For coffee lovers seeking the ultimate convenience and quality, an espresso machine with a built-in grinder is a game-changer. This all-in-one solution eliminates the need for separate appliances, saving valuable counter space and streamlining your morning routine. The key to a perfect shot of espresso starts with freshly ground beans, and having a grinder integrated directly into the machine ensures maximum flavor and aroma in every cup.
From super-automatic models that craft a latte at the touch of a button to semi-automatic machines that offer more hands-on control, there is a wide range of options available. This roundup highlights ten of the best machines that combine grinding and brewing into a single, sophisticated unit. Whether you are a seasoned barista or new to home espresso, you can find a model that fits your skill level and helps you create café-quality beverages with ease.
Our Recommended Espresso Machines With Grinders
- De’Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super Automatic
- Calphalon Espresso Machine with Coffee Grinder
- Philips Saeco Xelsis Super Automatic Espresso Machine
- Gevi Espresso Machines with Grinder
- Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine
- De’Longhi Eletta Explore Espresso Machine with Cold Brew
- Gaggia Magenta Prestige Super-Automatic Espresso Machine
- Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine
- De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Automatic Espresso & Coffee Machine
- Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
De’Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super Automatic
The De’Longhi Magnifica is a reliable super-automatic machine designed for daily use. Its professional burr grinder features 13 adjustable settings, ensuring you can achieve the perfect grind for your beans to guarantee maximum freshness with every cup. For added flexibility, a second chamber allows you to use pre-ground coffee if you prefer.
You have full control over your milk-based drinks with the manual frother, which expertly mixes steam and milk to create a rich, creamy froth. This allows you to customize the texture for everything from a flat white to a cappuccino. It is a straightforward machine that focuses on delivering a consistent and fresh espresso experience.
Calphalon Espresso Machine with Coffee Grinder
This Calphalon machine combines a powerful 15-bar Italian pump with a highly versatile integrated grinder. The conical burr mill offers an impressive 30 adjustable grind settings, giving you precise control over the coarseness of your coffee grounds. This level of adjustment is key for extracting the maximum flavor and producing a beautiful layer of crema.
As a semi-automatic machine, it provides a more hands-on approach to crafting your espresso. It comes with essential accessories including a tamper and a milk frothing pitcher, giving you the tools needed to practice your barista skills. The steam wand allows for manual texturing of milk, making it a great choice for those who enjoy the process of making coffee.
Philips Saeco Xelsis Super Automatic Espresso Machine
The Philips Saeco Xelsis represents the peak of super-automatic convenience and customization. Its intuitive touchscreen interface lets you select from 15 different coffee varieties, from a simple espresso to a flat white. The unique Coffee Equalizer feature allows you to easily adjust the strength, volume, and aroma of your drink with a simple swipe.
This machine is ideal for households with multiple coffee drinkers. It can store personalized preferences in up to six different user profiles, ensuring that each person’s favorite drink is just one touch away. From the grind setting to the milk texture, every detail can be saved for instant, perfect preparation every time.
Gevi Espresso Machines with Grinder
The Gevi espresso machine is an automatic model that features a 20-bar dual boiler system. This design allows for simultaneous brewing and milk frothing, significantly speeding up the process of making milk-based drinks. The built-in grinder works in tandem with the pump to deliver a complete beans-to-cup experience.
Equipped with a professional steam wand, this machine gives you the ability to texture milk for cappuccinos and lattes. A removable water tank makes filling and cleaning more convenient. It is a solid, feature-rich option for someone looking for an efficient and capable all-in-one espresso machine without a super-automatic price tag.
Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine
Breville’s Barista Express Impress is designed to simplify the most challenging parts of manual espresso making. Its innovative Impress puck system includes a smart dosing mechanism that automatically calculates and adjusts the amount of coffee for a perfect dose. This takes the guesswork out of grinding and tamping.
The machine guides you through the process, auto-correcting the next dose based on your previous extraction. It combines the control of a semi-automatic machine with intelligent assistance, making it easier to achieve consistent, high-quality results. It’s an excellent choice for enthusiasts who want to be involved in the process but appreciate a helping hand.
De’Longhi Eletta Explore Espresso Machine with Cold Brew
The De’Longhi Eletta Explore is a versatile powerhouse, offering over 50 one-touch recipes for both hot and cold beverages. From classic lattes to iced cappuccinos and cold brew coffee, this machine can do it all. Its built-in grinder with 13 settings ensures optimal extraction for every type of drink.
A standout feature is the dual LatteCrema system, which includes separate technologies for creating hot milk froth and velvety cold foam. This allows you to create a wide spectrum of beverages with perfect texture and temperature. With smartphone compatibility and user profiles, it offers a high level of modern convenience and customization.
Gaggia Magenta Prestige Super-Automatic Espresso Machine
The Gaggia Magenta Prestige boasts a sleek, modern design with a full-color display that makes navigation simple and intuitive. It offers 12 customizable drink selections, allowing you to fine-tune your favorite coffees to your exact liking. The icon-based interface is user-friendly and visually appealing.
This machine features “On the Fly Programming,” which means you can adjust the settings of any drink while it is being prepared and then save those changes for the future. This flexibility makes it easy to experiment and perfect your recipes without navigating through complicated menus.
Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine
The Breville Barista Pro is built for speed and precision, going from beans to espresso in under a minute. Its integrated precision conical burr grinder features dose control, delivering the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter with a single touch for maximum flavor.
Breville’s low-pressure pre-infusion function gradually increases water pressure at the start of the extraction. This process helps to gently expand the coffee grounds, ensuring an even extraction for a balanced and flavorful cup. It’s a professional-grade machine for those who value speed without sacrificing quality.
De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Automatic Espresso & Coffee Machine
The De’Longhi Magnifica Evo provides a balanced set of features for effortless daily brewing. It offers seven one-touch recipes, including options for espresso, cappuccino, and even iced coffee. The conical burr grinder has 13 settings to prepare your beans for optimal extraction.
This model includes the LatteCrema System, an automatic milk frother that textures both milk and milk alternatives. The milk container can be stored in the refrigerator between uses to maintain freshness. With an auto-clean function, maintenance is simplified, making it a very practical and user-friendly machine.
Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
The Philips 3200 Series is a popular model known for delivering consistent quality and value. As a fully automatic machine, it grinds, tamps, and brews at the touch of a button, producing espresso with a rich crema. It is designed for simplicity and reliability, making it a great entry point into the world of super-automatic espresso.
It typically includes an integrated ceramic burr grinder with multiple settings and an automatic milk frother for preparing cappuccinos and lattes. Its intuitive interface and compact footprint make it a sensible choice for kitchens of all sizes, providing daily convenience without a complex setup.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in an Espresso Machine With a Built-In Grinder
When I started looking for my first all-in-one espresso machine, I was overwhelmed by the options. It’s a significant investment, and you want to get it right. The main appeal is the convenience—having a grinder and machine in one unit saves counter space and simplifies your morning routine. But not all machines are created equal. Here’s what I learned to focus on during my search.
First, consider the grinder itself. This is the heart of the machine. Look for a burr grinder, not a blade grinder. Burr grinders crush the beans consistently, which is non-negotiable for good espresso. Blade grinders chop beans unevenly, leading to a bitter or sour shot. Check for the number of grind settings; more settings give you finer control over the extraction to match your coffee beans. Also, think about where the grinder is located. Some machines have the grinder directly above the brew head, which minimizes ground coffee retention, meaning you get fresher grounds for each shot.
Next, look at the machine type. You’ll find three main categories: manual, semi-automatic, and super-automatic. A semi-automatic gives you the most control. You start and stop the water flow, allowing you to manually time your shot for a perfect pull. A super-automatic does everything for you at the push of a button—it grinds, tamps, and brews. It’s the ultimate in convenience but offers less hands-on involvement. Your choice depends on whether you see yourself as a home barista or someone who just wants a great coffee with zero fuss.
Pay close attention to the boiler system. Machines with a single boiler can only do one thing at a time—brew espresso or steam milk. You have to wait for the boiler to heat up or cool down between functions, which slows down the process. A heat exchange (HX) boiler or a dual boiler system lets you brew and steam milk simultaneously. This is a game-changer if you regularly make milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. For a single daily latte, a single boiler might suffice, but for entertaining, a dual boiler or HX is worth the investment.
Finally, don’t forget about the smaller details. A built-in water filter can improve taste and reduce scale buildup. Check the water tank size—a larger tank means fewer refills. Look at the drip tray; is it easy to remove and clean? Programmable shot volumes are a nice quality-of-life feature for consistency. And of course, consider the machine’s footprint and how it will fit in your kitchen. Finding the right combination of these features will lead you to one of the best espresso machines with built-in grinders for your specific needs and budget.
FAQ
Are espresso machines with built-in grinders worth it?
In my opinion, yes, if convenience and a streamlined workflow are important to you. The main benefit is having an all-in-one unit that saves counter space. You don’t have to buy a separate grinder, which can be a significant additional cost and take up more room. The integrated design also means less mess, as the grounds go directly from the grinder into the portafilter. The key is to choose a model with a quality burr grinder, as a poor grinder will be the weak link in your espresso-making process.
What is the main disadvantage of a built-in grinder?
The biggest drawback is a lack of flexibility. If you decide you want to upgrade your grinder for better performance, you’re stuck with the one built into your machine. You can’t sell it separately or change it out. Additionally, if the grinder breaks, the entire machine might need servicing, which can be more complicated and expensive than fixing a standalone unit. Some built-in grinders also struggle with very oily or dark roast beans, which can lead to clumping.
Can I use pre-ground coffee in a machine with a built-in grinder?
Most of these machines do offer a bypass doser or a pre-ground coffee function. This is a handy feature if you have a specific decaf blend you like or if your grinder breaks. However, I strongly recommend using the built-in grinder with whole beans for the freshest taste. Pre-ground coffee goes stale very quickly, and you’ll miss out on the rich crema and full flavor that freshly ground beans provide. Using the built-in grinder is the whole point of getting one of these machines.
How important is a dual boiler in an espresso machine with a built-in grinder?
A dual boiler is extremely important if you are someone who makes multiple milk-based drinks in a row, like for family or guests. It allows you to brew espresso and steam milk at the same time without a drop in temperature or pressure. This means faster drink preparation and perfect temperature control for both processes. For a single user who has one milk drink a day, a single boiler or a heat exchange system might be perfectly adequate and more budget-friendly. It really depends on your drinking habits and how much you value speed.
What is the average lifespan of these combined machines?
With proper care and regular cleaning, a good quality machine should last you between 5 to 10 years. The lifespan heavily depends on the water quality in your home and your maintenance routine. Using filtered water and descaling according to the manufacturer’s instructions is crucial to prevent mineral buildup that can damage internal components. Cleaning the grinder regularly to avoid oil buildup from old coffee grounds is also essential for longevity. Investing in one of the best espresso machines with built-in grinders from a reputable brand often means better build quality and longer-lasting parts.