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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.

espresso machine with grinders

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

Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine, Large, Stainless Steel
  • 16 grind settings
  • Professional dose
    control grinding
  • Microfoaming for latte art

De'Longhi Magnifica - Runner Up

De'Longhi ESAM3300 Super Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine
  • Made in Italy
  • Heats up in a minute
  • Highly customizable

Gaggia Anima - Also Great

Gaggia Anima Coffee and Espresso Machine, Includes Steam Wand for Manual Frothing for Lattes and Cappuccinos with Programmable Options
  • Premium Optiaroma technology for enhanced flavors
  • Personalizable brewing experience
  • Fairly small countertop footprint

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:

Amazon Product
Breville Barista Express
  • Automatic dose control grinding & tamping
  • Incredibly precise thanks to PID temperature control
  • Impeccable frothy drinks
View on Amazon
Amazon Product
De'Longhi Magnifica
  • Lots of handy automatic features
  • Fast thermoblock heating system (only takes 1 minute!)
  • Easier to clean
View on Amazon
Amazon Product
Gaggia Anima Coffee
  • Proprietary Optimaroma technology to extract more nuanced flavors
  • Remembers your favorite settings
  • Americano option
View on Amazon
Amazon Product
Breville Oracle
  • Luxury pick
  • 45 grind settings
  • Lots of presets & customizable options
View on Amazon
Amazon Product
De'Longhi La Specialista
  • Smart grinding technology
  • Coffee shop-style knock box
  • Hot water spout
View on Amazon
Amazon Product
EspressoWorks Espresso Machine
  • More affordable alternative to bean-to-cup machines
  • Ready in 45 seconds
  • Includes a steaming wand
View on Amazon

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

Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine, Large, Stainless Steel

FEATURES

Grinder: conical burrs
Grind settings: 16
Hopper capacity: ½ lb

Best for: those who want a simple espresso machine with grinder but could do with a few features

With its professional dose control grinding and practical tamping station, the stylish Breville Barista Express truly feels like having your personal coffee shop at home!

It lets you choose among 16 different grind settings and relies on PID digital temperature control to ensure a precise and consistent temperature for optimal extraction. 

If you’re a fan of the occasional frothy drink, you won’t be disappointed. 

This Breville model includes a special micro-foam milk texturing feature in its wand. Yep, you’ve guessed it: you can impress your friends by making your own latte art!

Find out more about it in our Breville Barista Express review.

Bottom line: this versatile model gives you enough features to customize your espresso drinks but without it feeling overwhelming or confusing.


De'Longhi ESAM3300 Super Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine

FEATURES

Grinder: stainless steel conical burr
Grind settings: 13
Hopper capacity: 8.8 oz

Best for: those who want to blend traditions and modern perks

Designed and produced in the birth country of espresso, De’Longhi is an established household name when it comes to this type of machines.

This Super Automatic model does exactly what the name promises: it streamlines and simplifies every stage of your espresso preparation.

From the 60-second heat-up time of its thermoblock system to the customizable grind settings and brew sizes, making the perfect espresso is now easier than ever.

As you can read in our De’Longhi Magnifica review, this model is also a dream come true for fans of cappuccino: its steam wand is guaranteed to give you a rich and creamy froth.

As well as other handy features like the coffee bypass and charcoal water filter, did we mention that it requires half the cleaning time of most brands?

Bottom line: If you want the perfect espresso and a hassle-free brewing experience, you really can’t go wrong with the Magnifica.


Gaggia Anima Coffee and Espresso Machine, Includes Steam Wand for Manual Frothing for Lattes and Cappuccinos with Programmable Options

FEATURES

Grinder: ceramic conical burrs
Grind settings: 5
Hopper capacity: 8.8 oz

Best for: a ‘tastes like it was brewed in an Italian café’ kind of drinks

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.


Breville BES980XL Oracle Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel

FEATURES

Grinder: conical burrs
Grind settings: 45
Hopper capacity: 0.5 lb

Best for: those who won’t settle for anything less than the Ferrari of bean-to-cup espresso machines

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).


De'Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine with Knock Box

FEATURES

Grinder: burrs
Grind settings: 6
Hopper capacity: 8.8 oz

Best for: a quick but reliable shot

Featuring a smart tamping station and a knock box to get rid of your old coffee puck, this award-winning machine is ideal for aspiring baristas. (3)

“The espresso machine La Specialista combines the sturdy appearance of traditional steel coffee makers with new technology for easy preparation of coffee specialities.” Red Dot Design Awards 

Thanks to the active temperature control, it always provides the ideal stability for a superior espresso extraction, and its smart grinding technology guarantees precision and consistency. 

Finally, the advanced latte system lets you choose between finer microfoam or richer froth for cappuccinos. 

Just like the Gaggia model, it includes a practical hot water spout.

Oh, and if you’re worried about being late to work, don’t be: it only takes a second for this machine to be ready… literally.

Bottom line: if you can already see yourself experimenting with different variables to craft the perfect espresso recipe, do yourself a favor and get the Specialista into your life.


Espresso Machine & Cappuccino Maker with Milk Steamer- 15 Bar Pump, 7 Pc All-In-One Barista Bundle Set w/ Built-in Frother (Inc: Coffee Bean Grinder, Milk Frothing Cup, Tamper & 2 Cups), 1350W (Silver)

FEATURES

Grinder: blades
Grind settings: --
Hopper capacity: no hopper

Best for: a budget-friendly alternative

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 

giada

Born in Italy but currently brewing from the UK, Giada is a highly-caffeinated coffee expert with a soft spot for espressos. She worked in cafés for years and has recently fallen in love with the practical Kalita Wave (just don’t tell her Italian moka pot!).

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