Best Super-Automatic Espresso Machine: My 10 Top Picks

While portafilter machines make the best espresso, there’s no denying the convenience of super-automatics, a type of coffee maker that offers all the ease of a pod machine but makes infinitely better coffee.

In this guide, I’ll share 10 super-automatic espresso machines that I consider the best options at various price points and for different types of users.

My Top Picks

• De’Longhi Magnifica S – Best budget option for those who want quality black coffee.
• Philips Series 3300 – An alternative to the Magnifica S with a better-quality panarello wand for milk frothing.
• Melitta Purista – A step up in price from the previous two, but delivers higher-quality espresso.
• Melitta Avanza – Same machine as the Purista but with an automatic milk frother.
• De’Longhi Magnifica Plus – Currently the best value in super-automatics, delivering fantastic espresso and milk froth at an unbeatable price.
• De’Longhi Dinamica Plus – Worth considering as an alternative to the Magnifica Plus if you find it on sale during Black Friday or other promotions.
• De’Longhi Rivelia – A versatile model ideal for households with multiple coffee drinkers or those who like to switch between different bean varieties.
• Jura Z10 – A premium machine with exceptional quality and countless programmed recipes, though it comes with a premium price tag.
• De’Longhi PrimaDonna Soul – A high-end model at a more accessible price point, and the only one in this range with flat burrs and electronic controls.

The Magnifica S is a unique case. It’s rare for a product to stay on the market for over 10 years, but that’s exactly what’s happened with this machine, which launched in 2011 and continues to sell well today.

De’Longhi has kept this model around because of its solid performance, following the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy. Sure, the Magnifica S looks a bit dated with its analog control panel and lacks the modern features we’re seeing more of in newer machines, but where it really counts—making coffee—the Magnifica S delivers. It makes good coffee and good espresso.

One standout feature of this particular model: the ability to adjust the amount of ground coffee quite precisely. That’s the dial in the center of the control panel—something the newer Magnifica Start, which De’Longhi introduced as a replacement, actually doesn’t have.

The downside: the steam wand is plastic and the nozzle is tricky to maneuver when texturing milk properly. If you’re mainly making black coffee or espresso, this isn’t a big deal. But if you’ll be making cappuccinos and lattes regularly and want a better steam wand, the Magnifica S Smart (model ECAM250.23.SB) with its panarello wand is a good alternative—though you might be more interested in the next model I’ll cover.

As I mentioned, the Philips 3300 series is an alternative to the Magnifica S for those who want a panarello-style steam wand that froths milk better than the cheap plastic wand that comes with the De’Longhi.

One advantage De’Longhi typically has over Philips is better espresso extraction, with a slightly finer grind and a higher dose of coffee per cup. However, in the budget range where these two machines sit, the difference isn’t huge: the Philips EP3326/90 maxes out at 11 grams per shot (compared to 12g in the Magnifica S), so espresso quality is pretty similar between the two.

The Philips 3300 does have some advantages though, like a quieter grinder and a much more modern control panel. It also has a recipe called “Iced Coffee,” though I wouldn’t put much stock in it: all it does is extract coffee at a lower temperature so you can add ice cubes.

Is it worth the roughly $50 price difference between the Magnifica S and the Philips EP3326/90 just for the panarello wand? That’s something you’ll have to decide for yourself, though if you plan to use the steam wand regularly, I’d say it’s worth it.

The Melitta Purista is a solid option if you want to step up the intensity of your coffee without spending much more. Most Melitta models use high doses of ground coffee per shot of espresso—15-16 grams—delivering a bold, intense flavor.

One thing I’m not crazy about with the Melitta is that the grinder has limited settings. The Purista, for example, only has 5 grind settings, which seems pretty restrictive at first glance. That said, there aren’t many complaints about how fine it grinds at its finest setting, so it apparently gets the job done.

Another drawback you’ve probably noticed from the photo: it has no steam wand or automatic milk frother, so this is strictly a machine for black coffee lovers. Some might think it’s pricey for a machine without a steam wand, but it makes better espresso than the Magnifica S or Philips 3300, it’s beautifully designed, compact, and not much more expensive. For many people, that’s more than enough.

This model is very similar to the Purista—identical in terms of coffee-making features—but it includes an automatic milk frother.

The frother is a bit unusual. Instead of the typical milk container, it’s a steam wand with a plastic tube that you insert directly into any carton or container of milk. Its functions are pretty basic too—there’s no texture adjustment for the milk and no programmed recipes for cappuccinos or lattes. It simply has a button to dispense frothed milk, and you have to stop it manually when you’ve got the amount you want.

Despite these limitations, the Melitta Avanza is the best super-automatic under $500 in terms of coffee quality and the ability to automatically froth milk.

If you’re looking for a super-automatic that makes the best possible espresso, my top recommendation is the De’Longhi Magnifica Plus.

If you read my full review of the Magnifica Plus, you’ll see I was blown away by the quality of coffee this machine can produce. It extracts the best espresso I’ve ever tasted from a super-automatic, thanks to two key factors: it uses high doses of ground coffee and can extract without any issues at the finest grind settings, unlike other super-automatics that tend to choke when the grind is too fine.

Beyond spectacular coffee intensity and flavor across the board, the Magnifica Plus also makes excellent milk-based drinks thanks to a milk container with an automatic frother that has three texture settings, from thicker to lighter foam. The medium and light settings produce incredibly smooth and velvety microfoam that even makes latte art possible.

The quality of the espresso extraction, the fantastic automatic milk frother, the wide variety of drink recipes, and the modern touchscreen interface make this an easy recommendation. But if all that weren’t enough, its price makes it hands down the best value super-automatic you can buy right now.

Until the Magnifica Plus came along, the Dinamica Plus was the best-value super-automatic on the market. That’s no longer the case, but it’s still a solid mid-range option.

It makes fantastic espresso with doses up to 16 grams, and produces perfectly textured milk foam with three texture settings to choose from. It also offers a wide selection of drinks, including modern specialty coffee recipes like the flat white, cortado, and the Cappuccino Mix—which adds coffee first, then milk (as it should be), unlike what most super-automatics do.

The control panel is also better than the models we’ve seen so far. In fact, this was one of De’Longhi’s first machines with a color screen. The only downside I see is that for not much more money, you can get the Magnifica Plus, which is both better and newer. I’d recommend the Dinamica Plus if you find it on sale, which happens fairly often.

You might think I have a bias toward De’Longhi, but the truth is the Italian brand simply has the best lineup of super-automatics on the market. Take the De’Longhi Rivelia, for example—it’s the first super-automatic at this price point with dual interchangeable bean hoppers, making it one of a kind. This feature is incredibly practical if you use beans from different origins, and considering there’s also a hopper for pre-ground coffee, the Rivelia gives you exceptional versatility when it comes to using different types of coffee.

That versatility extends to a wide selection of programmed drinks, which gets even bigger if you buy the LatteCrema Cool Jug—originally designed for the Eletta Explore but fully compatible with the Rivelia. It expands the machine’s functionality by enabling cold foam recipes as well.

The Rivelia textures milk with the same quality as the Magnifica Plus, though it doesn’t quite match it in espresso extraction. In my Magnifica Plus vs. Rivelia comparison, I go into detail analyzing other aspects that make me favor the Magnifica Plus overall. That said, the Rivelia is an excellent alternative if you’re looking for more flexibility in preparing different drinks.

The Jura Z10 deserves special recognition. It’s one of the most expensive super-automatics available, with a price tag befitting a premium machine that features an electronic grinder, WiFi connectivity, and compatibility with the J.O.E. app (Android and iOS). But it earns its spot on this list for the fantastic espresso it produces, using a 16-gram dose with a very fine grind. While I haven’t owned one, I’ve had the chance to try it at a commercial demo and can confirm the coffee is outstanding.

The milk texture quality from the automatic frother is another reason Jura is such a respected brand, and on the Z10, it’s definitely a highlight. The machine also offers an impressive 40 programmed recipes, many of them cold drinks thanks to the cold extraction system.

The design is another strong point (which is true of Jura machines in general). In short, it’s a very expensive indulgence, but when it comes to quality across the board, it’s a machine that absolutely deserves a place on this list.

If you want a premium experience like the Jura Z10 but at a more accessible price, the De’Longhi PrimaDonna Soul should be on your shortlist. It’s De’Longhi’s best super-automatic—excluding the Maestosa, which is only sold on De’Longhi’s website—and offers high-end features that no other brand provides at this price point.

One of the standout features: electronic grinder adjustment that lets you select the grind level through the touchscreen or even your phone. Yes, that’s another headline feature—control of virtually all the machine’s functions through your phone via the Coffee Link app (Android and iOS), similar to the Jura.

But I want to highlight something De’Longhi doesn’t even advertise: this is the only super-automatic I know of with flat burrs. This doesn’t mean it grinds finer, but it does grind more uniformly, resulting in a “cleaner,” more refined flavor that’s especially noticeable with light or medium roast beans.

This grinder type combined with the extraction method (using high doses around 20 grams) makes the PrimaDonna Soul an excellent machine for anyone looking to explore specialty coffee with a super-automatic. Add to that an automatic frother that textures milk just as well as the Magnifica Plus or Rivelia (with three adjustable texture levels), an even larger touchscreen (4.3 inches), and a more refined design.

Criteria for Choosing a Good Super-Automatic

Often, when users ask me which super-automatic to buy, or when I read recommendations on other blogs and forums, I have to bite my tongue at some of those suggestions.

I’ve been running this blog for over 6 years, testing and analyzing the coffee machine market, and one thing is crystal clear: super-automatics have become the most popular type of coffee maker, especially because many Chinese manufacturers have flooded the market with models that have driven prices way down. You can now find super-automatics for as little as $200—something unthinkable six years ago.

However, most of those budget super-automatics aren’t worth it, and the culprit is usually the grinder and the amount of ground coffee they use.

The Problem of Grinding and Dosing

You’ve probably read at some point that the grinder is the most important component when making espresso, and it’s precisely this component that’s the weakest link in many of those cheap super-automatics—they simply can’t grind fine enough for proper espresso.

Not only that, but all those budget super-automatics also use a low dose of ground coffee per shot of espresso. In other words, they grind a small amount of coffee beans to make the drink. Generally, that dose ranges between 7 and 10 grams.

Some might wonder what’s wrong with that—after all, the Istituto Nazionale Espresso Italiano recommends approximately 7-9 grams in their guidelines. However, that dose refers to traditional Italian espresso: very short and concentrated, almost a ristretto. It’s not meant for the modern specialty coffee approach, which uses higher doses for greater intensity and clarity of flavor.

Even that 7 to 9 gram dose wouldn’t be a problem if the grind were very fine. The problem is that it’s not, so budget super-automatics end up making espresso with a dose of 7, 8, or 9 grams while grinding the coffee too coarsely.

The result: weak espresso without intensity or complexity in flavor—basically, watery coffee.

So my recommendation—especially if you’re at least somewhat particular about espresso quality—is to look for a super-automatic that:

• Grinds fine enough for espresso. The grind should look like powder, not like grains of sand on a beach.
• If it can’t grind very fine, it should at least use a high dose of ground coffee to compensate for the coarser grind and create a thick enough coffee puck to generate resistance, thereby extracting maximum compounds and flavors from the coffee.

De’Longhi, Melitta, and Jura, the Best Brands

The models recommended in this article meet one or both of these criteria. For example, one reason I recommend the Magnifica S and S Smart in the budget range is that they use a slightly higher dose of coffee (around 13 grams) and the grinder produces a slightly finer grind than most machines at that price point.

Melitta is another brand that uses high doses of ground coffee per shot (around 15-16 grams), and its grinder—despite having limited grind settings—grinds quite fine at its finest setting. Interestingly, many of Melitta’s components are shared with Jura. The brew group is manufactured by Eugster/Frismag, which also makes components for Jura and Miele.

Speaking of Jura, it’s another quality brand when it comes to super-automatics, though it must be said that they’re also very expensive and you’re paying a significant premium for the name.

This is particularly true with Jura’s ENA models, which are overpriced for what they deliver. You really need to step up to the higher-end lines like the E8, S, or Z series to get a quality leap that justifies the price.

Without question, the best value in the super-automatic world comes from De’Longhi. Not only is the Magnifica S the top choice in the budget range, but De’Longhi offers excellent value at virtually every price point.

This is especially true with the brand’s newer models. De’Longhi is one of the manufacturers most actively adapting to the specialty coffee movement, improving both the grinder and brew group to grind finer while using higher doses of coffee.

Best Super-Automatics for Milk Frothing

It turns out that these brands also have the best automatic milk frothers, though there are differences even within each brand.

For example, with De’Longhi, there’s a clear distinction between budget and premium models. Machines like the Magnifica Start or Magnifica Evo froth milk with decent quality but nothing spectacular, while models like the Dinamica Plus, Rivelia, Magnifica Plus, Eletta Explore, and PrimaDonna texture milk exceptionally well.

What these premium De’Longhi models have in common is the LatteCrema system with three milk texture settings. If you’re buying a De’Longhi and care about milk frothing quality, get one of these models.