The 5 Best Built-in Espresso Machine | Ultimate 2021 Guide

For serious coffee lovers considering a kitchen remodel or who have a suitable vacant cabinet available, a built-in espresso machine could be a necessary lifestyle addition.

I like to think of built-in espresso machines as the indoor equivalent of a built-in garden grill. they should flow seamlessly with your existing kitchen design, offer the best features, and be just as convenient as your other standard appliances, like your oven or microwave.

Reading: Best built in coffee machines 2021

All of the options we select are high-end models and come equipped with all the fully automatic bells and whistles you could dream of. most have smart programming, so they automatically respond to all your preferences.

I recommend seeking the guidance of your kitchen designer prior to any construction or renovation, as all of these machines have cabinet specifications and potential ventilation requirements.

the 5 best built-in espresso machines of 2021

1. built-in coffee maker bosch bcm8450uc 24″ ul

As with many other types of appliances, German-owned Bosch perfects the early morning coffee ritual with elegant stainless steel and rich built-in function.

This model is considered a super-automatic machine, since it handles all the steps of the coffee preparation process, from grinding the beans to frothing the milk. you can think of it as your espresso butler.

It comes equipped with a built-in, dual-chamber grinder that can pre-load two types of your favorite beans. The water tank (.625 gallons) is refillable and not plumbed, so this machine requires no professional installation and no need to install a water line.

The quiet ceramic grinding system is designed to minimize sound, so even grinding beans is low-decibel and non-intrusive, with settings for light and dark roasts. it also comes with sensors to measure the amount of ground coffee after each cycle.

The one-touch dual cup feature lets you brew two drinks simultaneously so you don’t have to compete with your partner for a latte while you’re itching to make an americano.

Bosch includes the option to take a single or double shot as needed for each drink, and you can further adjust the temperature, strength and size settings.

This model is capable of preparing up to 12 types of drinks and the touch screen is as easy to use as any smartphone. You can also store favorite beverages for up to 8 family members with custom settings for strength, size, and temperature, and start a one-touch system to make brewing to everyone’s personal preferences quick and easy.

For beverages that require steamed milk, you can store milk in the integrated container for up to 8 hours.

Bosch also includes an automatic cleaning, steam milk rinse and descaling function so you don’t even have to deal with machine maintenance.

My favorite feature of this built-in feature by far is the home connect app, which allows you to start the brew cycle of your favorite coffee beverage remotely from your phone. this means you are just waking up in bed and can have your Americano prepped and ready to drink when you head to the kitchen. what a time to be alive, folks.

This is a really impressive high-end espresso machine that ticks all the boxes when it comes to convenience, automation, final brew quality and durability.

See also: Cinnamon In Coffee

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2. thermador tcm24rs 24″ one-touch function fully automatic built-in coffee maker

Like the Bosch, the Built-in Thermador is a fully automatic deluxe machine designed to basically act as your own personal coffee concierge.

has settings to brew 9 different coffee drinks, including lattes and cappuccinos, all at the touch of a button. You can also store up to 8 favorite drink settings with temperature and strength settings so you don’t have to enter your preferences every time you’re ready to enjoy a drink.

The height-adjustable dispenser allows great flexibility to fit all cup sizes, from shot glasses for single-serve espressos to travel mugs for a latte on the way to work. You also have the option to brew two drinks simultaneously so no one has to wait for their morning fix.

Built-in sensors let you know when the built-in grinder and refillable water reservoir are low and need to be refilled. the milk frother is built into the unit and requires no skill on the part of the user; the thermador handles it from start to finish. there are also two dispensers, one for coffee and one for frothed milk for perfect integration.

cleaning, descaling and rinsing are built-in functions that run automatically, so maintenance is as easy as the actual brewing process.

I also love that this machine comes with a color screen and button controls that are very intuitive and easy to use, so you don’t have to read the manual to use it.

The overall design is also very sleek, modern and minimalist. it’s all stainless steel and designed to blend seamlessly into any modern kitchen.

See also: Cinnamon In Coffee

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3. smeg cmsu6451x 24″ fully automatic built-in coffee maker

smeg is known for making nostalgically retro appliances, but they also make high-end built-ins and this fully automatic is another great example of smeg functionality and aesthetics in a modern package.

Just like the Bosch, this model is fully integrated with a built-in grinder and removable water tank (no plumbing here either).

has settings to adjust the strength of the coffee, from extra light, light, medium, strong and extra strong. the coffee temperature can also be adjusted to three different levels for a more personalized brew.

the smeg will also brew two drinks simultaneously, although all frothing requires some user input to fill the milk container each time you want to make a cappuccino. This isn’t as functional as the Bosch in terms of the range of drinks it can make for you, you’ll have to stick to straight shots, regular coffees, Americanos and cappuccinos. no lattes or macchiatos here.

includes a built-in cleaning and rinsing feature, which is great for keeping the experience as smooth as possible.

the lcd is a bit more old school and doesn’t offer the programming options or great connectivity like the bosch or thermador. the smeg is a bit stripped down and without all the tech bells and whistles.

See also: Cinnamon In Coffee

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4. gaggenau 200 series built-in automatic coffee maker

gaggenau offers a sleek, minimalist alternative to the other options on our list with its 200 series.

This coffee machine doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of our top-tier Bosch, but it offers a beautiful integration into your kitchen and an automatic process that’s smooth and hands-free.

Like all the other options on our list, it has a built-in conical grinder and a removable, refillable water reservoir. It also has a second container for a decaf or alternate flavor in case you want to switch between bean types.

The milk containment system is integrated and doesn’t need to be refilled on a schedule, so you can make a latte every morning for a week without having to refill the frothing container.

the 200 series offers 6 coffee strength levels, 3 temperature levels, as well as a variety of grind level settings that you can customize for the bean. The dispenser is height-adjustable to fit a variety of cups and can also brew two coffees simultaneously.

The flow-through heater ensures there is no wait time and your machine stays at a consistent brew temperature. aroma brewing technology enhances the aroma of the coffee using an optimized infusion during the extraction process of the ground coffee.

This machine is also smart and can store up to 8 of your favorite drinks, using the knob-controlled mini display to toggle through the different options available.

Cleaning is simple with automatic descaling and a built-in rinse system, and an optional built-in warming drawer is a great added feature for storing mugs and other accessories.

See also: Cinnamon In Coffee

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5. jenn-air built-in coffee system

the built-in jenn-air is another solid choice for a fully automated, integrated coffee experience. i consider this machine to be on par with gaggenau and smeg in terms of features and quality, and has slightly less technology than bosch or thermador.

Like all the other machines here, it comes with a built-in grinder and refillable water tank. it will prepare coffee and espresso beverages and can handle a variety of bean roasts.

the general strength of the infusion and the temperature are adjustable. The frothing system has an integrated milk container and the dual spouts are adjustable for cup height and can be used to take two sips at once. frothed milk can be used to make cappuccinos, but beverages such as lattes and macchiatos are not allowed.

jenn-air also offers a control screen with led lighting and side buttons. it doesn’t support storing custom drink options like most of the machines on this list, so it ranks a bit lower. offers time programming, but no Wi-Fi connectivity for application activation.

cleaning and descaling are handled internally and can be automated just like the other machines on the list.

See also: Cinnamon In Coffee

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