Best Espresso Machine with Grinder Built In

By Shabbir
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We all love our espresso, but the secret to making great espresso is using freshly ground coffee. So in order to make good espresso, you need a coffee grinder.

However, that means you need to get two machines instead of one. So why not get an espresso machine that can both grind your beans and pull your espresso shot?

In this post, we’ve chosen our top picks for the best espresso machine with grinder systems built in.

There are not too many out there, but we’ve pored over all the choices and narrowed them down for you here.

Best Espresso Machine with Grinder Built in: 6Top Picks

1. Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine

Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL, Brushed Stainless Steel

When it comes to the best espresso machines with a built-in grinder, the Breville Barista Express happens to top every single chart.

The Barista express is a fantastic espresso maker that can grind your coffee beans and help you pull a superb shot of espresso every time.

It’s not a fully automatic espresso machine, but you can use that to your advantage to brew the exact kind of coffee you want.

First, you add coffee beans into the burr grinder hopper. On the very left of the machine, there’s a dosing grinder. Just push the portafilter in and the burr grinder will deposit espresso grounds into it.

Next to it is a tamper, where you can push the portafilter in and get a nice, compacted espresso puck. Then you can choose to brew a single or double shot of espresso.

Finally, you can brew the espresso shot and optionally get your milk frothing game on with the built-in steam wand. You can even make your own latte art as this machine will give you the most control over how you steam your milk.

On the whole, the Breville BES870XL is the very top of the line for this type of espresso machine.

Pros

  • Lots of customization: grind size, temperature, shot size
  • Lots of packaged accessories
  • Conical burr grinder
  • If needed, you can use your own ground coffee too

Cons

  • Water reservoir could have been bigger

Verdict

The Breville BES870XL Barista Express is without a doubt our favorite espresso machine that has a grinder built in. It’s a goldilocks machine that combines price and features in a way that’s just right.

Read the full review here

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2. DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica Digital Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine

DeLonghi ESAM3500.N Magnifica Digital Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine

The DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica is one of the best super automatic espresso machine models out there. Super automatic espresso machines are espresso machines with grinders and then some.

The main difference between a super automatic espresso machine like the ESAM3300 and a semi automatic espresso machine like the Breville you saw above is that the ESAM3300 does everything for you.

All you have to do is adjust some dials and the machine will do everything else to produce a shot of espresso.

The Breville Barista Express espresso machine you saw above does all of that, but requires manual input on your part at each step.

The ESAM3300 also has a built in milk frother so you can enjoy cappuccinos and lattes at the touch of a button as well.

With all that said, there is still some customization available to you: you can adjust the grind size and the amount of water used in every shot to really dial in your espresso to whatever consistency you want.

Pros

  • Double boiler to brew and steam at once
  • Very consistent grinds
  • Grinder can be removed easily for cleaning
  • Very inexpensive for a machine that can make espresso and all the classic milk-based coffees.

Cons

  • Water reservoir could have been bigger

Verdict

The DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica is indeed magnificent just like the name suggests. It comes in a close second behind the Breville Barista Express. If you’re looking for a super automatic espresso machine that leaves you with no extra work to do, this espresso machine is for you.

Read the full DeLonghi Magnifica review here.

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3. Gaggia Accademia Espresso Machine

Gaggia 1003380 Accademia Espresso Machine,0.5 Liters, Silver

The Gaggia Accademia is an all-in-one espresso maker with a burr grinder that produces many different kinds of coffees at the touch of a button.

The stainless steel exterior is sure to grab eyeballs every time.

You can control what kind of coffee you want using the quick-touch buttons, or you can go into more exotic drinks with the on-screen menu.

There is no steam wand, so milk frothing is all done automatically. One of the biggest advantages of this espresso maker is that the milk frother has an auto-cleaning feature.

Cleaning the milk frother is one of the biggest hassles of espresso machines, so this is a huge plus.

Even though there is a built in grinder, you can use pre-ground coffee too.

On the whole, the Accademia produces very high quality espresso and is easy to clean and use.

Pros

  • Lots of customization
  • Adjustable ceramic burr grinder
  • Built in milk frother for easy specialty drinks

Cons

  • Drinks could be hotter
  • No way to know how many beans are left in the grinder

Verdict

The Gaggia Accademia is a respectable attempt at an espresso machine/grinder combo, but a couple of setbacks stop it from being the top pick on our list.

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4. Saeco Vapore Espresso Machine

Jura IMPRESSA C9 Automatic Coffee Machine, Black

The Jura Impressa C9 is the King of Espresso Makers. In fact, Jura is one of the most reputable, and pricey espresso machines out there.

With that being said, every single shot made from this machine is made with such acute precision and accuracy that you will be blown away with each sip. On top of that, the features are endless!

The Impressa C9 is a super automatic espresso and coffee maker.

Rather than pressing a ton of buttons and measuring the pressure of each shot, the Impressa S9 is simple and works all at the touch of a button on the control panel.

On top of this masterpiece, it comes with a 14-ounce thermal milk container, which is perfect for storage.

The machine comes with a beautiful graphic display menu system with 3 temperature settings.

There are several different varieties of coffees that you can choose to make from this machine! Think of one, and this machine can do it!

Are you in the mood for a single or double shot? How about a ristretto in a small cup or maybe you are in the mood for something with milk like a latte or a cappuccino? Well, this machine can do it all.

The height-adjustable coffee spout helps you fit any cup size under the dispenser.

One of my favorite features of this machine is the ability to monitor the beans in the bean hopper. You will always know how many coffee beans are left and when it is time to refresh the bean hopper. The hopper can hold 10-ounce of beans at a time.

This machine comes built with an impressive 96-oune water tank, which means the user will not have to constantly fill this up.

If you are not planning on using the top of line conical burr grinder with over six-different grinding settings, it also comes with a funnel for pre-ground coffee.

Pros

  • Huge water tank
  • 18 bar pump
  • Pre-programmed buttons for easy brewing

Cons

  • Very expensive

Verdict

The Jura Impressa is a coffee suite that does everything automatically, but it comes at a hefty price tag.

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6. DeLonghi La Specialista Espresso Machine

De'Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine with Sensor Grinder, Dual Heating System, Advanced Latte System & Hot Water Spout for Americano Coffee or Tea, Stainless Steel, EC9335M, 1.3 liters

The DeLonghi La Specialista Espresso machine has a grinder and the capacity to brew two shots of espresso in one go.

It has a pretty bold design which is sure to make a statement on your kitchen counter.

The grinder in the DeLonghi La Specialista has a sensor which makes sure the exact amount of beans are ground so you get a consistent and ideal dose in every shot.

The smart tamping system allows you to tamp with even and proper pressure. Tamping is quite critical for good espresso, so this machine eliminates that variable for you, too.

The DeLonghi La Specialista takes less than 1 minute to power up, and espresso is extracted with a 19-bar pump which is sure to produce a thick, frothy crema in every shot. Since you’re using freshly ground coffee anyway, you’re sure to get crema on your brew.

A steam wand lets you froth milk to make cappuccinos, macchiatos, lattes, and more. The steaming is also automatic – you simply hold the steaming jug under the wand and select whether you want flat milk (which has smaller bubbles) or froth, which has larger bubbles.

The detachable water reservoir is very easy to clean.

Pros

  • Near instant start up
  • Automated frothing for great cappuccinos and lattes

Cons

  • Very bold look may be off-putting to some
  • Expensive

Verdict

The DeLonghi La Specialista is not the cheapest machine on this list, but it’s certainly one of the most fully feature ones. If you’re looking for a truly all in one solution and you have a big budget, this is an excellent choice.

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Best Espresso machine with grinder: buying guide

If you are in the market for an espresso machine with a built-in grinder there is a couple of important things that you should consider.

First and foremost, in all likelihood, if you are seeking an espresso machine with a built in grinder, the price of the machine is easily $500-$600+, and sometimes more.

However, remember that you’re saving money on buying a separate grinder, and you’re also saving on counter space!

These types of coffee makers are premium, but if you’re really into espresso and want an all-in-one solution, this is the wat to go.

For many espresso enthusiasts, the simplified brewing process due to these machines make them the best espresso machines to get.

Should you grind manually or let a machine do it

Hardcore espresso enthusiasts will tell you that the grind size is the most important part of pulling high quality espresso shots.

On the one hand, it would seem that built in grinders are the solution to this problem. However, if you really want control over your shot, you may wish to grind the coffee beans yourself.

Many espresso machines with built in grinders do give you options to adjust grind size, but not quite as much adjustment room as you would have with a high end burr grinder.

Some burr grinders allow you to adjust in micro steps, which is just not possible with espresso machines with grinders built in.

However, if you’re in the market for one of these espresso makers, convenience probably outweighs everything else!

This means you don’t have to worry about grind size, dose size, or tamping. These features are great if you want an espresso without doing much work.

Still, many of the machines on this list have settings you can customize to fine-tune your shot, such as adjusting the grind size and the strength of the shot.

Things to look for when choosing an espresso machine

Size

One of the biggest factors in espresso machines is that they’re quite big. Many of the super automatic espresso machines we’ve listed here have quite a big footprint, so you need to make sure you have enough space on your coutner to fit it!

Semi automatic or automatic machines

You also need to consider whether you prefer the flexibility of a semi automatic machine or you want the push-button ease of an automatic espresso machine.

Coffee at the push of a button is great, but you will lose a lot of customizability in the process.

On the other hand, using a semi automatic machine will mean there will be a little bit of effort(and cleanup) on your part for every espresso you make.

Cleaning

An espresso machine is higher-maintance than the typical coffee maker, so you want to get one that is straightforward to clean. Stainless steel exteriors are great because stainless steel is very easy to clean.

You also want one with an easy-to-remove drip tray. The drip tray catches any excess espresso that still flows after you’ve moved your cup.

The steam wand should also be easily accessible, or at the very least, easy to clean. Once milk solidifies, it’s a huge pain to remove.

A removable water tank is also a huge plus because it makes it very easy to empty for long-term storage. Machines that dont have a removable water tank will be more prone to scale buildup.

Ease of repairs

Because there are so many moving parts in this type of coffee machine with the built in burr grinder, the espresso maker(with heating system), and the steam wand, there’s a good chance that something or the other can go wrong.

Even though quality espresso machines are very reliable, the price tag is quite high, so if anything goes wrong, you don’t want an expensive countertop decoration.

Before you buy a particular espresso maker, make sure there is a repair center nearby. Even the best espresso machines in the world are susceptible to the occasional oopsie.

Using your own coffee grounds

Even though these espresso makers have built-in grinders, you may still wish to use your own ground coffee every now and then. Some of these machines do let you use your own coffee as well as whatever you put in the bean hopper.

Steam wand

All of the machines on this list are capable of brewing espresso shots, cappuccinos, and lattes by default. For other specialty drinks like macchiatos, flat whites, cortados, and so on, you’ll have to get a little creative and make steamed milk to mix your favorite beverage.

The steamed milk you need for these beverages is easier to make with a manual steam wand rather than an automated one.

Conclusion

If you need something with a grinder, these are the best espresso machines from all the automatic and semi automatic models that we perused through.

For control over milk frothing and tamping, we suggest the Breville BES870XL. It can’t be beaten!

For a super automatic machine that produces a mean cup of coffee and doesn’t kill the wallet, we suggest the DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica.

Finally, for an all-in-one coffee suite that produces coffee shop quality coffee at the push of a button, as well as all types of espresso drinks imaginable, we suggest the Jura Impressa C9.

Frequently asked questions

Is an espresso machine worth it?

Absolutely! If you’re a fan of espresso and specialty coffee, the best way to brew it is with an espresso machine. It’s really tough to make similar tasting drinks without the right equipment.

What kind of grind do you need in an espresso?

For espresso machines, you typically need a very fine grind. Not too fine like baby powder, but just a tiny bit coarser, like fine salt.

Do all espresso machines steam milk?

Most espresso machines come with steam wands, although of varying quality. There are some dedicated espresso machines that only pull shots, though.

Last update on 2024-03-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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About Shabbir

Shab is the Chief Caffeine Officer at Coffee Brewster. When he's not weighing out coffee beans for his next brew, you can find him writing about his passion: coffee.