8 best espresso machines for every at-home barista in 2023
Coffee experts break down how to shop for an espresso machine and explain the difference between an automatic, semi-automatic and capsule espresso maker.
Suarez told us the Barista Pro is a “really popular choice that seems to be a good option for people looking for an all-in-one solution.” This semi-automatic espresso machine has an integrated grinder that Breville says provides ground coffee on demand, and it’s built with the brand’s ThermoJet heating system that’s designed to hit near-boiling temperatures in 3 seconds. It comes in several colors, including Damson Blue, Royal Champagne and Black Truffle.
Suarez highlighted the Gaggia Classic Pro as a “no-frills machine that will get the job done,” noting that it’s also relatively affordable compared to the other semi-automatic machines on this list. This machine has a rapid heating boiler and a 58-millimeter chrome-plated brass portafilter. It also has a built-in commercial steam wand to produce foamy, frothy milk, according to the brand.
La Marzocco is the brand that Blue Bottle uses in all of its stores, which is why Phillips called it “the working barista’s choice.” When paired with the La Marzocco app, you can turn the semi-automatic Linea Mini on or off, set the boiler temperature, enable pre-brewing and more. Though this machine is substantially more expensive than the other options on our list, Phillips noted that “the build quality is very high, it has stable temperature and pressure, looks great in a kitchen and just works.” Suarez also noted its “professional-level quality” espresso.
If the Linea Mini’s price tag is out of your range, Suarez suggested checking out espresso machines from Rocket. The Rocket Espresso Appartmento is still certainly an investment, but this semi-automatic machine offers a heat exchange boiler and a heated group head to help heat the water in your machine to the optimal temperature and steam milk while you pull your espresso.
According to Suarez, Ascaso Steel machines “look incredible and have all the features you’d want in a home machine.” The automatic Steel DUO PID features a 58-millimeter portafilter and dual thermoblock insulation that heats water quickly and ensures continuous steam. With the PID temperature control on this machine, you can also control the temperature of your espresso in 1-degree increments.
If you’re looking for convenience over everything, the Nespresso VertuoPlus is a great option. Select writer Mili Godio said she uses her machine every morning and it requires minimal effort — she just chooses a capsule of her choice (typically a double espresso pod) and it starts pouring at the touch of a button. But keep in mind, you’ll need to buy pods directly from Nespresso in order to use the machine. You also need to either buy the frother separately or as a bundle.
If you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on an espresso maker, consider the Moka coffee pot instead. Select writer Zoe Malin is a big fan of the pot, which allows you to make your espresso on the stove. To use the Bialetti Moka Express, fill the boiler to the safety valve with water, add ground beans into the filter and heat the water on the stove until it starts to gurgle.
There are many types of espresso machines, which can be bucketed by what mechanism they use to produce pressure (a necessary component in the creation of an espresso shot). Below, we highlighted the different types — pump-driven, steam-driven and manual-lever.
Pump-driven espresso machines are the most common type on the market. They use an electronic pump to send hot water through the coffee beans at the ideal pressure — around 9 bars. “Because they use electronics to control temperature and pressure, you can produce very consistent espresso,” Suarez said. Most pump machines can be put into one of four categories: automatic, semi-automatic, manual or capsule.
Steam-driven machines boil water to create steam that is then used to heat the espresso grounds. Steam-driven machines typically produce less pressure than other espresso machines — around 1.5 bars, compared to the ideal 9 bars. Suarez noted that they can be a more budget-friendly option — typically under $100 — but ”they lack the ability to control your variables, and they can't produce the concentration of brew like pump machines just due to the lower pressure,” he noted.
Manual lever-driven machines tend to be for those who want a more physical relationship with their coffee and desire complete control over their brewing experience. “Instead of just pushing buttons, it requires the physical strength of pushing the lever to pull the shot, which tends to be for more advanced espresso aficionados,” according to Suarez. It also requires more work, skill and a greater understanding of coffee and milk texturing to get consistent results, Teoh explained. These types of machines usually take more time to perfect, “which is great for those that want the nuance but not great for those who are just looking for a fast easy cup of coffee,” he added.
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