QJA Espresso Machine Review

As coffee lovers, we’re always on the lookout for machines that can bring that perfect café-quality espresso right into our homes. In this review, we’re diving into our experience with the QJA Espresso Machine, exploring its design, performance, and all the key features that make it stand out in the world of home espresso machines. From the powerful 20-bar pressure system to its intuitive controls and impressive milk frother, we’ll share our honest thoughts on how this machine stacks up against other options on the market. Let’s see if this could be the perfect addition to your coffee routine.

Design & Build Quality

The QJA Espresso Machine is a stunning addition to any kitchen, combining elegance and functionality in a way that feels premium without being over the top. The first thing you’ll notice is its sleek, polished stainless steel finish that gives it a modern, professional look like Mr. Coffee Perfect Brew. Unlike bulky espresso machines that dominate your counter, this one strikes a perfect balance between compact size and practicality. At just 11.4 inches tall, 7.9 inches wide, and 5.3 inches deep, it takes up minimal space while still feeling sturdy and well-built. It’s clear that the design team focused on blending form and function seamlessly.

When you place it on the counter, the machine instantly elevates the kitchen aesthetic like Icuire Espresso Machine. The smooth surfaces and clean lines make it feel like a premium appliance, almost as if it belongs in a high-end café. Compared to bulkier models like the Breville Bambino or the De’Longhi Dedica, the QJA stands out for its minimalism. It doesn’t overwhelm the space but still catches the eye with its polished steel body. The attention to detail is worth appreciating. For example, the steam wand is positioned neatly, and the water tank at the back, though removable, doesn’t look out of place. Some machines sacrifice appearance for functionality, but QJA managed to integrate both beautifully.

The build quality also impresses. Despite being lightweight, it feels solid and durable, unlike cheaper models that can feel flimsy or plastic-heavy. In comparison, machines in the same range often opt for more plastic components, which not only look less premium but also compromise durability over time. The 57.5 oz removable water tank is another well-thought-out feature. It’s easy to detach and clean, a detail that some competitors overlook.

Using the QJA Espresso Machine feels intuitive. The digital control panel on the front adds a modern touch, blending into the overall sleek design without being intrusive. The buttons are responsive and straightforward, unlike other models that tend to overcomplicate controls.

Water Reservoir

The QJA Espresso Machine comes with a well-designed water reservoir that adds to its overall convenience. With a 57.5 oz capacity, it’s large enough to handle multiple brews before needing a refill. This is especially useful for families or small gatherings where frequent coffee brewing is needed.

The reservoir is removable and It’s thoughtfully placed at the back of the machine, maintaining the clean, compact look while being simple to access. The transparent design is another nice touch, allowing you to monitor the water level without guessing. Compared to many other models, like the De’Longhi Dedica, the QJA’s reservoir feels slightly more spacious and more user-friendly.

What’s even better is how sturdy it feels. Some espresso machines have tanks that feel flimsy or poorly attached, but QJA has managed to deliver a solid, high-quality reservoir. It clicks into place securely without wobbling or leaking.

For its design, functionality, and ease of use, I’d rate the water reservoir a 91 out of 100. It’s reliable, easy to clean, and large enough for everyday use. This is a standout feature that makes the machine both practical and efficient.

Warming Tray

The warming tray on the QJA Espresso Machine is a thoughtful addition that makes your coffee experience feel even more professional. Positioned right on top of the machine, it keeps your cups warm before brewing. This small feature might seem minor, but it plays a big role in ensuring your espresso stays hot for longer and retains its rich flavor.

When you pour espresso into a cold cup, the temperature drops immediately, which affects the overall experience. With the warming tray, your cups are preheated and ready to go, allowing the coffee to maintain its heat and taste exactly as it should—smooth, bold, and satisfying.

The tray is spacious enough to hold multiple cups, so if you’re brewing for family or friends, you can warm several cups at once. This is especially convenient if you’re hosting or making back-to-back shots. The design is simple yet effective, blending seamlessly with the machine’s sleek and modern look.

Compared to other models in its class, not all espresso machines include a warming tray, or they only accommodate one cup. The QJA stands out here, offering that little bit of extra functionality that elevates the overall experience.

For anyone who values attention to detail, the warming tray is a game-changer. It’s a subtle touch that makes your at-home coffee routine feel more polished and professional. Overall, I’d rate the warming tray a solid 4.8 out of 5—practical, efficient, and a perfect complement to the machine’s other features.

User Interface

The user interface of the QJA Espresso Machine is sleek, modern, and very user-friendly. It features a touch control panel on the front, which gives the machine a clean and stylish look. At first glance, the interface looks simple, but it’s incredibly intuitive, making it easy for anyone to use, even without prior experience with espresso machines.

The buttons are neatly displayed with clear icons, so you know exactly what each option does. I particularly like the power button on the top left—it’s highlighted in red, making it easy to spot. The rest of the options are well-organized and don’t feel overwhelming.

Another thing worth noting is the responsive touch controls. You don’t need to press too hard, which is great when you’re in a rush or multitasking. Compared to machines with traditional knobs or physical buttons, this panel feels more advanced and seamless.

When comparing it to other models, like the De’Longhi Dedica or even Breville’s entry-level options, the QJA’s user interface feels far more modern and minimalistic. While some users might prefer physical buttons for tactile feedback, I personally love the clean, futuristic design of this one.

For the user interface, I’d confidently give it a 93 out of 100. It’s well-thought-out, easy to operate, and adds to the overall premium look of the machine. It feels like a small upgrade that enhances the entire coffee-making experience.

20 Bar Pressure

With its 20 Bar pressure system, the QJA Espresso Machine delivers rich, barista-quality espresso right at home. This level of pressure ensures optimal extraction, giving you a smooth, full-bodied espresso every time. Under its 1400W power, the machine creates a perfect balance between high pressure and consistent temperature, ensuring that the flavors and aromas of your coffee shine through beautifully.

The 20 Bar system doesn’t just make great espresso; it also gives you the freedom to explore a variety of coffee recipes as we found in ILAVIE 20 Bar Espresso Machine. If you enjoy experimenting, you’ll appreciate how flexible it is—allowing you to adjust your brews just like a professional barista.

For coffee lovers or even casual drinkers, this machine is a game-changer. You don’t need to step into a café anymore because you can easily create café-style coffee in your kitchen. The pressure ensures rich crema, which is often the sign of a perfectly pulled espresso shot.

Compared to other machines in the same range, many only offer 15 bars of pressure like DeLonghi EC680M Espresso Machine, which is decent but doesn’t quite match the boldness and flavor depth that 20 bars provide. This is where the QJA truly shines—it elevates your at-home coffee experience without complicating the process.

Milk Frother

The milk frother on the QJA Espresso Machine is where this unit really shines for latte and cappuccino lovers. It’s designed to give you that creamy, velvety texture you’d expect from a coffee shop—right in your kitchen. With its built-in steam wand, you can effortlessly create rich, frothy milk to top off your espresso.

Using it feels intuitive and smooth. The steam wand rotates easily, allowing you to position it perfectly in your milk jug. Within seconds, the wand generates powerful steam to heat and froth the milk evenly. It’s fast and efficient, which is great for busy mornings. What’s impressive is how consistently it delivers that perfect microfoam.

Compared to other machines in its category, the QJA’s milk frother stands out for its power and precision like Homtone Espresso Machine 20 Bar. Some frothers struggle with temperature control, leaving milk either too cool or scalded. Here, the steam wand strikes the right balance, ensuring your milk is hot but not burned, and the foam is smooth and silky every time.

Cleaning it is just as simple. The wand is easy to wipe down after use, which prevents any milk residue from building up. This is a big plus because maintaining a clean frother is essential for consistent performance.

Coffee Taste

The coffee taste produced by the QJA Espresso Machine is nothing short of impressive. Thanks to its 20-bar pressure system, the machine extracts rich, full-bodied espresso with a smooth and balanced flavor. Each shot captures the deep, aromatic notes of your coffee grounds, ensuring that you get a café-quality brew every time.

What truly stands out is the quality of crema. The high-pressure system creates a thick, golden crema on top of your espresso, which not only looks professional but also enhances the taste. It’s the hallmark of a well-pulled shot, and the QJA delivers on this consistently. The flavor profile remains smooth, not bitter or overly acidic, which can often be a problem with lower-quality machines.

Pairing this with the built-in milk frother opens up a world of possibilities. If you’re a fan of cappuccinos or lattes, the espresso forms a perfect base, blending beautifully with frothed milk to give you a well-balanced, creamy drink.

Compared to other machines in its class, the QJA holds its own. Machines with lower pressure often fail to extract the full depth of flavor from coffee grounds, leaving the taste weak or watery. Here, the 20-bar system ensures proper extraction, pulling out the oils and rich notes for a flavorful espresso.

The taste will also depend on the quality of the coffee beans you use, but with the QJA Professional Espresso Maker, you’ll always have a reliable brewing process that maximizes flavor. Whether you prefer dark roasts for an intense espresso or lighter roasts for more delicate notes, this machine gives you a barista-level experience at home.

I’d rate the coffee taste a solid 95 out of 100. It’s smooth, rich, and consistent—everything you’d want from a high-quality espresso machine.

Coffee Making Time

The coffee-making time on the QJA Espresso Machine is remarkably quick and efficient, making it a perfect fit for busy mornings or when you’re in a rush. Thanks to its 1400W power system and 20-bar high-pressure pump, the machine heats up rapidly, allowing you to start brewing almost immediately.

From powering on to pulling your espresso shot, the machine takes just about 30 to 45 seconds to deliver a rich, aromatic cup. The preheating process is quick, ensuring that the water reaches the ideal brewing temperature without long waits. Once heated, the machine extracts the espresso efficiently, delivering smooth, full-bodied coffee in no time.

This high pressure ensures proper extraction, pulling out the flavor and oils from the coffee grounds within this short timeframe. Whether you’re making a single or double shot, the machine keeps the process consistent and efficient.

For milk-based drinks like lattes or cappuccinos, the built-in milk frother works quickly as well. After pulling the espresso shot, you can froth the milk in under a minute, allowing you to enjoy your favorite creamy beverages without much delay.

Compared to other espresso machines, the QJA holds up well in terms of speed. Many machines with lower wattage or weaker pumps take longer to heat up and extract, often requiring up to 2 minutes. The QJA’s ability to combine quick heating and extraction gives it an edge, especially for those who value time in their daily coffee routine.

I’d rate its coffee-making time a solid 90 out of 100. It’s fast, consistent, and reliable—helping you enjoy a barista-quality coffee at home in less than a minute. 

Coffee Temperature

The coffee temperature on the QJA Espresso Machine is impressive and delivers consistently hot and enjoyable coffee. Thanks to its 1400W heating system and 20-bar high-pressure pump, the machine ensures the water reaches the ideal brewing temperature quickly and maintains it throughout the brewing process.

The machine heats the water to an optimal range of 190°F to 200°F (88°C to 93°C), which is widely regarded as the sweet spot for extracting the best flavors from coffee grounds. This ensures that every espresso shot comes out rich, full-bodied, and with a smooth taste.

What’s particularly great is that the temperature consistency doesn’t drop during extraction. Many lower-end machines struggle with fluctuating water temperatures, which can ruin the coffee taste. However, the QJA maintains steady heat, ensuring the coffee is hot from the first shot to the last.

When it comes to milk-based drinks like lattes or cappuccinos, the built-in milk frother also works effectively. It heats and froths the milk to a perfect 140°F to 150°F (60°C to 65°C), which is ideal for creating creamy, warm beverages without scalding the milk. This temperature balance ensures you get the perfect texture and warmth for your coffee drinks.

Compared to similar models, the QJA stands out for its reliable temperature control. Some machines either overheat the water, which makes the coffee bitter, or underheat it, leading to a flat taste. The QJA strikes the perfect balance, delivering coffee that’s hot but never burnt.

I’d rate its coffee temperature a strong 92 out of 100. It consistently hits the mark, giving you piping hot espresso and milk-based drinks that retain their quality and flavor.

Final Thoughts

After testing the QJA Espresso Machine, it’s clear that this machine offers impressive performance and features for those looking to bring the coffeehouse experience into their home. With its 20-bar pressure system, 1400W power, and quick heating time, it consistently delivers rich, flavorful espresso shots with the perfect crema. The milk frother is another highlight, making it easy to create silky lattes and frothy cappuccinos at home.

In terms of design, the machine stands out with its sleek, modern look, fitting well in any kitchen space. It’s sturdy and built to last, making it a solid investment for coffee enthusiasts. The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, and the warming tray helps keep your coffee at the perfect temperature for longer.

While the water reservoir is a bit on the smaller side, it’s easy to refill, and overall, the machine provides great value for its price. The coffee temperature is consistently hot, and the machine does a great job of maintaining the ideal brewing range throughout the process.

The coffee-making time is quick, and the machine doesn’t require much waiting between shots, making it convenient for busy mornings. Overall, it’s a well-rounded espresso machine that blends quality, ease of use, and reliable performance.

I’d confidently rate the QJA 20 Bar Professional Espresso Maker 90.8 out of 100. It’s a fantastic choice for anyone who enjoys high-quality espresso drinks at home. It’s a great way to become your own barista without breaking the bank.