The Contempo CM8501D-GS is a manual espresso machine for ground coffee, with filters for one or two cups and a steam wand for milk. Its published specifications describe a compact, lightweight appliance, but they do not establish how well it makes espresso or froths milk. CHOICE labels the model discontinued, and its accessible page does not show the member-only test results. This review assesses what the documentation confirms—not firsthand performance.
What kind of espresso machine is the CM8501D-GS?
It is a manual machine that makes espresso from ground coffee, not a capsule system. The Contempo CM8501D-GS Owner’s Handbook describes small and large filters for preparing one- and two-cup servings. You load and tamp the coffee, start the flow, then stop it yourself; the available documentation does not describe programmable shot volumes.
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That hands-on workflow suits someone willing to prepare each serving rather than press a button for a preset drink. It also means the handbook alone cannot tell you what shot volume or extraction time to expect: those depend on when you stop the flow, and no tested settings are published in the accessible material.
Specifications and what they do—and don’t—show
CHOICE lists the following specifications for the CM8501D-GS. They describe the product as listed, not independently verified performance.
#1 Best Overall
- Make Your Favorite Espresso Coffee At Home: The CASABREWS coffee machine with milk frother allows you to prepare all your favorite espresso-based coffees. You can enjoy a barista-brewed latte, cappuccino or macchiato at home. Stainless steel appearance, stylish and durable, ideal for any size kitchen. This compact espresso coffee maker is perfect for home or office use
- Professional 20 Bar Pressure System: Semi-Automatic 2-in-1 Espresso Maker, with 20 bar professional Italian pump and 1350 W powerful boiler. This latte machine gives you top quality extraction, resulting in a more fragrant and rich aroma. The built-in pressure gauge on this cappuccino machine shows the exact pressure helping you make adjustments according to your personal taste preferences. You can create a cappuccino, latte or flat white at your home or office with our cappuccino maker
- Milk Frothing System: Our espresso machine with milk frother has a powerful steam wand, so you can texture creamy, rich microfoam milk to create amazing milk foam art and enhance the flavor of your brews. Awaken your inner barista and create your own unique milk foam art. Don't pass us by if you are looking for an excellent espresso coffee maker
- Compact, Stylish & Practical: The beautiful and compact design makes this small espresso machine suitable for any size kitchen. Make single or double espresso shots with a beautiful layer of crema in minutes! The 34 oz water tank allows you to brew multiple cups, and it is detachable for easy refilling. Included components: Espresso Machine, 34 oz Removable Water Tank, One Cup Brewing Filter, Two Cup Brewing Filter, Portafilter, Tamper With Spoon, Instruction Manual
- Useful Tips: Please kindly note that do not brew coffee immediately after frothing milk. The machine must cool down first otherwise the temperature and the pressure inside the machine will be too high, and the machine will go into over-heating protection mode. The lights for 1 cup or 2 cup will flash repeatedly and please follow the steps of included guide to cool down the machine. You can watch more INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO by clicking Visit the CASABREWS Store
| Specification | CHOICE listing |
|---|---|
| Water reservoir | 1.5 L |
| Stated pump pressure | 15 bar |
| Power | 1100 W |
| Dimensions | 29 × 21 × 27 cm |
| Weight | 2.9 kg |
| Warranty | 2 years; confirm terms applicable to the seller and your jurisdiction |
These figures do not establish espresso taste, temperature consistency, heat-up time, or steaming quality. A pump-pressure figure is not a substitute for comparative test results. CHOICE’s CM8501D-GS review page identifies expert ratings and test results as members-only in the accessible page, so there is no public score here on which to base those judgments.
Making espresso and milk drinks
Espresso is a manual sequence
The handbook instructs the user to preheat the appliance, choose a filter, add and tamp ground coffee, lock the filter holder into place, and press the coffee-mode button to begin extraction. Press the button again to stop the flow. It also says to let the machine reheat before making another cup. This is a user-controlled process, not evidence of a particular brew time or repeatable shot volume.
Rank #2
- 2026 UPGRADED DUAL-DISPLAY SYSTEM (PRESSURE & TEMP) - Upgrade your daily routine with this innovative espresso machine. Unlike standard models, this 20 bar espresso machine features real-time visual gauge displays for both extraction pressure and temperature. Whether searching for a high-precision espresso maker or a reliable coffee espresso machine, our dual-display system helps you monitor brewing conditions in real time to guarantee optimal crema and smooth flavor, making it one of the best expresso machines for home coffee lovers.
- CUSTOMIZABLE BREWING & SMART MEMORY FUNCTION - Designed as a sleek home espresso machine, this unit features an intuitive LED touchscreen with 1-cup and 2-cup presets. Outperforming basic semi-automatic espresso machines, it allows you to custom-tune shot volume and extraction time with a long-press to suit different grind sizes or taste preferences. Functioning as your personal latte machine and espresso coffee maker, the built-in smart memory saves your tailored preferences so your ideal expresso maker brew is just one tap away.
- PROFESSIONAL STEAM WAND FOR CAPPUCCINOS & LATTES - Create coffeehouse-quality beverages with the integrated high-pressure steam wand. Perfect for those looking for an espresso machine with milk frother or a dedicated espresso machine with steam wand, this machine produces silky micro-foam milk froth for home latte art. It instantly transforms your countertop into an all-in-one cappuccino machine and cappuccino maker, giving you a complete latte machine with milk frother experience to craft rich lattes, macchiatos, and cappuccinos effortlessly.
- COMPACT STAINLESS STEEL DESIGN & EASY CLEANING - Built with a durable stainless steel espresso machine housing, this space-saving compact espresso machine fits effortlessly on any countertop. Ideal for buyers searching for a small espresso machine that delivers full power, it features a 37oz removable water tank and detachable drip tray for hassle-free direct rinsing without missing any dead angles. Among top espresso coffee machines, it balances durability, easy daily maintenance, and stylish aesthetics for modern kitchens.
- EASY FOR BEGINNERS & CAFÉ-QUALITY EXPERIENCE - Whether you need an all-in-one coffee machine with milk frother or a versatile coffee and espresso machine, this model offers an intuitive design suitable for beginners while providing the customization advanced users crave. Ranked as a best espresso machine choice for home offices and apartments, this expresso coffee machine allows you to enjoy rich coffee maker expresso beverages without a steep learning curve.
Milk needs a separate steaming step
For a milk drink, the handbook directs the user to switch to steam mode and wait until the steam indicator stops flashing before frothing milk in a separate heatproof jug. The machine’s wand therefore adds a manual steaming step; the available specifications do not establish how quickly it produces steam or how well it textures milk. The handbook warns that the steam nozzle is extremely hot after use.
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Cleaning, descaling, and everyday handling
Before cleaning, disconnect the appliance and let it cool. The handbook says to hand-wash the filter holder, filters, water tank, and drip tray with mild detergent; wipe the body with a barely damp cloth; and avoid abrasive pads and chemicals. It also describes descaling when hard-water deposits accumulate.
Rank #3
- Make Your Favorite Espresso Coffee At Home: The CASABREWS coffee machine with milk frother allows you to prepare all your favorite espresso-based coffees. You can enjoy a barista-brewed latte, cappuccino or macchiato at home. Stainless steel appearance, stylish and durable, ideal for any size kitchen. This compact espresso machine is perfect for home or office use
- Professional 20-Bar Pressure System: A semi-Automatic 2-in-1 Espresso Maker with a 20 bar professional pump and a 1350 W powerful heating system. This 20 bar pressure espresso maker gives you a top quality extraction, resulting in a more fragrant and richer aroma in your coffee. You can create a cappuccino, latte or flat white at home or in the office with our stainless steel espresso maker
- Milk Frothing System: Our espresso machine with milk frother has a powerful steam wand that creates a creamy and rich micro-foam milk texture to enhance the flavor of the coffee and enable the creation of latte art. Awaken your inner barista and create your own unique milk foam art with our espresso machine. This compact espresso machine is perfect for latte, cappuccino or macchiato. If you are trying to find an excellent espresso coffee maker, look no further
- Compact, Stylish & Practical: The compact design makes this espresso coffee machine suitable for a kitchen of any sizes. The 43.9 oz water tank allows you to brew multiple cups of coffee without a refill, and it is detachable for easy refilling. The drip tray can be easily removed to clean. This home espresso machine comes with everything a coffee lover needs to get started. What’s included: Espresso Machine, 43.9 oz Removable Water Tank, One Cup Brewing Filter, Two Cup Brewing Filter, Portafilter, Tamper With Spoon, Instruction Manual
- Using Tips: Please remove the rubber plug at the bottom of the water tank and make “First use cycle” for this espresso machine when you use it for the first time. Please follow the steps in the user guide. Please note that there are many instructional videos on the USER GUIDE of CASABREWS store
At 29 × 21 × 27 cm and 2.9 kg according to CHOICE, the listed footprint and weight are relatively easy to assess against your counter and storage space. The handbook cautions that the removable front drip tray is not a handle for lifting the machine.
The handbook says automatic standby activates if the machine is left powered on for more than 29 minutes. That is a standby instruction, not a replacement for switching off and unplugging the machine before cleaning.
Rank #4
- Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide (provided below in PDF) before first use
- Includes Portafilter, measuring scoop/tamper and two filters for single or double espresso
- Stainless steel boiler is engineered to last long and work for years
- Manual steam wand to texture milk for lattes and cappuccinos
Availability and price context
CHOICE labels the CM8501D-GS discontinued. Its page displayed a price of $79 when accessed in 2026, but that figure is not confirmed as a current offer and does not establish that the machine is in stock. Check a seller directly for availability, condition, price, and applicable warranty terms before buying.
Verdict: a documented manual option, with performance unknown
The CM8501D-GS is straightforward to categorize: it uses ground coffee, leaves extraction control to the user, offers one- and two-cup filters, and includes a steam wand. Its listed size, weight, and reservoir capacity help with fit and basic planning. But without accessible test results or firsthand testing, there is not enough evidence to recommend it for espresso quality, consistency, speed, or milk texture. Its discontinued status also makes verified current availability an important part of any buying decision.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- MICROFOAM MILK TEXTURING: Cappuccino maker and latte machine has an automatic steam wand allowing you to adjust milk temperature and texture, creating barista-quality microfoam for latte art at home
- FASTER HEAT UP TIME: Espresso maker includes innovative ThermoJet heating system that achieves optimum extraction temperature in 3 seconds; Make your own cappuccinos and lattes at home without waiting
- BALANCED-TASTING CUP: Manual espresso machine features low pressure pre infusion that gradually increases pressure at the start; All flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction
- RECEIVE 2 FREE BAGS OF SPECIALTY COFFEE: Included when you purchase and register any Breville coffee machine; T&Cs apply
- HOME ESPRESSO MACHINE WITH PRECISE EXTRACTION: Digital temperature regulation (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, allowing for even espresso extraction
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
