Coffee bar
CASABREWS espresso machine, 51 mm
"A first espresso machine at a starter price, with one catch: it takes 51 mm baskets, and most accessory kits do not."
Why we picked it
We chose it as the starter espresso machine, with one catch: it takes 51 mm baskets.
- Simple, small and easy to start with
- Steam wand for milk drinks
- Pressure gauge on the front, so you can watch the shot
- Size
- 5.5 in wide, 12 in tall, 12.3 in deep; 8.6 lb
- Fits
- 51 mm baskets only; a one-cup and a two-cup basket are included
- Tank
- 34 oz, removable
Skip it if you already own 54 or 58 mm tools; buy 51 mm accessories only.
Before you buy
- Accessory size: 51 mm, and most kits are 54 or 58 mm. Search accessories by the model name CM5418, not by 'universal'.
- Baskets: a one-cup and a two-cup pressurized basket come in the box, so pre-ground espresso works from day one.
- Tank and footprint: 34 oz removable tank, 5.5 in wide and 12.3 in deep; check the depth against your counter.
Fits: A starter espresso machine for someone who wants steam-wand milk drinks at a small price and is happy to buy 51 mm accessories.
Not for: Anyone who already owns 54 or 58 mm tampers and baskets, or wants a grinder built in.
Goes with
- Baratza Encore ESP burr grinder: the grinder when you want fresh beans
- Chemex 8-cup pour-over coffeemaker: a pot from the same beans
Full guide: read it
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Coffee bar
Breville Bambino, 54 mm espressoCompact espresso for a small kitchen: ready in about 3 seconds, and its 54 mm accessories are easy to find.
Baratza Encore ESP burr grinderOne burr grinder for espresso and filter coffee: settings 1 to 20 for espresso, 21 to 40 for drip, and 13.4 in tall with the hopper on.- CASABREWS espresso machine, 51 mmA first espresso machine at a starter price, with one catch: it takes 51 mm baskets, and most accessory kits do not.
Chemex 8-cup pour-over coffeemakerThe glass pour-over for people who like the ritual: 40 oz, borosilicate glass, wood collar, a gift that looks the part.
Breville Barista Express, 54 mm with built-in grinderThe whole espresso bar in one 16-inch machine: a built-in burr grinder that doses straight into the 54 mm portafilter, a steam wand for milk, and the rest in the box.
De'Longhi Magnifica Duo, one-touch hot and icedBean-to-cup at one touch, hot or iced: it grinds, brews and froths milk on its own, with 20 preset drinks and two milk carafes, one for hot foam and one for cold.
Nespresso Vertuo Pop+, one-touch pod coffeeOne-touch coffee or espresso from a pod, hot in 30 seconds, from a machine only 10.4 inches tall: the fast setup that still fits under a low cabinet.
From the same guide
- Breville Bambino, 54 mm espressoCompact espresso for a small kitchen: ready in about 3 seconds, and its 54 mm accessories are easy to find.
- Baratza Encore ESP burr grinderOne burr grinder for espresso and filter coffee: settings 1 to 20 for espresso, 21 to 40 for drip, and 13.4 in tall with the hopper on.
- Chemex 8-cup pour-over coffeemakerThe glass pour-over for people who like the ritual: 40 oz, borosilicate glass, wood collar, a gift that looks the part.
- Breville Barista Express, 54 mm with built-in grinderThe whole espresso bar in one 16-inch machine: a built-in burr grinder that doses straight into the 54 mm portafilter, a steam wand for milk, and the rest in the box.
- De'Longhi Magnifica Duo, one-touch hot and icedBean-to-cup at one touch, hot or iced: it grinds, brews and froths milk on its own, with 20 preset drinks and two milk carafes, one for hot foam and one for cold.
- Nespresso Vertuo Pop+, one-touch pod coffeeOne-touch coffee or espresso from a pod, hot in 30 seconds, from a machine only 10.4 inches tall: the fast setup that still fits under a low cabinet.