12 of the Very Best Espresso Makers

Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Courtesy retailers

As I researched this article, one thing became crystal clear to me: Making quality espresso at home can be tough. It’s not that it isn’t worth doing; it’s just that if you have enough of an espresso habit to warrant a home setup, you probably care about how good your espresso tastes. And if you care about how good your espresso tastes, you’ll likely have to invest some real money into its production.

“My first question when people tell me they want to make espresso at home is ‘Why?’” says Kyle Ramage, co-owner of Black & White Coffee Roasters in Raleigh, North Carolina. “The most common answer I get is to save money. But the reality is, if you’re not willing or able to spend a decent amount, you’re not going to get equipment worth owning.” The market for espresso equipment simply isn’t as widely populated or impressive as that for standard coffee makers, but while Ramage’s view is, to my mind, too unconditional, it serves as a bit of a disclaimer for the list below. The most lauded option — the one that will truly give you café-grade shots and beautifully frothed milk — is well over $5,000. There are several options in the hundreds-of-dollars price range that pretty much all the pros I talked to said make for totally solid home setups, however. And finally, there are a couple of budget picks that were less talked about but may be exactly what you’re looking for.

What we’re looking for

Components

There are two main components to consider when buying an espresso maker. The first is whether or not it comes with a milk frother. If it does come with one, it might have a “dual boiler,” which means you can pull your espresso shot and froth your milk at the same time. This, as Jerad Morisson, co-founder and co-CEO of Sightglass Coffee in San Francisco, explains, “really helps temperature and pressure stabilization so that the machine is dependably at optimal brewing and steaming settings.” If it doesn’t, however, you have to make your coffee and your milk one after the other. The second component to consider is whether or not it comes with a grinder. Some machines have that mechanism built-in, while for others, you’ll need to buy one separately.

Size

Then there’s size to consider, since creating a home espresso setup can take up considerable counter space. For this, I’ve simply listed the dimensions of each.

Price

Like I said, espresso machines aren’t cheap. But the cost is relative, denoted in this list by the number of dollar signs. $ means it costs less than $350, $$ means between $350 and $850, $$$ between $850 and $2000, and $$$$ above $2000.

Best overall espresso maker

Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine

$865

$865

Components: No dual boiler, no built-in grinder | Size: 9.2” x 11.4” x 13.3” | Price: $$

The Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine comes enthusiastically recommended by Cary Wong, a member of the Partners Coffee education team, as well as Suyog Mody and James McCarthy, founder and coffee educator, respectively, at Brooklyn’s Driftaway Coffee. “Rancilio used to make commercial machines,” Mody says. “They created this one to send to their distributors and give away at trade fairs, but it ended up so popular they decided to release it to the consumer market.” It’s a straightforward machine (no grinder, no dual boiler), but it works like a charm. “It’s very hardy,” says McCarthy. “It makes café-quality espresso, and the steam wand is great.” Mody and McCarthy went so far as to say they prefer this one over models by Breville, the only other company that ranked as making good at-home espresso makers at middle-of-the-road price points (much more on Breville below). Finally, Mody pointed to a few bonuses that help give the Rancilio Silvia a leg up: All espresso machines make noise, but this one is somewhat quieter than many others. The company’s customer service is responsive and speedy if you have a question or need to replace a part. And perhaps most notable of all, this machine is shorter than any of the other electric options on this list — a key point if you have low cabinets.

$865

at Amazon

Buy

From
$865

at Seattle Coffee Gear

Buy

Best less expensive espresso maker

Breville Infuser

$600

$600

Components: No dual boiler, no built-in grinder | Size: 12.3” x 10.1” x 13.1” | Price: $$

“Breville home machines are some of the best you can get in terms of user experience and customer service,” says Ramage. Nearly every other expert I talked to seem to agree. While truly serious coffee people (like the experts themselves) might invest in the higher-end items on this list, the average person making espresso at home isn’t likely to be so hyperaware of espresso nuances. So Breville it is: all-around well-performing espresso machines with a generally wide range of capabilities in a wide range of price points (that’s why you’ll see multiple Breville models on this list). The infuser is on the lower end of the spectrum for Breville, but not the absolute lowest. Both the Bambino and the Bambino Plus come in cheaper, with the former retailing at $300 and the latter at $500. But the Infuser was named specifically by Suarez, who calls it “a great entry model.” As with the Rancilio Silvia, there aren’t any bells and whistles here. You’ll have to grind your beans separately, as well as brew your shot and froth your milk one after another. But if that doesn’t bother you, you’ll likely be very happy with this dependable, affordable model.

$600

at Amazon

Buy

$600

at Williams Sonoma

Buy

Best portable espresso maker

Wacaco Picopresso

$130

Components: No dual boiler, no built-in grinder | Size: 4.17” x 3.07” x 2.8” | Price: $

“We actually crowdsourced this one in our work Slack channel,” Mody told me. “Several people on the team strongly endorse it. I feel like it’s sort of an industry secret. I got so excited I actually ordered it myself like an hour ago.” The Picopresso works with manual hand pressure, meaning one essential part of the espresso-making process is generated via the person brewing, instead of the machine. According to the company, you just have to dial in the correct grind size and tamping (something you have to do with electric models anyway) and then perfect your pulling technique — a skill that seems well worth the learning curve for an espresso maker that costs not much more than $100 and makes a stellar shot. This model is marketed as a portable espresso maker that’s good for travel, but there’s no reason it can’t be employed at home. Its super-compact size may even be essential for people with small kitchens.

$130

at Amazon

Buy

$130

at Wacaco

Buy

Best compact espresso maker

Café Affetto Automatic Espresso Machine

$629

now 8% off

$579

Components: No dual boiler, built-in grinder | Size: 7.09” x 16.1” x 12.48” | Price: $$

Strategist associate editor Jenna Milliner-Waddell says the Café Affetto is narrow and compact enough to sit on the small bit of counter space she has. Indeed, its width is only seven inches across, less than any other permanent setup on this list. (The portable and stovetop ones below are both smaller.) “It couldn’t be easier to use thanks to the automatic grinder,” Milliner-Waddell says. “You put whole espresso beans in, fill the reservoir with water, and it grinds and brews the perfect shot.” It also features a steam wand, which Milliner-Waddell says heats all brands of oat and almond milk just the same. Perhaps most impressive of all, though, is the machine’s smart capabilities: It prompts you to clean and descale it, so you never forget upkeep, and it has app compatibility that allows you to preprogram your preferred settings.

$579

at Best Buy

Buy

$875

at Amazon

Buy

Best stovetop espresso maker

Bialetti Moka Express

$35

$35

Components: No dual boiler, no built-in grinder | Size: 7.5” x 8” x 4.5” | Price: $

“Although the result of the moka pot is concentrated and full-bodied, it is not espresso,” explains Ken Nye, owner of Ninth Street Espresso. “Rather, it’s a unique and classic brewing method unto itself.” Still, moka pots are often described as “stovetop espresso makers” — and if you’re simply looking for a way to make delicious espresso-like drinks at home without any fuss, they’re a really good bet. I have used the Bialetti version many times and love it. It’s a classic Italian model, though there are many out there to choose from. No matter the brand, moka pots take super-finely ground beans, just like espresso machines, and generate a liquid prime to be mixed with milk. Marco Suarez, one of the owners of Methodical Coffee in Greenville, South Carolina, endorses them too, saying, “I think they’re really cool. They had a moment in America a while back and then so many other gadgets came on the scene. But I feel like they’re about to have another moment.” (For the record, he’s not the only expert I talked to who anticipated this trend.) “I don’t know if they can do the exact concentration of a machine,” he says, “but they get pretty close if you’re just trying to replicate a good cappuccino or latte at home.” And one final endorsement: Isabella Rossellini makes two espressos a day with her Bialetti, an item she says she can’t live without.

$35

at Sur La Table

Buy

$40

at Crate and Barrel

Buy

Best stovetop espresso maker for shots

Bialetti Mini Express Moka Set

$40

$50

now 20% off

$40

Components: No dual boiler, no built-in grinder | Size: 5” x 6” x 3” | Price: $

For a Bialetti with slightly different functionality, Vox senior culture reporter and critic Alissa Wilkinson loves her Mini Express Moka Set. It still percolates from the heat underneath a burner but dispenses directly into two glasses instead of a larger compartment up top. “This one is great because it really does pull shots rather than feeling like a small cup of very strong coffee,” she says. “Also, often my husband will make espresso and then just bring me the little cup, which is efficient and fun.” Additionally, she points out that, just like the classic model above, no mechanical parts means it’s “fairly indestructible,” “simple to clean,” and can be “squirreled away most anywhere or packed for Airbnb purposes.”

$40

at Wayfair

Buy

Best espresso maker that also makes coffee

Ninja Stainless Steel Specialty Coffee Maker

$157

$170

now 8% off

$157

Components: No dual boiler, no built-in grinder | Size: 12” x 8.75” x 15.04” | Price: $

This machine bills itself as a coffee maker — but it has what the brand calls a “specialty” button to make coffee concentrate, similar to the full-bodied liquid the moka pot creates that’s especially good for lattes and cappuccinos. (There’s an attached milk frother for making those drinks, too.) Strategist writer Arielle Avila uses the setting regularly and says it “definitely tastes stronger than regular coffee and is thicker.” It doesn’t quite have the same creaminess as true espresso, she admits, “but I still think it’s a win for the price point and convenience.”

$157

at Amazon

Buy

$170

at Best Buy

Buy

Best espresso maker with built-in grinder

Breville Barista Pro

$850

$850

Components: Grinder, no dual boiler | Size: 13.9” x 16.1” x 16” | Price: $$

The Breville Barista Pro is comparable to the Rancilio Silvia in price point, but it comes with a built-in grinder. For his part, Suarez says, “I don’t necessarily think you need one. When you have less going on in one machine, you can kind of optimize for each thing. If the grinder breaks, you’re screwed a little bit.” But I think it’s worth noting that a good espresso maker and a grinder for $800 is really quite affordable, as stand-alone grinders can also cost quite a bit.

$850

at Amazon

Buy

$850

at Williams Sonoma

Buy

Best less expensive espresso maker with built-in grinder

De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Manual Espresso Machine

$700

$700

Components: Grinder, no dual boiler | Size: 14.25” x 11.25” x 15.75” | Price: $$

Hugo Murray, co-founder of New York City’s Butler, is a pro who stands by the idea of a built-in grinder, especially for people who are short on space. He’s used this machine — which comes in at $150 less than the similar Breville model above — at home for nearly a year. (Both the Breville and De’Longhi are the only picks on this list with a built-in grinder and no dual boiler.) “The grinder is easy to adjust, shots pull well, and the steam wand allows for good texturing,” he says, referring to the high amount of pressure it emits to create “a silky thickness all the way through” the milk. He also points out that all the removable parts are dishwasher safe, so it’s easy to keep clean.

$700

at Best Buy

Buy

$700

at Williams Sonoma

Buy

Best espresso maker with dual boiler

Breville Dual Boiler

$1,600

$1,600

Components: Dual boiler, no grinder | Size: 17.3” x 17.3” x 20.2” | Price: $$$

One thing the pros agree on: It’s optimal to have a dual boiler. As explained above, a dual boiler lets you simultaneously brew your espresso and froth your milk, each function heating to the optimal degree. Not only this, but without a dual boiler, “there’s a little bit of a time delay,” McCarthy notes. “If you steam your milk first, you have to wait for the boiler to cool down so it doesn’t burn your coffee. If you make your coffee first, you have to wait for it to heat up before you steam your milk.” This machine goes up several inches in size from the other models, so you’ll want to make sure you have the space for it.

$1,600

at Williams Sonoma

Buy

$1,600

at Crate and Barrel

Buy

Best espresso maker with built-in grinder and dual boiler

Breville Oracle

$2,200

$2,200

Components: Dual boiler, built-in grinder | Size: 14.5” x 14.7” x 17.6” | Price: $$$

If you really want an all-in-one machine — meaning it has a dual boiler and a built-in grinder — the Breville Oracle is the way to go and is called out specifically by Ramage and Wong. Surprisingly, it is slightly smaller than the Brand’s Dual Boiler, so if space is an important consideration (especially since with the Dual Boiler you’ll have to get an additional piece of equipment), it may be the perfect fit. Wong also says he wouldn’t worry too much about getting a separate grinder: “If you’re a regular consumer, it’s really useful and convenient.”

$2,200

at Williams Sonoma

Buy

$2,200

at Breville

Buy

Best high-end espresso maker

La Marzocco Linea Mini

$5,900

$5,900

Components: Dual boiler, no built-in grinder | Size: 6.7” x 5.6” x 4.0” | Price: $$$$

Far and away the espresso maker most recommended by the pros is the Linea Mini, which, as Wong puts it, is “literally a commercial machine at home.” It’s made of parts that go into La Marzocco’s industry-standard café-grade machines — only smaller. And unlike the Rancilio Silvia (which, if you’ll remember, is also made of super-high-quality parts), the Linea Mini has that dual boiler I’ve talked so much about, which really puts it over the top. It’s also, we know, over the top in price, at several thousand dollars more than the top-of-the-line Breville. In other words, it’s not so much for the casual (or even semi-casual) espresso drinkers among us. But it would have been a glaring omission in the world of espresso to leave it off this list. Not only is it “aesthetically beautiful,” as Wong says, it’s also quite customizable; you can choose the color of the feet, the style of the knobs, and more. “There is no other machine that is as durable and that can consistently make perfect coffee shot after shot,” says Morrison. If (for some reason) you don’t want to stop there, one step up in La Marzocco’s line of home espresso makers is the GS3, which is nearly $2,000 more than the Linea Mini. Morrison explains the difference: “Whereas the Linea Mini is more analog, the GS3 has a full-featured electronic interface that allows the user to fine-tune and program coffee-brewing settings to their preferences.”

$5,900

at La Marzocca

Buy

Our experts

• Arielle Avila, Strategist writer
• James McCarthy, coffee educator at Driftaway Coffee
• Jenna Milliner-Waddell, Strategist associate editor
• Suyog Mody, founder of Driftaway Coffee
• Jerad Morisson, co-founder and co-CEO of Sightglass Coffee
• Hugo Murray, co-founder of Butler
• Ken Nye, owner of Ninth Street Espresso
• Kyle Ramage, co-owner of Black & White Coffee Roasters
• Marco Suarez, co-owner of Methodical Coffee
• Alissa Wilkinson, Vox senior culture reporter and critic
• Cary Wong, Partners Coffee education team

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