Skip to main content Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Search Tom's Guide View Profile Newsletters Phone Insights Phone Best Picks Phone Deals Phone Face-Offs Phone How-Tos Phone Reviews Network Carriers Android Phones Google Phones Motorola Phones OnePlus Phones Samsung Phones Nothing Phone TV Best Picks TV Face-Offs Audio Insights Audio Best Picks Audio Deals Audio Face-Offs Audio How-Tos Audio Reviews Over-Ear Headphones Bluetooth Speakers Smart Speakers TV & Audio Brands Entertainment Streaming Devices Prime Video Paramount Plus PlayStation Handheld Gaming Gaming Peripherals Connections Computing Insights Computing Best Picks Computing Deals Computing Face-Offs Computing How-Tos Computing News Computing Reviews VPN Best Picks VPN Face-Offs VPN How-Tos VPN Reviews Operating Systems Identity Theft Protection Parental Controls Malware & Adware Virtual Reality Augmented Reality Smart Glasses Chromebooks Gaming Laptops Apple Desktops Gaming Desktops Android Tablets Computing Brands AI Insights AI Best Picks AI Face-Offs Google Gemini Apple Intelligence Mattress Best Picks Mattress Deals Mattress Face-Offs Mattress How-Tos Mattress News Mattress Reviews Mattress Care Mattress Toppers Pillows & Bedding Smartwatches Fitness Trackers Smart Rings Apple Watch Home Insights Home Best Picks Home Face-Offs Home How-Tos Home Reviews Home Topics Home Appliances Home Office Home Security Home Brands Popular Brands View Phones Phone Insights Phone Best Picks Phone Deals Phone Face-Offs Phone How-Tos Phone Reviews Network Carriers View Network Carriers Android Phones View Android Phones Google Phones Motorola Phones OnePlus Phones Samsung Phones Nothing Phone TV Best Picks TV Face-Offs Audio Insights View Audio Insights Audio Best Picks Audio Deals Audio Face-Offs Audio How-Tos Audio Reviews Headphones View Headphones Over-Ear Headphones View Speakers Bluetooth Speakers Smart Speakers TV & Audio Brands Entertainment View Entertainment View Streaming Streaming Devices Prime Video Paramount Plus View Gaming PlayStation Handheld Gaming Gaming Peripherals Word Games Connections View Computing Computing Insights Computing Best Picks Computing Deals Computing Face-Offs Computing How-Tos Computing News Computing Reviews VPN Best Picks VPN Face-Offs VPN How-Tos VPN Reviews View Hardware View Software Operating Systems View Security Identity Theft Protection Parental Controls Malware & Adware View VR & AR Virtual Reality Augmented Reality Smart Glasses View Laptops Chromebooks Gaming Laptops View Desktops Apple Desktops Gaming Desktops View Tablets Android Tablets Computing Brands AI Insights AI Best Picks AI Face-Offs AI Engines Google Gemini Apple Intelligence View Wellness Mattresses View Mattresses Mattress Best Picks Mattress Deals Mattress Face-Offs Mattress How-Tos Mattress News Mattress Reviews Mattress Care Mattress Toppers Pillows & Bedding View Fitness Smartwatches Fitness Trackers Smart Rings Apple Watch Home Insights Home Best Picks Home Face-Offs Home How-Tos Home Reviews Home Topics Home Appliances Home Office Home Security View Outdoors Home Brands Popular Brands Pixel 10 Launch LIVE The World in 2035 Wordle Today Galaxy Z Fold 7 Best laptops Best Mattress Recommended reading Coffee Makers Casabrews Ultra review: A unique espresso machine Coffee Makers Could this $249 espresso machine be one of the cheapest ways to get decent espresso? Yes, but there's a catch Coffee Makers I’m utterly bamboozled by this ultra-cheap bean-to-cup espresso machine — and not in a bad way Coffee Makers This $149 De'Longhi espresso machine is proof you don't need to drop $500 for great espresso — here's why Coffee Makers Don't buy a budget espresso machine before checking for these 3 essential features — from an ex-barista Coffee Makers I'm an ex barista and I tested a $150 De'Longhi espresso machine and a $500 Breville — here's what I learned Coffee Makers Hurry! This espresso machine restored my faith in cheap coffee gear, and now it's $60 off Home Appliances Coffee Makers Did You See the Casabrews Espresso Machine Go Viral on TikTok? Well, I Just Tested the Follow Up — and It’s a Doozy Perfect for the budget barista Erin Bashford 26 August 2025 When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image: © Tom's Guide) Tom's Guide Verdict The Casabrews 5418Pro is ideal for casual users on a budget. It’s not for purists — I’d recommend the Breville Bambino Plus for those — but its excellent steam wand and compact 5.5-inch width make it a great choice for small kitchens and those less particular about absolute espresso perfection. $160 at Amazon Affordable, all things considered Espresso tastes good for the price Easy to use, perfect for beginners Powerful steam wand Only comes with dual-walled portafilters No milk jug Flimsy tamper Best picks for you Best espresso machine 2025: Top picks from a certified barista Best Keurig coffee maker in 2025 Best Nespresso machine 2025 Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate. Cheat sheet Price & availability Storage & maintenance How does it compare? The Casabrews 5418 Pro is Casabrews’ newest espresso machine as of August 2025. You’ve likely heard of the 5418 — it did the rounds on TikTok recently. The 5418 Pro is $299, so considerably pricier than the 5418, but it’s got some major upgrades. Could this be enough to make it one of the best espresso machines? Well, it depends who you ask. The Casabrews 5418 Pro is not for espresso purists. It is for beginners, those who may be starting out in the world of home barista-ing, or those who aren’t fussed about things like ‘golden window of extraction’ and spending $$$ on a grinder. Casabrews 5418 Pro: was $299 now $179 at Amazon The Casabrews 5418 Pro espresso machine is Casabrews' newest budget-friendly machine. It has a surprisingly powerful steam wand for its affordable price and with a $39 accessory, can make 10/10 espresso. You can get it for just $179 if you buy it on launch — 26th August. Casabrews 5418 Pro at Amazon for $159.99 I’ll discuss everything in full — from espresso extraction, steam wand, and more — in this comprehensive Casabrews 5418 Pro review. Casabrews 5418 Pro review: Cheat sheet Who is it for? Beginners — this machine won’t impress espresso purists What does it do well? It’s very easy to use What are its weaknesses? The accessories either don’t exist or are flimsy Anything else to know? Comes with dual-walled portafilters as intended to be used with preground coffee (but I would never recommend using preground coffee) Casabrews 5418 Pro review: Specs Swipe to scroll horizontally 12.7 pounds 5.5 x 12.3 x 12 inches Heating system Water tank capacity Accessories Casabrews 5418 Pro review: Price & availability The Casabrews 5418 Pro espresso machine is relatively cheap for an espresso machine, at $299 from Amazon U.S.. It will be released on 26th August 2025, and Casabrews is offering a $120 discount on launch, so the price will temporarily drop to $179. What is a PID controller? A PID controller is temperature controller that ensures espresso is extracted at the correct temperature. At this price point, there’s very little competition. Recently I tested the De’Longhi Stilosa, which is $149/£104. The Stilosa performs like a much pricier machine and can brew delicious espresso with user finesse, and it comes with single-walled portafilters (in the U.K.), whereas the 5418 Pro only comes with dual-walled. However, the 5418 Pro looks a lot prettier than the Stilosa, and has a PID controller. I would recommend getting some third-party single-walled portafilters to make the most of these premium-leaning features. Casabrews 5418 Pro review: Design The Casabrews 5418 Pro has definitely taken inspiration from the iconic Breville (Sage) Bambino Plus. Whether that’s a shot in the foot or a mark of confidence, well… I’m not entirely sure. Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. On the one hand, the machine looks sleek and premium on my kitchen countertop. On the other hand, I can’t help but make comparisons with the pricier machine, which doesn’t really bode well for the 5418 Pro. For starters, the stainless steel exterior is easily tarnished — but that was one of my major drawbacks of the Bambino Plus, too. On top of that, the 5418 Pro’s small buttons are a little flimsy and look cheaper than the Bambino Plus’. However, the steam wand’s joint is a little more flexible than the Bambino Plus’, and I was able to steam milk at a wider variety of angles. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Unlike the Bambino Plus, I have a few coffee-related design qualms with the 5418 Pro. Its portafilters are dual-walled only, don’t sit flush in the group handle, and the group handle is prone to leaking. Obviously you can get alternative portafilters, so this isn’t damning by any means, but right out of the box, you won’t be able to get technically perfect espresso. On the right side of the machine is the steam wand dial, so ensure this side of the machine is accessible at all times. I’m not a massive fan of these dials, on a thermoblock at least; I’d rather just press the steam button and have the steam wand work. You must press the button to heat steam and then turn the dial to the last ‘steam’ notch in order to steam milk. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) All that being said, though, the 5418 Pro looks miles better than the $149 De’Longhi Stilosa. While the Stilosa has a plasticky construction, the 5418Pro is luxurious with its mostly-metal appearance. If you care about looks alone, you’d be better off with the 5418 Pro, but if you prefer technically perfect espresso, the single-walled portafilters of the Stilosa will suit you. Casabrews 5418 Pro review: Espresso As I discussed above, the Casabrews 5418 Pro doesn’t make ‘technically’ perfect espresso. This can easily be rectified with a new third-party portafiler. The Casabrews 5418 Pro uses a 54mm portafilter. Casabrews sells its own bottomless portafilters for $38 on Amazon, which I would highly recommend buying alongside the machine. Unlike other budget-friendly machines, the 5418 Pro has a PID controller. A PID controller basically manages temperature to ensure the espresso doesn’t extract too hot or too cold. Optimal temperature ranges from around 197-204°F. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) You can adjust shot volume easily: just follow the instructions in the manual. It involves a little bit of button mashing, but I was able to program the double shot to extract 30g of water using my Fellow Tally Pro scale. You can’t actually fit 18g of finely-ground coffee in the provided portafilter basket. I ended up dosing 14g per shot with an espresso out at 28g. Here’s a photo of the espresso. (Image credit: Erin Bashford) As you can see, the espresso is very aerated and almost foamy. This shows that it was extracted with a pressurized (dual-walled) portafilter, which pushes the espresso through a small hole (rather than a single-walled portafilter, which is more like a miniature showerhead) to improve the crema. The espresso tasted weaker than I’d like, especially if I was to combine this with milk for a latte, and a little bitter. I suppose if you drink a lot of flavored lattes — you add caramel or hazelnut syrup for example — then this would be a good style of espresso, as you’d be able to taste it over the sweetness. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) These types of portafilters are generally understood to be inferior as they manipulate the espresso’s flavor. It’s kind of like the difference between fresh versus flat sparkling water: still the same product, but the taste and texture is different. I also tested with the Casabrews bottomless portafilter ($38 on Amazon, $39 on Casabrews), which provided me with a much, much better espresso than the default pressurized portafilter. Here’s a photo of espresso pulled on the bottomless portafilter. (Image credit: Erin Bashford) As you can see, this shot of espresso is brighter, with a more controlled layer of crema on top. It also tasted juicier and more balanced. Yes, it’s a shame that you have to spend another $38 to get “perfect” espresso on the 5418 Pro, but even with the portafilter + machine (at full price), it’s only $338. This is still $161 cheaper than the Breville Bambino Plus. It’s a shame Casabrews decided to ship the machine with dual-walled filters, as espresso purists will immediately discredit the machine. However, in the machine’s instruction manual, Casabrews outlines that the dual-walled filters are intended to be used with preground coffee. I would never, ever recommend using preground coffee in a home espresso machine. Freshly ground whole beans will always taste superior to preground, grocery store coffee. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Despite this, though, that kind of gives me a clue on this machine’s intended audience: despite the “Pro” moniker, the 5418 Pro isn’t for the super-technical home barista. It’s for those who want fresh coffee and don’t really care too much about specifics and the ‘right’ way to brew coffee. So, if you’re an espresso evangelist and you want the perfect compact espresso machine for you, may I advise you stop reading this review now and head on over to my Breville Bambino Plus review? However, if you want good homemade coffee as cheap as possible, then I’ve got some great steam wand-related news for you. Casabrews 5418 Pro review: Milk Like the De’Longhi Stilosa, the 5418 Pro has a fantastic steam wand. I was really impressed — and relieved — to see such a high-quality steam wand after the espresso disappointment. The steam wand only has one hole, but it’s very powerful. I was able to steam both oat and dairy milk with ease. Of course, I was able to create that all-important vortex to texturize the milk. The Casabrews Ultra suffers from a weak steam wand, so I was really happy to see this high-quality steam wand on the similarly-priced 5418Pro. Here’s a photo of my milk texture so you can see what I mean. (Image credit: Erin Bashford) As you can see, the surface of the milk is glossy, like melted ice cream, and the latte art is decent. Obviously I’m not going to enter any latte art competitions, but it’s much better than the sorry excuse for latte art I was able to achieve on the Casabrews Ultra, with its weak steam wand. If you’re more fussed with getting pretty milk texture than espresso flavor, I’d recommend the 5418Pro over the Ultra. Comparatively, if you want better espresso and meh milk, then check out the Ultra. If you have a little more to spend and you want the best compact machine on the market, again, check out the Breville Bambino Plus. Casabrews 5418 Pro review: Storage & maintenance As the Casabrews 5418 Pro is just 5.5 inches wide, it’s the perfect espresso machine for small spaces. The Bambino Plus is 7 inches, so the 5418Pro pips it to the post there. Given that it’s quite small, the water tank needs to be refilled about once every 10 drinks. I had to empty the drip tray about once every 6 drinks, but I was making multiple drinks for my coworkers in the office. If you’re planning on using this machine for one drink a day at home, I’d recommend emptying the drip tray more regularly than once every 6 days. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Casabrews sells things like a tamping mat and knock box for relatively low prices, so I’d recommend checking these accessories (+a new portafilter) if you’re planning on buying a Casabrews machine. Casabrews advises against washing any parts in the dishwasher. Casabrews 5418 Pro review: How does it compare? At this price point, there’s very little competition. Hardly any other decent espresso machines are available for around $250. I’ve tested three now: the De’Longhi Stilosa ($149), Casabrews Ultra ($259), and now the Casabrews 5418 Pro. In terms of overall performance, I would get the De’Longhi Stilosa. The U.K. version comes with single-walled portafilters and the steam wand is very powerful. In the U.S., unfortunately the Stilosa only comes with dual-walled portafilters, so you’d likely need to purchase some third party single-walled ones. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) If you spend an extra $38 on Casabrews’ bottomless portafilter, this machine easily goes from 3.5 stars to 4.5 stars. I 100% recommend getting this bottomless portafilter to make delicious espresso on the 5418 Pro. Even so, if you’re not overly fussed about ‘perfect’ espresso — you might even just buy preground coffee — and you want to make pretty latte art, then the 5418 Pro is great straight out of the box. Also, this is an ideal machine if you have a small kitchen. It’s literally 5 inches wide, which is smaller than even the Bambino Plus. The extra spend and 2-inch size difference might be a worthy sacrifice if you want espresso that’s a little more ‘perfect’. I’d always recommend the Breville Bambino Plus as the ideal entry-level (it’s still $500) espresso machine for espresso purists. Casabrews 5418 Pro review: Verdict (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Despite the name, the Casabrews 5418 Pro isn’t intended for pros, and that’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with that. If you’re an espresso purist, what are you still doing here? I remember advising you to check out the Breville Bambino Plus about 1,000 words ago. The Bambino Plus will suit ‘serious’ home baristas much better. However, if you’re the kind of coffee drinker who wants to spend as little money as possible, you don’t want to buy a separate grinder, and you aren’t as particular about espresso perfection, then there’s no reason why the Casabrews 5418 Pro won’t impress you. The steam wand is excellent, and with the extra cost of the bottomless portafilter, hey, you might even be making espresso good enough to surprise yourself. Casabrews 5418 Pro: was $299 now $179 at Amazon The Casabrews 5418 Pro espresso machine is Casabrews' newest budget-friendly machine. It has a surprisingly powerful steam wand for its affordable price and with a $39 accessory, can make 10/10 espresso. You can get it for just $179 if you buy it on launch — 26th August. Also, at just 5.5 inches wide, this is the smallest espresso machine I’ve ever tested. The 5418 Pro is perfect for small spaces, casual baristas, and those on small budgets. If those three things sound like a bit of you, then this machine will treat you well. Casabrews 5418 Pro: Price Comparison We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices powered by Erin Bashford Social Links Navigation Staff Writer, Reviews Erin Bashford is a staff writer at Tom’s Guide, covering reviews. She has a Masters in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from the University of East Anglia. As an ex-barista and avid home cook, she's got a soft spot for coffee and home tech; as a proud music nerd, she's always on the hunt for the best headphones, speakers, and earbuds. In her spare time you can find her reading, practising yoga, writing, or stressing over today’s NYT Games. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Casabrews Ultra review: A unique espresso machine Could this $249 espresso machine be one of the cheapest ways to get decent espresso? Yes, but there's a catch I’m utterly bamboozled by this ultra-cheap bean-to-cup espresso machine — and not in a bad way This $149 De'Longhi espresso machine is proof you don't need to drop $500 for great espresso — here's why Don't buy a budget espresso machine before checking for these 3 essential features — from an ex-barista I'm an ex barista and I tested a $150 De'Longhi espresso machine and a $500 Breville — here's what I learned Latest in Coffee Makers I've already tested Casabrews' great new espresso machine — and you can pre-order it now to save a massive $149 I tested the new Breville Luxe Brewer — it can make 12 cups of coffee faster than my kettle boils I tested Keurig's tiniest coffee maker yet — here's why the K-Mini Mate is perfect for small spaces You don't need an espresso machine to get delicious fresh coffee at home — here's what I'd use instead and why Hurry! This espresso machine restored my faith in cheap coffee gear, and now it's $60 off Ever since I discovered my Nespresso machine's hidden 'Expert Mode', it's all I use — here's how to activate it Latest in Reviews DJI Osmo 360 review: A strong start, but it’s no X5 I tested the new Breville Luxe Brewer — it can make 12 cups of coffee faster than my kettle boils I’ve been using Herman Miller's Vantum Gaming Chair for a year and it’s the perfect gaming/office chair hybrid I'm a diehard Metal Gear fan and Snake Eater Delta is the perfect remake of my all-time favorite game Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses review: What I love (and what’s still missing) I ran 40 miles in the Asics Metaspeed Ray, and it’s one of the wildest racing shoes I’ve tested LATEST ARTICLES I Fell Out of Love With High-Intensity Workouts: 5 Ways I Still Build Muscle and Strength as a Personal Trainer 5 Top New Movies to Stream this Week on Netflix, Disney Plus and Hulu (Aug. 26-Sept. 1) Apple AirTag 4-packs are back down to just AU$104.30 — close to their all-time low and only AU$26 per tag! It’s International Dog Day — as a pup parent, here's how I'm planning to spoil my pooch Apple TV Plus is offering subscribers a 54% discount following a wave of cancellations after its latest price hike Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. Terms and conditions Contact Future's experts Privacy policy Cookies policy Accessibility Statement Advertise with us Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Please login or signup to comment Please wait...