Hurry! This espresso machine restored my faith in cheap coffee gear, and now it's $60 off
While budget espresso machines (this one included) always come with some compromises, when we tested the Casabrews Ultra we were impressed with its premium features, including a PID temperature controller and shot time. We deemed it a solid little machine for the money and that's truer than ever with this deal, which knocks nearly a quarter off the MSRP.
When we tested the Casabrews Ultra, we were impressed by the espresso it produced, and its array of premium features, including a PID temperature controller and shot timer. It was already a sound deal at the full MSRP, so with $60 knocked off, this is a great offer for espresso enthusiasts on a budget.
As I mentioned above, cheap espresso machines usually come with compromises. And in our Casabrews Ultra review we found that applied to this machine, too. However, none of its shortcomings are too drastic, and are to be expected in this price range anyway. "One of the cheapest ways to get decent espresso," as we said in our review.
The Casabrews Ultra made very tasty espresso. I wasn't the tester of this machine, but we had it set up in our test kitchen for several days. Not only did I pull shots on it and make milks drinks with it myself, but I was also one of the samplers of the coffee our reviewer Erin Bashford made on the machine.
See, when we test machines, we always make drinks for each other in the office to get a balance of opinions on the results.
The Casabrews Ultra pulls at up to 20 bars, so it's more than capable of the 9-bar pressures required to extract proper espresso. It also has a PID temperature controller to ensure temperature stability and improve shot-to-shot consistency. The temperature can also be controlled and set manually so you can ensure the machine is at optimum brew temps. More expensive machines like the Gaggia Classic and Rancilio Silvia don't have PIDs.
The Ultra also includes a shot timer, so if you don't have a one of the best coffee scales with a timer, you can still assess your flow rate.
The flaws? Well, the steam wand isn't particularly powerful, so you'll need to be steaming for a while and it can be difficult to nail the right milk texture. I would advise steaming before brewing your shot (with the PID, that should be no issue) so your espresso isn't losing crema while you steam.
It also takes a while to switch between espresso and steam modes. For $189 though, those are not very serious complaints.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
15 minutes ago
- Tom's Guide
Google Photos just got a huge AI upgrade with 'Remix' — here's what you can do now
Google recently announced a new feature for Google Photos called Remix that turns your photos into various cartoon art styles using generative AI. Now, after a little over a month of waiting, the feature has started rolling out to users gradually, so it could be available on your phone soon. Google wrote a support post detailing how to use Remix and showing off the kinds of images it's capable of creating. Essentially, you feed Remix an image, and it lets you choose between a few different art styles to create a cartoon version of your photo. It seems somewhat limited now, with only four art styles, but it's easy to see it expanding into a more robust feature down the road. Currently, the styles available are: Those four art styles are some of the most popular looks, though. A nice benefit of using Google's Remix over ChatGPT or Gemini is that it's freely available in the Google Photos app — you don't need to sign up for another subscription just to turn yourself and your loved ones into funky cartoons. Google's blog post detailed how to use the app, and it's quite streamlined. Here's the basics: It's important to note that this is still rolling out, so you may not see it yet on your Google Photos account. If it's not showing up for you yet, just wait a bit longer. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Gizmodo
15 minutes ago
- Gizmodo
Anker's 60,000mAh Power Bank Station Is Almost Free With 50% Off, Cheaper Than It Was on Prime Day
Having a power bank is great. Having a power station is better. But what if you can enjoy the portability of a power bank and the capacity of a power station in a single device? That's exactly what the Anker PowerCore Reserve offers, and right now, getting your hands on one doesn't have to break the bank. Amazon is currently offering this powerful machine for just $80, which is 47% off the regular price. Anyone who has ever shopped around for a reliable power station knows how these devices typically run well over $150–$200, so getting a device this capable under $100 is a big deal. See at Amazon The power station is compact (resembles a Bluetooth speaker) and comes with a handle for easy portability. You're getting a smart display that shows real-time battery stats, charging status, and output info. The top features a retractable light bar, which can be pulled up when needed and automatically turns on in low light – so it easily doubles as an emergency lantern. Even better, you can choose between two light modes depending on what you prefer. Need some extra visibility to gather your essentials during a blackout? Go for the bright mode. Don't want to send an open invitation to the bugs with a bright light? Dim mode it is. Power-wise, Anker packs it with 60,000mAh of capacity, which is enough to charge a MacBook Air nearly 3 times, juice an iPhone 14 over 10 times, or power an LED lamp for over 42 hours. Blackouts at home or emergency power situations in the great outdoors, it takes care of it all. There are two USB-C ports (60W and 27W), two USB-A ports, plus an XT60 port for extra compatibility with solar panels. For safety, the built-in SOS button activates a flashing emergency light to signal for help when needed. Another nice touch is the use of LiFePO4 batteries, which are more stable and reliable than the other models. You can expect it to hold up to 85% of its charge even after a year. Overall, this power bank + station is great for anyone looking for a reliable backup solution that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. For just $80, you're getting a device that lets you power through outages and outdoor adventures easily. The discount is available on two color options – gray and green. Just note that such discounts don't last too long. We recommend grabbing it before the price goes back up to $150. See at Amazon
Gizmodo
an hour ago
- Gizmodo
HP 17″ Laptop Bundle (Ryzen 5, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) Is 74% Off, 5-Star PC at a Bargain Price
A big screen can calm a busy day. The HP 17 inch Laptop (32GB RAM, 1TB SSD), AMD Ryzen 5 7430U gives you room to think, with a roomy display that makes split screen work feel natural and movies look less cramped. It is the kind of computer that sits down on a kitchen table or a dorm desk and immediately feels like the main hub. Open email, a browser full of tabs, a paper to finish, and a playlist for background noise. There is space for all of it, and you are not squinting. Head over to Amazon to get the HP 17 inch Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5 7430U for just $800, down from its usual price of $3,100. That's a discount of $2,300 and 74% off. See at Amazon What stands out first is the view. A 17 inch screen makes calendars easier to scan, spreadsheets less fussy, and streaming more fun. You can park notes on one side and a lecture on the other without feeling cramped. The full size keyboard helps too. Plenty of key travel, a number pad for quick entries, and a wide touchpad that behaves when you are moving between tabs or skimming long PDFs. It is a comfortable place to type a long message or settle into a writing session. The everyday feel is quick and steady. The Ryzen 5 inside handles typical tasks with a light touch, so you can bounce from docs to web apps to video calls without feeling like the computer is catching its breath. Fans stay out of the way during regular work. When it is time to unwind, the picture looks clean for a show and casual photo organizing is smooth. Speakers have enough body for podcasts and late night viewing, and a simple set of headphones can step in when you want privacy. Little details make life easier. A decent webcam keeps you presentable for check ins. Bluetooth pairs your favorite wireless mouse in a few seconds. There are ports for a thumb drive, an external drive, and a monitor if you want even more space on a desk. The hinge has an easy motion that invites you to open it, get something done, close it, and carry on with your day. At home, it looks tidy on a table. In a backpack, it travels to class or a study group without fuss. Families will like it for shared chores like budgets and school portals. Students can use it for research and papers, then relax with a movie. It is simple, capable, and friendly to live with. The HP 17 inch Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5 7430U is still available for $800 at Amazon, down from the regular $3,100 price. See at Amazon
