Wake Up and Read About the Best Espresso Machines You Can Buy

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From bean to fresh brew, the best espresso machines can take your grinds and transform them into your favorite beverage, all from the comfort of your own kitchen. Though these handy kitchen appliances can be a little complicated, they’ve evolved into diverse types, starting from basic, semi-automatic machines all the way to fully manual smart kitchen appliances that let you tinker with every part of the process. And before you ask, yes, these espresso machines are very different than the best coffee makers out there. So, if you’re somebody who likes a variety of caffeine throughout the day, you’ll want to get one of each.

Whether you’re seeking a quick pick-me-up to start your morning, want to enjoy the occasional indulgence, or are searching for a gift for your favorite coffee lover, there is an espresso machine to fit the bill. We’ve vetted several models from brands like Breville, Diletta, and De’longhi, focusing on factors like type, grinders and frothers, and pressure control to find makers that fit a variety of needs and budgets. After our research and in-house testing, these are our reviews of the best espresso machines on the market. Read on for our recommendations.

The Best Espresso Machines

• Best Overall: Breville Barista Express

• Best Budget: De’Longhi Stilosa

• Best Starter Kit: EspressoWorks Barista Bundle Set

• Best High-End: Breville Barista Touch Impress

• Best Fully Automatic: KitchenAid Fully Automatic KF8

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How Espresso Machines Work

To put it simply, espresso makers work by using steam, pistons, or pumps to force hot water through a “puck” of finely ground, compressed coffee beans. The high pressure combined with a low water-to-coffee ratio makes for a quick extraction process and espresso that's full of flavor.

What to Consider

Type

There are four distinct types of espresso machines that offer different levels of control, convenience, and brewing methods.

• Automatic espresso machines: These are convenient to own and easy to operate since some of the brewing processes are automated, but you still get some customization options for your espresso shots. Brews will be more consistent than a manual or semi-automatic machine and are easier to maintain, but these makers often come with a pretty hefty price tag.

• Semi-automatic espresso machines: You’ll get the closest coffee shop experience with a semi-automatic machine. They give you full control of the brewing and milk-frothing process, so you can always get the most flavor out of your favorite espresso. Although cheaper, most semi-automatic espresso machines require a bit of skill and meticulous maintenance.

• Manual: This type of espresso maker favors traditional, pressure-driven espresso shots, so you won’t get the same tech upgrades like you would with an automatic. These are best suited for the serious barista who is as much interested in the science of the process as they are the final product.

• Capsule machines: These machines use individual pods filled with pre-measured grounds to make your favorite drinks. They’re easy to operate, offer consistent brews, and are the most hands-off, albeit more wasteful. These types of machines are reserved more for the commodity drinker rather than those interested in the art of the craft.

We’ve included a various selection of espresso machines that operate on different mechanisms to account for different levels of time, commitment, and price range.

Pressure

The amount of pressure exerted on your grounds is measured in BARs, or barometric pressure. This can affect the quality of your espresso shot. The ideal level of pressure is between 7 and 11 BARs, though some machines can reach up to 19 BARS. Any espresso machine capable of exerting 9 BARs will brew a rich, concentrated, and flavorful shot.

Water Capacity

Depending on how frequently you drink espresso, the capacity of the water reservoir in your espresso machine can prevent you from making multiple trips to your sink or fridge dispenser. For home use, around 1.5 to 2 liters of capacity is common, while commercial-grade espresso makers may be able to hold more. Consider whether or not you prefer frequent refills, or less frequent but larger refills for your espresso machine.

Grinders

Having freshly ground beans accessible right before pulling your espresso shot is ideal. Machines with built-in grinders are convenient, less messy, and can make your coffee routine a breeze. However, built-in grinders are harder to fix if they break. A separate coffee grinder won’t affect the extraction process, and you can even experiment with different sizes of grounds.

There are two primary types of grinders: blade grinders and burr grinders. Blade grinders use a blade in a similar way to a food processor, essentially chopping the coffee ito the grounds. Burr grinders employ a conical grinder shape that crushes and grinds the coffee. Burr grinders grind more evenly than blade grinders but are usually more expensive.

Milk Frother

The common types of milk frothers are a hand-frothing wand (like this TikTok-viral frother) that requires manually frothing the milk in a separate container, or a milk container that is attached to the machine to froth milk that you can add directly into your cup. A manual frothing wand allows you to practice latte art and perfect your pour, while an attached frother takes out the guesswork. If you’d rather handle everything yourself, a hand-frother is your best bet. If you’d like to automate the process and save time, then an attached frother can help.

How We Selected

We pored over dozens of product listings, specifications, and conducted many editor-led tests to identify the best espresso machines. Our reviews of the best espresso machines considered whether models come with built-in grinders, frothers, and other convenient features, as well as ease of use for a great final pull. We considered tech-savvy and more traditional machines, all spanning over a range of budgets so you can find the best appliance for you.

We’ve curated the following reviews of the best espresso machines for your next favorite cup of java. Enjoy!

Our Full Espresso Machine Reviews

The Barista Express (arguably the most popular model in the Barista series) utilizes the brand’s signature all-in-one technology engineered to help you pull a bistro-worthy shot in one minute. Its interchangeable filters and modes, whether automatic or manual, also offer up more control.

When it comes to our reviews of the best espresso machines, it was evident that this one was on top of all the rest for its functionality, features, appearance, and price.

Both beginners and experts can appreciate its intuitive yet simple, user-friendly controls that offer up sophisticated results to boost home-barista confidence. Case in point: The machine’s grind size dial makes it easy to select the preferred size, depending on the type of bean.

The machine also has digital control so the water is always at the precise temperature, and even builds up pressure gradually, so you don’t have to worry about that either. The handy integrated grinder pretty much ensures that each use is a foolproof pour-and-pull situation. It has a nice “Clean” light that pops on, taking the guesswork out of when it needs maintenance.

Our only gripe is that some parts of the Barista Express, which costs around $700, are made of plastic, which can wear down over time from repeated heat expansion and contraction. Otherwise, this is a well-rounded, do-it-all model.

The Stilosa is the best among the around $100 class of espresso machines. Though it has the obvious drawbacks you’d expect at this price — some plastic components, non-industrial-grade details — it delivers, ticking all the fundamentals that your basic espresso machine should have.

This espresso machine has a stainless steel boiler, two filters for a single or double shot, a portafilter, and a tamper/measuring scoop. The milk frother could be a bit sturdier and more powerful, but it’s adequate given the overall price.

Another little extra we appreciate is its two-level cup holder, which makes perfect sense given that this little overachiever also creates lattes and cappuccinos — another plus for those looking for a multipurpose machine, whether for money- or space-saving purposes.

Those with small kitchen spaces will love this machine, as it’s under 19 inches long. And given this is a starter machine, there’s no sacrifice in quality that comes with its space-saving design, either. This is a great housewarming gift or a college graduation gift for young adults who are hooked on caffeine and moving into their first apartment. There is an expectation of durability with this machine, but that being said, the grinder could be better.

In addition to the actual machine, this espresso maker comes with a lot of accessories, like espresso cups, measuring spoons, a frothing cup, and more. All of these make it a supremely giftable option compared to others.

The machine is heated and ready to use in under a minute, and you can brew up to two shots at the same time.

If there’s no need for artisan, cafe-quality shots each morning — perhaps something simpler and less time-consuming — the EspressoWorks All in One Set is a great choice.

Breville’s launch of the Touch Impress was meant to bring everything fans of the brand (and solid espresso in general) like about making coffee and streamline it into just a few simple steps.

The brand has achieved that, and more. One of our reviewers, Geoff Nudelman, praised its intuitiveness. “It is so easy to navigate, and the end product is typically really good,” he says. He adds that he loves how he could choose from a range of popular drinks, like lattes and cortados, and the machine will continue to dial in your preferences the more you use it.

It is quite spendy, but if you know a coffee lover who’s looking for a tech-advanced way to speed up the morning espresso routine, this might be one of the best options currently available.

This fully automatic espresso machine from KitchenAid is brand new to the market, but fortunately, we have been able to test and use one in our office. Our editors were blown away by the initial idea and the quality, and we remain impressed.

You don’t need to have any knowledge of espresso making to craft delicious drinks at home with this machine. All you need to do is fill the water tank, the bean hopper, and the milk-frothing basin, choose the beverage you want on their elegant touchscreen display, and the rest is done for you. Options like flat whites, ristrettos, and cafe au laits are readily available for your choosing.

The machine has a built-in burr grinder that is easily the quietest on this list. It’s barely noticeable in our office environment. Also, the device prompts you to input what type of milk you’re using and gauges the temperature and steam needs accordingly, so there’s no over frothing or burnt milk. You can increase the strength of the espresso to your own taste, and the amount of dairy used. You can even choose how hot you want the drink to be.

One thing we have noticed is that it has you rinse the machine pretty often, which can be a bit of a pain, but there is a “later” option if you don’t feel like doing it at the time.

The Bello+ improves on its predecessor with more specialized temperature control, an integrated shot timer, an “eco” mode, and more.

There is also a wider range of shot options, among many other features tailored for the most serious of espresso enthusiasts. This is certainly a machine for those who take pride in the process, and for those in the know on all things coffee, they’ll also see that this is a considerable value compared to other machines in this higher-end tier of the market.

The Bello+ also doesn’t include a grinder, but those who are ready to dive in likely already have a separate, high-end grinder they prefer anyway.

KitchenAid is a household name, with the legendary stand mixer earning its place on countertops for years. The brand has recently revamped its espresso machine line, with one of the newest additions being this semi-automatic maker.

The machine comes fully featured with a built-in burr grinder, multi-angle steam wand, and includes a stainless steel milk pitcher for all of your frothing needs. The portafilter is commercial-grade, made with a flat base for more stable and consistent tamping.

We had the opportunity to test this machine in our offices, and one thing we were pleasantly surprised with was how quiet the machine is compared to others on this list. We also love that the bottom of the portafilter is flat, allowing you to tamp it down right on the counter without worrying about nozzles.

This espresso maker is on the narrow side, clocking in around 13 inches wide and 15 inches tall, so it won’t take up too much surface area. The machine also rests on a set of wheels, so you can conveniently access the water tank on the back of the espresso maker and move the appliance around your kitchen with ease. The luxury price tag might be something to balk at, but if you’re committed to the art of espresso making, you’ll appreciate this machine.

Our reviews of the best espresso machines led us to believe that the DeLonghi La Specialista Prestigio is the perfect “all-in-one” machine for espresso aficionados.

“Having personally used this machine for the better part of six months, it a great beginner machine to get you involved in specialty coffee and perfecting your espresso routine,” Gabe Ortiz, our maintenance and repairs editor says. “With a built-in grinder that has six grind steps and a smart built-in tamper, you can rest assured that you’ve got a good puck with every use. Whether you want an espresso, an americano, or coffee, its dial settings take the manual mess of counting and weighing your coffee out of the equation.”

The machine has active temperature control, with separate heating systems for brewing and steamed milk, and you can master your latte art with the powerful steam wand. The espresso maker comes with a stainless steel milk frothing carafe, single coffee filter, double coffee filter, total hardness test, cleaning brush, and descaler.

“The Diletta Mio was the next upgrade or step for me in my espresso journey. Moderately priced, and when paired with a good grinder, this machine can handle and keep up with machines two or three times its value,” Ortiz tells us. “Its quick start-up time, button display, easy-to-clean drip tray, and removable reservoir tank make this machine an ideal fit for your kitchen.”

The insulated boiler balances heat times for a consistent brew, and the pressure gauge allows you to keep track of your shots. This machine is a better option for making straight espresso shots, rather than specialty drinks.

Espresso Machine Terms to Know

• Boiler: A boiler is a pressure chamber included in semi-automatic machines. As the name suggests, it turns water into steam and pushes water into the beans to extract, or “pull,” your liquid espresso. Single-boiler machines usually need more downtime between cups or between coffee-brewing and milk-steaming (each process requires a different temp). Dual-boiler machines are pricier but also allow you to pull a shot of espresso and steam milk at the same time — making the process more convenient and your life much easier.

• Grinder: A grinder, specifically a burr (not blade) grinder, allows you to dial in the flavor of your shots to perfection every time you change espresso bean brands. Buying a high-quality burr grinder (around $200) is pretty much mandatory if you have a higher-end semi-automatic machine. Our pick: Breville’s Smart Grinder.

• Tamper (plus tamping mat and knock box): The tamper enables you to properly press the ground espresso into its portafilter before brewing. Uneven espresso tamping will result in poor-quality shots. Our pick: the Matow 53mm Coffee Distributor.

Cleaning Your Espresso Machine

In order to get consistently great espresso shots, an espresso machine needs proper maintenance. This includes cleaning it on a regular basis, as well as descaling if necessary. Those who live in areas with hard water should plan on more regular flushing and cleaning of their machines – typically monthly.

Cleaning a semi-automatic espresso machine will require backflushing its brewing unit every few weeks. The process should be described in detail in the manual of the machine.

Fully automatic machines are easier to clean and maintain. Many models will have removable brewing elements, making them easier to rinse in water. High-end models even notify you when it’s time to clean them.

Lax maintenance of an espresso machine over time will lead to poor espresso shots, which are usually defined by an overly bitter, slightly burnt taste.

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