Barista Quality, Home Brew: Best Manual Espresso Machines

Why Trust Us

At GearHungry, there is no life without coffee. And because most of us have unusual lifestyles that require us to drink and/or brew coffee just about anywhere and everywhere, we’re always on the lookout for the next best way to make a quality cup. Brewing good coffee on the go is especially critical because we don’t always have the opportunity to visit our favorite local shops — sometimes, we wake up nowhere near them!

Who This Is For

Anyone who values their favorite espresso drink expertly created by their local barista knows that quality coffee doesn’t come easy. The pros may make it look as simple as flipping switches and twisting knobs, but for the rest of us who don’t have professional experience or prohibitively expensive equipment, pulling a perfect shot of espresso is a significant challenge. With the espresso machines in this guide, anyone interested in making their own espresso can pull a reasonable shot right away and start refining their brewing process from there.

How We Chose the Best Manual Espresso Machines

The best manual espresso machines for home use should crank out quality shots with relative ease, without taking up huge chunks of counter space or making big messes. Some are portable; some are handsome countertop accessories.

How We Tested Manual Espresso Machines

This was the easy part — acquire the item, figure out how it works, brew a shot, drink it and evaluate. Repeat (sometimes several times in one morning. This is one of those mornings. Excuse me for a moment).

Features to Look for in Manual Espresso Machines

Quality and durability — Espresso machines generate massive amounts of pressure, so any machine you buy needs to be constructed tightly from solid materials. Manufacturer experience can be a plus for espresso machine quality.

Size — Make sure to get an espresso machine that works within the confines of your space. Some are so small that they can be brought along in the car or packed into a backpack.

Built-in steamer — Unless you have a steam wand, you won’t be able to make coffee shop-quality steamed milk. You can always do it the old-fashioned way, in a saucepan on the stove with a whisk, but generally, you won’t get the same tight bubbles and smooth texture.

Ease of cleaning — For me, this is a big one. If you like things to look neat and orderly, the last thing you need is an espresso machine with a zillion tiny parts you have to spread out and clean all the time.

Ease of use — The easier it is for you to brew coffee with your espresso machine, the more often you’ll do it. Simple as that. Note: there is a user skill gap between spring piston machines and lever machines. With most spring piston machines, the pump regulates the pressure. You just push it, and it doesn’t matter how hard or gently. “Pulling” a shot with a lever takes practice and implies mastery — the speed and pressure of your pull will affect the quality of the shot.

Temperature regulation — The best water temperature for brewing espresso is considered to be 90-96°C (195-205°F), too cold, and it can be sour, too hot, and it can be bitter. Espresso machines regulate water temperature through several complex methods. Explaining each one is beyond our scope (especially because many machines on our list don’t regulate water temperature at all). In descending order of accuracy, the methods of temperature regulation are PIDs (digital pressure stats), pressure stats, and thermostats.

Material — Brass repels corrosion and bacteria best, so it’s considered the best material for manual espresso machines. Stainless steel and aluminum follow closely behind. If you’re looking at a portable espresso machine, make sure it’s stout enough that your comings and goings won’t kill it.

Water reservoir capacity — Many manual espresso makers have a pretty low water capacity — enough for a shot or two. Some countertop styles, like the Elektra Microcasa, hold enough water for around 6-8 shots.

Design — Portable or countertop, lever-operated or spring piston. Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to each. A countertop, lever-operated machine can produce the best espresso, but it will take up more space and learning the lever will require finesse. Portable spring-piston entries are convenient, but their simple designs impose an upper limit on espresso quality.

Portability — Some manual espresso machines are only practical in the kitchen, but some can work in the car, office, or backcountry. Design meets the need.

Types of Automatic Espresso Machines

The full automatic — Fully automatic espresso machines regulate temperature, pressure, and water flow, taking human error out of the equation.

The semi-automatic — With semi-automatic espresso machines, the user pushes a button or controls a switch that triggers the extraction. All other elements are fully automatic.

Types of Manual Espresso Machines

The spring piston machine — In a spring-piston espresso machine, the user creates pressure by operating a lever or pump that compresses a spring, which then forces water through the tamped coffee.

The manual (lever) machine — The original method of making espresso. There is no pump in a manual (lever) espresso machine, and the user operates a lever to manually force water through the tamped coffee, controlling the entire extraction. 

Q: What is a manual espresso machine?

A: With a manual espresso machine, the user controls a lever that performs the espresso extraction. This is in contrast to auto or semi-auto espresso machines, which perform the extraction automatically with no intervention from the user other than perhaps pushing a button or controlling a switch.

Q: How difficult is it to use a manual espresso machine?

A: With some, it’s as simple as operating a self-regulating pump. But pulling a great shot with a manual lever-operated machine requires experience, attention, and finesse. A scrupulous barista has personally advised me that pulling a quality shot is an ongoing, even lifelong pursuit.

Q: How do manual espresso machines work?

A: First, the user grinds coffee, packs the brew basket and installs it. Then they fill the water tank, either measuring or guesstimating when the water reaches the ideal extraction temperature (90-96°C or 195-205°F). Finally, they pull the shot, either with the spring piston or manual lever. Last step: enjoy! (And possibly evaluate the result for quality, noting room for technique improvement).

Q: Are manual espresso machines portable?

A: Some are, yes. I would consider some of the portable espresso machines in this guide as an easy inclusion for any excursion up to and including front-country camping.

Q: What is the ideal pressure for espresso?

A: Short answer: 9 bar at the brew head. But let’s start at the beginning: pressure is measured in a unit called “bar,” which is short for “baros,” the Greek word for weight. At sea level, pressure is 1 bar, which is 1.47 psi. 10 bar, then, equals 147 psi. 5 bar equals 73.5, and so on.

The ideal pressure for commercial espresso machines is (around) 9 bar. Some portable machines claim up to 20. Why the discrepancy?

Because pressure for espresso extraction is measured at the brew head, where the extraction occurs. Commercial machines are built very tightly, but many home espresso machines leak pressure somewhere between the water tank and the brew head. 9 bar, or 130 psi, produces the ideal 25-30 second extraction time, so the idea is to generate that amount of pressure at the brew head regardless of the pressure elsewhere in the machine.

Q: Can I use vinegar to descale my espresso machine?

A: Yes, but dilute it. A 75:25 water to vinegar solution is a safe bet, but some manufacturers recommend up to 50:50. Check for any manufacturer recommendations before you proceed.

Q: How long does it take for a lever espresso machine to warm up?

A: The lever itself has nothing to do with the water temperature in the espresso machine. The heating coil in the water tank (or, in some cases, whatever kettle you use to boil your water before pouring it in the tank) controls that variable.

Q: What do I need to make espresso?

A: A coffee grinder, coffee, water, some kind of espresso maker, a way to boil water, and a cup. Those are the rudiments — add fervent passion for exquisite coffee, or caffeine addiction, for a zestier experience.

Q: Why are espresso machines so expensive?

A: There are a few reasons. First of all, espresso machines are workhorses that handle intense heat and pressure. Because of the high-performance demands, the technology and craftsmanship required to build one are extremely involved — and, in some cases, proprietary. Professional espresso machine maintenance is its own business category due to the complexity and specificity of the machinery. As well, manufacturing techniques tend to be highly specific from brand to brand.

Any espresso machine can be looked at as an investment; the best commercial machines can operate daily for decades.

Q: Can you make regular coffee with an espresso machine?

A: Answer number one: if “regular coffee” means “less strong espresso,” then yes: make yourself an Americano by adding hot water to your shot to taste.

Answer number two: if “regular coffee” means the metallic swill that drizzles out of a drip machine at the gas station, then definitely not.

Sources:

1. Water Temperature For Espresso: Everything You Must Know - Solo Espresso
2. Brass Or Stainless Steel? Chose The Best For Your Espresso Machine - Nuova Ricambi
3. Espresso Tamping - Coffee Research