The Kwister CM1687 is a semi-automatic espresso machine designed for home use. It features a 15-bar Italian pump and a durable stainless steel housing, allowing you to brew rich, aromatic espresso drinks with dense crema right at home. The CM1687 is compact and streamlined, with a sleek black and stainless steel finish that looks great on any countertop. It's an ideal starter espresso machine for someone looking to explore making specialty coffee drinks without breaking the bank. With its intuitive controls and removable water tank and drip tray, the CM1687 aims to provide an easy-to-use espresso making experience for beginners and coffee enthusiasts alike. This review will take a closer look at the design, features, ease of use, beverage quality, customization options, accessories, pros and cons of the Kwister CM1687 semi-automatic espresso machine.

Design

The Kwister CM1687 has a sleek and modern design with a stainless steel exterior and black accents. It measures 14.2 x 11.2 x 12.2 inches and weighs about 18 pounds, making it a substantial but not overly large machine.

The housing is made from brushed stainless steel which gives it a premium, elegant look that would complement most kitchen decors. There are also black plastic accents on the portafilter, drip tray, and control panel which add nice contrast.

This espresso machine comes in two color options - a stainless steel body with black accents, or a matte black exterior with silver accents. Both color choices look modern and stylish.

Overall, the Kwister CM1687 features a durable yet attractive design built with quality materials. It has a footprint comparable to other semi-automatic espresso machines in this class. The stainless steel construction also makes it easy to keep clean and maintain its sleek appearance.

Another excellent option in the market is the De'Longhi Dedica EC680M, known for its slim profile and professional features. This machine is just 6 inches wide, making it perfect for kitchens with limited space. It boasts a powerful 15-bar pump and an adjustable frother for creating rich, creamy lattes and cappuccinos. With its stylish design and user-friendly controls, the Dedica caters to both coffee enthusiasts and casual users alike.

Features

The Kwister CM1687 has several useful features for an espresso machine in this price range:

• Pressure Pump: This espresso machine comes with a 15-bar pressure pump which is the ideal pressure to properly extract espresso and crema from the coffee grounds. The 15 bars of pressure ensures optimized extraction and flavor.

• Steam Wand: The steam wand on the CM1687 can be used to froth and steam milk for making cappuccinos and lattes. The steam wand is easy to use and provides nice, hot steamed milk for topping espresso drinks.

• Removable Water Tank: The 34oz water tank on this model is removable for easy filling and cleaning. No need to move the entire machine to refill, just pop out the tank and fill it at your sink or water source.

• Measuring Scoop: A handy measuring scoop is included to help portion ground coffee properly for 1 or 2 shots. The scoop provides consistent dosing for optimal flavor extraction.

In addition to the Kwister CM1687, consider the Nespresso ENV135S, which is renowned for its innovative design and quick brewing capabilities. This machine heats up in mere seconds and boasts a variety of coffee styles, catering to all preferences with rich, velvety crema. The compact design makes it ideal for kitchens with limited counter space while still delivering exceptional flavor and convenience.

Ease of Use

The Kwister CM1687 espresso machine is designed for convenient everyday use. The control panel features an LED display and simple push buttons to select your drink, adjust coffee strength, steam milk, and more. Users mention the buttons provide good tactile feedback without being overly sensitive to avoid accidental presses.

The steam and hot water knobs allow you to fine-tune temperature and pressure. Turning the knobs feels smooth and intuitive. The portafilter securely locks into place with a satisfying click.

Overall, the machine is straightforward to operate even for beginners. The manual provides clear instructions on brewing espresso and frothing milk. Daily cleaning involves wiping down the exterior housing and drip tray. The water tank and drip tray are removable for more thorough cleaning. The portafilter has a commercial-style 58mm basket that's easy to rinse.

Maintenance is low-key, with occasional descaling recommended every 2-3 months to prevent mineral buildup. The descaling process is simple and assisted by alerts on the LED screen.

Beverage Quality

The Kwister CM1687 produces espresso, cappuccino, and latte beverages of impressive quality for a home espresso machine in this price range.

Espresso

The espresso pulled from the Kwister has a rich, full-bodied taste with pleasing aroma and crema. The 15 bars of pressure ensure good extraction and a balanced espresso shot. While espresso aficionados may quibble about subtle flavor notes, for most home baristas the Kwister delivers an authentic, cafe-style espresso experience.

Cappuccino & Latte

With its rapid heating steam wand, the Kwister CM1687 makes it easy to produce foamy, properly textured milk for cappuccinos and lattes. The milk frothing results in a creamy, sweet flavor that complements the espresso beautifully. Lattes in particular shine, with the silky steamed milk working harmoniously with the espresso.

Temperature

An important but often overlooked factor is beverage temperature. The Kwister delivers hot espresso and maintains proper coffee brewing temperatures throughout the extraction process. Milk is heated quickly and remains hot during frothing. The end result is coffee and milk-based drinks served at the ideal sipping temperature.

Crema

A mark of high-quality espresso is a rich, golden crema topping each shot. The Kwister consistently produces shots with a creamy, lingering crema that looks as appealing as it tastes. The crema contributes to the full, robust mouthfeel expected from a well-pulled shot.

Overall, while more expensive prosumer espresso machines may offer some incremental improvements, the Kwister CM1687 punches above its weight in beverage quality for the price. From authentic espresso to velvety cappuccinos, it delivers on taste and presentation.

Customization

The CM1687 allows you to customize your espresso and milk drinks to your liking. You can easily adjust several parameters to dial in the perfect shot or create latte art quality milk foam.

Grind Size

The integrated conical burr grinder has 15 grind size settings to adjust from ultra fine for Turkish coffee to coarse for cold brew. Selecting the right grind size is crucial for balancing flavor and extraction when pulling espresso shots. The precise grinder makes it easy to dial in the ideal setting.

Tamping

A consistent tamp is also key for shot quality and repeatability. The CM1687 comes with a 53mm tamper that fits the portafilter basket perfectly. Tamping with 30 lbs of pressure helps compress the grounds evenly for full flavor extraction. The right dose, grind, and tamp leads to balanced espresso full of aroma and crema.

Dose

The 50mm portafilter basket holds enough ground coffee for single or double shots. Adjusting the dose can strengthen or mellow out the flavor intensity. The conical burrs deliver a consistent dose every time for the perfect 2 oz double shot.

Milk Texturing

The powerful steam wand makes it easy to texture milk into microfoam with velvety consistency. The right technique lets you create latte art worthy of a cafe. Texturing the milk while incorporating just the right amount of air gives you sweet, glossy foam for the perfect cappuccino.

Accessories

The Kwister CM1687 comes with several useful accessories to help you get the most out of your espresso.

Portafilter

The portafilter is where you insert the filter basket containing your ground coffee. This model comes with a single spout portafilter made from chrome-plated brass for durability and easy cleaning. It securely attaches to the group head to ensure even water distribution and extraction.

Filter Baskets

Two filter baskets are included - a single shot and a double shot. Both are made from stainless steel and allow you to customize the dose and extraction to your liking. The single shot is good for making espresso while the double is ideal for cappuccinos and lattes.

Tamper

Tamping your ground coffee is crucial for even saturation and extraction. This machine comes with a metal tamper that lets you tamp precisely and consistently each time. The flat bottom and ergonomic handle make it easy to use.

Cups

It also includes two stainless steel espresso cups with an elegant design and durable construction. They have a 2.5 oz capacity and come with matching saucers. The cups allow you to enjoy your creations with an authentic espresso experience.

Pros

High Quality Coffee Beverages

The Kwister CM1687 produces restaurant-quality espresso, cappuccino, and latte beverages. The 15-bar pressure pump and stainless steel boiler deliver excellent coffee extraction and perfect milk frothing. You can make rich, bold espresso shots as well as creamy, frothy milk drinks like cappuccino. The beverages taste like they came from your favorite coffee shop.

User-Friendly Design

The machine is very easy and intuitive to use. The controls are simple with programmable volumetric buttons so you can get your preferred beverage size. The removable parts and drip tray make cleaning easy. It heats up quickly in under a minute. Overall, it has a very user-friendly design.

Durable Build

The Kwister CM1687 has a durable stainless steel and strong plastic construction that can withstand daily use. The internal components are high-quality and designed to have a long lifespan. It's a reliable machine that will last for years.

Cons

• The portafilter is made of plastic rather than metal, making it feel a bit flimsy and prone to cracking over time. Metal would be more durable.

• The steam wand can feel weak and may struggle to produce thick, creamy microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos. It's mainly only powerful enough for heating milk rather than aerating it properly.

• The water reservoir is quite small at just 26oz. This would require frequent refilling if making several drinks in a row. A larger 50-60oz reservoir would be more convenient.

Conclusion

The Kwister CM1687 offers several notable features for an affordable, entry-level espresso machine. Its simple design with a 3-in-1 portafilter and small footprint make it easy to use and fit in any kitchen. The 15 bars of pressure, stainless steel components, and 1450 watts of power allow it to produce decent espresso shots and milk froth.

However, it lacks more advanced features like a PID controller or adjustable temperature and pressure. The steam wand and portafilter could be higher quality as well. While it can make espresso-based drinks, the beverage quality may not meet the standards of coffee enthusiasts.

Overall, the Kwister CM1687 is a reasonable option for anyone looking to explore making homemade espresso on a budget. Beginners new to espresso machines will appreciate its simplicity and ease of use. But those desiring more control over parameters, faster steam heating, or restaurant-quality espresso may want to consider a higher-end, semi-automatic machine. For the affordable price, the CM1687 delivers satisfactory performance for at-home use.