Automatic espresso machine reviews

Automatic espresso machines - or coffee makers - may not make the best-tasting coffee, but for convenience they’re hard to beat.
 
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  • Updated:12 Apr 2008
  • Author:Rebecca Ciaramidaro
  • rateraterateraterate: Member rating
 

01 .Introduction

Short black cofee on tray

Test results for 10 automatic espresso machines priced from $799 to $2495

For an immediate coffee hit, does real espresso at the push of a button sound more appealing than instant coffee from a tin? If so, you should consider an automatic espresso machine. Simply put your cup under the spout, press the button and it grinds the beans to make the espresso. Some even automatically froth the milk for a cappuccino or latte.

But there is a price for pay for this convenience, in more ways than one. First, they’re expensive; most of the tested models cost significantly more than those featured in our last test of manual and semi-automatic machines.

Secondly, none of the automatic machines makes as good an espresso as the best manual and semi-automatic models. This has generally also been the case in our previous tests.

A manual or semi-automatic machine requires you to grind the beans yourself, fill the coffee filter, start and stop the machine, empty the basket and so on, but this gives you greater control for optimising the taste of the espresso.

See all our latest reviews of Coffee machines in Kitchen.

Please note: this information was current as of April 2008 but is still a useful guide to today's market. 


Our testing

Our expert tester scored the automatic espresso machines on:

  • Ease of use.
  • Frothing milk for lattes and cappucinos.
  • Ease of programming.
  • Coffee temperature.
  • Taste (rated in a blind tasting by three coffee experts).

Brands tested

  • Delonghi Magnifica ESAM3000 (A)
  • Delonghi Magnifica Automatic Cappucino ESAM3500.S (A)
  • Gaggia Platinum Vogue (A)
  • Jura ENA5 (A)
  • Jura Impressa J5 (A) 
  • Krups Espresseria Automatic XP7200 (A)
  • Krups Espresseria Automatic XP9000
  • Saeco Talea Touch
  • Saeco Odea Go (A)
  • Sunbeam Intuitive Digital EM8910 (A)

(A) Discontinued.

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02.Results

 

The following models scored the best results in our test.

What to buy
Brand Price
Delonghi Magnifica Automatic Cappuccino ESAM3500.S (A) $1999
Saeco Talea Touch $1899
Delonghi Magnifica ESAM3000.B (A) $899
Saeco Odea Go (A) $899

(A) Discontinued.

Results table

Full results for all models are shown in the table below.

  Performance

Coffee-making components

Brand / model (in rank order) Overall score (%) Coffee-making score (%) Ease of use score (%) Milk frothing score (%) Programming score (%) Taste score (%) Coffee temperature score (%) Temperature consistency score (%) Price ($)
DeLonghi Magnifica Automatic Cappuccino ESAM3500.S (A)
www.delonghi.com.au		 69 66 75 55 90 65 70 70 1999
Saeco Talea Touch
www.saeco.com.au		 67 60 70 75 (B) 90 60 69 53 1899
DeLonghi Magnifica ESAM3000.B (A)
www.delonghi.com.au		 66 65 73 45 (B) 80 65 66 65 899
Saeco Odea Go (A) 
www.saeco.com.au		 65 61 65 75 (B) 80 60 68 65 899
Jura Impressa J5 (A)
www.globalcoffee.com.au		 64 64 70 50 70 65 68 53 2495
Krups Espresseria Automatic XP9000
Groupe SEB: 02 9748 7944		 64 60 78 55 70 55 78 78 2299
Jura ENA5 (A)
www.globalcoffee.com.au		 62 60 72 50 70 60 64 60 1295
Krups Espresseria Automatic XP7200 (A) 
Groupe SEB: 02 9748 7944		 58 53 82 35 60 45 85 80 1000
Gaggia Platinum Vogue (A) 
www.gaggia.com.au		 57 57 58 75 (B) 40 55 64 68 1499
Sunbeam Intuitive Digital EM8910 (A) 
www.sunbeam.com.au		 53 36 73 80 90 25 83 80 799
 


  Features Specifications
Brand / model (in rank order) Programmable On/Off Frothing mechanism Cup warming plate Cord storage Hopper empty warning Variable coffee strength Digital display Coffee temperature settings (number of settings) Heat-up time (min:sec) Dimensions (cm, H x W x D) Weight (kg)
DeLonghi Magnifica Automatic Cappuccino ESAM3500.S (A)
www.delonghi.com.au		 •/• Automatic • • • • • (3) 2:00 37 x 28 x 39 10.7
Saeco Talea Touch
www.saeco.com.au		 •/• Manual • • • • • (3) 1:10 37 x 31 x 43 9.3
DeLonghi Magnifica ESAM3000.B (A)
www.delonghi.com.au		 - / - Manual • • • 1:40 37 x 28 x 39 9.6
Saeco Odea Go (A) 
www.saeco.com.au		 - / - Manual • • 1:05 37 x 30 x 38 8.2
Jura Impressa J5 (A)
www.globalcoffee.com.au		 •/• Automatic • • • • • (2) 1:00 34 x 29 x 43 10.6
Krups Espresseria Automatic XP9000
Groupe SEB: 02 9748 7944		 •/• Automatic • • • • • • (3) 1:10 40 x 29 x 48 11.3
Jura ENA5 (A)
www.globalcoffee.com.au		 -/• Automatic • • • • • (2) 1:00 36 x 24 x 45 9.2
Krups Espresseria Automatic XP7200 (A) 
Groupe SEB: 02 9748 7944		 -/• Manual • • • (3) 0:50 36 x 25 x 34 7
Gaggia Platinum Vogue (A) 
www.gaggia.com.au		 - / - Manual • • • 1:10 38 x 32 x 42 10.2
Sunbeam Intuitive Digital EM8910 (A) 
www.sunbeam.com.au		 - /• Manual • • • • • (5) 1:25 38 x 30 x 39 9.1
 

Table notes

(A) Discontinued.
(B) Tested with the froth enhancer removed as it gives better results.

Scores The overall score is made up of:

  • Coffee-making: 60%
  • Ease of use: 20%
  • Milk frothing: 10%
  • Programming: 10%

Coffee-making score consists of:

  • Taste: 80%
  • Coffee temperature: 10%
  • Temperature consistency (when making four cups of coffee in quick succession): 10%.

Heat-up time The time taken to heat the machine up to operating temperature (not scored).

Price Recommended retail, as of November 2008.

How we tested

  • Preparation Our tester first pumped a litre of hot water through each machine to remove any factory smells and tastes, and then made 12 cups of espresso coffee (not for tasting).
  • Ease of use Our tester checked how easy the machines are to use, trying the controls, filling the water tank and bean hopper, making a coffee, and cleaning inside and out.
  • Frothing He experimented with each machine to find the best way to froth milk with it, looking for fine, pourable froth.
  • Programming He checked how easy the machine is to program, looking for intuitive labelling and indicators.
  • Temperature He measured the average temperature and temperature consistency of four consecutive coffees for each machine, first when the machine was just turned on and then after being on for 15 minutes.
  • Taste Three experts tested the espressos in a “blind” tasting, checking the colour and thickness of the crema (the tan-coloured foam on the top of an espresso), aroma, flavour, mouthfeel (for example, creaminess or wateriness) and aftertaste.

The taste test experts

David and Matthew Gee are from Barista Basics Coffee Academy in Sydney. Fiona Mair is CHOICE’s home economist; she has extensive experience in judging cooking and taste test results.

03.Product profiles

 

Profiles - what to buy

Delonghi Magnifica Automatic Cappuccino ESAM3500.S (A)

Delonghi ESAM3500.S Price $1999

Good points

  • Excellent for ease of programming.
  • Excellent controls.
  • Digital display.
  • Programmable On/Off switch.
  • Cup warming plate.
  • Warning when bean hopper is empty.
  • Can use pre-ground coffee.
  • Adjustable coffee strength and temperature.
  • Very easy to empty the dregs container.

Bad points

  • Grinder is not easy to adjust.
  • Doesn’t produce fine milk foam.
  • Doesn’t make two cups of coffee correctly.

Saeco Talea Touch

Saeco Talea Touch Price $1899

Good points

  • Excellent for ease of programming.
  • Excellent controls.
  • Digital display.
  • Good milk frothing (but only when the froth enhancer is removed).
  • Programmable On/Off switch.
  • Cup warming plate.
  • Warning when bean hopper is empty.
  • Can use pre-ground coffee.
  • Adjustable coffee strength and temperature.
  • Swivel base for easy access to sides and rear.

Bad points

  • Grinder is not easy to adjust.
  • Only borderline for making consecutive cups of coffee with even temperature.
  • Exterior is not particularly easy to clean.

Delonghi Magnifica ESAM3000.B (A)

Delanghi Magnifica ESAM3000.B Price $899

Good points

  • Cup warming plate.
  • Warning when bean hopper is empty.
  • Adjustable coffee strength.
  • Can use pre-ground coffee.
  • Very easy to empty the dregs container.

Bad points

  • Grinder is not easy to adjust.
  • Poor for frothing milk.
  • Doesn’t make two cups of coffee correctly.
  • Grinder is not easy to adjust.

Saeco Odea Go (A)

Saeco Odea Go Price $899

Good points

  • Good milk frothing (but only when the froth enhancer is removed).
  • Cup warming plate.
  • Warning when bean hopper is empty.
  • Swivel base for easy access to sides and rear.

Bad points

  • Grinder is not easy to adjust.
  • Controls are not particularly easy to use.
  • Exterior is not particularly easy to clean.

Profiles - the rest

Worth considering

Jura Impressa J5 (A) 

Jura Impressa J5 Price $2495

Good points

  • Excellent controls.
  • Programmable On/Off switch.
  • Warning when bean hopper is empty.
  • Can use pre-ground coffee.
  • Adjustable coffee strength and temperature.
  • Very easy to empty the dregs container.
  • Cord storage.
  • Large water tank.

Bad points

  • Non-adjustable grinder.
  • Doesn’t return to the last setting used after switching it off so you may need to program it every time.
  • Doesn’t make two cups of coffee correctly.

Krups Espresseria Automatic XP9000

Frups Espresseria Automatic XP9000 Price $2300

Good points

  • Excellent controls.
  • Programmable On/Off switch.
  • Cup warming plate.
  • Warning when bean hopper is empty.
  • Can use pre-ground coffee.
  • Adjustable coffee strength and temperature.
  • Very easy to empty the dregs container.
  • Cord storage.
  • Large water tank.

Bad points

  • Doesn’t make two cups of coffee correctly. Doesn’t make two cups of coffee correctly. Doesn’t make two cups of coffee correctly. Doesn’t make two cups of coffee correctly.
    • Doesn’t make two cups of coffee correctly.

Jura ENA5 (A)

Jura Ena5 Price $1295

Good points

  • Excellent controls.
  • Programmable On/Off switch.
  • Warning when bean hopper is empty.
  • Can use pre-ground coffee.
  • Adjustable coffee strength and temperature.
  • Very easy to empty the dregs container.
  • Cord storage.

Bad points

  • Non-adjustable grinder.
  • Small water tank.
  • Doesn’t return to the last setting used after switching it off so you may need to program it every time.
  • Doesn’t make two cups of coffee correctly.

Not recommended

Krups Espresseria Automatic XP7200 (A)

Krups Espresseria Automatic XP7200 Price $1000

Good points

  • Best overall for ease of use.
  • Cup warming plate.
  • Can use pre-ground coffee.
  • Adjustable coffee strength and temperature.

Bad points

  • Poor for making espresso.
  • Worst in the test for frothing milk.

Gaggia Platinum Vogue (A)

Gaggia Platinum Vogue Price $1499

Good points

  • Good milk frothing (but only when the froth enhancer is removed).
  • Cup warming plate.
  • Warning when bean hopper is empty.
  • Adjustable coffee strength.
  • Swivel base.

Bad points

  • Worst overall for ease of use.
  • Poor for programming/adjusting settings; the controls are not clearly marked to indicate their functions, and the indicator lights are hard see.
  • Exterior is not particularly easy to clean.
  • Grinder is not easy to adjust.
  • Doesn’t return to the last setting used after switching it off so you may need to program it every time.

Sunbeam Intuitive Digital EM8910 (A)

Sunbeam Intuitive Digital EM8910 Price $799

Good points

  • Equal best for ease of programming.
  • Best for milk frothing.
  • Digital display.
  • Cup warming plate.
  • Warning when bean hopper is empty.
  • Can use pre-ground coffee.
  • Adjustable coffee strength and temperature.
  • Easy to adjust the grinder.
  • Very easy to empty the dregs container.
  • Cord storage.

Bad points

  • Worst in test for making espresso. We contacted the company in case the machine was faulty; they claimed there was nothing wrong with it and sent us different coffee to try, but this made no difference.
  • Doesn’t make two cups of coffee correctly.
  • Exterior is not particularly easy to clean.
  • Doesn’t return to the last setting used after switching it off, so you may need to program it every time.

 

(A) Discontinued.

04.What to look for

 

Shop around; we paid considerably less than recommended retail price for the tested machines. Many large retailers have demonstration models, so ask the sales assistant to make you a coffee from the machine you’re interested in.

Choosing a machine

  • If you usually drink espressos or long blacks, choose a machine with a good taste test score.
  • If you usually drink latte or cappuccino, the milk will mask the espresso flavour to some extent, so it's more important to choose a machine with a good milk frothing score.

Essentials

  • Clear and simple controls Digital displays are generally easier to understand than indicator lights, especially when programming the machine.
  • An adjustable grinder lets you adjust the grind to suit the bean and machine. Check the grinder mechanism is safely inaccessible, or that the grinder automatically shuts off when the hopper lid is removed. The Saeco models have the latter feature; on all the rest, the grinder mechanism is not accessible.
  • Variable coffee strength This allows you to adjust the intensity of the coffee to your taste.
  • Footprint A big espresso machine is fine if you have plenty of bench space in your kitchen, but you may want one that takes up less space.
  • Removable froth enhancer Some machines come with a froth enhancer on the milk frothing wand. This is intended to make frothing easier, but often it produces large bubbles rather than the fine foam that’s suitable for lattes and cappuccinos. If you can remove the enhancer you may find it easier to produce fine, velvety foam. The Juras, Krups XP9000 and Delonghi ESAM3500.S froth the milk automatically; none of these produced very fine foam.
  • Cup warming tray All but the Jura models have one.
  • Other useful features All the tested models have a “water tank empty” reminder, height adjustable spout to accommodate larger cups and adjustable coffee volume.

One cup or two?

  • An automatic machine should be ideal for making two coffees at once, but unfortunately the Delonghis, Juras, Krups XP9000 and Sunbeam do not do so correctly. 
  • Rather than grinding a fresh batch of coffee for each cup, they instead grind a little more than one cup’s worth and then put two cups of hot water through it, making each cup weak and watery. With these machines, you’re better off making two single cups consecutively.
  • Of the remaining machines, the “two cup” option makes two espressos in rapid succession, giving much better results.
  • This setting was not used in our taste test, where all the cups were made individually.
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