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Choose coffee for a manual espresso machine

Manual espresso needs a fine, adjustable grind. A built-in grinder changes the workflow, but a machine without one needs a capable external grinder or freshly ground espresso coffee.

The decision that matters

The basket, dose and grind determine extraction more directly than the coffee brand.

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Machines covered by this guide

Open a machine page to see its full product code, country version and compatible accessories.

Breville Barista ExpressBES870XLCountry/version: USLELIT AnnaPL41TEMCountry/version: EUGaggia Classic E24E24Country/version: EUDe’Longhi Dedica StyleEC685.M EX:4 · SKU FR 0132106266Country/version: FR/EU · EC685.M EX:4 · 220–240 V · 50–60 HzSage the Bambino PlusSES500BSS4EEU1Country/version: FR/EU · SES500BSS4EEU1 · 220–240 VSage the BambinoSES450BSS4EEU1Country/version: FR/EU · SES450BSS4EEU1 · 220–240 VSage the Dual BoilerSES920BSS4EEU1Country/version: FR/EU · SES920BSS4EEU1 · 220–240 V · 2200 WSolis Barista Perfetta PlusType 1170 · EAN 7611210980841Country/version: BE/NL/EU · Type 1170 · 220–240 VRancilio SilviaSilvia · 1GRCountry/version: EU · 220–240 V · 50–60 Hz · 1150 W · US/CA · 120 V · 60 Hz · 950–1000 WSage Oracle JetSES985BSS4EEU1Country/version: EU · SES985BSS4EEU1 · 220–240 V · 50–60 Hz · 1400–1600 WSage Barista Touch ImpressSES881BSS4FEU1Country/version: EU · SES881BSS4FEU1 · 220–240 V · 1430–1700 WLELIT Bianca V3PL162T-EUCountry/version: EU · PL162T-EU · 230 V · 50 Hz · E/F · US · PL162T-120 · 120 VLa Marzocco Linea MicraLINEA-MICRACountry/version: EU · 220 V · 1816 W max. · UK/AU · 240 V · 2130 W max. · NA · 120 V · 1800 W max.Profitec GOCM500014-00Country/version: EU/UK/CH/AU · CM500014 · 230 V · 1300 W · NA · 115 V · 900 WRocket Espresso Appartamento TCAAPPARTAMENTO TCACountry/version: EU · 220–240 V · 50–60 Hz · 1200 W · US · 115 V · 60 Hz · 1200 WSage the Barista ProSES878BSS4EEU1Country/version: FR · EU · 220–240 VDe’Longhi La Specialista Arte EvoEC9255.M EX:2Country/version: EU · 220–240 VNinja Luxe Café PremierES601EUCountry/version: FR · EU · 240 VRocket Espresso Appartamento 2.0APPARTAMENTOCountry/version: EU/UK/AU · 220–240 V · 50/60 Hz · 1350 WRocket Espresso Mozzafiato FASTMOZZAFIATO FASTCountry/version: EU/UK/AU · 220–240 V · 1550 WRocket Espresso R58 TUNER58 TUNECountry/version: EU/UK/AU · 220–240 V · 50/60 Hz · 1600 W · US/CA · 115 V · 60 Hz · 1600 WRocket Espresso BicoccaBICOCCACountry/version: EU/UK/AU · 220–240 V · 50/60 Hz · 1600 W · US/CA · 115 V · 60 Hz · 1600 WRocket Espresso R NINE ONER NINE ONECountry/version: EU/UK/AU · 220–240 V · 50/60 Hz · 1600 W · US/CA · 115 V · 60 Hz · 1400 WOutIn NanoNanoCountry/version: EU · UK · US/CA · AU/NZ · USB-C · 5 V/3 A · 15 W recommendedOutIn MinoMinoCountry/version: EU · UK · US/CA · AU/NZ · USB-C · 20 V/1.5 A · 30 W
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Coffee guidance by machine setup

Coffee that suits this machine · Breville Barista Express

Recommendation for this modelBreville Barista ExpressBES870XL

Required formatFresh whole coffee beans
Useful roast profileMedium to medium-dark espresso roast
Grind or preparationStart in the middle of the grinder range, then adjust finer if the shot runs too fast and coarser if it chokes.
Do not useVery oily, caramelised or flavoured beans; they can leave residue in the integrated grinder.
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Why it suits this machine

This machine doses and grinds beans itself, then uses a pressurised espresso extraction. Fresh, dry-surfaced beans give the most useful adjustment range.

Coffee that suits this machine · LELIT Anna

Recommendation for this modelLELIT AnnaPL41TEM

Required formatWhole beans with an espresso-capable grinder, or freshly espresso-ground coffee
Useful roast profileMedium to medium-dark; lighter roasts demand finer control
Grind or preparationUse an espresso grind and adjust from the shot time and flow. Match the basket dose before changing several variables at once.
Do not useFilter-ground coffee, stale pre-ground coffee and pods unless the exact machine explicitly supports E.S.E.
✓
Why it suits this machine

This machine has no grinder. Espresso needs a much finer, more precisely adjustable grind than filter coffee.

Before choosing your coffee

Can I use supermarket pre-ground coffee?

Yes when it is ground for espresso and the basket is suited to it, but freshness and the ability to adjust grind are limited.