The Best Espresso Machine Setups (2024)
Introduction
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.
Table of Contents
Best 2 in 1 Machine
The Breville Barista Touch Impress
If you are looking for an at-home espresso machine that is easy to use and packed with features, look no further than the Breville Barista Touch Impress. The Barista Touch Impress heats up in under a minute, so it's ready to brew before any presents are opened. It comes with an integrated smart grinder and calibrated tamper for easy grinding and dosing, allowing you to prepare fresh coffee with ease.
Who will love this setup:
- Less experienced espresso drinkers who are looking for a user friendly machine.
- On-the-go home baristas who need their machine to be ready to brew in the blink of an eye.
- New espresso hobbyists who want to learn the ropes of espresso without jumping fully into the deep end.
Who should look for a different option:
- New hobbyists who want the most value out of their espresso setup.
- An espresso enthusiast who appreciates a classic design without a large digital display.
Best Entry Level Setup
Breville Bambino & Baratza Encore ESP
If you are ready to jump feet first into home espresso, there is no better combination than the Breville Bambino and the Baratza Encore ESP. The Breville Bambino is a stand-alone machine - that is to say, without an integrated grinder. While that means you'll need to purchase a separate grinder, such as the Baratza Encore ESP, you'll be able to make cafe-quality espresso at a fraction of the cost of a larger 2-in-1 machine.
While buying two separate products may seem more intimidating, we promise that in the long run, a separate machine and grinder will produce much better quality espresso with a lot less frustration. With just a little bit of trial and error, you'll be making espresso better than 90% of cafes and restaurants out there.
Who will love this setup:
- A budding espresso enthusiast who wants to learn the ropes of espresso and doesn't mind a little trial and error.
- A home barista who wants to make the best espresso possible without breaking the bank.
Who should look for a different option:
- A barista who plans on entertaining large groups of people with their espresso setup.
- A tinker-er who wants to modify their setup to their exact specifications.
Best Setup For Pure Espresso
Profitec Go & Eureka Mignon Notte
If you love pure espresso and want to pull shots with ease and reliability, look no further than the Profitec Go. The Go is a single boiler machine built in Germany by ECM/Profitec - a brand known for quality and reliability. The Go uses an industry-standard 58 mm portafilter, which provides incredible thermal stability, giving you high consistency shot after shot. The 0.4L single boiler is ready to brew in under 5 minutes and can provide steam for milk drinks in as little as 30 seconds. The Go also features a digital control unit allowing you to set the temperature for both brew water and steam. The control unit also serves double duty as a shot timer, allowing you to perfectly dial in your shot. The Go also sports a simple yet effective steam wand for when you want to treat yourself with a cappuccino or cortado.
A perfect complement to the Go, the Eureka Mignon Notte is a value oriented grinder that will provide you with consistent, high quality grinds for years to come. The Notte features 50mm flat steel burrs and a stepless grind adjustment to provide clear and floral flavors that complement the Go's ability to pull consistent shots. Using a simple press-and-hold interface, the black aluminum Mignon Notte perfectly matches the Go, both in form and function.
Who will love this setup:
- Those who desire a balance between cost and quality. This setup delivers consistent, high-quality espresso and grind without breaking the bank.
- If easy cleaning and durability top your priority list, the robust build and low maintenance requirements of both machines will check the box.
Who should look for a different option:
- Baristas and coffee aficionados craving advanced features, programmable settings, and extensive customization may find this setup limiting.
- If you're looking to cater to a larger crowd or need a machine for frequent use, consider options with higher capacity and speed for both brewing and grinding.
Best Setup For Lattes
Lelit Mara X & Niche Zero
If you are a latte-lover, look no further than the Lelit Mara X. The Lelit Mara X is a high-quality heat exchanger machine that provides powerful steam for back-to-back milk drinks. The Mara X is a prosumer-tier machine built with quality stainless steel and packed with features. The Mara X uses the classic E61 style group head, which gives it an incredible and tactile lever-style activation. It comes with a dual-cluster pressure gauge to simultaneously measure both brew and steam pressure. If you are looking for a compact, prosumer-style machine that is as beautiful as it is functional, the Lelit Mara X may be for you.
If you enjoy milk-based drinks with the classic rich flavor of Italian espresso, then the Niche Zero is the perfect pair for the Lelit Mara X. The Niche Zero uses high-quality conical burrs that produce a rich, bold, and sweet espresso flavor. The Niche Zero also supports a full grind range from Pour Over to Espresso, allowing you to brew how you do.
Who will love this setup:
- A barista looking for an elegant design without compromising functionality, the stylish and compact build of both the Lelit Mara X and Niche Zero, coupled with their top-notch performance, fits the bill.
- Those who love strong and classic italian style milk drinks. Pair this combo with your favorite dark roast for a rich and full bodied cortado or latte.
Who should look for a different option:
- Pure espresso enthusiasts who might find the precision lacking for crafting a highly refined and nuanced shot.
- Individuals with limited counter space may find these units somewhat sizable, warranting consideration of more compact options.
Best Setup To Last A Lifetime
Profitec Pro 600 & Eureka Mignon Specialita
If you are looking for a prosumer machine that indexes on value, the Profitec Pro 600 is the machine for you. The Pro 600 is a robust dual-boiler built with professional-grade components, including a stainless steel body casing, a chrome-plated brass E61 group head, and thermally insulated boilers. The Pro 600 uses a powerful vibratory pump that punches well above its weight class. The Pro 600 comes with all the features you'd expect, including PID temperature control, pre-infusion, an integrated shot timer, and a programmable power savings mode. In addition, the E61 design allows the Pro 600 to be modified to support full flow control if you want to take your espresso game to the next level. When it comes to the Pro 600 - you can pay more, but you won't get better espresso than this.
The Perfect Match - The Eureka Mignon Specialita is a top-tier espresso grinder with powerful 55 mm flat burrs for a floral and clear cup of espresso. The Specialita comes with an easily programmable LCD display to grind by time for repeatable dosing.
Who will love this setup:
- A home barista who finds themselves often entertaining large groups, or caffine addicts who enjoy multiple drinks.
- Coffee artisans who relish in having nuanced control over every aspect of their brew will adore the precision and customization that this combination delivers.
Who should look for a different option:
- If your counter space is at a premium or you have a penchant for minimalist aesthetics, the substantial footprint and industrial look of this combo might not align with your preferences.
- Beginners or those who prefer a simpler, more straightforward coffee-making experience might find the advanced features and controls of the Profitec Pro 600 and Eureka Mignon Specialita a bit too complex or intimidating.
The Final Sip
In 2024 there are so many amazing espresso machines, it can be hard to find what is the best espresso machine for you! If you are looking for your first setup, or endgame upgrade, take into account your preferences for budget, favorite drink types, and ideal features. Just know that with a little practice, any of these machines will have you making coffee like a pro! And if you need a little more help - set up some time for some 1-on-1 help with the ESB Concierge!
