The Very Best Espresso Machines You Can Buy Right Now

After a busy day of making espresso for other people at a café, I usually go home only to make more espresso — for myself this time. While I love all kinds of coffee, espresso stands in a category of its own, and there’s really no luxury quite like having a home espresso machine. With a good espresso machine on your counter, you can make an endless number of drinks. 

What’s a good espresso machine, though? I’ve spent the past two decades working on some of the world’s best equipment and, for this Best List, I wanted to test some of the top “prosumer” espresso machines available. (“Prosumer” is a word we use in the coffee industry to describe a professional-quality machine that’s marketed to coffee consumers. These machines are usually in a very different league than single-serve pod machines and the combination coffee brewer–espresso machines that can be bought at any department store.) I wanted to find the espresso machines that best replicated the coffee shop experience at home, on a smaller — and, thankfully, less expensive — scale. 

I did some research, rounded up some of the most popular and most beloved machines, and got to testing. After sipping an unhealthy amount of espresso, I landed on some winners. I do have a lot to say about all of these machines — and espresso machines, in general — so please stick with me. First, here’s a bit of an overview.

• Prepare double espresso shots following the machine’s instructions, utilizing a pre-programmed dose when applicable.
• Prepare double espresso shots by manually dialing in the coffee-to-water ratio, grind size, and brew time.
• Steam milk appropriate for a cappuccino, utilizing an auto-milk-steaming function when applicable.
• Steam milk appropriate for a latte, utilizing an auto-milk-steaming function when applicable. 
• Clean each grinder following the manufacturer’s instructions.

For the past 21 years, I have been a journalist and a specialty coffee professional, focusing on making great coffee more accessible to everyone. I was the director of education for the green-coffee importing company Cafe Imports and am the author of New York City Coffee: A Caffeinated History, and the host of the podcast In Good Taste. I have also written a cold brew coffee maker, coffee grinder, and French press coffee maker review for Kitchn. I also still work part-time as a barista at a very busy café in downtown Minneapolis simply because I love coffee that much. 

While there are lots of inexpensive machines out there, for this test, I focused on equipment that is of a slightly higher caliber (again, those “prosumer” machines), while being sure to still stay under $1,000. 

The lowest you should go? Because you want your espresso machine to be sturdy and safe, and because it needs to both achieve high temperatures and high pressure for proper extraction, I don’t typically recommend electric or semi-automatic models that cost less than $300. (There are plenty of non-electric tools that make espresso or something similar to espresso, though, so you really don’t have to have a lot of money to enjoy fantastic coffee.)

Related to the budget question above, it’s important to consider how frequently you’ll turn to your espresso machine. For daily use, you will want a workhorse that you know is easy to thoroughly clean, has replaceable parts, and is ergonomically designed. If you are looking for something that will give you a once- or twice-a-week treat, you’ll still want it to be well-made, but you may be able to spare some of the expense on special features or details. 

Usage will also determine your cleaning regimen: Heavily used machines will require more frequent and more involved cleaning, so a backflushable machine and/or one that has a built-in cleaning function are great. (More on this below.)

If you’re a latte-lover or a cappuccino connoisseur, you’ll want to make sure that the machine has a quality, easy-to-use steam wand that heats and texturizes milk as quickly and evenly as possible. If straight espresso or Americanos are all you drink, then a coffee-focused machine might be best. If your caffeine whims change from day to day, it would be nice to have a more versatile machine without sacrificing quality. 

If you’re getting a machine with a steam wand, it should be easy to operate, create enough heat to make a pleasant drink, and feel safe to use. Perfect cappuccino foam is the ultimate test of a home espresso machine. In my testing, I wanted the texture to be supple, velvety, and completely made of microfoam: bubbles small enough to be nearly invisible, creating a luscious texture similar to softly whipped heavy cream. 

While there is a degree of human skill involved in making good espresso, you always want to make sure the machine is set up to help you succeed: The right temperature, pressure, and design can fill in many knowledge or expertise gaps that a more novice home barista might have. 

Espresso made on an electric machine is ideally brewed at 9 bars of pressure, which is roughly the equivalent of 131 pounds per square inch. This is what allows the hot water to extract the coffee flavor in such a short amount of time. (Many home espresso machines advertise being able to brew at 15 bars, in large part because they utilize pressurized or dual-wall portafilters in order to allow for more even extraction of coarser ground coffee, as most home- or pre-ground would be.)

About those portafilters. Are they sturdy and ergonomic? These are the pieces that the barista or home barista interacts with the most often, so they should feel good to work with and withstand lots of wear and tear. Ideally, they will also be a standard size (54 to 58mm), which makes it easier to find replacement parts like brew baskets and accessories like a tamper. 

Also, most home espresso machines contain a single boiler, which is responsible for maintaining a steady coffee-brewing temperature (around 200°F) as well as transitioning to higher heat (212°F) to produce steam for making milk-based drinks. The best machines have a kind of temperature controller called a PID, which allows for greater flexibility between settings, but most require some wait time — the shorter the better. 

Unlike, say, a pour over brewer that can be tucked into a cabinet, an electric espresso machine is a permanent fixture on the counter. You’ll want to take into account not only its size but also any accessories you might need to store or stash, like a milk pitcher, espresso tamper, cleaning gear, or extra portafilter baskets. If you have a coffee grinder or another type of electric coffee brewer, then a smaller espresso model might be a better fit, versus a machine that’s the centerpiece of your home café setup. 

The best way to clean an espresso machine is to backflush it, or send pressurized water and cleaning solution back through the channels and tubes that dispense the coffee. This action — which not all home espresso machines can handle — helps remove buildups of coffee grounds and oils that can clog the machine or contribute off tastes. If an espresso machine can’t be backflushed, I’ll want to see if there’s another effective way to clean it. 

Because these machines tend to be a bigger investment than other types of coffee equipment, it’s helpful to know that replacement parts, easily accessible customer service, and/or a good warranty are available. 

I judged all of the espresso machines on the following criteria, on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being the worst and 5 being the best): 

• Coffee flavor: How did the coffee taste?
• Clarity of instructions: How easy are the instructions to follow, whether you’re new to espresso coffee or an expert? 
• Ease of use: How easy was it to use? 
• Time to come to brewing temperature: How long does it take the machine to heat up enough to make a shot of espresso?
• Time to come to steam temperature: How long does it take the machine to heat up enough to steam milk?  
• Noise level: How quietly does the machine operate? 
• Portafilter: How comfortable is the portafilter to hold and use? 
• Cleanup: How easy is the machine to clean? 

Simple, elegant, and intuitive, this chic little espresso machine got high marks in all categories. It offers customizable pre-programmed functions as well the ability to brew manually, making it ideal for espresso newbies as well as seasoned baristas. The coffee-brewing temperature is set to an ideal 199.4°F with pressure at 9 bars, allowing for an even extraction that highlights your beans’ sweetness and body; the machine also heats up quickly between shots and between pulling coffee and steaming milk.

The steam temperature and pressure are adjustable, with three settings each. This makes the Bambino Plus perfect for switching from flat whites (cooler and only lightly foamed) to cappuccino (slightly warmer with denser milk foam). Its auto-steam function creates high-quality milk at the push of a button, although aspiring latte artists can steam manually as well.

The steam wand automatically purges after use, which is a great feature for cleanliness, and the grouphead can be backflushed with the accompanying cleaning disc. The generous water tank is removable for easy filling and cleaning, and the machine senses whether there’s enough water to make coffee and steam milk, letting you know when to top off.  

• Brewing pressure: 15 bars
• Water tank capacity: 64 ounces
• Portafilter: 54mm
• Portafilters baskets: Single and double shot capacity, including both single-wall (for fresh-ground coffee) and dual-wall (for preground coffee)
• Pre-programmed doses: 30mL for single espresso, 60mL for double espresso
• Machine weight: 14 pounds
• Accessories: Metal tamper, 16-ounce milk pitcher, built-in cup warmer, Razor dosing tool, cleaning tool and cleaning disc
• Warranty: 2 years

• Coffee flavor: 5
• Clarity of instructions: 5
• Ease of use: 4
• Time to come to brewing temperature: 4
• Time to come to steam temperature: 4
• Noise level: 4
• Portafilter: 4
• Cleanup: 5

Who it’s best for: Anyone who loves espresso and espresso-based drinks. 
Good to know: The machine is very light, even when filled with water, so you’ll need to brace it to safely insert and remove the portafilter.

If you’re just starting on an espresso journey, this little workhorse should be by your side: It will see you through several hundred lattes without breaking the bank, feels sturdy, and makes a perfectly serviceable cup of espresso that you can easily improve as you gain experience. The easy-to-use interface features a button for a manual extraction as well as pre-programmed single and double doses set to brew 1.5 and 3 ounces, respectively. Changing those presets is easy, too: Simply select the Program button, then push the button you’d like to program in order to begin brewing. When you’ve reached your desired brew volume, push the button again to set the program.

The brewing water runs a little hotter than is ideal for sweet, full-bodied espresso, but the resulting coffee makes a great base for a milky drink like a cappuccino, and the Cuisinart’s steam wand is up for the job: It gets up to temperature quickly and is powerful enough to create creamy, pillowy hot milk. The unit automatically goes into “sleep mode” after 30 minutes of inactivity, and shuts off entirely after 90 minutes without use. The generous three-year warranty is a plus for a beginner or any budget-conscious espresso-lover. 

• Brewing pressure: 15 bars
• Water tank capacity: 64 ounces
• Portafilter: 53mm
• Portafilters baskets: Single and double for fresh-ground coffee, as well as basket for pods
• Pre-programmed doses: 44mL for single espresso, 88mL for double espresso
• Machine weight: 20.1 pounds
• Accessories: Plastic tamper/coffee scoop combo tool, 16-ounce milk pitcher, built-in cup warmer, steam wand and portafilter cleaning tools
• Warranty: 3 years

• Coffee flavor: 3
• Clarity of instructions: 5
• Ease of use: 4
• Time to come to brewing temperature: 3
• Time to come to steam temperature: 3
• Noise level: 2
• Portafilter: 3
• Cleanup: 3

Who it’s best for: Beginner home baristas and coffee-lovers on a budget.
Good to know: Because the machine runs on the hotter side, it will likely need regular cleaning and descaling. It does not have a sensor to indicate when to clean it, so the user will need to keep track of time between cleaning cycles. It cannot be backflushed. 

If you want an espresso machine that will go the extra mile, the Barista Touch is it. It comes standard with a replaceable water filter to fit into the removable reservoir, along with a water hardness test that can help plan maintenance (including backflushing). Its computer touch-screen controls are easy to read and use, allowing the user to quickly alternate between plain espresso, cappuccino, lattes, and even specialty drinks like flat whites. Each drink has pre-settings that can be adjusted, such as the amount of coffee ground by the built-in burr grinder and the amount of water used for the extraction. Even the temperature and texture of the foam are programmable and customizable, thanks to the auto-foam system and built-in milk temperature sensor that tells the machine when to stop steaming.

Want to invent your own drink? There’s an option to add new drink presets as well. The Touch’s computer offers mini extraction lessons, too, explaining why grind size is an essential element of a proper cup of espresso, and describing how to steam the perfect milk.

Its built-in burr grinder holds a half-pound of beans and is adjustable with 30 grind settings to help you dial in your shot. While I found it a little hard to make micro-adjustments, I still managed to make pretty decent espresso. And that espresso was still a good foundation for the perfectly steamed milk I poured into it.  

• Brewing pressure: 15 bars
• Water tank capacity: 68 ounces
• Grinder hopper capacity: 0.5lb
• Portafilter: 54mm
• Portafilters baskets: Single and double shot capacity, including both single-wall (for fresh-ground coffee) and dual-wall (for pre-ground coffee)
• Pre-programmed doses: 30mL for single espresso, 60mL for double espresso
• Machine weight: 27 pounds
• Accessories: Metal tamper, 16-ounce milk pitcher, built-in cup warmer, Razor dosing tool, water filter, water hardness tester, steam wand cleaning tool, cleaning tablets, and cleaning brush and disc
• Warranty: 2 years

• Coffee flavor: 3
• Clarity of instructions: 5
• Ease of use: 4
• Time to come to brewing temperature: 4
• Time to come to steam temperature: 4
• Noise level: 4
• Portafilter: 4
• Cleanup: 5

Who it’s best for: Kitchen gearheads who believe in better brewing through technology, and folks whose coffee preferences differ from day to day. 
Good to know: The automatic settings for the grinder operate based on time and volume for the amount of espresso that you dictate, but those parameters will change as you adjust the grind or swap out different beans. Weighing your coffee dose after grinding can help you make more precise and re-creatable decisions as you dial in your coffee.  

Many espresso machines can seem imposing on a counter, but this sleek little KitchenAid model has a small footprint and a stylish, retro look. Its push-button controls are minimalist but intuitive, with selections for espresso, steam, and hot water dispensing. Once you fill the reservoir and turn the machine on, the buttons will flash until the water is hot enough to brew, a process that takes under a minute. It takes a bit longer to heat up enough to steam milk after pulling a shot, but the steam wand builds up good strength for a machine of this size. The wand also has a greater range of motion than on other models, making it possible to create lovely textured milk by achieving just the right angle and position.

The portafilter is a nice weight and shape to comfortably hold, and it is satisfyingly easy to insert and remove from the grouphead; even though the entire unit is relatively light, it doesn’t require as much bracing as some smaller machines do. The coffee I made from this machine never quite wowed me, but the convenience of size as well as the surprisingly mighty steam wand still earn high marks in my barista book.

The machine automatically senses when it’s time to give it a thorough cleaning and will light up with an alert when it’s ready, but it is not backflushable. The reservoir is relatively small, so it’s great for a single person or a couple of people who brew just one or two shots at a time. 

• Brewing pressure: 15 bars
• Water tank capacity: 47 ounces
• Portafilter: 58mm
• Portafilters baskets: Single and double shot capacity, including both single-wall (for fresh-ground coffee) and dual-wall (for preground coffee)
• Pre-programmed doses: 30mL for single espresso, 60mL for double espresso
• Machine weight: 17 pounds
• Accessories: Metal tamper, built-in cup warmer, coffee scoop
• Warranty: 1 year

• Coffee flavor: 3
• Clarity of instructions: 4
• Ease of use: 4
• Time to come to brewing temperature: 3
• Time to come to steam temperature: 3
• Noise level: 2
• Portafilter: 4
• Cleanup: 3

Who it’s best for: Space-savers who still want silky lattes. 
Good to know: The machine can be quite loud when it’s operating, and the pump rattles significantly during the steam cycle: Cups sitting on the drip tray might slide off while you’re steaming milk (I learned this the hard way).

There are home espresso machines, and then there are espresso machines that just happen to be available for home use: Miss Silvia (as this model is affectionately known) falls into the latter category. At more than 30 pounds, this sturdy, boxy machine — with a heavy, spouted portafilter and simple, chunky buttons — feels more industrial than any other espresso machine under a $1,000 price tag. While its look and heft might make the Silvia intimidating to a newer barista, it’s actually quite easy to use, as the coffee brewing and steaming functions are both completely manual — no programming or reprogramming necessary.

Of course, some knowledge about espresso extraction is a prerequisite for making a great shot. (This machine also requires a grinder with more finesse than the average home coffee grinder: A grinder that’s designed for espresso is ideal, although I found my Baratza Vario+ could achieve a fine-enough grind.)

The pump is set to brew coffee at 9 bars, which is the preferred setting for commercial machines, and the brass grouphead acts as insulation for the portafilter, creating greater temperature stability during brewing. Transitioning from espresso-making to steaming milk can be a bit of a drag, as it takes the Silvia quite a while to get up to steaming temperatures. (Many, many websites and “prosumer” guides have published tips online to “temperature surf” the machine, making it possible to more quickly achieve steamed milk and espresso together.) Steaming with Silvia is a dream worth waiting for, though: It’s the easiest home machine to make microfoam with, in my experience, and is perfect for practicing your latte art. This machine is backflushable, but it doesn’t come with the requisite tools; they are easily found online, as the portafilter is a standard size.  

• Brewing pressure: 9 bars
• Water tank capacity: 81 ounces
• Portafilter: 58mm
• Portafilters baskets: Single and double shot capacity
• Pre-programmed doses: N/A
• Machine weight: 30.8 pounds

• Clarity of instructions: 4
• Ease of use: 5
• Time to come to brewing temperature: 4
• Time to come to steam temperature: 2
• Noise level: 3
• Portafilter: 5
• Cleanup: 5

Who it’s best for: Espresso fanatics and off-duty professional baristas. 
Good to know: While Silvia has a commercial-grade steam wand, it doesn’t come with a steaming pitcher or any cleaning tools for the steam wand. 

We will do our homework, going wildly in-depth with our testing. But we condense the info into easy, breezy summaries so that you can see what we picked and why then move on with your life. Because we know you’re busy!