Imagine waking up to the rich aroma of perfectly brewed espresso, followed by the comforting warmth of a classic drip coffee – all from the same machine. Sounds like a dream, right? But for many of us, this dream can quickly turn into a confusing reality when faced with the sheer number of combination coffee maker espresso machines on the market. It’s a jungle out there, and figuring out which one will actually deliver on its promises can feel overwhelming. You want the best of both worlds, but you don’t want to waste your hard-earned money on a machine that falls short.
That’s where we come in. This post is designed to cut through the noise and bring clarity to your quest. We’ll break down what makes these machines tick, what to look for, and what common pitfalls to avoid. By the end, you’ll feel confident about choosing a combination coffee maker espresso machine that fits your taste, your budget, and your morning routine, transforming your kitchen counter into a personal café.
Our Top 5 Combination Coffee Maker Espresso Machine Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Combination Coffee Maker Espresso Machine Detailed Reviews
1. De’Longhi All-in-One Combination Coffee Maker & Espresso Machine + Advanced Adjustable Milk Frother for Cappuccino & Latte + Glass Coffee Pot 10-Cup
Rating: 9.4/10
The De’Longhi COM532M is a versatile coffee maker that lets you enjoy both regular coffee and espresso at home. It has a sleek black design and a glass coffee pot that holds up to 10 cups. This machine is designed to make your mornings easier and your coffee experience more enjoyable.
What We Like:
- Brew coffee and espresso at the same time with the Dual Heating System. No more waiting!
- Taste real Italian espresso thanks to the 15 BAR pressure pump. It makes your coffee taste super rich.
- Create perfect cappuccinos and lattes with the Advanced Steam wand. You can choose how foamy you want your milk.
- Set it up the night before with the 24-hour programmable timer. Wake up to fresh coffee ready for you.
- Customize your coffee’s flavor with the Bold Setting. Get a strong, smooth taste just how you like it.
- Pour coffee without spills thanks to the spill-proof carafe. Not a single drop is wasted.
- The Digital Touchscreen makes it easy to use. It’s simple and quick to pick your settings.
What Could Be Improved:
- The glass carafe can be fragile if not handled carefully.
- For very large households, a bigger coffee pot might be preferred.
The De’Longhi COM532M is a fantastic machine for coffee lovers. It offers a lot of features that make it easy to make your favorite drinks right in your own kitchen.
2. Espressione Combination Stainless Steel Espresso + Coffee Maker
Rating: 8.9/10
The Espressione Combination Stainless Steel Espresso + Coffee Maker, 10 cups brings Swiss-designed quality and Italian power to your kitchen. This machine brews both delicious espresso and coffee, giving you options for your morning routine. It’s built for performance and looks great on your counter.
What We Like:
- It uses a powerful 19 bar ULKA pump from Italy, which means strong brewing and frothing for your drinks.
- The die-cast aluminum filter holder with a “moustache style” outlet lets you brew into two cups at once.
- You can choose between manual and automatic brewing, giving you control over your coffee.
- Programmable functions make it easy to create perfect single and double espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes.
- The water tank and drip tray are removable, making cleanup quick and simple.
- A built-in heating grid on top keeps your cups warm.
- The whole machine has a beautiful stainless steel design.
What Could Be Improved:
- The instructions mention that grind size, coffee amount, and tamping pressure are important for proper brewing. You might need to experiment to get it just right.
- The amount of espresso extracted can change if you adjust the grind size or coffee amount, so you may need to reprogram the machine.
This Espressione machine offers a lot of features for coffee lovers. With a little practice, you can enjoy a variety of coffee drinks right at home.
3. Ninja Espresso & Coffee Maker & Barista System
Rating: 9.1/10
Get ready to become your own home barista with the Ninja Espresso & Coffee Maker & Barista System. This all-in-one machine lets you craft everything from a quick espresso shot to a full carafe of coffee, all with the touch of a button. Its sleek black design will look great on any countertop.
What We Like:
- The BARISTA PLUS TECHNOLOGY uses 19-bar pressure to make super tasty espresso with a beautiful foam top. It brews at just the right heat and pressure.
- You can make fancy coffee drinks like cappuccinos and lattes right at home with the built-in frother.
- It brews three different sizes of single-serve espresso: Espresso (1.35 oz), Lungo (3.75 oz), and Over Ice (1 oz).
- It works with Nespresso capsules, so you have lots of flavor choices.
- You can also brew regular coffee grounds in three styles: Classic, Rich, or Over Ice.
- It offers nine different brew sizes, from a single cup to a full 12-cup carafe.
- The adjustable cup tray fits different-sized cups and travel mugs.
- The used capsule storage bin holds up to 20 capsules, making cleanup easy.
- Convenient features like Delay Brew, Keep Warm, and Clean functions make brewing simple.
- It comes with a 20-capsule storage bin, a removable water tank, a Ninja Smart Scoop, a warming plate, a paper filter kit, and a 12-cup glass carafe.
What Could Be Improved:
- Espresso capsules are sold separately, so you’ll need to buy those in addition to the machine.
This Ninja machine truly offers amazing versatility for any coffee lover. You can brew for yourself or entertain a crowd with ease.
4. Cuisinart Coffee Center Barista Bar 4-in-1 Coffee Maker
Rating: 8.9/10
The Cuisinart Coffee Center Barista Bar 4-in-1 Coffee Maker is a versatile machine that brings the coffee shop experience right to your kitchen. It handles everything from a full 12-cup pot to fancy single-serve drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, making it a great choice for busy mornings or when you have guests.
What We Like:
- It makes up to 12 cups of coffee, so there’s enough for everyone.
- You can make single-serve drinks like cappuccinos and lattes.
- It’s programmable for 24 hours, so your coffee is ready when you are.
- You can choose how strong you want your coffee with the brew strength control.
- It comes with a reusable filter and a water filter for better taste.
- The single-serve brewer offers three sizes: 6 oz., 8 oz., and 10 oz.
- It works with Keurig K-Cup pods and other single-serve pods.
- It’s also compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine-style capsules for espresso.
- The Keep Warm feature keeps your coffee hot for up to 4 hours.
- The Brew Pause feature lets you grab a cup before the brewing is finished.
What Could Be Improved:
- The carafe size is 12 cups, which might be too much for some individuals or couples.
- While it offers multiple brewing options, some users might find the initial setup or learning curve a bit complex.
This Cuisinart Coffee Center Barista Bar truly offers a lot of options for coffee lovers. It’s a fantastic machine for anyone who enjoys variety and convenience in their daily coffee routine.
5. Ninja Drip Coffee Maker With K Cup Combo
Rating: 9.1/10
The Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System (CFP301) is a versatile coffee maker that lets you brew coffee your way, every time. It can make a single cup from a K-Cup pod or a full pot from coffee grounds. This machine is designed for busy people who want great-tasting coffee quickly.
What We Like:
- It offers 13 different brew sizes, so you can make a small cup, a large travel mug, or a full 12-cup carafe.
- You can brew your coffee hot, over ice, or even make a rich concentrate for fancy coffee drinks.
- It brews pods faster than some other popular brands, saving you time in the morning.
- The machine has a separate hot water dispenser for tea, instant soup, or hot cocoa, so your coffee won’t taste like anything else.
- It comes with a built-in frother that can make hot or cold foam for your drinks.
- The water reservoir is large (60 oz) and can be moved to fit your kitchen counter.
- You get a glass carafe, a K-Cup adapter, and a frother included.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users might find the number of brew size options a bit overwhelming at first.
- While it brews quickly, the initial startup time might still feel a little long for some.
This Ninja DualBrew Pro is a fantastic option for any coffee lover who enjoys variety. It gives you the flexibility to enjoy different coffee styles and hot beverages with ease.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Your Perfect Coffee & Espresso Machine
So, you want the best of both worlds: a hot cup of coffee in the morning and a fancy espresso drink in the afternoon? A combination coffee maker and espresso machine is your answer! This handy appliance brews regular coffee and makes espresso, giving you lots of choices. Let’s find the right one for you.
Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping, keep an eye out for these important things:
- Brewing Capacity: How much coffee can it make at once? Some machines make a single cup, while others brew a whole pot. Think about how many people you usually make coffee for.
- Espresso Type: Most machines use either a steam wand or a pump to make espresso. Pump-driven machines usually make better, richer espresso.
- Milk Frothing: Do you like lattes or cappuccinos? Look for a machine with a good milk frother. Some have steam wands you control yourself, while others have automatic frothers.
- Ease of Use: Is it simple to set up and use? Buttons should be clear. Cleaning should be easy too.
- Programmable Settings: Some machines let you set a timer so your coffee is ready when you wake up. Others let you choose how strong you want your coffee.
- Water Tank Size: A bigger water tank means you don’t have to refill it as often.
- Built-in Grinder: Some machines have a grinder. This means you can use whole coffee beans and get the freshest taste.
Important Materials
The materials used in your machine can affect how long it lasts and how well it works.
- Stainless Steel: This is a strong and durable material. Machines with stainless steel parts often look sleek and last a long time.
- Plastic: Most machines use plastic for parts like the water tank and drip tray. High-quality plastic is fine, but cheap plastic might not be as strong.
- Glass: Coffee carafes are often made of glass. Tempered glass is best because it’s less likely to break.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Some things make a machine great, while others can make it less ideal.
- Pump Pressure (for Espresso): For good espresso, the pump should be at least 9 bars of pressure. Higher pressure usually means better espresso.
- Heating System: A good heating system makes sure your coffee and espresso are the right temperature. Some machines heat up faster than others.
- Ease of Cleaning: If it’s hard to clean, you might not use it as much. Removable parts and simple designs make cleaning much easier.
- Noise Level: Some machines are louder than others, especially when grinding beans or frothing milk. If you’re sensitive to noise, check reviews.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you’ll use your machine every day.
- For the Busy Bee: If you rush in the morning, a programmable coffee maker with a quick brew time is perfect. You can set it the night before and wake up to fresh coffee.
- For the Coffee Connoisseur: If you love trying different coffee drinks, a machine with a good espresso maker and a versatile milk frother will let you experiment.
- For the Space Saver: A combination machine is great if you don’t have much counter space. It does the job of two machines in one.
- For Entertaining: If you often have guests, a machine that can brew a large pot of coffee and also make individual espresso drinks is very useful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a combination coffee maker and espresso machine?
A: It’s a single appliance that can brew regular coffee and make espresso drinks.
Q: What are the main Key Features to look for?
A: Look for brewing capacity, espresso type (pump or steam), milk frothing ability, ease of use, programmable settings, water tank size, and if it has a built-in grinder.
Q: What materials are important in these machines?
A: Stainless steel is durable. High-quality plastic is common. Glass carafes should be tempered glass.
Q: What factors improve or reduce the quality of the machine?
A: Good pump pressure for espresso, an efficient heating system, and easy cleaning improve quality. Difficult cleaning reduces it.
Q: How do I choose based on my User Experience?
A: If you’re busy, look for speed and programmability. If you love fancy drinks, focus on espresso and frothing features.
Q: Can I make both regular coffee and espresso with one machine?
A: Yes, that’s exactly what a combination machine is designed to do.
Q: Are combination machines hard to clean?
A: It depends on the model. Many are designed for easy cleaning with removable parts.
Q: Do I need to buy separate coffee beans and espresso beans?
A: You can often use the same coffee beans for both, but some people prefer specific beans for espresso for a richer flavor.
Q: How much counter space do these machines take up?
A: They usually take up less space than having a separate coffee maker and espresso machine.
Q: Are combination machines expensive?
A: Prices vary widely. Basic models are affordable, while high-end machines with advanced features can be more expensive.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
Hi, I’m Scott Fischer, the voice behind SliceItRight. My passion for food started in my grandmother’s kitchen, where I learned the art of slicing, dicing, and creating delicious meals. Over the years, I’ve explored everything from the perfect kitchen gadgets to mastering culinary techniques, and I’m here to share all of it with you. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced home chef, my goal is to make cooking easier, more enjoyable, and a lot more fun. So, let’s slice it right and cook up something amazing together!