When buying a new espresso machine, one of the most common questions is: coffee machine 15 bar vs 20 bar – which is better?
Both can make good espresso, but they are built for slightly different needs. A 15-bar machine is easy to use, budget-friendly, and perfect for beginners who want café-style drinks at home. A 20-bar machine, on the other hand, gives stronger shots with more crema, but it takes more practice to master.
In this guide, I’ll explain the real difference between 15 bar and 20 bar coffee machines, share pros and cons, and help you choose the right one for your daily coffee routine.
Is a 15-Bar Coffee Machine Good?
Yes! A 15-bar espresso machine like the De’Longhi 15 Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine (ECP3630) is a great pick, especially for beginners. It gives enough pressure to brew espresso, cappuccinos, and lattes with a creamy taste. For daily drinkers, it’s simple, reliable, and affordable.
What Makes It Special
- 15-Bar Pump – gives proper pressure for rich espresso.
- Premium Adjustable Frother – makes cappuccino foam or hot milk for lattes.
- Compact Design – small size, easy to fit in most kitchens.
- Removable Water Tank & Drip Tray – simple to fill, clean, and dishwasher safe.
- Three-in-One Filter Holder – works with single shots, double shots, or ESE pods.
What I Like
- Easy to Use – simple dial, great for first-time users.
- Consistent Results – good espresso with crema if you use quality beans.
- Milk Options – works well for cappuccinos and lattes.
- Budget-Friendly – much cheaper than many 20-bar machines.
- Trusted Brand – De’Longhi is well known for espresso machines.
What Could Be Better
- Crema – thinner than what a 20-bar espresso machine makes.
- Frothing Speed – slower for large amounts of milk.
- Plastic Parts – doesn’t feel as strong as full-metal designs.
- Manual Stop – you must turn it off yourself after brewing.
My Personal Recommendation
If you’re comparing espresso machine 15 bar vs 20 bar, I suggest starting with the 15-bar option like the De’Longhi ECP3630.
It’s beginner-friendly, affordable, and makes good café-style drinks at home. For most people, the coffee beans for espresso you choose matter more than extra pressure. If you wonder “what is the best espresso beans?”, try medium to dark roast. Even the best grocery store coffee beans for espresso can taste amazing when brewed right. Unless you want pro-level shots every day, the 15-bar machine is the smarter choice.
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What Amazon Users Say
⭐ De’Longhi 15-Bar Review (United States)
One long-term user shared:
“I’ve used my De’Longhi daily for 4 years and it still works great. For $100, it’s one of the best purchases I’ve made. It makes consistent espresso and even froths almond milk well.”
If you want to see all the reviews of this products, please visit here
Is a 20-Bar Coffee Machine Good?
When I compare 15 bar vs 20 bar espresso machines, the CASABREWS CM5418 shows what extra pressure can do. A 20-bar espresso machine pushes water harder through the coffee. This creates more crema, richer taste, and a stronger shot than most 15-bar models.
What Makes It Special
- 20-Bar Italian Pump – gives bold espresso with thick crema.
- Pressure Gauge – helps you know if your grind and tamp are right.
- Steam Wand – makes smooth, foamy milk for lattes or cappuccinos.
- 34 oz Water Tank – big enough for several drinks, easy to remove and fill.
- Compact Stainless Steel Body – stylish, strong, and fits small kitchens.
- Single or Double Shots – brew what you want with one machine.
What I Like
- ✅ Richer Crema – more foam and aroma than most 15-bar machines.
- ✅ Milk Frothing – makes creamy milk for latte art.
- ✅ Pressure Control – easy to see and adjust with the gauge.
- ✅ Versatile – espresso, cappuccino, latte, or flat white at home.
- ✅ Looks Great – comes in silver, black, creamy, pastel green, and more.
What Could Be Better
- ⚠️ Takes Practice – needs the right grind size and tamping.
- ⚠️ Milk Frothing is Slow – not as fast as café machines.
- ⚠️ Plastic Tamper – works, but a metal one is better.
- ⚠️ Cool-Down Time – must rest after steaming before brewing again.
My Personal Recommendation
If you want stronger shots and love milk drinks, the CASABREWS 20-bar espresso machine is a great pick. It’s a step up from a De’Longhi espresso machine (15 bar), but also needs more skill.
For the best taste, focus on the coffee beans used for espresso. Fresh beans matter more than the pressure. If you ask, “What are the best espresso beans?” – medium to dark roast is often best. At the store, look for the best grocery store coffee beans for espresso that you can grind fresh at home.
Read more reviews about Keurig 48oz vs 42oz coffee maker: Which Size Fits You Best?
What Amazon Users Say
⭐ Casabrew 20-Bar Review (United States)
A professional barista wrote:
“This Casabrew unit is pretty amazing for the price. It makes great espresso, and the steamer, while not powerful like a café machine, works fine. The pressure gauge is a game-changer for dialing in grind and tamp.”
If you want to see all the reviews of this products, please visit here
Daily Drinker vs. Crema King: Side-by-Side Test
I used both machines every day. Here is a simple look at how they are different.
Taste Test: Which Coffee Tastes Yummier?
This is the most important part! I used the same coffee beans in both.
| Feature | Daily Drinker (15 Bar) | Crema King (20 Bar) |
|---|---|---|
| Foam (Crema) | A little bit of foam | A lot of thick, yummy foam |
| Taste | Smooth and good | Bolder with more flavor |
Rating: Daily Drinker – 7/10 | Crema King – 9/10
Summary: The Crema King wins! The coffee tastes richer and has way better foam on top.
Easy to Use: Which Is Simpler?
How easy is it to use when you just woke up?
| Feature | Daily Drinker (15 Bar) | Crema King (20 Bar) |
|---|---|---|
| Buttons | Just one easy dial | A few buttons and a dial |
| Learning | You can use it right away | You need to practice a little |
Rating: Daily Drinker – 9/10 | Crema King – 7/10
Summary: The Daily Drinker is the winner here. It’s made to be super easy for anyone to use.
Making Lattes: Which Froths Milk Better?
If you love milky drinks, this is important.
| Feature | Daily Drinker (15 Bar) | Crema King (20 Bar) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | A little slow | Super fast |
| Milk Foam | Makes okay foam | Makes smooth, silky foam |
Rating: Daily Drinker – 6/10 | Crema King – 9/10
Summary: The Crema King is much better for milk drinks. It makes the kind of foam you see in coffee shops.
How It’s Made: Which One Is Stronger?
How do they look and feel?
| Feature | Daily Drinker (15 Bar) | Crema King (20 Bar) |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Made of plastic | Made of strong metal |
| Look | Small and simple | Big and professional |
Rating: Daily Drinker – 7/10 | Crema King – 9/10
Summary: The Crema King looks and feels stronger, like something that will last a very long time.
Cleaning Up: Which Is Less Messy?
No one likes cleaning up a big mess.
| Feature | Daily Drinker (15 Bar) | Crema King (20 Bar) |
|---|---|---|
| Parts | Easy to take apart and wash | Also easy to take apart and wash |
| Staying Clean | Plastic doesn’t show spots | Metal shows fingerprints |
Rating: Daily Drinker – 8/10 | Crema King – 7/10
Summary: The Daily Drinker is a little easier to keep looking clean.
Value: Which Is a Better Deal?
Which machine gives you more for your money?
| Feature | Daily Drinker (15 Bar) | Crema King (20 Bar) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Costs less money | Costs more money |
| What It Does | Great for the price | Amazing, but costs more |
Rating: Daily Drinker – 9/10 | Crema King – 8/10
Summary: The Daily Drinker is a great deal. It lets you make yummy espresso at home without spending a lot.
Final Choice: Which One Should You Get?
If you’re just starting out with home espresso, a 15-bar coffee machine like the De’Longhi ECP3630 is the smarter option. It’s budget-friendly, easier to use, and still delivers smooth espresso, cappuccinos, and lattes.
On the other hand, if you want richer crema, stronger flavor, and more control, a 20-bar coffee machine like the CASABREWS CM5418 will give you that café-style experience at home — but it does require a bit more skill and practice.
My recommendation:
- Choose 15-bar if you’re a beginner or casual coffee drinker.
- Choose 20-bar if you’re a coffee enthusiast who enjoys experimenting and doesn’t mind fine-tuning grind size, tamping, and milk frothing.
At the end of the day, your coffee beans, grind quality, and brewing technique matter more than just the pressure level.
Questions People Ask: Coffee Machine 15 Bar vs 20 Bar
Q1: Is 15 bar enough for good espresso?
Yes! A 15-bar machine provides the standard pressure needed for espresso. With good beans and technique, you’ll get crema and balanced flavor.
Q2: Does 20 bar make better coffee?
Not always. While 20 bar can produce thicker crema and stronger taste, it requires the right grind size and tamping. Beginners may find it trickier than 15-bar models.
Q3: Which one is better for lattes and cappuccinos?
Both can make great milk drinks, but a 20-bar machine generally creates smoother milk foam. That said, a 15-bar machine is usually easier for everyday cappuccinos and lattes.
Q4: What matters more — pressure or beans?
The beans. Fresh, high-quality espresso beans (medium to dark roast) will improve your coffee more than extra pressure alone.
Q5: Should I upgrade from 15 bar to 20 bar?
Only if you want to experiment with richer shots and latte art. For most casual drinkers, 15 bar is more than enough.
