This automatic espresso machine is just like my own barista, and it’s not made by De’Longhi or Breville

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I’m from the Northeast, and I live near a Dunkin’ Cup. There really is nothing better for me than the convenience of a no-fuss, no-frills cup of coffee from the Orange & Pink range, but as I approach 30, I’ve become more interested in maintaining and enhancing my favorite recipes in the comfort of my own home.

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when the opportunity came to try Meraki Espresso MachineMy interest had increased. Improving my coffee experience seemed like a great idea, and what better way to do it than with a top choice? This dual-boiler machine raised more than $1 million on Kickstarter when it launched a year ago. Since then, it has won the 2025 Red Dot Award and the 2025 iF Design Award for Kitchen Design. Given the already rave reviews for this machine, I had high expectations.

I have been working with my unit just before the Christmas holidays. After several weeks of brewing for myself and large groups of guests with this all-in-one espresso machine, I feel spoiled beyond belief, and I would have a hard time leaving this machine for someone else.

A high-end coffee upgrade

Even though I’ve made a lot of double shots and made many lattes, I still learn something new every time I use it. If you’re an experienced home barista, the Meraki machine will require less learning. As a newbie to high-end espresso machines, it took me a while to get used to the setup, but the process isn’t too cumbersome. It’s pretty intuitive to get started, and I found the instructions to be my best friend for the first few weeks.

So what makes this machine really worth its attractive price of $1,999 ($1,799 when it’s on sale)? Here is my short review.

There’s really a lot to tell about the Meraki, but if we just look at the specifications, it’s a compelling buy. The device features a dual stainless steel boiler, integrated scale on the grinder, a 58mm heated group head, a bottomless portafilter with an attachable splitter, a rotary pump, and a built-in TimeMore grinder with over 25 stepless adjustments. I can’t forget to mention the digital control screen, which has better touch reception than my car’s GPS screen. It’s also available in black or white and would look great on a counter or in a coffee bar setup.

The grinder setup includes a magnetic dosing cup that is attached to a set of integrated scales. The machine grinds by weight, and it seems to be quite accurate (this was confirmed by me and my first-generation Italian-American family members who visited during the holidays). The grinder is relatively quiet, and once the machine is finished, you simply pour your freshly ground beans into the dosing cup within the portafilter. Then you prepare your puck, and you’re ready to go.

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Your portafilter and its accessories come in a wooden stand, which is attractive for both display and storage. I choose to store my machine away when not in use due to a household with curious cats, but that’s a welcome bonus for such a premium machine.

When you’re ready to brew, the touchscreen makes it quick and easy. You can adjust the size and temperature to your liking, and then it’s as simple as a tap. Once that’s done, you can choose to use the steam feature for drinks like lattes, but if you’re satisfied with just your shot, you can sit back and enjoy (my family members like to add some sambuca liqueur at this point to create café correttes).

Brewing is even easier if you use CoffeeSense-compatible ground coffee with your machine. Meraki’s machine can scan the unique NFC tags on select participating grounds’ bags, and it will automatically set a recommended brew. I independently purchased two different types of CoffeeSense-compatible brews, and it made it easier to serve during holiday gatherings. You can also connect to the internet and access recipes etc. Although this makes brewing easier, some of the additional add-ons are a little more challenging.

I think using the steam wand is one of the most complicated parts of any machine, and I’m definitely still learning how to use it. That said, Meraki’s Steam Wand has advanced settings. It has a built-in thermometer that automatically turns off when the desired set temperature is reached, and as someone who is nervous when using a steam wand, this has been difficult for me. It reached about 130 degrees in less than 25 seconds, making it challenging to work with if you’re not confident in your abilities (I’m not).

However, you can adjust the strength of the steamed milk to gentle, medium or firm. Gentle is the best setting to work for me at the moment, but my family members prefer to use Medium. Meraki offers a lot of customizability, so it’s really up to you to refine your settings if you’re specific.

Why do I recommend this product?

Overall, I enjoyed using it meraki machine And I am impressed by it. I think it’s more suitable for the extreme home barista than an average (or even above average) user. It’s really high-end, but if you don’t need advanced features there are certainly other options on the market that are much cheaper. My biggest complaint with the machine is that it’s a little difficult to turn on and off because of the tricky power button, so I’ve resorted to unplugging it from the wall. It also has limited CoffeeSense-compatible grounds, which is unfortunate because as a less-confident barista this is my favorite feature.

Regardless, this is probably one of the best machines you can buy for at-home espresso, and now that it’s here, I really wouldn’t tear it apart. Still, nothing can completely replace my Dunkin’, but if any coffee machine could convince me of it, it would be this one.