Design is an important consideration for those who plan to make their machine a showpiece in the kitchen or dining room. If you have space constraints, be sure to measure your counter space before making a purchase some of these machines can be pretty big. The Capresso grinds, doses, tamps, extracts, and even dumps the spent grounds for you. Experts say pods are expensive, don't fit in all machines, and aren't always fresh. Eight costlier Krups machines are top-rated by six review sources, so this model comes with good credentials.
Some reviewers recommend cheaper, steam-powered espresso machines.
However, the most credible experts say you sacrifice beverage quality with these units, and should avoid them if possible. These shortcomings often result in bitter, watery shots with no crema. Don't confuse these electric steam machines with hourglass-shaped stovetop coffee makers, called Moka pots. A Moka functions much like a percolator, with a long, repetitive extraction process that makes strong coffee, but not espresso. Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our All The Reviews Reviewed chart.