12 Best Espresso Machines According to Online Reviews
Hello there, fellow caffeine lover. Now, we all love a great coffee out, right? Made by our favorite barista on a $4,000 Gaggia? But what about the minute you crawl out of bed? What if you need to take your home brews to… the next level?
Before investing in some hardware so you can make your own perfect cup of Joe (or should we say cup of Giovanni, since this is espresso we’re talking about), you really should get to know all the types of machines out there.
But, where to start? Some contraptions are automatic, effortlesly creating an incredible espresso at the touch of a button, some seem to require a PhD in coffeeology -manually setting the pressure, perfecting your technique for the milk foamer- it’s all so bewildering! But fear not. Help is at hand.
To help you get the right machine for your needs and your budget, we have compiled this comprehensive list of the 12 Best Espresso Machines According to Online Reviews. What better way to find out about all the different options, than by listening to the thousands of people that actually tried them out?
Are you ready? Let’s get brewing!
Chef’s Pencil is reader-supported. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, though this not impact the product selection, which is done independently by our editors and contributors.
1. Breville BES870BSXL The Barista Express Coffee Machine
Mamma mia, the Breville Barista Express is a work of art, and some 15,000 reviewers agree. This could be the espresso machine to make you never go back to Starbucks.
What customers liked most:
- All-in-one features. Has both grinder and frother.
- Teaches the user how to make the perfect shot of coffee – the optimal grind, the optimal water pressure.
- Makes sweet frappuccinos and iced drinks too.
- Easy to clean (we’ll take any type of mess-control, thank you very much!)
- Reliable. Works well after five years, making multiple shots of espresso a day.
To bear in mind:
- There’s a learning curve for some.
Overall:
While it takes some time to calibrate in order to get the ideal milk foam, the ideal pressure, and the ideal grind for the beans, once you do, you’ll get the perfect shot of espresso. Should your Breville Barista Express get stolen, there’s a good chance you’ll replace it right away.
2. Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
Next up we have the Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Maker, a very stylish compact unit with over 7,000 five-star reviews. With a range of colors on offer, it will look great it any kitchen, and allows for easy switching between one or two shots. The milk container can be easily taken out and stored in the fridge. It even comes with a recipe book to help you try out some new brews that you might not have tried.
What customers liked most:
- Compact design
- Range of colors (red, silver, white)
- Semi-automatic – easy to use for beginners
- Automatic milk frother
- Works well with plant-based milks
- Self-cleaning
To bear in mind:
- Might not get small bubbles in milk froth for lattes.
Overall
A solid pick that you can plug in and use, looks great, and doesn’t take up much work space.
3. Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine
Even more compact than the Mr. Coffee is the Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine, with a 4.7-star rating from over 6,000 reviews. This sleek coffee maker from DeLonghi comes in at under $200, and will easily fit inside your suitcase, should you need to take it with you on your travels. Great for the espressophile on the go! Several capsules are included so you can try out a variety of flavors and see which ones you like.
What customers liked most:
- Intuitive design
- 2 cup sizes
- Fast! Just pop in a Nespresso capsule and press go
- Quiet (perfect for those who can’t handle noise till they’ve had their coffee!)
- Low-maintence. You won’t need to clean regularly.
To bear in mind:
- Capsule only. You’ll have to stock up.
OverallFor those who like their coffee-making as simple as can be, the Nespresso Essenza keeps things quick and easy. You’ll get the same cup the way you like it, every time.
4. Nespresso Inissia Espresso Maker with Aeroccino Milk Frother by De’Longhi
Here we have another collaboration between Nespresso and DeLonghi, the Nespresso Inissia Espresso Maker, which conveniently comes coupled with DeLonghi’s Aeroccino Milk Frother. Priced at about $200, it can certainly deliver your coffee at barista level, and is ready to pour in under half a minute. Like its sister machine, the Inissia is super compact, even more so in fact, at only 4.6 inches wide (the Essenza is slightly wider at 5.5). The complementary capsule pack is also included here.
What customers liked most:
- Makes 2 sizes of espresso, espresso lungo, and ristretto
- Fast and easy frothing
- Generous water reservoir for 4 large cups.
- No nonsense.
- Compact
- Leaves no mess
- Auto shut off
To bear in mind:
- Pouring duration may depend on the type of pod.
Overall
The addition of the frother takes this capsule coffee maker to the next level. A great zero-fuss option that covers all the basics.
5. Top Affordable Product: Wacaco Minipresso GR, Portable Espresso Machine
With over 2,000 5-star reviews to its name, we have the Wacaco Minipresso GR, one of the most affordable espresso machines you’ll ever find, and almost certainly the most portable. For little over $50, you can have a great coffee in your pocket. The perfect way to get a fresh coffee while camping, at festivals, wherever. Add ground coffee, hot water, give it a couple of manual pumps to add some pressure, and ta-da, job done. Scoop and cup are included in this well-designed little unit.
What customers liked most:
- Extremely portable
- Easy to assemble
- Makes great coffee!
- Can switch to a bigger water tank
- No batteries or electricity needed
To bear in mind:
- Might need thorough cleaning to avoid residue build up
- Needs some arm work to pump
- Single shot at a time
Overall
In the busy market of espresso makers, a great product that really offers something unique, the chance to make an espresso anywhere you can get hold of some hot water!
6. Calphalon BVCLECMP1 Temp iQ Espresso Machine with Steam Wand, Stainless Steel
At over $300, the Calphalon Temp iQ is a step up in price, but also a step up in functionality, options, and quality. Encased in a sleek stainless steel bosy, its front dial allows users to easily select the program they desire, from one or two shots, to steam and hot water for top ups. This great machine boasts technology to evenly distribute water, and maintain extreme accuracy when it comes to temperature.
What customers liked most:
- looks great!
- coffee to rival any café
- robust build
- exceptional quality for the price
- micro foam for the perfect latte
To bear in mind:
- Frother is a little loud
- Takes some practice to master making the foam
- No manual temperature control
Overall
For those who are willing to learn some basic barista skills, this machine will get you a top-drawer coffee for a fraction of the price of a pro machine.
7. Nespresso Citiz Coffee and Espresso Machine by DeLonghi with Aeroccino
Virtually all those who have reviewed the Nespresso Citiz have given it five stars. It must be doing something right! This DeLonghi maker matches its aforementioned little siblings in terms of speed, bringing you your coffee in under a minute, and, like the Inissia, comes with the Aeroccino 3 milk frother. So, what’s different? Well, the Citiz’s design is somewhat sleeker. The unit is slightly larger, but significantly heavier than the Inissia, at 10.6 lb, which allows it to accommodate a larger water reservoir, holding 10 more ounces of water, for a total of 34. Feature-wise offers the same options: two sizes of espresso, lungo, and ristretto, and is a little more expensive at around $250. Capsules are held in place by manually pressing down a lever, rather than inserting, which may or may not suit some people.
What customers liked most:
- Energy saving (auto shut down after 9 minutes)
- Choice of four colours: chrome, black, red, and white
- Can take recycled pods
- Robust build
To bear in mind:
- No low-water level indicator
- Tall coffee cups might not fit
Overall
In the Nespresso range, this an obvious step up, offer you a more solid unit, which will need refilling less often, letting you do what you enjoy the most!
8. Breville BES840XL Infuser Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel
We’re getting serious now. The Breville Infuser is another top-rated espresso maker that deserves consideration, if you’re looking to invest over $400. Encased in beautiful brushed stainless steel, it will certainly slot into any kitchen. You can finally serve up one or two shots, tailoring their intensity to perfection. This intelligent machine will even reset its temperature to ensure that the next coffee isn’t hotter than the one before.
What customers liked most:
- Total control over how much coffee in each dose
- Small footprint
- Pressure gauge and pre-infusion technology
- Takes tall travel cups
- Consistent results
- Tons of accessories
- Great microfoam
- Warning light when it needs cleaning / /descaling
To bear in mind:
- Drip tray can fill up quickly
- Descale regularly in hard water areas
Overall
For those with some serious barista ambitions, this is a fantastic entry-level machine that will do everything that you could want at home.
9. Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine w/ LatteGo
Next up is coffee maker that will suit those with ambitions less of a barista kind, more of a I-want-a-robot-barista-in-my-kitchen kind. At around $800, the Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine certainly isn’t cheap, but what you’ll lose in money, you’ll make up in saved time and effort. With over 1,300 5-star reviews to its name, it offers astounding control over your coffee. It grinds, it self-descales, if froths… there is very little it doesn’t do.
What customers liked most:
- Incredible options
- Seal keeps beans fresh
- Easy to clean – removable grind tray, no tubes
- Parts are dishwasher safe
- Programmable shut-off time
To bear in mind:
- Takes a little while to break in
- Not the quietest
OverallFor those who take their coffee seriously, but prefer to have someone else do the work, the Philips 3200 is one of the best automatic coffee makers on the market.
10. Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Espresso Machine, Solid, Brushed Stainless Steel
If the previous item was the equivalent of a coffee-making spaceship, here we have pure simplicity. With its commercial wand frother, the Gaggia Classic Pro serves up one or two shots of smooth espresso in single or double shots. It does the basics, and does them very, very well.
What customers liked most:
- Classy, minimalist design
- Makes creamy shots
- Commercial-level quality; will last for years
- Noise-dampening ensures it is quiet
- Great milk texture
To bear in mind:
- Tight fit for a tall mug
- Will need a quality burr grinder if using pressurized basket
Overall
Offering full-bodied flavor and fine texture foam, the Gaggia Classic Pro espresso maker does live up to its hype.
11. Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel
Next up is another serious offering from Breville, the cutely named Bambino Plus. Available in two attractive colors -Brushed Stainless Steel and Royal Champagne- it won’t take up much of your work surface, and will give you a quality cup of coffee. As you would expect, it covers all the basics -choice of shot, milk frother- with pre-infusion making sure that flavors are drawn out evenly.
What customers liked most:
- Quick startup
- Consistent temperature and results
- Easy to set up
- Rubber grips keep it in place
To bear in mind:
- Auto-froth can get messy
Overall
With all the features you need, and a user-friendly interface, this is great pick for beginners and pros alike.
12. Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine with Iron Frame and Stainless Steel Side Panels
Manufactured in Italy, the Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine is a serious piece of kit, with the handle and porta filters being the same ones found in its commercial range. Smooth lines and stainless steel give this device a killer look that will have guests drooling, and the coffee isn’t bad either. For around $800 you are getting quality and simplicity, and a coffee machine that will serve you well for a very long time.
What customers liked most:
- Once mastered, simply great coffee every time
- Big water reservoir
- Solid switches and simple to use
- Works great with plant-based milks
- Space on top for cups
To bear in mind:
- Burr grinder recommended
- Be careful not to overfill the portafilter basket
Overall
For a home environment, coffee makers don’t get much better, delivering commercial quality espresso every time.
So, there you have them: 12 of the best espresso machines according to online reviews. Whether you’re a budding barista, a push-a-button-and-go kinda drinker, or someone who needs an excellent coffee halfway down a cliff, you should be able to find just the right equipment to get you to your caffeinated happy place. Let us know which one takes your fancy.
Chef’s Pencil is reader-supported. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, though this not impact the product selection, which is done independently by our editors and contributors.
