For years I've been writing about coffee trends and innovations, specifically about the art of making the perfect espresso shot. Here’s my ultimate ranking of the best countertop espresso machines, along with hands-on reviews.
FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.
1. Breville - Brushed Stainless Steel Espresso Machine
Highlight: Grinder is quick and effective.
Helpful review: This espresso machine is a game changer. Seriously, it's something that I can’t get over having in my house! I’ve been using it multiple times a day for almost a year now, and every single day, the espresso it delivers is just the best of the best. It’s pretty easy to clean, straightforward with the instructions, and as long as I maintain it, it works beautifully.
Compared to other, cheaper machines, this one is so much easier to maintain and requires less cleaning. A little pro tip though! If you’re planning to get into the coffee game and you want to make real espresso at home, find a local roastery. I used to buy beans in bulk online, but local whole beans from a nearby roastery made a world of difference. The taste is just second to none. The beans you choose are super important if you want to enjoy your espresso!
A FEW MORE TIPS IF YOU’RE GETTING READY TO USE IT:
– Some folks in the reviews have said the grind amount knob doesn’t go low enough. I just set the cup size to single and that seemed to do the trick. It increases the grind amount by turning the knob to the right. This way, I get the perfect amount of ground coffee every time.
– If your machine is fluctuating on the pressure gauge, try cleaning the grinder before freaking out. Also, make sure to use those dissolvable tablets to clean the grouphead when the ‘clean me"’ light comes on!
– You can get affordable cleaning tablets online. I use cleaning tablets specifically for my machine, and they work like a charm!
– No need to get a separate tamper; the included one is just perfect.
– The included frothing cup is on the smaller side, but it works for me. Depending on what you’re planning to make, you might need a bigger one, though.
– Don’t underestimate the need for a burr grinder, seriously. Trying to make good espresso without one is like trying to hammer a nail with your pinky finger. You’re going to lose your mind.
MORE ABOUT WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT:
– For starters, the grinder. I know some people prefer a separate burr grinder, but this one works just fine and is easy to clean. I store my beans in a special container outside the hopper and use the included scoop to pour in the beans when grinding.
– The frother is fantastic—much better than those on cheaper machines.
– The ‘clean me’ light is a lifesaver. It always reminds me to keep up with maintenance, which prolongs the machine’s life.
– The stainless steel design is sleek and beautiful. Yeah, some parts are plastic but for the most part it’s seamless.
– The pressure gauge is invaluable for making great-tasting espresso. I wouldn't buy a machine without one.
– The included tamper is perfect.
– It creates perfect coffee pucks to easily dump in the trash.
– The hot water dispenser is so nice
– It's an all-in-one machine, so no need to buy a separate grinder.
– It just makes really good coffee. Did I mention I had some before I wrote this???
– The manual is full of useful information.
– It has an automated cleaning cycle for the insides of the grouphead, which is awesome!
– Includes a beautiful copper dosing tool.
– Comes with tools to clean out the filters.
A FEW THINGS I DON’T LIKE ABOUT IT:
– The top of the machine is plastic and so are the bottom sides.
– The water tank needs frequent refilling and is also made of thick plastic.
– The bottom water catcher needs to be emptied often, but it’s not too bad.
– The coffee grind separator doesn't seem to help much. But it does keep grounds out of the water below, which helps with the smell.
– It’s pricey, but for me, it was worth the investment given how much coffee I was buying from cafes.
– Finding affordable filters for the water tank can be a challenge. I just use filtered water instead of tap water.
– The lowest grind amount on the “double” setting is too much if you ask me. Quality control should have caught this! But it’s not a dealbreaker—see my workaround above.
TO SUM THINGS UP:
I just love this thing. This machine is so great for making sweet frappes and iced drinks, too. For flavored drinks, I just pick my favorite syrup... and I even learned how to make my own syrup at home! It was a lot easier than I expected it to be. I just used different types of syrup. Throw in the espresso, two percent milk, and the syrup, and then you can add in the whipped cream and more syrup. It’s awesome to be able to make this home. Really can’t recommend it enough! — Elizabeth Martin
Get it from Amazon now: $749.95 & FREE Returns
2. De'Longhi - Magnifica Evo Espresso Machine
Highlight: Flavor is full and rich.
Helpful review: Wow! About all I can say. What an amazing espresso machine. Take the grinder, for instance. It comes with dosage that’s adjustable, plus two dials that allow you to alter how coarse it comes out. The package also includes the steam wand, pump, and spout for the hot water spout. Really just an awesome amount for one machine. I really love all those accessories. They’re all great. I particularly love the awesome little cleaning kit. If you're serious about getting an easy-to-handle espresso maker, then take my word for it: this is it! Trust me.
I wondered about whether or not I should go with this one or something else. I used to have a different version that was like four stars, and now it's lower. That one was more of just strong coffee than actual espresso. I may have done it wrong, but I dunno, I feel like that machine was just too complicated either way. This De'Longhi machine is exactly what I needed. It’s not confusing and it actually does the job
Just keep in mind that you’re gonna get into the coffee game when it comes to getting this machine. And what's so great about it is that it gives you a simple serving with one button. If you’re looking for that, De'Longhi is for you. Definitely NOT the Breville.
With this machine, you’ll get down into the real world of coffee and be able to experiment and play around with things. There’s a skill set for it, and a lot of options here, and it takes some work to figure out how to make it good. Skill and time are part of it. Also, once you figure it out, you’re going to feel a sense of accomplishment that is just awesome. If you’re reading this, then coffee is probably already a hobby for you and you’re likely just gonna get even better.
Oh, and just know now that you’re gonna figure out real quick that cheaper beans suck haha. Just like the type of gas you put into a race car, you’re not gonna put the cheap stuff into this. You can if you want, but good luck lol. You’ll end up with stale coffee beans that taste weird and probably burnt and then you’re gonna waste time cleaning it.
PROS:
1) Experimentation is the name of the game here. You’re definitely gonna get some fun with this and a sense of control knowing you're making what you want to make. I’ve learned so much about how to froth milk - I can write a book about it lol.
2) You don’t need to get a super pricey grinder when you have a machine that has everything built in one.
3) The machine comes with so much stuff already included. All you need is the beans!
4) Quality is the name of the game. Material is stainless steel and doesn’t seem cheap at all. You can tell it’s built well. I've had it for four months and honestly, it’s been going great. I’ll update as it goes though.
5) I love the indicators on the display and I love how it tells me when it needs to be cleaned. Customer service was awesome to boot.
6) I also really love that there’s a specific button for the size of the filter you want, too. But this is where the cons come in.
CONS:
1) The grinding is kind of a pain. When you ground coffee, it expands. And if the machine grinds the automatic amount, the basket can overfill because the coffee expands. This results in ground overflowing into the tray. and you get grounds falling over into the tray. I dunno if it's a design flaw or what but as long as you tap the filter, the grinds will settle and when you’re OCD like me, it’s annoying. I just end up using the manual grind, fill it half way up, and tap it quickly to settle it and then you’re good to go. Kinda time consuming, but it makes it more fun.
2) Hard water can create water spots all over the steel, but that’s about the worst I can think of.
Honestly, I can't think of anything else negative about it. It's really a great coffee machine and allows you to really delve into making coffee a hobby and you can have fun experimenting with it, too. It's also fun to find local beans and specific flavors you like, and what tastes you want to create. Seriously, it's so worth it.
If I'm being honest, I do have a regular coffee machine I use for mornings when I'm in a rush, but when I'm ready to have some fun, this is what I use. Definitely recommend it. — Jennifer J. Morris
Get it from Amazon now: $899.95 & FREE Returns
3. CASABREWS - Compact Coffee Maker
Highlight: Compact and easy to clean.
Helpful review: It’s about time I talk about this expresso machine. I've been using it for about a year now, and I just can’t gate-keep this thing anymore. The maintenance of this thing is a piece of cake. You can easily run it for that they call 'descaling', but also for maintenance. It’s been keeping up really well. A lot of reviews online just kind of give reviews right off the bat, but I really wanted to test it out after a good chunk of time first. And honestly, I’m pretty freaking thrilled with this gadget.
I’ll tell you the truth, too, I’m no coffee expert, either, and I’m definitely not someone who is gonna obsess over how to brew coffee, but I do love coffee, and I hate spending money at the coffee shop, if anything, prices keep spiking, and I’m honestly over it. And clearly, if you’re here, you feel the same.
So, I went ahead and bit the bullet and bought the CASABREWS Barista Express because, hoping I could actually mimic those coffeehouse flavors at home. The closest I've gotten in the past was with the moka pot, but still, it didn’t happen. So why did I go with this model you ask? I’ve always had good luck with CASABREWS, and this machine seemed to pack enough punch without being overkill for a non-pro like me.
And boy, was it worth every penny! I bet even the pickiest coffee aficionados would give a nod to this little gem.
Now, my first go at a cappuccino was a disaster—truly terrible, I’m one for constructive criticism haha. But it could also be because I’m the type who skips the instruction manual and jumps straight in. What can I say? I’ve got the patience of a toddler on a sugar rush. Anyways, after that flop, I swallowed my pride and hit up YouTube videos. A few scrolls later (okay, a lot of videos later), I finally felt like I could actually understand what the manual was saying, and things started to look up. I picked up a few tricks, adjusted my technique, and saw some real progress.
But it wasn’t quite perfect, and then I had a realization–I switched up my coffee beans. Wow, what a game-changer! I’m serious, this was the key to my coffee loving heart. Tweaking the little stuff. I changed the grind size on my coffee grinder, which I purchased separately. I also changed the tamp pressure, milk types, sugar levels — you name it, I adjusted it. And finally, I nailed that dream cup of coffee. What a thrill!
I’m getting better with each cup as I keep fine-tuning the little things, and honestly, it’s a whole new coffee world. My other coffee machines? They’re gathering dust. Seriously, they’re pretty much retired now. And something else—I’ve gained a whole new respect for the baristas at my local coffee shops. Might not hit those places as often anymore, but I’ll never gripe about the prices again. Those folks earn every penny, and I’m all in for tipping them well, even though I know not everyone feels that way. It’s not as easy as it looks folks.
KEY POINTS:
- Honestly, there’s been some ups and downs. Patience is key, when it comes to this. But trust me, when I say it, the effort and the cost of this machine are totally worth it. Best advice I can give?
LAST WORDS:
Do yourself a favor: watch those video tutorials before reading the manual. A little learning goes a long way. This espresso machine is NOT expensive, and solid for the money. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to whip up another cappuccino. Adios! — Emily Jenkins
Get it from Amazon now: $164.99 & FREE Returns