7 portafilter machines tested

Anyone who opts for a portafilter espresso machine is choosing the path of deceleration, mindfulness and enjoyment. With this class of appliance, espresso preparation mutates from the everyday to the ceremonial. At the same time, you have maximum control over each individual brewing process, where you can influence almost every detail yourself, from the type of bean to the grind, brewing temperature and time. The traditional Italian brands from Gaggia and Lelit are best able to convey this feeling both visually and haptically. However, they also leave beginners pretty much on their own and offer hardly any convenience functions. You first have to familiarise yourself with roping and brewing before you can reliably enjoy the espresso of your dreams. The runner-up from De'Longhi in particular does not need this training, as it elegantly combines the traditional and the modern thanks to numerous innovations such as Smart Tamping and automatic milk frothing. The test winner from Graef lacks these special extras as well as the coffee grinder. However, the machine excelled in all test points, is superbly equipped and particularly easy to clean. It is almost impossible to draw conclusions about the quality of the final espresso based solely on the technology installed, such as the boiler or thermoblock, because correct handling and the quality of the coffee beans used are the most important influencing factors. For you, this means that you have to decide whether you want these auxiliary functions or not. With a little practice, good espresso can be brewed with all machines.