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.
Leave a Reply