We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shopping People Tested PEOPLE Tested: The 7 Best Espresso Machines of 2024 The Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine is our top pick By Alida Nugent Alida Nugent Alida Nugent has over 7 years of commerce experience for a variety of publications, including BHG and HGTV, and has published two books. People Editorial Guidelines and Alyssa Brascia Alyssa Brascia Alyssa Brascia is a staff shopping writer for PEOPLE with two years of experience in the digital media industry. Her expertise lies in the realm of fashion and beauty, where she covers the best products that your wardrobe and makeup vanity need like the best lip oils, boyfriend jeans, workout sets, ballet flats, and more. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 16, 2024 02:34PM EDT In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Others We Tried Things to Consider How We Tested FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What is PEOPLE Tested? People / Nick Simpson If you’re a frequent coffee drinker, you’ve probably thought about purchasing an espresso machine. After all, with the cost of your daily dose of caffeine on the rise, the benefits of an at-home brewing solution have never been greater. (Even celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Jessica Alba know the joy of a quick DIY cup.) But espresso machines can feel like an intimidating purchase. With an expansive range in both prices and technology, it might feel more like you’re getting a barista job than snagging an at-home luxury. But finding the right machine doesn’t have to be difficult. Luckily, we did all the work for you. After testing 20 espresso machines, we found which ones make the best-tasting lattes and cappuccinos in the comfort of your own kitchen. Read on for the best espresso machines that PEOPLE Tested. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine at Amazon ($400) Jump to Review Best Budget: De'Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine at Amazon ($87) Jump to Review Best Investment: Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine at Amazon ($865) Jump to Review Best Automatic: Breville Barista Express Impress at Amazon ($720) Jump to Review Best Super Automatic: SMEG Medium Fully-Automatic Coffee Machine at Amazon ($1,000) Jump to Review Best Design: Smeg Espresso Machine at Amazon ($530) Jump to Review Best Compact: Capresso Café TS Touchscreen Espresso Machine at Amazon ($180) Jump to Review Best Overall Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine Breville View On Amazon $400 View On Sur La Table $400 View On Williams-Sonoma $400 Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Ease of Cleaning 5/5 Performance 5/5 Design 5/5 Pros With a compact design, this is a small-space-friendly machine. When used correctly, espresso shots had fantastic body, a medium crema, and a consistent extraction and pour. The milk frother is especially impressive, creating velvety foam at a consistent temperature. Cons There’s no coffee grinder, so users will need to purchase one separately (or purchase ground coffee). The espresso shots varied in temperature, ranging from 157 to 173 degrees Fahrenheit. Users may need to experiment with different coffee grinds before the machine pulls quality espresso shots. The Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine is our top pick because of its beginner-friendly interface, full-bodied espresso pulls, and superior milk frother. We found that it may take some time to find the perfect grind for the machine (although finer grinds seemed to work best). But when the grind was right, it pulled espresso shots in “viscous, honey-like streams” that remained consistently hazelnut in color and had a full body and a medium crema. The milk frother was one of the standouts of this machine; with three foam settings and an automatic sensor that stops the wand instantly, it’s easy to use and produces velvety thick foam. That foam stood up well in cappuccinos and also remained a consistent 138 degrees Fahrenheit no matter the setting. The Breville Bambino Plus is also a breeze to set up and easy to clean with buttons that showcase setting options. The biggest consideration before purchasing is that it doesn’t come equipped with a bean grinder; however, beginners can purchase espresso grinds at most supermarkets, while more advanced coffee connoisseurs should buy a high-quality grinder that allows customization to their preferences. Grinder: No | Frother: Yes | Dimensions: 12 x 6.75 x 12 inches | Espresso Shot Pulls: Single and double | Machine Type: Semi-automatic People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson Best Budget De'Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine Amazon View On Amazon $87 View On Target $87 View On Walmart $86 Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Ease of Cleaning 5/5 Performance 5/5 Design 5/5 Pros This machine pulls high-quality shots — espresso was not bitter or acidic and tasted pleasantly robust with a near-perfect body and crema. This machine is consistently priced under $100. Cons The frother is a bit temperamental, producing more foam than hot milk thanks to overly powerful steam production. Although this is an incredibly budget-friendly espresso machine, you won’t know it once you taste the results. As with many at-home machines, a learning curve and some experimentation with the amount of espresso and the fineness of the grinds are required. Still, we were incredibly impressed with the espresso it pulled on the fourth try, with our tester saying it was “robust in taste and aromatics.” The body and crema were additionally outstanding. In fact, even with some inconsistencies in pressure and water flow, shots still came out tasting great. The built-in frother was a bit temperamental with powerful steam and intense pressure that ended up producing more foam than hot milk. Users will likely need to experiment with water to test out its strength before moving on to milk. Some features of this machine will remind the user that it’s a budget option — some parts (including the exterior) are made from flimsier plastic. And the inconsistency of the shot pour can be noticeable even if it doesn’t affect taste. Overall, though, it’s a solid beginner-friendly option that would even be great for more picky aficionados. Grinder: No | Frother: Yes | Dimensions: 11.22 x 13.5 x 8.07 inches | Espresso Shot Pulls: Single and double | Machine Type: Semi-automatic How It's Held Up The De’Longhi Stilosa has enhanced our weekend coffee-making during the past month. We’ve made a variety of drinks using the very consistent espresso it produces. It’s easy to use, and despite its small size, it makes excellent espresso. The steam wand works well and creates frothed and steamed milk with ease. Though this machine is simple and doesn’t have the bells and whistles that others do, it takes up very little counter space and makes excellent espresso. If we were to improve the product, we wish the steam wand was thinner and that there was more surface space for frothing milk. People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson Best Investment Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine Amazon View On Amazon $865 Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Ease of Cleaning 5/5 Performance 5/5 Design 5/5 Pros For those looking to have cafe-quality espresso at home, this is as close as you’ll get to a commercial-grade machine. Everything about this stainless-steel machine is made of durable, high-quality materials. Cons There’s a learning curve with this machine, and it may take some time to perfect espresso shots, so it’s definitely not for beginners. The Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine has three switches for temperature, hot water, and steam, and a steam wand that’s controlled by a valve knob. Once everything is set up, it pulls tight, consistent espresso streams. We found that this espresso machine has incredible potential, but users should note that this machine is not only an investment in price, but it’s also an investment in time, as users will likely need to experiment with the grinds and the espresso pulls to produce a quality shot. After a few pulls with various rates of success, we found that it can be easy to under- or over-extract shots, so some came out watery while others came out bitter. Once adjustments were made regarding the grind and the amount of coffee put into the machine, shots eventually came out with a firm crema and a rich body with notes of cherry. The steam wand is also an excellent feature of this machine. It reached its temperature quickly, but it did not oversteam it or affect the texture. Again, because this is commercial-quality, it will create rich, velvety foam for cappuccinos or just a hint of foam for drinks like lattes. Grinder: No | Frother: Yes | Dimensions: 13.3 x 11.4 x 9.2 inches | Espresso Shot Pulls: Single and double | Machine Type: Semi-automatic How It's Held Up Three months in, we have gotten the hang of the Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine. The process was a bit tricky at first, and the directions were not extremely clear. Once we learned the proper adjustments, the espresso shots came out smooth and consistent. It takes a bit of tinkering to get it to work properly, but for experienced baristas or anyone willing to practice, this machine provides excellent espresso. People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson Best Automatic Breville Barista Express Impress Amazon View On Amazon $720 View On Target $895 View On Walmart $1,117 Pros This Breville machine comes with a grinder, which means it’s an all-in-one option for perfect espresso drinks. The automatic function on this machine remembers the previous dosage and tamp of an espresso shot, so once you find the settings you like, it’ll be easy to recreate. Cons This is a large, bulky machine so it may not be the right fit for small apartments or kitchens with limited counter space. At its price point, it’s an investment. Simply put, an automatic espresso machine means that you start the espresso shot and the machine finishes it for you — and that’s part of the appeal of this Breville machine. Plus, it comes with a coffee grinder right on top. Additionally, the conical burr grinder has 25 different grind sizes and two options to control it. The first few pulls of espresso were watery and under-extracted, but when the grinder was manually dialed a few times, it eventually produced a “phenomenal fully manual pull that was perfectly extracted.” However, because the machine remembers the last setting, the shots pulled after were perfect as well, and the espresso itself was dark with a crema that had a lovely texture and no hint of sourness or bitterness. The machine also produced nice foam; when it was heated up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit, the microfoam was rich and had a pleasant texture and taste. The machine itself is also fairly intuitive, with clearly labeled buttons and lights that make it quick to learn. It was also easy to set up and clean, which was another nice benefit of this high-quality machine. Grinder: Yes | Frother: Yes | Dimensions: 16.1 x 12.9 x 14.9 inches | Espresso Shot Pulls: Single and double | Machine Type: Automatic How It's Held Up This machine is super easy to use, and we love the built-in grinder and steaming wand. Similar to a professional machine, it's loud when grinding beans and when it’s pressurizing to extract expresso. To prevent stickiness, we have found that it’s best to wipe the steam wand down immediately after use. Based on the high quality of the drinks it produces, we would recommend this machine to anyone who likes to enjoy espresso-based drinks regularly. People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson Best Super Automatic SMEG Medium Fully-Automatic Coffee Machine Williams Sonoma View On Amazon $1,000 View On Nordstrom $1,000 View On Verishop.com $1,000 Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Ease of Cleaning 5/5 Performance 5/5 Design 5/5 Pros This high-tech machine pulls double duty, making espresso as well as coffee drinks. An automatic machine is incredibly intuitive and works with a push of a button, making it an ideal machine for those who want a quick cup of coffee. It pulled the most consistent shots of all of the options we tested. Cons This machine only pulls single shots of espresso. Although our tester loved the taste of the espresso shots, they did lean a little bit bitter. Super-automatic machines, according to Serious Eats writer Jesse Raub, are even more streamlined than automatic machines: “You push a button and it does everything for you.” This makes the machine pretty hands-off, which can be incredibly appealing to beginners or users who want a quick latte on their way out the door in the morning. The espresso shots this machine produced were consistent once the tester set the grinder to 2.5 — only the first shot was under-extracted and watery. Afterward, all the shots produced had a dark brown crema with a well-balanced flavor that was sweet and featured a “pleasant slight bitterness.” This was also one of the most consistent machines tested, likely because it's a super-automatic model. While this machine is also able to make coffee drinks, we were very happy with its intuitive programming that would likely be great for beginners. The biggest consideration is that it only pulls single shots of espresso, so it might take longer to make a double-shot latte. Grinder: Yes | Frother: Yes | Dimensions: 17 x 7 x 13.25 inches | Espresso Shot Pulls: Single | Machine Type: Super-automatic How It's Held Up After months of continuous use, the Smeg Fully Automated Coffee Machine is working great. It’s quick, easy to use, and absolutely indulgent to be able to get quality espresso in seconds. We love the simplicity of this machine, which does it all for you, from grinding to the finished product. The interface makes it quite simple to create six different drink options. It is on the bulky side, so you need a sizable amount of counter space. We found the water tank to be a bit small, so it needs to be refilled often. People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson People / Nick Simpson Best Design Smeg Espresso Machine Amazon View On Amazon $530 View On Nordstrom $530 View On Wayfair $530 Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Ease of Cleaning 4/5 Heat Up Time 5/5 Brew Quality 4/5 Pros This is an impressive-looking machine that’s especially great for beginners. It’s easy to set up and easy to clean. Cons During testing, we found that the double espresso pulls were nowhere near as good as the single pulls. This espresso machine from Smeg is design-forward. It comes in a few colorways and has a simple control panel that doesn’t distract from its aesthetic. This control panel consists of three buttons, including single shot, double shot, and steam. Another benefit of this machine is its ease of use; it’s simple to set up and a breeze to clean. Plus, it’s a great beginner machine that still pulls fairly excellent shots. During testing, it took a few tries to pull a shot that tasted good. Before adjusting the grind, the first few shots were watery with no crema cap and a slightly burnt flavor, but after adjustments were made, the shots were dark, full-bodied, rich in chocolate and caramel notes, and topped with a firm crema. The steam wand was another plus for this machine, as it was quick to master. This machine's biggest draw remains its beautiful design, but it’s also a great machine for beginner users or those who have no interest in mastering the complexities of more difficult machines. Grinder: No | Frother: Yes | Dimensions: 13 x 6 x 12 inches | Espresso Shot Pulls: Single and double | Machine Type: Automatic How It's Held Up Because you need to grind and tamp the coffee beans yourself, this product is great for those who want more of a hands-on espresso-making experience. This machine only has three buttons: single shot, double shot, and steam, so it’s straightforward to use. Using this machine, we’ve been able to produce a rich foam layer composed of micro-bubbles, similar to what you’d receive at a coffee shop. The Smeg looks nice but is constructed of lightweight metal and plastic and doesn’t have a lot of heft. However, it produces consistently good espresso, so we have no complaints. Best Compact Capresso Café TS Touchscreen Espresso Machine Amazon View On Amazon $180 View On Target $180 View On Wayfair $180 Pros This small machine is also beginner-friendly, while still producing delicious espresso shots. It’s also another fairly affordable option at under $200. Cons The steam wand is not this machine’s strong suit; it’s a bit hard to use and the results were only okay. This small machine is great for kitchens with limited countertop space, and it’s also lightweight. It has a simple control panel with a digital timer that displays brewing time and buttons that are quick to understand. As with most machines, testers had to pull a few shots before finding the right coarseness and weight of the grind, but at the end of testing, shots had a honey-brown crema, a thick consistency, and a chocolate-forward nutty flavor. The tester was also satisfied with the quality and the learning curve, finding the machine easy to master even if the user has no previous experience with making espresso. The steam wand was not the Caspresso’s greatest asset. It has a smaller nozzle, and because of that, it’s harder to use. The temperature only reached 101 degrees Fahrenheit, and the foam produced had some large, airy bubbles. There was also some trouble switching from the steam function to the espresso function, which could have been an issue with the particular machine that was tested, but it’s still important to mention. Grinder: No | Frother: Yes | Dimensions: 11.75 x 8 x 10.5 inches | Espresso Shot Pulls: Single and double | Machine Type: Automatic How It's Held Up There was a bit of a learning curve with this machine, as it’s not very intuitive and the instruction manual isn’t beginner-friendly. We found the steaming wand to be a bit of a challenge. The product does not include a frothing pitcher, and the steaming wand is on the short side. We also found that the air bubbles produced were larger than we expected for steamed milk. However, this espresso machine is compact, so it’s great for smaller kitchens; it’s easy to use; and the espresso shots — which arrive in 25 to 30 seconds — are smooth and balanced. Other Espresso Machines We Tried Café Affetto Automatic Espresso Machine & Frother: This machine was design-forward and compact, but it was also incredibly heavy at 18 pounds. Its main technical issue, however, was that it needed to connect to Wi-Fi to properly adjust its settings, so those who don’t want to do that will lose some of the machine’s functionalities. Mr. Coffee One-Touch CoffeeHouse+ Espresso, Cappuccino, and Latte Maker: The frother on this machine produces thick, creamy foam that also ended up tasting slightly burnt, but it was automatic and easy to use. The tester also found the design to be quite flimsy, which was likely one of the reasons that shots were consistently bitter, sour, and burnt. De’Longhi La Specialista Arte: This machine was high-quality and performed fairly well, but the steam wand produced a cappuccino with too thin a body, and the espresso was slightly sour. It did, however, feature an internal burr coffee grinder. People / Nick Simpson Things to Consider Before Buying an Espresso Machine Ease of Use Since we're not all professional baristas, it's important to know how simple an espresso machine is to set up and use before purchasing. It's worth noting how much of each type of drink you can make at once, as well as what features the machine comes with: a built-in coffee grinder, a milk frother, a tamper, etc. Also, check to see if it requires any special filters and if it's a programmable model or adjusts automatically. You should know how much work will be involved with your machine every morning, as well as what additional equipment you will need to make that perfect shot of espresso. Espresso Quality and Speed If you're sacrificing your daily coffee run, you want to know you're still getting a high-quality product. Read reviews to get a better sense of overall taste and drink characteristics, such as the firmness of the crema, the flavor notes of the final espresso pulls, and (if there’s a frother attached) the texture and temperature of the foam it produces. When it comes to quality, Raub says that the ratio of coffee to water might affect taste, noting that espresso shots with too little water turn out super strong, while shots with too much water turn out watery and bitter. If you’re experiencing either of those issues, adjusting the water should give you a better shot. Finally, if you’re looking for the appropriate window of time a shot should take to pull, Raub says it should be around 25 to 30 seconds. Ease of Cleaning No one is looking for extra chores, so find out if the machine is easy to clean and if any of the parts are dishwasher-safe. Also, check to see if it needs to be disassembled to clean and, if so, how easy that process is. In our testing, some machines are especially easy to clean, like the Capresso Café TS Touchscreen Espresso Machine, which took only five minutes with a damp sponge and mild soap. People / Nick Simpson How We Tested Espresso Machines We tested 20 espresso machines in our industrial kitchen. To ensure accurate and comparable tasting notes, we used the same brand and type of coffee beans for all of the machines, as well as the same brand of milk for steaming and building lattes or cappuccinos. Setup: Testers timed and recorded how long it took to set up each machine, as well as a full cleaning/flushing cycle. Shot Test: Five shots were pulled for each type of machine, noting flavor, consistency, and ease of use in the tester’s recordings. Different processes were followed for automatic, semi-automatic, and super-automatic machines to account for the differences in their mechanics; however, all espresso shots were measured for volume each time. Additionally, all espresso shots pulled were tasted and examined for under- or over-extraction, crema, and body.Frother Evaluation: Milk frothers were also tested to a temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit, aerated, and poured over a shot of espresso. Finally, the machines were cleaned thoroughly. People / Nick Simpson Frequently Asked Questions What’s the difference between automatic, semi-automatic, and super-automatic? Automatic machines allow you to start the shot while the machine finishes it. For a semi-automatic machine, you start and stop the shot. And for super-automatic machines, you simply push a button, and the machine does all the work for you. Semi-automatics, according to Raub, are generally the default in espresso machines and work by pushing a button that opens the valve and starts the pump, meaning you have to also manually stop it to stop the pump.While super-automatic machines take the least amount of user effort, Raub also notes that it’s “really hard to really change a lot of the espresso variables with those machines.” So if you’re looking for an incredibly bespoke cup of coffee, semi-automatics or automatics might be the best fit, and those looking for the easiest option will likely love a super-automatic. Are coffee machines and espresso machines the same? No, the machines required to make drip coffee and espresso coffee are different. The methods of preparation and the size of the grind differentiate the two. A drip coffee maker heats water and then disperses it over coarsely ground coffee and a filter. In comparison, an espresso coffee maker creates high pressure to force water quickly over tightly packed, finely ground coffee beans. There are some machines, like the Smeg Medium Fully-Automatic Coffee Machine, which can brew both espresso and coffee. Do you need special beans for espresso? The beans used for espresso are the same as for other types of coffee; the difference is how finely the beans are ground, which varies depending on the coffee machine you're using. The fine grind of the beans and the lower water-to-bean ratio make espresso coffee thicker and stronger than regular coffee, and users should be expected to play with these elements to find the right cup of coffee for them. Why Trust PEOPLE? Alyssa Brascia is a commerce writer for PEOPLE and the original author of this article, with a background in lifestyle writing, spanning everything from beauty to home. Alida Nugent is a commerce contributor for PEOPLE with an extensive background in commerce writing, editing, and strategy. She also writes for Food Network, HGTV, and Better Homes & Gardens. Alida updated this article with fresh insights from our PEOPLE Tested lab, focusing solely on the best espresso machines you can buy in 2024. What is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase. The 8 Best Coffee Makers with Grinders of 2024, Tested and Reviewed