Espresso Machines In The Test: The Winners Of The Stiftung Warentest

2023 Author: Sheila Hailey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 04:29

• Test winner filter holder machine at Stiftung Warentest
• Price-performance tip for a fully automatic coffee machine
• Bestselling pad machine
• Buy espresso machine 2020: You should know that

The best espresso machines in 2020: an overview of all test winners

placement	product	price	offer
Sieve carrier machine: test winner of the Stiftung Warentest	De'Longhi Dedica Style EC 685	about 149 euros	Model at Otto
Fully automatic coffee machine: test winner and price tip	Philips 2200 series EP 2200/10	about 300 euros	Model at Otto
Pad machine: bestseller	Philips HD6554 / 68 Senseo	about 45 euros	Model on Amazon

Test winner at Stiftung Warentest: portafilter machine De'Longhi Dedica Style EC 680/685

Delicious espresso and beautiful milk foam, that's what the De'Longhi Dedica Style EC 680 produces. Thanks to the corona-related home office, she can prove her skills in the kitchen of the author of these lines much more often than usual. Three bowls for the portafilter are included: for single and double espresso, as well as for coffee pods. If you want full enjoyment, you don't buy ground coffee, but grind the beans fresh in a grinder. The coffee comes into the mold, is pressed on, the solid filter holder is inserted with a slight twisting movement and after a warm-up time of half a minute the espresso flows into the cup at the push of a button. If desired, you can manually froth milk with the steam nozzle on the side.

The housing looks high-quality, thanks to the slim design it can also be accommodated in small kitchens. The drip tray can be easily removed and cleaned. Only the flashing signs (for example, as a descaling request) are a bit cryptic. The Stiftung Warentest describes the De'Longhi machine as "ideal for beginners", complained in test 12/2016 that the foam is very coarse-pored and the good espresso offers little crema. And yet: The De'Longhi Dedica Style EC 680 is the test winner with a grade of 2.1 and is also ahead of the competition in sensory assessment. Yes, you can celebrate espresso brewing with this portafilter machine.

The machine named has now been given a successor: The De'Longhi Dedica Style EC 68 5 has changed almost nothing by the manufacturer, it is even identical, explains the De'Longhi. And yet there are changes: The drip tray has now been improved, if you take a look you can now place larger vessels under it. And the milk frother offers the possibility of heating the milk without foam. The portafilter machine is available in different colors:

De'Longhi Dedica Style EC 685

Now from € 135.50 at Mediamarkt Similar offer at Amazon Similar offer at Otto Price can now be higher. Price from 26.07.2020 10:13 p.m.

Advantages:

• Brews very good espresso
• Housing slim and chic, high quality for the price range
• Milk frother suitable for beginners

Disadvantage:

Everything manually

Price tip fully automatic coffee machine: Philips EP2220 / 10

At the push of a button, and shortly afterwards the espresso flows into the cup - with fully automatic coffee machines it is much easier to get to your little black dress. Because even if they are usually called "fully automatic coffee machines" - they actually tend to cook espresso. A grinder is built into the machine so that you always get freshly ground coffee powder. When cleaning it can be a little more complicated.

In our advice on fully automatic coffee machines, we list the Philips 2200 series EP 2220/10 as a price tip. Other models are twice or even three times as expensive. One reason for this: The Philips machine only offers a manual milk frother, similar to the portafilter machine mentioned above. If that's enough, the Philips EP 2220/10 is a fully automatic coffee machine that brews good espresso and with which you can cook cappuccino and latte macchiato manually. If that's not enough, take a look at the test winner list of fully automatic coffee machines.

Philips 2200 series EP2220 / 10 fully automatic coffee machine

Now from € 292.43 at Otto Similar offer at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 02:28 a.m.

advantages

• Produces good espresso and coffee
• Fresh drink at the push of a button
• With grinder and manual milk frother

disadvantage

Cleaning more extensive

Bestselling pad machine: Philips HD6554 / 68 Senseo

The Amazon bestseller list for coffee pod machines currently tops the Philips HD6554 / 68 Senseo. The handling of such a machine is comparatively simple. Overall, the customer ratings are very good, with 4.5 out of 5 stars.

To make two cups at the same time, the Philips machine can hold two pods of ground coffee. If you press the start button twice, it dispenses a small, strong coffee. If you also use espresso pads, you get the closest to classic espresso.

Philips HD6554 / 68 Senseo coffee pod machine

Now from 48.73 € at Amazon Similar offer at Mediamarkt Similar offer at Cyberport Price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 02:12 a.m.

Advantages:

Easy to use

Disadvantage:

Coffee more expensive and limited choice

Buying an espresso machine: You should also know that

Portafilter machine, fully automatic coffee machine or pad machine?

In a capsule or pod machine, insert a small jar of coffee concentrate or sachet of coffee powder. The comfort is high. But the coffee prices are higher and the selection is smaller than with the other types of devices. The capsules also generate a lot of waste. Frugal and lazy souls find their ideal device in the pad machine.

The coffee lover prefers to use the portafilter machine. Here you have a great influence on how the espresso or the mixtures with milk should taste in the end. You can buy coffee beans not only from Tchibo, Aldi & Co, but also from local and small roasters. With a good machine and a little skill, you compete with the cafe on the street.

Coffee maker: View bestseller on Amazon

If the portafilter method is too cumbersome, take a fully automatic coffee machine. The beans are portioned automatically, followed by grinding and filling. After the hot water has passed through, the coffee powder is dumped into a waste container. The cleaning effort of a fully automatic coffee machine is greater than that of a portafilter machine. To do this, you can smear your jam bread in the morning while making coffee. A suitable device for everyone who is a bit hectic in the morning or who is only mentally present after drinking coffee.

What other alternatives are there for espresso cooking?

A classic alternative to espresso machines are espresso makers. The bestseller on Amazon, available in different sizes, is the Bialetti Moka Express espresso maker. The jugs are filled with water at the bottom, an insert with the ground coffee sits above them. The jug is placed on the stove. If the water becomes hot, it rises due to the increased pressure from the coffee powder. Since the pressure is not as high as that of an espresso machine, the crema is very low. The caffeine drink tastes different - but also good!

You don't have to do without fresh espresso even when traveling to the pampas: there are espresso makers on the go, with which you can manually press the hot water through the coffee powder with proper pressure. With an adapter you can also use Nespresso capsules. Customers are very impressed with the taste of the Wacaco Nanopresso espresso. However, the water must be heated on the gas stove or in the kettle.

Can you also make espresso with coffee beans?

The coffee and espresso beans in the supermarket are the same types of beans: predominantly Arabica, occasionally Robusta. Some of them are mixed for espresso. The main difference, however, lies in the roasting: beans for espresso are roasted longer. They therefore look darker and contain less acid. It is best to choose these beans for both portafilter machines and fully automatic coffee machines - especially when the acidity of the classic coffee bean roasting hits the stomach.

What accessories do you need for a coffee grinder?

Anyone who has got a fully automatic coffee machine and beans is first of all equipped. In the medium term, you still need a descaler (either the manufacturer's recommendation or a home remedy).

For owners of a portafilter machine, there are a few more things on the shopping list: Depending on which coffee drinks you want to prepare and what goes into the cup, you need an espresso and / or milk jug. The espresso powder is pressed in with a tamper. If you have whole beans, they come in a …

Which coffee grinder to take for the espresso?

Owners of a portafilter machine need a grinder for freshly ground beans. The Melitta Molino offers good value for money:

Melitta Molino 1019-01 coffee grinder

Now from € 37.48 at Amazon Similar offer at Otto Similar offer at Cyberport Price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 02:22 a.m.

In addition to such coffee grinders with grinder, there are devices with fly knives. Their grinding quality is comparable. With these types, however, it is difficult to find the perfect degree of grinding. Because how small the beans are beaten depends on the grinding time. The owner must therefore develop a feeling for his device. For example, the Severin KM 3879 is recommended.

No matter what type you use: you have to find the perfect grind for your beans, your espresso machine and your taste. If you grind the beans very small, the drink can become bitter. If you grind the beans too coarsely, the water runs through too quickly. But somewhere in between there is the perfect espresso!