The 6 Best Espresso Machines We Tested for Great-Tasting Lattes at Home

Mar. 15, 2025

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksReviewsOthers We TriedWhat to KnowBehind the ScenesWhy Trust PEOPLE?What Is PEOPLE Tested?

In This ArticleView All

In This Article

View All

Our Top Picks

Reviews

Others We Tried

What to Know

Behind the Scenes

Why Trust PEOPLE?

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

Photo:People / Nick Simpson

People / Nick Simpson

If you’re dedicated to breaking your coffee shop habit and saving yourself some change, you don’t have to sacrifice yourdaily caffeine fix. A high-quality espresso maker can produce the same (or even better) cappuccinos, lattes, and Americanos without leaving your own kitchen.Are They Worth It?Even a pricey espresso machine will pay for itself over time. Pulling shots and layering on milk for cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos at home is significantly cheaper than shelling out for a barista-made drink at Starbucks. Plus, you’re in control. With a great machine, you get to choose the strength of each shot, the temperature of your milk, and the amount of foam.We tested the 20 most popular espresso machines available, including several that cost over $1,000, to find the top-performing appliances for every kitchen. We pulled over 100 espresso shots and foamed gallons of milk to find the best-tasting, most reliable, and easiest-to-use machines. Read on for the best espresso machines that PEOPLE tested.Our Top PicksBest Overall:Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine at Amazon$487Jump to ReviewBest Budget:SALEDe’Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine at Amazon$100$75Jump to ReviewBest Compact:KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine at Amazon$315Jump to ReviewBest Manual:SALECuisinart Espresso Maker Machine (EM-100NP1) at Amazon$200$165Jump to ReviewBest Automatic:Breville Barista Express Impress at Amazon$900Jump to ReviewBest for Beginners:Capresso Café TS Touchscreen Espresso Machine at Amazon$180Jump to Review

If you’re dedicated to breaking your coffee shop habit and saving yourself some change, you don’t have to sacrifice yourdaily caffeine fix. A high-quality espresso maker can produce the same (or even better) cappuccinos, lattes, and Americanos without leaving your own kitchen.

Are They Worth It?Even a pricey espresso machine will pay for itself over time. Pulling shots and layering on milk for cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos at home is significantly cheaper than shelling out for a barista-made drink at Starbucks. Plus, you’re in control. With a great machine, you get to choose the strength of each shot, the temperature of your milk, and the amount of foam.

Are They Worth It?

Even a pricey espresso machine will pay for itself over time. Pulling shots and layering on milk for cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos at home is significantly cheaper than shelling out for a barista-made drink at Starbucks. Plus, you’re in control. With a great machine, you get to choose the strength of each shot, the temperature of your milk, and the amount of foam.

We tested the 20 most popular espresso machines available, including several that cost over $1,000, to find the top-performing appliances for every kitchen. We pulled over 100 espresso shots and foamed gallons of milk to find the best-tasting, most reliable, and easiest-to-use machines. Read on for the best espresso machines that PEOPLE tested.

Our Top PicksBest Overall:Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine at Amazon$487Jump to ReviewBest Budget:SALEDe’Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine at Amazon$100$75Jump to ReviewBest Compact:KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine at Amazon$315Jump to ReviewBest Manual:SALECuisinart Espresso Maker Machine (EM-100NP1) at Amazon$200$165Jump to ReviewBest Automatic:Breville Barista Express Impress at Amazon$900Jump to ReviewBest for Beginners:Capresso Café TS Touchscreen Espresso Machine at Amazon$180Jump to Review

Best Overall:Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine at Amazon$487Jump to ReviewBest Budget:SALEDe’Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine at Amazon$100$75Jump to ReviewBest Compact:KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine at Amazon$315Jump to ReviewBest Manual:SALECuisinart Espresso Maker Machine (EM-100NP1) at Amazon$200$165Jump to ReviewBest Automatic:Breville Barista Express Impress at Amazon$900Jump to ReviewBest for Beginners:Capresso Café TS Touchscreen Espresso Machine at Amazon$180Jump to Review

Best Overall:Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine at Amazon$487Jump to Review

Best Overall:Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine at Amazon$487

Best Overall:

Best Budget:SALEDe’Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine at Amazon$100$75Jump to Review

Best Budget:SALEDe’Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine at Amazon$100$75

Best Budget:

SALE

Best Compact:KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine at Amazon$315Jump to Review

Best Compact:KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine at Amazon$315

Best Compact:

Best Manual:SALECuisinart Espresso Maker Machine (EM-100NP1) at Amazon$200$165Jump to Review

Best Manual:SALECuisinart Espresso Maker Machine (EM-100NP1) at Amazon$200$165

Best Manual:

Best Automatic:Breville Barista Express Impress at Amazon$900Jump to Review

Best Automatic:Breville Barista Express Impress at Amazon$900

Best Automatic:

Best for Beginners:Capresso Café TS Touchscreen Espresso Machine at Amazon$180Jump to Review

Best for Beginners:Capresso Café TS Touchscreen Espresso Machine at Amazon$180

Best for Beginners:

Best OverallBreville Bambino Plus Espresso MachinePHOTO: Breville$487 at Amazon$500 at Sur La Table$500 at Williams-SonomaStar QualitiesSmall space-friendly machineEspresso shots had fantastic body and a medium cremaMilk frother creates velvety foam at a consistent temperatureConsistent extraction and pourRed FlagsNo built-in coffee grinderEspresso shots varied in temperatureThe Breville Bambino Plus has a beginner-friendly interface, producing full-bodied espresso pulls and frothing milk better than most. It can take some time to find the perfect grind for the machine (finer grinds seemed to work best), but once we found it, the machine pulled espresso shots in “viscous, honey-like streams.” The full-bodied espresso was consistent and had medium crema.The included milk frother has three foam settings and an automatic sensor to stop the wand when your desired frothiness is reached. It was easy to use and produced velvety thick foam that held up well in cappuccinos and remained a consistent 138 degrees. This machine is a breeze to set up and clean. However, it doesn’t include a grinder, so you’ll need ground beans or aseparate grinder.Machine Type:Semi-automatic |Dimensions:12 x 6.75 x 12 inches |Shot Pulls:Single and double |Grinder:No |Frother:YesPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick Simpson

Best OverallBreville Bambino Plus Espresso MachinePHOTO: Breville$487 at Amazon$500 at Sur La Table$500 at Williams-Sonoma

Best OverallBreville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

Best Overall

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

PHOTO: Breville

$487 at Amazon$500 at Sur La Table$500 at Williams-Sonoma

Star QualitiesSmall space-friendly machineEspresso shots had fantastic body and a medium cremaMilk frother creates velvety foam at a consistent temperatureConsistent extraction and pourRed FlagsNo built-in coffee grinderEspresso shots varied in temperature

Star QualitiesSmall space-friendly machineEspresso shots had fantastic body and a medium cremaMilk frother creates velvety foam at a consistent temperatureConsistent extraction and pour

Small space-friendly machine

Espresso shots had fantastic body and a medium crema

Milk frother creates velvety foam at a consistent temperature

Consistent extraction and pour

Red FlagsNo built-in coffee grinderEspresso shots varied in temperature

No built-in coffee grinder

Espresso shots varied in temperature

The Breville Bambino Plus has a beginner-friendly interface, producing full-bodied espresso pulls and frothing milk better than most. It can take some time to find the perfect grind for the machine (finer grinds seemed to work best), but once we found it, the machine pulled espresso shots in “viscous, honey-like streams.” The full-bodied espresso was consistent and had medium crema.

The included milk frother has three foam settings and an automatic sensor to stop the wand when your desired frothiness is reached. It was easy to use and produced velvety thick foam that held up well in cappuccinos and remained a consistent 138 degrees. This machine is a breeze to set up and clean. However, it doesn’t include a grinder, so you’ll need ground beans or aseparate grinder.

Machine Type:Semi-automatic |Dimensions:12 x 6.75 x 12 inches |Shot Pulls:Single and double |Grinder:No |Frother:Yes

PHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick Simpson

Best BudgetDe’Longhi Stilosa Espresso MachinePHOTO: Amazon$100$75 at Amazon$83 at Target$75 at Wayfair

Best BudgetDe’Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine

Best Budget

De’Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine

PHOTO: Amazon

$100$75 at Amazon$83 at Target$75 at Wayfair

Star QualitiesPulls high-quality shotsConsistently priced under $100Easy to cleanRed FlagsFrother is a bit temperamental

Star QualitiesPulls high-quality shotsConsistently priced under $100Easy to clean

Pulls high-quality shots

Consistently priced under $100

Easy to clean

Red FlagsFrother is a bit temperamental

Frother is a bit temperamental

The built-in frother was temperamental, with powerful steam and intense pressure that produced more foam than hot milk. We recommend testing the wand with water to get the hang of it before moving on to milk. Overall, this is a great beginner-friendly machine that even pickier aficionados would appreciate.

How It’s Held UpThe De’Longhi Stilosa has enhanced our weekend coffee-making. It’s easy to use, and despite its small size, it makes excellent espresso. The steam wand works well and creates frothed and steamed milk with ease. If we were to improve the product, we wish the steam wand was thinner and there was more surface space for frothing milk.

How It’s Held Up

The De’Longhi Stilosa has enhanced our weekend coffee-making. It’s easy to use, and despite its small size, it makes excellent espresso. The steam wand works well and creates frothed and steamed milk with ease. If we were to improve the product, we wish the steam wand was thinner and there was more surface space for frothing milk.

Machine Type:Semi-automatic |Dimensions:11.22 x 13.5 x 8.07 inches |Shot Pulls:Single and double |Grinder:No |Frother:Yes

The More You KnowThe same beans are used for espresso and other coffee brews. The difference is how finely the beans are ground. More finely ground beans and a lower water-to-bean ratio make espresso thicker and stronger than regular drip or pour-over coffee, and you may have to play with these elements to find your ideal brew.

The More You Know

The same beans are used for espresso and other coffee brews. The difference is how finely the beans are ground. More finely ground beans and a lower water-to-bean ratio make espresso thicker and stronger than regular drip or pour-over coffee, and you may have to play with these elements to find your ideal brew.

Best CompactKitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso MachinePHOTO: Amazon$315 at Amazon$350 at WayfairView on Webstaurantstore.comStar QualitiesIncludes milk pitcher and cleaning brushWater tank is easy to access and out of the wayEasier to dial in the perfect brew than other machinesRed FlagsPlastic exterior not as sleek-looking as stainless steelSteam wand is not mobileThis lightweight machine requires minimal countertop space and consistently produces impressive espresso pulls. Though it doesn’t have a built-in grinder, this KitchenAid has everything you need in a high-quality expresso machine without a professional-level price. Of all the appliances we tested, we had the easiest time finding the right grind size for a great espresso shot using this model. It quickly produced smooth, rich hazelnut-colored shots that were mostly consistent.We wish the steam wand was more flexible and easier to maneuver around, but once we got the hang of it and found the right angle to produce a vortex in our milk, we ended up with some of the longest-lasting foam in any of our tests (which resulted in some pretty nice latte art). We think this is a great choice for someone open to putting in a little extra work for great-tasting barista-quality drinks.Machine Type:Semi-automatic |Dimensions:6.38 x 13.15 x 11.26 inches |Shot Pulls:Single and double |Grinder:No |Frother:YesPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick Simpson

Best CompactKitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso MachinePHOTO: Amazon$315 at Amazon$350 at WayfairView on Webstaurantstore.com

Best CompactKitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine

Best Compact

KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine

$315 at Amazon$350 at WayfairView on Webstaurantstore.com

Star QualitiesIncludes milk pitcher and cleaning brushWater tank is easy to access and out of the wayEasier to dial in the perfect brew than other machinesRed FlagsPlastic exterior not as sleek-looking as stainless steelSteam wand is not mobile

Star QualitiesIncludes milk pitcher and cleaning brushWater tank is easy to access and out of the wayEasier to dial in the perfect brew than other machines

Includes milk pitcher and cleaning brush

Water tank is easy to access and out of the way

Easier to dial in the perfect brew than other machines

Red FlagsPlastic exterior not as sleek-looking as stainless steelSteam wand is not mobile

Plastic exterior not as sleek-looking as stainless steel

Steam wand is not mobile

This lightweight machine requires minimal countertop space and consistently produces impressive espresso pulls. Though it doesn’t have a built-in grinder, this KitchenAid has everything you need in a high-quality expresso machine without a professional-level price. Of all the appliances we tested, we had the easiest time finding the right grind size for a great espresso shot using this model. It quickly produced smooth, rich hazelnut-colored shots that were mostly consistent.

We wish the steam wand was more flexible and easier to maneuver around, but once we got the hang of it and found the right angle to produce a vortex in our milk, we ended up with some of the longest-lasting foam in any of our tests (which resulted in some pretty nice latte art). We think this is a great choice for someone open to putting in a little extra work for great-tasting barista-quality drinks.

Machine Type:Semi-automatic |Dimensions:6.38 x 13.15 x 11.26 inches |Shot Pulls:Single and double |Grinder:No |Frother:Yes

PHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick Simpson

Best ManualCuisinart Espresso Maker Machine (EM-100NP1)PHOTO: Amazon$200$165 at Amazon$200 at Kohls.comView on Cuisinart.com

Best ManualCuisinart Espresso Maker Machine (EM-100NP1)

Best Manual

Cuisinart Espresso Maker Machine (EM-100NP1)

$200$165 at Amazon$200 at Kohls.comView on Cuisinart.com

Star QualitiesMilk steams quickly and stays homogenizedComes apart for easy cleaning and reassemblyProduced rich, stable foam every timeRed FlagsGasket is thin and may come off easily if twisted too hard

Star QualitiesMilk steams quickly and stays homogenizedComes apart for easy cleaning and reassemblyProduced rich, stable foam every time

Milk steams quickly and stays homogenized

Comes apart for easy cleaning and reassembly

Produced rich, stable foam every time

Red FlagsGasket is thin and may come off easily if twisted too hard

Gasket is thin and may come off easily if twisted too hard

As with all the machines we tested, our espresso shots were increasingly better the more time we spent adjusting the grind. We had the best luck with a finer grind, which produced shots with “rich body and firm crema” that were “balanced in concentration with no lingering taste.” The components are easy to access and clean between pulls, and the machine mostly comes apart for a deeper cleaning but is easy to reassemble.

Machine Type:Manual |Dimensions:8.19 x 12.56 x 10.94 inches |Shot Pulls:Single and double |Grinder:No |Frother:Yes

Best AutomaticBreville Barista Express ImpressPHOTO: Amazon$900$800 at Amazon$800 at Target$705 at Newegg.comStar QualitiesComes with a grinderAutomatic function remembers the previous dosage and tampVery easy to cleanRed FlagsMay not be right for small kitchensWith an automatic espresso machine, you start the espresso shot, and the machine finishes it for you. Convenience is part of the appeal of this Breville machine, which has a built-in conical burr coffee grinder with 25 grind sizes. The machine is intuitive, with clearly labeled buttons and lights that make it easy to learn. Setup and cleanup were also quick and simple.Our first few pulls were watery and under-extracted, but once we manually dialed the grinder a few times, it produced a “phenomenal pull that was perfectly extracted.” The machine remembers its last-used settings, so the shots pulled after were perfect as well, and the espresso itself was dark with a crema that had a lovely texture and no hint of bitterness. The machine also produced nice foam; when we heated the milk to 130 degrees, the microfoam was rich with a pleasant texture and taste.How It’s Held UpThis machine is super easy to use, and we love the built-in grinder and steaming wand. Similar to a professional machine, it’s loud when grinding beans and when it’s pressurizing to extract expresso. To prevent stickiness, we have found that it’s best to wipe the steam wand down immediately after use.Machine Type:Automatic |Dimensions:16.1 x 12.9 x 14.9 inches |Shot Pulls:Single and double |Grinder:Yes |Frother:YesPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick SimpsonPHOTO: People / Nick Simpson

Best AutomaticBreville Barista Express ImpressPHOTO: Amazon$900$800 at Amazon$800 at Target$705 at Newegg.com

Best AutomaticBreville Barista Express Impress

Best Automatic

Breville Barista Express Impress

$900$800 at Amazon$800 at Target$705 at Newegg.com

Star QualitiesComes with a grinderAutomatic function remembers the previous dosage and tampVery easy to cleanRed FlagsMay not be right for small kitchens

Star QualitiesComes with a grinderAutomatic function remembers the previous dosage and tampVery easy to clean

Comes with a grinder

Automatic function remembers the previous dosage and tamp

Very easy to clean

Red FlagsMay not be right for small kitchens

May not be right for small kitchens

With an automatic espresso machine, you start the espresso shot, and the machine finishes it for you. Convenience is part of the appeal of this Breville machine, which has a built-in conical burr coffee grinder with 25 grind sizes. The machine is intuitive, with clearly labeled buttons and lights that make it easy to learn. Setup and cleanup were also quick and simple.

Our first few pulls were watery and under-extracted, but once we manually dialed the grinder a few times, it produced a “phenomenal pull that was perfectly extracted.” The machine remembers its last-used settings, so the shots pulled after were perfect as well, and the espresso itself was dark with a crema that had a lovely texture and no hint of bitterness. The machine also produced nice foam; when we heated the milk to 130 degrees, the microfoam was rich with a pleasant texture and taste.

How It’s Held UpThis machine is super easy to use, and we love the built-in grinder and steaming wand. Similar to a professional machine, it’s loud when grinding beans and when it’s pressurizing to extract expresso. To prevent stickiness, we have found that it’s best to wipe the steam wand down immediately after use.

This machine is super easy to use, and we love the built-in grinder and steaming wand. Similar to a professional machine, it’s loud when grinding beans and when it’s pressurizing to extract expresso. To prevent stickiness, we have found that it’s best to wipe the steam wand down immediately after use.

Machine Type:Automatic |Dimensions:16.1 x 12.9 x 14.9 inches |Shot Pulls:Single and double |Grinder:Yes |Frother:Yes

Best for BeginnersCapresso Café TS Touchscreen Espresso MachinePHOTO: Amazon$180$159 at Amazon$160 at Target$180 at WayfairStar QualitiesGreat for limited counter spaceFairly affordable option at under $200Beginner-friendly with an easy learning curveRed FlagsSteam wand is a bit hard to useThis lightweight machine is great for kitchens with limited space. The simple control panel has clear buttons and a digital timer displaying the brewing time.As with most machines, testers had to pull a few shots before finding the right coarseness and weight of the grind, but eventually, our shots had a honey-brown crema, a thick consistency, and a chocolate-forward nutty flavor. Our tester found the machine easy to master, even for beginners.This was not the best steam wand we tested. It has a smaller nozzle, which makes it harder to use. The temperature only reached 101 degrees, and the foam had large, airy bubbles that fell quickly. We also had trouble switching from the steam function to the espresso function.How It’s Held UpThis machine had a slight learning curve, as it’s not the most intuitive and the instruction manual isn’t beginner-friendly. The steaming wand is also slightly challenging. It doesn’t include a frothing pitcher, and the steaming wand is shorter than most. However, this espresso machine is compact, so it’s great for smaller kitchens. The espresso shots, which arrive in 25 to 30 seconds, are smooth and balanced.Machine Type:Automatic |Dimensions:11.75 x 8 x 10.5 inches |Shot Pulls:Single and double|Grinder:No|Frother:Yes

Best for BeginnersCapresso Café TS Touchscreen Espresso MachinePHOTO: Amazon$180$159 at Amazon$160 at Target$180 at Wayfair

Best for BeginnersCapresso Café TS Touchscreen Espresso Machine

Best for Beginners

Capresso Café TS Touchscreen Espresso Machine

$180$159 at Amazon$160 at Target$180 at Wayfair

Star QualitiesGreat for limited counter spaceFairly affordable option at under $200Beginner-friendly with an easy learning curveRed FlagsSteam wand is a bit hard to use

Star QualitiesGreat for limited counter spaceFairly affordable option at under $200Beginner-friendly with an easy learning curve

Great for limited counter space

Fairly affordable option at under $200

Beginner-friendly with an easy learning curve

Red FlagsSteam wand is a bit hard to use

Steam wand is a bit hard to use

This lightweight machine is great for kitchens with limited space. The simple control panel has clear buttons and a digital timer displaying the brewing time.

As with most machines, testers had to pull a few shots before finding the right coarseness and weight of the grind, but eventually, our shots had a honey-brown crema, a thick consistency, and a chocolate-forward nutty flavor. Our tester found the machine easy to master, even for beginners.

This was not the best steam wand we tested. It has a smaller nozzle, which makes it harder to use. The temperature only reached 101 degrees, and the foam had large, airy bubbles that fell quickly. We also had trouble switching from the steam function to the espresso function.

How It’s Held UpThis machine had a slight learning curve, as it’s not the most intuitive and the instruction manual isn’t beginner-friendly. The steaming wand is also slightly challenging. It doesn’t include a frothing pitcher, and the steaming wand is shorter than most. However, this espresso machine is compact, so it’s great for smaller kitchens. The espresso shots, which arrive in 25 to 30 seconds, are smooth and balanced.

This machine had a slight learning curve, as it’s not the most intuitive and the instruction manual isn’t beginner-friendly. The steaming wand is also slightly challenging. It doesn’t include a frothing pitcher, and the steaming wand is shorter than most. However, this espresso machine is compact, so it’s great for smaller kitchens. The espresso shots, which arrive in 25 to 30 seconds, are smooth and balanced.

Machine Type:Automatic |Dimensions:11.75 x 8 x 10.5 inches |Shot Pulls:Single and double|Grinder:No|Frother:Yes

Other Espresso Machines We Tried

People / Russell Kilgore

What to Know About Espresso Machines

Types of Espresso Machines

Semi-automatics, according to Serious Eats writerJesse Raub, are the most popular. With these machines, you’re in control of how much water is pumped through the ground beans, so you can make each shot stronger or weaker, depending on your preference.

While super-automatic machines take the least amount of user effort, Raub also notes that it’s “really hard to change a lot of the espresso variables with those machines.” So, if you’re looking for a bespoke cup of coffee, semi-automatics or automatics might be the best fit. If you’re looking for the easiest option, go for a super-automatic.

Ease of Use

If you’re not a professional barista, you’ll want a machine that’s easy to set up and operate. Consider helpful features like a built-incoffee grinder,milk frother, tamper, and the ability to self-clean. Check if the machine requires special filters and if you can pre-program your coffee preferences, or if it’s more of a manual operation. You should expect to take a few tries before you find the ideal espresso shot, but once you’ve found the right grind and water-to-bean ratio, the right machine will remember these preferences and go forth without much effort on your part.

Espresso Quality and Speed

It’s essential that you love the flavor of your espresso shots and that they come forth quickly. Of course, the beans you use will make a difference. It can also be helpful to read reviews for a sense of the drink’s characteristics, such as the firmness of the crema, flavor notes, and (if there’s a frother attached) the texture and temperature of the foam it produces.

Raub says the ratio of coffee to water might affect taste, noting that espresso shots with too little water turn out super strong, while shots with too much water turn out watery and bitter. If you’re experiencing either of those issues, adjusting the water should give you a better shot. Finally, Raub says it should take 25 to 30 seconds to pull a shot.

Ease of Cleaning

Espresso machines need to be carefully taken care of to stay running smoothly. Especially if you’re steaming milk, it’s essential to wipe down the steam nozzle after every use to avoid sticky buildup. Machines that let you know when they need to be emptied (either the drip tray or puck reservoir) are handy, as are dishwasher-safe parts. We found theCapresso Café TS Touchscreen Espresso Machineespecially easy to clean — it took just five minutes with a damp sponge and mild soap. You’ll also need to descale the machines occasionally, and you may need to purchase a descaling agent to do this, so consider the price of maintenance as well as the cost of the machine itself.

Price Range

Espresso machines range significantly in price. On the high end, you can easily spend over $1,000 on a professional-level machine. However, the most expensive machine that scored well in our tests, theBreville Barista Express Impress, regularly costs $900 and is worth the splurge if you put a premium on sipping the smoothest espresso possible.

If you’re more budget-conscious, theDe’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machineis also high-quality, if more minimalist. In the middle of the road, theCuisinart Espresso Makeris under $300.

We tested 20 espresso machines in our industrial kitchen and then took them home for additional long-term, real-world testing in our own kitchens. To ensure accurate and comparable tasting notes, we used the same brand and type of coffee beans for all of the machines, as well as the same brand of milk for steaming and building lattes or cappuccinos.

Taking all of these factors into consideration, theBreville Bambino Plus Espresso Machinetopped our list as the best espresso machine overall.

Our Expert PanelJesse Raubis a tea and coffee shopping writer for Serious Eats.

Our Expert Panel

Jesse Raubis a tea and coffee shopping writer for Serious Eats.

We created thePEOPLE Tested seal of approvalto help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

source: people.com