Be your own barista with these at-home espresso machines. (Amazon)
If you're a coffee or latte lover, you might want to consider upgrading your coffee maker to an espresso machine so you can make your favorite coffee shop treats at home. However, these machines can be a bit intimidating at first, even if you're an avid coffee drinker; expect a little learning curve. There are also so many extras to consider, like milk frothers and coffee grinders. Let's dive in!
An at-home espresso machine might take up some extra counter space, but it's worth it if you know what you're looking for. We rounded up top-rated and editor-tested espresso machines that range in price from affordable to high-end and include semiautomatic, super-automatic and automatic options, so you can find the one that's right for you.
Read on for our top picks for the best at-home espresso machines, and if you're looking for a different kind of brewer, make sure to check out our guides to the best drip coffee makers, best Keurig machines and best Nespresso machines.
Update, Feb. 28, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. We also added the Ninja Luxe Café to our list as the best multi-use espresso machine. Our number one pick for best espresso machine remains unchanged.
Weight: 23 lbs | Counter space: 13.8"D x 12.5"W x 15.9"H | Brew capacity: 2 L | Type: Automatic
For those who want an all-in-one machine, the Breville Barista Express is for you. It has a water tank and a built-in grinder! You can grind coffee directly into the portafilter for maximum freshness and in perfectly measured doses.
This machine is so good, even the pros love it: "After working as a barista for four years, the thought of leaving the cafe to go to grad school was upsetting. As an early birthday gift slash cafe departing gift, my mom purchased this machine for me. It does everything I need it to in order to prepare any coffee shop drink! Perfect single or double espresso (even coming with dual wall filters to give decent espresso from pre-ground coffee), steam wand with acceptable pressure and good heat for texturing milk (latte art is a must for me and this machine allows me to achieve it 7/10 times).... I really love this machine."
Weight: 9.6 lbs | Counter space: 8.07"D x 13.5"W x 11.22"H | Brew capacity: 1.2 L | Type: Manual
The De'Longhi Stilosa is a manual espresso machine that won't hog space in your kitchen, and it's affordable as well. It has a water tank, drip tray, manual milk frother and the stainless steel boiler is robust and durable.
Another barista weighs in: "It's a fantastic little machine that produces great tasting espresso, awesome steamed milk, and saves you a ton of money and time. Get it! Super easy to use! Not like the industrial ones I used to use when I worked at Starbucks but still super easy and makes great tasting espresso."
Weight: 18 lbs 7 oz | Counter space: 8"D x 9.5"W x 14.2"H | Brew capacity: 2.1 L | Type: Semi-automatic
The Gaggia is for espresso enthusiasts who want to take their love for coffee to the next level. You can tinker with it to your heart's content to get the coffee just how you like it. This is a pro-level machine for the home.
"If you are serious but not obsessed with your espresso, this is absolutely the machine for you!" said one five-star review. "Over the years I’ve spent more than this machine’s cost, all while looking for that perfect 'prosumer' espresso machine. Do I wish I would had just bitten the bullet all along? U betcha! The Gaggia classic lives up to its hype and more! I have to warn you tho... once you dial it in and learn how to brew a more than decent espresso shot, visiting Starbucks will become a thing of the past!"
Weight: 25.73 lbs | Counter space: 12.99" D x 13.39" W x 14.57" H | Brew capacity: 18 oz | Type: Automatic
After testing this machine for over a year, our senior writer Rebecca Carhart is just as impressed with it as she was on day one. "When it arrived at my house, the size and the array of attachments made me think I'd made a mistake. This thing looked professional! I can't really function before I have my morning coffee, which is why I usually pay a coffee shop to make one. I was anxious about what I was in for. But, to my surprise (and joy), it took only about five minutes to set up," she wrote.
The machine, which can make two types of espresso, three types of drip coffee and two cold brew styles, is easy to use: You select whatever brew you want with the turn of a button, and you can choose from a range of drink sizes spanning from 6 to 18 ounces. The built-in grinder automatically preps the perfect amount of beans based on your drink selection. It even suggests a grind size, which you can adjust with a dial offering 25 settings.
It also has a built-in frother with four presets for making everything from steamed milk to cold foam. Read more about it in Rebecca's Ninja Luxe Café review.
Weight: 30.8 lbs | Counter space: 9.2"D x 11.4"W x 13.3"H | Brew capacity: 0.3 L | Type: Semi-automatic
Want to take your espresso to the next level? Then consider the Rancilio Silvia, a machine designed for those who think of espresso as a hobby and a passion. It's commercial-grade, but it's compact enough for a home kitchen.
One former barista vouches for it: "This machine is fantastic and easy to use. Quality of coffee is top-notch with a little practice — you could do worse with a cheaper machine, or you could pay more for something more automatic, but you won't get better espresso.... When I'm super lazy, I make a generous double shot (Americano-esque) and pour it into microwaved milk, and it's a killer cafe au lait in ~3 minutes — including the time to warm up the machine.... this machine works beautifully."
Weight: Some espresso machines are made for commercial use, which can make them super heavy. You don't want to put something holding too much weight on top of a counter that can't handle it, and you don't want to get hurt trying to lift a heavy machine.
Counter space: The dimensions of your espresso machine matter—make sure it can fit on your counter or under your overhead cabinets before making a big purchase.
Brew capacity: Each machine can brew a different maximum espresso, so take how much you want your machine to make into account. This depends on how much espresso you drink.
Type: There are a few types of espresso machines, which include manual, semiautomatic, automatic and super-automatic. A manual espresso machine requires you to grind your own beans and use a lever to determine your pour. Semiautomatic machines require you to grind your own beans and use a button or dial to determine your pour. Automatic machines require you to grind your own beans and use a button to determine how much espresso you're pouring. But super-automatic machines can grind the beans for you and use their own control to determine how much espresso you're pouring. It all depends on the experience you want from your machine.
Any and all coffee can be used in an espresso machine. However, your coffee might taste different than you're used to if you previously used a coffee machine. You'll have a learning curve with any new maker, and some aren't as user-friendly as others. Pre-ground coffee could come out watery when used in an espresso machine, which is something to be on the lookout for as a new user. Use a coffee grinder for any coffee beans you may already have, to make them a consistency that works for your machine.
There are different solutions and specialized brushes you can use for cleaning, but each machine is different. Scrub the basket and filter to make sure those are clean so your espresso doesn't have a weird taste. Rinse any removable items with warm water, too. To descale an espresso machine, dissolve a descaling solution in water and let it sit—run the machine, let it steam, turn it off and let it sit again. You can also use vinegar to try to descale.
You can make a variety of different coffee drinks with an espresso machine, like macchiatos, cappuccinos, mochas, lattes, flat whites and more, in addition to brewing espresso. You can also include a bunch of add-ons for your drinks—like milk foam and flavors—to make it feel like you just got your drink from your favorite coffee house.
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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.