CASABREWS CM5418 Espresso Machine 20 Bar
Verdict
The Casabrews CM5418 is a compact, inexpensive starter espresso machine that delivers easy, foamy crema and latte friendly shots from coarser grinds, making it appealing for beginners upgrading from pod or preground coffee. However, its overheating quirks, finicky steaming workflow, loose basket design and longer prep time mean more serious or impatient home baristas may quickly outgrow it or find the day to day experience frustrating compared with spending more on a Bambino class machine.
Pros
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Popularity ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0Marketed as one of the three best selling semi automatic coffee machines on Amazon, reflecting its popularity as an affordable entry level option.
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Value & Price ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0Strong value at around 140 dollars with beginner friendly results, especially if using preground coffee or a basic grinder.
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Brewing performance & consistency ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.5Pressurized baskets and a 20 bar design produce easy crema from coarser grinds, but flavor depth is less nuanced despite PID temperature control.
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Design, ergonomics & footprint ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.5Compact and lightweight with a slim 5.47 inch width and multiple color options, it fits small kitchens but can tip if forced when locking the portafilter.
Cons
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Accessories ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.0Includes 1 and 2 cup double wall baskets and a plastic scoop tamper, but lacks single wall baskets or a metal tamper.
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Assembly & Setup ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.0Setup is straightforward thanks to a clear manual and large on body instruction stickers, but new users must learn a less intuitive routine of flushing and preheating before shots or steam.
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Build quality & durability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.0Lightweight materials feel a bit flimsy, but overall construction and a heavy portafilter provide adequate robustness for budget minded home use.
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Espresso & beverage quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.0Produces thick, pressurized crema and approachable shots out of the box, though straight espresso has less complexity and benefits from being used in milk drinks.
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Pump pressure consistency ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.0High pressure system with front gauge favors coarser grinds and easy extractions but trades off finesse.
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Overall user experience ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.5Best for beginners on a budget, but overheating protection, the shot before steam workflow, and extra flushing add friction to daily use.
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Water system, maintenance & descaling ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.5The water system relies on regular flushing and hot water purges to build pressure and clear overheating, making maintenance and workflow more involved than on simpler machines.
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Design flaws ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.0Overheating after steaming, a loose rotating basket, non standard 51 mm parts, and a reversed shot before steam workflow that depends on flushing cycles are notable design drawbacks.
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Mess-free used-puck disposal ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.0The loose, rotating basket makes knocking out used pucks harder and messier than on portafilters where the basket locks firmly in place.
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Milk, steam & frothing ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.0
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Speed & time-to-cup ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.0Lacks rapid heat up and often requires flushing and preheating, leading to longer time to first shot and to steam.
