10 Best Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines With ESE Pods

Updated:
17. July 2024

Want to find the best semi-automatic espresso machine with ESE pods? We have compared 10 models that use ESE pods and ranked them all from best to worst according to user reviews.

Top 10 best semi-automatic espresso machines with ESE pods

Based on: 120,822 user reviews

Rank Image Semi-automatic espresso machine Score Verdict Price

You can find all the semi-automatic espresso machines here.

About ESE pods

ESE (Easy Serving Espresso) pods are small, pre-packaged coffee servings for specialized espresso machines. The pods are usually made of aluminum and contain a measured amount of ground coffee.

How to use an ESE pod

To make coffee with an ESE pod, you simply insert it into the espresso maker. The machine then uses a combination of heat and pressure to extract the flavour from the grounds and brew a fresh espresso shot. ESE pods are a convenient way to make espresso at home or at the office, and they are becoming increasingly popular among coffee lovers.

Advantages of ESE pods

  • ESE pods are fast and easy to use, making them a great choice for people who want to make a delicious espresso without the hassle of grinding and measuring coffee beans.
  • ESE pods are widely available and come in a variety of roasts and flavours, so you have plenty of options to choose from.
  • Because the coffee in ESE pods is pre-ground and pre-measured, it is consistent in terms of strength and flavour, so you can recreate your favourite espresso every time.
  • Because ESE pods are disposable, there is no need to clean the espresso machine. Once the flavour has been extracted from the pods, they are stored in a compartment in the machine. All you have to do is open the compartment and remove them.

Disadvantages of ESE pods

  • ESE pods can be more expensive than traditional ground coffee, especially if you drink a lot of espresso.
  • Because ESE pods contain pre-ground coffee, they may not be as fresh as coffee that you grind yourself before brewing. This can affect the flavour and overall quality of your espresso.
  • Not all espresso machines are compatible with ESE pods, so you will have to buy a specific type of machine in order to use them.
  • While some ESE capsules are environmentally friendly, many are made of non-biodegradable materials and create a lot of waste.

Comparison

caret-up caret-down Product information
Smeg ECF01 DeLonghi EC 685
DeLonghi ECP 31.21
Name Smeg ECF01 DeLonghi EC 685 DeLonghi ECP 31.21
Score
90
88
82
Reviews
★★★★★
★★★★★
(4.4)
835 reviews
★★★★★
★★★★★
(4.4)
76013 reviews
★★★★★
★★★★★
(4.1)
7567 reviews
Price £280 £148 £140
caret-up caret-down Technical details
Type
Semi automatic espresso machine Semi automatic espresso machine Semi automatic espresso machine
Power
1350 W 1350 W 1100 W
Water container capacity
1.0 L 1.0 L 1.1 L
Pump pressure
15 bar 15 bar 15 bar
Max. cup height
8.0 cm 13.0 cm 13.0 cm
Housing material
Plastic Metal Plastic
Portafilter size
51 mm 51 mm 51 mm
Coffee heating system
Thermoblock Thermoblock Thermoblock
Thermometer
Pressure gauge
caret-up caret-down Coffee brewing
Can use capsules
Removable water tank
Adjustable coffee amount
Adjustable brewing temperature
caret-up caret-down Coffee grinder
Integrated coffee grinder
Bean container capacity
Material of the coffee grinder
No. of grind settings
Type of coffee grinder
Automatic tamper
Automatic dosing
caret-up caret-down Milk frother
Milk frother
Milk frothing method
Steam wand Steam wand Steam wand
Milk jug
Milk container capacity
caret-up caret-down Functions
App-control
Descaling program
Cleaning program
Auto shut off
Display
Display technology
2-cups function
Suited for ground coffee
Water filter
PID controller
Cold Brew function
caret-up caret-down Tamping
Manual tamping
Semi-automatic tamping
Automatic tamping
caret-up caret-down Dimensions and weight
Height
33.0 cm 30.5 cm 30.5 cm
Width
14.9 cm 14.9 cm 18.5 cm
Depth
30.3 cm 33.0 cm 24.0 cm
Weight
4.7 kg 4.2 kg 4.1 kg
Series
Dedica
en-GB

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