Fully automatic coffee machine with grinder and milk frother

Super-automatic espresso machines are fully automatic coffee and espresso makers with built-in coffee grinders that make coffee drinks with the push of a button. Coffee is ground fresh, tamped perfectly, brewed, and dispensed in seconds. With many super-automatic espresso machines, you can set your preferred coffee strength, drink volume, temperature, and more. The milk frother on these espresso machines are automatic as well, letting you easily make cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos whenever you like.

Last Updated On : September 2022

Author: Nick

If you click on a product while reading this article and decide to buy it, we might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for all your support!

Fully automatic coffee machine with grinder and milk frother

Greetings Dear Readers and fellow coffee lovers. We have prepared this guide summarizing and reviewing the best automatic espresso machine so that you can easily find the one that fits your needs.

We know it can be confusing as there are a ton of options to choose from, and what the best automatic espresso machine means for you depends on your circumstances.

So we have reviewed what we consider the best automatic espresso makers for different categories.

What is the Best Automatic Espresso Machine?

There are lots of super-automatic espresso machines that fit different circumstances. So there is no “best” coffee machine. For this reason, we selected the best for different categories.

Check our overview below, followed by a more in-depth review of each coffee machine.

  1. Jura E8 - Best Overall
    • Great Espresso/Milky Drinks
    • Highly Programmable
    • Color LCD Screen with buttons
    • Lacks some frothing features
    • $$$
  2. Miele CM6350 - Runner Up
    • Great Espresso/Milky Drinks
    • Highly Programmable
    • B&W LCD with buttons
    • Long and short design
    • $$$
  3. Breville Oracle Touch - Best for Advanced Users
    • Best Espresso/Milky Drinks thanks to portafilter
    • Highly Programmable
    • Color LCD Touch Screen
    • High Quality Materials
    • Large and Bulky
    • $$$$$
  4. Jura WE8 - Best for Small Offices
    • Great Espresso/Milky Drinks
    • Highly Programmable
    • Color LCD with buttons
    • Up to 30 cups per day
    • Large with some plastic
    • $$$$
  5. De'Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica - Best Value
    • Good Espresso/Milky Drinks
    • Some Programmability
    • Dials/buttons w/o screen
    • Lacks some features
    • Materials feel cheap, loud grinder
    • $
  6. Jura A1 - Best for Purists
    • Great espresso
    • Limited Programmability
    • Buttons w/o screen
    • Quiet
    • No milk frothing system
    • $$
  7. Jura ENA8 - Best for Compact Spaces
    • Great Espresso/Milky Drinks
    • Highly Programmable
    • Color LCD with buttons
    • Quiet
    • Compact
    • Limited water/bean capacity
    • $$$

1. Jura E8

Best Overall

Fully automatic coffee machine with grinder and milk frother

This is our choice for the overall best automatic espresso machine. It packs Jura’s latest patented technologies, prepares amazing coffee like in a coffee shop, and it’s not as expensive as some of the higher-end models from other brands.

You will also notice that we have included quite a few Jura models because this coffee maker brand has a great reputation!

At a Glance...

  • Quietly and efficiently brew high quality espresso and specialty coffee drinks
  • Highly programmable, includes 12 pre-programmed drinks which can be customized
  • The one-touch milk system cleaning allows you to easily keep your coffee machine clean
  • Lacks some frothing features such as milk temperature or foam level controls

Features

One of the highlights of the Jura E8’s is that it incorporates Jura’s Pulse Extraction System (PEP) which releases hot water in short bursts, enhancing the flavor of your coffee while shortening the brew time.

This super automatic espresso machine also packs the Professional Aroma Grinder, one of the quickest and quietest coffee grinders. The grinder can be adjusted to 7 settings.

These two technologies allow you to brew high quality coffee efficiently and quietly with the press of a few buttons.

The user can easily navigate through the menus with the help of a full color screen and six buttons. There are 12 different pre-programmed coffee drinks that can be further customized. When you select a type of drink, the coffee machine prompts you to choose the strength level, volume, and so on, which can be saved for future use.

One of its most interesting features is the extra shot function. The extra shot function works by holding the gear function and then selecting the extra shot function. This setting is only available for some drinks, which are identified in the menu with a coffee bean icon.

This super automatic espresso machine also has a cafe barista option that prepares a true Americano. It first pours the espresso shot, followed by hot water.

The automatic milk frother uses a glass milk container and prepares great milk foam. However, the milk temperature and the amount of foam cannot be controlled. Instead, Jura has opted to program the foam level into its pre-programmed coffee drinks such that the amount of foam in a latte or cappuccino would differ.

We really like the one-touch milk cleaning system as milk stuck inside the machine can be unhygienic.

There are only a few cons with this machine, so this might seem a bit picky. Some parts such as the tray are made of plastic and may feel a bit cheap.

Another potential issue is that the brew group is fixed, which means you will never be able to clean this machine as well as others that allow the removal of the brew head. This is a pattern with Jura’s machines.

However, they have programmed a handy maintenance and cleaning schedule that will prompt you to take care of your coffee machine.

Some Useful Specs

  • Water tank capacity: 64 oz (1.9 L)
  • Bean hopper capacity: 9.9 oz (280g)
  • Number of pre-programmed drinks: 12
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 11.0 x 13.8 x 17.6 in (28.0 x 35.1 x 44.6 cm)
  • Price ($ to $$$$):  $$$

Jura E8

If you click this link & purchase, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Thanks for your support!

2. Miele CM6350

Runner Up

Fully automatic coffee machine with grinder and milk frother

Miele have outdone themselves, the Miele CM6350 is definitely one of the best super automatic espresso machines in the market. It has a ton of programmable features, and most importantly, delivers very good, hot coffee drinks whether it’s espresso or lattes!

At a Glance...

  • Delicious espresso that comes out piping hot
  • Excellent milk frothing system with good cleaning system
  • Milk temperature is not as hot
  • Removable brew group allows for deep cleaning
  • High programmability and ease of use thanks to its 10 profiles and intuitive UI
  • Very long, to make this espresso machine narrower and shorter. We like this design but it may be too long for some kitchens
  • No water filter

Features

We like its unique long design, it’s longer than most automatic espresso machines. The intent is to trade-off width and height with length, resulting in a narrower, shorter machine. We think it’s a great idea because based on our experience, height tends to be the limiting factor when trying to fit an espresso machine due to cupboards.

This is one of the most programmable machines we have ever come across. You can virtually customize everything, including (but not limited to!) the pre-infusion time, the coffee dose, the drink length, and the milk and water temperature for each pre-programmed drink.

This is made convenient by using the 10 available user profiles. That means you could fine-tune your espresso exactly the way you want it, without having to continuously change the settings because someone else in the household has different preferences.

It of course has a pre-ground by-pass, for those who want decaffeinated coffee in the evening. However, please don’t use pre-ground coffee as this is one of the best super automatic espresso machines and thus it would be a waste of its capabilities.

The User Interface is very intuitive thanks to its large and clear display, although it’s not a touch screen. The buttons are a very good alternative to save cost; I would rather have cost saving with the screen than the actual inner components such as the brew group.

It can brew espresso that is delicious and piping hot,  like at a coffee shop. To do so, Miele has included its AromaticSystem; the brew chamber expands once hot water flows in, to allow a thorough mix of water and coffee. This might be why the brewing process was on the slow side; but a few seconds is a good trade-off for good quality coffee.

The milk frothing system uses a milk carafe, is automatic and quick while delivering great consistency. However, the milk temperature cannot be changed and may not be as hot as some people like it.

One of the best things about the frothing system is how it cleans itself. You connect the tube to the drip tray, and the machine pushes very hot water, thoroughly removing the milk.

The drip tray is is on the large side, which is good given the milk cleaning system.

Another very important feature is that the brew unit can be taken out for deep cleaning. It is located behind the panel on the right side of this coffee maker with grinder. Behind this panel there is also storage for the milk frothing system tube and the grind adjustment dial.

A unique feature of the Miele CM6350 is that it can also brew a pot of coffee for up to 8 cups. This is very practical if you have a large group of people and can’t bother to prepare 8 types of specialty coffee. However, the carafe is not included and must be purchased separately.

There are only a few cons. Depending on your kitchen, the extra long design might be a con; you might have more height than depth in your kitchen counter.

Another issue is that a water filter cannot be installed, potentially meaning more decalcification cycles. You also should make sure the water hardness settings in the machine are set correctly.

Finally, we discussed the hot milk and frothed milk temperatures cannot be changed, and they may not be as hot as some people like it.

Some Useful Specs

  • Water tank capacity: 61 oz (1.8 L)
  • Bean hopper capacity: 10.6 oz (300g)
  • Number of pre-programmed drinks: 8 (counting the coffee jug but not milk or water)
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 10.0 x 14.1 x 10.0 in (25.1 x 35.9 x 42.7 cm)
  • Price ($ to $$$$):  $$$

Miele CM6350

If you click this link & purchase, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Thanks for your support!

3. Breville Oracle Touch

Best for Advanced Users

Fully automatic coffee machine with grinder and milk frother

If you are a coffee snob and want all the bells and whistles, this is the best automatic espresso machine for you. It ain’t cheap, and it's quite large,  but this espresso machine is as close as it gets to having a commercial espresso machine with your own private barista at home.

At a Glance...

  • Great integration of the portafilter system for amazing espresso
  • Built of very high quality materials. Even the few parts made of plastic feel premium
  • The steam wand works great in automatic or manual mode.
  • Highly programmable and customizable
  • Takes longer than most machines to heat up
  • Quite large so may not fit all kitchen spaces

Features

The Breville Oracle has a beautiful stainless steel body with a beautiful touch screen. It is quite bulky, but it is an impressive sight in the kitchen.

One of our favorite features of this machine is the portafilter! Yes, we know, these are supposed to be super automatic espresso machines, but fear not, the tamping is done automatically by the Oracle. And it does it really well. Oracle has addressed the gap between semi-automatic and fully automatic machines with this machine.

This machine has dual stainless steel boilers, which allows you to brew coffee while using the frothing want. The PID ensures precise water temperatures, while the Over Pressure Valve (OPV) prevents overpressure during the extraction process, avoiding bitter flavors in your coffee.

The oracle also pre-infuses the coffee grounds using low pressure at first, and then increases the pressure to extract a delicious espresso.

The Oracle’s portafilter is of commercial grade and made of solid stainless steel. It includes two baskets, for single or double shots. It also has a double spout, which allows you to pour two espresso shots at the same time.

One advantage of using a portafilter is that well, this is how espressos are supposed to be prepared! You will get better results than other automatic espresso machines.

Another advantage of using a portafilter is that coffee grounds don’t actually get inside the brewing components of the machine. So this means less chance of nasty gunk accumulating inside your precious espresso machine. This is likely to increase the durability of your coffee machine. It’s a much cleaner process.

Another highlight of this machine is the automatic steam wand. It comes with a steel pitcher instead of a milk carafe. Thanks to the dual boiler, you can brew coffee and steam milk at the same time.  It can also be used as a manual milk frother, and you can even make latte art if you’re skilled.

You can set the milk temperature and amount of froth, and the machine does its thing. We were skeptical at first; filling the milk pitcher and then leaving the wand unattended seems counterintuitive. But the results were amazing!

Also, once the frothing is done, the wand cleans itself by pushing hot steam through it.

The Breville Oracle Touch comes with 5 pre-programmed specialty coffee drinks, and each can be fully customized, including 45 levels of grind fineness, how strong you want your coffee, and the milk temperature and texture.

You can even customize the pre-infusion time! You can also develop your own coffee drink and save it for future use.

As you can see, this automatic espresso machine is truly a technological marvel. It is not perfect though. It takes quite a bit of time to heat (although you can program it so that it’s ready when you’re ready) and it is quite bulky. It may not fit in some kitchens.

Finally, it is quite pricey, but this is the crème de la crème!

Some Useful Specs

  • Water tank capacity: 84 oz (2.5 L)
  • Bean hopper capacity: 8.0 oz (227g)
  • Number of pre-programmed drinks: 5
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 15.4 x 17.9 x 14.7 in (39.1 x 45.6 x 37.3 cm)
  • Price ($ to $$$$$):  $$$$$

Breville Oracle Touch

If you click this link & purchase, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Thanks for your support!

4. Jura WE8

Best for Small Offices

Fully automatic coffee machine with grinder and milk frother
source: jura.com

Let’s face it, office coffee has a bit of a bad reputation. You know, that large coffee thermos that keeps not-so-fresh coffee warm, and ends up “marinating” for hours? You certainly don’t want to offer that to a Client coming to the office!

Well, you can actually have delicious coffee in the office! If you’re in the position to order a new coffee machine for the office, check the Jura WE8 Professional! You will not be disappointed!

At a Glance...

  • Efficiently and quietly prepares high-quality espresso coffee with its AromaG3 grinder and PEP technologies
  • Large water tank and bean hopper capacities are ideal for the office
  • Includes 12 specialty coffee drinks that are highly programmable
  • The frothing system can only prepare one drink at a time
  • Large and bulky, and has quite a bit of plastic.

Features

The Jura WE8 is a super automatic espresso machine designed specifically for small offices. Jura recommended a maximum daily output of 30 cups, which should be more than sufficient for small offices.

This espresso machine is replete with different technologies to allow you to have delicious specialty coffee in the office, by simply pressing a button using the One-Touch function.

The user can easily select one of the 12 specialty drinks already pre-programmed using the beautiful TFT LCD screen that adorns this espresso machine. Navigation is achieved using the buttons on the sides of the screen.

It prepares coffee drinks extremely quickly, which is needed in the office. For example, it takes about 60 seconds to prepare two cups of coffee, 45 seconds to prepare 2 espresso drinks, or 30 seconds to prepare 2 ristretto espressos.

This is achieved using the AromaG3 built-in grinder, which offers six levels of grind. This is a quick and quiet burr grinder with angled blades. The brewing unit utilizes Jura’s Pulse Extraction Process (PEP) technology, which pushes short bursts of hot water through the coffee grounds, which helps highlight the coffee flavor profile and does so efficiently and quickly.

There are tons of coffee settings available, including 8 adjustable coffee strength levels, 3 different water temperatures, and 2 brewing temperatures. Each pre-programmed drink can also be customized and easily saved for future use.

A handy feature of this espresso machine is that you can lock some settings with a pin to avoid people in the office messing with it too much.

This automatic espresso machine also offers convenient access to the water tank and bean hopper, which are quite large, which again is ideal for the office environment.

The frothing system is more than adequate, but it can only prepare one drink at a time with its single spout. If everyone wants cappuccino at the same time in the office, this could be an issue.

Jura has done a good job in designing convenient integrated cleaning and descaling programs, to make it easy maintaining the office’s fully automatic machine in top shape. This is a plus as hygiene in the office is essential.

This machine has nice modern chrome aesthetics but lots of plastic. But this also means it’s not as heavy as it looks.

It is quite large, so it does not fit everywhere, but in the office, there should be more room than at home.

Some Useful Specs

  • Water tank capacity: 105 oz (3.0 L)
  • Bean hopper capacity: 17.0 oz (500 g)
  • Number of pre-programmed drinks: 12
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 11.6 x 16.4 x 17.5 in (29.5 x 41.8 x 44.4 cm)
  • Price ($ to $$$$):  $$$$ ($2,500+)

Jura WE8

If you click this link & purchase, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Thanks for your support!

5. De’Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica

Best Value

Fully automatic coffee machine with grinder and milk frother

The De’Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica is a very good value super-automatic coffee machine. It's likely the best value De'Longhi espresso machine thanks to its many features, it brews good quality espresso and lattes/cappuccinos, all for a low price. If you want an entry-level espresso machine, this is it!

At a Glance...

  • Simple no-fuss analog user interface that is intuitive
  • Removable brew group for deep cleaning
  • Great price for a fully automatic espresso machine
  • Loud grinder
  • Plastic materials feel a bit cheap
  • Lacks features but to be expected given low cost

Features

De’Longhi has done a great job in selecting only the necessary technology and components to keep the price low while still providing a great coffee experience.

Indeed, this low-cost espresso machine features De’Longhi’s patented Tubeless System (TB), which is a technology that minimizes the amount of leftover coffee dust left in the grinder, which can eventually become stale. This ensures only the freshest coffee is brewed.

The Magnifica also includes De’Longhi’s patented Direct-to-Brew system to almost instantly brew the coffee grounds after grinding, while featuring a 15 bar pump to ensure a high quality espresso.

This espresso machine has a steel burr grinder with 13 grind settings which can be adjusted with a dial underneath the coffee bean chamber cap. However, this grinder tends to be quite loud. So if it’s early in the morning and you want to prepare some coffee, you might wake up all the sleepy heads still snoring.

Another interesting piece of technology is the adjustable manual Cappuccino System. No automatic system is included, but fear not, even a beginner can prepare a great latte or cappuccino using this system.

The steam wand can easily be disassembled for cleaning (milk stuck in there is no good!).

To offer the best possible value, Delonghi has opted to remove fancy screens. The machine is operated by 6 buttons and 3 dials. The user interface is very intuitive; the water quantity and the coffee strength can be controlled with two separate dials while the steam want is operated with another dial.

The 4 buttons on the top left corner of this espresso machine control the power unit, whether you want one or two espresso cups, and activate the water dispenser.

So you only need to press a few buttons and dials to prepare your drink, and the machine “remembers” previous settings so that you don’t have to keep on changing the dials to suit your taste!

Another feature we like is that the water tank comes out from the front of the machine, which is convenient. There is also a by-pass if you opt to use it. But if you feel like an espresso lungo (one of my favorites), don't use this! We always recommend you use freshly ground coffee beans!

The fully removable brew group allows for deep cleaning, which should lengthen the lifespan of your automatic coffee machines (if you actually deep clean it of course!).

Finally, the top of this machine gets quite warm and can be used to warm your coffee cup.

As you can see, the ESAM 3300 Magnifica offers a lot for a low price. What is the catch?

There are some downsides such as a lack of programmability and customization. Other espresso machines feature many pre-programmed drinks, can adjust the milk temperature and foam texture, feature automatic frothing and nice looking touch screens. The Magnifica does not.

Also, there is a lot of plastic which makes it feel a bit cheap. We are left to wonder if internal components are also made of cheaper plastic materials, potentially impacting the lifespan.

Nonetheless, you get what you pay for, and one could argue if it’s worth paying an extra $1,000 to get above lacking features. This machine has been a favorite for many years, and with good reason!

Some Useful Specs

  • Water tank capacity: 60 oz (1.77 L)
  • Bean hopper capacity: 8.8 oz (250g)
  • Number of pre-programmed drinks: none
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 15.3 x 14.4 x 11.0 in (38.9 x 36.7 x 27.9 cm)
  • Price ($ to $$$$):  $ ($700)

De’Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica

If you click this link & purchase, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Thanks for your support!

6. Jura A1

Best for Purists

Fully automatic coffee machine with grinder and milk frother
source: jura.com

As we mentioned earlier, Jura is a great coffee maker, especially because making coffee with it becomes so simple!

The Jura A1 is the perfect espresso machine for you if you don’t care much for milky drinks. That’s because this machine makes coffee shop level black coffee drinks, like a heavenly espresso lungo, but cannot make drinks like espresso macchiato, latte macchiato, cortados, cappuccinos...you get the idea.

At a Glance...

  • Compact, minimalistic and intuitive design
  • Prepares high quality espresso coffee with its AromaG3 grinder and Pulse Extraction Process technologies
  • Lacks some features such as additional coffee strengths, grind levels and water temperature controls
  • Prepares one drink at a time

Features

The Jura A1 replaces the previous JURA ENA Micro 1. With a similar design and aesthetics, the Jura A1 at first glance seems like a very similar machine.

However, the A1 now incorporates Jura’s latest brewing technology to prepare outstanding barista-quality espresso and ristretto drinks. It uses the patented Pulse Extraction Process (PEP) which forces hot water in short bursts through the coffee, allowing full development of the coffee flavors.

This super automatic espresso machine also features the AromaG3 burr grinder which is now twice as fast as the previous iteration. The grind consistency can be adjusted in a continuous 5-point scale by manually turning a switch to the left or the right.

This grinder is relatively quiet, especially given the grinding only lasts a few seconds.

We like its simple minimalist and compact design that can fit on most kitchen counters. It has a very intuitive no-fuss user interface, which makes it easy to prepare espresso coffee with the press of a single button.

This machine offers a powder chute for ground coffee. However, unless you have a guest that hates caffeine, we don’t see why you would use this option.

For more advanced users, this simple design has its drawbacks. It only features two coffee strength options, normal and strong, represented by one and three beans, respectively. In terms of drink types, it can only prepare three types of coffee, namely ristretto, espresso and regular coffee.

However, the amount of water used for each option can easily be saved for future use. In addition, water temperature cannot be controlled.

Another drawback is that this automatic espresso machine does not have a frothing system. This can be seen as an advantage, however, if you only like black coffees, since you would not be paying for the cost of such a system.

In terms of maintenance, the brew group is fixed, so it may not be possible to clean it as well as other espresso machines. However, this automatic espresso machine includes three maintenance programs for cleaning, descaling and changing the filter.

Some Useful Specs

  • Water tank capacity: 37 oz (1.1 L)
  • Bean hopper capacity: 4.4 oz (125g)
  • Number of pre-programmed drinks: 3
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 9.0 x 12.7 x 17.5 in (23.0 x 32.3 x 44.5 cm)
  • Price ($ to $$$$):  $$ ($800)

Jura A1

If you click this link & purchase, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Thanks for your support!

7. Jura ENA 8

Best for Compact Spaces

Fully automatic coffee machine with grinder and milk frother

This is a compact fully automatic espresso machine that incorporates the latest patented techs from Jura to ensure excellent quality coffee drinks. It is ideal for small kitchens with limited counter space.

At a Glance...

  • Compact, should fit most kitchens
  • Pulls great espresso thanks to the AromaG3 grinder and PEP technology
  • High programmability and ease of use thanks to intuitive user interface
  • Small water tank and bean hopper
  • Small drip tray with many pieces, meaning you have to wash many pieces
  • Pricey. Other better models like the Jura E8 can be bought for a similar price

Features

This is a very compact machine, which is its strength. Jura somehow managed to fit their latest technology into a small frame, which means you are not sacrificing coffee quality oversize.

We like the modern and slick design, with a beautiful crystal-looking water tank. It’s made of plastic but this design gives it the illusion of being made out of glass. It also features an orange light that lights up when preparing your drink - it’s a nice touch that makes the machine look even more attractive.

It includes Jura’s AromaG3 grinder, which is quick and quiet. This machine also makes use of Jura’s patented Pulse Extraction Process (PEP) technology. This system basically sends short bursts of pressured hot water which makes the extraction process quicker and helps highlight the bean coffee flavor profiles.

The hot water spout is placed at a convenient location, which means you won’t have to move your coffee cup when preparing an Americano.

Like most other super automatic machines, a pre-ground coffee bypass is included covered with a chrome flap on top. However, to make the best out of your machine you should be using whole bean coffee. That is unless you need coffee that is decaffeinated because it’s 10 PM.

One of the strengths of this machine, besides its compact size, is its customizability.

Programming and customizing drinks can be done so easily thanks to the full-color LCD screen and just 4 buttons on the sides of the screen.

The controls are intuitive. For each of the 10 pre-programmed drinks, the volume, strength, temperature, and milk foam amount can be customized by simply holding the circle button. Once all is set, the machine will remember these settings for the next time.

Another example of customization is when pouring a drink, you can cancel at any time. This will prompt the save option for future use.

The milk frother is adequate; however, only one type of milk foam is available. It has a frothy airy texture that may not be suitable for all drinks.

One of the issues of this machine is the small coffee bean hopper and water tank. This is one of the tradeoffs for compactness. Unless you live in a small household you may have to fill the coffee bean hopper and water tanks more often than other super automatic espresso machines.

So the Jura ENA 8 is best for a small household with small kitchen counters.

The drip tray has too many parts in our opinion which means more cleaning. For example, it has a cap to avoid spilling, but the cap needs washing too.

Jura has also incorporated a good cleaning and maintenance program. For example, if you use the milk frothing system, an icon will light up on the screen to remind you to activate the cleaning mode. The machine also prompts you when descaling is needed.

This super automatic machine is also quite pricey, not too far away from models like the Jura E8 or the Miele CM6350, which are higher end. You are paying for compactness, so if you have plenty of counter space, perhaps it’s best to get the Jura E8 or Miele CM6350.

Some Useful Specs

  • Water tank capacity: 37 oz (1.1 L)
  • Bean hopper capacity: 4.4 oz (125g)
  • Number of pre-programmed drinks: 10
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 10.7 x 12.7 x 17.5 in (27.1 x 32.3 x 44.5 cm)
  • Price ($ to $$$$):  $$$ ($2,000+)

What should I look for in a super automatic espresso machine?

The best super automatic espresso machine does not necessarily mean the most expensive one or the one with the most features. The best machine will depend on YOUR needs and where you’re going to use it.

So before you click that purchase button, make sure you consider the following points!

What is your favorite coffee drink?

There is no point in purchasing an automatic espresso machine with a fancy milk frothing system if you only care about pure dark espresso! Not only will it add additional cost to your desired machine, but this will also add an additional point of failure!

So before you make a purchase, think of the drink YOU drink daily. If you mostly drink espresso and Americanos, but very occasionally have a latte, it might make sense to skip on machines with milk frothing systems to save money, and instead go to your local coffee shop for the occasional latte.

Size Matters With Your Super Automatic Espresso Machine

If you live in a small condo and kitchen counter space is premium, that could rule out many machine models. So make sure you measure how much space you have, and also check the vertical clearance between your kitchen counters and kitchen cabinet doors! It would be very disappointing to finally receive your espresso machine and then find out it does not fit! You’d then have to return it, and you may have to pay restocking fees!

Also, in general, a smaller machine means a smaller price.

How Many People Will Be Using The Automatic Espresso Machine?

If you live alone, then this is not much of a concern.

But if you have a large family of coffee drinkers, get a machine with a large water tank and bean hopper! Having to constantly re-fill the water tank and bean hopper because you bought a machine suited for a single user can become bothersome really quickly.

Are You Purchasing an Automatic Espresso Machine for Home or the Office?

Home automatic espresso machines are designed to be used relatively lightly. So if you’re purchasing for the office, don’t get a home espresso machine or it will break very quickly. You need to get a machine designed specifically for the office.

These machines tend to be more expensive given their higher expected duty cycle. They also tend to have larger water tanks and two bean hoppers. The user interface is usually ‘foolproof’ and you can lock some settings (so that people in the office don’t mess with it!)

Cleaning and Maintenance

Does it take 5 minutes or 15 minutes per day to clean and maintain your machine? This is important because if it takes too long, most likely you won’t do it. And this could mean your super automatic espresso machine becomes a living colony. Yuck.

This also deteriorates your coffee drink quality and will eventually shorten the lifespan of your machine.

Ideally, daily maintenance should include:

  • Removing the brew head, rinsing it, and letting it when not in use.
  • Running some water through the milk system.
  • Empty the drip tray and puck tray as needed

If your machine is well designed, doing the above tasks shouldn’t take long - just a few minutes.

It really helps if the brew head is removable. Some brands like Jura don’t allow you to remove it. They are very confident about their cleaning cycles…but we find it hard to believe it matches a good old-fashioned manual cleaning.

Also check if the espresso machine has cleaning and maintenance prompts and programs. I’m a forgetful person and would very quickly forget when was the last time I changed the water filter or ran the descaling cycle…

Do You Really Need All The Bells and Whistles?

Remember, you are paying for all the features you get. If you’re an advanced user who wants to play with all kinds of grind settings, water and milk temperatures, milk textures, pre-infusion times, dosage, and so on, then it would make sense to get an advanced automatic espresso machine.

But if you don’t really care about this jargon, and you just want to press a button and have great espresso-based drinks, then get a simple machine! You will save on costs.

Does It Fit Your Budget?

Automatic espresso machines are expensive, there is no way around it. However, knowing what you need and don’t need can help you shave off a few dollars.

Here are some components and features that drive the price up.

  • A fancy color touch screen - most likely, your coffee drink quality won’t suffer without it.
  • Size - do you really need a machine that large?
  • A milk frother system - if you don’t like milky drinks then save yourself some money and don’t pay for this unnecessary system!
  • Programmability - will you be drinking the same drink every day, or do you have a large household with each member of your family having their preferred drink?

  • Detailed Review - BODUM Bistro Burr GRINDER could be the best!

    May 2021

  • 8 Best Starbucks Iced Coffee To Try in 2022

    November 2021

  • Ultimate Guide to the Dreaded Keurig Descale Light

    July 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

What are super automatic espresso machines?

A super automatic espresso machine is one that grinds, extracts the coffee, froths the milk, and then cleans itself, by simply activating the drink of your choice by pressing a few buttons. As opposed to a manual espresso machine, you don’t need much skill to operate these.

There are some variations within this category. For example, some will require you to move your cup to the water dispenser or milk frother, while others such as the Oracle Touch, use a portafilter, are a hybrid between semi-automatic and fully automatic espresso machines.

What type of coffee should I be using with my machine?

Please use coffee beans and ignore the by-pass for pre-ground coffee. Use medium to dark roasted coffee beans for espresso-based drinks. Some machines reviewed above brew coffee, so you can use lighter roasts as well.

Be careful when using oily beans, check the manufacturer instructions as it could clog your machine. You need to be especially careful if you have a Jura as you cannot remove the brew group for cleaning. Others, like the Oracle Touch, have a portafilter which is a much cleaner system as coffee and water don’t mix inside your machine.

What should I look for in a super automatic espresso machine?

This depends on your personal circumstances. Do you live in a small apartment with a small kitchen and need to save precious counter space? Or are you a coffee snob like me, and want to get all the bells and whistles? Or do you drink your coffee black? Or maybe your favorite drink is a latte macchiato.

Fully automatic coffee machine with grinder and milk frother

Bottom Line

We hope this guide has proven useful in your quest. As you can see, there are no best automatic espresso machines as this depends on your needs.

Let us know if you are looking at a fully automatic espresso machine that's not in this guide, which you would like us to review!

What is the best automatic coffee machine to buy?

Best Super Automatic Espresso Machines of 2022.
Jura A1 – Best for Black Coffee Drinkers..
Jura ENA 8 – Best Compact Machine..
Jura Giga W3 – best for offices..
Jura E8 – Best overall..
Jura D6 – best under $1000..
De'Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica – Best Value..
Gaggia Brera – Bargain Pick..
Breville Oracle Touch – Best for Coffee Geeks..

What super automatic espresso machine should I buy?

If you're looking for the right automatic espresso machine with the highest quality and best features, you'll want to purchase either the Jura Z10 or Miele CM 7750.

What is a super automatic coffee maker?

Super-automatic espresso machines are fully automatic coffee and espresso makers with built-in coffee grinders that make coffee drinks with the push of a button. Coffee is ground fresh, tamped perfectly, brewed, and dispensed in seconds.

Is a Jura worth it?

Jura automatic espresso machines come with a high price tag, but their quality, ease of use, and longevity are worth the money for consumers prepared to pay for a luxury coffee machine.