Having a fresh espresso or latte every morning in the comfort of your home is a dream life for coffee lovers. A semi-automatic espresso machine can make that dream come true if you can find one that fulfills your needs and preferences.

Finding one in this overwhelming marketplace with so many to choose from might be quite an endeavor. That is why we will take all the work out of it by finding the best to make your choice much easier. We have reviewed five of the best options we could find so you can see which works for your preferences and budget.

Sit back and read through this list of semi-automatic espresso machines to see which one will be the favorite among them.

Best Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine Reviews

Espresso and Coffee Machine From Mr. Coffee

Mr. Coffee is known for its very reliable coffee machines and the rich and tasteful high-quality coffee they provide. This model comes with great features attached but is mostly a very easy machine to use for your fresh cup of coffee every time.

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The fact that you can remove the container for the milk makes it easy to keep your milk fresh all the time. You can remove the milk container and store it in the fridge for your next coffee-making session.

To make it even easier, you have an automatic milk frother built into the machine. This is great, so you don’t need to create your own froth.

You can also easily remove the cup tray to clean it. This tray also allows enough space so you can easily use tall and short cups to make a wide range of coffees.

The easy one-touch control panel is user-friendly and easy to operate for all types of drink selections. The controls are also easy to read and understand, so even those without prior experience can use this espresso machine.

You will find that after getting used to operating this machine, it will be easy to use and operate. The overall design of this semi-automatic espresso machine makes it a great choice for the home coffee enthusiast.

Setting this machine up so it will give you a perfect cup of coffee every time may take some effort reading through the menu. This may be a problem for those who don’t have the time to study the manual.

Cleaning this espresso machine is quite a time-consuming undertaking as you need to keep on pushing the cleaning cycle button. This you need to do until the water runs out, as the machine will not run by itself until the end of the cycle. 

Pros

• This machine supports both tall and short cups
• Great for different types of coffee
• Easy and user-friendly touch controls
• Many great features added

Cons

• It will take some effort to set it up
• Cleaning the machine will take some time

Nestle Nespresso Ezzenza Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine

This espresso machine by De’Longhi has a compact design to make it easy to take with you on your travels. This machine is a great choice for those who don’t have a lot of space but still need that fresh cup every morning.

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It is great to have an espresso machine that can easily fit in a tiny kitchen, which makes it perfect for the traveler. This is for you if you are an RV camper who loves the outdoors but needs that daily coffee fix.

Even though it is tiny and doesn’t have a lot of extras, the coffee you get from this machine will taste great every time. That is because the freshness is locked in the hermetically-sealed capsules to preserve the taste.

It offers two programmable cup sizes, so it can provide you with an extra helping of espresso to keep you going. What is also great is that this espresso machine is easy to operate to help you get your cup of coffee in no time.

You can also use this espresso machine in the Eco mode, so it doesn’t consume that much energy when making your cup of coffee. With an auto-off function included, the machine will turn off automatically after a few minutes in case you forget to turn it off.

For the coffee lover, there is also an offer for up to 24 Grand Cru capsules to widen the variety available. You can not go wrong with this espresso machine if you love that daily cup of fresh coffee.

The plastic materials used to make this espresso machine could be of better quality and feel a bit flimsy. 

You also don’t have a lot of features added to this espresso machine provided by De’Longhi, which is not good. That means you don’t have those things that make it a bit easier for the beginner home coffee maker. 

Pros

• Choice of more than one size of espresso
• It produces great-tasting espressos
• This machine heats up fast
• It is also available with an steamer

Cons

• The unit is made from basic plastic materials
• You don’t have many features included with this machine

De’Longhi ECP3120 15-Bar Advanced Espresso Machine

 

While these espresso machines from De’Longhi are available in a wide range of configurations, this one is a favorite with coffee lovers. This is the machine to use by those who want an everyday barista-quality cup of coffee to keep them going.

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Optimal temperature is maintained with the advanced cappuccino system with this espresso machine for a fresh cup every time. This means there is no waiting time between cups, so you can quickly make more than one cup at a time.

The bottom tray can easily adjust to accommodate a taller cup if you prefer a large dose of espresso. It will also be very easy to clean and keep it clean with a removable water tank while the parts are dishwasher safe.

Filling the tank with water is easy, as it is simple to remove and re-attach. The water tank also comes in a clear design, so you don’t need to guess when there is enough water.

With a three-in-one filter holder at your disposal, you have a range of choices when it comes to espresso servings. There is a single shot, a double shot, and even an easy-serve option for every coffee lover.

You also have up to 15 bar pressure to ensure that you have the best quality espresso every time. The compact design makes this espresso machine great for any kitchen setup.

A very short steam wand is included with this espresso machine from De’Lognhi, which may cause some problems. This wand is too short to reach the bottom of the cup and the seal is also of mediocre quality and may fail.

The machine is not the easiest to use and it will take time to learn how to use it for the perfect cup of coffee. 

Pros

• It comes with an affordable price tag attached
• Great foaming option available
• This machine is easy to use after getting the hang of it
• Ideal for those who want to brew like a professional

Cons

• It comes with a very short steam wand
• Not very easy to use

Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine

For those who love to brew a commercial-style cup-of coffee, this machine provides it in perfect style and with ease. Many great features are included to give you professional-standard coffee every time you need your daily fix.

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A three-way solenoid valve, normally found in commercial machines, is built into this espresso machine. This simply means that the pressure is taken off the coffee to improve the quality of the puck for a professional cup.

Every part added to this machine is of commercial style and quality, giving you only the best espresso or latte. This includes the portafilter, the baskets, the steam wand, and everything else that makes this a very durable and reliable machine.

With updated controls, it will be easy to operate the espresso machine, which makes it easy to make your coffee. What is also great is that the espresso machine will heat up very quickly, so there is no waiting time.

To help dampen the sound while making your coffee, this machine is fitted with superior mountings for all the pumps. This translates to an espresso machine with a very low noise factor that will not be annoying to the sensitive ear.

Thanks to a stainless steel frame, this machine’s looks and durability have been improved, making it look better and last longer. This is a great choice for perfectionists and those who want to learn barista art.

With the high price tag attached to this espresso machine, not many people will be able to buy it and experience its great features. This is especially a problem for those who don’t have a large budget and will have to opt for a cheaper option.

You don’t have a lot of space available under the portafilter, which means that you can’t fit in taller cups. 

Pros

• It is available in many different colors
• Made from durable stainless steel materials
• Great for beginners and experts
• High-quality coffee to choose from

Cons

• It has quite a high price tag attached to it
• This machine is not ideal for taller cups

Bambino Plus Stainless Steel Espresso Machine From Breville

Breville has been a household name all over the world in kitchen appliances and especially when it comes to espresso machines. Using this machine will make you feel like a professional barista and helps you to have fun while enjoying your daily cup of espresso.

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With the Bambino Plus espresso machine, you can practice your latte art with an easy-to-use automatic microfoam milk steam wand. This will increase the fun for the beginner and those who have experience making their own home-brew coffee.

For better quality, creamy caramel-colored espresso every time, the built-in low-pressure pre-infusion feature, together with the high-pressure infusion, allows that. You can add to that a creamy foam created by the high steam pressure to improve the quality of your drink.

It will take only three seconds for this espresso machine to heat up and be ready for use for your daily fix. This is possible because of the innovative thermojet heating system feature to get the perfect extraction temperature and help reduce the waiting time.

For a fuller flavor of your coffee, you have a 54mm portafilter included with this espresso machine for your enjoyment. This means you can use the ideal dose of freshly ground coffee to deliver the right flavor every time.

The easy control buttons improve your experience with quick access to all the great features. The compact design and great features make this a wonderful option for high-end espresso every day in all kitchens.

Unfortunately, you don’t have a grinder built into the Bambino Plus espresso machine, which is actually sad for the high price tag. This also means you need to buy one separately, which will increase the overall price factor to have quality espressos.

You don’t have a single wall basket included. This will take away some of the quality of your espressos and also some of the versatility you need with this level of quality.

Pros

• Compact and durable design
• Great latte art can be created
• Very quick heating capability
• Easy button control for quick access to features

Cons

• You don’t have a built-in grinder with this machine
• No single wall basket is included

Conclusion

These are just some of the best semi-automatic espresso machines you will find on the market, but in our opinion, these are five that you can’t go wrong with. They all come with great functions and features to suit all needs and budgets. So when you choose one, it will depend on what you are looking for.

But with all its extra features and durable construction, the Gaggia semi-automatic espresso machine makes a good number-one choice for every coffee lover. For those with a tight budget, the 15-bar De’Longhi ECP3120 provides everything coffee lovers need at an affordable price.