We Pulled Hundreds of Shots to Find the 12 Best Espresso Machines for Every Budget

Great espresso used to be reserved for coffee shops. But there’s a new era of at-home espresso machines that make it easy to create high-quality cappuccinos, lattes, cortados, flat whites, macchiatos, and americanos without leaving the comfort of your kitchen. 

But most espresso machines are an investment. To find the best espresso machines for every coffee preference, skill level, and budget, we tested 29 of them with both experts and beginners weighing in to see which models made top-notch espresso, steamed latte art-worthy microfoam, and were easy to use. After hundreds of shots, we landed on the 12 best espresso machines.

The Winners, at a Glance

The Best Espresso Machine

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

$489 at Amazon $500 at Williams Sonoma $500 at Sur La Table

The Bambino Plus is a longtime Serious Eats favorite. We've recommended it for about four years and we’ve yet to have a serious (get it?) complaint with it. It’s quick to heat, comes in a compact package, pulls great espresso shots, and has an automatic steam wand that creates microfoam silky enough for latte art.

The Best Espresso Machine for Beginners

Breville Barista Express Impress

$795 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. Its steam wand is ready in seconds and we love the smiley face that illuminates to let you know the grinds level is correct. This espresso machine will especially appeal to beginners.

The Best Espresso Machine for Enthusiasts

Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine

$900 at Amazon $900 at Walmart

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

A Great Espresso Machine Under $2,000

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, has a temperature configuration button to tweak extraction for different roasts, and has an insulated steam wand that stayed cool to the touch when frothing milk.

The Best Espresso Machine Upgrade That Does Everything for You

Breville The Oracle Jet Espresso Machine

$2,000 at Williams Sonoma View on Breville.com

With a built-in grinder featuring Baratza burrs, automatic coffee portioning, automatic tamping, a touchscreen, and automatic milk steaming, this machine couldn’t be easier to use. It allows you to customize foam, milk, and temperature preferences and it times shots, alerting you if they’re too fast or slow and how to adjust the grind size accordingly. It also has wheels on its underside that make it easy to move—and it comes with a knockbox. “My husband makes me a very good latte with this machine every morning,” associate editorial director Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm says. “He’d never used an espresso machine before we got this.”

An Espresso Machine for Enthusiasts Under $500

Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine

$450 at Amazon $599 at Sur La Table View on Gaggia-na.com

One of our longtime winners, the Gaggia Classic Pro offers commercial components for under $500. Like the Rancilio Silvia, the Gaggia is beloved by home espresso enthusiasts who enjoy tinkering, and it pulled great shots during our testing.

The Best Budget Espresso Machine

De'Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine

$100 $76 at Amazon $83 at Target $76 at Home Depot

While we didn’t l-o-v-e this espresso machine, it’s the only model under $200 that we thought did a good job, making passable espresso shots. However, it did struggle with steaming milk.

The Tests

• Espresso Tests: We dialed in a medium roast espresso blend with the Baratza Sette 270, our favorite espresso grinder. We then pulled back-to-back shots to assess flavor quality and consistency.
• Milk Steaming Tests: We used each models’ steam wand to froth milk, seeing if it could create microfoam. We poured latte art and tasted the drinks to assess the milk’s texture.
• Usability Tests: We evaluated the overall design of each espresso machine by testing every function and assessed user-friendly details that helped simplify the shot-pulling process, like automatic volume buttons and built-in timers.
• Cleanup Tests: We ran a cleaning cycle according to the manufacturer’s instructions, evaluating 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.

What We Learned

How Do Espresso Machines Work? 

Espresso machines have boilers that heat water and vibrator pumps that pressurize that water through finely ground, tamped espresso pucks. The resulting espresso is around eight to 10 times more concentrated than drip coffee, with a syrupy body from emulsified and suspended coffee oils. 

A good espresso machine produces a consistent nine bars of pressure, extracting flavor without overly compacting the puck. It also keeps water within 195ºF to 205ºF. Too hot (over 205ºF) and the coffee can be over-extracted and too cold (under 195ºF), it’s 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. Some models use thermoblock, which flash-heats water on demand. High-end espresso machines, however, have two boilers: one for brewing and another for steaming (this is the case for the Breville Dual Boiler), allowing you to do both at the same time.

Important Espresso Terms

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of testing, here's a non-exhaustive overview of some commonly used espresso terms you should know and will see throughout this review:

• PID: This is short for proportional-integral-derivative—essentially a control box that maintains precise temperatures using an algorithm. Not every machine has this.
• Group head: Where water exits and the portafilter locks into.
• Portafilter: The handle that holds the filter basket.
• Filter basket: What holds the ground coffee. These come in different sizes.
• Distribute: Before tamping, you might consider distributing the coffee grounds in the filter basket to ensure an even spread. (A distribution tool is helpful for this.)
• Tamp: A tamper is used to press ground espresso into an evenly compact puck in the filter basket. This is so water flows through the puck at the same rate. Many espresso machines come with flimsy plastic tampers, which is why we suggest buying a separate one.
• 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: To make a shot of espresso.
• Steam pitcher: What you add milk to for heating and frothing. Depending on the pitcher, it can have lines to help you gauge volume. It's usually made from stainless steel—nice for sensing temperatures.

Types of Espresso Machines

There are three main types of espresso machines: semi-automatic, automatic, and super-automatic. These refer to how much of the shot-pulling process is controlled by the user or the machine. 

• Semi-automatic machines require you to grind coffee, tamp it, and then start and stop the espresso shot manually.
• Automatic espresso machines allow you to grind and tamp coffee but have built-in volumetric systems that automatically stop shots.
• Super-automatic machines will grind, tamp, and pull shots for you. While super-automatic machines are convenient, they don't offer as much control as semi-automatic and automatic espresso machines, making it harder to fine-tune espresso quality. For this review, we focused mainly on semi-automatic and automatic espresso machines.

Espresso Machines Are Pricey—and for Good Reason

We tested machines that cost between $200 and $2,000. You can get nice espresso from a cheaper coffee maker, however, the more expensive and commercial-grade the machine, the easier it is to make great espresso thanks to its consistent pressure and temperature stability. That said, it doesn’t mean that pricier machines are totally easy-breezy. With many of our top picks, it took trial and error, and adjusting the grind size, to get the shots we wanted. 

It’s worth noting we have several favorite espresso machines from Breville’s Barista series (including the Breville Bambino Plus and Breville Barista). There’s a reason for this. They use a lower-pressure “pre-infusion” that gently and evenly saturates espresso pucks, helping us pull better shots quickly.

Do You Need an Espresso Machine With PID?

Machines with PID controllers were more consistent. (Remember: temperature stability!) While many of our top picks come with PID, the Rancilio Silvia and Gaggia Classic Pro do not. That means 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 by purging water to trigger a heating cycle and pulling your shot at a set time after the boiler light turns back on. Once we worked out a routine, these models pulled incredible espresso shots. People who love to tinker can also order an aftermarket PID kit and install it themselves, too, but this modification will void the warranty. 

Should You Buy an Espresso Machine With a Built-in Grinder? 

Some of our favorite machines, like the Breville Barista Express Impress and Oracle Jet, have convenient built-in grinders and make great espresso. However, their grind range was more limiting than using a standalone espresso grinder—basically, there are a finite number of changes you can make to improve shot quality. That said, while espresso aficionados might want the freedom standalone grinders provide, the average coffee drinker will probably appreciate a built-in grinder.

Which Steam Wands Made Cafe-Quality Milk Foam?

Unless the machines had dual boilers, most had only adequate steam pressure—but that wasn't a surprise. To produce silky microfoam capable of pouring latte art, espresso machines need powerful steam pressure to whip air bubbles into the milk, breaking them down until they’re microscopic. A dedicated steam boiler is the best way to have consistent, high-powered steam for microfoam (hence why the dual boiler models excelled here). 

The majority of home machines, however, use a thermoblock for flash-heating or a steam mode to superheat the boiler to over 240ºF. These worked fine, but they just weren’t the most powerful. What really impressed us, though, were automatic steam wands, like on the Oracle Jet. These have temperature sensors and variable air injection systems that create microfoam automatically, making them great options for latte lovers.

Automatic Cleaning Cycles Were Helpful

The best way to clean an espresso machine is to backflush coffee detergent into the group head using a blank, solid filter basket. Typically, you’ll have to run the machine in five-second on-and-off intervals so it can pressurize the cleaning powder into the machine and dispel it through a valve in the drip tray. However, many of the machines we tested had automatic cleaning cycles. Basically, after the cleaning cycle’s selected and the requisite cleaning product is added, the machine cleaned itself. Even better were the Breville models that alerted you when it was time to perform a full cleaning cycle. 

Selecting a Grinder for Espresso

Selecting the right grind size—and getting a fine-enough, consistent grind—will make all of the difference in espresso quality. The question then becomes: What espresso grinder do you get? We tested eight of them and landed on four top picks, but we’ll highlight the Baratza Sette 270 and Baratza Encore ESP here. The pricier Sette has a continuously adjustable dial, so it technically has more than 270 settings—a dream for anyone looking to fine-tune shots. The Encore ESP is half the price of the Sette and has 20 micro-adjustments and a handy dosing cup. It'll give you enough precision without being overwhelming. It's worth noting that while most burr coffee grinders can't grind beans fine enough for espresso, the Encore ESP can go coarse enough for drip coffee.

The Criteria: What to Look for in an Espresso Machine

The best espresso machines pull great shots and can consistently deliver the same espresso quality time after time. They also have steam wands that are capable of creating silky microfoam. We favored espresso machines that were easy to use, too—especially if they were marketed toward beginners.

That said, we acknowledge that it's tricky to weigh taste, value, and usability the same for everyone. “I advise considering what your needs are first and foremost," says Steve Rhinehart, manager at Acaia and formerly of 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?” For this reason, we have 12 winning espresso machines. That way, you’re bound to find one that matches what you’re looking for.

Our Favorite Espresso Machines

The Best Espresso Machine

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

$489 at Amazon $500 at Williams Sonoma $500 at Sur La Table

What we liked: The Bambino Plus is compact and holds its own against models twice its size. Instead of a traditional boiler, it uses a ThermoJet heating system that reaches brewing temperatures in just three seconds. It also has a PID that ensures it’s operating at exactly 200ºF every time. The machine uses pre-infusion to evenly saturate the coffee puck at a lower pressure during the first few seconds of brewing, which helped us dial in shots quickly. Aside from its excellent espresso performance, the Bambino Plus is chock full of user-friendly details, like a bobber that pops up when the 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 options, it’s an approachable machine for beginners and experts alike. 

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

Best for: Anyone who wants a feature-rich machine at an approachable price point. 

Recommended accessories: 

• IMS Espresso Filter Basket
• Crema Coffee Tools Distribution Tool and Tamper
• Cafiza Cleaning Powder

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 8 x 13 x 12 inches
• Weight: 11 pounds 
• Portafilter diameter: 54 millimeters
• Capacity: 1 liter 
• PID: Yes
• Accessories: 54-millimeter tamper, the Razor precision dosing tool, 16-ounce stainless steel milk jug, 1- and 2-cup single wall and 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

$795 at Amazon $800 at Williams Sonoma $800 at Target

What we liked: The most amazing feature of this machine is its intelligent dosing system. By adding a built-in tamper, the Barista Express Impress can adjust the amount of coffee it dispenses 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. We found this super helpful during testing, where it pulled back-to-back shots consistently without us having to do much. Its built-in grinder was also easy to adjust and, like the Bambino Plus, it has a flash-heating system with PID and a near-instantaneous switch to steam pressure.

What we didn’t like: We still wish its grinder had more settings—it offers 25—but it did a good job. It has the same automatic volume issues as the Bambino Plus.

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

Recommended accessories: Cafiza Cleaning Powder

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 13 x 15 x 16 inches
• Weight: 24 pounds 
• Portafilter diameter: 54 millimeters
• Capacity: 2 liters 
• PID: Yes
• Accessories: 480-milliliter 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

$900 at Amazon $900 at Walmart

What we liked: A favorite of baristas for over two decades, the Rancilio Silvia is one of the first home machines ever made with commercial-grade parts. We pulled some of the best-tasting espresso shots with it during testing. While it doesn’t have a PID-controlled boiler, it has a light that indicates when the machine is heating, allowing us to temperature surf. Its single boiler can be switched to hot water mode—for pre-heating espresso cups—as well as steam mode. With a full boiler heating the steam wand, it was powerful and easy to use. It’s the same one Rancilio adds to its commercial machines and that, combined with the weighted portafilter, made the Silvia feel like having a pro setup at home. 

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

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

Recommended accessories: 

• VST 18-Gram Espresso Basket
• Crema Coffee Products Distribution Tool and Tamper
• Milk Steaming Pitcher
• Cafiza Cleaning Powder
• 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

Another Great Espresso Machine for Enthusiasts

Profitec GO Single Boiler Espresso Machine

View on Profitec-espresso.com View on Wholelattelove.com

What we liked: This machine impressed us with its ability to pull consistent, delicious espresso with rich crema. It only took four shots to dial it in, and it has a quick pre-heating process (it took less than seven minutes). We liked the Profitec’s built-in digital timer and that it has two control panels: an upper one with manual controls for pulling shots and operating the steam wand and a lower one with a PID screen for tweaking brew temperature. During testing, it took just 30 seconds for the Profitec to be ready to steam milk after pulling a shot. It comes in different colors and you can customize its accent colors, too.

What we didn’t like: Its steam wand isn’t the most powerful (though it did make microfoam), its tamper is so-so, and you’ll need to purchase a milk pitcher. It does, however, come with a cleaning brush.

Best for: Espresso enthusiasts who want a streamlined-yet-customizable experience.

Recommended accessories: 

• VST 18-Gram Espresso Basket
• Crema Coffee Products Distribution Tool and Tamper
• Milk Steaming Pitcher
• Cafiza Cleaning Powder

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 8.25 x 14.9 x 14.5 inches
• Weight: 28.4 pounds
• Portafilter diameter: 58 millimeters
• Capacity: 2.8 liters
• PID: Yes
• Accessories: Double and single filter baskets, backflushing disk, tamper, cleaning brush
• Care instructions: Backflush with coffee detergent according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Warranty: 3 years

The Best Splurge Espresso Machine for Enthusiasts

Diletta Mio Espresso Machine

$1,349 at Amazon View on Seattlecoffeegear.com

What we liked: Like the Profitec Go, the Diletta Mio has a customizable PID controller that lets you adjust the brew temperature—and the display doubles as an automatic shot timer. It has a simple, three-button interface with on/off, brewing, and steaming. Its steam wand is powered by a separate thermoblock, so heating milk won’t affect brewing. This also means that the steam mode kicks on in just a few seconds. When it came to performance, the Mio pulled consistently great espresso. 

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

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

Recommended accessories:

• VST 18-Gram Espresso Basket
• Milk Steaming Pitcher
• Crema Coffee Products Distribution Tool and Tamper
• Cafiza Cleaning Powder
• 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 group head cleaning brush
• 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 Sur La Table $1,600 at Sur La Table

What we liked: The Dual Boiler has a professional-grade 58-millimeter portafilter, pressure gauge, PID display, shot timer, and hot water spout for preheating cups. Because it has two boilers, we easily pulled shots and steamed milk simultaneously. Its steam pressure created textured microfoam worthy of any café. While a lot of high-end espresso machines aren’t always user-friendly, the Dual Boiler is packed with details that make it simple to operate. Not only does its drip tray have a bobber to alert you when it’s full, but there’s also a hidden storage compartment that houses tools. It has wheels on its underside and there’s even a magnetic divot to hold your tamper when not in use.

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

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

Recommended accessories: 

• VST 18-Gram Espresso Basket
• Crema Coffee Products Distribution Tool and Tamper
• Cafiza Cleaning Powder

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 15.9 x 14.7x 14.9 inches
• Weight: 23 pounds
• Portafilter diameter: 58 millimeters 
• Capacity: 2.5 liters 
• PID: Yes
• Accessories: 58-millimeter razor dosing tool, 58-millimeter 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 Pricier 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 us feel like we were working in a professional coffee bar. It has dual boilers, a pressure meter, and a digital PID display for customizing brewing temperatures. And while its interface is more bare-bones than the Breville Dual Boiler, the Elizabeth pulled incredible shots and steamed pristine microfoam. It also has a programmable pre-infusion setting for gently saturating espresso pucks before full pressure kicks in for optimal extraction.

What we didn’t like: It’s very expensive, and at this price we expected it would come with better accessories (its tamper is plastic). Still, the Elizabeth’s performance was on par with professional-grade espresso machines that cost three times as much.

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

Recommended accessories: 

• VST 18-Gram Espresso Basket
• Milk Steaming Pitcher
• Crema Coffee Products Distribution Tool and Tamper
• Cafiza Cleaning Powder
• Cleaning Brush

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

A Great Espresso Machine Under $2,000

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 café-quality milk. We 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 was very expensive. It’s also heavy.

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

Recommended accessories: 

• Crema Coffee Products Distribution Tool and Tamper
• Milk Steaming Pitcher
• Cafiza Cleaning Powder

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 Upgrade That Does Everything for You

Breville The Oracle Jet Espresso Machine

$2,000 at Williams Sonoma View on Breville.com

What we liked: This is one of the fanciest Breville models yet. It has a built-in grinder with Baratza burrs, 45 grind settings, and automatic coffee portioning. Once it finishes grinding, you’ll hear the machine tamp the puck. The touchscreen walks you through the entire brewing process—be it espresso, a latte, or a cappuccino—and times how long it takes to pull shots, offering guidance and grind adjustment recommendations if they’re too fast or slow. The milk frothing is automatic too: Just fill the pitcher to one of the etched-on lines, place it on the machine with the steam wand in it, and press the frothing icon. You can customize the milk type, temperature, and foam. In our tests, the microfoam was smooth enough for latte art. The wheels on the underside of the machine, the easy-to-fill water reservoir, and the included knockbox were nice touches. 

What we didn’t like: The grind adjustment knob was a little sticky and jumped grind sizes quickly. You’ll sometimes have to go back and forth to get the grind setting you want. 

Best for: If you want the easiest possible espresso experience.

Recommended accessories: Cafiza cleaning powder

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 15 x 14 1/2 deep x 16 3/4 inches
• Weight: 27.7 pounds
• Portafilter diameter: 58 millimeters
• Capacity: 2.2 liters
• PID: Yes
• Accessories: 480-milliliter stainless-steel milk jug, 1-cup filter basket, 2-cup filter basket, water-hardness testing strips, cleaning tablets, knockbox, and cleaning tools
• Care instructions: Backflush with coffee detergent according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Warranty: 2 years

An Espresso Machine for Enthusiasts Under $500

Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine

$450 at Amazon $599 at Sur La Table View on Gaggia-na.com

What we liked: A longtime favorite of ours, the Gaggia Classic Pro is similar to the Rancilio Silvia—it’s a single boiler machine made with commercial parts that overperforms considering its price. And while it might not be the most user-friendly model out there, it made great espresso. Similar to the Silvia, the Classic Pro doesn’t have a PID and requires temperature surfing to achieve 200ºF brew temperatures. Its steam wand was powerful, though it took a few minutes to heat up, and we were able to pour latte art on our 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.

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

Recommended accessories:

• VST 18-Gram Espresso Basket
• Milk Steaming Pitcher
• Crema Coffee Products Distribution Tool and Tamper
• Dispersion Block
• Cafiza Cleaning Powder
• Cleaning Brush

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 9 x 15 x 9.5 inches
• Weight: 16 pounds 
• Portafilter diameter: 58 millimeters 
• 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 Espresso Machine

De'Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine

$100 $76 at Amazon $83 at Target $76 at Home Depot

What we liked: We didn’t love this machine, but for anyone on a budget, it makes adequate espresso. The shots we pulled with it were passable, and its steam wand produced bubbly, lumpy milk foam. Still, it’s the cheapest model we recommend. We 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 expensive equipment. 

Recommended accessories:

• Milk Frothing Pitcher
• Cafiza Cleaning Powder
• Cleaning Brush

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 12 X 19 x 15 inches
• Weight: 8 pounds 
• Portafilter diameter: 54 millimeters 
• 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

Another Great Budget Espresso Machine

De'Longhi EC900M Dedica Maestro Espresso Machine

View on Seattlecoffeegear.com View on Delonghi.com $300 at Macy's

What we liked: For about $100 more, you could get this streamlined, sleeker, but still well-priced espresso machine. Its control panel has a total of five buttons—making it easy to use from the get-go. The espresso it made was fairly balanced and its steam wand frothed milk alright, too. For the price, it does what it needs to. 

What we didn’t like: It’s lightweight and not very stable. Don’t expect too much power or precision from it. 

Best for: If you want a better-looking, compact inexpensive espresso machine. 

Recommended accessories: 

• Milk Frothing Pitcher
• Cafiza Cleaning Powder
• Cleaning Brush

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 12.8 X 7.5 x 17.75 inches
• Weight: 12.12 pounds 
• Portafilter diameter: 52 millimeters 
• PID: No 
• Accessories: Tamper, filter for single and double espresso, measuring spoon
• Care instructions: Removable parts are dishwasher-safe
• Warranty: 1 year

The Competition

• Rancilio Silvia Pro X: This dual-boiler upgrade of the Rancilio Silvia performed great in all of our tests, but ultimately its price was too high compared to the Breville Dual Boiler and Lelit Elizabeth, which we also liked slightly more. 
• La Marzocco Linea Micra: The Linea Micra is an incredible espresso machine that we love, but, at nearly $4,000 it’s hard to recommend to most people.
• La Marzocco Linea Mini: This machine is great but it’s more suitable for commercial use. 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 we found the Barista Express Impress offered a lot more for a slightly higher price. 
• Neo Flair Espresso Maker: The only manual espresso machine we tested, the Flair struggled to produce the espresso quality of other machines.
• SOWTECH Steam Espresso Machine: This machine uses steam pressure instead of a pump, making it more like a moka pot. The shots it pulled were bitter.
• Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine: This machine produced bitter, thin espresso and its steam wand made bubbly milk. 
• Mr. Coffee One-Touch CoffeeHouse+ Espresso, Cappuccino, and Latte Maker: Similar to the other Mr. Coffee we tested, the automatic steam wand on this machine made foamy, bubbly milk. It was frustrating trying to pull shots with it due to its flimsiness. 
• KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine: This machine pulled thin and sour espresso shots. 
• SMEG Espresso Machine: Its espresso shots were only adequate, and the milk texture was full of large bubbles. 
• Cuisinart Espresso Maker Machine: This machine had issues keeping consistent pressure.
• Capresso Café TS Touchscreen Espresso Machine: This model’s espresso had a burnt, rubbery flavor.
• De’Longhi La Specialista Arte: We found the built-in grinder on this machine lacked the finer settings required to pull great espresso shots.
• KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine: KitchenAid's semi-automatic espresso machine is a looker with a quiet, built-in grinder. But is too finicky to dial in for first-time users, and lacks key upgrades 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: The first time we tried this machine, it had pressure-related issues. We ordered a replacement model and experienced problems with the water boiler midway through testing.
• Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine: This was a top pick, but three months into long-term testing it stopped working. We received a new model through its warranty and the same thing happened, so we can no longer recommend it.
• De'Longhi La Specialista Opera Espresso Machine with Cold Brew: This model’s performance just couldn’t match up with others in the same price range.

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 coffee grounds buildup, and cleaning the portafilter and basket.  

How do you descale an espresso machine?

Again, check the manufacturer directives for details on descaling your particular model, 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 every 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 beans. 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.

Why We're the Experts

• Jesse Raub was a writer at Serious Eats and spent over 15 years working in the specialty coffee industry. He was our in-house coffee expert and regularly tested coffee gear for this site.
• Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the associate editorial director for Serious Eats. She's been with the site since 2021 and has been testing gear professionally for more than six years.
• For this review, we consulted Steve Rhinehart (manager at Acaia and former brand manager at Prima Coffee Equipment) and Madeleine Longoria Garcia of Pacific Coffee Research in Hawai'i.
• We tested 29 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.