Best Krups Espresso Machine: Top Picks and Reviews

Krups makes many home espresso machines, from basic, affordable models to pricier super automatics. In researching the brand, however, Home Grounds has found that not every model is worth your money, and some suffer from serious drawbacks or user complaints.

The popularity of Krups endures because many of their espresso machines are genuinely great value. And those are the only ones you’ll find on this list. Don’t take chances with your money. Follow our expert guidance for the best Krups espresso machines.

The 6 Best Krups Espresso Machines in 2023

image	product	details
Best Overall Best Overall	EA89 Deluxe One-Touch Super Automatic Machine	Super automatic 77.8 ounces water tank 15 bar	See on Amazon
Budget Pick Budget Pick	XP100050 Steam Espresso Machine	Semi automatic 20 ounces water tank 4 bar	See on Amazon
Best Semi Automatic Best Semi Automatic	XP3208 Pump Espresso Machine	Semi automatic 50.7 ounces water tank 15 bar	See on Amazon
Best Super Automatic Best Super Automatic	EA829850 Cappuccino Bar	Super automatic 57 ounces water tank 15 bar	CLICK TO CHECK PRICE
Best Combination Machine Best Combination Machine	XP160050 Krups Espresso And Coffee Machine	Semi automatic 50 ounces (coffee), 20 ounces (espresso) 4 bar	SEE ON AMAZON
Best For Small Spaces Best For Small Spaces	XP1020 Steam Espresso Machine	Semi automatic 20 ounces water tank 4 bar	SEE ON AMAZON

Krups has been a German manufacturer of small appliances for over 150 years. They started by producing precision scales and later developed the very first electric coffee grinder! More recently, they have expanded their line-up to include coffee and espresso machines.

Krups espresso machines aren’t premium, either in quality or pricing. If you’re willing to drop a bit more cash, you might prefer to check out our reviews of the best Breville espresso machine models and the best Jura coffee machines.

The Krups coffee maker line up has opted to focus instead on making home espresso affordable and approachable. Their models run the gamut from tiny semi-automatic steam brewers to full-size super-automatic pump machines, so there’s something for everyone.

1. EA89 Deluxe One-Touch Super Automatic Machine – Best Overall

• Brewing style: Super automatic

• Water tank capacity: 77.8 ounces
• Pressure: 15 bar
• Dimensions: 15 x 11.3 x 19.06 inches

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The Krups EA89 was an easy choice for the top pick because this super-automatic espresso machine does it all. It’s like having a private barista at your fingertips. With the lightning-fast thermoblock heater, a 15-bar pump, one-touch operation, and automatic milk frothing system, you are moments away from any cafe-style espresso drink you desire.

The OLED screen is easy and intuitive to navigate. There are 15 pre-programmed drinks on the menu, including espresso, coffee, ristretto, Americano, cappuccino, latte, and three kinds of tea. And each of these can be customized with your desired coffee strength, hot water temperature, and volume – giving you unlimited options.

There are also a few unexpected bonus features on the menu. My favorite? The “extra shot” allows you to add a shot of espresso to any drink at the touch of a button. Caffeine fiends rejoice (1)!

Despite all this functionality, including an integrated grinder, the EA89 is a relatively compact machine. It has a sleek design, and the brushed stainless steel exterior is beautiful, durable, and pairs nicely with other stainless steel appliances.

2. XP100050 Steam Espresso Machine – Budget Pick

• Brewing style: Semi automatic

• Water tank capacity: 20 ounces
• Pressure: 4 bar
• Dimensions: 12 x 9.76 x 14.13 inches

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The first thing you’ll notice about the Krups XP100050 is its cool style. The unique circular design, polished black finish, and chrome accents give it a futuristic vibe that would look right at home on the set of Star Trek.

The second thing you’ll notice is the price. This entry-level model is one of the most affordable ways to break into the world of espresso machines, which is why we’ve awarded it our Budget Pick Award. However, affordability comes at a price (haha).

This Krups espresso maker runs on steam power rather than using a pump. While this makes it quiet and inexpensive, you can’t generate the 9 bar of pressure typically needed for espresso (2). The XP100050 maxes out around 4 bars and produces more of a strong coffee. But according to Giorgio Milos, master barista at Illy, a skilled user can go a long way in compensating for a machine’s weakness (3).

This machine is equipped with a steam wand, so it’s an excellent choice for those who prefer milky drinks to straight espresso. The strong coffee it brews pairs nicely with creamy frothed milk, and you’re unlikely to notice an authentic espresso’s missing crema and body.

3. XP3208 Pump Espresso Machine – Best Semi Automatic

• Brewing style: Semi automatic

• Water tank capacity: 50.7 ounces
• Pressure: 15 bar
• Dimensions: 16.0 x 14.5 x 10.9 inches

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The Krups XP3208 Pump Espresso Machine is the smallest and least expensive pump machine on this list. For this reason, it’s the perfect introductory model for anyone curious about the espresso world. Use it to learn the ins and outs of pulling espresso shots on a semi-automatic machine, and then decide if espresso is a hobby worth your time and money.

The 15-bar pump provides plenty of pressure to create true espresso, complete with the beautiful crema topping. Because it doesn’t have a built-in grinder, we suggest pairing with a good burr grinder for the most flavorful brew. However, you’ll still enjoy tasty results using pre-ground coffee thanks to the pressurized filter basket, perfect for an espresso beginner.

The Krups XP3208 is also equipped with a steam wand. Once you’ve mastered the technique, you’ll have the versatility to create creamy latte foam or airy cappuccino froth. The top of the machine acts as a passive cup warmer, and accessories include a scoop, tamper, and separate filter baskets for single and double shots.

For a larger selection of entry-level machines of this style, you might be interested in some our favorite Delonghi espresso makers.

4. EA829850 Cappuccino Bar – Best Super Automatic

• Brewing style: Super automatic

• Water tank capacity: 57 ounces
• Pressure: 15 bar
• Dimensions: 11.6 x 14.3 x 15.4 inches

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Our favorite Krups fully automatic espresso machine, the Cappuccino Bar, lags behind the top pick, the EA89, in drink selection. But as a trade-off for that, it’s less expensive, more compact, and will still meet the needs of the vast majority of coffee drinkers. Indeed, three of the pre-programmed drinks missing from this model aren’t coffee at all; they’re green, black, and herbal teas.

True to its name, the Cappuccino Bar includes an integrated burr grinder, a powerful 15-bar pump, and a milk frothing system – everything you need to make a real cappuccino, just like you’d enjoy at your local cafe. But of course, it can do much more than that. For example, at the touch of a button, you can also make espresso, lungo, coffee, or latte. And for each, you can customize the coffee strength and temperature. The thermoblock heater ensures an ultra-fast heat-up time. Pretty impressive for a model barely bigger than a drip coffee machine.

The Cappuccino Bar is straightforward when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. The milk system cleans itself automatically, so you never need to worry about stinky milk build-up (yuck!). Automatic scale detection alerts you when cleaning is needed, and another alert lets you know when the water tank runs low.

This is a foolproof espresso machine and definitely a candidate for the best Krups coffee maker.

5. XP160050 Krups Espresso and Coffee Machine – Best Combination Machine

• Brewing style: Semi automatic

• Water tank capacity: 50 ounces (coffee), 20 ounces (espresso)
• Pressure: 4 bar
• Dimensions: 16.5 x 10.98 x 15.94 inches

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Lots of people enjoy both coffee and espresso. Sometimes you want an easy-drinking cuppa joe, other times you prefer a powerful hit of espresso, and then there are times when only a frothy cappuccino will hit the spot. If you’re anything like me, those times might all fall on the same day!

The XP160050 has a full 10-cup coffee maker on one side and a Krups 4-cup espresso machine (equipped with a steam wand!) on the other, but it somehow still manages to look sleek and compact. It’s much smaller and less expensive than owning two separate machines, making it a practical choice for lovers of all styles of coffee.

In the center is an easy-to-use set of controls. Along with being able to turn one side or the other on and off, this Krups coffee maker has all the options you’d expect from a standalone model. You can set it to brew on a timer, choose your coffee strength, and an automatic brew pause feature allows you to grab a quick cup during the brew cycle.

6. XP1020 Steam Espresso Machine – Best for Small Spaces

• Brewing style: Semi automatic

• Water tank capacity: 20 ounces
• Pressure: 4 bar
• Dimensions: 8.5 x 9.4 x 11 inches

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Do you have a tiny galley kitchen with limited counter space? Or maybe you want an espresso machine for your dorm room or office? Then this pint-size brewer from Krups is the answer. Measuring just 8.5 inches wide by 9.4 inches tall by 11 inches deep, there are few places this little machine can’t go. It’s smaller than most coffee makers, just as easy to use, and even includes a steam wand.

Like the other inexpensive Krups espresso machines, this one extracts using steam pressure, so don’t expect the same quality of espresso you’ll get from a model with a pump. While it won’t generate a true espresso, it’s a great way to learn the process of espresso and enjoy a strong coffee with or without frothed milk – all in a tiny footprint.

How to Choose the Best Krups Espresso Machine

Choosing the suitable Krups espresso machine for you is easy because each has a unique selling point. You can narrow your choice to the perfect model by answering just a few simple questions. Let’s get started.

Brewing style: semi-automatic or super-automatic?

Krups espresso makers can be broadly categorized as semi-automatic or super-automatic. The user experience is very different in either case, so this is an easy first step to narrow down your options.

Semi-automatic espresso makers require the user to do most of the work. You will need to grind the coffee, fill the portafilter, tamp the espresso puck, and start and stop the shot. Milk steaming is also done manually.

The advantages of this system are:

• It’s less expensive to buy.
• There is less to break, so it’s also cheaper to own and maintain.
• It’s more compact (though you will also need a grinder).
• The user has total control of the process, leading to better coffee.

Super-automatic espresso makers do everything for you, including grinding, tamping, and brewing. They’re like having a personal barista; press a button or two and wait for your drink to arrive.

The advantages of this system are:

• CONSISTENCY. This is the big one. There is no possibility for user error.
• You don’t need to own a separate grinder.

The impact of pressure on coffee style

What’s the difference between coffee and espresso? Despite what you might think, it’s not the type of coffee bean; it’s the pressure used for brewing. Drip coffee is brewed at atmospheric pressure, and you traditionally brew espresso with 9 bars of pressure. And there are pseudo-espresso brewing methods that fall somewhere in between – for example, the Aeropress and the Moka pot. These brew strong cups of coffee, according to Stumptown Roaster’s Matt Lounsbury, but not quite espresso (4).

Krups espresso machines have several pressure options. Their pump machines use 15-bar pumps, which yield 9 bars of pressure at the brew head. These produce the true espresso you expect, with a heavy body, rich mouthfeel, and layer of crema (5). Other Krups models use steam rather than pump pressure, which only generates about 4 bars. Like a Moka pot, they will produce a strong coffee, but it won’t have the same body as an espresso brewed under higher pressure. These steam machines are a good choice if you plan to enjoy mostly milky coffee drinks, where the texture of the espresso is less important.

How much capacity do you need?

Before buying an espresso machine, think about how much espresso you plan to make. Is it just you enjoying an occasional shot? Do you have a large household of espresso enthusiasts? Do you often entertain guests? The answers to these questions impact which Krups espresso machine is right for you.

For one person, every model has plenty of capacity. The larger models will likely be overkill – taking up more space and costing more money than necessary. On the other hand, if you plan on making a lot of espresso, the smaller machines won’t be able to keep up. You’ll get frustrated constantly filling the water tank, emptying the drip tray, and so on.

Also, consider the available space in your kitchen when deciding, and measure the area where you plan to put your coffee machine. All Krups machines are relatively compact, but the larger super automatic models may not be suitable for small kitchens.

The Verdict

Krups espresso machines aren’t the highest quality on the market, but they offer excellent value for money in the case of the six mentioned here. Our top pick is the EA89, which includes an integrated grinder, 15-bar pump, and 15 pre-programmed specialty drinks. But if you’re more interested in discovering the craft of espresso and whether it’s right for you, one of the semi-automatic models will be a perfect fit.