The best espresso machine for you will greatly depend on how you intend to use it.
This post will show you the 5 best espresso machines to get if you intend to use one to make long black.
This post recommends three different types of espresso machines which are semi-automatic, automatic and pod-style espresso machines.
Semi-automatic machines will require that you grind, tamp and time the espresso shot. This gives you full control over the taste of the espresso but requires the most amount of work.
Automatic espresso machines will grind the beans and make the espresso for you all you have to do is to put beans into the machine and press a button. Automatic machines give you less control compared to semi-automatic machines but they do still give you a lot of control over how it is made and using your own beans allows the espresso to be fresh.
To make espresso using a pod-style machine you just put a pod into the machine and press a button. They are quick and easy to use and require the least time in cleaning and maintaining them. However, the espresso won’t be as high quality as with the other two options but the espresso is still good.
| Machine | Type | Features |
| Breville Barista Express on Amazon | Semi-Automatic | Built-in grinder, espresso size selector, grind size selector, milk frother, hot water dispenser, automatic shutoff, drip tray, tamper included, portafilter included |
| DeLonghi Magnifica on Amazon | Automatic | Milk frother, Automatic bean grinder, 60 oz water reservoir, Auto-shutoff |
| VertuoPlus on Amazon | Pod | Makes: Large Coffee (14 oz), Coffee (8oz), Gran Lungo (5 oz), Double Espresso (2.7 oz), Espresso (1.35 oz) Uses VertuoLine pods, Can be bought with Aeroccino milk frother |
| Keurig K-Cafe on Amazon | Pod | Makes sizes: 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz Features automatic milk frother to make latte, cappuccino or flat white with Uses k-pods |
| DeLonghi Dedica on Amazon | Semi-Automatic | Milk frother, tamper included, portafilter included, compact design, single or double size options, pod compatible |
The above espresso machines are recommended for long black due to their proven levels of reliability and quality after having been used by many users.
Breville Barista Express
The Breville Barista Express is one of the more premium machines in this list. However, it has proven to be a very reliable and high-quality machine that has been highly rated by its many users.
The Breville Barista Express is a semi-automatic machine so you’ll need to tamp the coffee grind and time the shot to make the espresso.
However, you will not need to grind them since the machine comes with a built-in automatic grinder that allows you to control the grind size and the amount to be used to make the espresso.
To make an espresso using the machine you select the grind size and amount, push on a level using the provided portafilter, tamp it using the provided tamper, put the portafilter back into the machine and then press a button to make the espresso.
The machine also comes with a milk frother that you can use to make cappuccino, latte or other milk-based espresso drinks.
It also has a hot water dispenser that you can use to make long black with. To make long black using the machine you just need to make the espresso and then add in some more water using the hot water dispenser.
You can watch the video below to see a video review of the Breville Barista Express.
You can find the Breville Barista Express here on Amazon.
DeLonghi Magnifica
The DeLonghi Magnifica is a re-iteration of a previous machine made by DeLonghi that was very popular and well received.
The DeLonghi Magnifica is an automatic espresso machine. This means that to make espresso using the machine you just need to put coffee beans into the machine and then to press a button to make the espresso.
Normally, automatic espresso machines will give you less control over the way that the espresso tastes compared to semi-automatic machines. However, the DeLonghi Magnifica lets you control the strength and amount of water to be used in making the espresso shot so you should be able to adjust it to your taste easily.
The DeLonghi Magnifica comes with a milk frother that you can use to make milk-based espresso drinks with.
It also features a hot water dispenser that you can use to make long black with without having to heat up the water yourself.
You can see a video review of the machine below.
You can find the DeLonghi Magnifica here on Amazon.
Nespresso VertuoPlus
The Nespresso VertuoPlus is one of the newer espresso machines being offered by Nespresso.
It is a pod-style machine. This means that to make espresso using the machine you just need to fill it up with water, press a button and then the machine will make the espresso.
Pod-style machines are quick and easy to use and they have a wide range of flavors that you can choose from. However, the espresso won’t taste quite as fresh as with Semi-automatic or automatic espresso machines but it does still taste good.
The VertuoPlus is a VertuoLine machine. This means that it reads the barcodes on the pods and gathers information about the strength and length of the espresso so that it can adapt the way it makes the espresso based on its barcode.
However, this also means that the machine will only work with VeruoLine pods sold by Nespresso. So, it will cost a bit more to use this machine compared to other pod machines and the selection of flavors will be slightly lower but there are still a lot to choose from.
The machine allows you to make five different sizes which are:
- Large Coffee (14 oz),
- Coffee (8oz),
- Gran Lungo (5 oz),
- Double Espresso (2.7 oz),
- Espresso (1.35 oz)
Even though, you can’t automatically make long black using the machine you can make espresso that tastes very similar to it by making a Gran Lungo.
You can also get it with an Aeroccino milk frother that you can use to make milk-based espresso drinks.
You can watch the video below to see a video review of the machine.
You can find the VertuoPlus here on Amazon.
Keurig K-Cafe
The Keurig K-Cafe is among the most popular pod espresso machines available.
It uses k-pods to make the espresso which are widely available, relatively cheap, sold by third-party sellers and have a wide range of flavors to choose from.
It also features an automatic milk frother that you can use to automatically make cappuccino or latte all you have to do is to pour the frothed milk into the espresso.
It also allows you to make a number of different drink sizes which are 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz. This means that you will be able to make drinks that taste very similar to long black by making a 6 oz drink and using a pod that has the same taste.
You can watch the video below to see a video review of the Keurig K-Cafe.
You can also find the Keurig K-Cafe here on Amazon.
DeLonghi Dedica
The DeLonghi Dedica is a machine that has been on offer for a while now and it has proven to be a very reliable and high-quality machine at its price point.
The DeLonghi Dedica is a semi-automatic machine so you will need to grind the espresso, tamp it and time the espresso shot. However, this does give you full control over the way that it tastes.
It is made mostly from stainless steel which is uncommon for a machine at its price point.
It features an automatic milk frother that you can use to make milk-based espresso drinks.
It also features a hot water dispenser that you can use to make long black with.
You can watch the video below to see a 6 month review of the machine.
You can find the DeLonghi Dedica here on Amazon.
