Cuisinart · ThermoblockEspresso Bar Slim Espresso Machine (EM-160)
A genuinely slim entry-level semi-automatic with a 52mm bottomless portafilter, manual steam wand, and a cold extraction mode, aimed squarely at counter-space-constrained beginners.
The short version
The EM-160 earns its counter real estate on size alone — at roughly 6.5 inches wide it fits where nothing else does.
Accept that the 15-bar vibratory pump and likely-pressurized basket system cap shot quality well below what the bottomless portafilter aesthetics imply, and that you cannot brew and steam simultaneously.
Why people buy it
- Genuinely narrow footprint (6.54 in / ~16.6 cm wide) — fits tight kitchen counters and alongside other appliances
- Cold extraction mode brews espresso cold, so it does not melt ice in iced drinks — a practical differentiator at this price
Why they don’t
- Shot quality ceiling is low: independent testing (Tom's Guide) found a tendency toward weak, under-extracted espresso despite the 15-bar claim
The full tally
- Genuinely narrow footprint (6.54 in / ~16.6 cm wide) — fits tight kitchen counters and alongside other appliances
- Cold extraction mode brews espresso cold, so it does not melt ice in iced drinks — a practical differentiator at this price
- Adjustable drip tray accommodates up to 20 oz travel mugs, and a cup-warming plate is included
- Priced meaningfully below comparable compact machines from Breville and De'Longhi
- Shot quality ceiling is low: independent testing (Tom's Guide) found a tendency toward weak, under-extracted espresso despite the 15-bar claim
- No simultaneous brew and steam — you must wait between pulling a shot and steaming milk, slowing milk-drink workflow
- Accessories (tamper, jug) are reported as flimsy; the 52mm bottomless portafilter likely uses pressurized baskets that mask grind inconsistency rather than reward dialing-in
What the community knows
Years of owner threads, distilled — the community advises against it.
The non-standard 52mm portafilter, sparse parts availability, and documented pressure/locking failures make this a dead-end for learning — your accessories and knowledge don't port to any upgrade path, and repair options are limited when it fails.
Design pull
Beginner fit
kind to first-timers
Convenience
speed and simplicity, day to day
All 9 community measures
price-to-performance the community respects
shows up every morning, year after year
parts and repairs — you are never stranded
mods, guides, and community know-how around it
kind to first-timers
years before you outgrow or replace it
how far the cup can go, per dollar
speed and simplicity, day to day
Worth knowing before you buy — Most who buy this later regret not investing in a 58mm machine — you will have to rebuy accessories on upgrade.
Known weak points — Locking and pressure issues documented; non-standard 52mm portafilter creates parts scarcity; thermoblock thermal inconsistency on budget models in this category.
The measurements
Scored 0–5 on the same rubric as everything on file — the words matter more than the numbers.
The measurements
0–5, one rubric- Shot ceiling
- entry2
- Steam power
- token2
- Built to last
- light-duty2
- Easy daily
- involved2.5
Position in the market
Every dot is a rival, measured the same way. The gold one is this.
- Lower half for shot ceiling
- a higher ceiling than 0 of the 237 machines we’ve measured
- A value pick at this level
- 94% of machines this capable cost more
- Lower half for build
- sturdier than 1% of the field, by the community’s own record
Every dot is a machine measured on the same rubric. See the whole market
Living with it
The part spec sheets skip: counter space, upkeep, and what owners learn later.
The honest note — Owners who grow frustrated with weak or inconsistent shots and the no-simultaneous-steam limitation typically move to the Breville Bambino or Bambino Plus, which offer thermojet heat-up, 54mm portafilter, and (on the Plus) auto-milk steaming at a modest price premium.
The full spec sheet
- Type
- Thermoblock / thermojet
- Steam power
- 2/5
- Brew + steam at once
- No
- Guest recovery
- 1.5/5
- Shot quality ceiling
- 2/5
- PID temperature control
- No
- Milk system
- Manual steam wand
- Removable brew group
- No
- Hot-water tap
- Yes
- Cup clearance
- 14 cm
- Workflow demand
- 2.5/5
- Maintenance
- 2/5
- Noise
- 3/5
- Build longevity
- 2/5
- Dimensions
- 16.6 × 32.5 × 36.7 cm
Before it arrives
What completes this machine — the faded pieces can wait.
Coffee scale with timer — Espresso is a ratio. A 0.1g scale with a built-in timer is the single biggest consistency upgrade for any manual machine.
- Coffee scale with timer — Espresso is a ratio. A 0.1g scale with a built-in timer is the single biggest consistency upgrade for any manual machine.
- WDT distribution tool — Breaks up clumps before tamping — a cheap fix for channeling on any portafilter machine.
- Espresso cups & glassware — Proper demitasse and latte glasses keep the drink hot and look the part.
Feed it right
Week one is dial-in — and stale beans will lose it.
Coffee more than a few weeks past roast won’t extract predictably, and a new machine gets blamed for it. While you learn it, a forgiving medium-light roast keeps dial-in kind — bright enough to taste progress, sweet enough to drink the misses.
Pick your coffee — any of these dials in beautifully here:
Wild Ember - Ethiopian Buno Dambi UddoSCA 92Medium roast · Odo Shakiso, Guji Zone, Oromia · NaturalBlueberry · MarmaladeSteady and repeatable — right for this setup’s lane.CA$26.83 · roasted to order
Etherea - Ethiopian YirgacheffeSCA 88Medium roast · NaturalJasmine · BergamotSteady and repeatable — right for this setup’s lane.CA$24.16 · roasted to order
Sergio - Brazillian Fazenda Joia Rara Aerobic FermentedSCA 88Medium-light · Cerrado Mineiro · Aerobic FermentedHoney · OrangeSteady and repeatable — right for this setup’s lane.CA$29.18 · roasted to orderNo proper grinder yet? Sort that first — it decides more of the cup than the machine does. We ship whole bean, roast-dated, timed so it lands fresh the week your burrs do.
Roasted to order, daily, in Ajax, Ontario · ships Canada-wide. We’re the roastery behind this database — measuring the machines is how we make sure the coffee gets a fair shot.
Common questions
Does the EM-160 have a PID temperature controller?
No. The control panel offers only power, cold extraction, single-dose, double-dose, and steam/hot water knob — there is no PID or temperature adjustment.
Can you pull a shot and steam milk at the same time?
No. The EM-160 requires you to finish brewing before switching to steam, which adds time when making milk drinks.
What size portafilter does the EM-160 use?
A 52mm stainless steel bottomless portafilter is included. Note that independent reviewers suggest the included baskets are pressurized despite the bottomless appearance.
What is the water reservoir capacity?
51 oz (approximately 1.5 L), removable for easy refilling.
What is the cold extraction feature?
A dedicated button activates cold extraction, which brews espresso without heat. This means iced drinks are not diluted by hot espresso melting the ice — a practical feature for cold-coffee drinkers.
Worth comparing
De'Longhi
Classic Espresso Machine EM400M
De'Longhi's entry-level Classic is a compact thermoblock machine with volumetric single/double presets and a two-setting steam wand — a no-fuss first machine for anyone moving off capsules.
US$149–199 · CA$195–200
Breville
Bambino (BES450)
Breville's smallest and most affordable espresso machine: a 3-second ThermoJet heat-up, genuine 9-bar extraction with pre-infusion, PID temperature control, and a manual steam wand — all in a footprint smaller than most toasters.
US$299–300 · CA$345–360
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