The list in brief
1. Best overall
2. Best budget
3. Premium pick
4. Best for aesthetic
5. Best older-generation
6. Best bean-to-cup
7. Best compact
8. Best for lattes
9. Best for beginners
10. Best for travel
11. How to choose
12. How we test
If you love coffee, you can't beat one of the best espresso machines. That's because they bring you barista-quality coffee at home, so you can have that smooth, bold taste without even having to change out of your PJs.
We'll admit that the best espresso machines aren't usually quite as quick or quite as convenient as the best Nespresso machines, but the learning curve isn't very steep and the coffee they make can be spectacular. We suspect that if you're like us, once you've experienced the coffee from an excellent espresso maker, you won't want to swap it for any other kind of coffee machine. That's why we think espresso makers are the best coffee machines for very many people.
There's a great deal of variety between different manufacturers and different models, so to help you find the right one for you tested all kinds of espresso makers from cheap and cheerful options to money-no-object machines that are works of art as well as amazing coffee makers. That means if you're looking for the best espresso maker, you'll find it right here.
In this guide, you'll find models from big names such as De’Longhi, Gaggia, and Breville, from brands you may not have heard of, and from brands you might not normally associate with coffee. But while all the coffee makers here are very different, they all have one thing in common: they make really, really good coffee.
The quick list
Espresso machine for most
Cafe-quality coffee at home is easy with this intuitive espresso machine that is not only feature-rich but learns your drinking habits overtime. It's not the most compact or the cheapest, but it's a great value for most people.
For the budget-minded
While it's compact and subtle in design, this espresso machine is particularly attractive because of its low price tag. This is the best budget option for its ability to deliver smooth brews and beautifully froth milk - though personalization isn't an option.
If money is no object
Slow your morning coffee routine down and treat it like art with this premium espresso machine. It's a manual one, giving you full control, and it brews the smoothest espresso. It also comes with a lot of special features, making it worth the splurge.
If you care about looks
Making traditional Italian espresso, cappuccino and lattes is not just easy but also stylish with this sleek and compact Smeg machine. It has a bit of a learning curve if you're a beginner, but the elevated results are worth it. And you will adore that retro look.
Oldie but goodie
Though it no longer sits at the top spot, this older espresso machine is still impressive despite its age, capable of delivering brewed rich, intense brews. A manual machine, it gives you full control while still keeping the craft friendly to beginners.
It gets personal
Want your own barista at home? This bean-to-cup machine lets you brew your preferred coffee drink with a touch of a button. It still offers some level of customization, however, for really personalized drinks. The price of entry is a little steep though.
Load the next 4 products...
Space-saving
Pressed for space? The Breville Bambino is an extremely compact option. While it's small in size, it's big on features and performance, giving you both automatic and manual brewing as well as the smoothest professional-level brews around.
Calling all latte lovers
It's not just smooth rich espresso with thick crema you're getting. With its steam wand, you can make great lattes whether you prefer milk or a plant-based alternative. It lets you customize the grind's coarseness for the perfect coffee drink every time.
Novice-friendly
Single-serve espresso machines are ideal for beginners, and the best of those is the Nespresso Vertuo Next five different drink sizes give novices a bit more flexibility, even if you don't have a way to personalize your drinks. Bear in mind that it has no steam wand.
Travel-friendly
Brew your crema-topped espresso anytime, anywhere with this made-for-travel espresso maker. It does require some effort from you as you have to pump it manually to get your espresso, but if you can't live without your favorite espresso, it's a must.
The best espresso machine 2024
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
The best espresso machine overall
The Breville the Barista Express Impress, known as the Sage The Barista Express Impress in the UK, is our #1 espresso coffee machine. It's not the most expensive, and it's not exactly the cheapest; it sits comfortably in the middle ground in terms of the first initial investment which certainly isn't a bad thing since this machine produces a delicious coffee, every time.
In our review we found that this machine delivers everything you need to enjoy speciality coffee at home. Our reviewer liked the positioning of the steam wand, which she found was easy to use and control to create a nicely textured micro-foam for milky lattes. And the Sage/Breville instantly grinds beans when you press the right buttons so you can experiment with different flavors and strengths.
The grinding of the beans, water temperature and pressure and micro-foam is all done to absolute precision. The machine does take up a fair amount of space, though, and it probably won't be a good option for you if you prefer to have a coffee at a touch of one single button. This one is for those who appreciate barista-style coffee.
Read our full Sage The Barista Express Impress review
The best budget espresso machine
Let's say you want a good espresso machine that lets you experiment with tamping the coffee and dispensing the water, but you're on a tight budget. In that case, the De'Longhi Dedica Style is one of this category's more affordable espresso machines.
The Dedica Style is simple to use. It takes ESE pods or ground coffee, which means you can use it to make decaf coffee. On test, it created an intense espresso with a stable crema. It can brew two single espressos simultaneously, but placing two cups under the spout on such a compact machine proved tricky.
We were disappointed that the machine couldn't make espresso straight after steaming milk. So if you're planning to make several coffees with milk, you'll need to brew all of the espressos before starting on the milk-based drinks. We also experienced some dripping after we poured espresso.
Read our full De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685 review
The best premium espresso machine
The Seattle Coffee Gear Diletta Bello is a new winner of our best premium espresso maker recommendation. It's expensive, which is why we don't recommend it for everybody, but it's very impressive.
There are no programmed buttons here to push, no dials for accessing presets. This is a next-level espresso machine, not quite an industrial-grade one that you'd expect to see in a coffee shop but more elevated than that automatic one you’ve got at home. Most of the things you do on this espresso machine are manual. Want your shot of espresso? You have to operate a lever and know when to stop the pour. Want frothy milk? You have to get used to turning a knob all the way then quickly shutting it down before your froth spills over.
If you're looking for an espresso machine that does everything for you with a single touch while you're still rubbing the sleep from your eyes, this definitely isn't the machine for you. But if you care about the craft of coffee, if you want manual controls so you can get your coffee just-so, there's a lot to love – not least a price tag that comes in below many other high quality manual machines. The learning curve is pretty steep – it'll take a day or so before you really get the hang of it – but the coffee is pretty much perfect.
Read our full Seattle Coffee Gear Diletta Bello review
The best espresso machine for color choice
If you’re after an espresso machine with style and substance, the Smeg ECF01 Espresso Maker is perfect. The retro-style design is available in various colors, so you’re sure to find one to suit your home decor. The Smeg produces a rich, intense shot of espresso with a thick, stable crema.
We like that this coffee machine allows you to control how much water is dispensed and will even remember your preferred volume, automatically distributing at that level the next time coffee is brewed. However, the ECF01 isn’t suitable for complete novices with no guidance on brewing espresso.
In addition, with just a 1.1-quart / 1-liter water tank, this is one of the smallest capacity espresso machines we’ve tested, so if you’re looking to make several coffees at the same time, it may not be the model for you. We also found its compact size meant it was tricky to fit two espresso cups under the spout simultaneously.
Read our full Smeg ECF01 Espresso Maker review
The best older-model espresso machine
The Gaggia Classic was our #1 espresso maker in 2021 and 2022 but it has since been knocked off its perch to make way for new machines. Whilst we do still think that it is one of the best espresso machines it is a little older than some of the others that we now feature in this guide. But it's still a great choice.
Gaggia says it will produce a shot of coffee with a thick crema without experimenting with the coffee grind size, making it ideal for those who want to learn how to use an espresso machine before attempting to play barista. It also offers complete manual control over how much water is dispensed, allowing you to create the volume of coffee you want.
On test, we were impressed that the coffee was rich and intense. With all three filters, it had a stable crema that reformed when we sprinkled sugar on top. The built-in steam wand ensures you can make milk-based coffee drinks too. However, this is the most expensive espresso machine.
Read our full Gaggia Classic review
The best bean-to-cup machine
If you're short on time but don't want to compromise on the quality of your morning coffee, the De'Longhi Dinamica Plus could be the perfect addition to your kitchen. The espresso machine is certainly pricey, but the personalization it allows may make up for it.
The Dinamica Plus automatically covers every step of the process, from grinding the beans to getting the perfect milk frothiness and even giving itself a clean at the end. User profiles and guest mode mean you can set up a profile that contains your perfect caffeine concoction which no fear that your partner's preferences might interfere. On test, we found it easy to customize so you can create the perfect coffee every time.
Read our full De'Longhi Dinamica Plus review
The best espresso machine for small spaces
If you’re tight on space, then the Sage Bambino offers similar features to the Gaggia Classic above but with a more compact footprint and a slightly more affordable price tag. On test, we found the Sage Bambino – known as the Breville Bambino in the US and Australia – created coffee with body and a thick crema. We were also impressed that it offers a choice between manual and automatic water dispensing.
Simple to use, the Sage Bambino comes with a built-in steam wand, plus a milk jug in the range of accessories with which it ships, meaning you really take on the barista role as soon as the coffee machine is out of the box. However, we found some dripping after we had poured the espresso – and, unlike other Sage/Breville-branded coffee makers, this one lacks the razor tool that can smooth off the coffee in the filter.
Read our full Sage Bambino review
The best espresso machine for latte lovers
Love the idea of intense espresso with a thick, rich crema, but don't want to invest in a separate bean grinder? The De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB is the ideal buy as it comes with an integrated grinder that can hold 0.55lb / 250g of beans at a time. In addition, it lets you customize the grind's coarseness from eight levels to ensure you brew the perfect coffee for you every time.
On test, we were impressed that the coffee was rich and intense, with a stable crema that reformed when we sprinkled sugar on top. There's also a built-in steam wand, which enables you to make milk-based coffee drinks.
However, we were disappointed there was some dripping once espresso had been brewed, and unlike De'Longhi's more affordable Dedica Style machine (above), you can't use it with pods. It's also tricky to clean as only some components are dishwasher-safe.
Read our full De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB review
The best espresso machine for beginners
If you're looking for an effortless way to make espresso at home, the Nespresso Vertuo Next ticks all the boxes. This is a single-serve coffee machine and, as such, makes far less mess than a traditional espresso machine, as the ground coffee is contained within an aluminum capsule.
It can create five different-sized drinks. And, during testing, the Nespresso Vertuo Next produced smooth coffee, topped with a thick crema that reformed even after we stirred in some sugar.
The espresso machine reads a barcode on the side of the capsule that offers information on how much water should be used and how long the brewing process should take. This makes it one of the most straightforward coffee machines to use. However, this also means you have no control over the brewing process.
We were disappointed that there's no steam wand for texturizing milk, so you'll need to purchase a separate milk frother from the brand if you're sold on the other Vertuo Next features. It's also worth noting that the pods can work out more expensive than buying ground coffee.
Read our full Nespresso Vertuo Next review
The best espresso machine for on-the-go
If you're looking for a way to make good-quality espresso on the go, then the Picopresso is ideal. This espresso machine uses hand-pump power – rather than batteries or mains power – so it can accompany you anywhere, as long as you have access to boiling water and ground coffee.
It's aimed at coffee aficionados, leaving the tamping and water volume up to you, which means it isn't suitable for complete beginners unless you're happy to experiment. However, on test, we were very quickly able to create coffee with body and a stable crema using this compact device, which cleverly slots together. Hence, there's no chance of losing any accessories in your bag.
However, with just a 0.1-quart / 0.08-liter water tank, it can brew only small quantities of coffee in one go, plus there's no way to texturize milk. Nevertheless, if you're a fan of weekends away, the Picopresso does at least mean you won't need to go hunting for a coffee shop to get a barista-worthy hot drink.
Read our full Wacaco Picopresso review
How to choose the best espresso machine for you
Espresso machines are some of the best coffee makers. They come in all shapes and sizes, including some of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines, and the best espresso makers help you achieve barista-quality results. They often include their own integrated bean grinder for your convenience but do bear in mind that that extra equipment adds bulk and often increases the price as well. If you're looking for something fast, cheap and that doesn't need a lot of counter space you might prefer a single-serve or pod coffee machine.
If espresso is definitely for you, the first decision is to choose whether you want an espresso machine that offers manual control over dispensing water or a device that takes on that work for you; the latter is probably better for those new to playing barista.
Next, consider if you want a machine that you can use with ground coffee, single-serve pods, or a mixture of the two. Coffee pods are less messy than using ground coffee. They can be handy if you occasionally want to make decaf coffee using the machine – but they don’t produce the thick, rich crema you get with freshly ground coffee.
If you regularly make espresso for two or more people, look for a coffee machine with a double spot on the tray that can fill two separate cups simultaneously. And if you like longer coffee drinks with milk, such as cappuccinos and lattes, choose an espresso machine with a built-in steam wand or factor in the cost of a standalone milk frother.
Finally, take note of the size of the espresso maker to see if you have sufficient room for it on your kitchen countertop – or, if you plan to store it away in a cupboard, consider its weight to see that you’ll be able to lift it easily.
If you're on a budget, take a look at our guide to the best cheap coffee maker deals, too.
Frequently asked questions about espresso machines
How do I make an espresso?
Espresso is made by passing water at high pressure through compacted ground coffee.
However, a set ‘recipe’, which usually refers to a ratio and brewing duration, is generally given by the roaster (the brands that roast and blend coffee beans). The most common recipe is 1:2 in 25 to 35 seconds, effectively turning each gram of ground coffee into 2g of liquid espresso in that period.
How compacted the ground coffee is will affect how quickly or slowly the espresso brews. If the coffee is too tightly packed, it will take longer to brew and be too strong; loosely compacted coffee means it will be dispensed too quickly and subsequently weak. Prefer a cappuccino, latte, or a flat white? Find out how to make your favorite coffee in our article.
If you'd like expert advice on making coffee-shop-worthy drinks at home, we have some great tips and tricks for you – and while you're at it, check out our guide to the game-changing coffee maker trick that will ensure you never drink bitter espresso again.
How is an espresso machine different from a coffee machine?
An espresso machine differs from other coffee machines because it uses pressurized hot water passed through a disc of compacted coffee grounds called a puck. It's possible to adjust the volume of water passed through the grounds and how tightly packed the coffee is to change the strength of the hot drink brewed.
Single-serve coffee machines, or pod coffee machines as they're sometimes known, still use pressurized hot water, but the coffee is contained in a capsule or pod. The coffee machine punctures the capsule several times to allow the water to flow through the coffee ground to brew the drink. However, while some single-serve coffee machines let you adjust how much water is used to create different volumes of coffee, it's impossible to tweak how compacted the grounds are.
Finally, drip coffee makers pass hot water through compacted coffee grounds. As a result, it's not at the same pressure as when using an espresso machine, and there's no set volume of water used. Instead, the brewing takes place until the water tank runs dry or the coffee maker is switched off. This creates a more traditional filter coffee rather than espresso.
How we tested these espresso machines
We take testing espresso machines seriously and put each device through its paces to see if it can live up to its promises. We assess the quality of espresso produced by each machine, analyzing the flavor of the final drink; we look for a rich, intense shot of coffee that doesn’t taste bitter or burnt, along with a thick, stable crema that reforms after the sugar has been sprinkled on it.
The temperature of the espresso is also measured, checking for consistency from one cup to another, and we assess the noise level of the machine. If it has a built-in steam wand, we evaluate its ability to texturize both dairy and plant-based milk, looking for tiny bubbles that create a rich, smooth texture. Again, we assess whether its noise level is acceptable.
We also evaluate how easy an espresso machine is to set up and use, whether it offers enough manual control for those who want to take on the barista role, plus how much space it will take up on your kitchen counter. Finally, we consider if the water tank is removable for easy refills and how the machine looks.
