Buying coffee every day can get expensive, so maybe it’s time you save up for that gorgeous espresso machine you’ve been daydreaming about. Espresso machines are great for a variety of different coffee-based beverages at any point in the day. Some of the best espresso machines for your kitchen can help you get your caffeine fix right from the comfort of your own home. On the other hand, an espresso machine is an investment, especially if you want one that specifically fits your standards. Consider these espresso machines and start deciding which one will look the best in your home.
Top 12 Best Espresso Machines for Your Kitchen
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1. Breville The Barista Express Espresso Machine
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Without a doubt, Breville’s Barista Express Espresso machine comes in the first place. If you’re looking for a serious and all-around perfect espresso machine, this is it. The machine has a built-in grinder and steamer to make your espresso experience hassle-free as it is an all-in-one masterpiece. Its sleek design and customizable functions make it useful for any coffee lover’s home. Its features include digital temperature control and a low-pressure system to ensure that your espresso is at the perfect temperature every time. Even the stainless steel grinder can hold up to half a pound of espresso beans at a time!
Sample customer review… Great machine! You get a lot for what you pay for! At my work they have the more expensive versions of this machine, but they are fully automatic. I get much better coffee from the barista express than I can get from the automatic machines at work. However, you’re gonna have to be more hands-on! If you like to be more involved in the process, this machine is great! It’s easy to clean and maintain. The tank lasts a few days and you need to empty the tray every few days (I just do it daily) as well. My old machine required refill and emptying every 2 uses. The grinder gives you very fine grinds for espresso. Another great thing about this machine is that since it’s so popular, there’s a huge community in forums and in YouTube that offer a lot of tips and tricks. However, don’t substitute tutorials for reading the manual. I would totally recommend this machine.
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2. Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Maker
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Running late and need to whip up something quick for your long day? If so, then Nespresso is the machine that you need to keep in your kitchen. This is a quick and easy alternative for someone who isn’t looking for anything fancy but also wants a quality espresso. It’s a simple task, just pop the pod in, press the button, and watch as your specialty coffee is made right before your eyes in the comfort of your own home. The feature that stands out the most, is the milk frother that comes with the bundle. This is easy when making different specialty beverages and experimenting with your coffee.
Sample customer review… Overall, I’m thrilled with the Nespresso. I’ve never been a fan of other single use coffee pods. They never brew enough, and it always tastes watered down. Not the case with Nespresso. The Virtuo line delivers a delicious espresso or coffee every single time, without the feeling that something is missing. Each machines comes with a sample pack of a dozen or so coffee and espresso pods. I loved some, didn’t like others, but I like that they offer the variety so you can reorder to your liking. Reordering the pods is very easy through amazon and the Nespresso website. One thing I LOVE about Nespresso, is that the pods are recyclable. You can take to a designated store that collects them ( map available on Nespresso.com) or, if you order your pods through nespresso, they will send you recycle/reclaim bags, with prepaid postage, for free.
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3. Nespresso Inissia Original Espresso Machine by De’Longhi
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For those of you who don’t want to worry about the pressure of grinding up beans and hoping that your coffee comes out just right, don’t look any further, this machine understands. On the weekend, sometimes we may feel a bit lazy or maybe even impatient. If you know what I’m talking about, that feeling of your first sip of coffee is important, and that’s why this machine is perfect for you. Any time that you need a cup, just pop a capsule in this machine and Voilà, you’ve got yourself a quick and savory cup of coffee without the stress. Try making this one of the best espresso machines for your kitchen.
Sample customer review… I love this machine ! I use it daily. It’s easy to use easy to clean and so wonderful. It has added more flavor and energy to my coffee. I used to drink 3 cups in the morning to wake up now I just add a large espresso shot to my 1 cup and it wakes me right up. It’s one of my favorite things in the morning. I will be buying more of the “tizano bonini” espresso pods to go with it soon.
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4. Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
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Mr. Coffee’s unique dimensions offer a built-in frother that pours steamed milk directly into your cup. This machine is recommended for a mess-free, convenient experience. Because Mr. Coffee does most of the pouring, mixing, and brewing for you, it saves you time while also guaranteeing a fresh cup that fits your coffee needs. It also has a one-touch control panel that will make espresso, cappuccinos, and lattes with just a push of a button. The craftsmanship of this machine will not only leave you with a great cup of coffee but also a timely and quality experience.
Sample customer review… I make my coffee every morning cause I refuse to spent $4+ on one coffee drink a day. Decided to invest in this machine. Before cafe barista, most of the times I settle with my coffee just being bla or eh, what the heck it’s coffee, just need to stay awake. But when I use this machine and make cappuccinos its absolutely delicious! I’m in coffee heaven! My husband uses it for espresso and really likes that he can brew the espresso without needing to put the milk dispenser on (I keep in the fridge ready to go). The machine works great and we are both very happy. Now, let me say what others have said – fresh ground espresso beans make a difference, the courseness of the grind makes a difference (I’ve heard you should get it like course salt), and the stamping/pressure makes a difference. My husband noticed this with his espresso making and is working on perfecting his method. Good luck future at home cafe baristas!!
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5. DeLonghi Magnifica XS Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
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This machine was designed for simple coffee lovers. If you aren’t picky in picking your espresso beverages and are just looking for the same beverage every time, then this is the one that will work for you. You can program the automatic espresso machine to remember your personal drink preferences so that you don’t have to mess with it every time you want to enjoy an easy cup of coffee. This includes the size of your drink and the strength of your preferred beverage, which ensures that you will get your ideal cup of coffee every time.
Sample customer review… We absolutely love our DeLonghi Espresso Machine. We use it every day, several times a day. We enjoy making our own froth rather than having a fully automatic machine that does it for you. We can get it just the way we like it that way. It’s very easy to clean and descale which we do regularly. This is our 3rd machine in 25 years (we’ve still got one of them and it works well. we’ve taken it to another location). We purchased another brand in between many years ago and had it for a short time before we wised up and went back to DeLonghi. We’ll never change again.
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6. DeLonghi 15 Bar Pump Espresso Machine
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This unique but simple machine allows you to brew espresso pods as well as ground beans to meet your specific daily coffee needs. With its long-lasting water tank, it can hold up to 1.5 liters of water at a time. The appliance’s signature cappuccino system keeps the temperature regulated and can brew multiple cups in a row, allowing consumers to skip the long wait in-between brewing. This device has most of the features that any first-time espresso machine buyer would want in their life. It utilizes 15 bar pressure for its shots and heats up quickly for a hassle and wait-free experience.
Sample customer review… We bought this in hopes of saving money from all the frequent coffee shop trips we were making. Honestly I was a little skeptical that we would actually take the time each morning as the whole process is kind of intimidating… But let me tell you- we use this EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Once you get the hang of it, it’s super easy and makes an absolutely delicious and smooth cup of Joe. I have yet to master the steam wand, but even as a an absolute newbie I find my homemade lattes so good that I haven’t been to the coffee shop in weeks. Definitely one of the best investments we’ve made!
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7. DeLonghi La Specialista Espresso
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Looking for an automatic, high-end, and dependable espresso machine? The La Specialista Espresso machine is perfect for your everyday lifestyle. Whether this is a machine that sits in your kitchen or in your restaurant, you will not be disappointed. This automatic espresso machine delivers coffee that looks as fancy as the machine does. Its slick features offer six grind sizes, and a diverse selection of single espresso, double espresso, Americano, or just plain old coffee.
Oh, and just in case you’re a tea lover, it dispenses hot water for whenever you want to change things up a bit. The machine has a built-in mechanism that helps pack your grounds perfectly, and a pressure gauge you can play with to ensure you’re making the perfect cup.
Sample customer review… What a fantastic piece of machinery. We needed a new coffee machine and not only did this one have all the bells and whistles, it lived up to expectations. Every morning is a pleasure using it. This coffee machine does everything. The look is very sleek and the thing that stands out most is it’s multifunction. Coffee, tea, cappuccino, espresso etc, it does everything. I definitely recommend it.
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8. Ultima Pro By Capresso
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You can get the best of both worlds with Ultima Pro whether you prefer a traditional or modern espresso machine. This espresso machine is very easy to use with just a few buttons on the front to give you exactly what you need with just a click of a button. Its features include buttons for a double espresso, hot water, and steam used to froth milk with the attachable wand. The most unique feature of the Ultima Pro is under the lid — a holder for the coffee measuring spoon and extra coffee filters. Considering all of these helpful gadgets, this one definitely makes the cut-off for the best espresso machines for your kitchen.
Sample customer review… Awesome! It is perfect. I’m a coffee addict. I drink espresso and then pour myself a nice cup of pour over coffee before work. I had a cheap espresso machine and decided to upgrade to the mid-level. This is top of the line quality for a mid-level price! Sturdy, gorgeous and quick. I grind the beans, tamp them in, and brew in less than a minute. Pure crema comes pouring out. I’m incredibly pleased with my purchase. If you have the money and want an awesome machine, look no further.
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9. Mr. Coffee Occasions Coffee Maker
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This is considered the best all-in-one espresso machine, as it can make K-cup-based drinks, espresso, or a full pot of coffee in a thermal pitcher. Included with the machine is a steam wand to froth milk, which is common for most espresso machines, but not all. The thermal is useful to keep the coffee hot and fresh for hours when you need to. This is a simple and affordable alternative to buying one of the best espresso machines for your kitchen.
Sample customer review… We had been looking for a coffee maker for a while but had not been able to find one that met all our needs and wants. Until I found this one one day while browsing for something else. It makes up to 10 cups of coffee and keeps it warm without having a hot plate under the pot. It will also make espressos and froth the milk using steam (a must for my dad). And we didn’t have to throw out all the k-cups from our Keurig that stopped working, since it had an attachment for that too. We love the new coffee maker.
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10. Super Automatic Espresso and Cappuccino Machine By Krups
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As it says right in its name, Krups made a quick, easy, and super-automatic espresso machine enabled for just about anyone to use. The easy buttons and step-by-step screen will help you understand how to work and set up your espresso machine for whenever you need to use it. The screen will also teach you how to preheat, brew and clean your machine to maintain its quality to the fullest extent. You can also choose up to five sizes, three milk options, and three water temperature options. If you’re a beginner at espresso machines, consider investing in a helpful machine such as this one.
Sample customer review… Purchased this machine about a month ago. I use it everyday mainly espresso shots, my stepson makes lattes with the milk frother. I haven’t had any issues with this machine at all. When I am done using it I rinse automatically. When the machine come on it also rinses automatically. It can be set to come on at a desired time or you can simply push button and it will come on. All the controls aren’t as intimidating as I first thought and very easy to use.
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11. Cuisinart EM- Quart Stainless Steel Espresso Maker
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This espresso maker is easy to use and includes fifteen bars of pressure so that you are able to make your perfect cup of coffee. This machine is long-lasting, reliable, and easy to clean. The aroma and flavor that this machine will produce will have you excited to wake up in the morning!
Specifications
- 100NP1 1.66 quart stainless steel
- 12.56″ (L) x 8.19″ (W) x 10.94″ (H)
- Silver
- Capacity: 1 cup
- Item weighs 1lb
Sample customer review… Very Easy to setup and use. Makes wonderful espresso – comes out hot and perfect. Bought one 6 years ago that got accidentally donated. This “new” unit works just as good as the earlier one I had. I bought a cheaper replacement that was just too hard to use – gave it away. Glad to get the Cuisinart EM-100 back. Past experience tells me that the frother will jam up quickly, so if you like cappuccino make sure you clean it after every use
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12. Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine
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The Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine is the perfect addition to your kitchen. Not only is this machine sleek in style, but it will make you the most delicious espresso in just minutes. Affordable in price, yet delicious in taste.
Specifications
- Iron frame
- Stainless steel panels
- 11.4 by 13.4 inch
- Capacity: 0.3 liters
Sample customer review… I love this. I have had many in my lifetime of all makes and models. By far this is the best quality build. It makes my daily cappuccino perfectly and clean up is a snap. Ive seen comments about the drip tray being small but unless you’re very messy it doesnt drip on its own. It doesnt have the annoying pressure release that fills the tray each time. My only request would be for the ability to fit a standard size mug under the spout to draw the shots. I absolutely love it otherwise. Don’t buy anymore $300.00 machines that last only two years and unless you’re commercial production you don’t need the $1500.00+ i have always had a separate grinder.
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Buying Guide: What to Consider When Purchasing an Espresso Machine
Bar Pressure
It’s all about the pressure within your machine. Bar pressure has to do with the standard of atmospheric pressure. Most espresso machines are able to reach up to 15 bars of pressure to make an espresso shot. You’ll also find that traditional espresso machines use about seven to nine bars of pressure to produce an espresso shot.
Portafilter
The portafilter is part of the machine that is responsible for locking the coffee grounds and filter basket into place. Some espresso machines provide different basket sizes that compliment the size and strength of your ideal espresso shot. Additionally, there may even be removable filter baskets that are used in order for the machine to be compatible with express pods.
Tamping
This term refers to compacting the grounds before they are placed in the espresso machine. This is important in order for the water to smoothly push through the grounds when brewing.
Steam Wand
Here’s the fun part of the machine. It is used simply for heating up and frothing milk for different espresso-based beverages. Get to stirring!
Boiler
Espresso machines use boilers to heat the water to the most accurate brewing temperature. A single boiler system is used to brew espresso and also to heat up the steam wand. You will also find espresso machines with double boiler systems that are used for individual functions, allowing you to brew espresso and steam milk at the same time.
Pressure Gauge
You’ll see this on the front of your machine. Typically, pressure gauges have two needles that indicate the boiler pressure and the pump operating pressure. You will want to pay attention to this as it can determine the lifespan of your machine. To put it simply, it monitors the health of your machine as the espresso brewing temperature and pressure is essential in your machine.
Burr Grinder
These two revolving grinders are useful for crushing and tearing the beans apart. These are important as they help mill the beans to a specific ground size. You will want your burr grinders in great shape in order to ensure that your beans won’t end up burnt.
Crema
You may be confused as to what that white thin foam at the top of your espresso is. Well, good news, it’s crema! When you see crema at the top of your espresso, that typically means that it’s well brewed. The coloring of crema can range from white to reddish-brown depending on the strength and the brewing process.
Conclusion
Well, now that you know so many different espresso terms, along with the best espresso machines for your kitchen in the market, you are ready to purchase one that will look best on your counter! Choosing the right espresso machine that matches your specificities can get a bit hard and time-consuming, but in the end, it will pay off. Don’t forget to refer back to the terminology to help you out when setting up your new machine and to have fun doing it. Happy brewing!
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Written by Katherine Heinz and Darian A.