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Brewing espresso is like the world’s quickest science experiment. You pull a shot, taste it, change a variable, and then make another shot—and this all happens in just a few minutes. But while you can tweak virtually every element when making espresso (the grind setting, the type of coffee, the shot time), you’re not going to be able to change the machine you’re using easily (or cheaply). And since an espresso machine is an investment, I (with my 15 years of experience in the specialty coffee industry) want to help you pick your investment wisely.
To put together this review, I asked experts to weigh in on what they look for in espresso machines and how they communicate coffee tips and tricks with a broad audience. I also tested 25 espresso machines, with both experts and beginners weighing in on their experience to see which models made the best espresso, steamed latte art-worthy microfoam, and were easy to use.
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine – Best Overall
Compact, quick to heat, and easy to use, the Bambino Plus is a Serious Eats longtime favorite espresso machine for beginners and enthusiasts alike. It has tons of user-friendly details, and its temperature-stable boiler pulls great espresso shots. It also has an automatic steam wand that can create microfoam that’s silky enough for latte art.
Breville Barista Express Impress – Best For Beginners
With a built-in grinder, an automatic coffee portioning system, and an assisted tamping lever, the Barista Express Impress streamlines the shot-pulling process so anyone can make great espresso. It has the same temperature-stable boiler as the Bambino Plus, and its steam wand was ready in seconds.
Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine – Best for Hobbyists
One of our longtime winners, the Gaggia Classic Pro offers commercial components in a compact and moderately priced espresso machine. Like the Rancilio Silvia, the Classic Pro is beloved by home espresso enthusiasts who enjoy tinkering, and it pulled great shots during my testing—though it required some boiler purging technique for stable brewing temperatures.
Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine – Best for Enthusiasts
The Rancilio Silvia has been a favorite of home espresso enthusiasts for over two decades. Built with commercial espresso machine parts, it pulled some of the best-tasting shots of espresso during testing (though it required a little technique). It also has a powerful steam wand, though it does take a little time to heat up when switching to steam mode. There are also online communities entirely devoted to the Rancilio Silvia, making it a great option for espresso enthusiasts.
Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine with Grinder – Best Touchscreen
An upgrade of the Barista Express Impress, the Barista Touch Impress has the same coffee portioning and assisted tamping system, only with a touchscreen drink menu that provides step-by-step instructions. It has the same automatic steam wand as the Bambino Plus, and its built-in grinder also has an upgraded burr set made by Baratza.
Breville BES920XL Dual Boiler Espresso Machine – Best User-Friendly Dual Boiler
Breville’s high-end dual boiler model pulled some of the most consistent shots back-to-back in my testing. I also loved its powerful steam wand that can be used while pulling a shot. For professional performance paired with Breville’s user-friendly touches, the Dual Boiler is a pricey but excellent pick.