Best Espresso Machines
Updated How we research
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine
Breville Barista Express BES870XL, a popular grinder-equipped espresso machine for beginners moving up from pods.
Breville BES500BSS Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
Breville Bambino Plus BES500BSS, a compact espresso machine with fast heat-up and automatic milk frothing for small kitchens.
Pulling great espresso at home comes down to stable temperature, steady pressure, and a machine that fits how you actually brew. Whether you want a simple morning latte or you plan to dial in single-origin shots on the weekend, the right machine saves you from bitter, sour, or watery results. Below we break down the top espresso machines for home baristas at a range of prices. We look at ease of use, steam power for milk drinks, build quality, and how forgiving each one is while you learn. Pair any of these with a solid grinder and you have a real coffee bar.
The short version
We compared 8 picks. Our scores range from 7.8 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Breville BES500BSS Bambino Plus Espresso Machine. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine, Stainless Steel. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 7.8/10.
- Feature-rich:De'Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine with Grinder EC9155MB. Features score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.Breville BES500BSS Bambino Plus Espresso Machine8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.De'Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine with Grinder EC9155MB8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.Breville BES450BSS Bambino Espresso Machine8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro E24 Espresso Machine8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine, Stainless Steel7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine (Updated), Stainless Steel7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 8.Gaggia RI9380/49 Classic Evo Pro Espresso Machine, Thunder Black7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1Breville Barista Express BES870XL, a popular grinder-equipped espresso machine for beginners moving up from pods.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Conical burr grinder is built in, so fresh grounds go straight into the portafilter
- + Pressure gauge gives visual feedback while you dial in a new bag of beans
- + Manual steam wand produces real microfoam for milk drinks
- - Built-in grinder is less adjustable than a dedicated espresso grinder
- - Learning to dial in grind, dose and tamp takes some patience at first
#2Breville Bambino Plus BES500BSS, a compact espresso machine with fast heat-up and automatic milk frothing for small kitchens.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Fast heat-up gets you from switch-on to shot in very little time
- + Automatic steam wand textures milk hands-free, great for latte drinkers
- + Slim body fits narrow counters and apartment kitchens easily
- - No grinder included, so you need a capable espresso grinder alongside it
- - Small drip tray fills quickly and needs frequent emptying
#3De'Longhi La Specialista with a built-in grinder, an all-in-one espresso machine for home baristas who want bean-to-cup control.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Built-in grinder means you only need beans, so the counter stays uncluttered
- + Guided dosing and tamping help newcomers pull consistent shots sooner
- + Steam wand lets you texture milk for lattes and flat whites at home
- - Integrated grinder limits upgrades, so a better grinder later means buying separate gear
- - Large footprint needs a deep counter spot under your upper cabinets
#4Breville Bambino BES450BSS, the pared-back entry model for anyone who wants real espresso in a very small footprint.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Lower cost than the Plus while keeping the same quick heat-up system
- + Manual steam wand gives you full control once you learn milk texturing
- + Compact stainless body suits small counters and dorm-style setups
- - Milk frothing is fully manual, so there is a learning curve for latte art
- - Needs a separate grinder, which adds to the real starting budget
#5Gaggia Classic Pro RI9380/46, a compact commercial-style espresso machine that is a favorite starting point for tinkerers.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Commercial-style portafilter gives a genuine café workflow at home
- + Huge enthusiast community means plenty of guides and upgrade parts
- + Rocker switches and simple internals make it easy to maintain
- - Stock steam wand is less refined than wands on pricier machines
- - Needs a good grinder and some practice to get sweet, balanced shots
#6Rancilio Silvia in stainless steel, a long-running prosumer single boiler machine for hobbyists who want commercial-style parts.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Commercial-grade group and portafilter feel solid and last for years
- + Simple, repairable design with widely available replacement parts
- + Powerful steam wand handles milk drinks with café-like texture
- - Single boiler means waiting between brewing and steaming temperatures
- - Unforgiving to beginners, since there is no temperature assistance out of the box
#7The updated Rancilio Silvia, a refreshed version of the classic single boiler machine for home baristas who value durability.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Updated model keeps the rugged build the Silvia is known for
- + Stainless steel housing is easy to wipe down and resists wear
- + Pairs well with a quality grinder for shots that rival café espresso
- - Temperature surfing is still part of the routine without add-on mods
- - Premium price for a machine that has no built-in grinder or automation
#8Gaggia Classic Evo Pro in Thunder Black, a refreshed Classic with a darker finish for home baristas who like a bold look.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Thunder Black finish stands out from the usual brushed steel machines
- + Keeps the proven Classic layout that tinkerers know and love
- + Commercial-size portafilter accepts plenty of aftermarket baskets
- - Colored finish may show scratches or fingerprints more over time
- - Single boiler still means a pause between pulling a shot and steaming milk
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Built-in grinder is less adjustable than a dedicated espresso grinder (Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso...)
- No grinder included, so you need a capable espresso grinder alongside it (Breville BES500BSS Bambino Plus Espresso Machine)
- Integrated grinder limits upgrades, so a better grinder later means buying separate gear (De'Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine...)
- Milk frothing is fully manual, so there is a learning curve for latte art (Breville BES450BSS Bambino Espresso Machine)
- Stock steam wand is less refined than wands on pricier machines (Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro E24 Espresso...)
- Single boiler means waiting between brewing and steaming temperatures (Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine, Stainless...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among espresso machines?
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine is our top overall pick. Breville Barista Express BES870XL, a popular grinder-equipped espresso machine for beginners moving up from pods. It earns our score of 8.6/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Breville BES500BSS Bambino Plus Espresso Machine is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Breville Bambino Plus BES500BSS, a compact espresso machine with fast heat-up and automatic milk frothing for small kitchens.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Coffee Bar Hub independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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