Creating a perfect espresso at home is a ritual that combines art, science, and a touch of personal passion. The cornerstone of this experience is the quality of the grind, which is why espresso machines with integrated grinders have become so popular. These all-in-one solutions ensure that your coffee beans are ground fresh moments before brewing, capturing the full spectrum of flavors and aromas for a superior cup every single time.
From fully automatic models that craft a latte at the touch of a button to semi-automatic machines that offer more hands-on control, there is a perfect machine for every skill level and kitchen. This roundup is designed to help you navigate the top contenders, highlighting the features that set them apart. Whether your priority is user-friendly technology, customizable profiles, or advanced milk frothing, you’ll find a machine here that fits your coffee-making style.
Our Top Picks for Espresso Machines With Grinders
- Philips Saeco Xelsis Super Automatic Espresso Machine
- Gevi Espresso Machines with Grinder-20 Bar Dual Boiler
- Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine
- De’Longhi Eletta Explore Espresso Machine with Cold Brew
- Gaggia Magenta Prestige Super-Automatic Espresso Machine
- Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine
- De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Automatic Espresso & Coffee Machine
- Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
- Gaggia Cadorna Prestige Super-Automatic Espresso Machine
- Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine
Philips Saeco Xelsis Super Automatic Espresso Machine
The Philips Saeco Xelsis is designed for households with multiple coffee lovers, offering an impressive level of personalization. It features an intuitive touchscreen that lets you select from 15 different coffee varieties, from a simple espresso to a flat white. The unique Coffee Equalizer allows you to fine-tune the strength, aroma, and volume of your drink with a simple swipe.
This machine goes a step further by allowing you to save these customizations in up to six different user profiles. Each person can have their perfect coffee settings saved for instant selection, making the morning routine seamless for everyone. With its advanced milk system and reusable filter, the Xelsis combines convenience with high-performance brewing.
Gevi Espresso Machines with Grinder-20 Bar Dual Boiler
For those who appreciate a more hands-on approach without sacrificing convenience, the Gevi machine offers a great balance. It features a 20-bar professional pump and a dual boiler system, which allows you to brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously. This significantly speeds up the process of making milk-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes.
The integrated grinder ensures your coffee is always fresh, and the included milk frother wand gives you full control over the texture of your milk foam. With a removable water tank for easy refilling and cleaning, this model is a practical and powerful choice for home baristas looking to develop their skills.
Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine
Breville’s Barista Express Impress is engineered to take the guesswork out of manual espresso making. Its standout feature is the Impress puck system, which automates the tamping process. The smart dosing system automatically calculates and adjusts the amount of coffee for a perfect dose, ensuring consistency with every shot.
This machine guides you through the entire process, from grinding to extraction, making it an excellent tool for beginners who want to learn the craft. It auto-corrects the next dose based on your previous one, helping you achieve a balanced and flavorful espresso without the common pitfalls of manual machines.
De’Longhi Eletta Explore Espresso Machine with Cold Brew
The De’Longhi Eletta Explore is a feature-rich super-automatic machine that truly expands your coffee possibilities. It offers over 50 one-touch recipes, including both hot and cold options like iced lattes and cold brew coffee. This makes it a versatile choice for any season or time of day.
Its built-in grinder has 13 settings to optimize extraction for any bean, and the dual LatteCrema systems are a major advantage. One is dedicated to creating hot, textured milk for classic drinks, while the other specializes in producing velvety cold foam for iced beverages. Smartphone compatibility allows for further customization and control.
Gaggia Magenta Prestige Super-Automatic Espresso Machine
With its sleek design and full-color display, the Gaggia Magenta Prestige makes a stylish statement in any kitchen. It provides 12 customizable drink selections, allowing you to fine-tune your favorite beverages to your exact preference. The icon-based navigation is intuitive and user-friendly.
A key feature is the “On the Fly Programming,” which lets you adjust settings like coffee strength and volume while your drink is being prepared. You can then save these adjustments for future use, ensuring your next cup is made exactly how you like it without any extra steps.
Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine
The Breville Barista Pro is built for speed and quality, going from beans to espresso in under a minute. Its integrated precision conical burr grinder features dose control, delivering the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter with a single touch.
This machine utilizes a low-pressure pre-infusion function that gradually increases water pressure at the start of the extraction. This process helps to saturate the coffee grounds evenly, which results in a more balanced and flavorful cup by ensuring all the nuanced flavors are drawn out effectively.
De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Automatic Espresso & Coffee Machine
The De’Longhi Magnifica Evo is an excellent entry point into the world of super-automatic machines, offering seven one-touch recipes. This includes options for iced coffee, making it a versatile performer. Its 13 grind settings ensure you can achieve the perfect grind consistency for any type of coffee bean.
This model features the practical LatteCrema system, an automatic milk frother that can be stored in the refrigerator between uses to keep milk fresh. The machine also includes an auto-clean function, which simplifies maintenance and helps keep it running smoothly with minimal effort.
Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
The Philips 3200 Series is a reliable and straightforward machine that delivers quality without complexity. It offers five aromatic coffee options, including espresso, coffee, americano, cappuccino, and latte macchiato, all accessible through an intuitive touch display.
It is equipped with a 100% ceramic grinder, which stays cool during grinding to protect the coffee’s aroma. The Aroma Extract system is designed to find the ideal balance between brewing temperature and aroma extraction, while the built-in AquaClean filter means you can make up to 5000 cups before needing to descale.
Gaggia Cadorna Prestige Super-Automatic Espresso Machine
The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige comes with an extensive menu of 14 pre-programmed beverages, giving you plenty of variety. From a classic ristretto to a flat white or a simple hot water for tea, this machine is prepared for almost any request.
It features an integrated milk carafe that automatically creates the perfect milk foam for layered drinks. After use, it runs a quick rinse cycle to maintain cleanliness. You can also create up to four user profiles, allowing each member of the household to save their personalized drink settings.
Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine
The Breville Barista Touch Impress combines the guided automation of the Impress system with the sleek, touchscreen interface of the Barista Touch. This machine is designed to simplify the manual espresso process, helping you achieve a perfect tamp and dose with minimal effort.
Its intuitive color touchscreen guides you through every step of the coffee-making process, from selecting your drink type to customizing the milk texture and temperature. This model is ideal for those who want a cafe-quality experience at home with the benefit of automated assistance for a consistently excellent result.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Espresso Machine With a Built-In Grinder
I know how appealing it is to have an all-in-one coffee station. The idea of going from whole beans to a finished shot without any extra gadgets on the counter is a big win for convenience and simplicity. But not all machines are created equal, and picking the right one means looking at a few key features. Let me walk you through what I consider when I’m checking out the best espresso machines with built-in grinders.
First, let’s talk about the grinder itself. This is the heart of the operation. You’ll want to look for a machine with a burr grinder, not a blade grinder. Burr grinders crush the beans between two surfaces, which gives you a much more consistent particle size. Consistency is everything for a good espresso shot; if the grounds are uneven, water will flow through them at different rates, leading to a sour or bitter taste. Check for adjustability, too. The best espresso machines with built-in grinders offer a wide range of grind settings, so you can fine-tune your shot for different beans and your personal taste.
Next, consider the machine’s boiler or heating system. If you’re someone who likes to make a milk-based drink like a latte right after pulling a shot, you need a machine that can handle both tasks quickly. A single boiler system has to heat up for brewing and then again for steaming, which causes a wait. A heat exchange (HX) boiler or a dual boiler system allows you to brew and steam milk simultaneously, which is a huge time-saver for back-to-back drinks. For a single shot at a time, a good single boiler might be just fine.
Programmability is another feature that can make your morning routine smoother. Some machines let you program the dose of coffee grounds, the volume of water for a shot, and even the water temperature. This is great for consistency, especially if more than one person uses the machine. You can set your perfect shot and get the same result every time with the push of a button. Manual machines offer more control for those who enjoy the process, but for speed and repeatability, programmability is a fantastic feature.
Finally, think about the overall footprint and maintenance. These are countertop appliances, so measure your space. Also, consider how easy it is to clean. Look for machines with accessible grind chambers and drip trays that are simple to remove and rinse. A machine that’s a pain to clean is a machine you’ll eventually stop using. By focusing on the grinder quality, heating system, programmability, and ease of use, you can find a machine that fits your lifestyle and helps you make a great coffee at home.
FAQ
Are espresso machines with built-in grinders worth it?
In my opinion, yes, for the right person. The main benefit is convenience and counter space. You get a streamlined workflow from bean to cup without needing a separate grinder. It also ensures the coffee grounds are as fresh as possible, going straight from the grinder to the portafilter. If you value a simple, all-in-one solution and don’t want the fuss of two separate devices, then one of the best espresso machines with built-in grinders is absolutely worth considering.
What is the main drawback of a built-in grinder?
The biggest compromise is often serviceability. If the grinder part breaks down, your entire machine might need to be serviced, which can be more complicated and expensive than fixing a standalone unit. Additionally, while the grinders on these combo machines are good, dedicated standalone grinders often offer more precision, more settings, and larger burrs for those who are very particular about their coffee.
Can I use pre-ground coffee in a machine with a built-in grinder?
Most models do offer a bypass doser or a pre-ground coffee function. This is a handy feature if you ever want to use decaffeinated beans or if you run out of whole beans and have a bag of pre-ground as a backup. You typically pour the pre-ground coffee into a special chute, and it bypasses the grinder mechanism entirely. It’s a good flexibility feature to look for.
How important is a steam wand?
If you enjoy milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, a steam wand is essential. When looking at machines, pay attention to the type of wand. A panarello wand is often covered with a sleeve and is designed to be easier for beginners to create foam. A professional-style wand is just a bare metal pipe, giving you more control over the texturing process. For me, having any steam wand opens up your drink options significantly.
How do I clean the grinder part of the machine?
Cleaning the grinder is crucial to prevent old, stale coffee oils from building up and affecting the taste of your coffee. You should never use water or soap. Instead, use a dedicated grinder cleaning product, which are usually pellets made from a material that absorbs the oils. You run these through the grinder as if they were coffee beans. Regularly wiping out the grind chute with a dry brush is also a good habit. Always check your machine’s manual for specific instructions.