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If you’re after decent espresso at home without burning a hole in your wallet or eating up your entire countertop, this little machine might be exactly what you’re looking for.
I’ve spent the last couple of weeks putting the Casabrews 3700Essential through its paces. It’s far from perfect, but for a budget-friendly setup, it holds its own surprisingly well.
I’ve tested a fair few entry-level machines over the years, and most of them fall into one of two camps. They either try too hard and fail, or they strip things down so much that it barely feels like espresso.
The Casabrews somehow manages to land in that rare sweet spot: affordable, compact, and just capable enough to make it worth using every day.
First Impressions: Small Frame, Clean Design
This thing is narrow. Just 5.7 inches wide. If you’re short on kitchen space, you’ll love that straight away.
The stainless steel front gives it a clean, modern look, while the sides and base feel a bit more lightweight. It’s not a tank, but it doesn’t feel flimsy either.
The water tank slides in at the back and holds 49 ounces, which is plenty for a few days of coffee if you’re making one or two cups a day.
It’s easy to remove and refill, which sounds like a small thing but makes a big difference when you’re half-asleep in the morning.
There’s no touchscreen or complicated setup. Just buttons, a portafilter, and a steam wand.
You’ll be up and running in minutes.
If you’ve only ever used a pod machine, this feels like a proper upgrade. If you’ve used something higher-end, you’ll notice the stripped-back feel—but that’s kind of the point.
It’s espresso without the fuss.
Pulling Shots: Not Bad for the Price
The Casabrews 3700Essential comes with a 20-bar pump and a 1350W motor. That might sound like marketing fluff, but it actually delivers solid pressure for a decent espresso shot.
I used freshly ground beans and a medium-fine grind. With a bit of tamping and a preheated cup, the machine pulled a nice, steady shot with a layer of crema that looked better than I expected.
The flavor was balanced, not too bitter, not too sour.
You’re working with pressurized baskets here, which are designed to be more forgiving.
That’s great if you’re just starting out.
You don’t need a perfect grind or barista-level skills to get a drinkable shot. But it also means you won’t have quite as much control or feedback as you would with non-pressurized gear.
One thing that’s missing?
A pressure gauge. It’s not essential, but it would’ve been a nice touch—especially if you’re learning and want to fine-tune your technique.
As it stands, you’ll be judging your shots by eye, taste, and feel.
Still, for an entry-level machine, the espresso quality is solid. It’s consistent, quick, and way better than anything you’ll get from a pod.
Milk Frothing: A Little Slow but Gets There
The steam wand is stainless steel and it swivels, which gives you some flexibility when steaming. It’s not the most powerful wand out there, but it does enough to get you that frothy, café-style milk.
I tested it with cold whole milk straight from the fridge.
It took a little longer to build steam, but once it kicked in, I was able to get a decent microfoam for both cappuccinos and lattes.
It’s not silky-smooth latte art level (unless you’ve got some serious technique), but it’s more than good enough for daily use.
Like most single-boiler machines, there’s a bit of a process if you want to steam and brew back-to-back. After frothing milk, you’ll need to run hot water through the wand to cool things down before pulling another shot.
It’s not a huge hassle, just something to get used to.
One more thing—it’s a bit loud when steaming. Not jet-engine loud, but you’ll definitely hear it working.
If you’re brand new to frothing, expect a bit of trial and error. But once you get the hang of it, the Casabrews can absolutely handle your flat white fix.
Usability: Simple, Quick, and Beginner-Friendly
This is where the 3700Essential really shines. If you want something that’s easy to use and doesn’t feel like it’s fighting you, this is it.
The controls are dead simple. Big, clearly labeled buttons for single and double shots, plus one for steam. You’re not scrolling through menus or guessing what symbols mean.
It heats up fast, usually in under a minute, so you’re not waiting around in the morning. The 49 oz water tank means you don’t have to refill it every day, and it slides out easily from the back when you do.
Cleaning is quick, too. The drip tray pops out for a rinse, and the portafilter and baskets clean up without fuss. There’s no built-in descaling alert or cleaning cycle, but if you stay on top of it, maintenance is low-stress.
There’s a cup warmer on top, but it’s more passive heat than active warming. Still, it helps knock the chill off your cup before brewing.
The only weak point here is the included tamper. It’s plastic, flat, and feels like an afterthought.
If you’re serious about dialing in your shots, just grab a proper metal tamper.
Also, there’s no milk pitcher in the box, so you’ll need to pick one up if you don’t already have one.
The Good and the Not-So-Great
Every espresso machine has its trade-offs, especially at this price point. Here’s what stood out to me—both the things I liked and the bits that could use some work.
What I Liked
- Compact size that actually fits in small kitchens.
- Fast heat-up time so you’re not stuck waiting.
- Beginner-friendly design with simple controls.
- Programmable shot volumes for a bit of flexibility.
- Good espresso quality once you dial in your grind and tamp.
What I Didn’t Like
- No pressure gauge, so there’s less feedback when pulling shots.
- Boiler needs to cool after steaming before you can brew again.
- Pressurized baskets limit how much control you really have.
- No milk pitcher included, so you’ll need to grab one separately
Who Should Buy It?
If you’re just getting into espresso at home and don’t want to overcomplicate things, this machine ticks a lot of boxes.
It’s simple to use, small enough for tight spaces, and gives you a genuine espresso experience without the learning curve of high-end gear.
You can steam milk, pull a decent shot, and actually enjoy your coffee, not fight with your machine every morning.
It’s ideal for:
- Beginners who want something better than pods
- Renters or apartment dwellers with limited counter space
- Anyone on a budget who still wants café-style drinks at home
But if you’re the kind of person who loves tinkering, dialing in perfect shots, and chasing the ultimate crema, you might feel a bit boxed in here.
The lack of a pressure gauge, pressurized baskets, and limited control won’t give you the freedom to experiment much.
This isn’t a forever machine for espresso purists, but it’s a fantastic first step.
Final Thoughts
The Casabrews 3700Essential isn’t going to blow the minds of seasoned espresso nerds, but that’s not who it’s for.
It’s for the everyday coffee drinker who wants something better than instant or pods. It’s for folks who want to make a proper cappuccino at home without spending a fortune or clearing out half the kitchen.
It’s compact, easy to use, and way more capable than I expected for the price.
If you’ve been thinking about leveling up your home coffee game without jumping into the deep end, this machine is a solid place to start.
Got questions? Or want help dialing in your shots? Drop a comment – I’m always up for a coffee chat.
Mark has over 20 years of experience in the catering and hospitality sector. He takes his years of knowledge and expertise and applies it to critiquing coffee equipment and brewing gear.
Since the creation of the Bean Ground coffee blog in 2014, Mark Morphew and a small circle of coffee hobbyists have rigorously tested, reviewed, and researched coffee gear. In most cases, they have purchased the items themselves with the sole intention of rating and evaluating.
In that time, they have built up a list of quality points to look for and what makes specific equipment better than others. They cut through the noise and marketing hype that often surrounds products to give you their unbiased opinions so you can make clear decisions on your next purchase.
