Cuisinart Espresso Bar Slim Coffee Espresso Machine
The Cuisinart Espresso Bar Slim EM-160 is a feature-packed, semi-automatic espresso machine that combines modern style with serious brewing capabilities. Designed for both novice and experienced home baristas, this machine delivers up to 15 bars of pressure for balanced espresso extraction and includes a 52mm bottomless portafilter to help you dial in the perfect shot. Whether you enjoy hot lattes or refreshing cold brews, the EM-160 has you covered. Its integrated steam/frothing wand ensures silky smooth milk-based drinks, while its compact form makes it ideal for kitchens with limited counter space.
Product Highlights & Features:
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☕ Versatile Beverage Options: Enjoy espresso, cappuccino, latte, or cold-extracted drinks at the touch of a button.
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💨 Powerful Steam Wand: Froth milk (dairy or non-dairy) to perfection with the easy-to-use frothing wand.
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🔧 Bottomless Portafilter: 52mm stainless steel design allows visibility of the espresso extraction for better control and less channeling.
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🧳 Travel Mug Friendly: Brew directly into a 20 oz. travel mug for your on-the-go lifestyle.
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🧼 Removable Water Tank: 51 oz. reservoir allows for multiple drinks before needing a refill—plus easy cleaning.
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🎁 Premium Accessories Included: Comes with stainless steel milk jug, single and double shot filters, scoop & tamper combo, and steam wand cleaning pin.
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🧊 Cold Extraction Ready: Great for making iced espresso drinks—just brew and chill!
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🌟 Compact & Modern Design: Saves counter space without sacrificing style or performance.
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🧺 Cup Warmer: Keeps your cup warm for optimal espresso serving temperature.
Technical Specifications:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Cuisinart |
| Model Name | EM-160 Espresso Bar™ Slim |
| Color | Black |
| Product Dimensions | 12.8″ D x 6.54″ W x 14.45″ H |
| Item Weight | 11.33 lbs (5.15 kg) |
| Water Tank Capacity | 51 Fluid Ounces |
| Pump Pressure | Up to 15 Bars |
| Portafilter | 52mm Stainless Steel Bottomless |
| Coffee Maker Type | Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine |
| Special Features | Milk Frother, Cup Warmer, Removable Tank, Water Filter |
| Material | Plastic & Stainless Steel |
| Operation Mode | Manual |
| Compatibility | Accepts Travel Mugs up to 20 oz |
| Warranty | Limited 3-Year Warranty |
Final Verdict:
If you’re looking for an affordable, compact espresso machine that doesn’t compromise on café-level quality, the Cuisinart EM-160 Espresso Bar Slim is a fantastic pick. It combines essential features like a powerful steam wand, bottomless portafilter, and cold brew capabilities in a sleek form factor that fits even in tight kitchens.
Whether you’re an aspiring barista or just want to save on your daily coffee runs, this machine provides exceptional value. Its included accessories and easy-to-clean design make it both beginner-friendly and performance-ready.
⭐ Highly recommended for coffee enthusiasts who want versatility, space-saving design, and consistent results—all at a competitive price point.
Carlos –
Works ok
Works good, but it always dumps a little water into the drip tray with every shot, so you have to refill it frequently.
Peace Maker –
From-Bean-to-Cup — Fresh, Flavorful, and Worth the Counter Space
I received the Cuisinart Espresso Bar Grind & Brew Espresso Machine through the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review — and I have to say, this machine has exceeded my expectations. If you’re serious about your coffee and want the convenience of fresh-ground espresso at home without the complexity of a professional setup, this unit strikes a great balance.Right out of the box, you can tell this is a well-constructed machine. It has a sturdy, premium feel with a brushed stainless finish that looks great on the counter. Important note: this is a heavy appliance, and I strongly recommend having two people unpack and move it into place. It’s not something you want to unbox alone if you can avoid it.The footprint is reasonable for a unit that combines a grinder, brewer, and milk frother, and it feels more compact than some of the high-end competitors.The integrated burr grinder delivers consistent, quality grinds — not too loud, and a noticeable upgrade in flavor compared to pre-ground coffee. Adjusting the coarseness is simple, and using fresh beans makes a dramatic difference in aroma and taste.Brewing is quick and satisfying. I consistently get a good layer of crema, and the pressure system seems solid. It allows for single or double shots, and switching to steam is quick and intuitive.The steam wand works well for a home setup. While it takes a little practice to master microfoam, it adds a professional touch to drinks. The wand has decent power and is easy to clean.Daily cleaning is manageable. The drip tray, grounds bin, and water tank are easy to remove and rinse. It also has a rinse function, which helps keep things tidy after each use.Watching a YouTube video or two made a big difference for me. The included instructions are fine, but seeing the process visually helped shorten the learning curve — especially with dialing in the grind size and using the steam wand effectively.This is a serious upgrade for anyone looking to move beyond pods or basic coffee makers. It delivers high-quality espresso, lattes, and cappuccinos with ease and convenience. If you want café-style coffee at home with the rich flavor only fresh beans can deliver, this machine is an excellent choice. Just be prepared for the weight — it’s a solid piece of equipment, and worth every pound.
One person found this helpful
Jessy B –
LOVE THIS!
This is such an awesome addition to my kitchen!I am working on my PhD and also working full time—so let me tell you, I require a lot of coffee! I was spending so much money and consuming so many calories before I got this. Now I can make drinks on demand, and in my opinion, they’re better than the ones I was getting at the coffee drive-thrus. It’s fast and makes delicious drinks—super high quality. I do wish it had a coffee grinder built in, but that’s a much more expensive model.
Lyze –
HALF the cost of other very similar machines!
We have only consistently used a Breville other than this machine here. For only half the price I was extremely impressed with how similar both of the machines are. This is honestly such a good value for such a nice shot of espresso. They function just the same and honestly, the coffee taste just as good from either machine. It’s easy to use, especially if you have used an espresso machine before otherwise I might recommend watching a video on YouTube explaining how to operate this. Overtime our Breville has started leaking water in certain places if it gets too full, but I have not had that issue whatsoever with this machine.
LunaLoveGoodsLunaLoveGoods –
Decent Espresso Machine Not Breaking Your Bank
If you are looking for a decent espresso machine that does not cost fortune, this is a nice set. It makes perfect espresso shot or Americano (if you cycle once or twice). For the price you pay, you get your nice cup of Joe. Here are some pros and cons:Pros: Makes good coffee; option of single or double shot (you can actually run multiple cycle with one compact clump of coffee; water heats super fast; easy to set up and easy to clean up; steam can be use to heat up milk.Cons: Does not grind coffee beans (need a separate coffee grinder); coffee shots are not as strong compared to other makers.Overall, this is a great coffee maker if you are in the market and not want to break your bank.
4 people found this helpful
⭐Vegas Viner⭐ –
Buongiorno!
That is what you will have with this exquisite machine, good Italian morning!If you have any experience with espresso making, you will appreciate the joy of ease using this one. It looks gorgeous on my counter.It has fantastic features such as the bean grinder and milk frother which you would expect for a machine of this caliber.It makes the most delicious crema, so creamy. It is easy to break down to clean and reassemble.
LoriLori –
Enjoyable and Counter Space-Saving
I have really enjoyed using this machine. I also enjoy that if it doesn’t take up a ton of counter space. It’s allowed machine, no doubt, but it does make good espresso and is easy to do instead of all the weird temperature settings and etc that high level espresso machines make.
One person found this helpful
Katie F –
Love it
Works great and love the adjustable mug shelf.
David P –
A real upgrade
Years ago I messed around with espresso and cappuccino. I had some small well known brand of espresso cappuccino maker that cost less than a hundred dollars and was about the same size as a regular coffee maker. I ground the beans using a small electric grinder. Nothing fancy. Wait until the grinding sounded about right and tamp the coffee into the handle for inconsistent results. The milk foamer ran a bit too hot or cold. I eventually gave up on that and stored them in the cabinet of failed kitchen toys.Then I got this beast. I know it is not the super-expensive professional Italian model you find in coffee shops, but it is a real upgrade to what I used in the past. I have fallen down a rabbit hole full of espresso gurus. “What do you mean you are not weighing your beans?” or me frantically Googling, “Why is there water on top of my puck?” Obviously, you do not need to get that fanatic about your coffee. I just like having these types of obsessions, I mean hobbies. The machine allows you to choose between 16 grind settings. It allows you to use the default settings for a pull. It also allows you to program the time for the pull and grind duration. So, once you find the perfect combination of bean, grind, and pull duration you can use those programed settings over again. Luckily, it is also easy to go back to the default settings because the instruction manual is short, illustrated, and legibly written. There is a place on top of the machine to warm my double walled hand blown with a cute little spout espresso cups – NOT included, but what’s the use of having this fantastic machine if you are not going to go all out? My wife can confirm that I have made 6 cups in a row, marking the specific variables in a spreadsheet of course, to find the best combination for the perfect espresso. Now I will get another brand of coffee bean and start the process again. I am not being sarcastic when I say the entertainment value of making espresso for company or alone makes owning this machine worth it. Now, if I could only figure out the best technique for foaming the milk. I have a couple of gallons of whole milk in the fridge waiting for me. I’m excited to get back to it. I’ve had it for about a month and enjoy using it every day. It is by a well known trusted manufacturer as well, so just get it.
One person found this helpful
EAMEAM –
Cuisinart Espresso Awesomeness
I’m normally an I hate mornings, get me my coffee quick Keurig kind of guy. Occasionally, I’ll get a bit more serious and pull out my Timemore Chestnut grinder and do a nice pour over or use my moka pot. I’m almost done renovating our kitchen and this Cuisinart Espresso Bar fits perfectly in the corner between our stove and pantry cabinet.This machine makes having a perfect espresso almost as easy as using the Keurig. Just place the portafilter with either the single or double shot basket into the grinding cradle with the dosing guide on top. Press the single or double button and wait for the appropriate amount of coffee to drop in. The only thing that takes any extra effort is removing the dosing guide and getting the coffee flattened enough to tamp it. Once you get that done, just place the tamping puck on top of the portafilter, place it back into the cradle, and pull the lever down to complete the tamping. Move the portafilter under the brew head and press the appropriate dose size button. If you’d like more water, just place the cup under the steam wand and move the selector to hot water instead of steam. Or use the steam wand to froth your favorite type of milk. It takes a bit of practice with the settings to get it dialed into your preferences.The machine has a 1/2-pound bean storage and conical burr grinder on top. You can choose from 16 grind sizes. The water reservoir can be filled from the top or pulled out for easy filling from filtered water. There is a charcoal filter in the water reservoir. The top has a cup warming spot on the left. You can choose from single or double settings and even reprogram the buttons to add more water for each. The grinder is in a small basket that is removable for easy cleaning and there is a descale setting as well. The baskets and dosing guide can be stored under the machine in a basket behind the tray. I would not put the puck in it as it got a bit stuck when I did. One thing I have noticed is that if there is a bit too much coffee in the basket, you will have trouble turning the portafilter in the brew head. It will become almost impossible and feel as though you’re going to break it. The easy way to avoid that is to pay attention to the tamping puck. If it bottoms out on the basket when you’re tamping the coffee, it will turn in the brew head.Overall, this is a fantastic machine and although it’s fairly expensive, it is not too expensive for what you’re getting. It feels like a commercial appliance and exudes quality. It weighs 35 lbs. At the moment, the Amazon price is about $50 cheaper as compared to the Cuisinart website.I cannot recommend this espresso maker more. If you love coffee and are willing to pay for it, get this machine. If you spend a lot of money at coffee shops and it’s about coffee and not the social scene, get this machine.
2 people found this helpful
TanH –
Not as convenient as a fully automated espresso maker
This espresso machine requires a bit of manual labor, and isn’t as convenient as a more expensive automatic machine. You have to manually tamp your coffee grounds and froth using the steam wand, compared to others that use the LatteGo auto frother. You’ll also have to remove and clean out the portafilter after each use. If you’re on a budget, this is still a great espresso machine that makes much better tasting espresso than a French press. If you make espresso several times a day though, the convenience of a fully auto machine might be worth the splurge.
One person found this helpful
Sweet T –
INCREDIBLE
Don’t be intimidated! It is very easy to set up and use! Very user friendly. This thing is an absolute beast! I was not expecting how big it is so you will need plenty of counter space. For the cost, this is actually much cheaper than going to Starbucks everyday but you’re getting the same quality, I always buy my coffee on sale and after I figured out the cost of my barista quality oat milk and whole bean coffee on sale or from Sam’s club, this thing would pay for itself in a year of not going to Starbucks and buying one coffee a day during weekdays! If you’re trying to justify the price, I highly recommend doing the math for yourself because believe me, the price for this machine is very much worth it. The space it takes on the counter is very much worth it. I like coffee so much that I made a whole coffee bar around this machine! I anticipate this machine lasting decades! It is super easy to clean, too. I was afraid to try the frosting function but got over my fear very quickly. This honestly makes a better mocha than if I had gone to seven Brew. It isn’t terribly loud in comparison to other machines of this caliber. It heats up and brews extremely quickly. I am just in awe of this quality and Cuisinart has not compromised their standards!This would make the perfect wedding or anniversary gift.