I Pulled Hundreds of Espresso Shots to Find the 10 Best Espresso Machines for Every Budget

Brewing espresso is like the world’s quickest science experiment. You pull a shot, taste it, change a variable, and then make another shot—and this all happens in just a few minutes. But while you can tweak virtually every element when making espresso (the grind setting, the type of coffee, the shot time), you're not going to be able to change the machine you're using easily (or cheaply). And since an espresso machine is an investment, I (with my 15 years of experience in the specialty coffee industry) want to help you pick wisely.

To put together this review, I asked experts to weigh in on what they look for in espresso machines and how they communicate coffee tips and tricks with a broad audience. I also tested 25 espresso machines, with both experts and beginners weighing in on their experience to see which models made the best espresso, steamed latte art-worthy microfoam, and were easy to use.

The Winners, at a Glance

The Best Espresso Machine

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

$500 at Amazon $500 at Williams Sonoma $500 at Sur La Table

Compact, quick to heat, and easy to use, the Bambino Plus is a longtime Serious Eats favorite espresso machine for beginners and enthusiasts alike. It has tons of user-friendly details, and its temperature-stable boiler pulls great espresso shots. It also has an automatic steam wand that can create microfoam that’s silky enough for latte art.

The Best Espresso Machine for Beginners

Breville Barista Express Impress

$900 $800 at Amazon $800 at Williams Sonoma $800 at Target

With a built-in grinder, an automatic coffee portioning system, and an assisted tamping lever, the Barista Express Impress streamlines the shot-pulling process so anyone can make great espresso. It has the same temperature-stable boiler as the Bambino Plus, and its steam wand was ready in seconds. "If I were to recommend an espresso machine to someone just getting into coffee, this would be it," says associate commerce editorial director Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm. "I love the green smiley face that illuminates to let you know when the grinds amount is correct."

The Best Espresso Machine for Enthusiasts

Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine

$1,000 $865 at Amazon $45 at Walmart

The Rancilio Silvia has been a favorite of home espresso enthusiasts for over two decades. Built with commercial espresso machine parts, it pulled some of the best shots during testing. It also has a powerful steam wand, though it does take a little time to heat up when switching to steam mode. There are also online communities entirely devoted to the Rancilio Silvia, making it a great option for espresso enthusiasts.

The Best Upgrade Espresso Machine for Enthusiasts

Diletta Mio Espresso Machine

$1,349 at Amazon View on Seattlecoffeegear.com

A quiet, rubber-mounted pump and a digital temperature control board make the Diletta Mio a nice upgrade pick for people who are serious about their espresso. It has a built-in timer, a side-mounted water reservoir for easy access, and a fast-heating steam wand for instant milk frothing. This is a great machine for anyone who makes multiple shots of espresso every day and wants on-demand steam pressure.

The Best Touchscreen Espresso Machine

Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine with Grinder

$1,500 at Amazon $1,500 at Williams Sonoma $1,500 at Sur La Table

An upgrade of the Barista Express Impress, the Barista Touch Impress has the same coffee portioning and assisted tamping system, only with a touchscreen drink menu that provides step-by-step instructions. It also has same automatic steam wand as the Bambino Plus, and its built-in grinder also has an upgraded burr set made by Baratza.

The Best User-Friendly Dual Boiler Espresso Machine

Breville BES920XL Dual Boiler Espresso Machine

$1,600 at Amazon $1,600 at Williams Sonoma $1,600 at Sur La Table

Breville’s high-end dual boiler model pulled some of the most consistent shots back-to-back in my testing. I loved its powerful steam wand that can be used while pulling a shot. For professional performance paired with Breville’s user-friendly touches, the Dual Boiler is a pricey but excellent pick. "I gave my parents this model and while it took them some time to figure out, they now love it," Riddley says. "In fact, they use it every morning."

The Best Espresso Machine Under $2000

Lelit MaraX Espresso Machine PL62X-120

$1,700 at Williams Sonoma View on Lelit.com View on Seattlecoffeegear.com

This Italian-made espresso machine is a stunner. It easily pulled quality back-to-back shots, had a temperature configuration button to tweak extraction for different roasts, and had an insulated steam wand that stayed cool to the touch when frothing milk.

The Best Espresso Machine for Hobbyists

Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine

$638 at Amazon $549 at Sur La Table View on Gaggia-na.com

One of our longtime winners, the Gaggia Classic Pro offers commercial components in a compact and moderately priced espresso machine. Like the Rancilio Silvia, the Classic Pro is beloved by home espresso enthusiasts who enjoy tinkering, and it pulled great shots during my testing—though it required some boiler purging technique for stable brewing temperatures.

The Best Budget-Friendly Espresso Machine Under $200

De'Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine

$100 $82 at Amazon $84 at Target $82 at Home Depot

While I didn’t love this espresso machine, it’s the only model under $200 that I thought did a good enough job for the home espresso curious. I struggled steaming microfoam but was able to pull some passable espresso shots with it. If you’re not quite ready to take a full dive into espresso as a hobby, I think this machine offers a lot of value. 

The Best Splurge Dual Boiler Espresso Machine

Lelit Elizabeth Espresso Machine

View on Clivecoffee.com View on Seattlecoffeegear.com

If you want a home machine that can power a small coffee shop, the Lelit Elizabeth gets the job done in spades. It has a dual boiler for simultaneous shot pulling and powerful steam pressure, digital temperature, pre-infusion control, and a heavy-duty stainless steel body. Like the MaraX, it’s a splurge, but the Lelit Elizabeth delivers.

The Tests

• Espresso Tests: I dialed in a medium roast espresso blend with the Baratza Sette 270, our favorite espresso grinder. I then pulled back-to-back shots with each espresso machine to assess flavor quality and consistency.
• Milk Steaming Tests: I used the machine’s steam wand to froth milk to see if it could create microfoam. I then assessed the quality of the foam’s texture by pouring latte art and tasting the drinks.
• Usability Tests: I evaluated the overall design of the machine by testing every function. I also assessed user-friendly details that helped simplify the shot-pulling process, like automatic volume buttons and built-in shot timers.
• Cleanup Tests: I ran a cleaning cycle on each machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and evaluated how easy this was.
• Longterm Test: Many of our winners were sent to (or are owned) by Serious Eats editors, allowing us to gather long-term feedback.

How to Pick an Espresso Machine

It's tricky to weigh taste, value, and usability the same for every user. “I advise considering what your needs are first and foremost," says Steve Rhinehart, e-commerce manager at Acaia and former brand manager at Prima Coffee Equipment. "Do you want to cut out the cafe expenses from your budget? Are you already interested in coffee and want to expand your hobby? What kind of drinks do you like—straight espresso, flavored lattes, flat whites?” 

Folks who are after a great espresso shot and don’t mind tinkering might be happy with a lower-priced model that can be modified, like the Gaggia Classic Pro, but cappuccino lovers might want to step up their game with a dual boiler machine like the Breville Dual Boiler, which lets you steam milk while your shot is pulling. If you don’t have any professional barista experience, however, a user-friendly model might be a better choice, like the Breville Bambino Plus for its automatic steam wand or the Breville Barista Express Impress for its assisted tamping lever.

How Espresso Machines Work

Espresso machines have a boiler that heats water and a pump that then pressurizes that water through a finely ground and tamped espresso puck. The fineness of the grind and the pressure from the pump produce an espresso shot that’s around eight to 10 times more concentrated than standard drip coffee and has a syrupy thick body from emulsified and suspended coffee oils. A good espresso machine gives the user consistent pressure and keeps water in its boiler at the optimal 195ºF to 205ºF range. 

Pressure 

One of the features we paid close attention to when testing espresso machines is pressure. If you’re not incorporating pressure into your brewing, you’re essentially just making strong drip coffee. As 2007 World Barista Champion James Hoffmann explained, nine bars of pressure is optimal for espresso because it extracts the flavors and concentration you want from your coffee without overly compacting the espresso puck, which hinders extraction. Most home espresso machines use a similar vibrator pump to create this pressure, and the best espresso machines are designed to regulate that nine bars of pressure as it flows through the coffee for even extraction. (Coffee percolators deal with extraction issues, too).

Water Temperature

The way to think about water temperature and extraction is that hotter water will extract more flavors from coffee faster, while colder water will pull flavors from coffee more slowly. A coffee brewed with very hot water (over 205ºF) can be over-extracted and thin while a coffee brewed with colder water (under 195ºF) can be under-extracted and sour. Most espresso machines have a single boiler that switches between brewing and steam mode, and the temperature in the boiler can swing as high as boiling (212ºF) and as low as 185ºF depending on the heating cycle. Other espresso machines use a thermoblock, which flash heats water on demand for brewing or steaming. High-end machines, however, will have two boilers: one dedicated for brewing, and one dedicated for steam (this is the case for the Breville Dual Boiler).

Important Espresso Terms

Before we get into the testing nitty-gritty, here's a brief, non-exhaustive overview of some commonly used espresso terms:

• PID: This is short for “proportional integral derivative.” It's essentially a control box that maintains precise temperatures using an algorithm. Not every machine has this.
• Group Head: Where water exists the espresso machine. This is where the portafilter locks into.
• Portafilter: The handle that holds the filter basket.
• Distribute: Before tamping, you may consider distributing the coffee grounds in the filter basket to ensure an even spread. A distribution tool is helpful for this.
• Tamp: Using a tamper to press the ground espresso into an evenly compact puck in the filter basket. This is so water flows through the espresso puck at the same rate.
  
• Purge: After use, you'll want to purge the machine by turning it on (as if you were pulling a shot of espresso) to clean the group head and dispersion screen (the mesh filter in the group head). This removes coffee oils and particulates.
• Pull: This is what you call making a shot of espresso.

What We Learned

An Espresso Machine's Worth Investing In (As Your Budget Allows)

I tested machines that cost between $200 and $2,000 and, for the most part, they were all able to pull a great shot of espresso. However, the more expensive and commercial-grade the machine became, the easier it was to get the coffee quality I wanted. Pricier dual boiler machines like the Breville Dual Boiler made dialing in the right grind setting a breeze due to their consistent pressure and high-quality design. 

Similarly, I loved the espresso shots we pulled on the “prosumer” Diletta Mio Espresso Machine, Rancilio Silvia, and Gaggia Classic Pro, but it took a little more trial and error adjusting the grind to get the shots that we wanted. Lastly, the Breville Barista series (including the Breville Bambino Plus and Breville Barista Express Impress) uses a lower-pressure “pre-infusion” that gently saturates the espresso puck, which helped me find a good shot quicker but took a little longer to nail the flavors I was after. So while investing in a high-end machine might make your daily espresso routine smoother, casual home espresso fans can still find a great option that fits their budget without sacrificing quality. 

Temperature Stability = Consistency 

Espresso machines with a PID (proportional integral derivative) controller to manage their brew temperatures pulled more consistent shots than machines without one. And while most of my top picks come with an integrated PID, the Rancilio Silvia and Gaggia Classic Pro do not. That means that the boiler temperature on both of those machines can swing between 185ºF to 210ºF, leaving some shots tasting sour and others bitter. There are ways around that, though—you can temperature-surf both machines by purging water to trigger a heating cycle and pulling your shot at a set time after the boiler light turns back on (with detailed instructions for the Gaggia shown here). Once I was able to work out the routine, these machines pulled incredible espresso shots on par with $10,000 commercial models—it just took a little extra work. People who love to tinker can also order an aftermarket PID kit and install it themselves, but those modifications will void the warranty. 

Built-in Grinders Were Convenient But Limiting

Both the Breville Barista Express Impress and Breville Barista Touch Impress have convenient built-in grinders that pull great espresso shots, but their grind range was more limiting than using a standalone espresso grinder. I loved the Barista Express Impress’ automatic dosing and tamping system for how streamlined its shot-pulling process was, but was able to pull better-tasting shots with a Breville Bambino Plus, and our favorite espresso grinder, the Baratza Sette 270. The Touch Impress comes with an upgraded set of grinding burrs manufactured by Baratza, which improved the espresso quality but was still limited in the number of grind settings that were in the ideal espresso range. (Its touchscreen system, however, was clutch for walking espresso beginners through the steps necessary to make a latte or cappuccino.) 

In summary: While espresso aficionados might want the freedom a standalone grinder provides, the average coffee drinker will likely appreciate the built-in grinder on either of these models. 

Most Steam Wands Were Just Okay

Unless the espresso machine had a dual boiler, most machines had steam pressure that was just adequate—but that isn’t a surprise. To produce silky microfoam that’s capable of pouring latte art, espresso machines need powerful steam pressure to whip air bubbles into the milk and create a vortex that breaks those bubbles down until they’re microscopic. A dedicated steam boiler is the best way to have a constant supply of high-powered steam to create microfoam, and it’s no surprise the dual boiler models steamed the best milk out of all the machines I tested. 

Most home machines, however, use a thermoblock for flash-heating or have a switch for steam mode to superheat the boiler to over 240ºF. While I liked how handy the on-demand steam was from the thermoblock in the Breville Barista line and Dilettta Mio, it wasn’t as powerful as the steam pressure from the steam mode of the Rancilio Silvia or Gaggia Classic Pro. The downside for the Rancilio and Gaggia, however, is that it can take up to a minute for the boiler to get hot enough for steam pressure, making it inconvenient for anyone who likes making milk-based drinks.

What really impressed me, however, was the automatic steam wand on the Breville Bambino Plus and Barista Touch Impress. Those machines have a temperature sensor and a variable air injection system that creates microfoam automatically and does an excellent job, making them a great option for latte lovers who want a no-fuss home coffee break. 

Automatic Cleaning Cycles Were Super Helpful

The best way to clean an espresso machine is to backflush coffee detergent up into the group head using a blank filter basket that doesn’t have holes. Typically, this means users have to run the machine in five-second on-and-off cycles manually so it can pressurize the cleaning powder into the machine and dispel it through the pressure relief valve in the drip tray. However, many of the machines I tested had cleaning programs that ran those cycles automatically. Even better were the Breville machines that had alert systems that told you when it was time to perform a full cleaning cycle. Since espresso machines are expensive, the best way to keep them running for a long time is regular cleaning and maintenance. It’s a small user experience perk, but for home espresso beginners, automatic cleaning cycles are a great way to make sure you’re taking care of your new machine. 

The Criteria: What to Look for in an Espresso Machine

The best espresso machines pull great shots of espresso and can consistently deliver the same espresso quality shot after shot. They also have steam wands that are capable of creating silky microfoam, and they should be easy to clean.

Our Favorite Espresso Machines

The Best Espresso Machine

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

$500 at Amazon $500 at Williams Sonoma $500 at Sur La Table

What we liked: The Bambino Plus is a compact and lightweight espresso machine—but that doesn’t mean it can’t hold its own against models twice its size. Instead of a traditional boiler, the Bambino Plus uses a ThermoJet heating system that reaches brewing temperatures in just three seconds. It also has a PID to ensure that the machine is brewing at exactly 200ºF with every shot pulled. The machine uses pre-infusion to saturate the coffee puck at a lower pressure during the first few seconds of brewing, which helped me dial in great espresso shots with just a few grind adjustments. Aside from its excellent espresso performance, the Bambino Plus is chock full of user-friendly details, like a bobber that pops up when your drip tray is full and the cleaning instructions printed on the back of the removable water reservoir. Combined with an automatic steam wand that has three temperature and foam level options, the Bambino Plus is an approachable machine for beginners and experts alike. 

What we didn’t like: The biggest gripe I have with the Bambino Plus is its automatic volume buttons for espresso. They weren’t as consistent as I would like them to be, so I suggest stopping your shots manually instead. 

Best for: Beginners and pros alike who want a feature-rich machine at an approachable price point. 

Recommended accessories: Breville includes all the accessories you need to make espresso with each machine, but I also recommend this upgraded IMS espresso filter basket for better tasting coffee, this Crema Coffee Tools distribution tool and push tamper for more level espresso pucks, and it never hurts to stock up on Cafiza Espresso Cleaning Powder.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 8 x 13 x 12 inches
• Weight: 11 pounds 
• Portafilter diameter: 54 millimeters
• Capacity: 1 liter 
• PID: Yes
• Accessories: 54mm tamper, the Razor precision dosing tool, 16-ounce stainless steel milk jug, 1- and 2-cup single wall & dual wall filter baskets, cleaning tool, cleaning disc
• Care instructions: Backflush with coffee detergent according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Warranty: 2 years

The Best Espresso Machine for Beginners

Breville Barista Express Impress

$900 $800 at Amazon $800 at Williams Sonoma $800 at Target

What we liked: Most Breville Barista machines are made with the same internals, so temperature stability and pressure ramping in the Breville Barista Express Impress are similar to the Bambino Plus. Both machines feature a flash-heating system with a PID that regulates temperature and a near-instantaneous switch to steam temperature. The truly amazing feature of this model, however, is the intelligent dosing system. By adding a built-in tamper, the Barista Express Impress can adjust the amount of coffee it automatically doses to the ideal 18-gram dose. Once the tamper is fully compressed, the gauge gives you immediate feedback if you need to add a little more coffee—or if it’s overdosed the filter basket—and the machine will auto-correct itself the next time it grinds. I found this super helpful during testing, where the machine pulled back-to-back shots consistently without me having to manually weigh out every espresso puck. Its built-in grinder was also easy to adjust.

What we didn’t like: I still wish the grinder had more built-in settings—it offers 25 versus the 270 on the espresso grinder we used to test other machines—but it did a solid job grinding fine enough and consistently enough for most people at home. It also has the same automatic volume issues as the Bambino Plus.

Best for: Anyone who is new to espresso or just wants a streamlined home experience. 

Recommended accessories: The Barista Express Impress is a one-stop shop, and it's likely other filter baskets wouldn't work with its dosing and tamping system, so my extra recommendation is the Cafiza Espresso Cleaning Powder.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 13 x 15 x 16 inches
• Weight: 24 pounds 
• Portafilter diameter: 54 millimeters
• Capacity: 2 liters 
• PID: Yes
• Accessories: 480ml stainless steel milk jug, 1- and 2-cup single and dual wall filter baskets, water filter holder with filter, the Razor precision trimming tool, cleaning tablets, Allen key, steam wand cleaning tool, cleaning disc, cleaning brush, descaling powder
• Care instructions: Backflush with coffee detergent according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Warranty: 2 years

The Best Espresso Machine for Enthusiasts

Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine

$1,000 $865 at Amazon $45 at Walmart

What we liked: A favorite of home baristas for over two decades, the Rancilio Silvia is one of the first home espresso machines ever made with commercial-grade parts. It’s heavy-duty with a fairly small body, and I pulled some of the best-tasting espresso shots on it during testing. While it doesn’t have a PID-controlled boiler, it has a light that indicates when the machine's heating so I could temperature surf for 200ºF brew temps. Its single boiler can be switched to hot water mode that dispenses out of the steam wand for pre-heating espresso cups, as well as steam mode. That means it has a more powerful steam wand than most of my top picks since it has a full boiler pressurizing the steam wand instead of a quick-heating thermoblock. The steam wand itself was a joy to use—it’s the same full articulating steam wand that Rancilio adds to its commercial machines, and combined with the weighted professional portafilter, using the Silvia felt like having a pro setup at home. 

What we didn’t like: It can take the machine a few minutes to heat up enough for steam mode, and then after you’re done steaming, the boiler will be too hot to pull a shot right away. It’s not an ideal espresso machine for anyone who wants to make back-to-back milk drinks, and I also found that nailing the temperature surfing process was tricky. You can add a PID to the machine, though, and you can even buy a version with a PID added for you.

Best for: Espresso enthusiasts who don’t mind learning techniques or tinkering.

Recommended Accessories: The VST 18-gram espresso basket is also an excellent upgrade that lets you grind finer for better-tasting espresso. This push tamper/coffee distributor combo from Crema Coffee Products is also handy for evenly distributed espresso pucks, and you'll need a milk steaming pitcher if you plan on making lattes. Finally, the best way to keep everything clean is with Cafiza Espresso Cleaning Powder and a cleaning brush.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 9.2 x 11.4 x 13.3 inches
• Weight: 22 pounds
• Portafilter diameter: 58 millimeters
• Capacity: 2 liters
• PID: No
• Accessories: Double and single filter baskets, blank backflushing basket, tamper
• Care instructions: Backflush with coffee detergent according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Warranty: 3 years

The Best Upgrade Espresso Machine for Enthusiasts

Diletta Mio Espresso Machine

$1,349 at Amazon View on Seattlecoffeegear.com

What we liked: The Diletta Mio is a newer model that’s designed to add high-end espresso machine functions with a more user-friendly interface. Its customizable PID controller lets the user adjust the brew temperature by a single degree Fahrenheit, and the display doubles as an automatic shot timer. It has a simple three-button interface for power, brewing, and steam, and you can even turn the steam boiler off if you want to save some energy. Its manometer dial on the front gives you real-time feedback on the pressure inside the basket while brewing. Its steam wand is powered by a separate thermoblock so steaming milk won’t affect your brew temperature, and this also means that steam mode kicks on in just a few seconds, like the Breville models I tested. When it came to performance, the Mio pulled consistent, fantastic back-to-back shots. 

What we didn’t like: The biggest downside of this machine is its price—though I think it’s worth it if you want a high-performance machine without having to take out a second mortgage. I also wish the steam wand was a little more powerful.

Best for: Espresso enthusiasts who want high-end performance and don’t mind spending a little more. 

Recommended Accessories: It’s hard to go wrong with a VST 18-gram espresso basket upgrade, which lets you grind finer to extract more sweetness. The Mio doesn’t come with a milk steaming pitcher, though, so you’ll need to pick one up. And the best way to clean your machine is with Cafiza Espresso Cleaning Powder and a cleaning brush.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 10.75 x 15 x 17 inches
• Weight: 28 pounds
• Portafilter diameter: 58 millimeters
• Capacity: 2 liters
• PID: Yes
• Accessories: Double and single filter baskets, blank backflushing basket, tamper, and grouphead cleaning brush
• Care instructions: Backflush with coffee detergent according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Warranty: 2 years

The Best Touchscreen Espresso Machine

Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine with Grinder

$1,500 at Amazon $1,500 at Williams Sonoma $1,500 at Sur La Table

What we liked: An updated version of the Barista Express Impress, the Touch Impress has the same auto-dosing and assisted tamping lever, only with a touchscreen system that walks you through every step of the espresso process. It was great getting immediate real-time feedback letting me know if the shots were too fast or slow and how to adjust the grind to achieve better results. With an upgraded burr set made by Baratza, I thought it pulled better-tasting shots than the Express Impress. The touchscreen can also walk you through every step needed to make a latte, and with the same automatic steam wand as the Bambino Plus, the Touch Impress is an almost entirely automated espresso machine that still lets you pull shots and steam milk manually if you’d like. I appreciated the built-in cleaning reminders and the automatic shot timer, too.

What we didn’t like: It’s a machine with a lot of great technology, and that runs the price up for sure. It also has the same automatic volume consistency issues that all of the Breville models have. 

Best for: Anyone who wants a seamless drink-making process and has a large budget.

Recommended accessories: The Barista Touch Impress comes with everything you need to start making drinks, so my only extra recommendation is the Cafiza Espresso Cleaning Powder.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 16 x 14.1 x 13.5 inches
• Weight: 31 pounds
• Portafilter diameter: 54 millimeters
• Capacity: 2 liters
• PID: Yes
• Accessories: 480ml stainless steel milk jug, 1 and 2 cup single and dual wall filter baskets, water filter holder with filter, water hardness strip, the Razor precision trimming tool, cleaning tablets, steam wand cleaning tool, cleaning disc, cleaning brush, descale powder
• Care instructions: Backflush with coffee detergent according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Warranty: 2 years

The Best User-Friendly Dual Boiler Espresso Machine

Breville BES920XL Dual Boiler Espresso Machine

$1,600 at Amazon $1,600 at Williams Sonoma $1,600 at Sur La Table

What we liked: On first impression, the Breville Dual Boiler was a step up from the competition. It has a professional-grade 58-millimeter portafilter, a pressure gauge, a PID display and shot-timer, and a hot water spout for preheating cups. Because it has a dedicated brew boiler and steam boiler, I was able to easily pull shots and steam milk simultaneously. When it came to espresso, the Dual Boiler pulled extremely tasty shots, and its boiler was so consistent that we could pull back-to-back espressos without any variation in quality. Plus, the steam pressure created textured microfoam worthy of any cafe. But while a lot of high-end espresso machines aren’t always user-friendly, the Dual Boiler is packed with details that make it excellent to use. Not only does the drip tray have a bobber to alert you when it’s full, but there’s also a hidden storage compartment to keep your cleaning tools behind it. It also has pop-up rollers so you can easily move it on your counter without having to lift the machine, and there’s even a magnetic divot to hold your tamper when not in use. These thoughtful touches make it a dream to use, and while it’s the second priciest espresso machine I recommend, it packs in features you’d normally see in espresso machines two or three times as expensive. 

What we didn’t like: It’s an expensive machine, and you still need to buy a standalone grinder. It also has the same automatic volume issues as the other Breville models I tested. Still, it’s hard to find a dual boiler espresso machine for under $2,000, and for frequent cappuccino or latte drinkers, I think you’ll appreciate the machine’s excellent steam pressure. 

Best for: Anyone who drinks multiple cappuccinos a day, has a bit of espresso experience, and wants a high-performance machine that’s easy to use. 

Recommended Accessories: The VST 18-gram espresso basket is also an excellent upgrade that lets you grind finer for better-tasting espresso. This push tamper/coffee distributor combo from Crema Coffee Products is also handy for evenly distributed espresso pucks, but otherwise, the Dual Boiler comes with everything you need to start making great espresso drinks.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 15.9 x 14.7x 14.9 inches
• Weight: 23 pounds
• Portafilter diameter: 58 millimeter 
• Capacity: 2.5 liters 
• PID: Yes
• Accessories: 58mm razor dosing tool, 58mm stainless steel portafilter, 1-cup and 2-cup single and dual wall filter baskets, tamper, 16-ounce stainless steel milk jug, cleaning kit, water hardness test strip, water filter holder and water filter
• Care instructions: Backflush with coffee detergent according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Warranty: 1 year

The Best Espresso Machine Under $2000

Lelit MaraX Espresso Machine PL62X-120

$1,700 at Williams Sonoma View on Lelit.com View on Seattlecoffeegear.com

What we liked: This is, arguably, the best-made espresso machine of our winners. It pulls great espresso, is easy to dial in (it even has a temperature configuration for different roasts), and froths cafe-quality milk. I liked that the insulated steam wand stayed cool while on and that you could grip it while frothing and position it just so. There were small graphics above each function (like for the group head and hot water) that showed which direction to turn to engage them. The build quality on the Mara X’s tamper is much, much better than most.

What we didn’t like: While this machine offered flawless performance, it’s very expensive. It’s also heavy.

Best for: Enthusiasts and pros who want a top-of-the-line machine.

Recommended accessories: I like this Crema Coffee Tools distribution tool and push tamper and you'll need to purchase a milk steaming pitcher.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 8.7 x 13.75 x 16.25 inches
• Weight: 40.6 pounds 
• Portafilter diameter: 58 millimeters
• Capacity: 2.5 liters 
• PID: Yes
• Accessories: 58mm tamper, cup warmer rack and drip tray, IMS filter baskets, cleaning kit
• Care instructions: Backflush with coffee detergent according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Warranty: 1 year

The Best Espresso Machine for Hobbyists

Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine

$638 at Amazon $549 at Sur La Table View on Gaggia-na.com

What we liked: A longtime favorite of Serious Eats, the Gaggia Classic Pro is similar to the Rancilio Silvia—it’s a single boiler machine made with commercial espresso parts that overperformed for its price point. And while it might not be the most user-friendly model out there, it pulled espresso shots that matched the quality of the most expensive winners. Similar to the Silvia, the Classic Pro doesn’t have a PID and requires temperature surfing to achieve 200ºF brew temps, but after pulling a few shots I felt pretty comfortable with the routine. Its steam wand was powerful, though it took a few minutes to heat up, and I was able to pour latte art on my second try. 

What we didn’t like: The temperature surfing process made it difficult to pull back-to-back shots quickly, and switching to steam mode and back to brew mode to make multiple milk-based drinks was a headache. Still, it pulled incredible espresso shots for its price point, and like the Silvia, you can add a PID and other modifications fairly easily. 

Best for: Espresso enthusiasts who like rolling up their sleeves, have a modest budget, and only make cappuccinos on occasion. 

Recommended Accessories: The Gaggia Classic Pro highly benefits from upgrades, including the VST 18-gram espresso basket, a sturdy tamper from Crema Coffee Products, and a milk steaming pitcher for making lattes. I also really like this dispersion block upgrade that’s made out of brass for better temperature stability and has a more precise screen for more even water distribution. And don’t forget the Cafiza Espresso Cleaning Powder and a cleaning brush—you’ll need them to keep your machine clean. 

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 9 x 15 x 9.5 inches
• Weight: 16 pounds 
• Portafilter diameter: 58 millimeter 
• Capacity: 2 liters
• PID: No
• Accessories: Plastic tamper, coffee scoop
• Care instructions: Backflush with coffee detergent according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Warranty: 1 year

The Best Budget-Friendly Espresso Machine Under $200

De'Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine

$100 $82 at Amazon $84 at Target $82 at Home Depot

What we liked: I didn’t love this machine, but for anyone on a budget, it makes adequate espresso. The shots I pulled with it were more passable than good, and its steam wand made bubbly, lumpy milk foam. Still, at a fifth of the price of the next cheapest machine, the De’Longhi Stilosa is a good value and outperformed every other model under $400. I also liked its dead-simple interface, which is a single dial that can switch to brew or steam only.

What we didn’t like: Aside from its so-so performance, it’s also pretty flimsy with a mostly plastic body and rattled a lot while brewing. But, for its price, the Stilosa punches above its weight class. 

Best for: Anyone who is curious about espresso but not quite ready to take the plunge on more expensive equipment. 

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 12 X 19 x 15 inches
• Weight: 8 pounds 
• Portafilter diameter: 54 millimeter 
• Capacity: 1 liter 
• PID: No 
• Accessories: Tamper, filter for single and double espresso, measuring spoon
• Care instructions: Hand-wash parts with warm water and a stiff brush
• Warranty: 1 year

The Best Splurge Dual Boiler Espresso Machine

Lelit Elizabeth Espresso Machine

View on Clivecoffee.com View on Seattlecoffeegear.com

What we liked: The Lelit Elizabeth is a serious espresso machine that made me feel like I was working in a professional coffee bar (again). It has dual boilers for independent brewing and steam functions, a pressure meter, and a digital PID display that lets the user customize brewing temperatures. And while its interface is more bare-bones than the Breville Dual Boiler, the Elizabeth pulled incredible shots and steamed pristine microfoam every single time. It also has a programmable pre-infusion setting for gently saturating your espresso pucks before the full pressure kicks in. There’s not much more to say about this product—it's a small espresso machine that delivers professional performance, and anyone serious about at-home espresso will love it. 

What we didn’t like: It’s very expensive, and at this price I expected it would come with better accessories. Still, the Elizabeth’s performance was more on par with professional-grade espresso machines that cost three times as much, and I think it offers a lot of value in the dual-boiler espresso machine category.

Best for: Anyone who is dead serious about their espresso, wants unmatched steam pressure, and dreams about turning their kitchen into a coffee bar.

Recommended Accessories: This machine comes with a plastic tamper, unfortunately, so I think you should invest in a push tamper/coffee distributor combo from Crema Coffee Products. I also think that the VST 18-gram espresso basket can help you step up your espresso quality, and you’ll need a milk steaming pitcher to take advantage of this machine’s steam boiler. As always, Espresso Cleaning Powder and a cleaning brush will help you keep your machine running smoothly. 

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 12 x 11 x 15 inches
• Weight: 27 pounds
• Portafilter diameter: 58 millimeters
• Capacity: 2.5 liters
• PID: Yes
• Accessories: Double and single filter baskets, blank backflushing basket, tamper, cleaning kit
• Care instructions: Backflush with coffee detergent according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Warranty: 1 year

The Competition

• Rancilio Silvia Pro X: This dual-boiler upgrade of the Rancilio Silvia performed great in all of my tests, but ultimately its price point was too high compared to the Breville Dual Boiler and Lelit Elizabeth, which I also liked slightly more. 
• La Marzocco Linea Micra: The Linea Micra is an incredible espresso machine that I love, but, at nearly $4,000 it’s hard to recommend to most people. If you’re ready to take the plunge, I say go for it—but I also have dual-boiler espresso machine picks that are less than half the cost. 
• La Marzocco Linea Mini: This machine is a personal favorite but it’s more of a small commercial model than a home espresso machine. It weighs almost 90 pounds when full of water and has the same steam pressure as a machine that’s more than twice its size, making it impractical for most home espresso enthusiasts. 
• Breville Barista Pro: The Barista Pro is a great option from Breville with a built-in grinder, but I found the Barista Express Impress offered a lot more for just a slightly higher price. 
• Neo Flair Espresso Maker: The only manual espresso machine I tested, the Flair is a pressurized lever that requires the user to add their own hot water from a kettle. I thought it struggled to produce the espresso quality of the other machines I tested.
• SOWTECH Steam Espresso Machine: This machine uses steam pressure instead of a pump, making it more like a moka pot than an espresso machine. The shots it pulled were bitter, but it did have powerful steam pressure. 
• Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine: This machine produced bitter and thin espresso and its steam wand made bubbly and foamy milk. 
• Mr. Coffee One-Touch CoffeeHouse+ Espresso, Cappuccino, and Latte Maker: Similar to the other Mr. Coffee I tested, the automatic steam wand on this machine made foamy and bubbly milk, and it was frustrating trying to pull shots on it because of how flimsy and lightweight it felt. 
• KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine: This machine struggled to steam milk, and it pulled thin and sour espresso shots. 
• SMEG Espresso Machine: This machine performed similarly to the De’Longhi Stilosa but is almost four times as expensive. The espresso shots were only adequate, and the milk texture was full of large bubbles. 
• Cuisinart Espresso Maker Machine: This machine had issues keeping consistent espresso pressure throughout the entire shot and also produced foamy, bubbly milk. 
• Capresso Café TS Touchscreen Espresso Machine: This machine produced espresso shots that had a burnt, rubbery flavor to them, and the underpowered steam wand struggled to both aerate and heat the milk. 
• De’Longhi La Specialista Arte: I found the built-in grinder on this machine to lack the finer settings required to pull great espresso shots, and the foam created from its steam wand collapsed quickly when added to the espresso.
• KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine: KitchenAid's semi-automatic espresso machine is a looker with a quiet, built-in grinder. But we felt it was too finicky to dial in for first-time users, and lacked key upgrades, like an open-bottom portafilter, for espresso aficionados. Although the machine is supposed to come with two single-shot filter baskets and two double-shot baskets, we only received one double-shot basket.
• Diletta Bello+ Espresso Machine: Our first copy of this machine had pressure-related issues. We re-ordered it and experienced problems with the water boiler midway through testing.

FAQs

How do you clean an espresso machine?

The nuances of cleaning an espresso machine will vary depending on your specific machine, so always check the manufacturer’s instructions first. In general, though, you’ll want to keep up with day-to-day cleaning tasks, like purging and wiping down the steam wand after use, flushing the group head to avoid the buildup of coffee grounds, and cleaning the portafilter and basket.  

How do you descale an espresso machine?

Again, check the manufacturer directives for details on descaling your particular machine, but this is a good habit to get into on a monthly basis—especially if you use your machine daily or if you live somewhere with hard water.

Is an espresso machine worth it?

Whether an espresso machine is worth the purchase or not is always going to be a personal decision. Consider your budget, counter space, and likelihood of frequent use. If you’re happy with filter coffee and only reach for an espresso beverage as an occasional treat, you’re probably fine to skip the at-home espresso machine. But if you’re dropping $6 on lattes each day from your favorite coffee shop? Well, an espresso machine might be a great investment.

What's the difference between an espresso, cappuccino, and latte?

Espresso is a concentrated shot of coffee, extracted at high pressure from a compacted puck of extremely finely ground coffee. It's either consumed on its own or used as a base for a cappuccino or latte, which adds heated and aerated milk to the espresso in different quantities. Cappuccino is a smaller espresso and milk beverage, usually around five ounces, with a thicker layer of foam. A latte is a larger espresso and milk beverage, usually around 12 ounces, with a thinner layer of milk foam.

What are the three types of espresso machines?

The three main types of espresso machines are semi-automatic, automatic, and super-automatic. These terms refer to how much of the espresso shot-pulling process is controlled by the user or the machine itself. Semi-automatic machines require the user to grind their coffee, tamp it into a puck, and then start and stop the espresso shot manually. Automatic espresso machines also require the user to grind and tamp their own coffee, but they have a built-in volumetric system that automatically stops the espresso shot once it reaches the desired volume. Super-automatic machines will grind, tamp, and pull the shot to a specific volume all inside the machine itself. While super-automatic machines are very convenient, they don't offer as much control as semi-automatic and automatic espresso machines do, making it harder to fine-tune the quality of the espresso shot itself.

Why We're the Experts

• Jesse Raub is Serious Eats' commerce writer and spent over 15 years working in the specialty coffee industry. He's our in-house coffee expert and regularly tests coffee gear for this site.
• For this review, we consulted Steve Rhinehart (e-commerce manager at Acaia and former brand manager at Prima Coffee Equipment) and Madeleine Longoria Garcia of Pacific Coffee Research in Hawai'i.
• For this review, we tested 25 espresso machines. We also evaluated the Breville Bambino Plus, Breville Barista Express Impress, and Gaggia Classic Pro in long-term testing and everyday use, and retested them against new models like the Diletta Mio and Lelit Elizabeth.
• In 2024, we updated this review with a new model, the KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine, which was tested by commerce editor Rochelle Bilow.
• Ashley Rodriguez has been in the coffee industry since 2010, having worked as a barista, shop manager, and coffee trainer. She's written several of Serious Eats' coffee-related reviews, and originally tested and wrote our espresso machine review. We also regularly consult her on coffee content and equipment, harnessing her expertise as much as we can.