Contents
How does it compare to coffee makers from other brands though? And is it worth the money? Keep reading our review to find out.
Key Features
- LCD screen with the option of saving your favourite coffee settings
- Options for grind coarseness, strength, water temperature and cup size
- Dual adjustable dispensers
- Rinse and descaling programmes
- Conical burr grinder
- 1.7 litre water tank
- Thermoblock heating system
In-Depth Review of the Krups Espresseria EA8150
Appearance and Design
The Krups EA8150 has a simple design and appearance. The black colour scheme, mixed with silver dispenser and drip tray, gives it a timeless appeal that shouldn’t look out of place in any kitchen. The black exterior also means dirt and grime is less likely to show, so you won’t need to clean it as often.
One of the key features of this model is the interactive screen. It’s not touch operated – there are physical buttons below the display – but the screen makes it easy to choose your favourite settings (more on those in a moment).
A 1.7 litre water tank is included, along with dual dispensers for making two espressos at the same time. There’s also the option of adjusting dispenser height depending on the size of your cup. These are standard features for many bean-to-cup machines, but are still a welcome inclusion.
Something to note about the Krups EA8150 is that it doesn’t provide the option of using pre-ground coffee. Most bean-to-cup machines we’ve reviewed include this feature, as pre-ground allows you to make decaffeinated drinks. If you want the option of using pre-ground rather than full beans, you’ll need to choose a different model.
The instruction manual also isn’t as clear as it should be. It contains all the information you need, including how to clean and maintain the device, but Krups could do a better job of explaining the initial setup.
Even so, the EA8150 is simple and intuitive to use once you’ve made a few cups. It’s not the most featured-packed machine, which is expected at this price, but it’s easy to adjust the available settings.
On the inside, coffee is made with 15 bar pump pressure. Krups has included a “Compact Thermoblock System” for rapid water heating, so making espresso is relatively quick and easy. The stainless steel burr grinder also does a great job of consistently grinding beans for a rich and attractive crema.
Other features include an automatic start function, steam nozzle for frothing milk, and a hydraulic cylinder for tamping the coffee. There’s no automatic function for milk frothing though.
Coffee Customisation
There are several settings for customising your coffee. These are water temperature, strength and size. There are also three options for grind coarseness.
While other machines have more options, adjusting these settings allows you to create your ideal cup of espresso. And, once you’ve found your perfect settings, you can save them via the LCD display.
Espresso Taste
The Krups EA8150 produces excellent espresso. While it can’t quite match coffee shop drinks, or the best bean-to-cup machines, the espresso has a rich aroma and attractive crema.
Of course, a bean-to-cup machine is only as good as the beans you use. Experimenting with different beans is part of the fun though!
As with all bean-to-cup machines, be prepared for noise – especially during the grinding phase. The Krups isn’t significantly louder than other models, but if you share a flat or live above neighbours, it might be too loud for morning or night-time use.
Tip: Water quality is often overlooked, but it can have a big effect on your coffee. If your EA8150’s espresso doesn’t taste as good as you expected, check out our guide to water composition.
Other Coffee Taste
The Krups doesn’t have an automatic milk frother, so it can’t make cappuccino or latte directly. The milk frothing arm lets you manually froth milk and combine it with the tasty espresso, however, so there are plenty of options for creating other types of coffee.
Milk frothing takes practice to get right, so don’t expect perfect cappuccino on your first try. Here’s a quick video showing it works:
Ease of Cleaning
All bean-to-cup coffee machines require cleaning, so ease of maintenance is an important factor when choosing which model to buy. No-one wants to spend hours cleaning their coffee machine, after all!
Like most models, the Krups Espresseria EA8150 has automatic rinsing and descaling programmes. These can be run via the control panel, so they aren’t too time consuming.
You’ll need to run steam through the milk frother regularly though. The pipe can become clogged if it’s not properly maintained.
Value for Money
The Krups EA8150 isn’t the most expensive bean-to-cup machine on the market – but it’s not cheap either. With an RRP of £550, it’s hard to recommend it over models with more features at a similar price.
With that said, it’s a solid coffee machine and can often be found on sale. So, it might be worth snapping up if you see a bargain.
Verdict
The Krups Espresseria EA8150 bean-to-cup is a decent model that produces tasty espresso. It’s simple to use, includes a milk frothing arm, and has a convenient LCD display for choosing your settings.
Despite its positive features, we think the EA8150 is over-priced compared to competing models. The espresso quality is as good as you would expect, but it’s missing some features found on other machines, such as the option to use pre-ground coffee.
With this in mind, we only recommend the EA8150 if you can find a great offer or deal. Otherwise, there are better options in this price range.
