Are you a die-hard fan of espresso ? Let’s discuss the best espresso machine with grinder.
You might already know that there is much debate on whether an espresso machine needs a built-in grinder. When your eyes land on this article, I assume your answer is “Yes.”
As a coffee expert, I say it depends. Suppose you prefer using pre-ground beans to brew tastier espresso; good to buy machines with a built-in grinder. Otherwise, you can choose a budget-friendly espresso maker to save costs and use grounds instead.
For your reference, I publish articles about the best espresso machines with and without a grinder. Here is the latter!
Contents
Top 9 Best Espresso Machine with Grinder Reviews
Breville Barista Pro – Best Overall
No products found.
Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 12 x 13 x 13 inches
- Type of machine: Semi-automatic category
- Type of grinder: Conical burr grinder
- Material: Brushed stainless steel
- Boiler capacity: Single boiler
- Controlling Interface: LCD screen & buttons
- Programmed drinks: No pre-programmed drinks
Detailed review:
I confirm that Breville is the most well-known brand in the espresso machine industry. Thus, no surprise when Breville Barista Pro is my editor’s picker today.
Sleek and durable design
Sturdy construction is my love at first sight.
The brushed steel body appears neat on my kitchen counter, and there is even a matte black to prevent other appliances’ cliche shine. The footprint is 13 inches wide, which is still acceptable given both the machine and the built-in grinder.
Looking more closely, I can see a big integrated conical burr grinder on the top, an LCD interface with several knobs at the front and sides, a steam wand for milk frothing, a water reservoir of two liters, a drip tray, and some accessories. Breville Barista Pro is ready to make espresso shots out of the box.
An effective conical burr grinder
I always have whole beans at home rather than pre-ground packages. The freshness, scent, and flavor cannot be compared.
Then, the conical burr grinder of Barista Pro grinds my beans well. Up to 30 grind size settings for you to choose from, which are easily controlled on the LCD. I usually utilize the semi-automatic function to time the extraction automatically. No need to watch the clock all the time or worry about a mountain of ground coffee on the portafilter.
Various espresso drinks
Although there are no programmed drinks at the touch, you can customize the grind size, water, and milk to make various drinks, from the classic espresso to milk-based options. Whichever you make, you can expect a good shot thanks to an effective heating system.
Accordingly, the ThermoJet heating boils the water in just three seconds and introduces a quick temperature rebound from the time-pulling shots to the steaming milk process. Breville Barista Pro also adopts a P.I.D. control to ensure accurate temperatures within two degrees Fahrenheit. Such precise heat is important to get the perfect ground extraction each time.
Difficult cleaning
So far, so good. However, cleaning this machine is a little tiring.
You must remove the upper burr grind, hopper, and drip tray to wash the inside. Or, there is sludge from water mixing and excess ground.
Pros:
- Sleek design
- Durable construction
- Burr grinder that has different size settings
- Good heating system with ThermoJet and P.I.D.
- Beautiful milk microfoam – good for latte art
- User-friendly LCD screen and buttons
Cons:
- Difficult to clean throughout
- No pre-programmed drinks
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
Breville Barista Express – Runner-Up
No products found.
Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 12.5 x 12.6 x 13.1 inches
- Type of machine: Manual category
- Type of grinder: Conical burr grinder
- Material: Brushed stainless steel
- Boiler capacity: Single boiler
- Controlling Interface: Analog gauge & buttons
- Programmed drinks: No pre-programmed drinks
Detailed review:
At a glance, you might mistake this Breville Barista Express for the earlier reviewed one. The Express is a budget alternative to the Pro version.
External basics similar to Breville Barista Pro
While the Pro offers a little sleeker lines, both have the same construction: the upper conical burr grinder, knobs at the front, a steam wand on the right, a big water reservoir, a drip tray. The external case is also from quality brushed stainless steel.
The most noticeable difference, however, is the control interface. The Express model features an analog pressure gauge and several buttons to adjust the settings.
Still a fast and consistent grinder
The Express also has an excellent built-in grinder.
There are 16 grind levels – fewer than the Pro – yet they are enough to cover all espresso extraction preferences. In addition, the analog is straightforward to dial in the grind size accurately.
A small recommendation from my experience is not to go far coarser than four or five sizes.
Thermocoil water heating
It takes the Barista Express about 30 seconds to warm water using P.I.D. and ThermoJet. This duration beats most espresso machines in the same category. The machine keeps the cups warm for a longer time.
One interesting add-on in the Express (missing in the Pro) is the fine gauge in the middle. You can hit some bars, check the gauge’s current pressure, and adjust further.
Grind amount: A problem to consider
Though the features are less superior than the first espresso machine, the overall performance is still excellent. You can make various delicious shots with a breeze.
Just some indicators for the grind amount should be better. Without the LCD screen or numerical dial, you are not aware of how many ground grams you can produce.
Pros:
- Remained sleek design
- Quality and compact construction
- Consistent ground thanks to burr grinders
- Effective Thermal coil water heating
- Milk frothing included
Cons:
- Hard to estimate the ground amount
- All manual control over the machine
- Less ease of use
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
De’Longhi Magnifica – Fully-Automatic Alternative
No products found.
Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 11 x 15.3 x 14.4 inches
- Type of machine: Super-automatic category
- Type of grinder: Burr grinder
- Material: Some plastic and some stainless steel parts
- Boiler capacity: Dual boilers
- Controlling Interface: Dials & buttons
- Programmed drinks: 2 one-touch drinks out of 5 options
Detailed review:
The De’Longhi Magnifica is labeled a super-automatic espresso machine, meaning it does most of the coffee-making work for you.
Compact design
Speaking of an espresso machine that grinds beans, the gadget is more compact than expected.
The footprint is only 11 inches, and the overall weight is 23 pounds. This is thanks to the front-loading construction of De’Longhi Magnifica, moving the water tank, grounds container, and drip tray to the front.
I once gave De’Longhi Magnifica to my friend as a housewarming gift. She is single and has a small kitchen, yet she has no issue storing and accessing this gear.
Five programmed drinks
Without an LCD, the machine is still easy to use with push-button control. You pour the water into the huge 60oz tank, place the cup and adjust the spout, dial a preferred coffee strength and size, select a drink, then push the start button.
Five options are available: espresso (multi-length), latte, cappuccino, hot water, and americano. Supposing you select a milk-based drink, you need to froth the milk manually. Otherwise, you can customize the drinks and save them to the coffee memory function.
Also, be aware of alerts to add water, descale, or empty the pucks.
Acceptable brewing system
The brewing results of De’Longhi Magnifica are not as good as Breville Barista Pro, yet it is still acceptable.
There are two thermoblock boilers to warm the water more quickly for steaming and brewing. The Theremoblock and pre-infusion technologies well control the temperature. If the machine adopts the P.I.D., it will be even better.
In terms of the espresso machine built in grinder, it offers seven settings to handle many beans and pre-ground coffee. Yet, it might sometimes struggle with big beans and result in light extraction.
Plastic build material
The manufacturer uses plastic for the external, which makes sense to reduce the overall price. However, the plastic build is prone to scratches or leakages if you do not use it carefully.
Pros:
- Affordable super-automatic machine
- Easy-to-use interface
- Five coffee drinks are available
- Two thermoblock boilers
Cons:
- Plastic build
- Noisy and not very effective grinder
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
De’Longhi La Specialista – Best Hybrid
No products found.
Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 14.5 x 15 x 17.5 inches
- Type of machine: Super semi-automatic in one
- Type of grinder: Burr grinder
- Material: Brushed stainless steel
- Boiler capacity: Dual boilers
- Controlling Interface: Dials & buttons
- Programmed drinks: 3 options
Detailed review:
As we checked the De’Longhi Magnifica, it is a good chance to review another espresso maker with grinder from this manufacturer.
Quite a looker
Mind its name!
This machine is for dedicated coffee specialists. You can confirm by looking at its handsome look – a solid rectangular shape with smooth rounded edges. Moreover, the stainless-steel parts blend in a black control panel and knobs, giving off a retro-modern mix.
A hybrid construction
I clarify De’Longhi La Specialista is a super semi-automatic machine because you can control it manually and automatically.
You sometimes want to roll up your sleeves and get on with the machine, from grinding beans and compacting to dosing the coffee. Then, there are some dials on the left side and manual tamping for you to do so.
However, when busy, you can choose the automatic espresso drinks on the right-hand side: espresso, americano, or classic coffee.
Smart grinding technology
There are six coarseness settings to crush the beans perfectly – even the big ones. Smart enough, the grinder can start working automatically when it senses the filled portafilter put in place.
Very good espresso extraction
Such an above grinder improves the coffee extraction in the end.
De’Longhi La Specialista also has an active temperature control and dual boiling system. The machine can remain at a constant temperature while cutting down time waiting for steaming and brewing preparations. In addition, its pre-infusion technology reduces curtails or channeling issues that cause uneven extraction.
Not for light coffee lovers
It is not a complaint, but this espresso maker is not for you as a soft coffee aficionado.
The La Specialista features 19 bar pumps – more pressure amount than usual. The resulting espresso shots come out with an aromatic and bold taste.
Pros:
- A beautiful mix of retro and modern
- Smart grinding and brewing technologies
- Intuitive hybrid settings for both beginners and specialists
- Less brewing time
Cons:
- A touch expensive
- Not for soft coffee shots
- Heavy and big footprint
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
Breville Barista Touch – Best With Touchscreen
No products found.
Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 12.7 x 15.5 x 16 inches
- Type of machine: Super-automatic category
- Type of grinder: Conical burr grinder
- Material: Brushed stainless steel
- Boiler capacity: Single boiler
- Controlling Interface: Touchscreen
- Programmed drinks: 8 specialties
Detailed review:
Not all espresso lovers like going through the grinding, brewing, and steaming steps. Then, the super-automatic Breville Barista Touch is here to help.
Eight programmed drinks
The machine has a small LCD screen that gathers all coffee processes at your navigation. Just swipe and select a drink, brewing heat, coffee strength, and milk texture. Receipts for espresso, flat white, latte, americano, cappuccino, etc., are pre-programmed.
You can customize the coffee formulas and save them to the machine’s memory as your custom drinks. This function has spoiled all my family, from my wife with a sweet, silky, smooth flat white to my mom with a bold espresso topped with golden crema. The machine saves all my family members’ fav drinks with their names in it!
High-quality grinder
While many built-in grinders have average quality, the Breville Barista Touch is reliable.
Not only is it made from stainless steel, but the grinder supports up to 30 grinding options. It allows choosing how fine the ground is, based on the type of coffee beans and your preferred drinks, since a well-ground coffee truly affects the extraction of aromas and flavors.
Fast and precise temperature control
The manufacturer integrates the currently advanced thermal technologies in this single unit, including the Thermojet heating system to warm up water in three seconds and the digital P.I.D. to maintain weight temperature ranges accurately.
Only one single boiler
I am a little disappointed, knowing there is only one boiler. In case you select the wrong temperature, there is no way to fix it. This cannot steam and brew your shots simultaneously.
Pros:
- Sleek and durable stainless housing
- Intuitive touchscreen control with eight auto drinks
- Strong and flexibly-adjust grinding sets
Con:
- Only one single boiler
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
Calphalon Temp IQ – Best Value
No products found.
Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 12.6 x 13.6 x 16 inches
- Type of machine: Semi-automatic category
- Type of grinder: Conical burr grinder
- Material: Brushed stainless steel
- Boiler capacity: Single boiler
- Controlling Interface: Dials and buttons
- Programmed drinks: No programs
Detailed review:
Calphalon Temp I.Q. has better quality and performance for a mid-priced deal. Thus, it is the best value on the list.
A decent design
The design is wise – stainless steel group, chrome accents in the center, and plastic parts on the top and two sides. This way, Calphalon Temp I.Q. looks high-end and sturdy.
A pleasing toggle to start and stop the gear is also way more attractive than the common buttons.
Grinder with 30 settings
I admit that my latest Calphalon Temp IQ grinder was not durable for years. Its quality is just average.
However, it appreciated 30 settings – the same as the quality Breville Barista Touch. Those settings come with the labels such as “faster,” “coarse,” “fine,” or “slower” to better instruct the users.
Thermoblock And P.I.D. supported.
Happy to find the Thermoblock and P.I.D. and features in such a decent deal. They help control the temperature precisely and easily, as I explained in the above machines.
Noisy operation
What to complain about is the noise. The machine vibrated largely on my kitchen counter when I used the maximum grinding option. Even worse, the vapor steam also made a loud sound.
Pros:
- A high-end look at its price
- A grinder having up to 30 size settings
- Good thermal heating system
- Three years of warranty and good support
Cons:
- A loud machine
- Just average quality build
- Hard-to-cleaning plastic parts
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
Gaggia Brera – Compact Choice
No products found.
Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 17.5 x 10 x 12.4 inches
- Type of machine: Super-automatic category
- Type of grinder: Conical burr grinder
- Material: Stainless Steel and A.B.S.
- Boiler capacity: Single boilers
- Controlling Interface: LCD and buttons
- Programmed drinks: 2 programs
Detailed review:
Here comes a lovely gadget for narrow counter space.
Compact and high-end build
The design is five out of five.
Gaggia Brera adopts a made-in-Italy style with a smooth stainless steel front, perfectly rounded corners, an intuitive L.E.D. screen, and illuminated buttons.
Meanwhile, its dimensions are compact: 10 inches wide and 12 inches tall. You can easily get feet underneath your cupboards or in limited space.
Various specialty drinks are allowed
There are only two programmed drinks out of the box: the classic espresso and lungo. Yet, you can add your custom recipes later through the memo function.
Since the machine supports a standard Maranello steam wand, you can make classic coffee and milk-based drinks such as craft lattes or cappuccinos.
Both freshly ground and pre-ground coffee
Its ceramic burr grinder is durable and sharp enough to grind your beans more consistently and flavorfully. Five grind sizes are supported.
Some decaf shots are interesting after drinking too much real thing. Otherwise, you can use the pre-ground coffee when you are in a rush. The machine allows the ground to be bypassed via a chute.
Lack of brew temperature control
Though Gaggia Brera can heat the water quickly under ten sounds, I still want it to have an adjustable coffee temperature. There is also no digital P.I.D. system.
Pros:
- Elegant Italy-style machine
- Compact enough in small spaces
- Easy to use for beginners
- Acceptable flavors and aromas
Cons:
- Only five grinding options
- No coffee temperature control
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
Jura S8 – Premium Choice For A Diverse Menu
No products found.
Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 21.4 x 12.9 x 17.4 inches
- Type of machine: Super-automatic category
- Type of grinder: Conical burr grinder
- Material: Quality plastic
- Boiler capacity: Double boilers
- Controlling Interface: Touchscreen
- Programmed drinks: 15 programs
Detailed review:
I suggest Jura S8 as a premium choice for a coffee shop or office because it has a big capacity and the most pre-programmed drink options on this list.
2018 Red Dot Award
A side piece of information for your reference is that Jura S8 was given the 2018 Red Dot Award for its high-value design and self-explanatory interface.
Thus, you can rest assured about its quality and performance.
15 specialty drinks
When the manufacturer calls this espresso maker a super-automatic machine, Jura really means it by integrating up to 15 programmed drinks at a touch.
Here are some preferred options: ristretto, espresso, macchiato, latte macchiato, cafe latte, flat white, cappuccino, portion-milk drinks, hot water, etc. Besides the espresso drinks, you easily adjust the temperature, milk volume, and coffee strength.
Along with those options, Jura S8 supports a spacious tank so you can make multiple cups without refilling the water. The machine even has an Intelligent Water System technology for automatic filter detection.
Consistent and fast grinder
Common conical burr grinders usually do not grind the beans as consistently as flat models. However, the Jure S8 works better than expected. It has only seven levels, but the results turn out very fast and consistent.
The flip-top lid helps reduce the overheating around the grinder while keeping the beans fresher and reducing the operating noise.
Take note that the espresso gadget allows pre-ground coffee using a bypass doser next to the grinder.
Touchscreen display and app control
As a premium choice, the machine adopts a large touchscreen with a high resolution. The whole operating system is functional, clear, and straightforward to navigate.
You can even control the machine remotely using Jure’s J.O.E. app. This app connects with Jura S8 via the manufacturer Smart Connect and Bluetooth. If you use the app on an iOS device, take things to the next level by assigning the coffee control to Siri.
Pretty cool experience, indeed.
Cheap-looking plastic construction
On the drawback, the plastic construction is a little cheap since I prefer the stainless-steel exterior like others on the list. The black in the center and white on the two sides also do not impress me. For a more thorough analysis and experience, check out my Jura S8 review !
Pros:
- 2018 Red Dot Award
- A bunch of automatic drinks
- Effective Aroma G3 grinder
- The smart and spacious water reservoir
- High-end touchscreen and app control
Cons:
- Eye-watering price
- Plastic build
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
EspressoWorks All-in-One – Budget Choice
No products found.
Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 9.75 x 9 x 11.5 inches
- Type of machine: Semi-automatic category
- Type of grinder: Electric blade grinder
- Material: Brushed stainless steel and plastic
- Boiler capacity: Single boiler
- Controlling Interface: Dials and buttons
- Programmed drinks: No programs (3 manual drink options)
Detailed review:
If you are totally green in making espresso, buying this affordable EspressoWorks All-in-One deal will be better. You have all the necessary parts to test the water!
Seven pieces in a single package
Besides the espresso maker with a grinder, you have numerous accessories to start brewing coffee at home: a tamper, filter baskets, portafilter, two ceramic cups, and a milk frothing pitcher.
Electric blade grinder
Unlike other coffee makers I reviewed above, this gear comes with a plug-in electric blade grinder.
While it does not have a consistent performance as the burr counterpart, the separate blade grinder is somehow convenient and space-saving. Use a manageable amount of beans; otherwise, the blade becomes the culprit.
Still, the overall ground results are good, and you can expect a good extraction because the machine uses a 15-bar pressure pump to brew the ground coffee.
Milk frothing function
Without bells and whistles, the performance of the EspressoWorks is still acceptable, particularly as it comes with a simple milk frothing function. You can use the buttons and knobs on the machine’s user interface.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Accessories ready for us
- Simple knobs to control the whole machine
- Acceptable grinder and the milk frothing
Cons:
- Unable to handle big beans
- No bells and whistles
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
Buying Guide for Espresso Machines with a Grinder
Besides the best espresso makers with a grinder above, you had better check the buying guide to compare them.
Types of espresso machines
I can divide espresso machines into three categories:
Manual category
These machines usually have a grinder for you to manually do everything from grinding to brewing. Good for hobbyist baristas wanting to master espresso art.
Semi-automatic category
There are several automatic functions to fasten the coffee-making time. Nonetheless, semi-automatic coffee makers do not come with a grinder.
Fully-automatic or Super-automatic category
Busy consumers and beginners love the fully-automatic idea. They must choose some preset options and lend a hand to the machines. Of course, there is a built-in grinder to do the grinding.
Types of grinders
Next, take a look at the label of the built-in grinder. What type is it?
Burr grinders
The grinders use two burrs, known as serrated discs. They will grind the beans in the first chamber and then store the grounds in the second chamber, ready for brewing.
Take note that discs are slightly different, either conical or flat. The earlier grinders are designed to be heat-resistant and energy-efficient, yet they cannot produce evenly ground coffee.
The latter grinders ground the beans between the burrs to ensure a flat and even texture while being louder and energy-consuming.
A blade grinder
Blade grinders are more common in affordable or mid-range espresso machines. Plus, they are easier and faster to use.
As a drawback, the grinders fail to produce consistent grind sizes. They chop beans and spices, then mix them. Uneven grounds sometimes affect the final taste.
This time, choose a blade with the correct size to dial in the beans as much as possible. Coarse ground coffee tastes weak and watery whereas too finely texture is usually over-extracted and bitter.
Build Quality
I mean the quality of the overall espresso machine and the grinder.
For espresso machine
Closely check the materials and heating system.
You will want stainless-steel rather than plastic models since they are safer and more durable. It would be better if some removable parts were dishwasher-friendly to reduce your cleaning tasks.
Regarding the heating system, I prefer dual boilers to simultaneously brew and steam coffee without overdosing on the machines. They should also have a thermoblock to burn the water quickly, plus a quality P.I.D. to keep the temperature stable during the process.
For grinder
Be careful because some espresso machines use average grinders to cut costs. It only lasts well if you are a frequent user, meaning you have to buy a costly replacement in the end.
You should check other consumers’ feedback on the grinder to know the truth and be willing to pay for high-end models for good quality.
Capacity
The next factor to consider is the machine’s capacity, keeping in mind that the built-in grinder can take up extra space on your counter.
If you make several cups of espresso a day, you will want big dual-boiler machines. Otherwise, small single-boiler models are ideal for your budget and kitchen room.
Programmability and Drink Options
While a simple espresso shot is always hard to beat, you can also practice making other coffee drinks such as lattes, macchiatos, mochas, cappuccinos, Americanos, or milk-based drinks. To do so, check the best espresso machines with a milk frother.
Some semi-automatic and fully-automatic machines even support pre-defined programmability for common drinks, so you can make the drink at clicks or dials rather than struggling yourself.
Ease of Use
Having a wide range of coffee drinks available is wonderful, however, it becomes in vain if you do not know how to use the machines. Ease of use is important.
Super-automatic or fully-automatic models are more effortless than semi-automatic machines, and manual espresso makers are the hardest to use. In addition, a touchscreen is more straightforward than dials and knobs.
FAQs
Should You Buy Espresso Machines with Grinder?
Yes. Here are the top pros of having espresso machines with grinder:
- Tastier espresso from freshly ground beans
- All-in-one machines; ready to make drinks out of the box
- No need to search for a compatible grinder.
- Cheaper than buying separate espresso machines and grinders
Do All Espresso Makers Have a Grinder?
No, only several espresso machines come with a grinder that the manufacturers put together to add value to the package in terms of price and compatibility.
Meanwhile, models that make K-Cup or pre-ground coffee often do not support a grinder.
Can You Attach any Grinder for Espresso?
This question is often asked as you plan to replace the built-in grinder.
My answer is: No, you must choose a compatible grinder for your espresso machine. I suggest going for the same manufacturer of the machine. Carefully check the type and size of the current grinder and invest in a new quality.
Wrapping Up
We reach the end of reviews on the best espresso machine with a grinder. My detailed breakdown and buying guide will help you make a choice.
If you still cannot, you can consider my editor’s pick – the Breville Barista Pro. Although it is neither the most functional model in the list nor the highest quality, this model brings the best of both worlds. It still offers plenty of conveniences and interesting features for you to become a home barista!
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