As a coffee aficionado, you might have thought about saving a trip to the coffee shop by bringing its essence at home. You would be able to enjoy a warm, delicious cup of espresso while sitting on that comfy couch in the living room and watching your favorite Netflix series.
Even at family gatherings, you would entertain everyone with your barista-style espresso and receive a shower of compliments. Sounds great, isn’t it? If you are serious about your thoughts, then the first thing you should be doing is purchase an espresso machine. But, should you just go for any machine?
The answer is no. For beginners who are willing to recreate barista-style espresso at home, a single boiler machine is the one they should be looking for. So, if you are wondering where to find the best single boiler espresso machine, look no further!
Best Single Boiler Espresso Machine Reviews
Lavazza BLUE Classy Mini Single Serve Espresso Coffee Machine
- Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide (provided below in PDF) before first use
As a beginner, if you want to start with a mini espresso machine, then you can choose this portable one by Lavazza!
The Lavazza Blue espresso machine offers simple controls that allow you to brew espresso in a short time. You have the option of brewing espresso and lungo by pressing either the pre-programmed dosing or the manual dosing button. If you don’t want the hassle of using additional controls, then this one is for you!
Instead of ground espresso, this machine uses capsules. So, when you are going to brew espresso, all you need to do is pop a capsule into the slot and press the button. There’s a drawer too, which can hold up to five exhausted capsules.
Since it’s a small espresso machine, it has a small tank capacity. The water tank holds up to 0.7 liters of water for brewing. Plus, there’s a visual indicator that lets you know when the water tank is empty or when the capsule drawer is full.
If you are wondering if this small espresso machine can accommodate your favorite mug, then there’s no need to worry! Other than smaller mugs, you can place taller ones by removing the cup support in the front.
What’s more, the removable components of the machine, including the drip tray are dishwasher-safe.
Highlighted Features
- It can accommodate mugs of any size
- It uses capsules
- Comes with an indicator
- Features a capsule drawer
- The removable components are dishwasher-safe
De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew
- Brew lattes, cappuccinos and espressos in a comfort of your home
- Contemporary and Compact Design: The perfect addition to your modern kitchen countertop, without taking up too much space, plus it’s easy to clean
- 15 BAR Pump: The optimal pressure to extract a single or double espresso, so your coffee drink comes out perfectly rich.
- Manual Milk Frother: Texture your milk with ease to create an authentic cappuccino, latte or flat white..Stainless Steel Boiler. Auto shut-off
Apart from espresso, if you are looking for a machine with which you can also make a latte or cappuccino, then the De’Longhi Stilosa is the right one!
This espresso machine comes with a manual steam wand that lets you create the perfect foam texture for latte or cappuccino.
With the 15-bar pump pressure, the machine ensures you get your single or double shot extracted at just the right consistency so you can have a cup of delicious espresso.
Instead of buttons, this machine features a knob in the front, which lets you select steam and hot water functions. Also, you will find another knob on the side for controlling the steam wand.
Even though the water tank is housed inside the machine, you can still view the water level through the viewing glass in the front. This lets you know you don’t run out of water in the middle of pulling a shot.
If you want to have your espresso brewed into a taller mug, there won’t be a problem! The machine has a detachable drip tray that you can remove to add some space for your favorite mug.
What’s more, there’s a cup warmer on top of the machine where you can place your espresso cups and warm them to get the right espresso color.
Highlighted Features
- It has a built-in cup warmer
- Features a manual steam wand
- It uses 15 bars of pressure
- It can accommodate mugs of any size
- The drip tray is removable
Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine
- Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide (provided below in PDF) before first use
If you don’t have a coffee grinder, but you’re looking for one in an espresso machine, then look no further than the Gaggia Brera super-automatic espresso machine!
This machine features a conical burr grinder that grinds coffee beans to your desired size. Other than coffee beans, you also have the option of pouring ground coffee to the bypass doser located inside the bean hopper.
This intuitive super-automatic machine comes with buttons and a small LED display that shows icons representing different settings for coffee strength and volume. There a knob as well if you want to steam milk or dispense hot water.
If you are looking for a delicious cup of latte in the morning, you can quickly achieve it using the steam wand. It creates a rich, foamy milk texture that you will love in every sip.
When you pour the hot espresso into a room-temperature cup, the cup pulls down the heat of the espresso. To eliminate the issue, the machine features a cup warmer on the top which ensures both the cup and the espresso remain warm.
What’s more, the spout is height adjustable, so when you are brewing espresso to a cup of any size, you can rest assured there won’t be splashes. Plus, the drip tray is detachable, and it has a floater that pops up when the tray is full.
Highlighted Features
- Features a built-in conical burr grinder
- Features an LED screen
- The water tank and the dreg box can be pulled out
- The brew group is removable
- The drip tray has a floater
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine
- Earn up to $200 cashback with a Beanz coffee subscription when you purchase a selected Breville espresso machine. Visit earn-cashback.breville.com purchase to claim. Valid Aug 1, 2023 until Dec 31, 2023
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part of the Barista Series that offers all in one espresso machines with integrated grinder to go from beans to espresso in under one minute
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on demand to deliver the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction
This is another great machine you will love if you want to have everything done.
The Breville Barista Express features a built-in conical burr grinder that lets you grind beans and brew them for the fresh-tasting espresso. Since it uses conical burrs, you do have the option of adjusting the grind size from the finest to the coarsest. Plus, you can take out the bean hopper easily if you need to change the beans.
The machine features digital temperature control, which ensures the espresso is extracted at the right temperature so you can have the finest espresso possible.
Like most espresso machines, this one also features a cup warmer for prepping your espresso cup before brewing.
Other than the pre-programmed controls for single and double shots, you have the option of choosing your customized volume of the espresso shot. This prevents wastage of espresso when you don’t feel like drinking more.
While you can brew espresso, lungo, or Americano, you can also make a latte or cappuccino with the steam wand. It ensures a foamy milk texture that lets you create beautiful latte art for your latte.
Cleaning is not a hassle when you use this machine. The drip tray is detachable, and it has a floater in it that indicates when it needs to be emptied. Also, when you remove the drip tray, it will reveal a bin containing cleaning tools and filter baskets.
Highlighted Features
- Features a built-in conical burr grinder
- Features digital temperature control
- Can be used to adjust the grind size and amount
- It has a cup warmer
- The drip tray has an indicator
Breville Oracle Espresso Machine
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted
The Breville Oracle espresso machine has all-in-one features that let you brew espresso without a hassle.
Like the previous Breville espresso machine, this one also comes with a built-in conical burr grinder with which you can grind beans of any roast to your desired size. Plus, you can remove the hopper by unlocking it if you need to change the beans.
With this machine you don’t have to tamp the beans manually since it automatically does it for you right after grinding.
Whether you want a single or a double shot, you can either use the pre-programmed settings or even set your own volume by pressing the button.
The machine has a steam wand that lets you create froth both automatically and manually. You can even adjust the steam temperature depending on the type of beverage you want to make.
One common feature found in every Breville machine is that the drip tray has an indicator, and when you take the tray out, it will reveal a bin containing essential tools.
Since the large water tank is located on the back of the machine, the machine requires to be moved in order to reach the tank. Thankfully, this one comes with roller bearings that you can access after removing the drip tray and turning the knob.
Highlighted Features
- Features a built-in conical grinder
- It has roller bearings
- It tamps automatically
- The drip tray has an indicator
- Can be used to adjust the shot volume
Single Boiler Espresso Machine Buying Guide
Types
Semi-Automatic
These are the popular types of espresso machines that are widely used at homes and also coffee shops.
A semi-automatic espresso machine features an electric pump that automatically adjusts the pressure for an espresso shot. It also automatically adjusts the temperature for the boiler.
The only thing that needs to be done manually is controlling the brewing time. That means when the machine starts pulling a shot, you need to stop it with the press of a button.
Apart from that, you will also need to grind the coffee beans, tamp them, and then attach the portafilter to the espresso machine.
Small semi-automatic machines use a single boiler, and you will find them at affordable prices.
Automatic
Like semi-automatic espresso machines, automatic ones also adjust the pressure and the boiler temperature automatically.
The only feature which sets them apart is their ability to stop the brewing process after a certain amount of time has passed.
Since this type of machine doesn’t require you to end the process manually, you can focus on other tasks while knowing your espresso won’t overflow.
Automatic machines typically use either a single boiler, double boiler, or a thermoblock.
Super-Automatic
As its name suggests, super-automatic machines do everything for you, which is why they are used in fast-paced environments.
A super-automatic machine grinds your coffee beans, tamps them, brews the espresso, and steams milk for the delicious cup.
A common feature found in many super-automatic espresso machines is that they allow you to adjust the grind size for espresso.
While they usually come with pre-programmed settings for a particular drink, others let you tweak the settings so that you can make your personalized espresso.
Unlike their semi-automatic and automatic counterparts, super-automatic espresso machines don’t use a single boiler. Instead, they consist of either a double boiler, thermocoil, or a thermoblock.
Boiler Size
The boiler size of an espresso machine determines the number of shots you can pull consecutively and the steam capacity.
Single boiler espresso machines are smaller than those with a double boiler, so they heat water faster for consecutive shots because of the small volume. However, when it comes to steaming milk, they are not capable of steaming large quantities.
When you are shopping for the best single boiler espresso machine, you also need to keep in mind that since these boilers have a smaller capacity, they come with a single group head, so they aren’t ideal for making large volumes of espresso back-to-back.
Storage
Due to its small footprint, a single boiler espresso machine can fit anywhere in your kitchen.
But still, it’s a good idea to measure the dimensions of the countertop so that you can safely place the equipment.
Final Words
Making espresso for the first time with the best single boiler espresso machine can be exciting, and you will gain confidence once you brew a delicious cup.
Since this type of machine allows you to brew and steam at separate times, you will be able to experiment with shots and improve yourself over time.
The above list holds some of the top espresso machines that we think are suitable for you. We have tested out each of them to ensure they deliver the perfect espresso.
Now that you have found one, we hope you enjoy brewing your espresso!
