The CASABREWS 3700 Essential is a compact home espresso machine with a 20 bar pump, PID temperature control, a thermoblock heater and a built-in steam wand. CASABREWS sells it from $93.99, which puts it among the lower-priced semi-automatic style machines.
What is the CASABREWS 3700 Essential Espresso Machine?
It is CASABREWS' entry-level espresso machine, aimed at people starting out. The maker calls it beginner-friendly, with simple one-touch controls for single and double espresso, and says its compact design suits smaller kitchens at just 6.49 inches wide. You add your own ground coffee to a portafilter, brew, and use the steam wand and hot water function for lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos and americanos.
It comes in five colors at two price points: Black and Beige at $93.99, Silver at $98.99, and Pastel Green and Sapphire Blue at $116.99. The housing is stainless steel in all cases.
CASABREWS 3700 Essential specs
| Pump | ULKA quiet pump, 20 bar |
|---|---|
| Heating | Thermoblock heating system |
| Temperature control | PID |
| Portafilter | 51 mm |
| Water tank | 43.9 oz / 1.3 L |
| Housing | Stainless steel |
| Power | 1350 W, 120 V / 60 Hz |
| Size | 12.99 x 6.49 x 12.13 inches |
| Weight | 8.14 lbs |
| Safety and care | Water level alert, descaling reminder, overheat protection, over-pressure protection |
| Extras | Cup warmer, non-PFAs water path |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Price | From $93.99 (Black, Beige) |
The box includes a portafilter, single and double shot filters, and a measuring spoon with tamper. The maker does not say whether the steam wand is manual or how the machine pre-infuses, and it does not publish a pressure gauge, so those are unknowns.
How does the 3700 Essential make espresso?
CASABREWS pairs a thermoblock with PID temperature control. A thermoblock heats water as it passes through rather than keeping a boiler full of hot water, and the PID is the controller that holds the temperature steady. The pump is described as an ULKA quiet pump rated at 20 bar. That is the pump's rating, not the pressure at the coffee, which for most espresso is far lower.
You can adjust and save the volume of both single and double espresso shots to suit your preference, and the machine lets you restore the default settings. The steam wand and hot water function handle milk drinks and americanos. There is no grinder and no automatic milk frother described, so milk is frothed by hand with the wand.
For care, the water tank and drip tray are removable, and a descaling reminder tells you when it is time to descale. CASABREWS also lists a water level alert, overheat protection and over-pressure protection as built-in safeguards.
The thermoblock matters for a practical reason. Because it heats water on demand, CASABREWS lists it as the heating system rather than a boiler, and the machine is built for short, single-drink sessions at home rather than for serving a crowd. The page does not give a warm-up time, so how quickly it is ready to brew is unknown. It does list a non-PFAs water path, which describes the materials the water touches, and the stainless steel housing.
CASABREWS 3700 Essential vs CASABREWS CM5418
The CASABREWS CM5418 is the maker's other model on this site, listed at $139.99. It also has a 20 bar pump and 1350 W, and it adds a built-in pressure gauge and low-pressure pre-infusion, but its tank is 1.0 L against the 1.3 L here.
The 3700 Essential is the cheaper machine by $46.00, with the bigger tank, a cup warmer and a descaling reminder. The CM5418 offers the gauge and pre-infusion for people who want to watch the shot. If you do not need those, the 3700 Essential is the more economical choice.
CASABREWS 3700 Essential vs Breville Bambino BES450
The Breville Bambino BES450 costs $299.95, more than three times the 3700 Essential. It has a 3 second ThermoJet heat up, a 54 mm portafilter, PID control and a 1.4 L tank, with four buttons and a manual steam wand.
The CASABREWS has a smaller 51 mm portafilter, a 20 bar pump rating and a lower price. The Bambino is the more premium machine on paper, and the gap in price is the main reason to consider the CASABREWS. Both need you to supply and grind your own coffee.
Is the CASABREWS 3700 Essential worth it?
Price is the whole case here. The colors cost different amounts, so the cheapest versions are Black and Beige at $93.99, while the same machine in Pastel Green or Sapphire Blue is $116.99. If color does not matter, take the lower price.
At $93.99 it is priced for first-time buyers, and for that money CASABREWS includes PID, a thermoblock, a 1.3 L tank and a cup warmer. Those are good features at a low price. The unknowns are whether it makes good espresso and how long it lasts, because nobody tested it and CASABREWS gives no durability data.
The maker also adds a 1-year warranty and dedicated customer support, which is useful for a first machine. Remember too that a machine in this class still needs a grinder, and a good one often costs as much as the machine. Budget for that.
Who should buy the CASABREWS 3700 Essential (and who should not)?
Buy it if you are new to espresso, have a small kitchen, and want milk drinks from a steam wand without spending much. The 1-year warranty is a plus for a first machine.
It also suits anyone buying a gift, since CASABREWS itself calls it an excellent gift choice. Compact size and simple buttons make it easy to hand to someone who has never pulled a shot.
Skip it if you want a built-in grinder, an automatic milk system, a pressure gauge or a plumbed-in water supply, because the maker lists none of them. Skip it too if you want a larger portafilter, since this one is 51 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 3700 Essential beginner-friendly?
CASABREWS says yes, citing simple one-touch controls for single and double espresso and a compact design for smaller kitchens.
What drinks can it make?
Single or double espresso, plus lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos and americanos using the built-in steam wand and hot water function.
How big is it?
12.99 by 6.49 by 12.13 inches and 8.14 lbs. It is 6.49 inches wide.
Can I change the shot volume?
Yes. You can adjust and save the volume of single and double shots and restore the defaults.
What comes with it?
A portafilter, single and double shot filters, and a measuring spoon with tamper.
What warranty does it have?
CASABREWS states a minimum 12 month manufacturer's warranty covering defects in materials or workmanship, subject to terms.
