You are getting excited at the thought of owning an espresso machine. Imagine all the fun you can have as you experiment with the different types of drinks that you can make, or the moment when everything comes out just right and you create the most perfect beverage you have ever tasted. As you begin to shop, you want to be sure that you get the best home espresso machine for your needs.

The first and most important thing you need to decide is what type of home espresso machine is right for you. So, let’s have a look at the different types one by one.

Super automatic espresso machines do pretty much everything for you at the touch of a button: they grind the coffee, measure it, tamp it, brew your espresso and then discard the used coffee grounds into an internal waste box. These machines are very convenient and easy to use. However they are also quite expensive and slightly more prone to problems than other types of espresso machines.

Automatic espresso machines are far more hands on. You will need to learn a series of skills to get the best out of them: grind the coffee, measure the right amount of the grounds and press them correctly into the filter basket. In these machines, the pressure that is needed for brewing espresso is delivered by an pump which you start by pressing a button. The pump turns itself off automatically once a preset amount of espresso is made.

Semi automatic espresso machines are the same as automatic machines except that you will need to press a button one more time to turn the pump off to stop the brewing. These machines are an excellent choice for someone who wishes to explore the art of making espresso.

Manual espresso machines are beautiful to look at but rather difficult to use. In addition to grinding, dosing and tamping the coffee you will also need to manually pull a lever to force the water through the coffee grounds. It is not an easy skill to learn since your arm will need to provide consistent pressure of around 9 atmospheres. So these are recommended only for people who are really serious about espresso.

Steam espresso machines are the cheapest option. They use steam pressure which is simply not high enough to produce good espresso. These machines may be fine if you are not very particular about your espresso and if you make only lattes, cappuccinos or other milk based drinks. In general it’s best to avoid them unless you are on a very tight budget.

Still not sure which type will make the best home espresso machine for you? Well, just consider how much effort you want to put into your espresso habit. If you are an experienced barista with a delicate palate, you might be interested in a manual machine. It will take practice, but by taking control of your own coffee creations you will be able to pull your espresso shots just the way you like them. If you are particular about your espresso but don’t have much experience, a semi automatic or automatic machine will save you a lot of time and effort. Lastly, if you are always in a rush in the morning, or can barely function prior to ingesting caffeine, a super automatic machine will be a great choice for the bleary-eyed and hurried espresso drinkers.

Having some knowledge about the various types of espresso machines will make choosing the best home espresso machine for you easier.