The EspressoWorks All-in-One Espresso Machine Set is a fantastic starter set for dorm dwellers

An espresso machine can add versatility to your coffee bar, allowing you to not only make espresso shots but also lattes and cappuccinos. But espresso machines also tend to be large, complicated, and expensive — three challenges that the EspressoWorks All-in-One Espresso Machine Set succeeded at.

Not only does the EspressoWorks All-in-One Espresso Machine Set include nearly everything that you need to get started, its simple design is also highly effective. You don’t have to worry about regulating temperature and pressure, and making espresso is as simple as the turn of a knob. Ideal for espresso beginners like me, this espresso maker takes up minimal space and is a versatile addition to even smaller kitchens.

What I thought of the EspressoWorks all-in-one espresso machine set

The EspressoWorks All-in-One Espresso Machine Set is highly appealing because it includes so many accessories. From the cups to the milk frothing pitcher to a coffee grinder, the folks at EspressoWorks have thought of all the essentials.

While there are plenty of accessories included, the coffee maker itself has a compact footprint and, at 11.5 inches high, it’s small enough to fit underneath most cupboards. It doesn’t have a ton of features, but I feel that also makes it more user-friendly. While an avid espresso drinker might find the machine limiting, I found it an ideal way to get started without getting overwhelmed.

Testing the EspressoWorks All-in-One Espresso Machine Set

Paige Cerulli

I’m Paige Cerulli and I specialize in product reviews. I tested the EspressoWorks All-in-One Espresso Machine Set for several weeks in my home kitchen. 

EspressoWorks all-in-one espresso machine set specifications

• Model name: EspressoWorks All-in-One Espresso Machine Set with Electric Coffee Grinder
• Dimensions (in.): H11.5 x W9 x L10
• Reservoir capacity (liters): 1.25L
• Weight of machine: 7.1kg
• Voltage: 120 volts
• Cord length: 32”
• Wattage: 1350 watts
• Accessories: Tamper and measuring spoon, electric coffee grinder, portafilter, single and double shot baskets, 2 ceramic espresso cups, milk frothing pitcher
• Available colors: Red, white, blue, stainless steel

Setting up the EspressoWorks All-in-One Espresso Machine Set

The EspressoWorks All-in-One Espresso Machine Set arrived well-packed and in excellent condition. It was double-boxed for shipping.

All of the elements were carefully packed, and while the packing did include the use of some Styrofoam, its use was minimal.

The individual components were all wrapped in plastic, and the cups and coffee grinder were separately boxed.

The setup is simple and intuitive. The quick start guide has clear, easy-to-understand diagrams to guide you through the setup process. To be honest, the most time-consuming part of the process was unwrapping all of the accessories. From there, the small coffee maker was very easy to set up, which consisted of cleaning and filling the water reservoir and cleaning and filling the filter holder.

Making drinks using the EspressoWorks All-in-One Espresso Machine Set

If you find machines with tons of buttons and settings overwhelming, then the EspressoWorks All-in-One Espresso Machine Set might be a fantastic choice for you. The machine features an on/off button and a single knob to turn on the espresso and steam options.

Using it is very simple. I started by filling the water tank. The tank is removable and features an interior handle that makes it comfortable to grip. It easily locks back onto the machine, and since it’s clear, I could easily keep an eye on the water level.

I also ground coffee with the coffee grinder. Once I loaded the grinder, operating it was as simple as placing the cap on and pressing it down. The grinder reached 77.6 decibels while operating. While it’s not the quietest machine, it worked quickly and ground beans for a single shot in about 12 seconds.

The measuring scoop has a tamper on its opposite end, so filling the portafilter is easy. Since there are two filter baskets, you can use the single filter for a single or a double shot.

I did find that locking the filter into the espresso machine was difficult initially. The fit was very tight, and I had to firmly hold the machine with one hand while locking the portafilter into place with the other. During one test, I thought the filer was locked in, only to have it fall out while the machine was operating. However, after about six or seven uses, the portafilter became much easier to lock into place and remove after use. I no longer struggle with it at all.

EspressoWorks markets the machine as being ready for use in 45 seconds. I pleasantly found that the machine was actually ready for use in closer to 30 seconds. Once you turn the machine on, a red light blinks and then turns a solid read to signal that the machine is ready.

From there, making espresso is as simple as turning the knob on the machine’s front to the “espresso” setting. The machine starts to make espresso instantly, and you can turn the knob off to stop it. There is no pre-measured single or double espresso shot option, which is a downside. You do have to stand by and watch the machine, and if you don’t turn it off quickly enough, you’ll end up with a watered-down shot.

When making espresso, the machine operated at 71.1 decibels. For context, if you had a family neighbor sleeping in a room that shared a wall with your kitchen, I think you’d wake them up by using the machine. The good news is that you don’t have to run the espresso machine for long — making a single shot takes about 12 seconds.

I warmed the cups and took the temperature of five espresso shots, and the temperature ranged from 145 to 152 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a 15-bar machine, which means it can produce the ideal pressure for a quality espresso. I found that the machine consistently produced espresso shots with an appealing crema.

Steaming milk took a little more practice. During my first attempt, I didn’t position the pitcher close enough to the machine, resulting in milk spraying everywhere. My subsequent attempts were much more successful, and I found that the machine steamed milk well and easily.

I appreciated that the machine comes with just about everything — except coffee beans and water — needed to make espresso. It includes two quality ceramic cups, a milk frothing pitcher, a coffee grinder, and more.

There were other handy features, too. The machine features a stainless steel heating tray that’s large enough to heat both cups simultaneously. I found that it heated up quickly, and it’s a valuable addition when you’re trying to keep your drinks at an optimal temperature.

Cleaning the EspressoWorks All-in-One Espresso Machine Set

EspressoWorks includes detailed cleaning instructions to help keep the machine operating at its best. The water tank, drip tray, and heating tray are all removable and can be washed. The milk-frothing steam wand can be detached by rotating it, and I found it very easy to remove and reattach.

The cleaning instructions state that you should also remove residual coffee grounds every one to two months. This is accomplished by filling the water reservoir with water and a household descaling agent and then repeatedly operating the espresso and steam functions.

The machine’s smooth exterior makes it easy to wipe down, but I also found that it was very easy to smudge the stainless steel finish with my hands. It’s probably best to keep a microfiber cleaning cloth (available at Amazon) nearby to wipe down the machine after easy use.

Is the EspressoWorks All-in-One Espresso Machine Set right for you?

There’s a lot to like about the EspressoWorks All-in-One Espresso Machine Set. It comes with many accessories, including cups and a milk frothing pitcher, making it an ideal first set for an espresso lover. It produces good, consistent results without being overly complex, and the fact that it has just two settings makes it a very user-friendly first machine.

That said, the lack of the ability to customize pressure and temperature settings means that it’s probably not a great choice for a true espresso aficionado. If you’re looking for a compact, simple machine that does the job, though, this set is a great choice.

If you're not sure that this is the right coffee maker for you, then see some more espresso makers that we recommend just below...

Good to know

Instructions
The set includes a quick start guide with clear, easy-to-understand diagrams.

Warranty
EspressoWorks offers a one-year limited warranty on the machine.

Where to buy the EspressoWorks All-in-One Espresso Machine Set

The espresso machine set is available directly through EspressoWorks. It is also available on Amazon and through Walmart. 

How we test

EspressoWorks sent me the machine set and I tested it for several weeks before writing this review. When testing, I used the following criteria:

• Unboxing: We review the product’s packaging and how well it protected the product during shipping and how sustainable it is. This might include, for example, how much Styrofoam it contains, as well as how easy the machine’s setup is.
• Operation: How reliably and consistently does the machine perform? How loud is the coffee maker?
• Beverage quality: Considerations are made to the overall quality of the beverages produced. We looked for issues like watered-down beverages and evaluate beverage temperature and consistency.
• Ease of use: In a nutshell, we overall experience of using the machine, including factors like how easy it is to remove and fill the water tank, how simple it is to understand the settings, and how easy it is to fill, insert, and remove the filter holder.
• Ease of cleaning: With cleaning being such an important element of maintaining a machine like an espresso maker, it's important to focus on how easily the components can be removed and maintained for long-term use.