Like many people, I rely on my morning coffee to jumpstart the day. Sometimes it’s a simple drip brew; other times, it’s an espresso or a rich, creamy latte. Over the years, I’ve tested several espresso machines at home and experimented with countless espresso beans, always chasing that perfect balance of flavor and convenience.
What I love most is how many great options there are for making café-quality coffee at home. From sleek machines to bold beans, the possibilities are endless.
At easyshopbrand, we’ve been testing espresso machines for years—carefully evaluating everything from setup and ease of use to shot quality and final latte art. After tasting enough espresso to rival any seasoned barista, we’ve narrowed it down to our top picks for the best home espresso machines.
Breville The Barista Express Espresso Machine
Dimensions: 12 x 11 x 13.5 inches | Frother/Steamer: Yes | Grinder: Yes
What We Like
- Integrated burr grinder with auto dosing
- Professional results
- Brews quickly
- Effortless puck disposal
What We Don’t Like
- Potential learning curve
- Expensive
If you take your espresso seriously, you need a machine that rises to the occasion—and this one delivers. It features a built-in conical burr grinder that grinds your beans fresh for every brew, preserving flavor and aroma. Bonus: the grinder isn’t just for espresso—it can be used for French press, pour-over, or cold brew too.
During our testing, we were impressed by the level of customization. You can fine-tune both grind size and grind amount to suit your taste. Once your grounds are in the portafilter, a custom-sized Razor Dose Trimming Tool levels them out perfectly, ensuring the ideal spacing for optimal water flow and extraction.
Yes, there’s a learning curve—but it’s worth it. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be pulling barista-quality shots right from your kitchen.
The 2-liter water reservoir includes space for a removable carbon filter, helping deliver clean, flavorful espresso in about 45 seconds per shot. With 15-bar pressure and two pre-set shot sizes, it covers the basics, but it also gives you manual control if you’re making an oversized iced mocha or just need a splash of espresso for a recipe. The steam wand is powerful and precise—perfect for crafting lattes, cappuccinos, and more.
While it’s pricier than some entry-level machines, the performance and versatility make it an excellent value—especially since it even outperformed some models at higher price points.
Dimensions: 12.6 x 8.86 x 11.22 inches | Frother/Steamer: Yes | Grinder: No
What We Like
- Easy to use
- Makes cappuccinos and lattes in two sizes
- Can use frother separately
What We Don’t Like
- Espresso is a bit weak
Mr. Coffee has been a trusted name on kitchen counters for generations—and beyond its well-known drip coffee makers, the brand also offers accessible and versatile espresso machines. The Café Barista is a standout option that not only pulls espresso shots but also includes a built-in milk frother, making it easy to craft cappuccinos, lattes, and other specialty drinks at home.
We appreciated the thoughtful design features, including removable milk and water reservoirs for easy filling and cleaning. All detachable parts are clearly labeled, making assembly intuitive—even for beginners.
During testing, the Café Barista earned high marks for ease of use. The simple touch panel lets you choose one or two shots of espresso, and you can manually stop the brew for a shorter pour. Presets are available for single or double cappuccinos and lattes, and you can also froth milk on its own for drinks like macchiatos or hot chocolate. For added convenience, the machine automatically enters sleep mode after 15 minutes of inactivity.
While we enjoyed the drinks it produced, the espresso itself tasted slightly weaker than what we got from higher-end machines—especially in milk-based beverages. This could be due to extra water in the brewing process or the included plastic tamper, which doesn’t allow for a firm press of the grounds.
One thing to note: this machine does not include a grinder, so you’ll need to use pre-ground coffee or grind your beans separately. Still, for those new to home espresso making, the Café Barista offers solid performance, a sleek design, and a user-friendly experience that’s hard to beat at this price point.
Best Splurge
Miele CM 5310 Silence Coffee Maker & Espresso Machine
What We Like
- Super automatic espresso machine
- Brews great espresso
- Can make up to eight cups of coffee
- Great milk frothing system
What We Don’t Like
- Initial setup may seem complicated
Dimensions: 9.5 x 14.25 x 18.125 inches | Frother/Steamer: Yes | Grinder: Yes
If convenience and variety are at the top of your coffee wishlist, the Miele super-automatic espresso machine might be your perfect match. With the ability to brew 10 different drinks at the touch of a button, it’s ideal for households with varied tastes or anyone who likes to switch up their morning cup. From a quick espresso (ready in just 22 seconds) to a 40-ounce pot of coffee, this machine handles it all effortlessly.
One of the standout features is how quiet it is. Both the built-in grinder and brewing process operate at a lower volume than most machines we tested—perfect for early risers who don’t want to wake the whole house.
Though its sleek, high-tech design might seem intimidating at first glance, it’s surprisingly user-friendly. The intuitive touchscreen interface simplifies drink selection, while the machine takes care of tamping the grounds after grinding. Even the milk frothing system, which initially seemed complex, turned out to be easy to use. The only mildly tricky part was the initial setup—but once that’s done, the machine practically runs itself, delivering rich espresso and frothy cappuccinos with ease.
Best for Beginners
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
What We Like
- Automatic steam wand
- Slim, lightweight design
- Ready to brew in three seconds
- Large water reservoir
What We Don’t Like
- No grinder
Dimensions: 12.6 x 7.7 x 12.2 inches | Frother/Steamer: Yes | Grinder: No
We’ve tested many Breville products over the years and consistently admired their quality and thoughtful design. The Breville Bambino Plus is no exception. Clearly designed with a specific user in mind, this machine is ideal for coffee lovers who want great espresso fast, without the bulk or complexity of more advanced machines. In fact, it heats up in just three seconds, making it one of the quickest in our tests.
Despite its minimalist approach, the Bambino Plus delivers bold, flavorful espresso and includes an automatic steam wand to help you whip up lattes and cappuccinos with ease. During testing, the wand performed well overall, although we occasionally ran into an overflowing milk jug—something to watch out for. You also have the option to froth milk manually if you prefer more control. A standout feature is the machine’s built-in indicator that tells you when the milk has reached the perfect temperature.
Best Under $200
Coffee Gator Espresso Machine
What We Like
- Only 5.5 inches wide
- Heats in 20 seconds
- Great crema
What We Don’t Like
- No bean grinder
Dimensions: 12.4 x 5.5 x 10.3 inches | Frother/Steamer: Yes | Grinder: No
If you’re looking for an espresso machine that won’t break the bank—or dominate your countertop—the Coffee Gator is a compact and budget-friendly option worth considering. Measuring just 5.5 inches wide and 10.3 inches high, it fits neatly into small kitchens, apartments, or office spaces where every inch counts.
This little machine heats up in just 20 seconds, making it great for busy mornings. During our tests, it consistently brewed strong, flavorful espresso with a satisfying crema. While it doesn’t include a grinder, it works well with both pre-ground beans and fresh grinds from a separate grinder—either way, the results were impressive for its price point.
When it came to milk-based drinks, we found the frothing wand to be somewhat underpowered, especially when making lattes or cappuccinos. Still, for a machine at this price, that’s a minor drawback—and not a dealbreaker for most casual coffee drinkers.
One of its biggest strengths is its simplicity. It’s an excellent choice for beginners who want to explore the world of espresso without investing in a more complex or costly setup. Plus, cleanup is a breeze: the portafilter and drip tray are removable and easy to rinse, and the water reservoir detaches for quick filling and cleaning.
Best Small
CASABREWS Espresso Machine 20 Bar
What We Like
- Compact
- Easy to use
- Available in multiple colors
What We Don’t Like
- Needs to cool down between shots
Dimensions: 12.28 x 5.47 x 11.97 inches | Frother/Steamer: Yes | Grinder: No
Let’s face it: espresso machines can be big, bulky, and intimidating—especially when you’re still half-asleep and haven’t had your first cup of the day. That’s where the Casabrews Compact Espresso Machine comes in. With its slim design and simple push-button controls, it’s perfect for anyone looking for a low-hassle, space-saving way to enjoy espresso at home.
While you’ll still need to load and tamp the coffee grounds, the included measuring spoon and tamper combo makes it quick and painless—even for beginners. It’s recommended to run a shot of hot water through the machine before brewing espresso, but we found a great shortcut: just prep your portafilter the night before, and with a single button press in the morning, you’re off and brewing.
Switching to steam mode is just as easy. One button toggles to frothing, which works well for lattes, cappuccinos, or even hot chocolate. One thing to keep in mind: after frothing, the machine needs to cool down before it can brew again. So if you’re making multiple drinks, it’s best to brew all your shots first and then froth the milk.
No, this isn’t a professional-grade machine you’d see in a café—but that’s not the point. What we love is how it brings café-style drinks into your kitchen without the learning curve or the hefty footprint. For casual espresso drinkers or anyone new to at-home brewing, Casabrews offers an easy, affordable, and compact way to get started.
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