The Best Espresso Machines for Every Budget, Tested and Approved by a Barista

Like a great prosumer digital camera, the Barista Express has all the capabilities and controls of a manual, pro-level espresso maker, but in a convenient package that allows even first-timers to pull a near-perfect shot. It's included grinder has controls for the amount and size of the grind, and the espresso machine gives you full control over the length of the pour. The single-boiler maker heats up in three seconds, and pulling a shot takes less than 20 seconds from grind to that first sip of frothy crema. After months of testing several machines, this one offers the most capabilities, most consistent pours, in the most user-friendly package that everyone from new enthusiasts to third-wave fanatics will appreciate.

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Similar in price and capabilities to the Barista Pro, De’Longhi’s La Specialista Prestigio offers a few additional features that some espresso lovers might prefer. To take the stress out of tamping, De’Longhi has equipped this machine with a lever on the side, which you can pull to tamp your beans before removing them from the built-in grinder. That saves time, eliminates spilled grinds, and provides an even tamp. It’s the most convenient system we’ve tested, but you do lose some precision in the process, which might bother some purists.

The machine offers three heat settings for more control, however, a feature that the Barista Pro does not. It also has a secondary heating system, enabling you to move from pouring shots to steaming milk in seconds. It’s an excellent semi-automatic machine that trades some control for extra convenience while still delivering tasty shots with frothy crema.

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This machine from KitchenAid delivers a professional-grade brew in a home environment. With a 2.2-liter removable water tank and durable metal-clad housing, it integrates a built-in bean hopper and grinder featuring “smart dosing” for consistent extraction. The single-spout delivery system supports 15 preset recipes (espresso, latte, Americano, etc.), and the automatic milk frother draws from a milk hose to one-touch froth and heat.

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Simple, compact and affordable, the ECP36300 is capable of producing nice-tasting shots of espresso and frothy steamed milk without much fuss. The stainless steel boiler is durable, but takes longer to heat up than more expensive units. And because there’s just one heating element, you’ll need to budget even more time to fire up the steaming wand to froth your milk. The included tamper is made of flimsy plastic that can pack your grind unevenly; we suggest buying one made of metal for better results. You’ll also need your own grinder for this machine. But as long as you can summon some extra patience in the morning (a hard task, we know), this machine is great value and a good option for anyone with limited counter space.

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This semi-automatic espresso maker isn’t cheap, but because it’s a KitchenAid, you know it’s extremely durable. If you’ve got a house full of regular coffee drinkers, we recommend you go with something like a KitchenAid that can stand up to heavy use. This one comes with a lot of nice features, too, like a cup warmer on top and a milk frothing attachment (sold separately). The milk frother also gets high marks from reviewers.

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If you’ve got a limited budget, consider this classic stovetop espresso maker. It looks sleek on the countertop and makes a great cup of espresso without the extra cost of a larger machine. It’s not as easy to use as a fully automated machine, and it requires cleaning after each use. Because there’s no programming in the machine, it also won’t remind you about regular descaling.

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The Flair allows you to customize everything about your espresso-making experience, including the water pressure, the water-to-coffee ratio, and the amount of crema or espresso foam on top. If you’re a true coffee geek, this is absolutely the machine for you. And it looks pretty darn cool, too.

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At one point in my life, there was nothing more horrifying than the idea of making coffee from a single-use capsule. But after a few stays at hotels with in-room capsule espresso machines, I had to admit that the resulting espresso isn’t just good enough but actually pretty darn great. The Vertuo Next has a more plastic look than I’d like in a machine, but there is no denying how simple and dependable it is. And in terms of the environmental impact, it’s actually not as bad as you might think, particularly if you’re recycling the capsules.—J.S.

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The Maestro is a beautiful machine. Of course, it should be for $1,300. But you do get a lot for the price, as you can customize just about everything such as the grind of the bean, the strength or “dose” of the coffee, and the particular type of espresso drink including a cappuccino or a flat white.

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