Italy has blessed us with so many culinary creations it’s hard to pick a favorite. When you think of Italian food, you automatically picture a beautiful, cheesy pizza or a plate full of pasta with a delicious meat sauce. However, one invention that'd quite frequently overlooked is the black gold that baristas deal in every day. We’re not talking crude oil; we’re talking espresso.
How many of us would be able to overcome the prior night’s cocktails and be functioning humans at work if it weren’t for our daily Americano? Let’s also not forget it makes a decadent after-dinner treat poured over some ice cream.
Many people think espresso is too expensive to make at home. But you’d be surprised by the affordability of some espresso makers. After all, water, coffee, and pressure are all you need to make tasty espresso. Also, thanks to rising demand, fancy models similar to those in our favorite coffee shops are becoming more reasonably priced. So, if you’re trying to bring your espresso making in house, here are a few of the best espresso machines for home brewing.
Best overall pick
Lavazza Classy Plus Espresso Machine
- Makes espresso or regular coffee
- Takes up limited counter space
- Easy to use for all skill levels
- Can only be used with Lavazza pods
| Specification: | |
| Built-in milk frother | Frothing capabilities |
| 42-ounce water tank | Water tank capacity |
The Lavazza Classy Plus Espresso Machine earns our best overall pick for home espresso machine for a few reasons. First and foremost, regardless of what size counter or kitchen you have, you can find a spot for this sleek, slim machine. Secondly, whether you're a seasoned barista or are new to making espresso at home, Lavazza's machine is easy enough for everyone to figure out. With this machine, I was able to brew a great shot of espresso to drink alone or also able to make specialty espresso drinks like a cappuccino.
Learning to use the Lavazza Classy Plus was so simple. After just one use, I immediately appreciated the simplistic process and design of this maker. Lavazza's single-serving espresso cups take the hassle out of having to measure or dose your beans for espresso and give you several varieties to choose from. I couldn't tell much difference in the quality of the espresso made from this maker compared to some higher-end machines. As the only coffee (and espresso) drinker in my household, the simplicity of this espresso maker is ideal.
The Lavazza Classy Plus Espresso Machine delivers a consistent, reliable way to make espresso and espresso drinks at home for any coffee lover. I also like that this machine can be used to make regular coffee, too, giving me more space back on my kitchen counter.
Best value pick
Bialetti Moka Express Espresso Maker
- Brews rich espresso in just a few minutes
- Hand-wash only
| Specification: | |
| 6 cups | Brewing capacity |
| Made in Italy | Origin |
Sometimes, it’s nice to go old school and just get back to basics. The Moka Pot was originally patented in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti, and there’s a reason the design (and the Bialetti name) has stuck around in the homes and cafes of coffee connoisseurs for nearly a century. Bialetti continues this tradition with its Moka Express, an all-aluminum, Italian-made Moka pot that combines the sweet simplicity of a stovetop kettle with a boiler chamber that creates the pressure necessary to make espresso without a pump.
An automatic pressure valve keeps things working safely as your water boils, and the whole process only takes about five minutes from start to finish — meaning you don't have to wait too long for that much-needed morning shot of creamy Joe. The tried-and-true Moka Pot earns best value; for under $50, you're not going to get better homemade espresso than this.
Best semi-automatic espresso machine
SMEG Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine
- Unique retro design
- Offered in fun, vibrant colors
- A little noisy
| Specification: | |
| Thermoblock system | Brewing technology |
The appearance of the SMEG Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine is one-of-a-kind experience. The aesthetics of this best espresso maker give me "diner vibes" in the best way possible. However, this semi-automatic espresso machine shines beyond it's aesthetics. I really like the design of the machine, which clearly was well thought out. The storage drawer, located behind the drip tray, holds all of your espresso accessories when the machine is not in use.
Over the course of the week, every cup of espresso I brewed with this SMEG Espresso Machine was excellent. I noticed the heating and steaming process was very fast. While this isn't the quietest espresso machine I've tried, it's the one of the most consistent. If you're looking for something to make exceptional espresso that also looks different than every other machine on the market, this is a great option.
Best manual espresso machine
De'Longhi La Specialista Opera Espresso Machine with Cold Brew
- Cold brew setting
- Sleek and entirely stainless steel design
- Works quickly
- Requires a sizable amount of countertop space
| Specification: | |
| 67.6 ounces | Water tank capacity |
When it comes to best espresso machines, you can't go wrong with a De'Longhi both in functionality and in style. Of course, the stunning stainless steel design of the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera Espresso Machine with Cold Brew is worthy of noting — which will match any kitchen color or style.
However, what stood out to me when trying this manual espresso machine was its power. The built-in Italian-made burr grinder (rather than blade grinder) with 15 customizable settings made it easy to adjust the grind of beans for any type of brewing.
What sets this manual espresso machine apart from the rest is it's cold brew technology using De’Longhi’s proprietary Cold Extraction Technology. The cold brew setting, located on the right side of the machine, uses a specialized technology to precisely measure water flow and pressure rates to make fast, delicious cold brew coffee. This isn't a feature I've experienced in other espresso machines; and I absoutely loved it.
Best compact espresso machine
Breville Bambino Plus
- Great for small places
- Stylish, modern look
- Several color finishes
- Small drip tray
- Can be tough to keep clean
| Specification: | |
| ThermoJet system | Heating system |
If you want a premium espresso maker for home, but you don't quite have the room for the Breville Barista Express, consider their newest model: the Breville Bambino Plus. This compact home espresso machine offers extensive features for your home brew, despite its smaller size. With the Innovative ThermoJet heating system, brewers can achieve the optimum extraction temperature in just 3 seconds. Additionally, the three adjustable milk temperatures allow you to enjoy silky, velvety microfoam automatically, which is ideal for making espresso drinks like lattes and creamy macchiatos.
Even for the newest of home baristas, the Breville Bambino Plus delivers an easy-to-use, intuitive system that doesn't take much time to learn. The interface features a convenient one-touch, one- and two-shot volumetric control and steam settings. Whether you're new to at-home brews or want to upgrade your espresso machine for home brewing, there's a lot to love about this streamlined model.
Best automatic espresso machine
KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6
- 15 preset recipe options
- Automatic smart dosing technology
- Stainless steel construction
- Maker is too tall for some kitchen counters
| Specification: | |
| Automatic smart technology | Dosing technology |
The KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 delivers the convenience and ease you want when shopping for an automatic espresso machine. This sleek, stainless steel machine allows you to either create personalized espresso drinks or choose from one of 15 preset options for a fast, delicious cup. From lattes to cappuccinos, this maker brings your favorite coffee shop right to your home.
With the automatic milk frothing feature, this best KitchenAid espresso maker can froth and heat your milk in the perfect ratio at just the push of a button. Something about this machine seems robotic, and we love it. Plus, the smart dosing technology automatically grinds your coffee beans to the ideal volume based on your drink, which means you'll never end up with a bad drink (and don't have to know much about espresso to use this automatic machine).
Best espresso machine with grinder
De’Longhi Dinamica Plus
- Color touch display
- Coffee link app technology
- No hot water feature
| Specification: | |
| 3.5” TFT full-touch, colorful display | Display |
If your barista skills start and end at pushing a button, don’t worry, the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus will pick up the slack everywhere else. This machine is a big investment, but there is so much you get. This fully automatic, bean-to-cup coffee and espresso machine features a high-resolution touch display for intuitive navigation and customization.
It has a one-touch control system that lets you brew over a dozen different and delicious coffee and espresso beverages, including TrueBrew Over Ice. If you know what you’re doing when it comes to espresso, the six one-touch recipes, or you can customize a recipe for complete personalization. Coffee drinks include cappuccino, iced coffee, espresso, lattes, and many more.
For an extra frothy cup, the patented LatteCrema System automatically froths milk to the ideal density and texture, making espresso classics like lattes and cappuccinos complete with rich, long-lasting foam. You can even use milk alternatives! And what new appliance would be complete without smartphone connectivity? The Coffee Link app lets you start brewing even before you get out of bed and levels up personalization like never before by saving up to three custom profiles complete with recipe favorites.
Best espresso machine with steam wand
Breville Barista Express
- Fast and efficient, sleek and modern
- Offered in stainless steel or black
- A bit bulky
- Steamer lacks strength
| Specification: | |
| Built-in conical burr grinder | Grinder type |
For a good countertop cuppa, the Breville Barista Express is a popular choice, and for good reason. First of all, it oozes handy features, including a built-in fully adjustable grinder, digital temperature controls, interchangeable filters, both automatic and manual operation options, and a steam wand that gives you complete control over your cream (and is a real boon if you’re looking to practice your latte art).
What’s more, it delivers all of this with a price tag that, though it still sits at around hefty $600 to $700, is still less than some comparable machines and is head and shoulders above the less expensive ones in terms of quality. If you’re a true espresso aficionado, it doesn’t get much better than this.
What to consider
Choosing the best espresso machine for home use is a personal decision. With lots of factors to consider, getting in touch with how you feel about these important considerations can help you narrow down your choice. For me, the most important factors to consider are the type of espresso maker and how much countertop space you have available to dedicate to an espresso machine.
Type of espresso maker
Each espresso maker has it's pros and cons to consider. First, I recommend considering how much control you want over the espresso-brewing process and how much time you have to dedicate to espresso making. An automatic or semi-automatic maker is a better choice for easy use and for making drinks that require a steam wand. Manual espresso makers provide more control in every aspect of the brewing process but are much more time consuming to use.
Size and countertop space
If you want an espresso machine that can sit out on your countertop all the time, taking measurements is key. Most espresso makers are fairly bulky and tall, requiring sizable under-cabinet height and available countertop space. If your space is limited, a pod-style or slim/compact espresso maker is a better choice. For those with spacious kitchens, bulkier and more advanced espresso makers look great.
How we tested
For an unbiased selection, we tested a variety of pod-style, automatic, and manual espresso machines to narrow down the best of the best. We tried these espresso makers to make both straight shots of espresso and espresso-based beverages. Each maker was tested daily over a one-week trial window to gather thoughts and determine ease of use (as well as provide ample chance to identify potential flaws or shortcomings each espresso machine).
Why trust us
I love espresso more than I love regular coffee. The process of making espresso is fun, but it's only as good as the quality of the tools you have available. I've tried every type of espresso machine around, identifying that each maker has it's advantages and disadvantages worth considering. I believe there's no "bad" type of espresso machine; rather, there's a fit for every home kitchen depending on time and level of interest.
