In October 2021, we updated the article to review all Picks Tested by Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Technology Lab.

Home espresso machines are the best way to make a latte, cappuccino or cappuccino right from your kitchen. While traditional coffee shops machines may seem daunting and difficult to use, home espresso machines are easy to operate. You can get a perfect shot with good crema (the light, creamy surface of espresso) in less than a minute. Some espresso makers will grind beans for you, pack the grounds and make your cup with just the push of a button, but many require you to learn to fill a hopper (known as a portafilter) with grounds and tamp them (which means to compress the grounds into a puck so the hot, pressurized water can extract a lot of flavor as it passes through quickly).

Kitchen Appliances and Technology Lab has a century-plus long history of testing kitchen appliances and all types of coffee makers pour over coffee makers single-cup brewers French presses drip coffee makers portable coffee makers for camping cold brew coffee makers and so much more. The best home espresso machines are a combination of automatic, semiautomatic, manual, and capsule models. We evaluated them based on top-selling brands, attributes such as milk frothers and coffee bean grinders. Here’s our list.

Advertisement – Continue Reading Below SHOP NOW This automatic espresso machine delivers a cup of espresso that’s as fancy as it looks; plus, it’s easy to use and adjust based on your preferences. There are six options for grind size (fine to dark espresso and coarse for coffee), after which you can select from single espresso, double espresso as well as Americano or black coffee. The machine also makes hot tea by dispenses hot liquid.

La Specialista includes a builtin tamping device that will help you perfectly pack your coffee grounds. You can also monitor the pressure to make sure you are making perfect cups. The steam wand can also be adjusted to make flat or foamy milk, which is great for making cappuccinos and lattes. The full-body espresso that it made was delicious, with a smooth and thin crema.

You can buy a separate knockbox for the used grounds. We found it very helpful when making espressos after coffee.

Espresso Machines Best for the Home Barista

A great way to master the art and craft of creating the perfect shot is turning your kitchen in to a cafe.

Espresso machines are intimidating. They are intimidating with the screaming hot metal and steaming steam. Every single one of those little pieces plays a part in the final result. Espresso is personal, as well as technical. That makes shopping for a home-based espresso machine a daunting task. Each person has their own opinion, which can make it seem like you must be an expert to pick the best espresso machine.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide. Over the years, WIRED’s coffee experts have tested many coffee machines. They have gathered their knowledge and opinions to create this guide to help you transform your kitchen into an espresso bar.

It’s hard not to be a caff-fiend when you work somewhere called WIRED, so it should come as no surprise that we have an extensive library of coffee coverage. Be sure to check out our other coffee guides, like the Best Latte & Cappuccino Makers Best Portable Coffee Makers Best Coffee Subscriptions Best Coffee Grinders If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. We are grateful for this support.

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Philips

Breville image credit. If you want to get started with one the most powerful espresso machines available, it’s important to choose the right machine. That means filtering through expensive features that you won’t use and just focusing on getting the best value for your needs possible. We’re helping you do just that, with our guide to the best espresso machines across all corners of the market.

Be aware that different machines are designed for professional users. You should ensure you get a machine that is appropriate for you if your goal is to furnish your kitchen with premium espresso machines.

That said, the vast majority of machines can offer silky smooth coffee without you having to learn the ins and outs of pre-infusion, grind sizes, and tamping pressure. Espresso machines that are the most reliable combine the best features from the top coffee makers. These machines can cut down on trips to the cafeteria.

Your preferences in how to make and drink coffee will affect the quality of your espresso. Do you want to be hands-on by measuring and tamping coffee you ground yourself (in which case we would recommend checking out the best coffee grinders on the market)? Do you prefer to let the machine do the work? There is something for everybody, and we have a list of the most popular espresso machines that you can purchase right now.

Here are some reasons to avoid

If you have a big budget, the Philips 3200 LatteGo just might be the best bang for your buck. Not only does it grind, tamp, and brew, it tops your espresso with foamy milk automatically. LatteGo features an innovative frothing chamber that attaches to the appliance’s front. It whips the milk inside the container before it draws a shot. After you’re finished you can pop the LatteGo parts in the dishwasher. While the machine does all the work, you have the option to customize the grind of your beans and the temperature, strength, and quantity of your brew. It is also noted that testers are impressed with the high quality of the coffee, and even the speed at which they can brew a cappuccino.

Apart from the high price, we had difficulty finding any downsides. This machine does not have traditional steam winds, something you could miss if it was used to heat chocolate milk or whip up some froth. Keep in mind, this machine can get quite complicated to setup.

How to Select the Perfect Espresso Machine

It all comes down to three factors: How much space do you have, how big your budget is, and how hard you plan to brew the espresso.

The following descriptions will help you choose the right machine for you.

Manual espresso makers are expensive and elegant. They have a lever you can pull to give you a shot. Manual espresso makers allow you complete control. You can achieve the perfect cup, but there are also fewer chances of it being wrong. Professionals or serious coffee connoisseurs should use them.

Semiautomatics: These have an electric pump and are the most well-known. It allows you to do the grinding and tamping yourself but the motor gives consistent flow and pressure. You control the quantity of espresso in your cup by stopping the extraction process. Semiautomatics usually have an automatic steamer or some other method of heating and foaming milk. Some have a built in grinder. Those without a grinder are generally the most compact and least expensive. A good machine can be purchased for as low as $500.

Fully automatic: An espresso machine that is fully automatic can even determine the amount of water. Simply fill your machine with beans and hit the button to get your beverage of choice, whether an espresso or macchiato. Many allow you to control the quantity, grind temperature, strength, and/or heat. Most feature steamers, burr grinders can handle this. These feature-rich machines can take up the largest space in the kitchen, and they come at a high price.

Machines with a capsule: These machines offer the best convenience. A capsule can be popped into the machine. The button is then pressed and you will get an espresso cup with cream. Keep a stock of capsules handy and make sure to fill your tank with hot water. There are many options for configurations. Capsule espresso makers aren’t cheap but won’t set you back as much as a fully automatic model.

Consider other features when you shop for an espresso machine. Pressure is required to extract the flavors of coffee ground finely. Pump machines are measured in bar or atmospheric pressure units. Even though 8 to 9 bars are considered enough, the majority of machines, which include all our top espresso machines, have at minimum 15-bar pumps.

A lot of espresso machines have additional features, such as steam wands or burr grinders. You will find all of the extras in our above selection.

Where should an Espresso Machine be replaced?

Espresso machines that are top-of-the-line come with an average one to two-year warranty. They can also last anywhere between 7 and 10 years. You can expect a fully-automatic model to last for the longest time. Don’t buy an extended warranty if you don’t need it. It is highly unlikely it will be less expensive than to repair your machine in its entirety.

If your machine fails, your machine will stop building pressure and your espresso won’t heat up as well as it did before. These problems could be indicative of a faulty pump or heating element that isn’t worth fixing. We recommend replacing your coffee maker if the repair cost is more than 50%. You should clean your coffee maker regularly in order to maintain its good condition. For more information about regular maintenance, including how to clean your machine on a daily basis, on a monthly and on a yearly basis, refer to the instructions manual.

A new espresso machine will offer features not offered in older models. Electronic displays, hot water spouts, and frothed milk dispensers are now common. They are more user-friendly and can produce more foam. Whether you like the convenience of premeasured pods of coffee or want a machine that grinds beans for each dose of coffee, you can now find more machines to meet your needs.

Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity is still not available on espresso machines, with the notable exception of smart coffeemakers made by Nespresso. These allow you to remotely control your espresso machine, and receive alerts via an app for your smartphone when there are low capsules.

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The Best Semiautomatic Espresso Machine: Rancilio Silvia Pro

Rancilio Silvia has been a reliable name in espresso and the machines that are higher-end have been used in some of the best coffee shops in Italy. Rancilio is a pro espresso machine maker that does a great job translating this expertise to home espressomakers. Rancilio Silvia is a countertop machine that exudes professionalism and no-nonsense. It won’t wow anyone with a flashy design, but it is compact, streamlined, and extremely powerful for its size and price point.

This machine is a top-rated due to its dual boiler. It means both the steam wand and coffeemaker are connected to their individual heat sources. You don’t have wait for the machine temperature to get to steaming milk. (The steam boiler, which is heated at higher temperatures than the espresso kettle, has its own temperature. In general the machine heats up relatively quickly after you turn it on: In our testing it took about 15 minutes to be warm enough to pull our first shot. It also features a “wake up” program that can be programmed to activate at certain times in the morning. This will ensure your machine is warm before you make your first coffee.

WATCH 5 Coffee Making Gadgets Tested By Design Expert This Rancilio has two Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers, one in the coffee boiler and one and the steam boiler, which means it provides excellent temperature control. The digital display on the front shows the current temperature. To adjust your espresso temperature, use the + and/or – buttons to either side. The machine held its temperature consistently throughout our testing.

The same digital interface which shows the temperature has a shot-timer. This allows you to keep track how long it took for your espresso to be brewed. Blue Bottle Coffee’s director in coffee culture said that the average time for a great shot is between 28 and 32 seconds. You can make espresso by keeping track of the temperature and shot time, and then tasting those variables and tweaking them to find your ideal brew setting. Easy to use, it made lattes creamy without large bubbles. Our preference was for the Rocket Apartamento Espresso maker’s steam-wand. (Learn more below).

Also, the machine lacks a gauge to indicate pressure so that you don’t know how high you are when you pull a shot. Trusted coffee experts have confirmed that this machine does operate at the nine-bar pressure that is recommended for espresso machines. YouTube tutorials also show you how to hook pressure gauges onto the machine.

The espresso machine will also need a quality grinder. A grinder can make the difference between a perfect shot and a terrible one. Do not buy any pre-ground coffee. We have a review on the top coffee grinders, with a recommendation for espresso.

The portafilter that comes with the machine is high-quality and comfortable to hold; and the tamper is adequately heavy and properly sized to pack grounds down to the very edges of the portafilter. You don’t need to fill it every time you make a cappuccino. The large water reservoir makes refilling easy. It is big enough to hold several cups of espresso without the need to refill it. But some aspects of the machine’s buildout felt a little flimsy: The group head is made of plastic that did not exactly feel indestructible, and the machine’s plastic buttons make it easy to operate but contribute to a less luxurious feel. This machine doesn’t come with extras like milk steaming pitchers. This machine still made the most excellent espresso.

Finally, Nikita Solberg, certified Counter Culture barista and expert in espresso, said that the machine could be used for a single shot of espresso with steam milk. This result was better than any coffee shop they have been to. The espresso machine is high quality and perfect for anyone who has mastered espresso, or just wants to learn more about the process of making the perfect shot.

A Few Quick Tips On How To Brew Espresso At Home

After you make your choice about which espresso machine is right for you, these are some useful tips that will help guide and assist with the use of your appliance. Of course, you’ll read your machine’s instructions, but beyond that, these tips will help you brew espresso that’s consistently delicious.

1. Always preheat your machine.

Pre-heat your coffee maker, the cup, and the portafilter in order to get the best results. This can take up to 25 minutes, but it’s extremely important. Preheating everything before you start the brewing process will ensure that no flavors are lost.

2. Soft or filtered water are best.

Espresso is made of 98 percent water. You need to use good water in order to get the best espresso. Not only will hard water lead to a poorer tasting espresso, it will also damage your machine and create limescale buildup inside over time. Filtered water is the solution. Also, make sure to buy quality coffee beans.

3. Steaming milk has its merits.

Turn on the steamer for a few seconds before steaming milk. This will remove any condensation that may have accumulated. Start frothing the milk by placing the tip on the steamer’s handle just below the surface. The ideal temperature for frothing milk is 139deg-149deg (if you want to be precise you can get a thermometer designed for steaming milk ). At that temperature all the fat within the milk has turned to liquid and will not adversely affect your foam. The temperature below which your foam can begin to crumble is the ideal range. Above that temperature range, you risk burning the foam.