Casabrews 5418 PRO: Compact Espresso with Real Microfoam
If speed, small footprint, and beginner-friendly controls top your list, the Casabrews 5418 PRO is a solid step up in the budget espresso category. It keeps the footprint compact, adds a faster heating system for near-instant brewing, and switches to steam quickly so making milk drinks doesn’t feel like a waiting game.
We recently upgraded from the Casabrews CM5418, which worked well enough for daily use but had two clear limitations—slow heat-up time and sluggish steam recovery. The PRO model solved both without jumping to the next pricing tier. It’s faster, sturdier, and more consistent, giving us everything we wanted in a home espresso machine without losing the simplicity that made the original great.
Casabrews 5418 Espresso Machine:
The Verdict
Durability: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Performance & Function: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Overall: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
The TLDR
The Casabrew 5418 PRO brings speed with fast heat and three-second brew to steam switching, a solid steam wand for real microfoam, and a 20-bar pump with pre-infusion and a pressure gauge. It’s durable enough but still fits into the “beginner-friendly” category when it comes to espresso machines. For a compact home setup that can handle weekday cappuccinos without a long warmup, this is an easy recommendation.
Casabrews 5418 Espresso Machine
Selling Points
Flashheat fast start: The heating system reaches brewing temperature in a few seconds, which makes one more espresso before school drop off very realistic.
Three-second steam switching: Moving from brewing to steaming and back happens quickly, which cuts downtime for lattes and flat whites.
Pro steam performance: A strong wand with PID temperature control can produce fine microfoam once your milk technique is consistent.
Twenty-bar pump with pre-infusion: Even saturation and a smooth extraction help beginners get repeatable results. The front gauge offers real-time feedback too.
I had no idea what “pre-infusion” meant at first, so here’s the definition: it’s a short, low-pressure burst of water at the start of brewing that gently soaks the coffee puck before full pressure kicks in. This helps prevent channeling, improves consistency, and pulls out more balanced flavor from the grounds. It’s a small step that makes a noticeable difference in cup quality, especially if you’re still perfecting your grind and tamp.
Compact stainless design: Stainless exterior, small footprint, removable tank, and simple controls fit well on a shared family counter.
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: The Italian pump delivers legitimate espresso pressure, something that’s necessary to extract a rich flavor. The built-in gauge gives real-time feedback, which is rare at this price and super helpful when you’re dialing in your grind and tamp.
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.
It Can Be Loud: I tend to turn it on only after my kids wake up in the morning because it gets loud.
Thermoblock quirks: Very fast heating is great for speed, yet you may still want a short cooling flush after steaming to bring the group back into a sweet zone for the next shot.
Key Specs
Pump: 20 bar with pre-infusion and front pressure gauge
Heating: Rapid heating system with quick brew to steam switching
Steam: Powerful milk frother suitable for microfoam
Power: 1550 watts
Dimensions: 12.28 inches deep by 5.9 inches wide by 11.97 inches high
Weight: 8.38 pounds
Features: Auto shut off, programmable shot buttons, removable water tank, permanent filter
Color: Silver metal and stainless steel finish
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:
First-time buyers who want a fast morning routine and real espresso at home
Daily drinkers who want something compact and consistent on the counter
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: Freshly 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.
Clean as you go: Purge the wand, wipe it, knock out the puck, rinse the basket and portafilter, then empty the drip tray. Small habits prevent off-flavors and keep pressure performance consistent.
My Experience
We’re officially espresso spoiled. Every morning, I pull a double shot from my espresso machine while my wife (using a different brand of beans) pulls hers from the Casabrews 5418 PRO.
We upgraded her setup from the CM5418, and it’s been a great move. Since I’m up first, I flip both machines on, wait a few seconds for them to heat up, and we’re brewing. I even prep the portafilter the night before so it’s all ready to go. What used to take a few extra minutes of waiting for her machine to reach temperature is now basically instantaneous.
Is it something we need? Absolutely not. Is it something we love? Every single morning.
To learn more about toxins, check out The Non-Toxic Living Guidebook: Hacks, Strategies, & Natural Products for Better Health. I wrote this comprehensive guide as a way to break down the complexity of toxins into a simple, easy-to-read format with practical tips and clickable links to the least toxic products I could find. Get your copy today and use the code MBD20 at checkout for a 20% discount. You can also get the Kindle eBook on Amazon.
