We've bumped up the Breville the Barista Express Impress to our #1 since our most recently reviewed, the Seattle Coffee Gear Diletta Bello, has swooped in to claim the best premium espresso machine with it's high ticket price tag. We're big fans of this coffee machine for so many reasons, and is on that will create coffee house coffee from the comfort of your own home.
We're in the process of reviewing yet more fantastic espresso coffee machines. Will our number 1 be rivalled? We shall see.
Jennifer Oksien, Editor - Homes
The best espresso machines deliver barista-quality coffee right there in your kitchen, so you can enjoy espresso in your pyjamas or whenever the coffee cravings kick in. They deliver an amazing coffee experience every single time, and because espresso is the base of all the best coffees they can make everything from creamy cappuccino to the richest, most intense espressos.
The espresso maker is the king or queen of coffee machines, and that means the models here are among the best coffee machines of any kind. Sure, other machines and tools are pretty great. But there's nothing like the taste of a coffee from a machine that's been designed specifically to make the best espressos you've ever tasted.
The only downside is that it can be hard to find the right one when there are so many models to choose from. That's why we've created this guide.
We're serious about coffee, and we've tested so many espresso machines we haven't slept since 2013. That means we know which ones justify their sometimes hefty price tags, which ones will consistently exceed expectations and which ones are best left on the store shelf. You won't find any of that latter kind of coffee maker here, though: whether you're thinking about a Gaggia, a DeLonghi, one of the best Nespresso machines or intend to expand your collection of Breville kitchen kit, these are the best espresso machines for you.
One of the best times to buy a new coffee maker is during Prime Day, when Amazon tends to offer deep discounts on many models. Some of the deals have started early this year, and we're constantly looking for new ones. Check out our guide to the best Amazon Prime Day coffee maker deals to see what you could save.
The best espresso machine 2023: tried and tested
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
The Breville the Barista Express Impress, known as the Sage The Barista Express Impress in the UK, is our #1 espresso coffee machine. It's not the most expensive, and it's not exactly the cheapest, but it sits comfortably in the middle ground in terms of the first initial investment which certainly isn't a bad thing since this machine produces a delicious coffee, every time.
Our reviewer feels that is has everything you need to enjoy speciality coffee at home. Emily liked the positioning of the steam wand which she found was easy to use and control to create a nicely textured micro-foam for milky lattes. It instantly grinds beans when you press the right buttons so you can experiment with different flavors and strengths.
The grinding of the beans, water temperature and pressure and micro-foam is all done to absolute precision. The machine does take up a fair amount of space, though, and it probably won't be a good option for you if you prefer to have a coffee at a touch of one single button - this one is for those who appreciate barista-style coffee.
Read our full Sage The Barista Express Impress review
Suppose you want a good espresso machine that lets you experiment with tamping the coffee and dispensing the water, but you're on a budget. In that case, the De'Longhi Dedica Style is one of this category's more affordable espresso machines.
Simple to use, it takes ESE pods and ground coffee, which means you can use it to make decaf coffee. On test, it created an intense espresso with a stable crema. It can brew two single espressos simultaneously, but placing two cups under the spout on such a compact machine proved tricky.
We were disappointed that the machine couldn't make espresso straight after steaming milk. So if you're planning to make several coffees with milk, you'll need to brew all of the espressos before starting on the milk-based drinks. We also experienced some dripping after we poured espresso.
Read our full De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685 review
The Seatltle Coffee Gear Diletta Bello is our most recently reviewed espesso coffee maker, and it swoops in as our best premium espresso maker. It's the expense of this machine which is holding it back from being any higher but, still, it's one that really impressed us during review so it had to be featured in this guide.
There are no buttons here to push, no dials for programming settings. This is a next-level espresso machine, not quite an industrial-grade one you expect to see at coffee shops but more elevated than that automatic one you’ve got at home. Most of the things you do on this espresso machine are manual. Want your shot of espresso? You have to operate a lever and know when to stop the pour. Want frothy milk? You have to get used to turning a knob all the way then quickly shutting it down before your froth spills over.
If you're looking for an espresso machine that does everything for you with a single touch while you're still rubbing the sleep from your eyes, this isn't the machine for you. But if you care about the craft of coffee, if you want manual controls so you can get your coffee just-so, there's a lot to love – not least a price tag that comes in below many other high quality manual machines. The learning curve is pretty steep – it'll take a day or so before you really get the hang of it – but the coffee is pretty much perfect.
Read our full Seattle Coffee Gear Diletta Bello review
If you’re after an espresso machine with style and substance, the Smeg ECF01 Espresso Maker is perfect. The retro-style design is available in various colors, so you’re sure to find one to suit your home decor. The Smeg produces a rich, intense shot of espresso with a thick, stable crema.
We like that this coffee machine allows you to control how much water is dispensed and will even remember your preferred volume, automatically distributing at that level the next time coffee is brewed. However, the ECF01 isn’t suitable for complete novices with no guidance on brewing espresso.
In addition, with just a 1.1-quart / 1-liter water tank, this is one of the smallest capacity espresso machines we’ve tested, so if you’re looking to make several coffees at the same time, it may not be the model for you. We also found its compact size meant it was tricky to fit two espresso cups under the spout simultaneously.
Read our full Smeg ECF01 Espresso Maker review
The Gaggia Classic was our #1 espresso maker in 2021 and 2022 but it has since been knocked off it's perch to make way for new machines. Whilst we do still think that it is one of the best espresso machines is a little older than some of the others that we now feature in this guide, but it's still a great choice.
Gaggia says it will produce a shot of coffee with a thick crema without experimenting with the coffee grind size, making it ideal for those who want to learn how to use an espresso machine before attempting to play barista. It also offers complete manual control over how much water is dispensed, allowing you to create the volume of coffee you want.
On test, we were impressed that the coffee was rich and intense. With all three filters, it had a stable crema that reformed when we sprinkled sugar on top. The built-in steam wand ensures you can make milk-based coffee drinks too. However, this is the most expensive espresso machine.
Read our full Gaggia Classic review
If you're short on time but don't want to compromise on the quality of your morning coffee, the De'Longhi Dinamica Plus could be the perfect addition to your kitchen. The espresso machine is certainly pricey, but the personalization it allows may make up for it.
The Dinamica Plus automatically covers every step of the process, from grinding the beans to getting the perfect milk frothiness and even giving itself a clean at the end. User profiles and guest mode mean you can set up a profile that contains your perfect caffeine concoction which no fear that your partner's preferences might interfere. On test, we found it easy to customize so you can create the perfect coffee every time.
Read our full De'Longhi Dinamica Plus review
If you’re tight on space, then the Sage Bambino offers similar features to the Gaggia Classic above but with a more compact footprint and a slightly more affordable price tag. On test, we found the Sage Bambino – known as the Breville Bambino in the US and Australia – created coffee with body and a thick crema. We were also impressed that it offers a choice between manual and automatic water dispensing.
Simple to use, the Sage Bambino comes with a built-in steam wand, plus a milk jug in the range of accessories with which it ships, meaning you really take on the barista role as soon as the coffee machine is out of the box. However, we found some dripping after we had poured the espresso – and, unlike other Sage/Breville-branded coffee makers, this one lacks the razor tool that can smooth off the coffee in the filter.
Read our full Sage Bambino review
Love the idea of intense espresso with a thick, rich crema, but don't want to invest in a separate bean grinder? The De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB is the ideal buy as it comes with an integrated grinder that can hold 0.55lb / 250g of beans at a time. In addition, it lets you customize the grind's coarseness from eight levels to ensure you brew the perfect coffee for you every time.
On test, we were impressed that the coffee was rich and intense, with a stable crema that reformed when we sprinkled sugar on top. There's also a built-in steam wand, which enables you to make milk-based coffee drinks.
However, we were disappointed there was some dripping once espresso had been brewed, and unlike De'Longhi's more affordable Dedica Style machine (above), you can't use it with pods. It's also tricky to clean as only some components are dishwasher-safe.
Read our full De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB review
If you're looking for an effortless way to make espresso at home, the Nespresso Vertuo Next ticks all the boxes. This is a single-serve coffee machine and, as such, makes far less mess than a traditional espresso machine, as the ground coffee is contained within an aluminum capsule.
It can create five different-sized drinks. And, during testing, the Nespresso Vertuo Next produced smooth coffee, topped with a thick crema that reformed even after we stirred in some sugar.
The espresso machine reads a barcode on the side of the capsule that offers information on how much water should be used and how long the brewing process should take. This makes it one of the most straightforward coffee machines to use. However, this also means you have no control over the brewing process.
We were disappointed that there's no steam wand for texturizing milk, so you'll need to purchase a separate milk frother from the brand if you're sold on the other Vertuo Next features. It's also worth noting that the pods can work out more expensive than buying ground coffee.
Read our full Nespresso Vertuo Next review
If you're looking for a way to make good-quality espresso on the go, then the Picopresso is ideal. This espresso machine uses hand-pump power – rather than batteries or mains power – so it can accompany you anywhere, as long as you have access to boiling water and ground coffee.
It's aimed at coffee aficionados, leaving the tamping and water volume up to you, which means it isn't suitable for complete beginners unless you're happy to experiment. However, on test, we were very quickly able to create coffee with body and a stable crema using this compact device, which cleverly slots together. Hence, there's no chance of losing any accessories in your bag.
However, with just a 0.1-quart / 0.08-liter water tank, it can brew only small quantities of coffee in one go, plus there's no way to texturize milk. Nevertheless, if you're a fan of weekends away, the Picopresso does at least mean you won't need to go hunting for a coffee shop to get a barista-worthy hot drink.
Read our full Wacaco Picopresso review
How we test espresso machines
We take testing espresso machines seriously and put each device through its paces to see if it can live up to its promises. We assess the quality of espresso produced by each machine, analyzing the flavor of the final drink; we look for a rich, intense shot of coffee that doesn’t taste bitter or burnt, along with a thick, stable crema that reforms after the sugar has been sprinkled on it.
The temperature of the espresso is also measured, checking for consistency from one cup to another, and we assess the noise level of the machine. If it has a built-in steam wand, we evaluate its ability to texturize both dairy and plant-based milk, looking for tiny bubbles that create a rich, smooth texture. Again, we assess whether its noise level is acceptable.
We also evaluate how easy an espresso machine is to set up and use, whether it offers enough manual control for those who want to take on the barista role, plus how much space it will take up on your kitchen counter. Finally, we consider if the water tank is removable for easy refills and how the machine looks.
How to choose the best espresso machine for you
What to consider when buying a an espresso machine
When choosing an espresso machine, there are many things to consider.
A subset of the best coffee makers, which come in all shapes and sizes, including some of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines, the best espresso makers help you achieve barista-quality results. They also typically include their own integrated bean grinder for our convenience. Just bear in mind that that extra equipment adds bulk and often costs as well – single-serve or pod coffee machines might be a better fit for you if you want something that's faster, more affordable, and take up a lot less space.
Decide if you want an espresso machine that offers manual control over dispensing water or a device that takes on that work for you; the latter is probably better for those new to playing barista.
Next, consider if you want a machine that you can use with ground coffee, single-serve pods, or a mixture of the two. Coffee pods are less messy than using ground coffee. They can be handy if you occasionally want to make decaf coffee using the machine – but they don’t produce the thick, rich crema you get with freshly ground coffee.
If you regularly make espresso for a couple of people simultaneously, look for a coffee machine with a double spot on the tray that can fill two separate cups simultaneously. Meanwhile, if you like longer coffee drinks with milk, such as cappuccinos and lattes, choose an espresso machine with a built-in steam wand or factor in the cost of a standalone milk frother.
Finally, take note of the size of the espresso maker to see if you have sufficient room for it on your kitchen countertop – or, if you plan to store it away in a cupboard, consider its weight to see that you’ll be able to lift it easily.
If you're on a budget, take a look at our guide to the best cheap coffee maker deals, too.
How do I make an espresso?
Once you have the best espresso machine, it’s essential to know how to make an espresso. Espresso is made by passing water at high pressure through compacted ground coffee.
However, a set ‘recipe’, which usually refers to a ratio and brewing duration, is generally given by the roaster (the brands that roast and blend coffee beans). The most common recipe is 1:2 in 25 to 35 seconds, effectively turning each gram of ground coffee into 2g of liquid espresso in that period.
How compacted the ground coffee is will affect how quickly or slowly the espresso brews. If the coffee is too tightly packed, it will take longer to brew and be too strong; loosely compacted coffee means it will be dispensed too quickly and subsequently weak. Prefer a cappuccino, latte, or a flat white? Find out how to make your favorite coffee in our article.
If you'd like expert advice on making coffee-shop-worthy drinks at home, we have some great tips and tricks for you – and while you're at it, check out our guide to the game-changing coffee maker trick that will ensure you never drink bitter espresso again.
How is an espresso machine different from a coffee machine?
An espresso machine differs from other coffee machines because it uses pressurized hot water passed through a disc of compacted coffee grounds called a puck. It's possible to adjust the volume of water passed through the grounds and how tightly packed the coffee is to change the strength of the hot drink brewed.
Single-serve coffee machines, or pod coffee machines as they're sometimes known, still use pressurized hot water, but the coffee is contained in a capsule or pod. The coffee machine punctures the capsule several times to allow the water to flow through the coffee ground to brew the drink. However, while some single-serve coffee machines let you adjust how much water is used to create different volumes of coffee, it's impossible to tweak how compacted the grounds are.
Finally, drip coffee makers pass hot water through compacted coffee grounds. As a result, it's not at the same pressure as when using an espresso machine, and there's no set volume of water used. Instead, the brewing takes place until the water tank runs dry or the coffee maker is switched off. This creates a more traditional filter coffee rather than espresso.
