Best Espresso Machines of
Are you ready to break up with your barista and stop spending so much at coffee shops? Discover the best espresso machines for making café-quality drinks at home with our expert-reviewed list below.
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Shark Ninja
Ninja Luxe™ Café Pro Espresso Machine
Guided espresso machine with hands-free frothing, automated brewing, and an integrated grinder for café-style espresso, coffee, and cold brew drinks at home.
- A four-in-one espresso machine with hands-free frothing & modern aesthetics
- Guided brewing system helps simplify espresso-making for beginners
- Automated brewing for consistent espresso shots and hot and cold foam options
Free Shipping On All Orders Of $99+
Free Shipping On All Orders Of $99+
- Ninja Luxe™ Café Pro Espresso Machine
- A four-in-one espresso machine with hands-free frothing & modern aesthetics
- Guided brewing system helps simplify espresso-making for beginners
- Automated brewing for consistent espresso shots and hot and cold foam options
- Espresso, coffee, and cold brew from one machine
- Integrated grinder included
Free Shipping On All Orders Of $99+
De’Longhi
Magnifica Evo with LatteCrema System
Fully automatic bean-to-cup espresso machine with one-touch drink presets, automatic milk frothing, and built-in grinding for easy café-quality drinks.
- Fully automatic espresso machine designed for café-quality drinks at home
- One-touch drink presets minimize learning curve
- Consistent bean-to-cup espresso and an automatic milk frother
Free Shipping On Orders Over $40
Free Shipping On Orders Over $40
- Magnifica Evo with LatteCrema System
- Fully automatic espresso machine designed for café-quality drinks at home
- One-touch drink presets minimize learning curve
- Consistent bean-to-cup espresso and an automatic milk frother
- Multiple café-style drinks available via presets
- Bean-to-cup grinder built in
Free Shipping On Orders Over $40
Shark Ninja
Ninja Luxe™ Café Pro 4-in-1 Espresso Machine
Beginner-friendly 4-in-1 espresso system with guided brewing, integrated grinder, and support for espresso, coffee, cold brew, and specialty drinks.
- All-in-one coffee system for café-style variety without the learning curve
- Beginner-friendly controls with bundled accessories for easier setup
- Brewing technology helps deliver balanced espresso shot after shot
Free Shipping On All Orders Of $99+
Free Shipping On All Orders Of $99+
- Ninja Luxe™ Café Pro 4-in-1 Espresso Machine
- All-in-one coffee system for café-style variety without the learning curve
- Beginner-friendly controls with bundled accessories for easier setup
- Brewing technology helps deliver balanced espresso shot after shot
- 4-in-1 system supports espresso, coffee, cold brew, and specialty drinks
- Integrated grinder included
Free Shipping On All Orders Of $99+
2 Free Bags Of Coffee
- The Barista Express
- For coffee lovers who want barista-level control and customization.
- More hands-on workflow designed for users who enjoy dialing in shots
- Manual controls allow experienced users to fine-tune espresso extraction
- Primarily espresso-based drinks with manual customization
- Precision conical burr grinder built in
2 Free Bags Of Coffee
1 Year Limited Warranty
- Espresso Bar Fully Automatic
- A convenience-focused automatic espresso machine built for easy everyday use
- Fully automatic operation with streamlined controls
- Reliable daily espresso performance paired with an integrated frothing system
- Espresso and milk drinks with automatic convenience
- Integrated grinder for fresh-ground espresso
1 Year Limited Warranty
- ENA 4 Full Metropolitan Black
- A premium espresso machine for exceptional black coffee & minimalist look
- Minimal-button interface focused on simplicity
- Highly consistent espresso and black coffee extraction
- Best suited for espresso and black coffee drinkers
- Built-in grinder optimized for fresh espresso
Brew Like a Barista: How We Picked the Best At-Home Espresso Machines
At-home espresso machines make it possible to create cafe-quality espresso shots and espresso-based specialty drinks (think cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos and more), all from the comfort of your own kitchen. But with so many brands and models on the market today, finding the right machine for your taste, space, budget and brewing skill level can be a daunting task.
We’re here to help. Our team of trusted experts spent countless hours identifying the most critical considerations when choosing an at-home espresso machine, then evaluating all the available products to determine how they stack up. So whether you’re an espresso expert looking to take your brewing game to the next level, or you’re new to the espresso machine scene, we’ll help you find your match.
Top Considerations
The best espresso machine for you ultimately boils down to your personal preference and your budget. Here are some considerations when making your selection:
Machine Type
The first thing to know about espresso machines is that they generally fall into one of three categories: Manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic. While all of them have the same basic mechanism—they work by rapidly forcing a small amount of extremely hot water through a densely packed disk of finely ground coffee beans, they offer varying levels of control. Here’s an overview of what you can expect with each type:
| Machine Type | How it Works | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual | Highly hands-on approach—you pull a mechanical lever to build pressure and push the water through the coffee yourself. |
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| Semi-automatic | You handle grinding and tamping, while the machine controls the water pressure. |
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| Fully automatic | Does all the work, from grinding to brewing, with the press of a button. |
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Boiler Setup
The boiler setup determines how an espresso machine goes about making coffee and steaming milk. There are a few configurations to choose from, with two of the most common detailed here:
| Machine Type | How it Works | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Boiler | Heats a single volume of water for both brewing espresso and steaming milk. | More affordable | Can’t make shots and steam milk simultaneously—you have to wait for the machine to heat up to steam milk. |
| Dual Boiler | Has two separate boilers—one for brewing espresso and one for steaming milk. | Enables both functions simultaneously, ensuring the perfect temperature for your roast | More expensive |
While a dual boiler model offers far more efficiency and precision than a single boiler machine, it will cost you significantly more, making it out of reach for some customers.
Temperature Control
“Coffee extraction” is a term you’ll come across often in your espresso machine search. It refers to the process of using water to unlock the chemical compounds in ground coffee beans that give espresso its iconic flavor and aroma. Since fluctuations in the water temperature can alter the taste, smell and quality of your espresso, it’s important that your machine includes a temperature control mechanism. Many of the top models utilize a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller, which helps them consistently achieve the optimal water temperature.
Water Pressure
As with temperature, the pressure of the water has significant bearing on the taste and aroma of your espresso. Most experts agree that nine bars of pressure is the sweet spot. Be wary of machines that advertise 15 to 20 bars—this is typically the pump’s maximum capability and not its actual brewing pressure.
Materials
The best espresso machines are made with highly durable materials and commercial-grade parts, which effectively retain heat over time and will stand up to frequent use. Many of the top models include a heavy brass portafilter (the tool that holds the coffee grounds in place), and insulated stainless steel boilers.
Extra Features & Tools
The top espresso machines include things like programmable shot volumes, which allow you to set the exact amount of water the machine pushes through your coffee grounds, pre-infusion settings that enable you to lightly saturate the coffee grounds before the full pressure kicks in, and shot timers, which track the exact duration of your coffee extraction.
If you plan to use your machine to make espresso-based drinks like lattes or cappuccinos, you’ll want to be sure your machine comes with a steam wand. This is a small tool that uses pressurized steam to heat and texturize milk, producing the creamy, cafe-style “microfoam” you’ll find in these drinks.
Some machines come with a built-in professional-grade grinder, which can be a game changer—freshly ground coffee significantly improves the flavor and consistency of espresso.
Cost
If you’re a frequent flyer at your local coffee shop and your drink of choice involves espresso, chances are good you’re spending a pretty penny on your habit. If that’s the case, an espresso machine, while a larger upfront cost, can be a financially savvy decision in the long run.
Espresso machines can vary dramatically in price, depending on their materials and features. You can find a basic, “beginner” model for less than $200. But if a professional-grade machine with an expansive list of functions is more your speed, you can expect to pay thousands. Regardless of your budget, the best machine offers the most value for your money. It is durable, user-friendly and it delivers exactly what it promises. It contains features that enhance its performance and output, and skips the gimmicks and useless frills.
Generous Warranty
An espresso machine is an investment. And as with any investment, the best ones are backed by generous warranties and return policies, providing peace of mind to customers. The top at-home espresso machines are typically backed by warranties that cover manufacturing defects, internal electrical components, and faulty hardware for up to two years.
Positive Reviews
The top espresso machines come highly recommended by real customers and espresso enthusiasts, who praise their performance, quality, ease of use and durability. They are made by reputable companies with top ratings from credible organizations like the Better Business Bureau.
Espresso Machines FAQs
Espresso is brewed using pressure and a finer grind, resulting in a stronger, more concentrated beverage. Regular drip coffee relies on gravity and a coarser grind.
Most quality espresso is extracted at about nine bars of brewing pressure. Machines may advertise 15 to 20 bars, but that’s usually the pump’s maximum capability rather than brewing pressure.
There are three primary types of espresso machines:
- Manual: The user controls the entire extraction process.
- Semi-automatic: The user grinds, tamps and starts/stops extraction.
- Fully automatic: The machine handles the grinding, brewing and often, the milk frothing.
If your machine does not come with one, yes. Freshly ground coffee significantly improves flavor and consistency. A burr grinder is generally recommended over a blade grinder.
What the Pros are saying
The best espresso machine isn't the one that makes the best shot in expert hands—it's the one you'll enjoy using every morning.
A quality espresso setup should be viewed as a system. Machine, grinder, fresh beans and maintenance all contribute to the final cup.
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