The Capresso EC100 is a compact and affordable semi-automatic espresso and cappuccino machine aimed at home baristas on a budget.
In this in-depth review of Capresso EC100, I have evaluated the ease of use, build quality, customizability, and most importantly – its espresso-making capabilities.
Our Verdict | Is Capresso EC100 worth it
(Overall Rating 3/5)
Overall, the Capresso EC100 Coffee and Cappuccino Maker is a great budget-friendly machine.
It’s perfect for individual use, having a compact design and innovative technology.
With this machine, you can easily prepare barista-style Espresso shots and Cappuccinos at home.
While this machine has some drawbacks, but it’s certainly a perfect choice in this price range.
Why Trust Us
I have taken an in-depth look at all of the top features of Capresso EC100 and analyzed the pros and cons to help you make an informed buying decision. With our expert review, you can discover whether the Capresso EC 100 is the right choice for you or not.
An Overview of Capresso EC100 Espresso Machine
Capresso coffee makers gained popularity as the leading coffee machine brand back in 1990 because of their minimalist and innovative design.
The EC100 model is easy to operate, boasts great built-in features, has a slim and innovative design, offers great functionality, and most importantly is a budget-friendly option.
Key Features of Capresso EC100
- Color: Black and stainless steel
- Dimensions: 8.25″D x 10.25″W x 11.75″H
- Material: Plastic and stainless steel
- Thermoblock heating system
- 15 bars Pressure pump Espresso Machine
- Portafilters for single and double-shot Espresso and ESE pods
- Milk frother for steaming the milk
- Removable 46-ounce water reservoir
Things that set apart Capresso EC 100 from its competitors
Affordability: It is certainly one of the Best Espresso machines you can get under 200 dollars.
Quick Heating System: The Capresso EC 100 is equipped with a Thermo-block heating system that heats the water quickly and efficiently within a minute.
Compact Size: It is a compact machine that makes it a good option for users who have limited counter space in their kitchens.
Capresso EC100 Review (A Detailed Go Through)
1. Design and Size of Capresso EC100 (3/5)
The Capresso EC100 has a sleek and minimalist design that effortlessly fits into any space, especially small kitchens. Unlike traditional Espresso machines, it doesn’t look very heavy and takes a very little space on the kitchen counter.
It has some nice stainless steel accents and trim pieces that give it a modern, almost pro-style look.
The body is constructed of plastic which helps keep the price down, though it may not feel as sturdy or last as long as heavier metal models. But hey, you get what you pay for.
The top of the machine features a passive cup warmer area which is an unexpected bonus in this price range!
In daily use, the buttons and knobs feel pretty durable and haven’t given me any issues. The portafilter locks into place with a satisfying click. Is it built like a commercial machine? No. But for under $200, they didn’t cut too many corners.
Overall, while it may not stand up to years and years of daily use like an expensive espresso machine, the EC100’s design is modern and approachable. And it brings some welcome style to small home kitchens without costing big bucks.
2. Thermo block Heating System (4/5)
Capresso EC100 has a Modern Thermoblock heating mechanism lined with Stainless Steel to ensure that your coffee is served piping hot.
The heat-up time of Capresso EC100 is also pretty fast. For the first time, it takes around 2 minutes to heat up, and for subsequent brews or frothing it heat up within a minute.
3. User Friendliness (3/5)
Capresso EC100 is simple to operate, convenient, and has an innovative design.
The interface of the machine is very simple, there is an On/Off button at the center of the interface and another large Dial for preparing Espresso shots and frothing milk.
This is a semi-automatic type of Espresso machine which means you have to do all things by yourself from grinding, measuring, and tamping coffee grounds to adjusting the brew time and yield.
So, it’s needless to say that Capresso EC 100 is not a perfect option for a beginner who doesn’t know the ins and outs of brewing Espresso as it doesn’t feature any pre-programmed settings.
But if you are willing to learn there is no better option than this machine as it’s way more affordable than other similar Espresso machines.
4. Brewing Espresso in Capresso EC100 (3/5)
Here’s a little guide on How I use Capresso EC 100 to pull Espresso shots
For the single shot, use a smaller basket and for the double shot use the larger one. There is also an ESE filter basket for using pre-packaged espresso coffee pods.
Twist the basket firmly into the portafilter to lock it and make sure that it doesn’t fall off. Now add coffee grounds to the basket with the scoop and tamp it properly with the tamper at the back of the scoop.
Now insert and lock the portafilter into the machine, turn the dial to the coffee position, and press the On button. After 30 seconds or so press the Off button after achieving the desired volume.
The double filter basket can hold only around 14-16 grams of coffee grounds. That might be a concern for some users as some people pull double shots with 18-20 grams.
5. Milk frothing system (3/5)
Capresso EC100 Espresso and Cappuccino maker features a dual swivel frother for preparing wonderful milk-based espresso drinks like Cappuccino and Latte.
This milk frother is specifically designed to provide separate frothing positions for steamed milk (latte) and frothed milk (Cappuccino).
With the black plastic frothing sleeve attached, you can create a rich, cappuccino-style foam by swirling steam through the milk. And when you remove the sleeve, the machine will direct steam directly into the bottom of the pitcher for a smoother, creamier texture that is perfect for lattes.
As Capresso EC 100 is a single boiler machine you can’t pull a shot and steam the machine simultaneously. You have to wait!
And sometimes it doesn’t provide enough steam to get the milk to the perfect temperature so you have to wait again for the machine to heat up.
It might be frustrating for some users as it takes a lot of time to prepare a single serving of Latte or cappuccino. Making a cappuccino takes about 7-10 minutes in total.
6. Taste and the quality of Espresso (4/5)
The taste and quality of Espresso or Cappuccino you get with this machine is exceptional.
With lots of crema, the espresso tastes and looks like it came straight from a cafe- dark and strong with a rich aroma.
Though very slow, the milk frother produces a smooth and creamy froth that is absolutely delicious.
7. Larger Water Reservoir
Capresso EC100 has a built-in feature of a larger water tank having a capacity of 47 oz reservoir. The water reservoir is made of see-through plastic so you can easily check the water level in the tank.
Also, the water reservoir is removable for easy cleaning.
8. Safety Features
Capresso EC100 comes with a handful of safety features:
- The electrical cord length is kept short to keep it out of children’s range.
- Have indicator lights to tell whether the machine is On or Off.
- Have an auto shut down feature that shuts off the machine after an inactivity of 2 hours.
9. Customer Reviews
Only customers can tell whether the product is of real value or not. On Amazon, Capresso EC100 has 700 reviews with overall ratings of 4.3 out of 5. More than 75% of users are completely satisfied with this product.
Alexander says:
“This is the perfect option! It’s easy to fill the water tank. It’s easy to turn on. It gets hot in a matter of seconds. Turn the knob one click to the left to get espresso… turn the knob one click to the right to get steam. Leave the knob in either position as long or as little as you like. SIMPLE!“
Out of bad reviews, most users are concerned that the filter basket of this machine isn’t large enough for a double shot of Espresso and the other major concern is that the height between the drip tray and the portafilter isn’t adequate for holding larger latte cups.
Also read the review of another Affordable Espresso machine: DeLonghi ECP 3420 review
What I Like About Capresso EC100
- Espresso machines are usually very expensive, the thing you like the most about Capresso EC100 is that this machine is extremely budget-friendly. This means you get a solid feature set without too much investment, which is perfect for budget-conscious shoppers who want to make café drinks at home.
- Water Reservoir and drip tray are easy to remove, providing you with the facility of keeping your machine clean.
- Sleek and Minimalist design – Perfect for Small Kitchens
- This machine makes a great froth for crafting delicious Cappuccinos and Lattes.
- It has a very simple interface
What I do not like about Capresso EC100
- Improvement can be made in the milk frother of this machine. It would be better if the frothing wand would last a bit longer as far as convenience is concerned.
- There are no pre-programmed options for the single and double shots of Espresso.
- The height of this machine is inadequate for accommodating larger coffee mugs. You must notice that this machine can’t accommodate cups larger the 3.5 inches.
- The size of the filter basket for double-shot Espresso is inadequate. You can’t fill as many coffee grounds as needed for the double shot.
- The pump is weak – If you grind the beans too finely or pack the coffee grounds too tightly into the filter basket the machine may stop working.
- This machine is only perfect for individual use or a family of 2 or 3 at max. You can’t prepare more than 2 to 3 cups at a time (It takes a lot of time to reheat the machine).
Also, check out the best manual Espresso makers for traveling and camping
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Capresso EC100 is a great semi-automatic Espresso machine in this price range.
The product offers great innovative features in a budget-friendly range, attracting both beginners and seasoned coffee drinkers.
The machine is quite durable as well as has a variety of safety features that make it a reliable machine.
Although there are some drawbacks to this machine, the price is also under 150 dollars, so it is reasonable.
FAQs
Is Capresso a good brand for an espresso machine?
Capresso is well-known in the coffee world, making coffee and Espresso machines, along with coffee grinders, milk frothers, and water kettles.
So, we can say they are experts in this niche market.
Capresso is well known for its innovative designs and advanced coffee machines.
What Pods are compatible with Capresso EC100
You can use ESE coffee pods in Capresso EC100 for convenience. You can put these pods in the pressurized portafilter basket that comes with this machine.
