Espresso makers work by using pressure to quickly push hot water through a tightly packed portafilter of finely ground coffee. The added pressure and fast brew time are what create the espresso’s thicker consistency and crema layer.
The espresso’s look and taste are influenced by many different factors. Some of these factors include the type of coffee used and how tightly it’s packed, grind size, water temperature, pressure and more. Because all of these can vary, each shot can be highly customizable depending on the machine.
Home baristas who like to try different coffees and experiment with their settings may want to choose a machine with more options, whereas those not looking to hone in their coffee settings may want a more automated machine.