A French-pressed cup of joe was my coffee of choice for one reason—it’s simple and saves space. And as far as I was concerned, lattes and cappuccinos were best enjoyed in cafes, saving me from investing in a tedious, counter-hogging device. But the Casabrews espresso machine changed everything, and pulling a fresh shot each morning is now a major highlight in my day, and an easy win at that.
It’s more than the ease of the device, but also how much space it saves. I don’t have much counter real estate, but the Casabrews 5418 Pro’s minimal footprint and narrow design takes up about as much space as a couple of cookbooks would. Its clearance is just about 16 inches, so it slides under my low-hanging cabinets with ease. And it’s easy on the eyes with a rounded metallic finish, so it adds a look of sophistication to the room.
Most importantly, it works well—and the brewing process is quick and easy. Yes, I need to pack the coffee into the portafilter, but apart from that, it does the work and delivers frothy, rich espresso with the click of a button. It’s such a convenient setup that I haven’t pulled out my French press since, because even that simple tool takes longer to brew than the Casabrews espresso machine.
Casabrews Pro 5418 espresso machine features
The feature that most improves my morning coffee-making process is Casabrews’ Flashheat Technology, which brings water to a brewing temperature in a mere five seconds. The side-attached frother is ready with hot water and steam in just three seconds, so I can craft a latte or flat white in under two minutes.
Equipped with a premium 20-bar pump, the machine can force a good amount of pressure through coffee grounds, with a pre-saturation feature that helps release aromas from the grounds before dripping down. There’s a detachable water reservoir that makes it easy to refill over the sink, but I prefer to simply use a cup to pour water in over the top.
The pressure gauge on the front of the Casabrews Pro 5418 lets you know if you’re getting the best extraction possible, helping you make adjustments for better espresso strengths. As meticulous as this sounds, I’ve never needed to adjust anything, and my no-brainer process is simple—fill the portafilter with ground coffee, press it down with the included tamper, slide it into the machine, and I’m ready to brew.
My shots are velvety and rich, with a frothy foamy top, consistent results every time. I purchased two clear espresso cups just so I could marvel at the golden brown gradient as liquid dispensed and settled into the glass, adding a touch of luxury to my mornings.
I like to test different dark roast coffee beans to see what fragrant notes and essential oils the device can tease out of the grinds. I get strong, vibrant results with medium and light roasts as well, so the Casabrews espresso machine works nicely with a large range of blends.
The verdict: Is the Casabrews Pro 5418 espresso machine right for you?
If you’re like me and need a straightforward espresso machine that can craft a cafe-quality beverage as quickly as possible, I highly recommend the Casabrews Pro 5418. It’s perfect for first timers on the fence who want to take a leap into the world of espresso without a steep learning curve.
It’s also ideal for anyone low on space or height in their kitchen. The device nestles in a low-clearance corner on my counter with no problems, and is also small and light enough to place on a smaller coffee station.
This machine produces one to two shots at a time, so it may not be best if you want a high-production commercial-style machine. However, I find that this isn’t an issue with how fast the machine works—I could easily see myself whipping up a cappuccino for five or six guests in ten minutes.
It doesn’t have the bells and whistles that other machines have, such as digital screens, drip-coffee add-ons, or a built-in grinder. This is because it’s sleekly designed to be good at one thing, making consistent, quality espresso.
And in my opinion, you don’t need fancy gadgets and technological niceties to make great coffee. Learning the basics and layering in espresso tips and tricks that don’t require buying new gear is the best way for beginners to develop a foundation.
If you’re on the fence, the Casabrews Pro 5418 is reasonably priced, so it’s an easier buy-in than expensive Breville or De’Longhi models. If you give it a try, you may just find, as I did, that your first perfect shot may be the start of a brand-new morning ritual.
