2019-12-01_Good_Housekeeping

how we tested:

We narrowed it down to 16

capsule, automatic and semi-

automatic machines, then

made nearly 100 espressos

and other coffee drinks.

Here’s what we looked at:

• Ease of setup and use


• Preheat and brew time


• Overall taste


• Crema quality
  best machines to help you brew rich, delicious espresso at home

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Our experts were blown away by

the foolproof brewing process.

Add a capsule (one of five types,

like Double Espresso and 14-oz

Alto) and press the machine’s only

button. The espresso had a thicker

crema, which many preferred.

Other Nespresso picks, like the

smaller Essenza Mini ($149) and the

Lattissima One ($379), which has a

frother and a milk container, also

performed well.

This machine brewed a perfect-

tasting espresso every time in Lab

tests. (Pro tip: Once you find the

“recipe” you like, don’t touch

the knobs again!) We especially

appreciated its steam wand — while

some others can be challenging to

use, this one has Flat and Foam

settings to help you froth. Our

experts also liked the brand’s

Coffee Knock Box ($30), which

made emptying the filter a breeze.

Despite its compact size, this

clinched high marks in many of

our Lab’s performance tests. We

liked that it heated up quickly,

stayed at a steady temp and

brewed great espresso. It requires

more manual effort than some

other winners, but since it comes

with all the necessary tools and is

easy to figure out, once you get

the hang of things you’ll feel like

a total coffee expert.

For the best espresso with virtually

zero effort, Krups’ fully automated

winner can’t be beat. Our pros were

wowed by how well this combined

the convenience of a single-serve

machine with the quality and taste of

freshly ground beans. We also liked

that the entire experience was

comfortable for even the least techy

of people. Bonus: Three tea settings

precisely adjust water temperature

depending on the leaf type.

• Earned perfect scores in Lab
  evaluations for ease of use.


• Every espresso we brewed had
  the same taste and texture.


• You can adjust the water tank
  position based on counter space.
  
  
  • Easy to use; automatic programs
    ensure you the perfect brew.
  
  
  • Built-in tamper to press grounds
    was impressively consistent.
  
  
  • Espresso had a perfectly thin
    and silky crema.
  
  
  
  


• Got perfect ease-of-use scores.


• Hands-free frothing: Choose milk
  temp and froth level, and it does
  the work for you.


• Comes with stainless steel extras
  like a milk jug and a trimming tool.


• Simple setup; its screen guides
  you through the process.


• You can program it to “wake”
  and preheat at specific times.


• Displays useful cleaning and
  auto-rinsing notifications.


• Requires Nespresso Vertuo
  capsules, so costs can add up.


• Can lead to more food and
  plastic waste if you don’t use
  the recycling program.


• No built-in milk frother.
  
  
  • Didn’t preheat as quickly as
    some other machines.
  
  
  • During setup, you may need to
    spend some time adjusting the
    knobs to find the ideal temp,
    grind size and coffee amount.
  
  
  
  


• No built-in grinder; needs
  pre-ground coffee beans.


• Grounds must be tamped (pressed
  down) by hand; this takes practice
  and may impact consistency.


• Its drinks weren’t as hot as others’.


• Took the longest to heat and brew.


• Its milk container is easy to use, but
  we found fully cleaning the tube that
  connects it to the machine tricky.


• The most expensive machine
  we looked at by nearly $250.

Single-serve

standout

There’s a reason Nespresso is a

cult favorite. This new machine

excelled in our Lab tests, consis-

tently making rich espresso with

a frothier crema, and earned

near-perfect scores — all at a

fraction of the cost of others!

NESPRESSO VERTUOPLUS,

NESPRESSO.COM

powerhouse

showpiece

De’Longhi’s stainless steel machine

looks (and works!) like a pro one —

without requiring all the skill. It

grinds fresh beans, measures the

right amount, tamps them down

and then makes a single or double

shot, an Americano or a coffee.

DE’LONGHI LA SPECIALISTA,

DELONGHI.COM

$179

(plus Nespresso Vertuo

capsules, from $8.50 for 10)

$500 $750 $1,000

trusted

automation

Krups is the top-of-the-line pick.

Choose your drink, size and milk froth,

and all grinding, brewing and frothing

happens inside. It is pricey, but if

you ditch a $6-a-day latte habit, it’ll

pay for itself in about six months.

KRUPS EA89 DELUXE ONE-TOUCH

SUPER AUTOMATIC ESPRESSO

MACHINE, AMAZON.COM

pint-size

perfection

If you don’t have a ton of counter

space but still want high-quality

espresso, you can’t go wrong with

this Breville winner! It is simple to

use, brews single or double shots

and has a steam wand so you can

whip up lattes and cappuccinos.

BREVILLE THE BAMBINO

PLUS, BREVILLE.COM/US

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Space-Savers Bells & Whistles

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66 GH DECEMBER 2019