Best espresso machines 2024

Fresh brewed espresso
(Image credit: Future)

The best espresso machines will produce a perfectly balanced shot full of flavor, body and aroma. And if you enjoy drinking your cup of Joe in its purest form, you should expect a liquid that doesn’t taste bitter or burnt, with a thick layer of crema on top. Besides delivering a smooth drink, the espresso machine needs to be convenient and quick to use, with an intuitive control panel. Not to mention quiet in operation for those early morning brews. If you love to drink latte or have a taste for espresso or ristretto, this will be the best coffee maker for you. 

A far cry from even the best Keurig coffee makers or best Nespresso machines, espresso machines take pure ground coffee (some even grind it themselves) and subject it to high pressure, extracting lovely, creamy espresso that can be paired with milk for a latte or cappuccino, or sipped as a morning pick-me-up. 

To help you decide, we’ve selected a range of the best espresso machines. Tested at home, each machine brewed several expressos to assess speed, consistency, temperature, and, most importantly, flavor. And, if a milk frother was included, we tested this too. We also judged ease of use, considering the control panel and assess to the water tank, noise and of course, value for money.  So if you want to find one suitable for your needs, lifestyle and budget, here are the best espresso machines right now.

The quick list

Here’s the best espresso machines you can buy right now based on our testing and reviews. Scroll on for our full in-depth reviews.

The best espresso machines you can buy today

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Best overall

The best espresso machine overall

Specifications

Dimensions: 12.6 x 11.8 x 7.7 inches
Materials: Stainless steel
Capacity: 64 fluid ounces
Settings: 1 and 2 cups and steam
Removable water reservoir: Yes
Pressure: 15 bar pump
Milk frother: Yes
Grinder: No
Accessories: Tamper, Trimming tool, milk pitcher, and cleaning tools

Reasons to buy

+
Compact size
+
Good-looking design
+
Easy to use
+
Consistently good espresso

Reasons to avoid

-
No hot water spout
-
No grinder
-
Filter basket has a tendency to stick

The Breville Bambino Plus impressed us in our testing, consistently producing high quality espresso and offering an excellent automatic milk frother for that extra professional finishing touch. It's difficult to produce a bad coffee from this particular espresso machine, and with a speedy three second heat up time you'll be enjoying a fantastically brewed shot in no time at all. 

Espresso

Although some will prefer to have an espresso machine with a built-in grinder, many coffee fanatics prefer to buy this separately, and choose to pair the grinder of their choice with the Bambino Plus, which produces very high-quality espresso without taking up too much counter-space. 

Like many of the best espresso machines, you can adjust the espresso settings for a shorter or longer shot, however the adjustable pre-infusion settings here are particularly impressive. 

Milk 

We had no difficulty using this steam wand manually to create a consistent micro-foam, but what really impressed us was the MilQ Plus setting. 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. 

Read our full Breville / Sage Bambino Plus review.

Best semi-automatic

Best semi-automatic espresso machine

Specifications

Dimensions: 12.99 in L x 13.39 in W x 14.57 in H
Capacity: 70 oz
Settings : Espresso, Cold Brew, Drip Coffee
Removable water reservior: Yes
Pressure: 14 bar
Milk frother: Yes
Grinder: Yes
Accessories: Milk Jug, Double Basket, Luxe Basket, Assisted Tamper, Funnel

Reasons to buy

+
Automatic and manual steaming 
+
Assisted tamper and funnel included 
+
Makes cold brew and drip coffee, too
+
Steam wand purges automatically 

Reasons to avoid

-
No single shot filter included 
-
No pressure gauge 

The Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series is one of the most exciting recent espresso machine launches, and it lives up to the hype. Our reviewer found that it got the balance right between beginner-friendly design and technical efficiency, featuring 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. 

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. Noise level is about average, but a little whiny compared to the likes of premium machines like Jura. The grinder works on a weight-based system and features an integrated scale, which is a pretty smart feature for a $500 machine. Interestingly though, it doesn't do single shots. 

Espresso

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. The machine includes an assisted tamper to compress grounds, and it pre-infuses your shot to ensure an even extraction. 

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. 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. Another bonus is that it can also make cold foam, which is quite rare for an espresso machine.

Read our full Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series review

Best budget espresso machine

A great budget espresso machine

Specifications

Dimensions: 12.3 x 12 x 5.9 inches
Materials: Stainless steel, plastic
Capacity: 31 ounces
Settings: 1 and 2 shot, steam
Removable water reservoir: Yes
Pressure: 20 bar pump
Milk frother: Yes
Grinder: No
Accessories: Tamper and cleaning tools

Reasons to buy

+
Compact
+
Inexpensive
+
Makes good coffee

Reasons to avoid

-
Steam a bit tricky to use
-
Can’t use super-fine grounds

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

Espresso

Our espresso had plenty of body and flavor. Of course, because there's no in-built grinder, you're going to want to invest in a coffee grinder if you want a really brilliant brew, as packaged coffee grounds don't dazzle the way a freshly ground bean will. Still, 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. 

Milk

The steam wand also lacks the bells and whistles of a more expensive machine, but was certainly capable of getting the job done. It took a little longer than most machines to pre-heat, and once it was in full flow it made quite a bit of noise, but we were able to get a good quality foam once it got going.

Read our full Casabrews Espresso Machine CM5418 review

Best beginner espresso machine

Best beginner espresso machine

Specifications

Dimensions: 14.9 x 12.9 x 16.1 inches
Materials: Stainless steel
Capacity: 1.75 liters
Settings: One or two shots, hot water, steam
Removable water reservoir: Yes
Pressure: 15 PSI
Milk frother: Yes
Grinder: Yes
Accessories: Tamper, trimming tool, milk pitcher, cleaning tools, four baskets

Reasons to buy

+
Attractive design
+
Makes excellent espresso 
+
Great customization options

Reasons to avoid

-
No low-water warning 
-
It takes up a lot of counter space

If you’re a budding coffee connoisseur and customization is a top priority, we recommend the Breville Barista Express. This machine looks stunning on display with its stainless steel finish and visible pressure gauge. Not only that, it delivers too.

Grinding 

We love the customization this machine allows for. You can set the coarseness of the grounds as well as the quantity to a precise degree via two separate dials. Through this, you can adjust gradually until you find your perfect settings. It’s a nice touch that the tamper is held in place via a magnet on the underside of the control panel. This keeps things tidy. 

Coffee

Four portafilter baskets lets you switch between single and double shots, with single and double-walled options — should you use pre-ground coffee. On test, we found this espresso machine performed consistently, delivering a high-quality flavor and texture of espresso complete with a thick layer of crema. It’s quick to work too, although it will need 1-2 minutes to warm up at first. 

Milk

The Breville Barista Express can produce lattes and cappuccinos with the use of the built-in steam wand as well. We found the milk was foamy and creamy, with a decent level of froth after steaming. Should you prefer tea, it can dispense hot water directly from here as well. 

Bear in mind, this is a sizable machine, and it will take up a decent amount of counter space. We also noticed that there’s no low-water warning, which is a shame, but it’s not a deal breaker. Ultimately, if you’re happy to spend the money, and you want an espresso machine that looks as good as it performs, this is the one to get.  

Read our full Breville Barista Express review

Best luxury espresso machine

5. Jura ENA8

Best premium espresso machine

Specifications

Dimensions: 10.7"D x 17.5"W x 12.7"H
Materials: Stainless steel
Capacity: 37 oz
Settings : Espresso, Cordado, Coffee, Cappuccino, Flat White, Latte Macchiatto, 2x Espresso, 2x Coffee, Milk Foam, Cappuccino Extra Shot, Flat White Extra Shot, Latte Macchiato Extra Shot, Espresso Doppio, Caffe Barista, Hot Water
Removable water reservior: Yes
Pressure: 15 bar
Milk frother: Yes, sold separately
Grinder: Yes
Accessories: Vertuo capsules starter set

Reasons to buy

+
Quiet grinding and brewing
+
Excellent flavor profile 
+
Looks and feels premium 
+
Modern design
+
Relatively streamline

Reasons to avoid

-
Milk frother sold separately
-
No automatic milk dispenser cleaning

Jura is the gold standard of bean-to-cup coffee machines. While some entry-level alternatives are a bit boxy, this gently curved option places user experience at the forefront. Grinding was whisper-quiet, brewing fast but considered, and the espresso was immensely high-quality considering it came from a does-it-all machine. 

While the ENA8 is expensive at around $1,500 minimum, it's not out of place in the espresso machine market, and coffee fanatics will tell you that there are many more expensive options out there that offer a lot less in terms of functionality. 

Grinder 

Some people are nervous to embark on an espresso machine with a hidden grinder. The ENA8's grinder sits towards the back of the machine, and both the grinding and tamping process take place deep inside the machine, meaning we couldn't inspect the grounds for consistency. However, adjusting is easy enough, and we noted that the process was supremely quiet throughout. 

Espresso

What sets this machine apart is the quality of its espresso. It remains the best quality espresso our Senior Home Editor Millie has tried, over a year after testing it. Each shot we poured was nuanced, bringing out the notes of any beans we threw its way. If you drink coffee for the taste, not the caffeine, you'll love this machine. 

Milk

With the ENA8 you don't need to worry about grinding and tamping your beans or fiddling with grind size. It does all that for you, and while you need to buy this separately, you can also steam milk by plugging a milk container into the side of the dispenser. The micro-foam from this dispenser was sturdy yet smooth, and we liked the added touch of the lights under the dispenser switching to white when milk was being steamed. 

Our only complaint is that cleaning your milk tube can be fiddly. Some alternatives automatically flush out this tube to prevent it from clogging up, but we had to rinse the residue from this manually to prevent the milk from going bad and impacting our next drink. 

Best compact espresso machine

Best premium option for a compact space

Specifications

Dimensions: 11 x 13 x 6 inches
Materials: Plastic and stainless steel
Capacity: 50.7 fluid ounces
Settings: 1 and 2 shots, hot water, steam and clean cycle
Removable water reservoir: Yes
Pressure: 15 bar pump
Milk frother: Yes
Grinder: No
Accessories: Milk pitcher, coffee scoop, tamper, single and double wall baskets for one and two shots (four in total)

Reasons to buy

+
Attractive, streamlined and compact design
+
Easy to use
+
Produces delicious espresso

Reasons to avoid

-
Plastic exterior lacks quality
-
Cups vibrate out of place when brewing

The sleek and glamorous look of the KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine means it will suit any modern kitchen. It features a compact design and at 15 lbs it’s easy enough to move around. 

Our only real qualm with this espresso machine is that an aptly sized espresso cup can easily vibrate out of place when pouring. You either need to hold it in place (not ideal from a safety perspective), or use a larger, heavier cup to avoid this issue. Other than that, we loved the design of the KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine. It gives you the opportunity to be more involved in the espresso-making process, including measuring out and tamping down the ground coffee yourself. Bear in mind it comes with a plastic exterior though, which might not be what you expect from this brand.      

Coffee

When we put it to the test, we found it produced nothing but delicious espresso from ground coffee, complete with a thick layer of crema and a delectable aroma. It couldn’t be more straightforward to operate either, with four buttons to control everything, from the size of the shot, to the water hardness level and temperature. There’s a useful clean cycle here to help with descaling as well. 

Milk

This espresso machine offers some basic functions in addition to pouring espresso — it can produce steam and boiling water via the steam wand, meaning it can froth milk as well as pour water for hot tea. It was more than adequate in both of these areas, although we thought the steaming lacked a little power compared to the market-leaders, so it could take a bit longer to get the consistency you're looking for. 

Read our full KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine review

Best fully automatic espresso machine

A user-friendly latte maker

Specifications

Dimensions: 9.7 x 14.6 x 17 inches
Materials: Plastic
Capacity: 61 ounces
Settings: Espresso, coffee, latte, Americano, and hot water
Removable water reservoir: Yes
Pressure: 15 bar pump
Milk frother: Yes
Grinder: Yes
Accessories: Scoop and water filter

Reasons to buy

+
Thoughtful design
+
Easy to clean
+
Simple to use

Reasons to avoid

-
Coffee kind of weak
-
Milk foam could be denser

The Philips 3200 Series doesn’t come cheap, but it brings a lot to the table. This espresso machine lets the user create beverages which would usually require barista-level experience at the push of a button. It comes with several settings, including espresso, hot water, cappuccino, coffee, latte macchiato and americano. Plus there’s the option to customize your selection by strength, size and the amount of steamed milk. 

Coffee

When we tried it out for ourselves, we found the coffee it produced tasted good and was not overly bitter. While we were generally pleased with the results, it could have tasted stronger. This was even the case when we adjusted it to its finest grind setting. The quality of the crema was on the thin-side too. For this reason we wouldn’t recommend this machine to anyone who likes their coffee to pack a punch.

Milk  

We found similar results after steaming milk as well — while it held its form, it wasn’t as dense as it could have been. However, while the overall performance was somewhat average, operation couldn’t be much more straightforward. And with the attachments being easy to remove and clean (the LatteGo parts can even go in the dishwasher), it’s a nice offering if you value simplicity above all. 

Read our full Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine w/ LatteGo review

Best smart espresso machine

Brew cups remotely or on schedule with an app

Specifications

Dimensions: 17.5 x 10.9 x 14.4
Water capacity: 75 fl oz
Pump pressure (bar): 19
Weight: 29.5 pounds
Grind adjustment levels: 5

Reasons to buy

+
Unique drink customization feature
+
Attractive design with front accessing and loading for all functionality
+
Seriously quiet operation compared to the competition
+
Gorgeous 5-inch touchscreen and app interface with smarts
+
Huge range of brewing options, including drip coffee

Reasons to avoid

-
Small water tank
-
Milk hose is annoying to remove

Thanks to its smarts, the TK-02 is the coffee machine for everyone. The built-in touchscreen lets you touch a drink from the menu and automatically starts brewing. This eliminates the most tedious parts of creating flavorful coffee, so anyone can quickly order up or create a delicious drink and go about their day. Enthusiasts willing to forego manual controls can dive deep into the digital settings to adjust dosage, pressure, brew temperatures, and more. 

It’s not the cheapest machine out there, but it's a worthy investment if you value both aesthetics and performance—and you’re tired of dealing with manual controls and pods. Not only can you schedule it to wake up to cafe-quality specialty coffee without lifting a finger, but the machine even shows you how much money you save with each cup. This pulls a perfect shot every time. It has several settings, including an exclusive drip coffee that tastes absolutely fantastic in the iced coffee setting. You can use the app or built-in touchscreen to customize your selection by strength, size, and the amount of steamed milk. 

Coffee

When we tried it out for ourselves, we found the coffee roasted evenly without getting too acidic or punchy for our pallet—even at stronger settings. It will surely give you a kick when set to its finest grind setting but overall you can extract a wide range of flavors from the same bag of beans. 

Milk  

Outside of the baseline setting the milk foam quality is either a bit too thin or thick. The attachments are easy enough to setup and use, but removing the hose and cleaning it can get old fast due to the extra care the removal process needs. 

Read our full TK-02 Connected Super Automatic Espresso Machine review

How we tested the best espresso machines

We tested every espresso machine for ourselves, factoring in different types and styles to suit different circumstances. We brewed a selection of beverages, considering the speed and efficiency of the process and the flavor of the result. We also made a note of any strengths and weaknesses of the model, including the effectiveness of the milk frother and the ease of filling and emptying the grounds. As a result, we can say with confidence that that this list accurately reflects the performance of each machine. These are the best espresso machines you will find. 

Which type of coffee maker should you buy? Check out our guide if you're unsure. We've also tested the best travel coffee mugs, if you're looking for a to-go cup.   

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Specifications compared
Row 0 - Cell 0 TypeSettingsWater capacity (oz)Pressure (bar pump)Milk frotherGrinderAccessories
Breville Bambino PlusEspresso machine (ground)1 or 2 cups and steam6415YesNoTamper, trimming tool, milk pitcher and cleaning tools
Ninja Luxe CaféEspresso machine (semi-automatic)Espresso, Cold Brew, Drip Coffee7014YesYesMilk Jug, Double Basket, Luxe Basket, Assisted Tamper, Funnel
Jura ENA8Espresso (bean to cup) Espresso, Cordado, Coffee, Cappuccino, Flat White, Latte Macchiatto, 2x Espresso, 2x Coffee, Milk Foam, Cappuccino Extra Shot, Flat White Extra Shot, Latte Macchiato Extra Shot, Espresso Doppio, Caffe Barista, Hot Water3715Sold SeparatelyYesWater filter
Breville Barista ExpressEspresso machine (bean or ground)1 or 2 cups, hot water and steam6715YesYesTamper, trimming tool, milk pitcher, cleaning tools
KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso MachineEspresso machine (ground)Single/Double espresso, hot water and steam50.715YesNoMilk pitcher, coffee scoop and tamper
Philips 3200 Series LatteGoEspresso machine (bean or ground)Espresso, coffee, latte, Americano and hot water6115YesYesScoop and water filter
Casabrews Espresso MachineEspresso machine (ground)Single/Double espresso, hot water and steam3120YesNoMilk pitcher, coffee scoop and tamper
Terra Kaffe TK-02Espresso (bean to cup) Thousands of recipes7519YesYesAll included

How to choose the best espresso machine

Selecting the best espresso machines for you comes down to 3 considerations: how much space you have in your kitchen, the size of your budget, and how much work you want to put into the brewing process.

Below we describe the four types of machines so you can decide which is best for you.

Manual: These handsome and expensive machines have a lever that you pull to deliver a shot of espresso. With a manual espresso maker, you have complete control and can produce your ideal cup but also have the best chance of messing up. We think that they’re best left to professionals or serious coffee connoisseurs.

Semiautomatic: This type, which has an electric pump is the most popular. It allows you to do the grinding and  tamping yourself  but the motor gives consistent flow and pressure.  You control the quantity of espresso in your cup by stopping the extraction process. Most semiautomatics have a steam wand or other mechanism for heating and frothing milk and some have a built-in grinder as well. Those without a grinder are generally the most compact and least expensive. You can find a good machine in this category for under $500.

Fully Automatic: With a fully automatic espresso maker, even the amount of water is determined by the machine. All you have to do is fill it with beans and press a button and the machine delivers your drink of choice whether it’s an espresso or a latte macchiato. Many do give you the opportunity to customize the grind, the temperature, the strength, and/or the amount to your liking. Virtually all feature steamers and burr grinders. Because they have so many features these machines will take up the most space in your kitchen and come with the highest price tags.

Capsule: The machines provide the ultimate convenience. You pop a capsule in, press a button and you get a cup of espresso topped with a layer of crema. The only thing you have to do is keep a supply of coffee capsules on hand and fill the tank with water. Choose from a variety of configurations and models with and without on-board frothers or steaming wands. Capsule espresso makers aren’t cheap but won’t set you back as much as a fully automatic model. 

Other features to consider

In shopping for an espresso maker, you’ll also hear a lot about Bar Pump Pressure.  An espresso machine requires pressure to extract flavor from finely ground coffee. The pressure in pump machines is measured in bars or units of atmospheric pressure. Although 8 to 9 bars is considered sufficient, most machines, including all of our best espresso machines, have at least 15-bar pumps.

In addition to the built-in conveniences mentioned above, like burr grinders and steam wands, many espresso machines also come with some added accessories, like scoops and tampers to get your measurements just right. All of these extras and more are highlighted in our selections above.

Espresso machine FAQs

Is an espresso machine worth it?

If you want the freedom to experiment with nearly everything about your coffee's brewing process, an espresso machine is absolutely worth it. Even if you're a beginner looking to produce cafe-style drinks from the comfort of your own kitchen, there's plenty of value in an all-in-one home setup. These days, the best espresso machines pack a wide range of features but also cater to varying skill levels, so you can gradually grow more confident in experimenting over time. 

If, however, you just want a simple cup of coffee and don't have time to grind your own beans, fill your brew basket, tamp, pre-infuse, and froth your milk, then it might be worth sticking with a drip machine or pod coffee maker. There is a little extra effort involved when brewing from an espresso machine, not including the sometimes fiddly cleaning schedule. 

How do you maintain an espresso machine?

To ensure that your espresso machine functions well for as long as possible, it must be regularly maintained and kept clean. There are a few main areas to look for:

Water reservoir
Over time, minerals and sediments can build up inside the water tubes in your espresso machine, which will lessen the amount of water that can get though. It's important to know how to descale a coffee maker to remove this buildup. 

Drip tray
Most espresso machines will have a drip tray that catches excess water and coffee grounds. You should clean this out regularly to avoid bacteria from growing in the water. 

Milk foamer/frother
If you make a lot of lattes or cappuccinos, chances are you're using the steam function on your espresso machine. You should wipe this clean after each use to prevent milk residue from accumulating and hardening. 

Used coffee grounds
Some espresso machines will deposit used coffee grounds in an internal storage area, while others will require you to dispose of the grounds after each use. Instead of throwing the grounds in the trash, use them in your garden: they're great for composting. 

When should you replace an espresso machine?

The best espresso machines typically come with a one or two year warranty and stay in operation anywhere from 7 to 10 years. As you would expect, an expensive fully automatic model will last the longest. When you buy a machine, don’t spring for an extended warranty. It’s unlikely that it will cost less than repairing your machine during its lifetime. 

Among the things you’ll notice when your machine breaks down is that stops building up pressure or your espresso doesn’t come out as hot as it used to. These problems could be indicative of a faulty pump or heating element that isn’t worth fixing. If you bring it in for a repair and are quoted a price that is over 50% of the cost of a new unit, we recommend buying a replacement. To keep your machine in good working order as long as possible, be sure to clean your coffee maker thoroughly. Defer to the instruction manual for this, as well as information on regular maintenance on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis. 

When you buy a new espresso machine, you’ll also find features available that aren’t offered on older models. Electronic displays, hot water spouts, and frothed milk dispensers are now common. Steam wands have been improved so that they are easier to use and give better foaming. Whether you like the convenience of premeasured pods of coffee or want a machine that grinds beans for each dose of coffee, you can now find more machines to meet your needs.  

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity are still rarely available on espresso machines with the exception of smart coffeemakers from Nespresso. They allow you to control the machine and get alerts when you’re running low on capsules on an app on your mobile device.  

Millie Fender
Senior Homes Editor

Millie is the Senior Home Editor at Tom's Guide. She's been reviewing home tech for over five years, testing everything from coffee makers to the latest vacuum cleaners. Starting out in 2019 as a Staff Writer at TopTenReviews, Millie then moved on to Future's Homes portfolio, where she eventually oversaw all product testing as Head of Reviews.

With particular expertise in cookware and kitchen appliances, you'll struggle to find an air fryer Millie's not tested. She's traveled the world reporting on the latest home innovations and product launches, learning how to use pizza ovens from Pizzaiolos in Naples, and touring the De'Longhi factory in Venice.

When she's not reporting on home and appliance trends, Millie loves watching live music. She's currently learning the guitar - naturally, she plays a Fender.

  • Wisdawn
    Thank you for this guide but I think that there's a serious drawback to the approach of the review itself here, and that is it completely ignores the espresso machine's microfoam-milk capabilities. This could be because the reviewer(s) are connoisseurs who enjoy straight espresso rather than white coffee, or for some other reason. And I, for example, enjoy straight espresso but I also like to entertain family or guests -- even myself -- with a good latte or cappuccino sometimes, and I've learned that the pressure must be good enough and the spout must look a certain way, like a professional espresso machine's spout, just a stainless steel thin pipe, to be able to produce milk with microfoam. I would be very interested in reading another espresso-machine review from Tom's Guide, which includes the microfoam-milk capabilities of all the espresso machines and sorts them also by the relevant order. I'm interested in knowing, for example, the cheapest espresso machine out there today that has true manual microfoam-milk capabilities, in the right hands, of course. And thanks again.
    Reply
  • Rob In Boston
    Regarding the Breville Oracle Touch. It makes amazing coffee but it is amazingly fragile for a machine at this price point. I've had mine for 2 years and I've had to send it back 4 times for repairs and/or replacement. I would never recommend this machine.
    Reply
  • TomGuided
    An article that says you can make good espresso from a Nespresso machine is not well informed. And not even mentioning the grinder is a huge mistake.

    Good espresso requires three things only:
    Freshly-roasted coffee (4 to 21 days from roast date), which is correctly ground right before making the espresso. No cafe anywhere pre-grinds espresso.
    Clean water
    Nine bars of pressure at 197-201 degrees F
    The review doesn’t even mention grinding, which is more important than the espresso maker. There’s no paper filter with espresso; the coffee itself is the filter and it needs to be very finely and consistently ground for a good espresso. It’s the consistency part that makes a good grinder so critical. At a minimum, get a Baratza Sette 270 grinder, or for faster work, their 270w, which precisely weighs each dose. There is a family of grinders called DF64 which are even better.

    As for the machine, the newest Breville Bambino is excellent, or, ideally, the Breville Dual Boiler (not the Oracle) is fantastic. Paired with a good grinder, fresh espresso beans and a scale, and your espresso can rival (and usually beat) any cafe. The Dual Boiler model will do a better job, especially at milk steaming.

    Workflow takes time to learn, and goes something like this:
    Weight 17 grams of beans
    Grind them
    Distribute and tamp them into the portafilter
    Put your cup on a scale and make the shot
    Aim for 17 x 2, or 34 grams of espresso, delivered in 25 to 30 seconds
    If you get 34 grams in less than 25 seconds, make the grind setting finer
    If you get 34 grams in more than 30 seconds, make your grind setting coarser
    Once you land in the 34g in 25-30s zone, your beans are “dialed in,” although you can now adjust to taste from this reference.
    Steam milk, pour a beautiful swan or flower design, and drink.
    Reply