If you’re looking for the best espresso machine for home use, you’re in the right spot. I’ve personally owned and used a few dozen espresso machines, from $200 up to $2,000 and from simple to super fancy. I know firsthand how intimidating it can be getting into espresso and choosing an espresso machine, but I also know how rewarding it can be if you get it right the first time around.
That’s why I made this guide: to help YOU find the best machine possible within your budget so that you don’t have to go through the trials and tribulations that I did to find one that works well. Let’s dive right in and get to the top five espresso machines for home.
Top 5 Espresso Machines for Home Use
- Rancilio Silvia Pro — Best Overall
- Profitec Pro 500 — Best Premium Option
- De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine — Best Budget Option
- Flair 58 — Best Manual Espresso Maker
- Breville Bambino Plus — Best for Milk Drinks
1. Rancilio Silvia Pro — Best Overall
The Rancilio Silvia just gets me excited to make espresso every morning. This is a beast of an espresso machine that is akin to what you’d find in a cafe or coffee shop, which is why it has been around for over 20 years. It’s durable and made to last, and I’d comfortably recommend this to anyone who has a few espresso drinkers in their home that will really be putting a home machine to the test.
This is a dual-boiler machine, which means you have one heating element for making espresso and a separate one entirely for steaming milk. This is ideal, as a single-boiler espresso machine, while cheaper, is going to be underpowered. There’s nothing underpowered about the Silvia Pro.
This machine has a PID controller — proportional-integral-derivative controller — which lets you control the temperature to brew the perfect shot. It uses a 58mm portafilter, which is what you’ll find on most commercial machines and upscale home machines.
The machine is simple in design and relatively easy to use once you’re accustomed to it. The customer support is also out of this world, so if you ever have any issues — which is unlikely — you should get resolution quickly.
The steaming wand is also fantastic, although it will take a bit of time to get used to. It steams quickly thanks to the double boiler, so while it gives plenty of power for professional frothing, beginners may experience a learning curve.
2. Profitec Pro 500 — Best Premium Option
The Profitec Pro 500 is the cream of the crop, in my opinion. This machine is very expensive and might not make sense for home baristas, but it’s worth every penny if the cost is no concern.
This is a heat exchanger espresso machine, which means it works a bit differently than a traditional double boiler. However, the end result is the same: control over both the brew temperature and the steam temperature. Both sides of this machine — brewing and steaming — also have pressure gauges, which is just a great touch and really lets you dial in the perfect settings for your taste.
The machine is equipped with a high-end PID controller that lets you dial in the ideal brewing temperature. You set the temperature for your brewing based on your steam temperature, given that this is a heat exchanger, so…you’ll have to do a bit of math to figure things out or use the temperature chart in the manual (if you haven’t already thrown that out).
This machine gives you complete control over your brewing, which is ideal for making delicious coffee that gets you excited to wake up in the morning.
3. De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine— Best Budget Option
If you’ve taken a look at the price tags of my top two options and are wincing at the idea of another machine that costs well over $1,000, have no fear! The De’Longhi Stilosa is here!
De’Longhi has long been a trusted name in espresso, and the company’s ability to make a machine that I don’t automatically write off for under $300 shows me why. Most espresso machines in the sub-$300 range are just not worth it, in my opinion, but this one…this one I can actually recommend as a budget option.
Does it make great espresso? No. Can it make decent espresso? Yes, it does. This is a single-boiler espresso machine, which means it uses the same heating element for both brewing and steaming. This is absolutely not ideal, but for the price, you can’t expect anything better.
There is no PID controller or pressure gauge, which, again, wouldn’t appear on any machine of this price. As such, you’re kind of at the mercy of the machine to make your espresso and won’t have much control. However, it is a manual espresso maker, so using your grinder and shot timing, you can influence the flavors in your coffee.
The milk frothing is not great, but it’s passable, especially for the price. If you’re just getting into espresso and want a cheap way to get started, I think this is a great budget machine that will work for you.
4. Flair 58 — Best Manual Espresso Maker
Ahhh, the Flair 58. There’s something about this manual espresso maker that just keeps me coming back. And by “manual” espresso maker, I don’t mean the manual option you get with some electric espresso machines…I mean YOU supply the pressure to force the water through your coffee puck using the shot lever, and YOU heat up the water and the group head to make sure you don’t lose temperature as you’re brewing.
Using a manual espresso maker is, obviously, more work than just hitting a button on an automatic machine, but in my opinion, it’s also a lot more fun. For a few weeks after I bought this, I looked forward to using it each morning. It also serves as a great conversation piece and piece of decor.
This espresso maker uses a 58mm portafilter, so you can exchange with a different high-end machine or upgrade your portafilter if you feel the need to.
There’s obviously no PID controller, but there is a pressure gauge with pressure guidelines to help you apply the right force for brewing. Plus, since you have to handle the temperature and pressure yourself, you have ultimate control over how your shot comes out.
5. Breville Bambino Plus — Best for Milk Drinks
Breville is another huge name in the home coffee industry, and the Bambino plus is the perfect example of why. This is a mid-range machine that offers some good features for customizing your espresso without breaking the bank.
It doesn’t have a PID controller and instead has three temperature settings. This, of course, isn’t as good as having total control of your brewing temperature down to the degree, but it gives you some customization options. It also has the option of pulling a single or double shot.
Where this machine really shines, in my opinion, is in the frother. It makes decent espresso, but it’s killer for steaming milk. It gives you control of the airflow and temperature when steaming, so you can take your time and get super frothy milk, or you can bomb it and get steamed milk for a latte in no time at all.
If you’re the kind of person who always drinks espresso black, then I’d stay away from this option. Not that it’s bad…but there are other machines out there for a similar price that are better. However, if you routinely drink a variety of milky coffee drinks — lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and even flat whites — then this machine, I’d bet, will knock your socks off.
I should mention that the Breville Bambino Plus is not particularly well-built. There’s more plastic on this than anything else, although it seems relatively durable. It’s pretty lightweight, though, as the company put more into features than it did the build quality.
Buyer’s Guide: What to Look for in an Espresso Machine
There are a bunch of things you should consider when buying an espresso machine, and some factors are more important than others for giving you the opportunity to brew delicious espresso. I’ll discuss the things I would prioritize below to give you a head start.
Single-Boiler vs Dual-Boiler vs Heat Exchanger Espresso Machines
First off, you should consider how your espresso machine will heat the water for brewing and steaming your milk. There are three main options: single-boiler espresso makers, dual-boiler espresso makers, and heat exchanger espresso machines.
Single-boiler espresso machines use one heating element for all of the water you’ll use to make coffee and froth the milk. These are the most affordable, but they also lack the power you need for high-quality espresso drinks, especially if you intend on steaming milk.
Dual-boiler or double-boiler espresso machines are more expensive because they have two heating elements — one for brewing and one for steaming milk. These tend to be better for making milky espresso drinks, and they’re usually higher quality and can brew better black espresso as well.
Heat exchanger espresso machines have a boiling chamber from which steam is pulled. Water for brewing is pulled through a closed copper pipe running through the boiling chamber, and the length and diameter of that pipe are set such that the brewing water can reach the ideal brewing temperature by the time it travels all the way through it. The water pump can control how quickly the water moves through, which lets you dial in your water temperature.
Heat exchanger machines tend to be the most expensive, but they give you maximum control over the brewing temperature for tinkering. They also let you brew and steam at the same time, so they tend to be best for homes with multiple espresso drinkers.
Manual vs Automatic vs Super Automatic Espresso Machines
In terms of how much control your espresso machine takes away from you during the brewing process, there are three types to consider: manual, automatic, and super automatic, also called fully automatic espresso machines.
Manual espresso machines have a switch or dial that lets you begin the brewing process, and you have to switch it off when your espresso is done. That means you have to be attentive during the brewing process, but it also means you have total control over how much water passes through your coffee puck.
The longer you run the water, the more extraction you’ll experience, and the shorter you run it, the less extraction. This allows you control over the overarching flavors in your cup, as you can extract different compounds — sugars, bitter compounds, acids, and coffee oils — to your taste.
An automatic espresso machine, as the name implies, takes that control away from you. It might have presets for different shots — single shot (espresso), double shot (doppio), lungo, Americano, etc — but you don’t have control over the actual brew time. However, this also means you don’t have to pay attention while your coffee is brewing — a nice touch for those who are in a rush in the morning.
And finally, a super automatic espresso machine does everything for you. It grinds your coffee, tamps it, and brews it. These machines even froth your milk for you. Super automatic espresso machines are great for people who just want easy espresso or espresso drinks — like lattes and cappuccinos — but they will not appeal to coffee fanatics who want total control over how their espresso tastes.
Pod Espresso Machines and Portable Espresso Machines
Next, you might want to consider “niche” espresso machines, as I call them. Niche espresso machines include pod espresso makers — like the line of Nespresso machines — and things like portable espresso machines — like the Wacaco Portable Espresso maker.
Nespresso machines and other pod espresso machines are similar to automatic espresso makers in that you hit a button, and your “espresso” comes out. It’s not quite espresso, but it’s similar. It’s more like a hybrid between espresso and strong drip coffee. These machines are often great for people in a rush in the morning who just want a simple, bold cup of coffee that’s a little stronger than what a drip machine would spit out.
If you’re the adventurous type and need a pod espresso machine in an RV or for backpacking trips, then you might also want to consider a portable espresso maker. I was given a Wacaco Portable Espresso maker and recently took it on a backpacking trip.
It was pretty awesome to get decent espresso — again, really a hybrid between strong coffee and espresso — out of something that I could carry with me while hiking the Appalachian Trail. Not something you’d use in your kitchen every morning, but something to think about if you’re often out in nature or love backpacking or camping.
Brewing Capabilities
I mentioned this briefly in a section above, but it’s worth mentioning again. Not every espresso machine can make every espresso drink. Manual espresso machines can pull single shots, double shots, Americanos, and everything in between because you have control over brew time. If you’re buying an automatic or super automatic machine, though, you should check what presets it has to make sure your preferred shot is supported.
Additionally, you might want to look into the milk-frothing capabilities of an espresso machine before buying. If you’re someone who loves milk-based coffee drinks, then you’re going to want a machine with a good frother that can support whatever your preferred mixed drink is.
PID Controller
You’ll usually only find PID controllers on higher-end espresso machines that are more expensive, but they are worth every penny. These controllers display the temperature of your brewing water and let you dial in your desired temperature. More opportunity to tinker is ALWAYS better, especially with espresso, where small temperature differences can deliver big changes in your finished product.
The quality of the PID controller matters too. Some give you control down to the degree, while others go in increments of two degrees.
Pressure Gauge and Pressure Control
Espresso is ideally made under 9 bars of pressure, which is equal to 900,000 pascals (pa) or 900 kilopascals (kPa). Pressure makes an enormous difference in how your espresso tastes, which I recently explained in my article on espresso grinding.
Pressure gauges let you see exactly how much pressure you’re exerting on your coffee puck so that you know you’re hitting that ideal pressure mark. Some machines let you tinker a bit with the pressure as well — usually only the very high-end models — which gives you even more control over your coffee.
Milk Steaming/Milk Frothing
Most espresso machines include a milk steaming wand that lets you steam or froth milk for use in mixed coffee drinks. If you’re into cappuccinos, lattes, mochas, flat whites, or other milk-based coffee drinks, you’re going to want a machine that has a good steaming wand.
Ideally, you’ll get a dual-boiler or heat exchanger espresso machine, as a single-boiler is often underpowered and doesn’t lead to good milk steaming capabilities.
There are a few things to consider when choosing an espresso machine with good milk steaming capabilities, although these are hard to quantify. Beginners will typically do better with a steaming wand that heats slowly, as it gives them more time to react to what’s happening with the milk and make changes accordingly. Faster milk steaming is more convenient, though, as it, of course, takes less time.
If you’re looking for cafe-grade milk steamers, you’re going to want a high-end one that lets you control the temperature of the steam — via a PID controller — AND the airflow. These features will allow you to make any milk-based coffee drink with ease once you know what you’re doing. However, they can also complicate things unnecessarily for those just getting into espresso.
Some steaming wands come with different attachments that can help with making different drinks, so that’s something to consider if you enjoy mixing up your coffee selection.
Portafilter
The portafilter that comes with your espresso machine honestly won’t change much, but since it’s the one part of the machine that you’ll be using constantly, it should be of high quality.
Portafilters come in a variety of sizes ranging from around 38mm up to 60mm. The standard size is 58mm, which you’ll see on all of the machines I’ve recommended above and most machines in the $300+ range.
The size of the portafilter plays a role in overall pressure and the rate of extraction, which means it changes how your coffee tastes. Plus, having a standard 58mm portafilter means you can buy spare filter baskets and paper filters, if you need them, without much issue.
Filter Basket
The filter basket is the piece that actually holds the grounds and sits inside your portafilter. As is the case with any coffee maker, the filter is going to be important. You really want a high-quality filter basket that can take finely-ground espresso.
A lot of the cheaper filter baskets have large perforations that are only suitable for something like a pour over grind or maybe a little finer. Something like that is just not going to make good espresso, no matter how much control your machine gives you or how good of a grinder you have.
Additionally, you might want to consider a machine that comes with multiple filter basket sizes for pulling different shots. Some come with a single and double for standard and large coffee doses.
Drip Tray
The drip tray sits under the portafilter when it’s in place and will, as the name implies, catch any coffee that drips down when your espresso mug isn’t in place. There isn’t much you need to worry about with the drip tray, but you should consider two things.
First, you want one that’s removable. Honestly, coffee machine companies just shouldn’t make non-removable drip trays, but I’ve seen them. I really recommend against those because they’re a pain to clean.
Second, some drip trays include a float that lets you know when the tray needs to be emptied. This is a quality-of-life upgrade and is by no means a make-or-break feature.
Mug Warmer
Most espresso machines have something in the way of a mug warmer, which is usually a tray that holds your mugs and warms them up using heat lost from your heat exchanger or boilers. This is a nice feature to have because it helps you maintain hot coffee through the brewing process, rather than having a cold mug cool your espresso down immediately.
There’s more to this, though, than just enjoying hot coffee. Coffee tastes different based on the temperature when you drink it and how the temperature is managed from the time it’s brewed to the time it hits your lips. If the espresso cools down quickly when it hits a cold mug, the small amount of extraction that takes place after brewing will halt and cause different flavors in your finished product.
Water Reservoir
The large majority of at-home espresso machines include a water reservoir that you refill manually. Some can be plumbed into your home, but this is uncommon outside of cafes and commercial coffee shops. The water reservoir is another feature that’s not terribly feature-rich, although it is nice to have a machine with a big reservoir so that you don’t have to refill it constantly, especially if you and your family drink a lot of coffee.
Some reservoirs are removable, which is a nice feature to have as well. This makes refilling convenient, and I’d almost say you should avoid machines that don’t have a removable water tank.
The last feature that you’ll see in the reservoir is a water filter. Filters are a bit polarizing because they change the taste of your coffee, but it might be in a good way if the quality of your drinking water isn’t great. You’ll also have to replace filters, which is an added ongoing expense — something you might not be keen on after spending hundreds or thousands on an espresso machine.
Price
Finally, you should consider the cost of your machine. I put this last on purpose because, in my opinion, price should be the last deciding factor. If you’ve made it this far into this article, chances are you’re serious about espresso and drink it every day. While it might seem outlandish to spend $1,500+ on an espresso machine, it’s a small price to pay for something that brings you joy every single morning.
Plus, if you’re not a big fan of other brewing methods, then I’d guess that you frequent a coffee shop for your daily latte or cappuccino. Consider the fact that a $5 latte each morning totals that $1,500 in less than a year, which means your machine could pay for itself rather quickly and actually save you money in the long run.
FAQ
Is a super automatic espresso machine worth the money?
Super automatic espresso machines grind your coffee, tamp it, brew your express, and even steam your milk, so they seem like a great option for making espresso or espresso-based drinks every morning. In my opinion, though, you should steer clear of super automatic espresso machines.
The primary issue with these is the grinder, which, in my experience, is never as good as a high-end standalone grinder. The grinder you buy is arguably the most important part of making good espresso — that’s right…more important than the espresso machine itself — and to spend a few thousand dollars and still get a sub-par grinder is just not worth it in my book.
I would much rather see you spend half the amount on a top-of-the-line manual or automatic espresso maker, buy a good standalone burr grinder, and enjoy better coffee each morning, all while saving some money. Sure, this setup isn’t as convenient, but good espresso trumps convenience, right?
What’s the best portable espresso machine?
I personally like the Wacaco Portable Espresso Maker, which is super compact and takes original Nespresso pods. It uses a thumb pump to create pressure, and although you won’t get anywhere near the 9 bars expected from an electric espresso machine, it still makes pretty good coffee. The Wacaco is what I bring camping — alongside a French press as a backup — and backpacking.
Are Nespresso machines real espresso machines?
Not quite. Nespresso machines use pods full of very darkly roasted coffee that is ground much coarser than traditional espresso. The result is a hybrid between espresso and strong drip coffee. It’s not bad, but I wouldn’t call it espresso. These machines certainly have their place in the coffee world, as they’re super convenient and can make decent strong coffee very quickly and without any input from you.
What kind of coffee should I brew in my espresso machine?
You can use any coffee in an espresso machine! The only requirement is that it’s ground very finely — usually between 200 and 400 microns. Traditionally, dark roasts — like French roasts or Italian roasts — are used in espresso machines, but I rather enjoy light roasts made in an espresso machine. I recommend trying out a few different roast profiles to see what you like the best.
What temperature and pressure are ideal for espresso?
Temperate and pressure can and should be varied based on your personal taste, but somewhere between 200 to 205 degrees (F) and 9 bars of pressure are considered ideal for making espresso. Both the water temperature and pressure should remain relatively constant throughout the brewing process, which is often achievable with higher-end machines.
Higher temperatures will cause faster extraction and sometimes over-extraction, which can lead to bitterness, and lower temperatures can cause under-extraction, which can lead to sourness. Higher pressures can crack your coffee puck and cause channels that lead to over-extraction, and lower pressures may lead to over-extraction if the water isn’t pushed through the coffee puck in a reasonable amount of time.