For coffee aficionados, crafting the perfect espresso at home is an art form, a daily ritual, and a taste of café-quality bliss. The best espresso machine isn’t just an appliance; it’s a gateway to rich, aromatic coffee experiences that can elevate your mornings and impress your guests.
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Whether you’re a seasoned barista or a curious beginner, choosing the right machine can make all the difference. From sleek, user-friendly designs to sophisticated models packed with advanced features, the perfect espresso machine can transform your kitchen into a cozy coffee haven, delivering that flawless shot of espresso every time. Discover your ideal coffee companion and elevate your brewing game.
Top Best Espresso Machine Reviews
Let’s look at some of the best 5 and get into their details!
#1. Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker.
If you’re looking for a Keurig upgrade, a special gift, or the option to froth milk with a capsule machine, the Keurig K-Cafe is an excellent choice. It offers four coffee size options (6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, and 12 oz) along with a “strong” option, allowing you to enjoy your favorite K-cup exactly how you like it.
- INCLUDED IN THE BOX: Keurig K-Cafe coffee, latte,…
- COFFEE, LATTES & CAPPUCCINOS: Use any K-Cup pod to…
- DISHWASHER SAFE FROTHER: Froth fresh milk,…
- STRONG BREW: Increase the strength and bold taste…
- 4 CUP SIZES: 6, 8, 10, and 12oz.
For a fine cup of espresso, opt for an Espresso Roast K-cup capsule and the “shot” size option. While the Espresso Roast K-cup doesn’t quite deliver on crema, the built-in frother (with a lid for easy storage) allows you to froth milk quickly and easily for cappuccinos (less milk) and lattes (more milk). There’s also a “cold” option if you prefer your frothy milk drink over ice.
In our tests, this capsule machine was very consistent with preheat time, brew time, coffee temperature, and volume. Note that the used pod needs to be manually removed before the next brew, and the milk frothing container is easy to wash. However, the espresso from this machine resembles a strong cup of coffee more than true espresso, and the milk foaming attachment produced thinner milk than expected.
#2. Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine.
The Breville Barista Express is our top choice for the best overall espresso machine due to its versatile operation options, allowing for both automatic and manual use, and its comprehensive features that enable cafe-quality espresso at home. It includes a built-in grinder, frother, and utilizes low-pressure pre-infusion to soak the coffee during the extraction process for optimal flavor.
- Earn up to $200 cashback and receive two free bags…
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave…
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Integrated precision…
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion…
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature…
Sierra Sumner, a digital producer on our 360 Reviews team, owns the Barista Express and highly praises its functionality. She appreciates the steam wand, which makes it possible to create lattes and cappuccinos. However, Sumner notes that this machine may not be suitable for everyone.
It’s an involved process, she says. Some people want to hit a button and drink regular coffee. Nothing wrong with that, Despite an initial learning curve, she adds, It’s easy to use once you know how. The machine keeps you in control with its built-in conical burr grinder featuring 16 grind settings, allowing you to customize the grind size and amount precisely.
The Breville Barista Express also has an integrated thermocoil heating system that ensures water is delivered at exactly 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Additional benefits include a preset single or double-shot feature and the option to extend the standard one-year warranty with an additional two or three years of coverage.
#3. Ninja CM401 Specialty 10-Cup Coffee Maker.
We thoroughly tested the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker in our Lab, exploring its full range of drink options. This versatile machine can brew everything from a frothy latte to a standard cup of coffee, with six different brew sizes available (from a single cup to a full carafe).
- 4 BREW STYLES: Select from one of the four,…
- SPECIALTY BREWS: Brew a super-rich coffee…
- MAKE ICED COFFEE: Brew fresh over ice for…
- 6 BREW SIZES: Brew anything from a single cup or…
- NO PODS REQUIRED: Use your favorite grounds to…
An option for iced coffee drinks further distinguishes the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker from other machines we tested. Best of all, this versatility comes at a reasonable price, making it a great value-for-money buy. In our blind taste tests, the Ninja’s coffee was exceptionally strong and full-bodied, standing out for its resemblance to French Press coffee.
Keep this in mind if you prefer a milder brew, as this machine produces a bolder flavor. The Ninja was efficient from start to finish, boasting a heat-up time one minute faster than other highly reviewed machines when brewing a carafe of coffee. Given its array of features and reasonable price, this machine is a worthwhile purchase for the right audience of coffee drinkers.
#4. Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine.
The Nespresso Vertuo is more than just a space-saving capsule machine; it makes delicious beverages at lightning speed. During our Lab testing, we timed the Nespresso model’s heat-up speed and it clocked in at an impressive 3 seconds, the fastest among all the machines on our list.
- SINGLE SERVE COFFEE & ESPRESSO MACHINE: Single…
- COFFEE FOR EVERY OCCASION: Brew better coffee at…
- VERSATILE COFFEE MAKER: Brew 4 different cup sizes…
- AEROCCINO MILK FROTHER INCLUDED: The Nespresso…
- COMPLIMENTARY GIFT: Each machine includes a…
Once heated, it also had an extremely fast brew time, taking roughly 15 seconds. When it came to tasting, we explored the model’s various brew size options, including the travel-size mug, which produced a lungo with a velvety crema on top. It’s worth noting that while Nespresso machines produce “coffee,” it’s essentially an Americano, so traditional coffee drinkers be warned.
However, its espresso was bold and flavorful without any acidity. The Vertuo’s convenience is a major selling point—simply pop in a Nespresso capsule and press brew. Additionally, we found it to be surprisingly quiet, durable, and easy to clean. The machine is also very slim, making it easy to stow away in most cabinets.
#5. Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine.
The super-automatic LatteGo espresso machine from Philips features a large, intuitive touchscreen control panel, making it easy to select and brew drinks. It grinds whole beans for five different beverages: espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, black coffee, and Americano.
- 5 AROMATIC COFFEES: Enjoy your favorite coffees…
- INTUITIVE TOUCH DISPLAY: The irresistible taste…
- PERFECT TEMPERATURE AND AROMA: The Aroma Extract…
- 2 PARTS, NO TUBES MILK SYSTEM: Our 2 parts milk…
- AQUACLEAN FILTER: By changing the filter after…
Instead of a wand, it has a removable, dishwasher-safe milk hopper, making frothing milk simple, hands-free, and easy to clean up. Our testers found the drinks flavorful but light-bodied. You can adjust the grind of your beans as well as the temperature, strength, volume of your brew, and the quantity of froth to suit your preference.
The 50-ounce water tank is conveniently removable from the front for easy filling. One of the best features is that all LatteGo parts are dishwasher safe. Additionally, the machine includes a water filter that extends its operational time before needing descaling.
There are a few downsides: the price and the need for counter space. Also, since the Philips LatteGo lacks a traditional steam wand, you can’t heat and froth a pitcher of Mexican hot chocolate. However, its ease of use and maintenance make it a standout option for espresso lovers.
Conclusion
Selecting the best espresso machine is more than a purchase; it’s an investment in daily luxury and unparalleled coffee moments. Whether you crave convenience, craftsmanship, or cutting-edge technology, the right machine will elevate your coffee experience. Embrace the journey to find your perfect espresso partner, and savor the rich, aromatic rewards of café-quality coffee at home.