Buying guide
Best Espresso Machines
Pick the machine type first: superautomatic for push-button drinks, semi-automatic to learn, lever for full control. Then open the category list that fits.
Choose the machine type before you choose a model, because most bad purchases come from the wrong category, not the wrong brand. Find your row in the table below, then open that category list.
Which category fits you
| If you want | Go to |
|---|---|
| Lattes at the press of a button, no barista work | Superautomatic |
| To learn to grind, tamp and steam by hand | Semi-automatic |
| Full manual control and a slow ritual | Manual lever |
| The lowest price that still makes real espresso | Budget |
| The lowest learning curve in any type | For beginners |
| A narrow or low space under cabinets | Small kitchens |
| A fixed spend | Under $1,000 or under $2,000 |
Three rules before you open a list
- Count the grinder in your budget. Semi-automatic and lever machines need a capable espresso grinder. Our espresso grinder guide shows what to pair with each machine.
- Be honest about your weekday morning. A superautomatic asks you to fill beans and water and empty the grounds bin. A semi-automatic asks you to grind, tamp and steam milk yourself, and it takes weeks to learn.
- Measure your space. Check the height under your wall cabinets and the tallest cup you use.
If you cannot decide between push-button and hands-on, our superautomatic vs semi-automatic guide compares daily effort and total cost. If you want a fast answer, the four-question espresso machine finder quiz suggests one machine.
Every list below compares manufacturer specifications, manuals and long-term owner reports. We give price bands, not exact prices, because prices change often.
Best Budget Espresso Machines Under $500The De'Longhi Dedica is the best espresso machine under about $500 for most people. The Bambino Plus suits latte drinkers, the Gaggia suits tinkerers.
Best Espresso Machines for BeginnersThe Philips 3200 LatteGo is the easiest espresso machine for beginners. The Breville Bambino Plus is the pick if you want to learn shots and milk.
Best Manual Lever Espresso MachinesThe La Pavoni Professional is the best lever for most buyers. The Europiccola suits solo espresso drinkers, and the Esperto Abile suits data lovers.Best Semi-Automatic Espresso MachinesThe Breville Barista Express is the best semi-automatic for most beginners. The Bambino Plus suits milk drinkers, and the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro suits tinkerers.Best Espresso Machines for Small KitchensThe De'Longhi Dedica is the best espresso machine for small kitchens at about 6 inches wide. The Jura ENA 8 is the compact pick for one-touch milk drinks.
Best Superautomatic Espresso MachinesThe Jura E8 is the best superautomatic for most US homes. The Philips 3200 LatteGo is the value pick, and the Eletta Explore suits iced-drink fans.Best Espresso Machines Under $1,000The Breville Barista Pro is the best espresso machine under $1,000 for most US homes. The Magnifica Evo suits push-button buyers on the same budget.
Best Espresso Machines Under $2,000The Jura E6 is the best espresso machine under $2,000 for push-button homes. The Breville Dual Boiler is the pick if you want to pull shots by hand.