How to choose between an automatic and a manual espresso machine?

Are you looking to equip yourself with a new espresso machine but don’t know which one to choose? Are you curious about exploring new taste experiences?

All of this is possible, regardless of your level of experience or knowledge. What matters most is identifying the right questions to ask—and they may not be the ones you think of first… That’s what we invite you to consider in order to choose the type of machine that best suits you.

THE QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

1. How much time do you want to dedicate to preparing your espresso?
This is certainly THE most important question. The answer should already help you determine whether or not you should opt for a manual machine. If you know your time is limited or you’re rarely at home, then this type of machine may come with constraints. In that case, we would recommend going for a super-automatic machine, which has the advantage of being quick, autonomous, and consistent.

2. Have you ever used a manual machine before?
A manual machine isn’t something you master in the blink of an eye. Getting familiar with this kind of equipment requires time, patience, and trial and error. However, choosing this type of machine means you are looking for a new experience—one that fulfills different needs than an automatic machine.

If you’ve already practiced on a manual machine, you may want to reproduce that experience. But you may also be looking to overcome potential issues or limitations of your previous equipment. That’s why we suggest making a list of these pain points, as well as your desires and expectations. Which brings us to the next question…

3. What do you expect from your machine?
Here, ask yourself what motivated you to shop for a new machine. Of course, there are no right or wrong answers. It could be that you’re looking for a specific aesthetic, a compact size, or even a very precise feature. Make a list of your requirements and try to prioritize them so you can identify potential compromises. Then, it’s useful to determine the types of drinks you want to prepare and how often. To do this, consider the number of users and their preferences.

4. What type of coffee do you enjoy?
Beyond the drinks you prepare, the type of coffee beans you usually use is an important factor in choosing your equipment.
If you select high-quality coffees that grow at high altitudes and are lightly to medium roasted, the beans will be fibrous, very dense, even hard. Grinding and brewing this type of coffee requires precise, powerful, and consistent equipment.

For an automatic machine, make sure you choose a model equipped with high-quality burrs that can grind finely and extract properly, even with the hardest beans.
For manual equipment, since the importance of the grinder cannot be overstated, it may actually make sense to invest proportionally more in it than in the machine itself. Both should work in harmony, each serving the other, to get the best out of your beans. We also recommend choosing a machine with a strong, ideally adjustable heating element.

5. What result in the cup are you looking for?
When it comes to choosing your machine, it’s important to know yourself. Think about what you enjoy when preparing and drinking your coffee. It’s not so much about the beverage itself, but rather the way you consume it:

• Are you curious and do you enjoy being surprised? Or do you prefer consistency and repeatability?

• Would you like to play with brewing parameters (temperature, pressure, etc.)? Or do you prefer a stable routine for a cup that always tastes the way you like?