6 Best Espresso Machines with Grinders 2021 for Perfect Shots

We want to raise our tiny espresso cups to the inventors of espresso machines with grinders! Like, seriously, aren’t they just the most practical thing EVER? And, at the same time, your grounds can’t get any fresher than this.

If you’re ready to speed up and upgrade your morning with a fast but high-quality caffeine punch, check out the best espresso machines with grinders.

After a quick but indispensable buying guide, we’ll show you the reviews of the ones that really stood out for us. 

Let’s get grinding!

AT A GLANCE: OUR TOP PICKS

How to Choose an Espresso Machine with Grinder - Buying Guide

When you’re buying a machine with two functions, a little brainstorm is even more important.

Is an espresso machine with grinder the right choice for you?

Before we get started, we just want to make sure that this is indeed the right investment for your coffee equipment.

An espresso machine with grinder is perfect if you want to grind directly into it and have a smaller countertop footprint.

However, if you also wanted to be able to grind for a separate coffee maker (perhaps an automatic dripper, a pour over or a French press), this will backfire.

With bean-to-cup espresso machines you can only grind for your espresso. If that’s the case, we recommend purchasing a separate grinder and a traditional espresso machine.

Another instance in which this would not be the most cost-effective choice is if you already have a grinder that can grind finely enough for espresso. In that case, we believe it would make more sense to purchase a traditional espresso machine.

Otherwise, keep reading!

Type of grinder

How do you take your espresso? If the answer is ‘seriously,’ stick to burr grinders, which ensure the most consistent grind. While they’re usually available as either conical or flat models, the former are more popular when it comes to espresso since the risk of coffee retention is lower (1). 

Blades hit your beans from different angles rather than in a consistent way, so you should only consider them if budget is literally your main concern.

Grinder settings

We’ll be honest: when it comes to bean-to-cup espresso machines, grind settings matter less than with standalone grinders. After all, you won’t need to grind for other methods, so there’s no point looking for the coarsest French press settings.

However, if you want to have full control over the extraction process (and are happy to experiment with them), a few settings can definitely be helpful. (2)

“Tuning an espresso machine requires you to coarsen up or make fine your coffee grind.” Coffee Bros 

Features

Obviously, the more features, the higher the price, in most cases. That’s why we recommend focusing on those that you’d actually make the most of and could complement your caffeinated habits.

For example, some popular features are:

• Ground coffee bypass to use pre-ground coffee whenever needed (hint hint: if someone wants to brew a decaf espresso);
• Steaming wand with different settings to make both lattes and cappuccinos;
• Programmable option to memorize the settings of your perfect espresso and replicate it in one button.

Best Espresso Machine with Grinders of 2021 [Top 6 Reviews]

Here are the best bean-to-cup espresso machines & espresso machines with grinders currently on the market:

Now let’s spill the beans by showing you the reviews of the best espresso machines with grinders.

Unlocking the real soul of espresso (as that’s exactly what its name means in Italian), the Gaggia Anima is a premium choice for barista-worthy results.

This slim model relies on this brand’s Optiaroma technology to let you personalize both the intensity and flavor of each shot and it amplifies its nuances in a pour-over fashion with the pre-brewing function.

Because it’s programmable, you don’t have to worry about remembering all those settings: you can memorize them both for the espresso and a taller espresso lungo.

Other interesting features are the ground coffee bypass and the practical notifications for maintenance, from low water to descaling.

PRO TIP: you can use the hot water dispenser to make americanos!

As for frothy drinks, you’ll be able to upgrade your barista skills with a professional pannarello wand, just like the ones used in coffee shops.

Bottom line: from small shots to cappuccinos, this bean-to-cup espresso machine is a real treat for espresso aficionados.

If you only want the best of the best and budget is the least of your concerns, this is the right espresso machine with grinder for you. It reaches levels of customizability that you could only match by hiring your personal barista.

The Breville Oracle ensures a premium but simplified experience thanks to its automatic features.

For example, as well as letting you choose among 45 grind settings (yes, you’ve read that correctly), it grinds, doses and tamps the required amount of grounds for a mess-free brew.

You also get 3 presets, 6 customizable settings, and even a one-touch americano.

Finally (well, not really... we could talk about this machine for hours!), it includes a programmable wand for a hands-free milk texturing experience.

Bottom line: this luxurious espresso machine with grinder does everything you could possibly want (and more).

If you really want an espresso machine with grinder but are put off by their average cost, you could consider this alternative to traditional bean-to-cup espresso machines.

Instead of an integrated grinder, this EspressoWorks model consists of a classic espresso machine with a plug-in electric grinder (mind you: it relies on blades rather than burrs, so you can’t expect the same quality as the previous models).

So how does it work? You grind your beans, tamp them manually, and brew an espresso shot. 

Thanks to the advanced thermoblock heating system, it’s ready to use in 45 seconds. 

Finally, you can froth up the milk to make more espresso-based drinks and it even comes with a set of espresso cups.

Bottom line: an affordable alternative to popular bean-to-cup espresso machines.

FAQs

1. What is the best espresso machine with built in grinder?

The best espresso machine with built in grinder is the Breville Barista Express: it includes lots of customizable features and smart perks without complicating the brewing process.

2. Is it cheaper to grind your own coffee?

Grinding your own coffee isn’t necessarily cheaper since most brands sell whole beans and grounds for the same price. However, it results in fresher coffee and a superior taste. This is because the beans start losing the precious volatile compounds responsible for flavor nuances once they’re roasted and ground. By grinding them yourself just before brewing them, they’ll be at their freshest!

3. Which type of grinder is best for espresso?

The best type of grinder for espresso is a burr grinder that can grind finely and consistently. More specifically, we recommend a conical burr grinder. 

Looking forward to a fast but superior shot? Check out our reviews of the best espresso machines with grinders to find the right bean-to-cup model for you.

References:

1. Petrich, I. (2020, May 12). Conical vs Flat Burr Coffee Grinders: What’s The Difference?. Retrieved from https://www.drippedcoffee.com/best-coffee-grinder-burr/
2. (n.d.). (2019, June 4). Everything you need to know about coffee grind size and brewing. Retrieved from https://coffeebros.com/blog/guide-to-coffee-grind-size/ 
3. (n.d.). La Specialista. Retrieved from https://www.red-dot.org/ko/project/la-specialista-37339