Espresso Machine Pump Pressure, Explained
The bar number on an espresso machine is the pump's rating, not the pressure at the coffee; one maker says its 15-bar machines extract at around 9 bar.
By Amanda RoseContributing writer.
On this page
The short answer
The "15 bar" or "20 bar" on an espresso machine's box describes its pump. It is not the pressure the coffee sees while the shot runs.
De'Longhi, for example, says its Stilosa machines have a 15-bar pump and that, with the right grind, dose and tamp, the espresso is extracted at around 9 bar. In other words, a higher pump rating on the box does not mean the shot is brewed at that pressure.
What a bar is
A bar is a unit of pressure. NIST, the US measurement agency, lists 1 bar as 100,000 pascals. The standard atmosphere, the reference value for air pressure, is 101,325 pascals in the same NIST table, so 1 bar is just under one atmosphere and "9 bar" is close to nine atmospheres.
Why the rating and the brew pressure differ
The pump pushes water through a puck of finely ground, packed coffee. The pump's rating and the pressure that builds up against that puck during a shot are different numbers. The grind size, the amount of coffee and how firmly it is packed all change the pressure that actually forms, which is why De'Longhi ties its 9-bar figure to the right grind, dose and tamp.
Pump ratings on Wiki Shopping
How many espresso machines on Wiki Shopping list each pump rating, on October 23, 2026. Ratings with a filter page link to it.
| Pump rating | Machines |
|---|---|
| 3.5 bar | 16 |
| 5 bar | 8 |
| 9 bar | 7 |
| 15 bar | 81 |
| 16 bar | 12 |
| 18 bar | 8 |
| 19 bar | 17 |
| 20 bar | 321 |
| Not stated in the listing | 1,334 |
Of the 1,804 espresso machines on Wiki Shopping, 470 state a pump rating. Of the 1,334 that do not, 474 are semi-automatic, 300 super-automatic, 165 portable and 154 capsule machines; their listings name the machine type but not the pump.
What to compare instead
Because the pump rating says little about the shot itself, other specs often tell machines apart more clearly:
- Machine type. Semi-automatic machines leave grinding, dosing and tamping to you; super-automatic machines do those steps for you.
- Grinder. A built-in grinder saves a separate appliance; machines without a grinder need ground coffee or a separate grinder.
- Milk. A steam wand lets you froth milk by hand; an automatic milk system does it for you.
How we count
Each espresso machine on Wiki Shopping has its pump rating read from the store listing. A machine whose listing gives no rating is counted as "Not stated". The counts change as listings are added or removed.
Shop by spec
Espresso Machines
Combo, Milk Frother
+Built-in milk frother for cappuccino drinks
+Combo design makes both espresso and cappuccino
+58mm portafilter size suits standard espresso baskets
$99.99-50%List: $199.99
as of 11/03/2026 23:38 PST - DetailsProduct details
$99.99as of 11/03/2026 23:38 PST - Details
View on AmazonPros
+Built-in milk frother for cappuccino drinks
+Combo design makes both espresso and cappuccino
+58mm portafilter size suits standard espresso baskets
How pros and cons are picked (About: Disclaimer)Other stores (1)
Best BuyVisit store
About this product
- THE PERFECT CUP AT THE TOUCH OF A BUTTON | Our Ivation’s Espresso and Cappuccino Maker is More Than Just An Espresso Machine With a Steam Wand. It’s An All-in-One Hub for All of Your Favorite Hot Drinks | With Everything You Need to Brew to Perfection, You’ll Be Sipping That Café Quality Foam From the Comfort of Home
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR DRINK SIZE & STRENGTH | When Your Day Needs a Kickstart, Choose From a Single or Double Espresso | The Convenient Auto-Pour Feature Makes It Easy to Serve Up The Perfect Small or Large Drink | You Can Also Enjoy A Simple Milk Froth, Without The Espresso – Though, With Coffee This Good, Why Would You Want To?
- GREAT FOR CAFFEINE-FREE DRINKS TOO! | Espresso May Be The Name of Our Game, But Every Drink Has Its Season | Top Your Weekend Hot Chocolate With Some Delicious Hot Foam, Steam Up The Creamiest of Chai Lattes, or Add Froth Your Evening Moon Milk | Whatever Your Sipping Pleasure, You’ll Get Delicious Results, Every Time
- EVERY SIP GUARANTEED BY IVATION | All of Our Products Are Backed by the Ivation Quality Promise: Premium Materials, Expert Construction, and Reliable Performance | Our Espresso & Cappuccino Maker is Protected for 1 Year Under a Limited Quality Warranty, So You Can Feel Confident in Your Purchase From Day One
- FOR BEAN BOSSES & BREWING NEWBIES | If You Know How You Want Your Brew, Use Manual Pour to Measure Out Your Ideal Coffee-to-Milk Ratio | If You’re a Novice Barista, Try The Auto Pour Feature & Get The Coffee Shop Standard With a Press | Newbie or Not, You Can Cut Your Prep Time in Half With Built-In Auto Clean & Descale Modes
Semi-automatic
+Works with grounds or pods
+Single touch control for simple brewing
+Fast brew technology shortens brewing time
−Semi-automatic model requires manual shot control
$29.99-40%List: $49.99
as of 11/04/2026 00:05 PST - DetailsProduct details
$29.99as of 11/04/2026 00:05 PST - Details
View on AmazonPros
+Works with grounds or pods
+Single touch control for simple brewing
+Fast brew technology shortens brewing time
+Portable design for travel
Cons−Semi-automatic model requires manual shot control
How pros and cons are picked (About: Disclaimer)Other stores (1)
Best BuyVisit store
About this product
- 2-in-1 Brewing System – Compatible with both coffee capsules/pods and ground coffee for maximum versatility anywhere you go. Portable Espresso On-The-Go – Ideal for outdoor activities, camping, road trips, travel, office use, or everyday home convenience.
- USB Rechargeable Power – Built-in 3.7 V 1800 mAh Li-ion battery allows cordless brewing wherever you are.
- Authentic 20-Bar Extraction – Delivers rich, aromatic espresso with silky crema, matching café-style flavor in a compact design.
- Perfect Espresso Output – Brews 70–80 ml of espresso using 50 ml (capsules) or 70 ml (ground coffee) for customized strength.
- Universal Compatibility – Fits 51 mm portafilter pods, capsule diameters 3.6 cm / 2.5 cm × H 2.9 cm, and up to 14 g of coffee grounds. Generous 100 ml Water Tank – Large enough for a full espresso shot, great for single-serve brewing anytime.
Spec score 9.5
Super-automatic, Built-in Grinder, Automatic Milk System, 15-Bar
+Built-in grinder grinds beans for each cup
+Automatic milk system froths milk without manual steaming
+15 bar pump pressure for espresso extraction
−Built-in grinder adds to the machine's overall size
$834.99-36%List: $1,299.99
as of 11/04/2026 00:38 PST - DetailsProduct details
$834.99as of 11/04/2026 00:38 PST - Details
View on AmazonSpec score9.5
Pros
+Built-in grinder grinds beans for each cup
+Automatic milk system froths milk without manual steaming
+15 bar pump pressure for espresso extraction
+Super-automatic machine handles brewing with one press
Cons−Built-in grinder adds to the machine's overall size
Compared with this page+Steam wand or automatic milk system: only 301 of 1645 here have one
+Built-in grinder: only 589 of 1645 here have one
How pros and cons are picked (About: Disclaimer)About this product
- 20 PRESETS, ENDLESS COMBINATIONS: Hot drinks like espresso, coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos, to iced coffee, or simply hot water, take your pick. Top your coffee with silky smooth milk with our proprietary milk system.
- YOUR COFFEE IN ONE TOUCH, TAILORED TO YOU: Automatically grinds, tamps and brews at the push of a buttonon the intuitive color display. Adjust strength, volume and milk preferences and save up to 4 profiles to return to your favorites each time.
- LATTEGO PROPRIETARY MILK SYSTEM: Frothed. Foamed. Your milk, your way, automatically. LatteGo is the fastest to clean milk system ever: 3 parts, no internal tubes or hidden compartments. Dishwasher safe or can be rinsed clean in 10 seconds.
- FAST & QUIET BREWING: Ready when you are. Ready-to-brew in 3 seconds with QuickStart. Prepare your coffee in peace thanks to SilentBrew’s sound shielding and quiet grinding, certified by Quiet Mark. 40% quieter than earlier models.
- INVEST IN YOU: Love café-quality coffee? Bring it home with the No.1* Super Automatic Espresso Machine in Canada and the US combined.* Skip the daily $6 coffee shop run, Philips pays for itself in about 6.5 months.
Spec score 9.5
Semi-automatic, Built-in Grinder, Steam Wand
+Double boiler design
+Built-in grinder grinds beans before each brew
+Steam wand for milk frothing
−Built-in grinder adds to the machine's footprint
−Requires manual brewing steps for each drink
$329.99-34%List: $499.99
as of 11/04/2026 15:36 PST - DetailsProduct details
$329.99as of 11/04/2026 15:36 PST - Details
View on AmazonSpec score9.5
Pros
+Double boiler design
+Built-in grinder grinds beans before each brew
+Steam wand for milk frothing
+Can brew espresso and froth milk simultaneously
Cons−Built-in grinder adds to the machine's footprint
−Requires manual brewing steps for each drink
Compared with this page+Steam wand or automatic milk system: only 301 of 1645 here have one
+Built-in grinder: only 589 of 1645 here have one
How pros and cons are picked (About: Disclaimer)Other stores (1)
Best BuyVisit store
About this product
- BARISTA-LEVEL ESPRESSO AT HOME: Brew rich, café-quality espresso with a semi-automatic design that grinds, brews, and delivers full flavor in minutes.
- DOUBLE BOILER FOR FASTER BREWING: Froth milk and brew espresso at the same time with a dual boiler system that saves time and enhances your morning routine.
- 30-SETTING CONICAL BURR GRINDER: Customize your grind with 30 precision settings. Grinder dispenses fresh coffee directly into the portafilter for consistent results.
- RICH AND BOLD FLAVOR: The 15-bar pump produces beautiful and full-bodied espresso, with customizable shot temperature and volume settings to brew everything from caffe lungo to ristretto.
- TWO SHOT SIZES: Brew the perfect amount: the 58mm portafilter features both single and double shot baskets for any size of espresso drink. Great for quick mornings or relaxing weekends.
- STEAM WAND FOR LATTES & CAPPUCCINOS: Froth milk to creamy perfection using the built-in steam wand. This espresso machine also functions as a full latte and cappuccino maker.
- 3-LITER WATER RESERVOIR: The extra-large water tank has enough space to make plenty of drinks. Plus, the reservoir is fully removable to refill in the sink.
- INCLUDES BARISTA ACCESSORIES: The Crema Deluxe is equipped with all the espresso accessories you need, including a milk pitcher, stainless-steel tamper, cleaning tools, and a grinding funnel. Store it all inside of the detachable drip tray.
- RESOURCES: cETL approved with advanced safety technology for long-lasting durability plus a 1-year Chefman warranty. 1500 Watts/120 Volts – RJ54-G-SS-D-BLK