Back to School Espresso Machines

It’s back to school time, and we thought we would put up some recommendations for espresso that can make going back to school a bit easier to handle. Late nights and low-grade cafeteria coffee can take their toll on you:

Best Espresso Machine Under $500

The FrancisFrancis! X6 features a 1100-watt espresso/cappuccino machine housed in ABS plastic with chrome accents and works with ESE pods. It also features an 18-bar pressure pump; all-brass boiler refills automatically and the new Trio Technology which allows for making 3 espresso preparations--short, normal, and long. It has a 5-cup removable water tank, steam jet with built-in milk foamer, and a handy cup warmer. The Francis Francis X6 is priced at $429; normally runs $500 and higher.

Best Espresso Machine Under $250

The Breville Café Roma is a great all around espresso machine with a 15 bar pump, and a good looking stainless steel exterior. It can work with ground espresso and EE Pods for easy espresso shots. The 5.2 cup removable water tank will keep you going for a lot of espressos. The milk foamer has a special easy to use attachment that will allow you to make lattes and cappuccinos simply and without headaches. The Breville Café Roma is priced under $250.

Best Espresso Machine Under $70
Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker with ESE Pod Holder comes ready to brew espresso from ground coffee and ESE pods also. It’s 2 cup reservoir is a little on the small side, but should do well pulling several espressos before re-filling. Even at this price, the unit comes with a pump that puts out 15 bar of pressure to pull good espressos topped with a good crèma. Solid machine for good espresso at this price, under $70.

For all of the Machines above, don't forget the ESE Pods!
Crank a few of these out and you'll have not trouble staying up to study. You can go with the old standby of Starbucks Espresso Pods – 24 ct; tastes just like the coffee in the shops, or our current favorite Lavazza Grand Espresso Pods – 50ct, great Italian Espresso.

Best Espresso Set Up Under $35
OK, so you can’t go with the machine, but have access to a stove. Here’s the Bialetti 6 Cup Stove Top Espresso Maker, and an Aero Latte Milk Frother. You can still whip up espressos and a nicely topped latte pretty easily with this wet-up. Not a bad deal for under $35.

Can’t Decide?
Send that college bound espresso lover off with a Starbucks Card – reload the thing on the web and let them have their own fun hanging out at the local Starbucks.

If you spend $125 or more at Amazon in the Kitchen area, you can save $25 on your order by using the AUGSAVER promotional code. On top of that, you'll qualify for free shipping.

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Posted by Scott Martin at August 14, 2006 8:08 AM