Casabrews 3700 Essential: Real Espresso on a Budget
If you want real espresso at home without spending half a grand, the Casabrews 3700 Essential may be the one to pull the trigger on. It keeps the footprint small, uses a 20-bar Italian pump, and pairs a capable steam wand with simple controls. Street prices often sit near $120 to $140, which is wild for a machine that can pull credible shots once you learn the basics.
After trialing many different types of espresso machines, I have a good feel for what matters at this price. The 3700 is the sibling that trades a few niceties for a lower price while delivering very similar results.
Casabrews 3700 Espresso Machine:
The Verdict
Durability: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Performance & Function: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Price: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Overall: 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
The TLDR
The Casabrews 3700 Essential delivers real espresso at an entry-level price. It heats quickly, pulls consistent shots once dialed in, and includes a functional steam wand capable of true microfoam with a little practice. The 20-bar pump and adjustable shot volumes give beginners room to experiment without overcomplicating things.
It’s not perfect. Heat recovery and noise are reminders of its budget class, but for around $99, it’s an impressive starting point. Pair it with a good burr grinder and high-quality beans and you can brew café-style espresso every morning without spending a fortune (or sacrificing counter space).
Casabrews 3700 Espresso Machine
Selling Points
Compact, Counter-Friendly Design: Small footprint with a removable water tank that is about 44 ounces. Easy to tuck under cabinets and simple to clean.
Microfoam Steam Wand: The stainless steel steam wand is capable of producing real microfoam. With a little practice, my wife has been able to make smooth milk for lattes and cappuccinos (still working on the latte art).
Adjustable shot volumes: Single is preset near 30 milliliters and double near 60 milliliters, so beginners can get repeatable results.
Removable Water Tank & Easy Cleanup: The 34 oz water tank pops off easily, the drip tray is simple to clean, and the portafilter rinses fast.
20-Bar Pressure System: Delivers the pressure you need for proper extraction at this price tier.
Drawbacks
The Water Tank Can be Overfilled: Early on, we would fill the water tank up to the top and then noticed it slowly leaked from the bottom. We learned how high to now fill it but I wish it could just be filled to the top.
The Pressure Takes Time to Build After Use: My wife loves using the frothing feature, but using it multiple times in a row depletes the pressure, requiring time for the pressure to build back up.
It Can Be Loud: I tend to turn it on only after my kids wake up in the morning because it gets loud.
Key Specs at a Glance
Pump: 20-bar Italian pump
Portafilter: 51 millimeters on the Essential model
Water tank: About 44 ounces removable
Controls: Programmable single and double volumes
Heating: Thermoblock system
Materials: Stainless steel exterior with plastic internals typical for the class
Who Do I Recommend It For?
I never thought I’d own an espresso machine, but now I can’t imagine not having one. Here’s who else might fit in this camp:
Beginners who want to learn espresso at home without dropping hundreds
Those who want to live it up a little on the weekend with a “fancy pour”
Parents (like me) who need a quick, quality shot between kid chaos
Anyone who wants better coffee than a chain café for less money over time
Tips
Upgrade Your Grinder When You’re Ready: Fresh ground beans play a role in the taste and quality of the coffee. If you want to get serious about this then consider a coffee grinder. This one is expensive but nice that it goes right into the espresso handle for easy use.
Use Organic Coffee: Organic coffee is well worth it if you’re a regular coffee drinker. Here are the best organic coffee brands.
Get Espresso Cups: I thought I could just put my coffee cup under but it didn’t fit. So we needed espresso cups. This turned out to be the toughest decision of the whole process. (Who knew there were so many kinds of espresso cups?!?)
Don’t Overfill It: If you fill the water to the top of the container, then it will slowly leak out of the bottom. It took us a few times to learn this lesson. Keep a cloth nearby.
Maintenance matters: Rinse the baskets and portafilter after every session, wipe and purge the wand, and descale on schedule per the manual.
My Experience
The Casabrews 3700 Essential feels like a gateway into espresso done right. It provides a surprisingly balanced shot once the grind and dose are dialed in, especially considering its price range. The 20-bar pump provides enough pressure for rich crema, and the steam wand (while small) can produce true microfoam with practice.
Setup and cleanup are straightforward, and the compact design makes it ideal for shared counters or smaller kitchens. The machine heats quickly, though a brief pause between brewing and steaming lets the pressure build up to help maintain consistency.
For anyone new to espresso, it hits the sweet spot between cost, convenience, and capability. It’s not a professional machine, but it’s capable of pulling a satisfying, café-quality shot once you learn the basics.
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