targeted, and learn about the malicious history of hand grinder lawsuits in this news spotlight.
News
2023 saw the breaking of a controversy that shook up the brand reputation of the home espresso icon, Gaggia Milano. Gaggia, who manufacturers the highly popular Gaggia Classic Pro released an updated version called the Gaggia Classic Pro Evo (GCPE). Unfortunately, this updated model was designed with a faulty boiler coating that caused peeling within weeks of purchase. As more and more GCPE users started to report problems with the Evo’s, the term ‘Boilergate’ was coined, and controversy was brought into the light.
News
Nearly a decade ago La Marzocco released the original Linea Mini, eight years after the launch of the ultra-luxe GS3 in 2007. Recently, espresso enthusiasts learned that La Marzocco was shipping a redesigned version of the beloved premium machine, and Minis Rs (Redesigns) have been cropping up on countertops and social feeds of delighted home baristas.
Accessories
If you're looking for the best espresso accessories for your brew bar, look no further. Whether you're compiling your planning your next espresso setup, or just got a new machine and are looking to upgrade your workflow, this list has you covered. This list highlights 15 of the best accessories with pictures, and descriptions, and links of where to buy.
Machines
If you are looking to dip your toes into the world of home espresso, the Bambino is hard to beat. Using a proprietary Thermojet-style heating element, the Bambino has a rapid heat-up and is ready to brew in less than 60 seconds. The Bambino also comes with pre-infusion, volumetric shot control, and a PID-regulated brew group, features usually reserved for more high-end machines. While the Bambino may lack all the features found on a more prosumer-tier machine, it is often my go-to recommendation in the $300-500 price range.
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Machines
The Ascaso Dream is a compact, rapid-heating thermoblock that reminds us of a different time. With its unique retro design, host of barista-friendly features, and standout finish, this small and mighty espresso machine is quite the Dream.
Grinders
The Baratza Sette 270 is a classic go-to option when it comes to multi-purpose home-use espresso grinders. With a unique design and an even more unique two-part adjustment mechanism, the Sette has long commanded respect in the home barista realm.
Machines
The Ascaso Steel Uno PID is a near-perfect blend of quality, convenience, and design. Built by Spanish espresso company Ascaso, the Steel Uno uses a compact and rapidly heating thermoblock to have espresso ready when your feet hit the floor.
Grinders
The Kingrinder K6 is a phenomenon in the world of home espresso. A grinder priced frequently under $100 that has a premium build, simple workflow, and, above all else - is capable of delivering delicious espresso shot after shot. This small but mighty hand grinder has redefined affordable home espresso and is one of our Entry-Level Grinder Top picks for 2024.
Grinders
The Fellow Opus is one of the go-to entry-level espresso grinders on the market. With a compact footprint, elegant design, and affordable price tag, the Fellow Opus has earned its popularity. However, the just-released DF54 grinder looks to overtake the Opus and become the new king of entry-level espresso grinders.
Grinders
With hundreds of espresso grinders on the market, it can be confusing to figure out what the best options are for beginners who want to balance value, quality, and affordability. This top 5 highlights the best grinders for beginners in 2024.
Machines
The Lelit Elizabeth is a powerful dual boiler packed with features for a price almost never found in home espresso. Built by Italian-based Lelit, the Elizabeth is a classic espresso machine with a simple design and an even simpler workflow.
Machines
The Ascaso Steel Duo PID may be one of the most beautiful espresso machines on the market. With an innovative pair of dual thermoblocks, the Steel Duo is capable of functioning similarly to a more premium dual boiler. It's no wonder that the Ascaso Steel Duo is a top seller when it comes to fast-heating, sub-$2000 espresso machines.
Grinders
The Baratza Encore ESP has been a staple in entry-level espresso setups for years. With an affordable $199 price tag, full range grind, and modest but respectable conical burrs, the Encore ESP has earned its place as a go-to option. The recently announced DF54 , however, looks to disrupt the Encore ESP and become the gold standard of entry-level espresso grinders.
Grinders
The Eureka Mignon Notte is the most affordable product in the espresso-oriented espresso mignon line. A no-frills grinder, the Eureka Mignon Notte packs a lot of value in an affordable package. With 50mm steel flat burrs, a large integrated bean hopper, and press-and-hold dosing, the Notte is everything you need in an espresso grinder and nothing you don't.
Grinders
Nearly three years after the breakout success of the DF64 single-dose grinder, a newer and more compact DF54 has been announced, and it hopes to become king of the entry-level grinder market.
Machines
The Rancilio Silvia Pro X is a feature-rich, dual boiler that is arguably the best sub-$2000 espresso machine on the market today. Rancilio, a staple in the home and commercial espresso space has combined incredible temperature stability, powerful steam, and a simple interface into a timeless diner-style design that delivers quality espresso shot after shot.
News
In this news spotlight, we'll covert why Gaggia Classic Pro Evo has a new boiler coating, what the coating is actually made of, the problem with the new design, and how Gaggia has responded to the issue.
Grinders
At the yearly coffee exhibition Host Milano, Eureka brought a handful of new and exciting grinders to share. One of the grinders that made the biggest impression was the Eureka W Atom 75, a.k.a. Eureka's second grind-by-weight (GBW) espresso grinder.
Machines
The Profitec Pro 600 may be the best value-for-the-money dual boiler on the market. Profitec, the German-based brand known for designing quality machines built to last, has equipped the Profitec Pro 600 with everything you need to brew delicious espresso and nothing you don't.
Machines
The Rocket Appartamento is a staple in the home espresso machine space. When you imagine a classic, beautiful, Italian-style espresso machine, the Rocket Appartamento always comes to mind. But in 2024, the Appartamento has a lot of competition, and its value as an espresso machine has come into question.
Machines
Whether you are just dipping your toes into home espresso or are a seasoned home barista, we've got you covered. In this comprehensive guide, we will highlight the best espresso setups of 2024. We've selected only the best of the best, the tried and tested, and the assembled the top espresso machines of 2024.
Machines
The Lelit Mara X is a go-to espresso machine for home baristas looking for a balance of quality and attainability. The Mara X, with a unique brew priority mode, preset PID temperatures, and premium trim, packs a ton of value into a small package. If you are looking for a machine that can output latte after latte for years to come, then the Lelit Mara X is for you.
Learn
If you've ever seen a barista hustling about a cafe from grinder to machine and back again, they almost always have something in their hand. Sure, sometimes it's your latte they just finished pouring, but more often than not, it's a key piece of an espresso setup called a portafilter.
Machines
The ECM Synchronika is one of the most coveted E61 espresso machines on the market. Built by German-based ECM, a company known for top-tier quality, the Synchronika provides total control over the brewing process in an eye-catching and elegant package.
Grinders
The Baratza Encore ESP is a go-to grinder for baristas just getting into home espresso. The Encore ESP is Baratza's second iteration of its massively popular Encore, adding the 'ESP' to denote the espresso-centric design. Competitively priced at $199, the Encore ESP packs a ton of value into a small package.
Machines
The Profitec Go, released in early 2023, has quickly become one of the hottest-selling espresso machines on the market. Made by ECM/Profitec, a German manufacturer known for quality, the Go packs a lot of value in a compact and affordable package.
Machines
The Gaggia Classic Pro Evo is a true evolution of Gaggia's 'Classic' product line. Although the GCP Evo does not make any significant changes to the design or internal workings, it has made a host of improvements to the overall build quality and extraction capabilities. Although chatter of boiler-coating quality assurance may cause some hesitation, the GCP Evo is still seen as a high-value espresso machine in the spring of 2024.
Grinders
The DF64 grinder is an extremely popular and highly successful single-dose espresso grinder released in 2021. It quickly rose to fame as the "Niche Killer" and hoped to displace the Niche as the go-to single-dose grinder in the U.S.
Grinders
Eureka is a staple in home espresso. The Mignon line of espresso specific grinders has nearly a dozen options. This top list will cover what is so special about Eureka Mignon, and give you the top 5 Eureka Mignon grinders for espresso.
Machines
The Oracle Touch is Breville's flagship espresso machine that blends top-tier brewing capabilities with advanced technology to make the espresso process easy and accessible to all types of home baristas.
Machines
In 2023, Turin, the manufacturer of the highly successful DF64 grinder, launched their Legato espresso machine. The Turin Legato looks to follow in the footsteps of the DF64 and deliver an affordable yet high-value espresso machine that shakes up the home espresso market.
Machines
In late 2023, Germany-based Profitec broke ground with its newest flagship dual boiler, the Profitec Drive. The Drive is a premium dual boiler that builds upon its predecessor, the Profitec Pro 700, by combining classic E61 design with a host of modern features, including native flow control, passive and active pre-infusion, fast heat-up, and joystick valves.
Machines
When it comes to professional-tier espresso machines built for the home, there are more than a few heavy hitters. La Marzocco, Rocket, Profitec just to name a few. Even among these giants, Italy-based Lelit stands on its own. Their flagship machine, the Lelit Bianca V3, is a powerful yet elegant dual boiler built with top-of-the-line components and stand-out flow-control profiling.
Coffee
If you're looking for high quality and highly available espresso beans for your home brew-bar, this is the list for you. We've tested and compiled 7 of the top espresso beans that are easy to get and always delicious.
Accessories
There are dozens of inputs that go into pulling a shot of espresso. Bean freshness, roast level, and grind size just to name a few. One of the most overlooked inputs to brewing great coffee is the quality of the water used.
Grinders
In 2019, the Niche Zero took the home espresso world by storm. After a successful introduction on Indiegogo, the Niche Zero became an instant classic with a beautiful design, powerful 63 mm conical burrs, and near-zero retention.
Machines
A dual boiler espresso machine is a specific type of espresso machine that is built with two internal water boilers. The first is warmed to approximately 200 ° F, perfect for brewing a shot of espresso. The second boiler is superheated to over 250 ° F and provides piping hot steam to the machine's steam wand and hot water dispenser.
Coffee
Coffee is the soul of every cup of espresso, embodying an aromatic allure and rich flavors that make the beverage a worldwide favorite. Espresso is a concentrated, often intense coffee brew, celebrated for its robust flavor and captivating aroma, served in small yet impactful servings. When striving for that perfect cup, three critical factors come into play - bean freshness, the grind, and the type of coffee used.
Learn
Espresso (es-Press-oh) is a rich, highly concentrated form of coffee brewed by forcing pressurized hot water through finely-ground coffee beans. The term 'espresso' is commonly used to refer to both the high-pressure brewing method as well as the resulting drink, which may also be called a shot of espresso.
Learn
While most brewing methods use hot water to release the flavor and caffeine from the coffee, espresso goes one step further to add highly pressurized hot water to extract unique flavors in as little as 30 seconds. An espresso machine is used to create this environment, providing hot water and high pressure to pull a shot of espresso.
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Including Breville, Profitec, & Lelit
Including Eureka, Baratza, & Niche
