At a weak 3 bar pressure, these espresso coffee makers won’t recreate the café experience at home and rightly so are known as starter espresso machines or gift espresso machines.

An espresso coffee is brewed by forcing a small amount of nearly boiling water at a high pressure through the coffee powder. The pressure is around +/- 9 bar. The resultant brew is a dense liquid with a high concentration of dissolved and suspended solids and a foam called crema on top. The crema is a result of the extraction of the oils from the coffee.

Non-pump espresso machines do none of the above.These machines are considered entry-level espresso machines and work with steam pressure generated by boiling water in a concealed chamber and using this pressure to force water through the coffee powder at a marginal pressure of only 3 bar. The residual steam is also used to froth milk through a separate frothing spout.

At best, a non-pump espresso machine is a drip-coffee machine with the additional advantage of a steam function to froth milk. The high temperature of the water developed in the boiler also scalds the coffee resulting in over brewing, which gives the coffee a bitter taste.

Cost wise, they are more expensive than a drip-coffee machine and less expensive than a pump espresso machine, but if you know your coffee – and you’re on a budget –you’re better off with a regular drip coffee maker.