Cuisinart EM-100 Review

Cuisinart EM-100
Overall Rating
82
Coffee Quality (40%)
80
Design & Features (20%)
80
Durability (20%)
85
Ease of Use (10%)
80
Brand Reputation (10%)
85
The Bottom Line
The Cuisinart EM-100 is a compact, entry-level machine with a 15 bar pump, 53 oz water reservoir, and steam nozzle for an inexpensive experience. For something similar but more user-friendly, check out the EM-200 instead.
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Key Features of the Cuisinart EM-100

Key Features of Cuisinart EM-100

  • Type: Semi-automatic pump
  • Integrated Grinder: None
  • Pressure: 15 bars
  • Reservoir: 53 oz removable
  • Portafilters: Pressurized single and double portafilters
  • Pod Compatibility: E.S.E. soft pods
  • Max Cup Height: 3.5″
  • Steam Wand: Integrated, manual
  • Unit Size: 9.6″W x 14.7″H x 12.8″D
  • Unit Weight: 16.0 lbs
  • Watts: 1000W
  • Warranty: 1 year

Cuisinart EM-100 Overview

The Cuisinart EM-100 is a decent low-end pump espresso machine, which is both compact and easy to use.

The portafilter locks in easily and can pull two shots at once.

The steam wand has convenient swivel functionality and you can control the steam easily by turning the one-and-only knob to the right.

A potential downside of this knob is that there isn’t a single “Brew Espresso” button, and that means your brew time isn’t automatic and standard.

  • You turn the knob to start brewing
  • You hold to continue extraction
  • You turn the knob back to end brewing

So make sure you track how long you’ve been extracting! Most espresso recipes call for around 28-30 seconds.

The 53 oz water reservoir is surprisingly large for such a compact espresso machine.

And despite those compact dimensions, this machine does still have some heft, which I always like in an espresso machine.

It also comes with a cup warmer, but honestly, I’m not a huge fan of these cup warming features — I don’t really see the utility. Still, the EM-100 has the area to warm four cups at once.

Pros
  • Decent espresso for its price
  • Compact design but still has good weight
  • Large water reservoir for its size
Cons
  • Requires you to manually time extraction
  • Won’t get a very good crema
  • Very loud

Is the Cuisinart EM-100 for you?

Are Cuisinart EM-100 for you?

The Cuisinart EM-100 is for espresso drinkers looking for something affordable and who don’t mind monitoring their shot’s extraction time.

Bottom line: The Cuisinart EM-100 is a serviceable low-end pump espresso machine with an attractive stainless steel exterior and easy-to-use, compact design. It produces fairly good espresso and above average foam, both of which are definitely good enough for the price.

Cuisinart EM-100 Review: An In-Depth Look

Check out the Cuisinart EM-100!

Check out Cuisinart EM-100!

Cuisinart EM-100
The Cuisinart EM-100 is a compact, entry-level machine with a 15 bar pump, 53 oz water reservoir, and steam nozzle for an inexpensive experience. For something similar but more user-friendly, check out the EM-200 instead.

More Cuisinart Reviews From The Coffee Maven

Cuisinart EM-1000

Cuisinart EM-1000
Overall Rating: 87
Cuisinart's do-it-all, super-automatic model, the EM-1000 has a 34 oz reservoir and integrated grinder and milk frother for one-touch specialty drinks and even remembers settings for up to 4 different users.

Cuisinart DGB-850 Grind & Brew

Cuisinart DGB-850 Grind & Brew
Overall Rating: 89
The DGB-850 is identical to the DGB-800 (conical burrs, 60 oz brew size, 8 oz hopper) but the DGB-850 comes with a thermal carafe. With this machine, you won't need a separate coffee maker and grinder.

Cuisinart DGB-800 Grind & Brew

Cuisinart DGB-800 Grind & Brew
Overall Rating: 88
The DGB-800 is identical to the DGB-850 (conical burrs, 60 oz brew size, 8 oz hopper) but the DGB-800 comes with a glass carafe. With this machine, you won't need a separate coffee maker and grinder.
About The Coffee Maven
bryan de luca
Bryan De Luca

I'm Bryan but most people know me as The Coffee Maven. I grew up outside Boston, Massachusetts and received my Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Providence College. My first introduction to coffee was during my college days, when I used it as a source of caffeine to fuel late-night study sessions, but soon I became obsessed with the chemistry of coffee. How did changes to water temperature or contact time affect its taste? Why do beans from Africa taste fruity while beans from Indonesia taste spicy? I launched The Coffee Maven in February 2017 to explore these questions and help others brew their perfect cup. Welcome to my site, and thanks for reading!

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