The Sunbeam Café Espresso II EM3820 is a manual pump espresso machine rated at 15 bar, with thermoblock heating and a removable 1.7 L water reservoir. CHOICE lists it as discontinued, so this review is aimed at people weighing a used or remaining-stock unit and at current owners who want to check what the machine is designed to do. It is a review of the documented specification and the manufacturer’s instructions, not a performance test. No independent score, taste result or heat-up measurement for this model is publicly available.
What the EM3820 is
Sunbeam sells this model as the Café Espresso II, and its model number is EM3820. It is a manual machine, which means you handle dosing, tamping and the timing of each shot yourself rather than relying on automated programs. Sunbeam’s instruction manual describes it as a 15 bar pump espresso machine with a thermoblock heater and what the company calls its Italian Crema System. Those are manufacturer descriptions. They tell you how the machine is built, not how well it performs.
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Key specifications
The table below combines three sources. Each row names where the value comes from, because the sources differ in how much they can confirm.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →| Attribute | EM3820 value | Source and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Manual pump espresso machine | Sunbeam instruction manual |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | Manufacturer-stated pump specification, repeated in the CHOICE listing; not an independent measurement |
| Heating | Single thermoblock with controlled thermoblock temperature | Sunbeam comparison brochure (2020-era) and instruction manual |
| Water reservoir | 1.7 L, removable | CHOICE listing and instruction manual |
| Group-head size | 52 mm, domestic category | Sunbeam comparison brochure (2020-era); see the compatibility section below |
| Steam wand | Included | Instruction manual |
| Cup warming plate | Included | Instruction manual |
| Cup clearance | Intended for taller cups | Instruction manual and CHOICE listing |
| Drip tray | Removable, with a water-level indicator | Instruction manual |
| Dimensions | 32 × 21 × 27 cm | CHOICE listing |
| Weight | 5 kg | CHOICE listing |
| Availability status | Discontinued | CHOICE listing; current stock not established by the sources |
What comes in the box
The instruction manual documents four accessories:
- A measuring spoon with a tamper
- A one-cup dual-wall filter basket
- A two-cup dual-wall filter basket
- A 500 ml jug
The manual’s wording on the baskets is the most practical detail for buyers. Its own sentence reads: “Dual Wall Filter Baskets are designed for use with pre-ground grinds, however they can also be used with freshly ground grinds.” The manual also explains that dual-wall baskets add back pressure. It does not give a grind setting or a dose for either basket, so treat your first few shots as a test of your own grinder and coffee rather than a set recipe.
#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
Design features the manufacturer highlights
The manual’s feature description states: “The large water reservoir is removable for easy filling.” That is the practical point for daily use. You fill the 1.7 L reservoir, return it to the machine, and refill it between brews without moving the whole unit. The steam wand and cup warming plate are the other features most owners use regularly. The drip tray is removable and includes a water-level indicator, which is worth checking before each session because a full tray will interrupt use.
The cup clearance is described as suitable for taller cups than many compact espresso machines allow. That is a manufacturer statement of intent. The sources do not measure how much clearance you get with a specific cup or travel mug.
Rank #2
- MANUAL HAND-TEXTURED MICROFOAM: The powerful steam wand on this cappuccino maker and latte machine is designed to quickly turn milk into smooth, flavorful microfoam for creating latte art at home
- PRECISE DOSE GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder on bean-to-cup espresso machine grinds on demand to deliver correct amount of freshly ground coffee directly into portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean
- WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and draws out all the flavors evenly during the extraction for a balanced-tasting espresso, latte or cappuccino
- RECEIVE 2 FREE BAGS OF SPECIALTY COFFEE: Included when you purchase and register any Breville coffee machine; T&Cs apply
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature regulation (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, so espresso coffee maker allows for precise espresso extraction
Independent evidence: what CHOICE does and does not show
CHOICE lists the EM3820 with its specifications and marks the model as discontinued. Its public page withholds the detailed results. Expert results, taste, ease of use, milk frothing, temperature consistency and measured heat-up times are reserved for members, so no public score or test outcome for this machine can be cited. Any claim that the EM3820 scored well or poorly on taste, frothing or consistency would go beyond what is available.
The CHOICE page also shows a price of $159. That figure is a listing price from the page as reviewed. It is not a current price and should not be used to judge what a used or remaining-stock unit should cost.
Rank #3
- 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
Compatibility: what the 52 mm figure does and does not tell you
The 52 mm group-head size places the EM3820 in Sunbeam’s domestic category, which helps when comparing it with other Sunbeam models from the same brochure period. It does not establish that third-party portafilters, baskets or tampers will fit. Two machines can share a nominal diameter and still differ in basket depth, rim shape or portafilter lug design. Before buying any replacement part, measure the part against your own unit and confirm the fit with the seller. Do not assume a grinder, basket or tamper is an EM3820 accessory unless the source for that claim names this model.
Using the machine: the manual’s safety rules
The manual covers preparing the machine, making espresso, texturing milk, cleaning, descaling and troubleshooting. Its safety guidance is the part that new owners most often skip, so it is worth reading first:
Rank #4
- 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
- Do not remove the filter holder while water or coffee is flowing. The machine is under pressure during extraction.
- Avoid touching hot parts, including the steam wand and the group area, during and immediately after use.
- Flush water through the machine before first use and again after a long period without use.
For the full sequence of each procedure, use the manual itself. Improvised cleaning or repair steps are a poor substitute, especially on a used unit whose maintenance history you do not know.
Cleaning, descaling and troubleshooting
The manual includes instructions for cleaning, descaling and troubleshooting, but the sources reviewed for this article do not reproduce those procedures, so no steps are given here. If you are buying used, ask the seller whether the manual is included or find the EM3820 instruction manual by model number before you collect the machine. A unit that has been descaled and flushed according to the manual is easier to assess than one with an unknown history. If the machine is not working as the manual describes, the troubleshooting section is the first place to look.
Best Value
- 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
Buying a used or remaining-stock unit
- Confirm the model number. The unit should be identified as the Sunbeam Café Espresso II EM3820, not a similar Sunbeam model from the same range.
- Do not treat a listing as proof of stock or support. CHOICE lists the model as discontinued, so availability of new parts and service is not established by the sources.
- Ask for photos of the removable reservoir, the drip tray and water-level indicator, the two dual-wall baskets, the tamper and measuring spoon, and the 500 ml jug. The manual documents all of them.
- Ask how the unit has been cleaned and descaled, and whether it has been flushed.
- Check the group head and any replacement basket against the 52 mm figure and your own measurements before paying for a part.
- Ask for a demonstration of steam and water flow if you can see the machine in person. Do not judge the output quality from the specification sheet alone.
How it compares: the axes that matter
Comparisons with other machines should use the same axes for each model. The table shows what the EM3820 sources establish and where they are silent.
| Axis | EM3820 | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Operation | Manual | You control dosing, tamping and brew timing |
| Reservoir | 1.7 L, removable | Manufacturer and CHOICE listing |
| Group-head size | 52 mm, domestic category | Brochure figure; third-party fit not established |
| Heating system | Thermoblock | Manufacturer description |
| Steam wand | Included | Instruction manual |
| Filter baskets | One-cup and two-cup dual-wall | Designed for pre-ground coffee; manual says fresh grounds also work |
| Cleaning and descaling | Covered in the manual | Procedures not reproduced in the sources reviewed |
| Current availability | Discontinued | CHOICE listing |
| Parts and support access | Not stated | Not established by the sources reviewed |
| Independent taste, frothing or consistency results | Not stated | Members-only on the CHOICE listing |
The gaps in the last three rows matter most for a comparison. A machine with a better-documented parts supply or public test results is easier to recommend than one where those things are unknown.
Who the EM3820 suits
The EM3820 suits someone who wants a manual machine with a removable reservoir, a steam wand and a warming plate, and who is willing to learn the manual’s procedures and check fit before buying parts. It is a weaker choice for anyone who needs confirmed current stock, published test results or a clear replacement-parts path.
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The Sunbeam Café Espresso II EM3820 is a documented manual pump machine with thermoblock heating, a 1.7 L removable reservoir and a steam wand. Its strongest points are the manufacturer’s clear operating and safety instructions and the practical reservoir design. Before you buy a used or remaining-stock unit, confirm the model number, check the included accessories, and do not rely on the 52 mm figure to settle parts fit. Independent performance results are not available in public sources, so judge the machine on its condition and documented features rather than on a score.
Quick Recap
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.
