The 4 Best Super Automatic Espresso Machines

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.Terra KaffeProsBarista grade extraction and flavor at homeA wide selection of hot and iced beverages to choose fromDishwasher safe milk tank with foaming and frothing wand Self-cleaning functions ConsDisplay isn't touch screenLots of plastic partsIf you’ve read about products on Esquire for any amount of time, you know that we stan De’Longhi. My editor Luke Guillory and I can attest: When we see Magnifica we say “magnificent.” For the price, the Magnifica Duo is both an excellent value and also everything you really need in an automatic coffee machine. It comes with a milk tank equipped with a foaming wand and dispenser. That whole apparatus is completely dishwasher safe so you don’t have to worry about scrubbing a thing. You are buying an automatic espresso machine after all.It doesn’t have an LCD touch screen, but the touch-sensitive buttons pair with a small screen to make drink selection take a matter of seconds. It can be a bit clunky at first, but getting used to it doesn’t take much time. From there, you can program quick selects to get straight to your favorite drinks in even less time. The machine cleans itself and, eventually, it will pay for itself too.ProsA consistent one-button way to make espresso, americanos, and even drip coffeeUnique milk system makes it easy to make lattes without needing to clean a tankEasy to follow routine maintenance instructionsTracks how close you are to the next cleanConsLimited selection and missing some drinks like Flat WhiteMust buy the $1,700 model for a milk tankFor me, the most important thing an espresso machine can automate is maintenance. I’m always forgetting to clean my coffee makers (among the dozens of other gadgets I need to keep clean), but I never have to worry about that with my KitchenAid. This super automatic espresso machine and iced coffee maker rinses the machine and milk tube routinely, and in the settings I can always see how close a part is to needing a cleaning. On top of that, it’s a super easy machine that makes tasty beverages. It doesn’t have the 50 plus drinks of a $2,000 De’Longhi, but you have most of your basics including cappuccinos, lattes, and even iced coffee and iced espresso.The KF3 is the least expensive of KitchenAid’s line of super automatics because it doesn’t come with a milk tank. Instead, the AutoMilk system it does have is brilliant. Just stick the provided milk tube into any vessel and it will extract the proper amount of liquid into the dispenser tank above your cup, where it is there steamed and frothed to the ideal temp. After your drink is ready, you’ll be prompted (but not forced!) to run a rinse of the milk tube. I recommend it; keep that stuff clean.And finally, it’s worth mentioning this machine is made from PFAS-free parts. This means a much reduced risk to exposure to microplastics in your coffee. Everyone can appreciate that.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsA minimalist, compact design that looks great on any counterPulls a tasty shotComes in four different colorsSelf-cleaning functionConsSmall water tank size to accomodateNo milk frotherIf having something that looks great on your counter while it does the bean grinding and shot pulling for you is the priority, you have to take a look at Terra Kaffe’s machines. The sleek, minimalist design says “retro future” without the rest of your kitchen needing to fit any specific vibe. You use a stainless steel dial to literally “dial in” your brew strength and temperature. It’s the perfect machine for those who drink a daily espresso or Americano.I mention those drinks because, as any coffee drinker will know, they don’t contain milk. While it’s coming in at a nice price, the Demi does admittedly lack a milk foaming option. If you already own a milk frother at home, though, this might be a way to save some money and still get a fantastic, no-work espresso machine.ProsTouch screen display with over 50 recipes to choose fromMilk frothing for hot and cold drinnksSame great De'Longhi quality and consistencyIncludes travel mugConsExpensiveOnly one bean hopperHere’s the tea. This is an older model—2023 is ancient by gadget standards—and they are getting more difficult to find in stock. At least this means the price has gone down... a little bit. The fact remains, every one of the coffee freaks on Reddit swears by the Eletta Explore. It is still the pinnacle of what De’Longhi’s super automatic machines can do, with dozens and dozens of hot and cold drink recipes at your very fingertips. The milk frothing tech is top notch and pretty much all of the parts are dishwasher safe for cleaning. It even includes a travel mug for those mornings when time isn’t on your side.The only complaint I can see raised against it is that, at this price, many competitors have swappable bean hoppers. The $1,300 De’Longhi Rivelia has a bean swap system, where you can switch between two different bean hoppers—decaf drinkers love this for switching over in the afternoon. Users report mixed results since you still have to clear an unseeable number of beans from the grinder before the switch is complete. This can land you in a no mans land where you might be drinking half-caf on accident. It’s why I’m still recommending the Eletta over that machine.