Best espresso machines for home 2024 – tested by a barista (and self-confessed coffee snob)

The best espresso machines offer specialty coffee from the comfort of your own home. These elite machines, once reserved for baristas and coffee connoisseurs, are becoming increasingly simple and user-friendly. It's an exciting time for latte lovers and cappuccino connoisseurs.

The best espresso machines don't need to be complicated. If you can pull a consistently delicious shot of coffee and texture milk like the best milk frothers on the market, you can cover a whole menu of specialty coffees. Some espresso machines will have more technical features, allowing you to pre-bloom, adjust brewing temperature, shot size, and much more. 

As a former barista and H&G’s coffee expert, I’ve spent the last nine months testing over sixty different coffee makers alongside the best coffee grinders on the market. I've covered the best of Breville and De'Longhi's elite machines as well as portable and manual espresso machines from smaller start-ups and independent brands.

For every espresso machine we test, our team of experts evaluates whether the model is built to last, made to be admired, and easy to use. The results of our tests are this list, covering the big, the bold, the basic, and the beautiful espresso machines. If you want to complete your coffee station set-up, it's worth investing in some of the best espresso cups too.

The quick list

If you want the headlines for why we love these espresso machines, here's our single-line summary. We'll deep dive into the details of flavors, build quality, value, and in-person insights that came up in our tests further down the guide.

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The best espresso machines in 2024

The best espresso machine overall

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If you’re looking to up your coffee game with a stylish, technically competent machine, the Barista Pro is impossible to beat. Over sixty machines, including Breville’s own models have tried and failed to steal the top spot and the Barista Pro has stayed unmoved.

One of the best things about the Barista Pro is how neatly it sits within a wide range of espresso machines. The integrated grinder isn't a given in every espresso machine and it shouldn't be underrated. This comes with 30 different grind settings and delivers consistent ground, expert results. 

The Barista Pro also comes with a generous selection of accessories (tamper, portafilter baskets, stainless steel milk pitcher). This means that the machine arrives with all you need to make consistently delicious coffee. There’s no mess, no fuss, just great coffee from the get-go.

Thanks to the simple set up and speedy ThermoJet heating technology, I went from unboxing to brewing in under five minutes. I pulled consistently delicious shots, making use of the smooth, pre-infuse function, which lets you bloom the coffee before extracting it. 

When it came to using the milk frother, I had to flex some barista skills, since it's a manual steam wand. Beginners might be put-off by this, but it's a skill which requires only a few minutes to master. I made some silky lattes and cappuccinos using both dairy and oat milk, with minimal mess —  the shiny backboard stayed mirror-like, even after a day's worth of testing.

The build quality feels exceptional. This is stable on the countertop and has ultra-premium finishes, from the control panel to the weighty portafilter. The range of technical settings, including adjustable temperatures and brew times, is easy to navigate through and means that any professional barista will feel more than satisfied with their espresso machine.

The only ways in which I could fault the Barista Pro is that it has a relatively large footprint and pretty toppy price tag (just over $1,000). However, if you'll use all of the features, it's worth every dollar. You won't find a good espresso machine with a grinder for less than $800. Spending another $200 is worth it to get a machine which will last you for a lifetime.

There's more detail in my Breville Barista Pro review.

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The best luxury espresso machine

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If you gave me a piece of paper to design my dream coffee machine, this is the one I would draw. It can make a range of incredible coffees, hot and iced, including cold brew. I've only seen one espresso machine that can match it, which is the Breville Barista Pro above.

If we just judged espresso machines on aesthetics, this would win every time. I have one of these in my kitchen and it gets a complement every time a new guest comes into my kitchen, whether they like coffee or not. The dials look technical, but really, they’re made for beginners. One is a menu for different coffee types and the other gets more technical with brewing temperatures, eighteen faultless grind settings, espresso quantities, and more. I’ve been playing with these for over four months and still haven’t scratched the surface of what this machine can do. 

With auto-tamping, auto-grinding, auto-brewing, and auto-frothing, the only thing this espresso machine won’t do for you is drink your coffee. This means that La Specialista Pro invites beginners into the world of luxury coffee makers. If you’re a professional who shivers at the idea of auto-everything, you can disarm these functions and use it completely manually. It’s truly a do-it-all machine.

In spite of the shiny, glossy finish, this is really low maintenance. I left my family using this for two weeks whilst I was away and when I came back, it hadn’t been cleaned, but still looked spotless. The drip tray effectively drains any coffee splatters away and the backboard neatly masks splashes too. When it needs a deep clean, descale, or run-through, the control panel tells you. All I have to do is press a button and, you guessed it, the machine will work through the rest.

I am yet to make a coffee short of anything but perfect in La Specialista, so I feel like it’s worth every dollar. However, I recognize that a cold brew function, delicious as it may be, is a little lavish for most machines. You don’t need all the extra functions and automated features; if you know how to make a long black, you won’t need a machine to make it for you. It is also really heavy and quite large, so if you have a small kitchen, this will dominate your space. 

There's more information in my De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro review.

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The best espresso machine for beginners

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KitchenAid isn't the first name that springs to mind for coffee, but it should be. This slim and stylish model is a must-have if you want a simple espresso machine. In fact, that's why it's so good. It focuses on making excellent coffee without any other dials or distractions.

The first thing to note is that whilst this is slim, sleek, and available in a range of colors, it doesn’t come with an integrated grinder.  If you’re happy switching between coffee capsules and store-bought pre-ground coffee, you’re set with this.

However, if you want to enjoy fresh specialty coffee, you’ll need to make some room in your budget for one of these 

As you might expect from a simple, inexpensive machine, this is easy to use. There’s enough weight in the base of the KitchenAid for the portafilter to lock into place without lifting off the countertop. It brews delicious shots of coffee, both double and single shots and the stream of hot water produced by the steam wand is the perfect pressure. It doesn’t splash or trickle, meaning your countertops stay free from coffee stains. 

When you want to make a cappuccino or latte, you’ll need to learn how to use a manual steam wand. This takes a matter of minutes (although perfecting barista-quality silky milk might take a little longer) but might be a deterrent for some. You’ll need to carefully clean your steam wand after use because this doesn’t auto-clean itself, so milk could easily dry and clog it up.

Whilst this is incredible value for the coffee it makes, some features explain why it’s so affordable. The casing is plastic, which feels a little cheap, even though the overall machine is relatively robust. The simple functions don’t leave any room for customization. You can’t change the temperature, strength, or length of the coffees you brew, which more experienced baristas might find frustrating.

There's more detail in my KitchenAid Espresso Machine review.

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The best espresso machine for small spaces

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As a barista, I love the Bambino Plus. It’s one of the most popular models amongst professionals who already own a specialist grinder and who don’t want to waste money on a machine with one already integrated. It’s perfect if you like techy coffee and the classic, stainless steel espresso machine aesthetic, but you’re limited on countertop space.

The beauty of this machine is that it’s made by Breville. The Bambino Plus has all the expensive, technical ThermoJet and blooming technology which is integrated into our top pick for the buying guide, just disguised in a smaller shell. This meant that the machine was quick to warm up; maintained temperature, even after teaming pitcher after pitcher of oat and dairy milk; and was excellent at extracting espressos. The only drawback is that it's not compatible with pods like some other espresso machines.

As a smaller model, it's also more budget-friendly. If you want a good espresso machine for around $500, this is your best option. We found that lots of reviewers had been using their Bambino for over four years, which is well beyond the warranty. It feels robust and well-built, although, if you’re locking the portafilter in with a lot of strength, this could rock on the countertop. You’re best to hold one hand on top when locking it into place.

The main pain point of the Bambino Plus is that, if you don't already own a coffee grinder, you'll have to invest in one. It’s an extra expense that you might not have the budget or space on your countertop for. 

You might wonder why this is sitting below the KitchenAid in our buying guide, since the two sound so similar. Whilst I love the Bambino Plus, I’m not sure I would spend an extra $200 for a machine that essentially does the same thing as the KitchenAid. Sure, it feels a little more robust. However, if you take care of your KitchenAid, you’ll get an equally good life out of it. Plus, the color options mean you’ll get more agency over how you style it.

There's more detail in my Breville Bambino Plus review.

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The best portable espresso machine

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If you often find yourself missing barista-quality coffee on vacation, on a business trip, or on the go, this is the answer. Wacaco's Picopresso is the size of a can of soda but is not to be underestimated. In less than five minutes you can set up, use, and clean the Picopresso.

This costs just over $100, so is a great option if you're on a budget. It doesn't have the steam, hot water, or milk frothing capacities of other machines, but if you enjoy a simple drink, this is perfect. It's worth noting that the Picopresso requires you to be more hands-on, but that means that it's a lot quieter in the mornings.

When I drank the espressos made in the Picopresso, they rivaled the notes and flavors extracted by the more premium machines. Delicate, well-rounded, and rich, I even made another one, not for tests, but purely for pleasure.

This is a small touch, but I have to say that the packaging is exceptionally premium too, so if you need a gift for yourself, or someone else, this is an easy option. There are also some lovely accessories, such as the Picopresso stand which can help you to complete your portable coffee collection. 

This is obviously best suited to camping and travel. It makes coffee that tastes delicious, but if you want something for making breakfast coffee for the family, I'd opt for something much bigger. You have to be very involved throughout the extraction process. The pump requires quite a lot of endurance, so if you have mobility problems in your hand, give this a miss.

 It's also extremely time-consuming to clean. All of the small parts feel like they're liable to lose and there's texture in the stainless steel which is calling out for grounds to get stuck in. You'll need to meticulously clean this to make sure that your coffees taste consistently delicious.

There's more detail in my Wacaco Picopresso review.

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The best manual espresso machine

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La Pavoni is the opera singer of espresso machines. It's Italian, classy, and utterly entrancing. If you need a dinner party conversation topic, direct everyone's eyes towards La Pavoni. It's a shiny, statement coffee maker, reserved for coffee hobbyists.

Manual espresso machines are, by nature, more involved than the average coffee drinker has time for. La Pavoni comes complete with all the bells and whistles of truly technical coffee makers, making it great for experts or amateurs aspiring to make more complex coffee. 

It still shares features with many other espresso machines in this guide: it has a steam wand for texturing milk, a boiler to make hot water, and will pull a delicious espresso. The difference is that this will take fifteen minutes to make one for you, rather than five.

You'll need to keep a close eye on the pressure gauge, because you're in charge of releasing steam and adding water, keeping your machine in the optimal extraction conditions. Every time you texture milk, which you do by hand, the pressure will drop and you'll have to wait for the machine to warm back up before you carry on. In short, if you have a queue of coffee orders, set aside some time to avoid sweat and burning.

As you might expect, whilst the shiny, stainless steel finish is attractive, it's very high maintenance. There's a lot of steam and splashing in the whole coffee making process, which means you'll need a rigorous cleaning and descaling schedule. Plus, this can get extremely hot on the pipes. I knew to be careful and still burned myself twice when I was using it.

Even if you're passionate about coffee, you'll need to dedicate some time to learning about espresso machines. This is really as complicated as it looks. Don't get me wrong, it's a lot of fun, but if you need caffeine to put the 'fun' in function in the mornings, you won't be happy with this.

There's more detail in my La Pavoni Professional review.

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The ones that just missed the list

How to choose the best espresso machine for you

If you like coffee, you'll want a machine to match your enthusiasm. Espresso machines come in a range of shapes and sizes, lots of which are big and bulky, so there's a range of cosmetic and technical features to consider.

Size
If you have spacious countertops, size shouldn't be a problem. These machines are big, but brands put lots of thought into the design and color so that they can match almost any décor. Breville is particularly good for this. If you're short on space, you don't need to surrender to a large machine; there are plenty of slimmer options on the market.

Water reservoir capacity
This sits with size in terms of how you consider it. You should be using fresh water every time you make coffee if you want to enjoy it at its best. A reasonable capacity would be about 35 oz, but bigger machines can reach up to 72 oz.

Pressure
You'll see the pressure indicated on all espresso machines. The ideal pressure will depend on a range of factors, but the optimal range is normally around seven to eleven bars. We have models in this guide which are fifteen bars, because the machines have more complex pumps which need more pressure to help extract the coffee grounds. If you're looking at a basic model, you won't need this much.

Noise
Many espresso machines have an integrated grinder so can be quite noisy (up to 80 dBA). If you need a coffee to get you out of bed in the morning, this can be an unpleasant experience. We make notes on how loud each espresso machine is. The quietest machines don't have a grinder, but that means you'll need a manual one or you'll want to buy freshly ground coffee.

Grinder
If you already own a grinder, you might not want an espresso machine with an integrated grinder. It'll save you money and space, so check beforehand. If you're a coffee connoisseur, it's worth noting the grind settings too. Some machines will only have 15, whereas others might have 30.

Extra Features
There's a vast scale of espresso maker features that you might want to use. Some milk wands are manual, whereas others are automatic. If you want a little help frothing your milk, this is something you'll want. Some machines also have pre-infusing features that will help your coffee taste less acidic. 

Meet the team

Laura Honey

Laura trained as a barista in 2016 and has been coffee-obsessed for years. She’s worked on espresso machines worth $20,000 as well as ones worth $100. She knows what commercial, professional quality feels like and is a firm believer that you shouldn’t have to pay a premium for quality coffee. 

In her time both as a barista and as our coffee expert, she has made over 100,000 cups of coffee, so she knows what good should look and taste like. If you ever have an espresso-related question, ask her. She could talk for hours about coffee, as long as she gets to drink it whilst talking about it.

How we tested these espresso machines

How we test the best espresso machines

Every espresso machine goes through rigorous rounds of testing in our dedicated kitchen. We start from unboxing and making notes all the way through pulling a shot of espresso and frothing milk, to cleaning and storing the machine. If it boasts any special features, we'll make sure to test them out too.

We test espressos because they are the bedrock of every cup of coffee you make. A well-extracted espresso will have a thick, hazelnut-colored crema on top. It should take around 20-30 seconds to extract and will be about 1-1.25 oz. We measure all of these factors to check that a machine is making a technically perfect espresso.

The next test we have for every espresso machine is making an Americano. Whilst some say this is essentially the same as an espresso, it really isn't. Adding hot water to your espresso could burn it or cool it too quickly, making it taste overly bitter and unpleasant. Your Americano should be between 194 and 201 degrees Fahrenheit if you want to enjoy it at its best. We look for well-balanced, full-bodied flavors without any coffee splashed onto the countertop.

The last basic test we put every espresso machine through is making a cappuccino. We'll use oat and dairy milk to see how well a steam wand can handle different protein structures. Most of the time, steam wands are manual, so gauging temperature and texturing relies on our own skills. However, the length and rotation of a steam wand can make a world of difference in how easy it is to steam milk. 

We'll also let you know about extra features and accessories included with an espresso machine. If a brand is willing to supply them, it's only fair that we test them and feedback to you on how good they are.

Once we're finished testing, we'll clean the machine and update you on how easy it is to maintain and keep it in sparkling condition. We'll also look at how easy it is to store and maintain before comparing this to other machines on the market. Here, our experts will assess whether the espresso machine that we've tested is good quality, well-built, and worth the money. In essence, we're answering whether it's good value or not.

We have a dedicated page that offers more information on how we test if you'd like to know more.