7 Best Coffee and Espresso Maker Combos – Reviewed

If you’re a coffee maniac like me, you know the importance of having an espresso maker and drip coffee machine in your kitchen.

Both are amazing tools that help make delicious drinks, but it can be difficult to choose between them, especially if space is limited or your budget isn’t unlimited.

That’s where an espresso and coffee maker combo comes in – the best of both worlds combined into one product!

As a couple of experienced baristas, we have done extensive research to find, review and test an array of these machines to find the best ones.

In the rest of this post, we’ll take a look at what makes up the best coffee and espresso maker combo — from features like built-in water filters to programmable favourites functions — in order to help you choose the perfect machine for your home!

The 7 Best Coffee and Espresso Maker Combos For Every Budget

Whether you’re an avid barista looking for the perfect brew or a caffeine connoisseur hoping to enjoy your favourite drink from home, finding the right combo unit can be a difficult task.

With so many makes and models out there promising great results each with its own array of features, it can be tricky knowing which one is going to deliver on that promise.

Don’t worry – we’ve tried them all so you don’t have to!

Our recommendations have been thoroughly reviewed before making our list. We only recommend machines that we would use ourselves.

De’Longhi All-in-One – Best Overall

De’Longhi, as an espresso and coffee machine company, does not disappoint. Once again, they did a very good job with this All-In-One combo machine.

As for the drip coffee brewing side of things, the machine has a 10-cup coffee volume, which is more than enough for a large household.

On the espresso brewing side of things, it has a 15-bar Italian pressure pump. Usually, espresso machines use 9 bars to make espresso, so this is more than enough.

And if you can’t decide between pods and ground coffee, a 2-in-1 portafilter allows you to brew both. Plus you get a single and double-shot filter basket.

One of the things we like the most about De’Longhi’s combo machine is the Dual Heating system. This means that you can brew coffee and espresso without delay and even simultaneously.

Moreover, the machine has advanced technology that allows you to personalize the coffee by adjusting the temperature, strength, and flavour to suit your particular taste.

And the 24-hour programmable timer is also a great addition. You can set it to brew a freshly brewed cup of coffee any time you want.

We find it has a convenient self-cleaning feature, which makes it easy to maintain for long-lasting use. Furthermore, it has a compact design that fits nicely on your kitchen counter while not taking up too much space.

As for the built quality, De’Longhi’s combo machine is made from high-quality plastic and stainless steel materials. It looks sturdy although plastic components might feel a bit flimsy.

The All-in-One combination machine comes with a built-in frother. This means that you can make lattes and cappuccinos. However, we find that the frother is not the top quality, as is sadly the case with all machines in this category.

Nonetheless, this coffee and espresso combo is definitely a valuable addition to any kitchen setting. It’s got a large capacity, a solid espresso setup, and is not that expensive considering what you get with it.

Espressione Combination – Runner Up

To be honest, the Espressione machine made one of our lists for the first time ever. And that’s not just because it is made entirely from stainless steel.

This semi-automatic machine features a 19-bar high-pressure ULKA pump and thermoblock heating system that provide the perfect brew. Just like De’Longhi, it is compatible with both ground coffee and ESE easy-serving espresso pods.

It can brew up to 10 cups of coffee thanks to a large 1.5l reservoir. The Coffee Carafe has heatproof volume markers and a heat place to keep your coffee hot at all times.

Furthermore, Espressione has a simple control panel that allows you to program your espresso and coffee settings.

And the built-in timer allows you to set the brew time according to your needs.

The machine also comes with a milk frother. This added feature is a great convenience if you want to save some money on lattes or cappuccinos from your local coffee place.

One of the main things that we really like about the Espressione Combination is its high-quality build and durability.

As we mentioned in the opening paragraphs, the machine is made with stainless steel, which not only provides a sleek and modern look but also ensures that the machine can withstand daily use.

Aside from the looks, there is no big difference between Espressione and De’Longhi. They even have the same price tag. Ultimately, if you want the best of both worlds of coffee and espresso, these two combo machines are the top choices.

Mr Coffee 4-Cup – Best On-Budget

If you are a single person that needs a quick caffeine fix in the morning, but you don’t want to shell out a few 100s on a machine, this little guy might do the trick for you.

This machine can brew 20oz of espresso into a glass decanter with serving measurements for 1-4 cups. To brew espresso, it uses a Steam Heat system that forces hot steam through the filter, which is different from most espresso machines.

The glass decanter features a stay-cool handle and a drip-free spout for easy pouring.

Just like De’Longhi and Esspressione combos, Mr Coffee’s comes with a built-in manual frother. Although, don’t expect high-quality frothing capabilities in this machine.

One of the main benefits of the Mr Coffee 4-Cup is its affordability, of course. It offers high-quality espresso at a fraction of the cost of larger, more expensive machines.

And its compact size means it doesn’t take up too much space on your countertop, and it’s easy to store when not in use.

While the Mr Coffee 4-Cup is a solid coffee and espresso combo machine, there are a few drawbacks to consider.

The four-cup capacity might not be enough for some coffee drinkers, especially those who like to entertain guests.

Additionally, some users have reported that it can be a bit challenging to get the perfect temperature for their espresso, which can result in under or over-extraction.

That’s not a real surprise to us. After all, this is a budget option. You get what you pay for. And you can’t expect the top-shelf quality.

But if you are not a coffee connoisseur, and you just need a quick caffeine fix in the morning or during the day alone or with a few friends in your place, Mr Coffee’s affordable machine is for you.

PHILIPS 4300 Series – Best Automatic

If money is not an issue for you, and you want to enjoy the best quality espresso and coffee drinks, then this robust super-automatic espresso machine is for you.

And if you don’t want to deal with the mess of making espresso and coffee, you will love the fact that this unit enables you to make coffee and espresso with the touch of a button.

The 4300 Series has a user-friendly interface with a clear LCD display that shows the status of your coffee and it allows you to pick and customize your coffee to your liking, which is our favourite feature, hands down.

It also comes equipped with a fast heat-up time that can brew your coffee in seconds. This is perfect if you are in a hurry in the morning.

Another remarkable aspect of this unit is its milk-frothing technology, which produces creamy, velvety-frothed milk drinks automatically for you.

On top of that, the machine has a built-in grinder, which ensures that your coffee is always fresh and full-flavoured. The grinder has 12 different settings, so you can adjust the coarseness of your coffee to your liking.

Another great feature of the 4300 Series coffee and espresso maker is its ability to make both hot and cold coffee.

One of the most significant benefits of owning the 4300 Series is its durability. It is made with high-quality materials that ensure it lasts a long time.

With the AquaClean system, it is super easy to clean the machine. The machine will prompt you to change the filter automatically. You’ll have up to 5000 cups before needing to descale the machine.

The only drawback to this coffee and espresso combo is the steep price.

Keurig K-Cafe – Best for K-Cup Pods

K-Cafe is definitely one of the best coffee and espresso maker combo machines that work on the power of PODs.

One of the standout features of this unit is its ability to brew any K-Cup pod, so you’re not limited to a particular coffee brand. As for the capacity, you can brew 6, 8, 10, or 12oz of your favourite coffee.

Another feature is the machine’s built-in milk frother. It’s an automatic swirling frother by the way. This makes it easy to create your favourite coffee-based drinks.

We are not fans of this type of frother. They can’t achieve as customized milk foam as manual frothers found on De’Longhi, nothing else. But it’s still a great hand-free device that helps you to make your latte effortlessly.

In terms of convenience, the Keurig K-Cafe doesn’t disappoint. It has a generous-sized water reservoir. You can make up to 6 cups of coffee without needing to refill the tank.

The machine has a descaling feature, which makes it easy to clean and maintain. Plus, the removable drip tray makes it easy to dispose of any coffee spills or debris after each use.

The programmable auto-off feature turns off your brewer 2 hours after the last brew, saving energy, which makes this machine eco-friendly too.

Unfortunatelly, like with every other pod machine, you can’t use ground espresso coffee, and we are disappointed with that.

Nespresso VertuoPlus – Best For Nespresso Pods

Another great POD coffee and espresso maker combo that made our list comes from Nespresso’s new Vertuo Line.

One of the primary benefits of this unit is its versatility and ease of use, which is the thing we love about these machines.

It can brew 5 oz and 8 oz cups of coffee. As for the espresso, it easily makes single and double with a touch of a button that is located on the top of the machine.

You will love the fact that VertuoPlus features an adjustable rotating water tank that can hold up to 60 ounces of water, meaning fewer trips to the sink to refill.

The machine has an impressive heat-up time of just 20 seconds, making it convenient if you love your coffee on the go.

One of the standout features of the VertuoPlus is its barcode technology. Each coffee capsule is outfitted with a barcode that the machine scans to brew the perfect cup of coffee or espresso every time.

Furthermore, the VertuoPlus has a unique centrifugal extraction system that rotates the coffee capsule at high speed, compacting the coffee grounds and extracting every ounce of flavour and aroma.

With Nespresso’s Aeroccino3, which comes included with the unit, you can froth hot or cold milk for your coffee recipes.

The machine comes with a descaling mode. After the descaling process is complete, the machine will flash to indicate it is ready to use.

On the downside, it is a bit expensive and it doesn’t allow you to use ground espresso coffee. But if you are a fan of Nespresso machines and their ability to brew all types of coffee drinks, we highly recommend VertuoPlus.

Ninja CFN601 – Most Versatile

If you like espresso, drip coffee, iced coffee, and all sorts of espresso drinks, then the Ninja CFN601 is worth taking a look at.

It features a 12-cup carafe, which is enough for brewing large batches of coffee. You can also choose from 8 more brewing sizes and two brewing styles: Rich and Classic. And the Precision Warming Plate Keeps coffee hot for up to 4 hours.

As for the espresso brewing capabilities, this unit uses a 19-bar pressure system to ensure that every shot of espresso is full-bodied, with a crema on top.

The Auto-iQ One-Touch Intelligence technology ensures that each drink is perfectly brewed, without the need for constant monitoring or adjustments.

But if you want, you can use the intuitive touch display to program and customize each drink to your preference.

As we said, Njinja is versatile. It allows you to brew espresso and lungo using espresso capsules. Sadly, you can’t use ground espresso coffee.

One of the machine’s standout features that we liked the most is its built-in hot and cold frother, which allows you to create hot lattes and cappuccinos and cold coffee drinks such as iced lattes and frappuccinos.

We find that the height-adjustable espresso cup tray can fit up to an 8″ travel mug! On top of that, Njinja has a removable and generous 60 oz water tank.

The Ninja CFN601 is also eco-friendly, as it comes with a reusable metal filter, eliminating the need for paper filters. It also has a detachable water tank that helps to clean the espresso machine easily.

How to Choose the Best Coffee and Espresso Maker Combo

Finding the best unit is essential if you want to get the most out of your cup.

From cost-effectiveness to fuss-free maintenance, there are numerous factors that go into choosing excellent coffee and espresso tools.

Types of Coffee and Espresso Maker Combos

When it comes to these machines, there are several types available on the market. Understanding the different types can help you make an informed decision based on your preferences and brewing needs.

Here are some common types of coffee and espresso maker combos:

Drip coffee and espresso makers

• These machines feature a drip coffee maker and an espresso maker in one unit.
• They often have separate water reservoirs and brewing mechanisms for coffee and espresso.
• Drip coffee brewing is typically done through a filter basket, while espresso is brewed using a portafilter and a pump.

Pod-based coffee and espresso makers

• Pod-based coffee and espresso makers use pre-packaged coffee or espresso pods or capsules such as Nespresso and K-Cup.
• They offer convenience and simplicity, as the pods contain pre-measured portions of coffee or espresso.
• These machines often have options for various coffee and espresso flavours, sizes and strengths.

Automatic espresso machines with built-in coffee brewing functions

• These machines are primarily automatic espresso machines with additional built-in coffee brewing capabilities.
• They provide convenience and automation for both espresso and coffee brewing.
• These machines often have programmable settings for various drink sizes and strength preferences.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Coffee and Espresso Maker Combo

When evaluating the performance and features of a unit, it’s important to consider several aspects to ensure you choose a machine that meets your expectations.

Here are key factors to evaluate:

Coffee brew quality and taste

In our reviews, we assess the overall quality of both coffee and espresso brewed by the machine. Look for models that consistently produce flavorful and balanced drinks.

We recommend considering factors like extraction consistency, temperature control, and brewing methods employed by the machine to achieve optimal taste.

Espresso extraction capabilities

For espresso lovers, we evaluate the machine’s espresso extraction capabilities to make sure that the unit meets high-quality standards.

Look for features like pump pressure, pre-infusion, and temperature stability, as they play a vital role in extracting rich and crema-filled espresso shots.

Milk frothing and steaming functions

For those who enjoy milk-based drinks like lattes or cappuccinos, we evaluate the machine’s milk frothing and steaming capabilities.

We recommend looking for machines that produce good froth consistently.

Consider whether the machine has a built-in steam wand or automatic milk frothing functionality and assess the quality of the results achieved.

Programmable settings and control options

Check for programmable settings that allow you to customize brewing parameters, such as brew strength, temperature, and extraction time.

Having control over these variables enables you to fine-tune your coffee and espresso to your preferences.

Budget considerations

Coffee and espresso maker combos vary in price, so understanding your budget will help you narrow down your choices.

On the one hand, you can save money with the cheapest models, but lose on quality. On the other hand, premium models cost more, but they are usually long-term investment.

Space and size limitations

Consider the available space in your kitchen or the area where you plan to place the machine. Measure the dimensions to ensure that the unit will fit comfortably in your desired location.

Brewing capacity

If you frequently entertain guests or have a larger household, you may prefer a model that can brew multiple cups of coffee or espresso at once.

Most of the models on our list can brew multiple cups and even a 12-cup carafe at once.

Ease of use and cleaning

We look for machines that are user-friendly and easy to operate, which is especially important if you’re new to brewing coffee and espresso.

Consider the control options, display features, and intuitive interfaces. Additionally, assess the ease of cleaning the machine, including removable parts and accessibility for maintenance.

Durability and build quality

When writing our list of the best coffee and espresso maker combos, we assess the build quality and materials used in the construction of the machine.

A durable and well-built unit is likely to last longer and provide consistent performance over time.

You can expect high performance in this area from machines like Philips, Ninja, Keurig, Nespresso, Espressione and De’Longhi.

Our #1 Recommendation

All in all, De’Longhi’s All-in-One Combination is our number-one pick from our list of the best coffee and espresso maker combos. It is a wise choice for all types of users.

This machine has all the features necessary to successfully craft both drinks with ease. It’s easy to maintain. And the price is great too!

So if you’re looking for the perfect combination of durability, convenience, and taste in your next coffee and espresso maker, De’Longhi’s All-in-One Combo is definitely your best choice.

With a variety of features that will please any coffee enthusiast, you can guarantee yourself a great pick when you choose this machine!

FAQs

How does a coffee and espresso maker combo work?

This type of machine is designed to offer the convenience of brewing both regular coffee and espresso in a single unit.

• Coffee Brewing: For coffee brewing, the machine usually employs a drip brewing method. Water from the reservoir is heated and then drips through a filter basket containing coffee grounds. The water passes through the grounds, extracting flavour, and collects in a carafe or cup.
• Espresso Brewing: For espresso brewing, the machine typically utilizes a pump and portafilter system. Water from the reservoir is heated and pressurized by the pump, creating the ideal conditions for espresso extraction. The hot water is forced through tightly packed, finely ground coffee in the portafilter, resulting in a concentrated shot of espresso.

Can I make both coffee and espresso simultaneously?

In most coffee and espresso maker combos, it is not possible to make coffee and espresso simultaneously.

These machines typically have separate brewing mechanisms for coffee and espresso, and they require different brewing processes and water temperatures.

The good news is that some advanced models like our #1 pick from DeLonghi have dual boilers or dual brewing chambers that enable simultaneous brewing!

Can I adjust the strength of coffee and espresso with a combo machine?

Yes, many units offer the ability to adjust the strength of both coffee and espresso according to your preferences. Here’s how you can typically adjust the strength:

• Coffee Strength Adjustment: For coffee brewing, the machine may have settings or options to control the strength of the coffee. This can include adjusting the coffee-to-water ratio or the brew time to achieve a stronger or milder cup of coffee. Some machines offer a “bold” or “strong” setting that increases the concentration of coffee for a bolder flavour.
• Espresso Strength Adjustment: When it comes to espresso, the strength can be adjusted through various factors. One common method is to adjust the grind size of the coffee beans. Finer grounds generally result in a stronger espresso, while coarser grounds produce a milder shot. Some espresso machines also allow you to adjust the amount of coffee in the portafilter or the extraction time, which can impact the strength of the espresso.

Can I use coffee pods or capsules with a coffee and espresso maker combo?

Yes, some units like De’Longhi All-In-One are compatible with both ground coffee and pods or capsules, providing the convenience of using pre-packaged portions for brewing.

If you want a strict pod machine, our best recommendation is Nespresso VertuoPlus.

Can I froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos with a combo machine?

Yes, many coffee and espresso maker combos have the capability to froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos.

There are typically two common methods for frothing milk with a combo machine: built-in Manual Steam Wand and Automatic Milk Frothing.

Our best pick with a steam wand is De’Longhi All-In-One. As for automatic frothing (and brewing) capabilities, we recommend Philips 4300 Series.