Espresso machines

espresso machine

Espresso machines come in all shapes and sizes: big and small, cheap and expensive, simple and complicated – and so on.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with so many choices.

That’s why our guides make choosing the right espresso machine for your needs easy.

We cover the best espresso machines for beginners and advanced home baristas (and everything in between).

Choosing The Best Espresso Machine

If you’re new to the world of home espresso machines, dive in here. We cover the best choices and some best espresso machines for specific use cases.

  • Best Espresso Machine For Beginners – buying your first espresso machine? Dive right in. We cover the top choices, what to look for when choosing your machine, and a lot more. 
  • Best Italian Espresso Machine – if you really want a good espresso machine, you can’t go wrong by going with the one made in a country that invented the espresso itself.
  • Best Portable Espresso Maker – Like the great outdoors but don’t want to give up your daily espresso habit? Don’t fret – we have you covered.
  • Best Manual Espresso Machine – if you want complete control over your brewing process, opt for a manual espresso machine. They’re not very beginner friendly, though.
  • Best Semi Automatic Espresso Machine – striking a balance between manual and automatic espresso machines, these provide more control over the brewing process while still being user-friendly.
  • Best Automatic Espresso Machine – easy to use and beginner-friendly, these machines deliver perfect espresso with a push of a button.
  • Best Espresso Machine With A Grinder – nothing beats a machine that both grinds and brews. These machines will deliver the freshest, tastiest coffee every morning.
  • Best Cappuccino Machine – if you prefer milk-based espresso drinks, choose the machine with a great frother (that’s still relatively affordable). 

Jura Machines

Based in Switzerland, Jura is one of the top espresso machine brands on the planet. 

Founded in 1931, Jura has almost a century of experience designing high-quality, premium machines that can give you a barista-level coffee from the comfort of your own home.

But are their machines really worth the premium price tag? 

Read our reviews and find out!

  • Best Jura Coffee Machine – Jura machines are some of the best on the market, but which one is the best of the best? We compare various models, and here’s our top choice.
  • Jura A1 Review – a simple, no-frills machine that makes espressos (no milk-based beverages available).
  • Jura Z6 Review – the Z6 is pretty much a commercial-grade machine designed for home use. It has a high price tag, but in our opinion, it’s justified. 
  • Jura Z6 Vs S8 – if you prefer milk-based drinks, S8 is your machine. However, if capacity is your biggest priority, Z6 is the better choice. 
  • Jura Z6 Vs Z8 – while Z8 has more features, in our opinion, they don’t justify the higher price tag (we consider them “nice to haves”, not “must haves”). 
  • Jura Ena 8 Review – this is a compact, one-touch machine that still offers plenty of drink options. 
  • Jura Ena 8 Vs E8 – E8 is definitely a superior machine, but that does come with a higher price tag. 
  • Jura E6 Review – a great entry-level super-automatic espresso machine with 11 different drink options and a built-in milk system, and a grinder.
  • Jura E6 Vs E8 – E8 is a better machine, with more features and more drink options. E6 however uses fewer coffee beans per shot of espresso, so you don’t generate as much waste.
  • Jura E8 Review – E8 is a versatile super-automatic machine with 16 programmable drinks and an advanced milk frothing system.
  • Jura S8 Review – this is a mid-range model with a user-friendly interface and many pre-programmed drinks you can make with a touch of a button.
  • Jura E8 Vs S8 – E8 offers more customizability, while S8 offers a more user-friendly interface and design. 
  • Jura Z8 Review – this is a fancy, high-end model (even for Jura). Not only does it come with the latest Jura technology, but it can also make a whooping 21 drinks!
  • Jura D6 Review – while it lacks some features that other Jura machines have, it is definitely a great (and affordable) option that offers a nice variety of drinks.
  • Jura Giga 6 Review – it does live up to its Giga name – this machine is definitely more suited to the office (unless you have a large family who LOVES coffee).
  • Jura Impressa C60 Review – sure, it doesn’t have many bells and whistles like other Jura machines. But what it lacks in variety, it makes up in customizability.
  • Jura Vs Delonghi – We personally think Jura is a better option for serious home baristas, but we do recognize De’Longhi is probably a better choice for beginners on a budget.
  • Jura Vs Breville –  While Jura is more of a high-end brand, Breville has the advantage of having more compact machines (ideal for people with limited counter space).
  • Jura Vs Saeco – Saeco is a better option for people on a budget that like milk-based coffee drinks, while Jura is again a premium option for those who only want the best in modern espresso technology.
  • Jura Vs Gaggia – Gaggia makes better semi-automatic espresso machines that are a great bang for your buck, while Jura is better for people who want a more durable machine and are not price-conscious. 

Breville Machines

Breville is an Australian-based brand that is known for making innovative kitchen appliances. 

Regarding espresso machines, they make some of the best products on the market.

De’Longhi Machines

Coming from Italy, De’Longhi has been making espresso machines since 1902. 

They focus on user-friendly features like customizable settings, easy-to-use interfaces, and versatile beverage options.

  • Best Delonghi Espresso Machine – we’ve reviewed dozens of DeLonghi machines on the market and narrowed down our selection to just a few of the top choices. 
  • Delonghi La Specialista Review – it’s a great entry-level automatic espresso machine with tons of features (I really like the Pannarelo wand for milk frothing!).
  • Delonghi La Specialista vs Breville Barista Express – La Specialista is easier to use, but Barista Express gives you more options to play with.
  • Delonghi Magnifica Review – this is a great (and affordable!) super-automatic espresso machine that is perfect for a large household.
  • Delonghi Dedica Review – ideal for first-time espresso machine buyers, this machine is perfect for people with a limited counter space who just want a shot of espresso quickly.
  • Delonghi Ecp3420 Review – this machine isn’t for everyone. But it is a great choice for beginners who want a simple, budget-friendly, and relatively easy-to-use espresso machine.
  • De Longhi Espresso Machine Troubleshooting – no espresso machine works perfectly 100% of the time, and DeLonghi machines are no exception. Here’s our guide to fixing the most common problems.
  • How To Use Delonghi Espresso Machine – even though most of these machines are beginner-friendly, you could still get a few tips on making the most of your machine – and we’re here to help.

Gaggia Machines

Emphasizing craftsmanship, HQ materials, and timeless design, Gaggia machines are some of the best choices for people looking for an authentic Italian espresso experience.

  • Best Gaggia Espresso Machine – here’s our rundown of the best Gaggia machines today, with the pros and cons of each one.
  • Gaggia Classic Pro vs Breville Barista Express – if you’re on a budget and want a smaller machine, go with Gaggia Classic Pro. If you want a more advanced machine with a built-in grinder, choose the Barista Express.
  • Gaggia Classic Pro vs Rancilio Silvia – Gaggia Classic Pro is the better choice for the budget-conscious, while Rancilio Silvia is the go-to for people who want to make beautiful latte art.
  • Gaggia Brera Review – a perfect machine for people who want a superautomatic espresso machine, but with a smaller footprint.

Espresso Machines By Price

If you’re on a specific budget, it’s useful to know what options are available to you. 

Here are our picks for the best espresso machine for every budget – from $200 to $2,000. 

  • Best Espresso Machine Under $200 – at this price point, you can expect entry-level machines with bare-bones features. We combed through dozens of options and chose the best of the bunch.
  • Best Espresso Machine Under $300 – in this price range, you’ll find semi-automatic machines with better temperature control and stability. Here are our top picks for sub $300 machines.
  • Best Espresso Machine Under $500 – here, many more options open up, and you can find machines with improved build materials and greater durability. This is the ideal price range for intermediate to advanced home baristas.
  • Best Espresso Machine Under $1,000 – in this range, you can find premium semi-automatic machines or entry-level automatic machines. They are ideal for advanced home baristas who want to practice their brewing skills.
  • Best Espresso Machine Under $2,000 – finally, at this price point, you can expect top-of-the-line machines. All of these machines are made out of HQ materials and have various features that a home barista can play with.

Other Brands

Looking for more brands?

Look no further – we are constantly researching and reviewing both the top sellers and the newcomers to the market. 

Here’s what we have so far:

  • Flair 58 Review – fans of a manual espresso machine will love this model (even if it’s a bit too bulky for my liking).
  • Best Gevi Espresso Machine – compact, stylish, and fairly priced, Gevi espresso machines are great for beginner baristas. Here are our top picks.
  • Smeg Espresso Machine Review – if you like a retro-style design that doesn’t compromise the function, you’ll love this machine.

Common Espresso Machine Questions

Running a coffee blog for so long, we do end up receiving a lot of the same questions over and over again. 

That’s why we thought we should answer the most common ones in the articles below.

  • Types Of Espresso Machines – did you know there are more than a dozen different types of espresso machines? Here we go into great detail about each type and who should get each one.
  • Is An Espresso Machine Worth It? – in our opinion, yes! You get high-quality coffee at home, they’re more convenient, and they are cheaper in the long run.
  • Why Are Espresso Machines So Expensive? – espresso machines are usually made of expensive, high-quality materials – which means the machines themselves will also be extremely pricey.