Best Espresso Machines With Grinder: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Reviewed by Urban Bean Coffee Team

on August 6, 2021

11

Products Considered

123

Hours of Research

8

Experts Interviewed

19

Customers Consulted

There are a lot of espresso machines with grinders, but the grind quality may not be the best.

While many models do coarse grinding well, when it comes to medium or fine grinds, the consistency is not so uniform. And this affects the taste of the finished drink.

However, there are many espresso machines with grinders that grind evenly no matter what grind size you want.

To find these machines, we first looked at the most popular offers. Then we selected the top 10 best espresso machines with grinders and tested each for coarse, medium, and fine grinds.

Every model on our list comes with a quality built-in grinder that will grind evenly at any size.


OUR TOP PICK

Breville BES870XL

LifeBoost Coffee Medium Roast

Breville makes it possible to brew true café- quality espresso at home

Key Features

Built-in coffee grinder grinds on-demand to deliver the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter

Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction

• Steam wand performance allows you to hand texture micro-foam milk that enhances flavor and enables latte art


FULLY-AUTOMATIC PICK

De'Longhi Dinamica

 De'Longhi ECAM35075SI Dinamica

Want to press a button and get great coffee? This espresso machine will make coffee completely on its own.

Key Features

In addition to espresso can prepare cappuccino, latte and black coffee
• Easy to use
 Easy to clean


VALUE FOR MONEY PICK

Gaggia Anima

Volcanica Espresso Beans

If you need a functional espresso machine for home with advanced customization options, then look no further than Gaggia Anima.

Key Features

Choose espresso, espresso longo, and coffee strength

The ability to set and control the temperature

Compact design and budget price


The Best Espresso Machine With Grinder

Therefore, it’s hard to choose only the best espresso machine with a grinder from the market. Everyone has different reasons for built-in grinder. To help make your choice easier, we have organized the best products by value for money. Here are the Urban Bean Coffee’s top 10 best espresso machines with grinder in 2021:

1. Breville the Barista Express Espresso Machine, BES870XL

[img_block amz_url=”https://www.amazon.com/Breville-BES870XL-Barista-Express-Espresso/dp/B00CH9QWOU/?tag=hdcurbnbn-20″ img_url=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81RfdzPfrQL.jpg” prod_name=”Breville the Barista Express”]

The compact size of the Barista Express allows you to place it even in the smallest kitchen, and its stylish design with stainless steel elements will harmoniously match any interior. The upper and lower parts of this best espresso machine with grinder are made of plastic, but this does not reduce their durability.

If you are looking for an espresso machine with a grinder and milk frother, then the Breville the Barista Express Espresso Machine is for you. The built-in conical burr grinder lets you grind fresh beans at any time.

This espresso machine has a dial with grind settings so you can easily adjust the grind size. The possibility of manual grind size adjustment allows you to experiment and get a perfect drink. The dial is easy to use and understand. Coffee is ground directly in the espresso portafilter. You can quickly and easily wash the machine after each use.

The bean hopper holds up to half a pound of fresh beans, and the removable water tank holds 67 ounces. This is a large volume for a water tank. Without much effort, you can prepare your favorite drinks even for large groups of friends and family. This espresso machine model can brew single or double shots so you can make one or two espressos at the same time in less than a minute.

Water temperature affects coffee’s sweetness, taste notes, and aromas. Breville’s the Barista Express is equipped with digital temperature control (PID), so it provides precisely heated water to perfectly extract espresso.

Also, the espresso machine is equipped with a milk frother, with which you can manually froth milk and create latte art. Plus, steaming makes the milk sweeter and more delicious. Now you can easily achieve a harmonious combination of milk and espresso and easily prepare sweet lattes and cappucinos. A jug in which to foam milk is included.

Use the right dose of freshly ground beans (19-22 grams) to get a great espresso with a rich and complex flavor. This dose allows the drink to fully reveal the incredibly rich aroma and distinctive taste notes of the coffee beans.

The main advantage of this best espresso machine is its ability to make creamy, caramel-colored espresso. Water is pushed through the grounds using a special Italian pump at a high pressure of 9 bar. This allows the water to flow evenly through the coffee and as a result, you get a rich, sweet, and viscous espresso.

The device will delight you with high-quality drinks and with how easy it is to clean and maintain. This model is easier to maintain and requires less cleaning than cheaper espresso machines with grinder. It has an automatic cleaning cycle for the internal parts of the main group. You won’t need to order individual tablets for cleaning; the ones that come with the machine are ideal.

The espresso maker has a drip tray that can be easily removed and cleaned. Also included are tools for cleaning the filters. A nice bonus is the tamper that comes with the kit.

This model will replace all the devices that you used before. Now you can get a drink at home that is just as good as one prepared by a professional barista, but at a fraction of the cost.

This Breville with built-in burr grinder will be a profitable investment if you are an espresso lover and often buy espresso drinks at coffee shops and restaurants.

2. De’Longhi ESAM3300

[img_block amz_url=”https://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-Automatic-Iced-Coffee-Descaling-ECAM35020W/dp/B07RNMXG7G/?tag=hdcurbnbn-20″ img_url=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71fis7dVn8L.jpg” prod_name=”De’Longhi ESAM3300″]

When choosing an espresso machine with a grinder, you can not ignore the De’Longhi. This best automatic coffee machine has a patented cappuccino system that mixes steam and milk to create rich, creamy foam. You can easily brew a macchiato, latte, or flat white. The milk frother rotates 180 degrees, which allows you to use a milk container of any size.

The De’Longhi Super Automatic Espresso Machine is easy to use, and its button control panel makes programming menu settings very simple. The controls are located on the front panel. You can easily turn the machine on and off, start the milk frothing system, and adjust the amount of water and coffee in accordance with your individual tastes.

This model has an 8.8-ounce bean hopper that can hold enough beans to brew 14 cups of coffee. You can prepare drinks with different volumes; the maximum cup height is 4.25 inches.

The built-in burr grinder has a compact and easy-to-clean Direct-to-Brew system. You can make great espresso with the best tasting espresso beans. For better grinder performance, the manufacturer recommends using a medium roast in which the beans have less visible oil. The system runs silently.

This espresso machine with a built-in grinder has 13 adjustable settings for the grind size. You can also use pre-ground coffee in the second chamber. You can brew regular, specialty, or decaf coffee.

A big plus is the ease of maintenance. This model requires half as much cleaning time as analog devices. The brewing unit is compact and easy to remove for cleaning. You will appreciate automatic rinsing and descaling programs. Also, you don’t even have to use monthly cleaning tablets like other machines require.

The De’Longhi super-automatic espresso maker will delight you with two stainless steel boilers that provide excellent heat distribution. The instant reheat function maintains the ideal temperature in the espresso maker, no matter how much time passes between preparing drinks. You will be able to save energy thanks to the automatic shutdown function, which turns the machine off after three hours.

This model automatically brews each cup to the ideal saturation and density by maintaining the necessary temperature. Adjust the settings as you like, and each time you will receive a drink that matches your preferences. You only need to adjust the menu settings for temperature, strength, and cup size. You choose to prepare one or two shots of espresso at a time.

De’Longhi has an excellent cup tray that keeps cups warm before use. Other features include a 60-ounce removable water tank, a 7-ounce bean hopper, a convenient water level indicator, an electronic thermostat for steam and coffee, and a removable drip tray.

Espresso machines by De’Longhi have another virtue: If you have questions about their work, settings, or even the right choice of coffee beans, then De’Longhi support specialists will help you.

It is important to note that you cannot use beans with a high level of oils, or your device may become clogged. In this case, there are instructions for cleaning and rebooting the machine.

With this model, you get a mini-barista in your home. You will definitely love your De’Longhi purchase.

3. Gaggia Anima Espresso Machine

[img_block amz_url=”https://www.amazon.com/Gaggia-Espresso-Frothing-Cappuccinos-Programmable/dp/B016RYOCHO/?tag=hdcurbnbn-20″ img_url=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/915leNLhk1L.jpg” prod_name=”Gaggia Anima Espresso Machine”]

This is an automatic espresso machine that has packed 75 years of experience in espresso production into an elegant design that marries modernity and tradition. The Gaggia Anima’s front panel is made of stainless steel. The machine has six dedicated buttons and an LCD display, which make operation very simple.

The Anima’s grinder is made of ceramic and works silently. You can customize it to work in accordance with your desires. The model is also equipped with a separate dispenser, so you can also use pre-ground coffee.

The Anima will become your personal barista. You can program the preparation settings, including temperature, desired volume, and strength of the drink. The Anima has 3 different temperature settings: Min (177.5° F), Med (182.9° F), and Max (184.5° F). You can also create a list of drinks, both basic and special.

This Anima is equipped with a chrome Pannarello steam wand for frothing milk. At the touch of a button, it injects air directly into the milk to create rich, velvety milk foam in just 20 seconds. You can easily make cappuccino and latte with this espresso machine. The steam wand can also be used to dispense hot water when preparing an americano or hot tea.

The Gaggia Anima allows you to brew espresso and espresso lungo. You can double the volume of either if you press the button twice.

This automatic espresso maker is equipped with a 60 oz removable water tank and an 8.8 oz bean hopper. You can access the removable water tank from the upper left side of the machine, and access the bean container from the upper right.

To get started, you need to press the “Power” button on the front panel. The machine takes about 30 seconds to warm up. Then it automatically flushes the water lines.

The Gaggia Anima has a low power standby mode. The machine will automatically turn on after one hour of inactivity. You can also independently adjust the standby settings from 15 minutes to several hours. If during this time you do not press a single button, the espresso maker will go through a self-cleaning cycle and turn off.

The Gaggia Anima is very easy to use and also to maintain. It has a removable brew group that can be easily removed from the machine for regular cleaning. The Anima also has an automatic flushing and descaling cycle. The drip tray holds up to 24 ounces of water, and the grounds container holds up to 15 servings of used coffee.

Caring for the Gaggia Anima is very simple. Once a day, you need to empty the drip tray and coffee grounds bin. Once a week, you need to remove the brew group and rinse it. And once a month, you need to clean the system with a special cleaning tablet and lubricate the moving parts of the brew group. Safe, food-grade grease is included, but you will have to purchase the cleaning tablets separately. Depending on the hardness of your water, the machine may also require a decalcification cycle. The automatic espresso machine indicates when you need to replace the filter or run the decalcification cycle.

The only problem you may encounter with this machine is finding suitable, oil-free beans. Any beans that are too oily should be ground in a separate grinder.

This model is great because it will do everything for you. It makes amazing coffee, and the ceramic coffee grinder works silently. Its default setting, a medium grind, works perfectly. You will be glad that you added this coffee to your morning routine.

4. Philips 3200 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

[img_block amz_url=”https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Automatic-Espresso-Machine-Frother/dp/B07VDVDHZ9/?tag=hdcurbnbn-20″ img_url=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71ftId3fxfL.jpg” prod_name=”Philips 3200″]

With the Philips 3200, making espressos and espresso-based drinks is easy. You can enjoy the taste and aroma of freshly ground beans every morning thanks to the espresso maker’s intelligent brewing system.

The classic steam wand allows you to create a silky smooth foam for cappuccinos and lattes. It consists of only two parts and is easy to clean. The milk frother can be used not only for frothing milk, but also for dispensing hot water when making tea or instant coffee. You’ll have to buy a milk frothing jug separately.

The best espresso machines with grinder are ones that are easy to operate. The Philips 3200 comes with an intuitive touchscreen display. You can easily select your favorite drink and adjust the strength, volume, and temperature. It is worth noting that your coffee will be the least bitter when you brew using the lowest temperature setting. If you use pre-ground beans, you can adjust the volume and temperature, but not the stregnth.

The built-grinder is made of ceramic and has 12 adjustable settings. You can grind beans from ultra-fine to coarse. Since the Philips 3200 espresso machine is equipped with 100% ceramic mills, they are very accurate and durable. You can make at least 20,000 cups of coffee before replacing the grinder.

The water filter ensures that you get the most out of your fully automatic espresso machine. The machine will inform you when the filter needs to be replaced. Plus, you can brew up to 5,000 cups of coffee before descaling.

This model has settings to account for your water hardness. To find out which setting you should use, a special test strip is included. Just dip it in a glass of water and then leave it for a few minutes. You only have to adjust this setting one time.

The Philips 3200 espresso machine attracts coffee lovers due to its ease of cleaning and regular maintenance. The only daily tasks you need to do are emptying the drip tray and the used coffee grounds container. The machine is equipped with special sensors that indicate when these containers are full and in need of cleaning. Once every few months, you’ll need to remove scale if your water has a high calcium content. And if you use dark roasted, oily coffee beans, then you will need to use special tablets for cleaning.

With this model, you will understand how amazing it is to have a super-automatic espresso machine. It’s easy to install; the only thing we recommend is that you adjust the grinding settings when you get your espresso machine. Even with minimal time spent on cleaning and maintenance, this model will last a long time. After using it, you’ll never want to brew espresso another way.

5. Breville the Oracle Touch

[img_block amz_url=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073TYYM91/?tag=hdcurbnbn-20″ img_url=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81PQsV0aCcL.jpg” prod_name=”Breville the Oracle Touch”]

This is the best commercial espresso machine with grinder. It is made of brushed stainless steel and has a double boiler that is also made of stainless steel.

The best espresso machines should be comfortable to use. This Breville model has a touch screen that makes it easy to operate. There are 5 preset settings for different types of drinks. You can also create, save, and name your own customizable settings. You can set grind size, temperature, and milk texture, as well as adjust the strength.

Now you will have the opportunity to enjoy quality drinks at home. The brewing process is fully automatic. Just scroll and select an espresso, long black, latte, flat white, or cappuccino. You can prepare either one or two espresso shots at a time, and your drink will be ready in less than a minute.

The built-in conical burr grinder grinds, doses and tamps 22 grams of coffee beans, just like commercial machines.

The difference in taste between a quality espresso and a watery drink can be caused by a temperature variation of only 2° F. For this reason, this model is equipped with digital temperature control (PID) technology, which helps to maintain the temperature at an optimal level.

The main distinguishing feature of this machine is its over pressure valve (OPV). This is a commercial function that limits the maximum pressure throughout the entire extraction process. It helps prevent bitter tasting shots.

The espresso machine with built-in grinder has a low pre-infusion pressure feature that gradually increases the pressure to gently expand the grind for uniform extraction. Water is delivered using a special, 15-bar Italian pump and flows evenly through the coffee during extraction at a pressure of 9 bar.

Breville’s the Oracle Touch is equipped with a steam wand that is powered by a special steam boiler. It automatically steams and froths the milk to your taste and preferred temperature. The milk frother self-cleaning function will please even the most demanding user. Manual steam wands often require your constant attention and twice as much time to prepare the foam, while this automatic model will prepare your steamed milk easily.

The Breville water tank holds enough water that even with regular use you’ll only need to fill it once every few days. Unlike with most espresso machines, the water tank does not need to be removed or the back cover opened to fill it with water. You just fill it through an opening on the front panel.

This model requires almost zero cleaning, which is a definite plus. Its self-cleaning cycles are easy to start, and you won’t have to spend much time for maintenance.

This Breville espresso maker is a rugged and reliable fully-automatic espresso machine. If you strive for the best in preparing drinks, then this model is definitely a great coice. Of course, the price requires deliberate decision-making, but if you often buy drinks in coffee shops, then the Breville will pay for itself in time.

6. De’Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine

[img_block amz_url=”https://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EC9335M-Specialista-Americano-Stainless/dp/B07QMWZ6PT/?tag=hdcurbnbn-20″ img_url=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81s79lsnP8L.jpg” prod_name=”De’Longhi La Specialista”]

This is an elegantly designed model, which was created based on professional devices. At each stage of brewing, the De’Longhi espresso machine takes on all sorts of tasks. You no longer have to deal with the difficult aspects of brewing a great espresso.

The De’Longhi La Specialista has an exclusive sensor grinder that provides accurate, uniform grinding and the perfect dose for every cup. The bean sensor ensures that they never run out during grinding. A small drawback may be that you cannot remove the container while it is filled with beans.

The model is also equipped with a wide range of grinding settings—six, to be exact. Pour the beans into the grinder immediately before preparing the drink to get the best espresso with a bright flavor.

The smart De’Longhi tamping station is a feature worth paying attention to. You just need to pull the lever, and the machine will tamp the ground beans with the right pressure. The built-in tamping feature minimizes clutter when you’re making drinks.

La Specialista is equipped with two separate heating systems. One is designed for making coffee, and there is a separate system for steaming and foaming milk. The espresso machine maintains a stable temperature for optimal extraction of the drink and steaming of the milk.

De’Longhi’s La Specialista has an advanced system for making cappuccinos and lattes. You can surprise your family and friends with your creativity in making latte art. The machine allows you to choose between micro-foam for latte art or rich froth for cappuccinos. You just need to place a cup under the dispenser and select one of the two options.

The De’Longhi espresso maker only needs 1 second to launch. The espresso machine with built-in grinder does not require additional time to warm up, and it runs almost silently.

La Specialista also has a separate dispenser for hot water. You can make real Americanos or use hot water to make tea. It also comes with a milk frothing jug, some descaling solution, and a cleaning brush.

Overall, this is a very functional model that makes it easy to prepare various delicious drinks.

espresso machine with grinder

Benefits of Built-in Grinders

  1. They deliver an ideal espresso grind. Choose models with the ability to adjust grind size so that you can get the best-tasting drink.
  2. You always get a drink from freshly ground beans. Although manufacturers offer special packaging for ground coffee, which allows you to preserve the taste and aroma longer, the taste of the bean is most fully revealed when ground just before brewing.
  3. They are convenient. Making drinks becomes more efficient and comfortable, and clutter is kept to a minimum.
 

Sources

  1. BES870 Instruction Manual – Breville
  2. Coffee preparation – Wikipedia

FAQ

What type of espresso machine with grinder should I choose?

There are only three types of espresso machines with grinders: semi-automatic, automatic, and super-automatic. They differ in functionality and user involvement in the process.

Why are espresso machines with a grinder so expensive?

Some of the espresso machines with a grinder are super-automatic. Because these machines are complex and do everything for you, they’re quite expensive.

What types of grinders are used on espresso machines with grinder?

There are two types: Burr and Blade. They have many significant differences. Blade Grinders are made of rotating blades, as in a blender. Burr Grinders are more accurate and consistent. Two burrs have a conical or flat shape and grind the beans between themselves. They are also characterized by quieter operation than devices with rotating blades. Therefore, models with this type of grinder are preferable.