Best Espresso Machine With Grinder Built In

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coffee beans in a grinder

In a rush? Our top pick for the best espresso machine with grinder is Breville BES870XL Barista Express.

Every coffee enthusiast knows that nothing beats freshly ground coffee.

And of course, nothing beats having a machine that both grinds and brews.

Now, there are a billion models on the market that do both, so choosing the best one seems like an impossible task.

But after hours of research, I’ve got to the bottom of it. 

In this article, I’ll show you what the best espresso machine with grinder is, as well as what other models come pretty close to.

Let’s jump straight in!

Best Espresso Machine With Grinder – Our Top 7 Picks

1. Breville BES870XL Barista Express

The Breville Barista Express espresso machine is a mid-range espresso coffee maker that has some features usually found in more high-end products.

One such feature is the low-pressure pre-infusion. This means the machine soaks the grounds before applying the high pressure required for brewing espresso. What this does is it ensures your grounds get evenly extracted.

Another premium feature this model has is the purge function. Steaming milk requires a higher temperature than brewing coffee. This feature cools the water down after steaming so that you can make another cup of coffee right away. 

The Barista Express is one of those machines that you don’t need a manual for. The control panel is simple and intuitive. With a single dial and four buttons, there’s really no way you can mess up making coffee. 

This machine is pretty simple to clean as well. The dry puck feature makes the grounds clump up so that you can dispose of them easily. There’s also an auto-cleaning program, and the machine lets you know when you need to run it.

Pros

  • With 18 grind settings to choose from, you can make any type of grind you need 
  • Auto-purge feature adjusts the water temperature depending on whether you want to brew coffee or steam milk
  • Pre-infusion feature soaks your grounds to ensure they get evenly extracted
  • It features a hot water outlet for making Americano or preheating cups

Cons

  • The water tank is difficult to access from the front
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2. DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica

The Magnifica is one of those models you really get your money’s worth with. It offers a bit of everything – fair price, customizability, and simplicity. 

Starting with the grinder, you have 13 grind options to choose from. This means you can use this machine to grind the beans for your other coffee-making methods. And if you just want to use your pre-ground coffee instead, there’s a second ground chamber for that.

As for the brewing process, you can set up everything from coffee strength and temperature to cup size. What’s more, the machine remembers your preference so that making your favorite cup of coffee becomes even quicker in the future.

While this coffee maker does most of the job, it still lets you practice your barista skills. A manual steam wand allows you to play around with your foam and even make latte art.

It’s also worth noting that this espresso maker is very easy to clean. The water tank is front-accessible, so you don’t have to move the machine to take it out. And since all removable parts are dishwasher-safe, you don’t have to do any manual cleaning.

Pros

  • The machine allows you to program your coffee preference so that you can make your favorite drink with a single button press
  • A grinder-bypass allows you to make a cup of pre-ground coffee when you want
  • Features a warming tray that keeps your cups warm before use
  • With 13 grind options, you can grind coffee from fine to coarse

Cons

  • A non-adjustable spout means you can’t pour coffee directly into a travel mug
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3. Gaggia 1003380 Accademia

While the Accademia is a bit expensive compared to most models on this list, it’s definitely well-invested money. It has a few bells and whistles you don’t see that often, so it gives a bit of a unique brewing experience.

My favorite feature has got to be the telescopic coffee dispenser. It allows you to pour coffee directly into any cup that’s up to 6 inches tall. If you drink your daily coffee-to-go, this machine lets you use your travel mug or thermos. 

The Accademia is a dual boiler machine. What this means is you don’t have to wait for the water to warm up between brewing and steaming. In other words, you can make more coffee in less time.

When it comes to operation, it doesn’t get any simpler than this. There are six buttons with the names of coffee drinks, as well as appropriate drawings. Just click on the one you want to make, then choose your settings from temperature to brew strength. 

Instead of a steam wand, this model features an integrated milk carafe, which makes frothing a piece of cake. There are 4 frothing options, from hot milk to velvety foam, so you can really play around with your drink.

Pros

  • This coffee maker gives you tons of customizable drink options, from temperature to the type of milk froth
  • The height-adjustable coffee dispenser allows you to pour coffee directly into a cup tall up to 6 inches 
  • The ceramic grinder is relatively silent and doesn’t warm up during operation, so it can’t burn your grounds

Cons

  • It’s pretty tall, so it might not fit under some cabinets
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4. Gaggia Brera

When it comes to footprint size, you probably can’t find a more compact coffee machine than the Brera. With the dimensions of 12 x 10 x 17 inches, it’s perfect for small kitchens and RVs. 

The Brera is one of the more affordable espresso makers out there, but that doesn’t mean its features are basic. One of my favorites is the ceramic burr grinder. Compared to metal, ceramic stays sharp for longer and is way more durable. 

Of course, you don’t always have to grind your beans. A bypass doser lets you use pre-ground coffee whenever you feel like switching up a bit.

This machine has a cool algorithm that adjusts grinding time-based on your coffee settings. Basically, it learns how you like your coffee so that it can recreate it. 

A Panarello wand allows you to make frothing for your favorite milk-based coffee drinks. Or, if you’re making an Americano or tea, you can use it as a hot water dispenser instead. 

Pros

  • The brew group can be easily removed from the machine, which makes everyday cleaning easy
  • The steam wand can also be used as a hot water dispenser, depending on the coffee drink you’re making
  • This is one of the more affordable espresso makers with grinders out there
  • The compact design makes this machine suitable for small spaces

Cons

  • No auto-cleaning program means you have to perform manual maintenance regularly
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5. Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso Machine

Calphalon Temp IQ is an entry-level machine, easy to use and forgivable. By forgivable, I mean that even if you don’t have experience with espresso machines, you will get a decent shot.

You have a One Touch Espresso option for making a single or double shot. The machine will automatically pull the shot, meaning it will pour the exact amount of water needed for the shot and stop after it’s done. So there is no guesswork when it comes to brewing time.

This machine features a conical burr grinder (meaning – a consistent grind) with 30 adjustable settings. While this might seem like too many, it means you can play with your grind size and find what works best for you.

That said, the grinder on this machine is pretty messy. You will need to clean up the grounds that spill around after every grinding. I find that really annoying.

Pros

  • The 15-bar pump is great at extracting an espresso shot with thick crema
  • Thermoblock heating technology and PID temperature control deliver even heat every time you brew, so you get a consistent shot
  • Pre-programmed single and double espresso shot option means there is no guesswork when it comes to shot volume
  • The cup-warming tray will pre-heat your cups so you can have your cup of coffee warmer for a longer time

Cons

  • The grinder is messy, so you will need to clean around the machine each time
  • You will have some trial and error before you master the manual steam wand
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6. DeLonghi La Specialista

Whether you’re a beginner or a barista pro, this is a coffee machine that both kinds of people would be happy with. The control panel is so easy to operate, that I bet you won’t even open the manual. On the left, you can choose the dose. On the right, you can pick your desired coffee drink.

Of course, there are many more options available, if you want to customize your drink. From grind size to brewing temperature, you can find the combination that works best for you. And when you do, you can save up to three favorite drinks.

For frothing, this machine uses a Panarello-style wand with two foam options. Whether your drinks ask for rich froth or microfoam, you just need to press a button to choose and the machine will do it for you.

La Specialista is the Speedy Gonzales amongst espresso makers. With a 1-second quick-start, you can brew your coffee right away. The same goes for steaming your milk. The heating system is up and ready as soon as you turn it on.

Pros

  • With a 1-second quick-start system, the machine is heated up and ready to brew as soon as you turn it on
  • Two milk foam options allow you to practice your steaming and latte art skills
  • The smart tamping station assures even tamping every time, which is great for beginners
  • With a large water tank of 67 ounces, you don’t have to refill that often

Cons

  • It’s quite a bulky machine, so it’s not ideal for small spaces
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7. Jura E8

The E8 is one of the best coffee machines when it comes to programmability. You don’t just customize your coffee – you design it.

There are 12 especially beverages to choose from, such as latte macchiato and ristretto. After you choose your drink, you can further adjust practically anything, from coffee strength to the amount of milk. 

If you end up liking your personally crafted beverage, you can save your preference. That way, you can make the same drink without having to memorize the settings.

With E8, maintenance is a piece of cake. The cleaning indicator lets you know when it’s time for buildup removal. You just need to add the cleaning tablet and run the cleaning cycle. The same method works for cleaning milk hose. 

The machine also auto-rinses every time you turn it off. This assures no residue stays in the machine, and you get fresh coffee every time. You just need to make sure there’s always water inside. You can easily remove the side-mounted water tank to refill it under the sink.

Pros

  • 12 premade beverages and multiple customizable options allow you to tailor your drink
  • Autocleaning and daily rinse features allow you to easily  keep up with regular maintenance
  • The intuitive control panel makes brewing coffee easy for beginners
  • The double spout allows you to make two cups at once

Cons

  • Quite expensive compared to most models on the list
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What To Look For In Espresso Machine With A Grinder – A Buyer’s Guide

So you’ve opened up a million tabs of products and are still not sure what to choose? No worries. Most models share a lot of similar features. But it’s the small things that set them apart.

In this section, I’ll show you what features you should look for in an espresso machine.

Size

Most espresso machines with an integrated grinder have a rather large footprint. If space is not the issue, then having a bigger model can have some benefits, like less refilling. Likewise, smaller machines usually have fewer features.

Ease Of Use

Who wants to spend time reading the manual instead of enjoying a good cup of coffee? 

The best machines have very intuitive, simple-to-use control panels. Some use knobs and buttons while others have touch screens, but both kinds can be equally simple to navigate for beginners.

Semi automatic espresso machines are generally more difficult to use than fully automatic ones because there’s a bit of a learning curve. Usually, you are the one to be pulling the shot and steaming milk. And doing that perfectly requires a bit of practice.

Customizability

When it comes to customizability, a rule of thumb is – you get what you pay for. In most cases, more expensive machines will let you adjust everything from brew strength to type of foam. 

Too many settings can be overwhelming to beginners. But, pro baristas will surely enjoy playing around trying to make the perfect cup of coffee.

Many high-end machines also let you save a couple of your own creations so that you can replicate the same drink again in the future. 

I’m sure we’re all familiar with this situation – you’ve made a perfect cup of coffee, but you can’t remember how! Well, that can’t happen with this feature.

Related reading: 7 Best DeLonghi Machines

Cleaning

Aside from Monica from Friends, who enjoys cleaning? 

Ideally, a good espresso machine should be easy maintenance. When it comes to the exterior, steel is much easier to clean than aluminum or plastic.

Espresso machines need regular maintenance. But let’s be honest, sometimes that’s so easy to forget. Luckily, many machines have an indicator that lets you know it’s time to clean the machine.

Autocleaning cycles are definitely a time saver. They’re pretty much a staple on mid and upper-range machines, while they’re not as commonly seen on low-budget models.

To Sum Things Up

There are many great espresso machines with built-in grinders out there, but not many come close to Breville BES870XL Barista Express.

This best-selling machine is affordable, easy to use, and offers lots of customizable options. 

It’s also easy to clean, which is nothing less important feature.

This means you can spend less time on maintenance and more on practicing your barista skills.

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Viktoria Marks
Viktoria is a writer and a journalist who can't imagine sitting by her computer without a large cup of java in her hand. She loves sampling coffee from all over the world as much as writing about it.