Imagine waking up to the perfect cup of coffee, made exactly how you like it, without needing two separate noisy machines on your counter. Does that sound like a dream?
Many coffee lovers face a tough choice: buy a dedicated espresso maker and a separate drip coffee machine, or find one machine that does it all. These combination machines promise convenience, but sorting through confusing features and price tags can feel overwhelming. You want great espresso *and* easy brewed coffee, but you worry about sacrificing quality or wasting counter space.
This guide cuts through the noise. We will break down what makes a great combination machine tick. You will learn exactly what features matter most for your morning routine, helping you confidently choose the best all-in-one solution for your kitchen.
Ready to simplify your mornings and upgrade your brew? Let’s dive into the world of combination coffee espresso machines!
Top Combination Coffee Espresso Machine Recommendations
- No waiting time with Dual Heating System Allows you to brew coffee and espresso simultaneously.
- Italian 15 BAR pressure pump Experience authentic espressos brewed at the optimal pressure for rich flavor.
- Advanced Steam wand Choose micro-foam setting to steam milk for lattes or treat yourself to authentic cappuccinos with Cappuccino setting on the Advanced Steam Wand
- 24 Hour programmable timer and Digital Touchscreen Enjoy intuitive and enhanced experience with Digital Touchscreen and wake up to freshly brewed coffee with the digital timer.
- Bold Setting function Customize your preference of flavor and aroma for a rich, yet smooth coffee experience
- 4-IN-1 BARISTA BAR: The Cuisinart Coffee Center Barista Bar 4-in-1 Coffee Maker lets you enjoy up to 12 cups of coffee (cup equals approx. 5 oz. (varies by brewing technique) and single-serve cappuccinos, lattes, and espresso.)
- CONVENIENT FEATURES: This coffee machine with fully automatic brewing and 24-hour programmability allows you to customize your coffee's freshness with adjustable Keep Warm up to 4 hours and Brew Pause features.
- BREW CONTROL: Tailor the strength of your brew with the brew strength control and savor the rich flavors with the included gold-tone, commercial-style permanent filter and charcoal water filter.
- SINGLE SERVE BREWER: Choose from three brewing sizes: 6 oz., 8 oz., and 10 oz. to suit your preferred coffee strength, compatible with Keurig K-Cup or other single serve pods to satisfy your caffeine cravings.
- NESPRESSO COMPATIBLE CAPSULE BREWER: The coffeemaker is compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine-style capsules to allow you to delight in both single and double espresso sizes.
- Designed in Switzerland, the EM1040 Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker Combination meets performance and quality.
- Powerful 19 bar ULKA pump from Italy operating at 1250 Watts for powerful brewing and frothing
- Die-cast aluminum filter holder with 'moustache style' outlet to brew into two cups.
- Spherical headed plastic steam tube with stainless steel steam nozzle.
- Dual brewing setting allows for manual and automatic brewing.
- 3 MACHINES IN 1: Brew without limits with no guesswork espresso, well-balanced drip coffee, and rapid cold brew. 2 Espresso Styles — double shot or quad shot, 3 Drip Coffee Styles—classic, rich or over ice, and 2 Cold Brew styles— cold pressed espresso or cold brew coffee (drip coffee and cold brew available in 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 oz. sizes).
- BARISTA ASSIST TECHNOLOGY: Unlock the ultimate guided experience with customized grind size recommendations, weight-based dosing, and active brew adjustments for temperature & pressure for balanced flavor, deliver café-quality brews, no guesswork required.
- GRIND-SIZE RECOMMENDATIONS: Barista Assist Technology monitors each brew and gives you a grind size recommendation based on the previous brew. Prevent sour or bitter brews by following the recommended grind size.
- INTEGRATED GRINDER: The conical burr grinder has 25 grind settings to deliver a fresh, precise grind for versatile drink options for every type of bean.
- WEIGHT-BASED DOSING: Different drinks require different amounts of grounds. Our built-in scale does the work for you with weight-based dosing tailored for your chosen drink. Other machines simply grind for a set amount of time, and you need to manually weigh your grounds.
- 3 MACHINES IN 1: Brew without limits with no guesswork espresso, well-balanced drip coffee, and rapid cold brew. 2 Espresso Styles — double shot or quad shot, 3 Drip Coffee Styles—classic, rich or over ice, and 2 Cold Brew styles— cold pressed espresso or cold brew coffee (drip coffee and cold brew available in 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 oz. sizes).
- BARISTA ASSIST TECHNOLOGY: Unlock the ultimate guided experience with customized grind size recommendations, weight-based dosing, and active brew adjustments for temperature & pressure for balanced flavor, deliver café-quality brews, no guesswork required.
- INTEGRATED GRINDER: The conical burr grinder has 25 grind settings to deliver a fresh, precise grind for versatile drink options for every type of bean.
- WEIGHT-BASED DOSING: Different drinks require different amounts of grounds. Our built-in scale does the work for you with weight-based dosing tailored for your chosen drink. Other machines simply grind for a set amount of time, and you need to manually weigh your grounds.
- HANDS-FREE FROTHING: Whether using dairy or plant-based milk, creating hot or cold microfoam, the Dual Froth System combines steaming and whisking at the same time to effortlessly create perfectly textured microfoam. Removing the trial-and-error from manual frothing with 4 preset programs including steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth and cold foam
- 13-SIZE DUAL COFFEE MAKER: Grounds and pods system with 5 grounds brew sizes (Sm, XL Cup, Travel, XL Travel Mug), 4 carafe sizes (¼, ½, ¾, Full Carafe), and 4 traditional pod brew sizes (6-12oz).
- FASTER BREWING: Brew a coffee pod faster than a leading Keurig coffee maker upon startup. Compatible with K-Cups, it's perfect for a busy lifestyle while delivering optimal flavor.
- 4 BREW STYLE CHOICES + TEA: Deliver optimal flavor for hot coffee, ice coffee, or tea. Select Classic, Rich, Over Ice, or Specialty for your favorite grounds or coffee pods, or water for tea.
- INDEPENDENT HOT WATER SYSTEM: Separate from the coffee dispenser to eliminate cross-contamination. 2 temperature settings—hot and boil—allow you to make instant soups, oatmeal, or hot cocoa.
- SPECIALTY BREW: Brew a super-rich coffee concentrate that you can use to create delicious lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, and other coffeehouse-style drinks.
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part of the Barista Series that offers all in one espresso machines with integrated grinder to go from beans to espresso in under one minute
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on demand to deliver the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
- Receive 2 free bags of specialty coffee when you purchase and register any Breville coffee machine; T and Cs apply
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction
- 【UPGRADED CLOG-CRUSHING GRIND PATH】Tired of grinder jams? Our upgraded system features a 20% wider polished chute + reinforced helical auger that EJECTS GROUNDS INSTANTLY – even with oily dark roasts! Enjoy mess-free grinding and barista-perfect shots every time.
- 【Barista-Worthy Coffee, Effortlessly】Savor rich expresso coffee machines, lattes, and cappuccinos at home with our easy-to-use machine. Espresso machines precision brewing delivers bold flavor and velvety microfoam for barista-quality drinks!
- 【IDEAL PRESSURE】Smoother espresso machine with grinder, 20 Bar Expresso Coffee Machines with Milk Frother Steam Wand, Extracting maximum flavor and aroma from every coffee ground. Enjoy café-quality depth and crema in every cup, just like your favorite barista makes!
- 【Barista Grade Microfoam】Our powerful steam wand creates silky-smooth milk for latte machine, creamy froth for cappuccinos, and velvety texture for flat whites. Expresso machines for home enjoy coffee at home with perfect froth every time.
- 【Effortless Clean & Beginner’s Ease】The expresso coffee machines features a detachable drip tray and a 2.3-liter removable water tank for hassle-free cleaning. Espresso machine with ETL certification, you can enjoy your coffee with peace of mind.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Your Perfect Combination Coffee Espresso Machine
A combination coffee espresso machine gives you the best of both worlds. You can brew a big pot of regular coffee or pull a strong shot of espresso. This guide helps you pick the right one for your kitchen.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, certain features make a big difference in your daily coffee routine.
1. Dual Brewing Systems
- Simultaneous or Separate Brewing: Check if you can brew coffee and espresso at the same time. Some machines let you do both at once, saving you time. Others require you to switch modes.
- Coffee Carafe Type: Look for glass carafes or thermal carafes. Thermal carafes keep coffee hot longer without burning it.
2. Espresso Function Details
- Pump Pressure: Espresso machines use pressure to force water through coffee grounds. Look for machines that offer 15 bars of pressure. This is generally the standard for good espresso.
- Portafilter Quality: The portafilter holds the ground coffee. Metal portafilters are much better than plastic ones because they last longer and distribute heat more evenly.
- Milk Frothing: Do you like lattes or cappuccinos? A good steam wand is important. Panarello wands (frothing attachments) are easier for beginners. Professional steam wands offer more control for experts.
3. Programmability and Convenience
- Programmable Timer: This lets you set the machine to start brewing coffee before you wake up. This is a huge time saver.
- Water Filter: Some models include a charcoal water filter. This improves coffee taste by removing impurities from your tap water.
Important Materials Matter
The materials inside and outside the machine affect its lifespan and performance.
Housing and Body
- Stainless Steel: Machines with stainless steel housing look great and clean easily. They are very durable.
- Plastic: Lower-cost models often use more plastic. This is fine, but plastic can crack or yellow over time.
Internal Components
The heating element is crucial. Look for machines with a stainless steel boiler, as these heat water quickly and reliably.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all combination machines perform equally well in both roles.
Quality Boosters
- Thermoblock vs. Boiler: Thermoblock heaters heat water instantly for the espresso shot. This often results in better temperature consistency for espresso compared to traditional single boilers that need time to switch heating modes.
- Grinder Inclusion: If the machine has a built-in burr grinder, that is a big plus. Freshly ground beans always taste better.
Quality Reducers
- Single Boiler Limitations: Some cheaper combination units use one heating element for both coffee and espresso. You must wait for the machine to heat up for the second function. This waiting time reduces user experience.
- Weak Steam Power: If the steam wand is weak, you will get thin, bubbly milk instead of thick, velvety microfoam.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you drink coffee every day.
Use Cases
- The Busy Family: If you need to make a full pot of drip coffee for several people every morning, prioritize the speed and capacity of the drip side.
- The Home Barista: If you mostly want perfect espresso shots and the occasional small coffee, focus on the pressure, portafilter quality, and steam wand power of the espresso side.
Ease of Use
Check the controls. Are the buttons clearly labeled? Can you easily access the water reservoir to refill it? Cleaning matters too. Removable drip trays and filter baskets make daily cleanup much faster.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is a combination machine as good as two separate machines?
A: Usually, no. Separate machines are specialized. A high-end espresso machine will always pull better shots than the espresso function on a combo unit. However, combination machines save counter space and money.
Q: What is the ideal machine size for my counter?
A: Measure your space first! Combination machines are often taller than standard drip brewers because they need room for the espresso components. Check the height, especially if you have low cabinets above the counter.
Q: Should I worry about the grinder being built-in?
A: A built-in grinder is convenient. However, if the grinder is low quality (blade grinder instead of burr grinder), it can actually hurt your espresso quality. If the machine has a good burr grinder, it is a great feature.
Q: How often do I need to clean these machines?
A: You should rinse the steam wand immediately after every use. Descaling (removing mineral buildup) is necessary every one to three months, depending on how hard your tap water is.
Q: Which type of filter basket is best for espresso?
A: Pressurized (dual-wall) filter baskets are easier for beginners. They help create decent crema even if the grind size is slightly off. Non-pressurized baskets require a precise, consistent grind for the best results.
Q: Do combination machines use more electricity?
A: They can, because they have two heating systems. However, most modern machines are energy efficient and turn off automatically after a period of inactivity.
Q: What is “crema” and why does it matter?
A: Crema is the light brown foam that sits on top of a perfect espresso shot. It holds flavor and aroma. Good pump pressure and fresh coffee create great crema.
Q: Can I use pre-ground coffee for the espresso side?
A: Yes, you can. But you must use fine espresso grind. If the grind is too coarse, the water will pass through too fast, and your shot will taste weak.
Q: Are combination machines hard to learn?
A: For the drip coffee side, they are very simple—just add water and grounds. The espresso side takes practice. Read the manual carefully to understand the steam wand and tamping process.
Q: What is the difference between a steam wand and a steam spout?
A: A steam wand is a metal pipe where steam comes out. A steam spout often has a plastic attachment (Panarello) that sucks air in to make frothing easier for beginners.