Our mission is to help you find the best machine for you. Therefore we compared our different models to help you see the details for each machine and also see the differences. The decision is yours, we provide the tools to help you find the machine which is right for you, your lifestyle, and your budget for years to come so you can EnjoyEspresso!

Please find following different spreadsheets to compare the different superautomatic and semi-automatic machines as well as the different grinders.
Frequently asked questions will be answered below as well. We are trying to explaining in plain english, what's behind the fancy sales vocabulary.

By clicking on the different comparison sheets below, your computer will open a new window, using Microsoft Excel to display the spread sheet. When you are done, simply close Excel window.

To compare Superautomatic Espresso Machines:
Gaggia Super Automatics please click here.
Saeco Super Automatics please click here.
Solis Super Automatics please click here.

To compare Semi-Automatic Espress Machines:
Gaggia Semi-automatic please click here

Let us explain to you in plain english all the fancy sales terminology, just click on the word you would like to understand better and use your browsers back button to come back to the list. If you still have questions, please don't hesistate to email us at info@EnjoyEspresso.com, we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

Aqua Prima Water Filter
Automatic Decalcifying Cycle
Autofroth
Bypass Doser
Cappucinatore
Ceramic Grinder
E Plus System
ESE
Gaggia
Handy Doser
Insta Steam
Milk Island
Opti Dose 
Pannarello 
Pods 
Pre-Brew Option 
Puck 
Rapid Steam 
Saeco
SAS Saeco Aroma system
SBS Saeco Brewing System 
Solis
Three Way Solenoid Valve
Turbo Froth

Autofroth / Cappucinatore

Also called Cappuccinatore, this device is attached to the steam wand. It 'sucks' the milk out of a container using the steam from the espresso machine, froth it and dispense it directly into the cup. You can control the speed of the milk flow and temperature with a small valve. The slower the milk flow the hotter the froth. With this device you use exactly the amount of milk you need, no leftover foam. The Autofroth is standard accessory with some superautomatic machines and is optional for most of the other espresso machines. (see Accessories)

Turbofroth / Panarello

The Turbo froth is standard equipment for all espresso machines. Gaggia has designed a steam wand with frothing sleeve to evenly distribute steam and frothed milk for cappuccinoa and lattes. 

Rapid Steam

The rapid steam system allow to switch from espresso making to steaming / frothing within seconds. This is achieved by either a double boiler, where there are two separate boilers constantly maintaining the right pressure for either coffee or steam, or a single boiler with a double heating element, the boiler for the espresso and a thermo block to heat up the steam.  

Puck

The 'left over' from the ground coffee after the espresso is made. The superautomatic machines dispense the pucks automatically into the buil-in container, semi-automatic leave this task to you.

Pods / ESE pods

Easy Serve Espresso pods are a convenient way of making a perfect espresso with a semi-automatic machine. The measured ground coffee is already packed in a filter like pouch. The pod is place in the porta filter and espresso is made as usual. The pods have the advantage that they are virtually 'mess-free', not coffee grounds are left in the filter, just the pod which is easily dumped out. Reduces the clean up time, but the pods are more expensive than regular ground espresso coffee.

Three Way Solenoid Valve

Some of the semi-automatic machines have a three way solenoid valve. This valve opens up and relieves the water pressure off the coffee and directs it into the drip tray via a pressure relief tube. The advantage of this valve is, that the pucks are very dry which makes clean up a lot easier and cleaner.

E Plus

The Espresso Plus System allows to adjust the intensity of the espresso during the coffee is dispensed, in other words it regulates the water flow during the brewing process. The slower the water foes through the ground coffee, the more intese the flavor of the coffee will be. From mild to strong, select your espresso maintaining a perfect crema. E Plus is comparable to the SBS from Saeco.

SBS Saeco Brewing System

With a simple turning of the dial, the patented SBS technology allows you to adjust the flavor and intensity fo your coffee, by regulating the water flow in terms of amount and pressure. From strong, medium, to mild, brew exactly to your taste. SBS is comparable to the E Plus system from Gaggia.

Opti dose

The opti dose allows to select the amount of coffee beans to be ground for your espresso. It can be adjusted for each individual coffee.

Aqua prima filter

The Aqua Prima water filter was developed to remove impurities from water that alters the taste of your coffee.

Handy doser / Pre-Ground Bypass Doser 

ThePre-Ground Bypass Doser allows to brew a coffee using decaffeinated or flavored coffee ground without emptying the bean hopper. This is a nice feature on most superautomatic machines, especially useful when entertaining at night where some of your guests might prefer a decaffeinated espresso or coffee.

Gaggia

Italy! Home of Gaggia! Gaggia S.p.A. is the best known Italian manufacturer of coffee machines for professional and household use and its name is synonymous with tradition and reliability the world over. The company was set up in 1948 by Achille Gaggia, the man to whom we are indebted for the success of espresso coffee all over the world: it was he who on September 5th 1938 filed patent no. 365726 with which the modern steam-free coffee with cream machine may be said to have been born. In 1977 Gaggia began producing coffee machines for the home, launching into the Italian market Baby Gaggia, which to this very day is considered to be the ideal family coffee-maker.
All products are to this day made in the Robecco sul Naviglio plant (Milan), where tradition and care for details combine with state-of-the-art technology.

Saeco

Saeso was founded in 1981 from Sergio Zapella and Arthur Schmed in Gaggio Montano, Italy at first producing and developing traditional semi-automatic espresso machines. In 1985 they manufactured the first fully automatic espresso coffee machine. Today Saeco is one of te leading producers in the Italian and European market. Saeco USA was founded in 1992 to meet the growing demand here in the US.

Automatic Decalcifying Cycle

Some superautomatic machines count how many cuos are brewed and alert the user, once a certain amount has been reached at which point it is recommended to start the decalcifying process to keep the machine happy and healthy for the years to come.

Ceramic Grinder

Some grinder and some espresso machines with built-in grinder use ceramic discs in their burr-grinding mechanism. The ceramic is even harder then the regular metal grinder and the whole unit is quieter.

Insta Steam / Double Boiler

Some espresso coffee maker come with two boilers, one for brewing the coffee drink, one for the steam. Just as with Rapid steam, the dual boiler allows to switch from making coffee to steam in almost an instant, the difference is, that the rapid steam systems (which use one boiler with 2 heating blocks) can not switch back to coffee making instantaneously, the pressure from the steam need to be released first. The double boiler technology on the other hand, allows to make coffee, froth, coffee, froth etc. with out any waiting periods.

Milk Island

The milk island allows to make the perfect froth for your cappuccino / latte etc. The container is filled with milk and attached to the espresso machine through a special valve. The steam knob of that machine has a setting for milk island. Turn to milk island and the froth is done in seconds. Some Gaggia ans Saeco machines are using this attachment.

Pre-Brewing Option, Saeco Aroma System

To taste the full coffee aroma, the pre-brewing step injects a small amount of hot water into the freshly ground coffee. This is done just before the actual brew cycle commences in order to extract the best aromas and flavors from the grounds.

Solis

Solis celebrates their 100th annivesary in 2008. They are a leading company for home appliances including coffe machines. They have successfully launched the worlds first full automatic espresso machine in 1985 and subsequently broadened their range of espresso machines and new innovative models to this day. The headquarter is in Glattburg and the production in Mendrisio, Switzerland. All espresso machines are made in Switzerland.