I've been searching everywhere for a non-toxic espresso maker – could this tiny machine be the answer?

When it comes to coffee, I’m pretty picky – not just about flavor, but about what my machine is made from. After speaking to toxicologists and medical experts about plastic coatings and mystery metals, I've been on the lookout for the best non-toxic coffee makers made without BPA or PFAS chemicals.

I've found stainless steel French presses, glass Aeropresses, and BPA-free drip coffee makers, but until now, I've been struggling to find an espresso maker to add to the list. The journey led me to a conversation with Jeany from Casabrews, who broke down the materials used in their compact espresso machine, the CasaBrews CM5418, with reassuring clarity.

Jeany explains: 'The filter basket is stainless steel. The filter funnel is made from aluminum alloy. The heating block contains a stainless steel internal tube, encased in aluminum alloy. Both the water tank and internal tubing are BPA-free.' The only plastic part is the handle, and that is getting nowhere near your coffee. Now, only one real question remained – can the Casabrews CM5418 make a great cup of coffee?

Specifications

What is it like to use?

Using the CasaBrews CM5418 espresso maker is a relatively straightforward experience... once you get the hang of it. The control panel is minimal, featuring just a few clearly labeled buttons: on/off, one cup, two cups, and steam. There's also a milk frothing lever located on the side.

That said, there are a few quirks. The machine is somewhat slow to heat up, which can be a drawback if you're in a hurry and need a caffeine hit pronto. When the machine does get brewing, it’s noticeably loud and tends to vibrate a little on the counter. This is quite a contrast to more luxurious espresso makers I have tested recently, like the KitchenAid KF6, which is almost silent and far more suited to peaceful mornings.

The milk frother, while effective, also has its idiosyncrasies. It shoots out streams of water before it's ready to steam, so it's a good idea to keep a container nearby to catch the initial spray. The frothing process itself is a little on the slow side, but it gets the job done well enough. All in all, this is not a smooth and luxurious user process, but once you get used to the quirks, the Casabrews CM5418 is easy to use and the results are great.

Test 1: espresso

Once Casabrews CM5418 machine heated up and was raring to go, the espresso poured quickly. I poured a total of 25 shots over a week of testing, and I was really pleased with the flavor. Each espresso was consistently rich and full-bodied, without any bitterness or astringency.

The Casabrews CM5418 even produced a thick layer of crema. It was a little too frothy for purists (coffee snobs, look away) but perfectly satisfying for anyone who prioritises good taste and ease over technical perfection.

Test 2: cappuccinos & lattes

Next up: lattes. My drink of choice when I wake up in the morning. I started by pouring a double shot of espresso, then heating the milk with the steaming attachment on the side.

The milk frothing function was a bit slow and clunky, and I still need a proper pitcher to finesse the pour, but the drinks came out creamy, hot, and satisfyingly frothy. My partner trained as a barista, and even he was impressed by the café-quality taste of the lattes and cappuccinos I made throughout the week (even if they looked a bit amateur). The taste was smooth and deeply flavorful, thanks to those well-extracted espresso shots on the base.

Casabrews actually makes an affordable frothing pitcher that pairs with this machine, which I would recommend adding on for $9.99 at Amazon, if you want to match the taste with a professional latte art look.

Cleaning & maintenance

Cleaning the Casabrews CM5418 is refreshingly simple, compared to some nighmarish espresso machines I've owned. Just pop out the drip tray after each use, give it a quick rinse, and you're good to go. The portafilter is easy to wash by hand, and since every component is small and lightweight, the whole process is over pretty quickly.

Don't forget to clean the steam wand, too. A quick wipe after each use will keep it clean and prevent any milk buildup.

My only real frustration was the cloudy fingerprints and splashes that built up on the stainless steel body. I needed to wipe it with a damp cloth a couple of times during the week, but that’s par for the course with most steel coffee machines.

How is it rated online?

The top reviews for the CasaBrews CM5418 are full of praise for the strong, rich coffee it produces. They also appreciate its 'cute' compact size and well-designed appearance for small kitchens. They say the machine is easy to use for beginners and offers excellent value for money, gaining an average of 4.3 stars on Amazon.

One review said: 'Really pleased with this machine so far. It’s compact, looks smart on the counter, and pulls a decent espresso with a nice crema. The steam wand works well once you get used to it, and I’ve been enjoying making lattes at home without any fuss. The pressure gauge is a nice touch and makes it easy to dial things in. For the price, I wasn’t expecting café-quality results, but it’s honestly better than I thought it would be. Ideal for daily use and a good option if you don’t want to spend a fortune.'

However, some of the lower scoring reviews for the Casabrews CM5418 complained about the durability of the machine, with some having issues of loud noises, jolty vibrations, faulty milk steamers and the pressure gauge not working. One said: 'Super disappointed as it seemed like the perfect little coffee machine, but it stopped working just after 2 months...'

How does it compare?

If you want the very best espresso machine on the market, this isn't it. For the best performance, you'll want the Breville The Barista Pro Machine, which is extremely hard to fault. It's the most intuitive machine we’ve ever tested and has the technical ability to cater to the most sensitive coffee drinker's palette. It comes with a toppy price tag, but you won't be disappointed by any clunky features.

Also, if you are looking to serve coffee to a group of people, the Casabrews CM5418 won’t cut it. It is slow to brew a shot of espresso, and the milk frother can get fiddly; it started to irritate me when I was brewing coffee for three people. If you’re looking for something that can effortlessly cater for a group of coffee drinkers, try the Aarke Drip Coffee Maker. It has 10-cup capacity and is made of stainless steel and glass. Ideal for serving quality drip coffee for the whole family or a table of guests.

Or, if you are on more of a budget, we think the OXO Brew 8 Cup Coffee Maker offers a perfect balance of high-quality coffee, affordability, and non-toxic materials (stainless steel and BPA-free plastic). It is the overall winner of our best non-toxic coffee maker guide. It meets the industry gold standard and is SCA-certified for brewing great-tasting coffee in under six minutes.

Should you buy it?

If you are health-conscious and you want rich espressos, lattes, or cappuccinos on the daily, you will like this little espresso machine. The Casabrews CM5418 is far from perfect (clunky milk steaming and loud vibrations when brewing), but the coffee is really great – and the price is unbeatable. It's definitely worth a shot.

How we test espresso makers

We are always on the lookout for the market-leading espresso makers. Our team takes every espresso maker we recommend to our dedicated test kitchen, where they put it through its paces.

Using a series of standardized tests, we can judge every espresso maker against each other, so that you can decide which is best for you. Primarily, we want espresso makers to make a good espresso. If they can make cappuccinos, Americanos, and any other coffees, we will test those too.

Our team of experts has experience with the best appliances on the market. That way, they know what 'good' looks like and when it’s worth paying a little extra. For more information about how we test, we have a dedicated how we test coffee makers page.