The Best Espresso Machines
Our Picks
Breville Bambino Plus
The machine r/espresso recommends for people new to espresso. 3-second heat-up, automatic milk texturing, and compact size — without the complexity of manual machines.
What we like
- 3-second heat-up with ThermoJet
- Automatic steam wand textures milk with one button
- 54mm portafilter pulls surprisingly good shots
- Compact footprint for small kitchens
What we don't
- No grinder — need a separate quality grinder ($200+)
- Small water tank (1.9L) needs frequent refilling
- Automatic steam is good, not great — less control
| Boiler | ThermoJet (instant heat) |
|---|---|
| Portafilter | 54mm |
| Pressure | 15 bar (adjustable pre-infusion) |
| Water tank | 1.9L |
| Price | $500 |
Breville Barista Express Impress
All-in-one espresso setup with built-in grinder and assisted dosing. The "Impress" version adds automatic tamping and dosing assistance that dramatically reduces the learning curve.
What we like
- Assisted dosing and tamping — foolproof puck prep
- Built-in conical burr grinder is "good enough"
- One machine does everything
- Large 2L water tank and 250g bean hopper
What we don't
- $700 is significant for an all-in-one
- Built-in grinder won't match a standalone grinder
- Larger footprint than Bambino
| Grinder | Built-in conical burr |
|---|---|
| Portafilter | 54mm |
| Pressure | 15 bar |
| Price | $700 |
Rancilio Silvia Pro X
The prosumer machine that baristas respect. Dual boiler for simultaneous brewing and steaming, PID temperature control, and build quality that lasts decades. This is where the hobby gets serious.
What we like
- Dual boiler — brew and steam simultaneously
- PID temperature control for shot consistency
- 58mm commercial portafilter
- Italian build quality — expect 10-20 year lifespan
What we don't
- $1,400 — serious investment
- Requires quality grinder (another $300-600+)
- Steep learning curve for manual machines
| Boiler | Dual boiler (0.3L + 1L) |
|---|---|
| Portafilter | 58mm (commercial) |
| PID | Yes |
| Price | $1,400 |
How We Researched This
- 4,600+ user reviews from r/espresso, Home-Barista.com, and coffee forums
- James Hoffmann's testing and educational content on espresso fundamentals
- Long-term reliability — boiler failures, group head issues, steam wand problems
- Total cost of ownership — grinders, accessories, and maintenance
What to Look For
What actually matters
You need a good grinder. Espresso requires fine, consistent grounds. A $500 machine with a $50 grinder will make worse espresso than a $300 machine with a $200 grinder. Budget for both.
Single vs. dual boiler. Single boiler machines require waiting between brewing and steaming. Dual boilers do both simultaneously — essential if you make milk drinks often.
Temperature stability. Consistent brew temperature is essential for consistent shots. Machines with PID control maintain temperature better than thermostat-based machines.
What matters less
Pressure claims. "15 bar" or "19 bar" is marketing. Optimal extraction happens at 9 bars. More pressure isn't better.
Capsule convenience. Nespresso is convenient but not "espresso" by coffee standards. If you want real espresso, you need a real machine.
Products We Considered
De'Longhi Dedica: Cheap ($300) but uses pressurized baskets that limit espresso quality. The Bambino Plus is worth the extra $200.
Gaggia Classic Pro: Legendary beginner machine, but requires mods for best performance. The Bambino is better out of the box.
Breville Dual Boiler: Excellent prosumer option at $1,600, but the Rancilio has better build quality and longevity.
Our Methodology
Espresso is a deep rabbit hole. We recommend based on skill level and commitment — there's no point buying a $1,500 machine if you won't learn to use it properly.