Can a Cheap Espresso Machine Make Good Espresso?
When it comes to espresso, there is a common belief that the best cup needs the best, and most expensive, equipment. We tested the IMUSA 4 Cup Espresso/Cappuccino Maker (Amazon affiliate), which cost under $40 when we tested it, to see how it performed.
IMUSA Four Cup Espresso Brewer
This is a budget-friendly alternative to pricier machines. It has a single boiler for both espresso and steam, a portafilter, and a glass carafe to catch the brew. It is lightweight and easy to use. It does not come with a tamper, an accessory that is normally included. Tampers compress the coffee bed so water flows evenly during extraction. For this test we used a spare tamper from another machine. Check the manufacturer's instructions for how to prepare the coffee bed on this type of machine.
Setup
Because the single boiler serves both coffee and steam, a valve switches between the two. We used an 18 g dose and filled the reservoir with enough water for 36-40 g of espresso, plus a little extra for steaming milk. The carafe has markings, but filling to them makes something closer to brewed coffee than espresso. A double shot is far less than the marked amounts.
Brewing
The machine produced a richly aromatic espresso with a pleasing color. We stopped the brew at 36-40 g, then switched to steam to test that too. The steam valve is nearly full-on or full-off, so it was hard to modulate the flow. It still had plenty of steam power and made milk foam good enough for cappuccinos.
Taste test
The espresso was somewhat low on crema, but the aroma was enticing. We tasted no astringency, with the balance of sweet and bitter that we know in this coffee. The drink was not very hot. Warming the portafilter and carafe with hot water first would likely help. We liked the taste for the price.
Verdict
More expensive machines make it easier to get consistent drinks. But with fresh specialty coffee and a little practice, this machine can make a decent espresso. It will not satisfy people who want more control over extraction, but it is a fair way to start with espresso drinks without spending much.
| What was good | What could be better |
|---|---|
| Price | No tamper included |
| Warm-up time | Makes one drink at a time |
| Ease of use | Hard to make microfoam for latte art |
| Enough steam for cappuccinos | Low crema, drink not very hot |
Watch Steve try out the IMUSA Espresso Maker (Amazon affiliate link):