I bought the wrong espresso machine once, and let me tell you, it was an expensive mistake. With a taste for good coffee but limited espresso understanding, I found one that looked good, had great reviews, and was on sale, and took the plunge. While it was a beautiful machine, it required far too much know-how for a newbie like me to get the most out of it.
Now that I'm Specialty Coffee Association-qualified barista, it's easy to see where I went wrong. There are so many coffee makers on the market, and for the average first-time buyer, there's a lot of dense terminology to wade through.
That's why I've put this guide together: it breaks down my tried-and-tested recommendations for the best espresso machines you can buy, but also walks you through the things you need to know before you buy a machine, as well as how to get the most out of each option.
There are three main types of domestic espresso machines — manual, automatic, and superautomatic — and each is suited to a different type of buyer. For confident home baristas who want a good machine and don't want to spend too much, the Breville Bambino Plus will be your best friend. But if you want that extra bit of assistance, I think the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera is the best espresso machine for most people.
Then there are superautomatic espresso machines, which allow you to simply press a button and let your machine do all the hard work for you. If you like the sound of a hands-off option, the KitchenAid KF8 is my top pick.
The quick list
Whether you’re a coffee newbie or a coffee expert, the Opera is a wonderful machine perfect for most people — especially those who want to keep mess to a minimum.
The Breville Bambino Plus offers smart steaming in a compact frame. It doesn't have an in-built grinder, but it’s compact in design, straightforward to use and brews delicious espresso, cup-after-cup.
Although it lacks some of the bells and whistles we love about more premium coffee makers, the Casabrews on quality extraction and surprising value for money. Paired with a good grinder, you'll be able to make some brilliant espresso.
Erin described this machine as a coffee-making robot, which perfectly captures how it works, and why it's so clever. It makes a myriad of drinks with the touch of a button, and it does so quietly and powerfully.
Ninja's Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series is a newcomer that makes brewing easy for beginners. It's got everything from automated grinder guidance to programmable milk steaming. At under $500, it offers a lot for the price.
If you're happy to splash out on an all-singing, all-dancing automatic espresso machine that will still make you feel like a home barista, it doesn't get much better than the Oracle Jet.
How we test the best espresso machines
We review a lot of espresso machines at Tom's Guide. Very few of them make it into our buying guides, but you can see a comprehensive list of other models we've tested at the bottom of this guide.
When it comes to testing espresso machines, there's a lot of room for human error. In order to minimize this, I work closely with a team of true coffee experts, from former baristas to serious home baristas. Every review you'll read on Tom's Guide will be from a true espresso enthusiast who can tell their flat whites from their cappuccinos and their arabica from their robusta.
We consider a huge range of factors when evaluating espresso machines. Here's a non-exhaustive list of the things we test for:
Ease of use: You shouldn't have to be a pro to work an espresso machine. These appliances are designed to make life easier, so while it's fair to expect a learning curve if you opt for a manual machine with lots of hands-on features, we mark machines down for any quirks or fiddly features that will make day-to-day use harder for the average buyer.
Ease of cleaning: Some machines are splashy, messy, and get greasy from the touch of a button. These are workhorses, sure, but they're also meant to look nice, so we evaluate whether they spill grounds, splatter milk, or will require any major upkeep with each review.
Value for money: Even a budget espresso machine can be expensive, so we always consider whether a machine is priced competitively when putting it to the test. If we wouldn't recommend our friends spend their money on a machine, we wouldn't recommend it to you, either.
Grinding: If a machine has an in-built grinder, we put it through the same testing that we use when evaluating the best coffee grinders. After all, the quality of your grinder plays a massive part in achieving a good extraction. It's the single most important part of any espresso-brewing process. We evaluate the range of grind sizes on offer with every machine (you'll want a very fine consistency, but this will vary depending on the bean you use), as well as how much coffee a machine grinds automatically. A lot of enthusiasts brew using ratios, so we like to weigh the grounds before we brew for good measure.
Brewing: Albeit an important step, this is also the simplest to test. Whether a machine can brew well is dependent on the performance of the grinder, but we know we've got a quality coffee if it brews at that sweet spot between 190 to 200°F (88 and 93°C) and we get between 25-30ml of espresso. We use a coffee scale to test this, just to be extra thorough.
Taste test: Metrics aside, it's all in the taste-test. We buy high-quality coffee (currently, we're using a subscription to Hard Lines' specialty coffee) that's freshly-roasted to give our machines the best possible chance of brewing a brilliant espresso. And if it tastes too bitter or too tart, we know it's not the beans' fault! If the coffee tastes too grassy, it suggests the machine doesn't brew hot enough, and if it's burnt-tasting, that's a sign that it's not got good temperature regulation and is scorching our grounds.
Milk steaming: Steam wands need to be powerful, ergonomic and responsive. A great wand will not only heat your milk but also help to create a powerful vortex, which will add texture and incorporate air into your milk jug. I'll get more into how to use a steam wand below, but you best believe that if former barista Erin can't get a good texture from a steam wand, there's no hope for a home user.
Super-automatic espresso machines will often feature milk dispensers that automatically froth your milk and pour it into your mug. This is really convenient if you don't like the idea of learning to steam milk by hand, but just so we're clear, these machines don't steam your milk. They simply heat it and inject some bubbles as they pour into your cup. It gets the job done, but it's not going to compete with a coffee shop-quality flat white.
Longevity: You need to be prepared to look after an espresso machine. They block easily if you don't descale regularly, and your group head and steam wand will need to be flushed out periodically. This aside, we've also tried machines that simply don't feel like they're built to last. Where possible, we like to hang onto a top pick for prolonged home use and testing. That way, we can update our guide if it doesn't seem built to last. Our number one, the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera, is currently living with Erin as her home machine, allowing us to continue to evaluate its position in this guide.
What are the main types of espresso machine?
This question used to be a lot more simple to answer: there's manual, and there's super-automatic! However, things have changed a lot in the last few years, and now there's an increasing number of machines that sit somewhere in between.
In truth, it would be easier to characterize types of espresso machine as a spectrum, all the way from lever pump machines like La Pavoni to one-touch super-automatics like Jura.
But to make life easier, I've divided the domestic machines in this guide into three categories:
- Manual: A manual machine will require you to get hands-on. This category can span from a fully lever-operated espresso machine to a conventional Breville Barista Express. These machines offer little assistance, which is great if you want to get super technical with your coffee, but if you’re not the most experienced, they might make it harder to get a consistently good brew.
- Automatic: An automatic espresso machine will feature more assistance than a manual option but often look very similar, using a portafilter and typically a steam wand over a milk dispenser. From hands-free milk steaming to guided grinding, this is a growing market in the coffee machine scene and I, for one, am here for it. For examples, think of the Ninja Luxe, or the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch. These machines are designed to still make you feel like a barista, but don’t require years of experience. However, you’ll typically have to pay a bit more for these automated features.
- Super-automatic: A super-automatic coffee machine from the likes of De’Longhi and Philips will do all the grinding, tamping, brewing, and often milk steaming, for you. They often have a more boxy design that keeps the craft of brewing out of sight, which makes it harder for you to intervene or experiment. These machines are great for people who aren’t that interested in getting involved in the process of brewing coffee, but want a machine that will deliver a consistent brew at the touch of a button. At an entry level, they can cost less than you might think, but they can get very expensive if you opt for premium brands like Jura.
The ABC's of espresso machines
Espresso machines are pretty complicated, which is why I did a dedicated Specialty Coffee Association course before compiling this guide. While I’ve tried to make it as accessible as possible, there is some terminology you might need to learn to understand the reviews below. Here are the ABC's of espresso machines.
- Basket: An espresso machine will usually come with multiple basket sizes. It’s the removable insert to your portafilter that holds your coffee grounds.
- Extraction: You extract espresso from your coffee grounds, and a good espresso is a result of a good extraction. You might also see me say ‘pull’. This is a reference to a more manual brewing style which involves a manual lever, but even in modern espresso machines we still say that we ‘pull’ a shot of espresso.
- Group head: This is where the magic happens. It’s the bit of your espresso machine that you lock your portafilter into, and which dispenses hot water into your puck.
- PID: PID stands for Proportional-Integral-Derivative controller. A PID will ensure that the temperature during use is consistent, making these machines more convenient for most people to use.
- Portafilter: That handle that holds your filter basket is called a portafilter. When testing, I look out for weighty and well-made filters that will stand up to use after use. But if you get a machine with a flimsy one, they’re easy and cheap to upgrade.
- Puck: Puck wasn’t a word that featured on my initial list, but after writing it plenty of times when writing this ABCs list I thought it might be best to add it in. When you tamp your coffee it forms a ‘puck’. That’s also what you tap out when removing your used grounds from the portafilter.
- Steam wand: This one is quite self-explanatory, but your steam wand is the long arm at the side of your espresso machine (usually on the right side) that pumps out steam. It’s used to texturize milk for milk-based coffee drinks such as latte and cappuccino.
- Tamp: Tamping is the process of compressing your coffee grounds to form one solid puck of coffee. Doing this consistently will ensure there’s even pressure when pulling your espresso shot. Some espresso machines will require you to use a tamper by hand, others have in-built tamping functions, and super-automatic machines will do the whole thing for you, as if by magic.
- Volumetric dosing: An espresso machine with volumetric dosing will pour a specific amount of espresso, typically a single shot or double shot, and stop pouring automatically. Most modern machines have this feature.
Best espresso machine for most people
Tested by our reviews writer Erin, who is a former barista, the De’Longhi La Specialista Opera strikes the perfect middle-ground between luxe features and accessibility. There’s very little wrong with this machine. During testing, we found no major flaw with the Opera besides the steam wand lies a little low, so you have to move it out of the way of the group handle to steam milk. And that’s a very minimal qualm.
We particularly noted its mess-free design. It's fun to make espresso from scratch, but grinding, tamping and brewing can be a messy business. The Opera uses an in-built smart tamper which applies even and consistent pressure without scattering grounds around your kitchen.
Erin continues to test the Opera from her home, where it's her go-to espresso machine for day-to-day use. This means it's easier to compare new releases to our top pick, and it also allows us to test whether the machine could run into any issues during prolonged testing.
The full review
Grinder
This machine is so mess-free because of its smart tamper. Instead of grinding the espresso into your portafilter and tamping separately on your bench, this smart tamper system grinds the beans into your portafilter and tamps without you having to remove the group handle from the machine.
There are 15 coarseness settings, which is pretty average for machines of this spec and price. It was capable of finely grinding light-roast beans, and there's plenty of scope to increase the grind size for darker roasts. We were happy with the consistency of the grounds, and the noise level topped out at 76 dB during testing, which is about the same as the KitchenAid Semi-Automatic and the Smeg EGF03.
Espresso
Besides the gorgeous chrome finish, powerful 19-bar pressure, delicious nuanced espresso, and the generous inclusion of six coffee glasses with your purchase, this machine also brews incredible espresso.
The machine comes with both double-walled and single-walled baskets, but we tested using single-walled. You can manually control brew times with the Opera, or use its pre-set volumetric dosing for single and double shots. Erin's verdict? "Fluffy, thick crema, and a layered, balanced flavor."
This machine also makes cold brew, which is a huge trend in contemporary coffee makers. This setting can take around five minutes, so it's not long enough to replicate a true cold brew, but it's a good workaround for those who are short on time.
Milk
The only thing Erin could fault with the Opera is that the steam wand is a little low-lying. It's marginally less ergonomic than other machines she's tested. However, this didn't stop her from creating fantastic microfoam.
As a former barista, Erin's got plenty of experience working with powerful commercial steam wands. So it's a testament to how capable the La Specialista Opera is that she was able to replicate professional-level latte and flat whites on this domestic machine.
One feature that really stood out was how cold the steam wand stays during use. If you're nervous about the idea of steaming milk by hand, this safety feature is sure to help.
Read our full De’Longhi La Specialista Opera review
Best espresso machine under $500
The Sage / Breville Bambino Plus is an iconic option from one of the most famous coffee brand you'll definitely have heard of. This is the machine I should've bought when I first invested in an espresso machine. Think of it as a blank slate. It could keep a coffee fanatic more than satisfied, but because of its assisted features, it won't let newbie brewers down.
Espresso machines can be chunky, so this is a rare compact option that will sit streamlined in just about any space. It's one of the few options in this guide that doesn't include a grinder, so you'll have to use pre-ground coffee or purchase your own grinder (check out our reviews of the best coffee grinders for some options, but they don't have to be expensive!) to use it.
What really sets this machine apart is its automatic milk steaming. You can choose between 3 foam and 3 temperature settings to achieve your ideal consistency, and leave your wand to do all the hard work with surprisingly brilliant results. But if you did want to learn how to steam milk manually? This machine will let you do that, too. It offers assistance without restriction, making it deal for beginners.
The full review
Grinder
This machine doesn't have a grinder, but it's worth digging into why that's not a bad thing. For a start, some enthusiasts prefer to buy separate grinders and espresso machines as it allows them to switch up their setup more easily, and if something breaks, you won't have to replace your entire coffee setup.
The machine comes with single-walled and double-walled baskets. If you plan on using pre-ground coffee, I'd suggest starting with double-walled, as they can bring back some of the fresh and lively flavor you'll be missing from fresh-ground coffee.
Espresso
The Breville Bambino Plus produces very high-quality espresso without taking up too much counter space. Breville (or Sage, for European readers) is famed for making market-leading machines, and while this is one of the brand's entry-level options it doesn't miss out on premium-feeling features or the powerful extraction you'll need to get a great shot.
There's pre-infusion, which will soak your puck to allow flavors to develop before extracting your shot, and there's also volumetric dispensing to pour either a single or double completely hands-free.
One downside is that there's no hot water dispenser, so if you like Americano coffee you'll have to keep a kettle on-hand to top up your shot.
Milk
Steaming milk is really tricky when you're just getting started, so the Bambino Plus' MilQ Plus setting will be a welcome option for those who want hands-free milk steaming. This allows you to choose from three pre-set temperatures and textures, then leave your milk to be steamed automatically. The best bit? You'll then get to pour it yourself, allowing you to practice your latte art.
If you would prefer to steam manually, that's also an option. I have a Breville machine at home which also features automatic steaming, and it's great for my partner who doesn't know (or care) about how to steam milk. However, the ability to still use the wand manually gives me more control and allows me to feel engaged in the brewing process. Again, it's another awesome feature for beginner brewers.
Read our full Breville / Sage Bambino Plus review
Best espresso machine under $150
If you're on a budget, the Casabrews will be a good starting point. Admittedly, you'll need some skill to get great espresso out of this machine. This is because it's manual, meaning there are very few assisted features to make life easier. However, if you're willing to put in the work, the good news is that this machine is more than capable of extracting quality espresso — especially if you pair it with a quality grinder.
Considering the very reasonable price point, it's impressive off the bat that the Casabrews Espresso Machine CM5418 has a sturdy metal construction. On the front are four buttons (power, one cup, two cups, and steam), as well as a pressure gauge, and there is also a button on the side to control the steam wand or hot water dispenser.
The greatest letdown in terms of quality was the portafilter, which felt a little flimsy. Still, for the price, it's hard to complain. Especially because this is something you can easily upgrade on the likes of Amazon.
The full review
Grinder
This machine doesn't have a grinder. It's not too hard to make a decent manual espresso machine on a budget, but including a quality grinder (which is absolutely a non-negotiable if you care about great coffee) is expensive. Market-leading grinders can easily cost $300+, so if your machine offers both grinding and brewing capabilities for less than that, it's likely that the grinder is poor quality.
So if you're on a budget and don't mind getting hands-on, the Casabrews is a good work around. Especially if you combine it with a quality hand-grinder like the sub-$100 1Zpresso Q Air.
Espresso
This machine was tested by Mike Prospero, Tom's Guide's U.S. Editor-in-Chief who has tested plenty of market-leading coffee makers over the years. Although this machine is the cheapest he has tried, he still found that the espresso had plenty of body and flavor.
We were able to get a rich crema with good staying power after a few tries and with the help of the Casabrews pressure gauge. The gauge indicates whether your puck is creating enough resistance to your machine in the brewing process, and the optimal amount of pressure will create a quality extraction and full-bodied flavor.
You'll need to learn to troubleshoot if your pressure is too low or too high, as unlike more premium machines like the Breville Oracle Jet, it won't teach you how to make good coffee. I've added some guidance in this guide if you want to know more about how to get the most out of a manual model.
Milk
The steam wand lacks the bells and whistles of a more expensive machine, but it was certainly capable of getting the job done when Mike put it to the test.
It took a little longer than most machines to pre-heat, likely an indication of lower pressure and its generally less powerful build. Once it was in full flow, it also made quite a bit of noise.
However, while it won't rival the likes of the Breville Bambino Plus if you're just getting started with milk steaming, we were able to get a good quality microfoam once it got going. For the price, that's the most you could hope for.
Read our full Casabrews Espresso Machine CM5418 review.
Best superautomatic espresso machine
The KitchenAid KF8 was tested by Erin, our reviews writer who used to be a barista. Suffice to say, she likes getting hands-on with her brewing. But I recommend superautomatic coffee machines for people like my parents, who love coffee but really don't care about learning the ins and outs of how espresso machines work. And with a machine this capable, you really don't need to!
The KF8 allows you to select exactly what you want to drink and will set about grinding, tamping and brewing your shot completely automatically. It looks great, it's easy to use, it's able to keep up with busy families, and it allows you to fully customize your drink to get your exact preference, morning after morning.
The downside is that this machine, as with literally any machine that offers hot milk dispensing over milk steaming, won't rival hand-steamed milk. The mechanism of dispensing frothed milk from a tube simply can't replicate the process, which is something to be aware of if you really love your lattes.
The full review
Grinder
With the built-in burr grinder’s automatic dosage, tamping, and extraction, you really don’t need to do anything to get a steaming cup of coffee.
The grinder has 11 settings, which isn't great compared to alternative machines such as the Breville Barista Express. However, it's a great quality conical steel burr that KitchenAid could easily have got away with not including, considering you can't even see it in action!
Of the 11 settings we stuck to the finer end, making the most delicious drinks on setting 2. While this was very capable, it doesn't offer a huge amount of wiggle room if you wanted to go even finer.
Espresso
The KF8 is, without a doubt, the easiest way to make coffee. All you have to do is click a button and the machine makes delicious lattes, cappuccinos, and more in seconds.
With the built-in burr grinder’s automatic dosage, tamping, and extraction, you really don’t need to do anything to get a steaming cup of coffee. Erin found that the espresso was "juicy and evenly extracted after a fully automated brew cycle."
The best part? If it doesn't taste good, the list of things that you might need to change is very short. It's either down to your beans or your grind size, because everything else that could throw off your shot is automated and out of the realm of human error.
Milk
The detachable milk frother automatically steams your milk, although Erin found this to be the machine’s weakest link, although having tested a number of machines like this one, I can attest that it's an issue you'll run into with any superautomatic coffee maker.
In removing steam wands and instead pushing your milk through a tube to heat and texture it, it's not so much steamed as frothed. The result can still be very close to the sort of coffee you'd buy from the likes of a chain coffee shop, but there's no silky microfoam or latte art tulips here.
Read our full KitchenAid KF8 review
Best espresso machine for smart features
The Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series is one of the most exciting recent espresso machine launches. In my humble opinion, it's not a looker, but it's hard to deny that it delivers on performance.
Our reviewer Camryn is a coffee-lover, but enjoys assisted features to take the hard work out of achieving espresso-based drinks. So the beginner-friendly design and technical efficiency included with the Luxe Café was ideal for users like her.
The Luxe Café features guidance on grinding, tools for assisted tamping, and a steam wand that can be used automatically or manually, depending on how specialist you want to get. It can also make longer drip-style coffees and even cold brew or cold espresso.
The full review
Grinder
The Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series features a conical burr grinder with 25 grind sizes on offer. The machine makes everything from cold brew to drip coffee, and it's quite hard to get a great grinder that can offer the right size for all of those brews, but the Ninja just about manages it.
The grinder works on an unusual weight-based system. Most in-built grinders with assisted dosing will use a volume level on in-built tamping to indicate if you have enough grounds, so the Luxe Café's integrated weight dosing is something pretty new for the market, and it works well for a $500 machine.
The machine includes an assisted tamper to compress grounds, although you need to do this manually as there's no in-built tamping arm. The noise level is about average, but a little whiny compared to the likes of premium machines like the Breville Oracle Jet. Interestingly, it doesn't do single shots.
Espresso
First things first, you can absolutely get some incredibly tasty espresso out of the Ninja Luxe Café. Zero complaints there.
As mentioned above, you'll have to brew double espressos with this machine. Personally though, I can't remember the last time I used my single-shot baskets, so maybe that's not a huge loss for most people.
Like most premium machines from the likes of Breville and De'Longhi, the Ninja pre-infuses your espresso shots. This brings out the best flavor from your beans before extraction. There's no pressure gauge, but it will suggest a grind size if your extraction was too fast or too slow.
As for the other coffee settings, while the drip setting doesn't really replicate pour-over coffee, it's nice to have the option of making longer coffee using the four-shot basket with this machine, and the flavor was enough to persuade you to get rid of your drip coffee machine and use the Ninja for all your coffee needs.
The cold coffee also can't replicate cold brew, like with any cold brew setting you'll find in an espresso machine, but will absolutely get the job done if you love an iced latte.
Milk
There are some pros and cons to the milk steaming with the Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series. The milk jug has an in-built spinner to create a vortex in the jug when you're using the automated steaming mode, but you can use the wand manually if you want to learn how to steam by hand.
A big bonus for those who drink a range of milk types is that if you opt for pre-set milk steaming, you can switch between plant and dairy milk settings to prevent oat or soy milk from burning.
This is a halfway house between traditional milk steaming and using a handheld frother to create artificial bubbles in your coffee. Personally, I prefer the automated steam wands you'll find on Breville machines like the Bambino Plus.
But the in-built spinner does have one big bonus in allowing you to create cold foam to pair with your cold coffee. This is something I've not seen in any of the other espresso machines on the market.
Read our full Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series review
Best luxury espresso machine
There's a reason that Breville is a firm favorite in the coffee maker market. Not only do they get coffee, but they get coffee-lovers.
The Oracle Jet is designed for those who love coffee but is accessible enough to guide you to a delicious brew with minimal skill, which, for beginners or those who would appreciate a helping hand, is a brilliant choice. If money was no object and I was buying the ultiumate machine for my own kitchen, it'd be this one.
There are so many smart features with this machine that reviewing it was a real labor of love. Everything from a front-filling water tank to a wheel-mounted base for easy bean refills has been added. Its touchscreen is incredibly luxurious to use, and the automatic dosing and tamping is an absolute dream.
The full review
Grinder
I really loved the grinder that came with the Oracle Jet. Of all the machines in this guide, it definitely wins on the griner front. The European precision burrs are made by esteemed grinder brand Baratza, with a total 45 grind settings to choose from.
The Oracle Jet boasts volumetric dosing which means you'll always get the right amount of grounds for your portafilter, and it'll even tamp them automatically. This is not only mess-free, but it's also a surefire way to avoid one of the biggest variables when making espresso, with a guaranteed even tamp pressure.
The only complaint I had was that it left a scattering of grounds on top of my puck after each tamp. It's a small complaint, but it slightly dampened the luxe experience of using this machine.
Espresso
I made some stellar espresso in the Oracle Jet. It tracks the brewing time, and if it takes too long or brews too fast, you'll get a red light and a suggestion to adjust your grinder to improve your next brew.
It's a little splashy compared to other Breville machines I've tried, but made some trully delicious brews. That includes its cold brew and cold espresso setting too, which is a first from Breville.
One thing to note with this machine is that the sheer number of automated features will mean it's very easy to tick the most important box for home espresso lovers, which is consistency. Constantly having to switch up your settings is irritating for the majority of home users.
The Oracle Jet makes it easy to dial in new beans for optimized espresso with every bag you buy, but it mitigates so many of the factors that can mess up your shot. Like the Ninja Luxe, it makes you feel involved in every step, but does the hard stuff for you.
Milk
This coffee maker has a smart temperature tracker built into the steam wand itself, so it tracks the temperature of your milk (whether you steam by hand or use its automatic settings) and will stop once it hits the right heat for your choice of milk. And yes, it even adjusts this for oat, almond or other alternative milk drinks, meaning you won't ever burn your oat milk latte.
Due to the smart control panel, you can scroll and select your desired milk-based drink and the steam wand will automatically adjust the texture of the milk steaming for the perfect consistency for your drink of choice. It's so impressive that the machine can do this completely hands-free.
If I'm being picky, the slightly thicker steam wand (compared to the Breville Barista Touch) results in an ever so slightly less fine microfoam. It's still perfect for pouring latte art or topping up a cappuccino, but you might need to tap your pitcher against your kitchen counter to remove any surface-level bubbles.
Read our full Breville Oracle Jet review
Best espresso machine for steaming milk
The KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder is the entry-level option in KitchenAid's line of coffee makers. It's a mid-price, high-quality option, but it lacks a lot of the automated features you'll see from options like Breville and De'Longhi.
Where is really stands out is its hightly capable steam wand. Reviewer Erin made latte after latte and said it's as close as she's come to a professional-standard wand since she worked in a coffee shop.
This machine is ideal for those who understand the foundations of coffee and are either ready for an upgraded machine or want to take the plunge and learn from scratch with a quality manual machine that lets you take the reigns.
The full review
Grinder
Erin found that grinding volumes took some trial and error with this machine. It offers "smart dosing technology", but she found it much easier to manually input the volumes of coffee she needed for single and double portafilters. It's good you get the option though, something that makes this machine accessible to a range of experience levels.
The burr grinder maxed out at 70.2dB in testing, which is pretty quiet compared to the likes of the Ninja Luxe. You'll need to do all the tamping yourself, so it could be a little messy, but we liked how the portaflter lies flat on kitchen surfaces, which will make tamping evenly a lot easier.
Coffee
Erin made some fantastic espresso in this machine. Shots came out loaded with fluffy caramel crema, and tasted brilliantly full-bodied. We also thought it did a great job of brewing back-to-back espresso shots without needing to reset its internal temperature, which is a premium feature you won't find from the likes of the Casabrews manual espresso machine.
There's a pressure gauge included with this machine. Like any pressure gauge, it's a good indication of whether your shot is pulling correctly, but you'll need a basic understanding of coffee fundamentals to troubleshoot if it's going wrong. Unlike the Breville Oracle Jet or Ninja Luxe, it won't tell you to change your grind size or time how long your shot takes to guide you in correcting it.
If you drink long coffee, there's also a hot water dispenser on offer, which can top up your espresso to make an Americano. Another interesting feature is the three temperature levels on offer, which is something I don't see in many espresso machines. Typically you won't get to control this unless you're willing to modify your espresso machine.
Milk
The steam wand was the standout winner for this machine. Erin said it's the closest she's come to professional espresso machines since she worked in a coffee shop. High praise indeed!
The steam wand is fast and powerful, perfectly capable of creating the ideal microfoam. It also heats up fast, pulls a lot of pressure, and can create a velvety microfoam in under a minute. If you love latte art, this is a great option.
Read our full KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder review.
Best looking espresso machine
Part of the appeal of espresso machines is the charm they can bring to your kitchen. So if you're aesthetically-driven but still want a decent performer, that's ok!
If you’re a fan of the retro glam aesthetic of Smeg’s range of 1950s-inspired home appliances, you may want to consider the Smeg EGF03 Espresso Machine with Grinder. This semi-automatic machine looks right at home with all other Smeg products and could give your kitchen a bit of pizzazz.
The machine is manual, but a bit like the KitchenAid Semi Automatic, there's some useful features such as automated dosing and pre-set single and double shots that should make that learning curve a little easier for beginners. This is a consistent performer that will deliver shot after shot of tasty coffee, but you'll need to get a little hands-on for the ideal extraction.
The full review
Grinder
We loved the single- and dual-walled portafilters that produced a layered, decadent espresso shot and the reliable grinder with 15 sizes that dosed the same amount every time. This was a notable advantage over the KitchenAid Semi-Automatic, which had a bit less consistency in the grinder dosing department.
Of the 15 grind sizes, we got on best with number 7. This suggests that the machine could go a lot finer for certain roasts, which is useful for those who want to mix up the beans they use.
Espresso
The espresso extraction is reliable, too, meaning you’ll get the same amount of espresso with every use. This reliability is great because you’ll be able to experiment with different grind sizes and tamping pressure so you can find the best coffee for your taste.
Erin made some seriously tasty espresso with this machine. It was frothy and rich with a complex flavor that paired very well with steamed milk. One qualm for coffee purists is that the double shot pulled more than twice the volume of coffee we got from a single, but for the average user, this won't be a problem. We barely even noticed ourselves.
Milk
If you’re a latte art nerd, too, the powerful 20 bar pressure in the EGF03 machine means you’ll be an expert in no time. It’s so easy to make velvety smooth milk that isn’t frothy or wet — the ideal in-between. We were able to get perfect latte art with this machine.
If you want a stylish, effective coffee machine and don’t mind spending over $1,000 to get it, the Smeg EGF03 is a fantastic option. Just be warned — you can get the same quality of coffee for less if you look at the likes of the Ninja or De'Longhi machines featured in this guide.
Read our full Smeg EGF03 Espresso Machine review
Best for espresso enthusiasts
Most of this guide is geared towards the average home brewer, but if you want to take it to the next level, the Rancilio Silvia V6 is our recommendation. It was tested by our Reviews Editor Peter, a former chef and serious coffee-lover who doesn't mind taking the time to craft coffee the old-fashioned way.
This machine lacks a lot of the assists you'll find with Breville and De'Longhi machines. There's no PID, no thermoblock, and you'll have to start and stop the extraction yourself.
The plus side of this is that you get complete control over your shot of coffee. Some machines try and steer you because they assume they know better, but if you've got the know-how, this machine will leave you to it and not intervene.
The full review
Grinder
There's no grinder to be seen here. You'll want to pair this compact espresso machine with a quality home grinder such as the Eureka Mignon Specialita, which just so happens to be the grinder we used during testing.
Espresso
As I said, this machine leaves all the hard work to you. It's a single-boiler without a PID. What does this mean? Well, it heats up the entire tank instead of the amount of water needed for a specific dose, and it won't monitor and adjust the temperature of your coffee during extraction. You can add a PID if you choose to modify this machine, but if you go as is, you're temperature-surfing to hit the optimum extraction.
With some trial and error though, Peter hit his stride with the Silvia. After some experimentation he said he was "actually a little taken aback at how nice espresso shots tasted." If you've got a refined palate and espresso known-how, this could be a good option.
Milk
Peter made some brilliant lattes in this machine. Its steam wand is more powerful than any other in this guide, because (like a commercial machine) it works with a boiler to hit high pressure on-demand.
This means you'll be able to create glossy microfoam for a flat white or cappuccino in a matter of seconds. It'll make your Breville look sluggish. However, as you're working with one boiler, you'll need to 'purge' your machine to get rid of the overheated water after milk steaming is finished. The temperature will be too high to go back to brewing espressos.
Read our full Rancilio Silvia (V6) review
Meet the testing team
I'm pretty cagey with who I let review espresso machines for Tom's Guide. When I bought my first espresso machine, I couldn't tell if my failure to get a good espresso out of my fancy new gadget was the machine's fault, or human error. If I'd written a review of that machine, it wouldn't have been very fair on the reader, or the machine!
But now I've got five years of testing, well over 30 coffee machine reviews, and a Specialty Coffee Association qualification under my belt. My friends are always asking me questions about coffee, why their machine isn't working for them, or which they should buy, so I'd like to think I can be that person to our readers, too.
Fortunately, at Tom's Guide, I'm not alone. We've got a brilliant team of experienced testers with almost 20 years of coffee expertise between us.
I'm Tom's Guide's Senior Home Editor, I've been testing and reviewing espresso machines for five years. In my years of testing I've had the chance to travel to the De'Longhi HQ in Italy, where I got to watch espresso machines being made right in front of my eyes.
I've been to coffee tasting sessions hosted by major brands such as Lavazza and Pact Coffee's in-house experts, and I've even recently completed a Specialty Coffee Association foundation-level Barista Skills qualification, meaning I could probably get a job in a coffee shop if testing coffee makers ever gets old.
Most importantly, this experience taught me the difference between human error and poor machine performance, which puts me in the perfect position to assess which espresso machines are actually worth the money.
As a former barista (and current product tester), I've spent a lot of time getting hands-on with espresso machines.
After a combined three years at two of the biggest coffee chains and a year at an artisan independent coffee shop, I can detect a well-balanced shot when I taste it, and can also interpret the culprit behind a poor extraction, be it low pressure, grind size, or poor temperature controls.
Spending three years making hundreds of coffees a day might make a person gag at the sight of lattes, but coffee still holds a special place in my heart.
My favorite drink is an oat milk flat white, made with Kenyan or Ethiopian beans.
I’m Tom’s Guide's Reviews Editor and I’ve been an espresso enthusiast for almost a decade now.
As a former chef, I started using commercial espresso machines to make tiramisu while working in an Italian restaurant, and that’s where my fascination with 9-bar pressure began. And it hasn’t stopped since.
Fun fact: every job I’ve held since has given me access to espresso machines — oddly enough, that includes when I worked at an energy company, where we had a commercial Expobar machine plumbed into the office kitchen!
These days, I spend large chunks of my day testing out the latest and greatest coffee gear, from coffee grinders and weighing scales through to pour-over drippers and, of course, espresso machines.
I’ve used home espresso machines from Breville/Sage, Rancilio, Gaggia, De’Longhi, Diletta and more. Through my years of testing (and tasting), I have the experience to know when a machine performs as it should and whether or not it’s worth your hard-earned cash.
Also tested
We test a ton of coffee gear at Tom's Guide, and not everything can make it to the final guide. If I don't include something, that doesn't necessarily mean we don't recommend it, so if none of the machines listed above take your fancy, you might get along better with one of these tried-and-tested options.
How do espresso machines work?
If you’re completely new to espresso machines, the thing you have to ask yourself is: “how much time do I want to spend, how much skill do I have, and how much am I prepared to put into this?"
Lucy Dunstan, Product Manager at SMEG
I posed this question to Lucy Dunstan, Product Manager at SMEG and La Pavoni. “It’s quite simple really, it’s all about extracting the flavor from your coffee,” she told me.
“There’s a scientific process for making an espresso. It has to be between 88 and 93°C [190 to 200°F], you have to put about 9 bars of pressure on it, and you want to extract between 25 and 30ml of liquid. So what all these machines do is offer a way of controlling that process.”
There are so many variables that stand between your machine and a perfect espresso. This includes the beans you use, how you grind them, the volume of grounds in your portafilter, the pressure you use when tamping, the temperature stability of your machine, the water pressure exerted, the volume of water pushed into your puck… that’s a non-exhaustive list, and it’s before we even get into milk steaming!
There are so many variables that stand between your machine and a perfect espresso
Here’s what I wish I’d known when I bought my first espresso machine: The more automated features you opt for, the fewer variables you’ll need to worry about. “Sometimes with espresso machines, an entry-level price will actually require more skill,” says Dunstan.
“If you’re completely new to espresso machines, the thing you have to ask yourself is: how much time do I want to spend, how much skill do I have, and how much am I prepared to put into this? So you’re either someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to spend on making your coffee, or you want to delve into that world where you’re getting hands-on."
Why are espresso machines so expensive?
There's an unfortunate irony with espresso machines. You can get good espresso with a cheaper machine, but to do so, you'll need to learn the ins and outs of how these machines work. For the entry-level buyer without much knowledge, you'll often have to spend a lot more on a super-capable machine that will take all the hard work out of the equation.
It doesn't make much sense, right? Coffee enthusiasts can get away with spending $200 on a basic espresso machine because they've got the skill to use it properly, but if you're just dipping your toes in the water? Well, prepare to spend at least $500. It's no wonder why so many people opt for a pod machine like a Keurig or a Nespresso!
Fortunately, the market is catching up. An increasing amount of espresso machines feature assisted settings that will remove some of the variables that can mess up your espresso. This includes automated grinding that controls the volume of coffee dispensed into your portafilter, automated tamping for an even pressure, and even hands-free steam wands that will texture your milk for you.
The majority of the machines I've included in this machine fit into this automatic category in some sense. I think they're the best option for most people, allowing you to learn as you use the machine and get hands-on if you wish, but also taking the reins when you just want a low-effort espresso.
Espresso machine FAQs
Why does pressure matter?
You'll see in the products included I've mentioned how many bars of pressure they each have, but what does this mean, and does it even matter? Well, the short answer is no. You won't necessarily see a better extraction from a machine with 20 bars over a machine with 15. This is because the ideal pressure needed for espresso is 9 bars.
I asked Luke Lane, Training & Events Manager for Sage Appliances, to explain the significance of pressure for espresso machines. "You want to hit 9 bars for optimal extraction," he told me.
"If the pressure is too low, you'll bring out grassy flavors. The pressure won't bring out the sugars from your beans.
"Too high, and your coffee will have a bitter, burnt taste."
If all you need to make a great espresso is 9 bars of pressure, so I asked Lane why so many espresso machines have more?
"Think of it like a car," Lane told me. "You don't want to drive it at top speed all the time, but driving in a comfortable range of what your car is capable of will mean it's not constantly being run flat-out."
He explained that despite the maximum pressure of any machine, they'll use OPVs (which stands for over pressure valves) to keep espresso extraction running at a consistent 9 bars of pressure.
So, while higher pressure doesn't necessarily mean a machine is any better, you might not want to buy a machine with a maximum output of 9 bars, or it could lead to a shorter lifespan for your machine.
Why does basket size matter?
Most espresso machines will come with four baskets: two single and two double, with a mix of double-walled and single-walled constructions. I'll explain the difference between single-walled and double-walled below, but what's the significance of your basket size and capacity?
Luke Lane, Training & Events Manager for Sage Appliances, explained it to me: "There are two main basket widths: 54mm, which features on Sage / Breville's Barista range, and 58mm, which features on our Jet range."
"58mm is considered to be commercial-grade. The larger and shallower basket will give you marginally better results because you're more easily able to permeate all of the grounds inside your basket."
After testing countless espresso machines, I don't think my palette is quite so attuned that I could turn my nose up at an espresso from a 54mm basket. But it's useful to know if you want to replace or upgrade any parts of your machine what size portafilter baskets the group head will fit.
Should I use single-walled or double-walled baskets?
Single-walled and double-walled baskets, also known respectively as unpressurized and pressurized, are included with your espresso machine to give you options. As a general rule of thumb, you'll get better results from a pressurized basket if you're using pre-ground coffee. It will help you overcome some of the shortcomings of a grind size that's too coarse, or coffee that's less fresh. But if you want to taste the authentic flavor of your fresh-ground beans, a single-walled basket is the way to go.
In our reviews, we always use fresh-ground coffee, so we stick to single-walled baskets for the majority of our testing.
When I asked him to explain how pressurized baskets work, Luke Lane, Training & Events Manager for Sage Appliances, said "Think of a group of people running down a hall and having to go through a door." He explained, "That's what the double-walled basket does. It creates pressure by restricting the flow of your coffee, forcing it to build up more flavor and crema than you'd have been able to achieve with a less fresh coffee."
We've done a thorough explainer on this in our guide to pressurized coffee baskets — how do they work and when should you use them? The short answer? They can act as a cheat code to a better espresso if you're not working with the ideal gear, but a machine with an in-built grinder shouldn't need one.
What is the difference between a single boiler, double boiler, and thermoblock?
The vast majority of domestic espresso machines use thermoblock technology to heat water on demand. But how does it work, and what are the pros and cons?
There are very few single boiler machines on the market, but the Rancilio Silvia is one of them. Boiler machines will heat your water and keep it at temperature for as and when you decide to use it. A single-boiler uses one boiler for both the group head and the steam wand, which require different temperatures and therefore will need to you purge excess hot water as you use different elements of the machine.
Dual boilers have one boiler for the group head, and another for your steam wand. They're not super popular for domestic, and I've not included a dual-boiler in this guide. They have a higher energy consumption because they keep your water hot for more precision and stability.
What about thermoblock? I asked Lucy Dunstan, Product Manager at SMEG and La Pavoni, to explain. “A thermoblock is a heated metal block with one or more pipes running through it that will rapidly heat water on demand," she explained.
"They’re usually very compact so they don’t take up much space, meaning they can be fitted in smaller machines, and they’re more energy efficient [than a dual boiler].”
“So the advantage is that they’re fast, small, and energy-efficient. The disadvantage is that they offer less temperature consistency than a dual boiler machine.
"And they can, over time, be susceptible to limescale, so they may not last as long. Whereas if you buy a dual boiler La Pavoni machine, and you look after it, I’d expect it to last you a lifetime.”
