Nespresso 1-L. Essenza Manual Espresso Machine, Silver
Price: $199.95
Nespresso D90 Essenza Manual Espresso has created a hermetically sealed capsule which contains the precise amount of freshly roasted and ground coffee. All of the coffee aromas are preserved perfectly until the espresso is ready for drinking. Nespresso offers a range of 9 premium coffee blends. Cup after cup, Nespresso brings you the renewed pleasure of an espresso with a smooth crema and unforgettable taste. Winner of several prestigious design awards, Nespresso machines are timeless designs. The compact size of Nespresso machines allows them to fit into any environment. For more than ten years Nespresso machines have been designed by industrial designer Antoine Cahen and his company, Les Ateliers du Nord (ADN), based in Lausanne, Switzerland. ADN has designed the entire range of Nespresso machines with the exception of the Alessi Nespresso machine, created by German designer Richard Sapper. Nespresso continues to spearhead machine innovations equipped with more advanced features and functions, but which offer increased customer convenience and ease of use.

Krups 32-oz. XP 4030 Manual Espresso Machine: Black and Stainless Steel
Price: $129.95
Passion. Precision. Perfection. The Krups heritage of German engineered coffee machines and food preparation appliances provides clear functional, rigorous design at the highest level of technical perfection, performance and quality. Working with leading European designers, the product series also represents the newest European designs yet maintains the rigorous and clearly functional characteristics synonymous with Krups products. Designed and built for those who continuously seek out new gourmet experiences and take pleasure in discovering and understanding how things are done well, the Krups range provides the tools that deliver genuine results, performance and taste. Inspired by experts and demanding consumers with uncompromising standards of performance, the new Krups series has been built with three key attributes in mind: Passion, Precision and Perfection. Specifically designed for easy operation, the Krups XP4030 is a 15 bar pump espresso machine. It is virtually “”fool proof”" and is equipped with a patented “”Perfect Froth System”" which makes the process of steaming and frothing milk for cappuccino or latte simple. It has a high convenience filter holder that accepts ground coffee for 1 or 2 servings of espresso as well as ESE Pods. The auto cappuccino system precisely combines the right amount of steam and air to easily froth milk.
Short of its heating unit, nothing in a manual machine is electrical. The pressure needed to brew the coffee is created by a piston that is controlled by hand. Pull it up to bring the water to the coffee, & down to create the pressure that forces the water through the coffee for brewing.

Also known as piston espresso machines, manual espresso machines are a great gift for the espresso enthusiast or culture buff. These machines require a fair bit of practise to use, but once mastered the resulting espresso will definitely match, if not better, that of your favorite cafe.

Buying a Manual Coffee Machine

First you will want to really understand the use application. The person who owns this typ of coffee maker needs to be strong enough to apply the necessary pressure for using the piston. Engaging the extraction process involves pulling on the piston to force the water through the coffee grounds. Being consistent with every pull also requires practice and is necessary for good coffee every time. The second is most commonly overlooked. It is the lack of water reservoir. This means these machines are not very good for large gatherings, which can become an inconvenience when a beautiful morning presents itself and guests are over. The third item to consider is the frother. Most machines, like superautomatic coffee makers, have a built in milk frother. Some semi-automatic espresso makers even come with an automatic milk frother. Last but not least if the required maintenance. This should be carefully thought of because these machines are usually chrome, brass or sometimes copper, are difficult to uphold. The will last a lifetime, if properly kept up.