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Brands

Espresso Machine Brands Compared

How Jura, De'Longhi, Breville, Gaggia, Miele and La Pavoni differ in machine type, price and upkeep, so you can pick the right brand before the model.

Pick the machine type first, then the brand. Jura, Miele and De’Longhi lead for one-touch superautomatics, Breville and Gaggia for portafilter machines you learn on, and La Pavoni for manual levers.

The six brands at a glance

Brand Machine types Estimated US price band Best at Wrong for
Jura Superautomatic only Estimated $1,000 to over $4,000 Lowest daily effort, fixed brew unit with cleaning prompts Buyers who want to adjust grind and dose freely
De’Longhi Semi-automatic and superautomatic Estimated under $300 to about $2,000 The widest range at each price Buyers who never want to rinse a brew unit
Breville Semi-automatic Estimated $300 to over $1,500 Beginner-friendly portafilter machines, many with a built-in grinder Buyers who want to repair the machine themselves for decades
Gaggia Semi-automatic and superautomatic Estimated $450 to $550 for the Classic Evo Pro A simple, repairable single boiler with a 58 mm portafilter Buyers who want stable brew temperature with no routine
Miele Superautomatic Estimated $1,500 to $3,500 Two milk drinks at once, removable brew unit Buyers on a tight budget
La Pavoni Manual lever Estimated $900 to $2,000 Hand control of pressure, small footprint, long life Anyone who wants consistent shots without practice

Price bands are estimates from typical US retail listings. Prices move often, so check the current price before you buy.

How to choose between brands

  1. You want one-touch milk drinks and the least cleaning. Start with Jura and accept the higher running cost.
  2. You want a superautomatic for less, or cold foam. Start with De’Longhi.
  3. You want two milk drinks at once in a premium machine. Look at Miele.
  4. You want to learn espresso with help from the machine. Start with Breville.
  5. You want a simple machine you can service at home. Look at Gaggia.
  6. You want full hand control and a machine that can last decades. Look at La Pavoni. Our La Pavoni brand guide explains which model to buy.

If you are torn between the two biggest superautomatic brands, our Jura vs De’Longhi comparison sets out the cost of ownership. For the Jura line-up from E to Z, see our Jura brand guide.

Check service before you buy

Brand matters most after the warranty ends. Superautomatics have more parts that can fail, such as grinders, brew units and milk systems. Find out where the nearest authorized service center is and whether you must ship the machine. Simple machines like the Gaggia Classic and La Pavoni levers use parts that owners commonly replace at home.

Each brand page below lists every review and comparison we have for that brand.

Breville Espresso Machines: Which Model to BuyBreville sells a clear ladder from the Bambino to the Dual Boiler. Start with the Barista Express if you lack a grinder; pick the Bambino Plus if you own one.De'Longhi Espresso MachinesMost De'Longhi buyers should get a Dedica for small budgets, a Magnifica Evo for easy bean-to-cup, or an Eletta Explore for cold foam. Here is why.Gaggia Espresso Machines: Which Model to BuyGaggia's best buy for most US readers is the Classic Evo Pro, a repairable 58 mm machine. Its superautomatics suit buyers who want removable brew groups.Jura Espresso Machines: Which Model to BuyMost buyers should choose the Jura E8 for milk drinks or the E6 for black coffee. Here is what each Jura series adds, from ENA and C to S, J, Z and GIGA.La Pavoni Espresso MachinesMost La Pavoni buyers should get the Professional lever. Buy the Europiccola for straight shots only, and the Esperto Abile if you want a group gauge.Miele Coffee Machines: CM5, CM6 and CM7The Miele CM6 MilkPerfection suits homes where two people want milk drinks at once. The CM5 costs less. Here is how the line works and what care it needs.