The greatest home espresso machines can help you satisfy your latte or cappuccino cravings in the privacy of your own home. Home espresso machines, on the other hand, can have you drawing a shot with a good “crema” (the creamy, light-colored surface of espresso) in no time. Some espresso machines will grind the beans for you, pack the grounds, and brew your cup with the touch of a button, while others will require you to learn how to load a hopper (known as a portafilter) with grounds and tamp them down (which means to compress the grounds into a puck so the hot, pressurized water can extract a lot of flavors as it passes through quickly).
The Kitchen Appliances and Technology Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing kitchen appliances and all types of coffee makers for over a century, including pour-over coffee makers, single-cup brewers, French presses, drip coffee makers, portable coffee makers for camping, cold brew coffee makers, and much more. We tested a mix of super-automatic, automated, semi-automatic, and capsule machines to discover the best home espresso machine, based on popular brands, top-selling machines, and features like milk frothers and built-in coffee bean grinders.
Read more >> Best Manual Coffee Grinders
Table of Contents
List Of Top 10 Best Espresso Machines in 2022 Reviews
10. Breville BES500BSS Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
The Breville Bambino Plus is an excellent automatic espresso machine for individuals who prefer the old method. Two dual-wall filter baskets for pre-ground coffee beans, a cutting tool, tamper, and a milk bottle to use with the attached steam wand are included. Choose from a single or double espresso, as well as steamy, frothy, or extremely frothy milk. This machine produced espresso that was robust but not overpowering in our tests. We really liked how quickly this machine heated up and how quiet it was.
9. Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker
If you’re seeking a Keurig upgrade, a unique present, or the ability to froth milk with a capsule machine, the Keurig K-Cafe is the place to go. Four coffee size selections (6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, and 12 oz), as well as a “strong” option, make it simple to customize your favorite K-cup. If you choose an Espresso Roast K-cup capsule and the “shot” size choice, you’ll have a great cup of espresso.
While the Espresso Roast K-cup lacks crema, a built-in coffee frother makes frothing milk for cappuccinos (less milk) and lattes (more milk) quick and easy; furthermore, there’s a “cold” option if you want to enjoy your foamy milk drink over ice. When it came to warmup time, brew time, coffee temperature, and volume, this capsule machine performed admirably in our tests.
8. Nespresso BEC220BLK Essenza Mini Espresso Machine
The compact size and power of this capsule espresso machine are unrivaled: It produces a nice, full-bodied espresso with a creamy crema at 19 bars of pressure. Choose from espresso or lungo (which means “long” in Italian and refers to a slower, larger espresso), as well as whether or not to use the drip base for a larger cup.
At first appearance, the water container appears little, but we didn’t mind refilling it for the freshest tasting cups. It’s also available as part of a package with a separate milk frother, or you can look into a comparable espresso machine we reviewed that has a built-in frother and uses the same original pods.
7. De’Longhi ECAM37095TI Dinamica Plus
This fully automatic espresso machine grinds your beans and produces delicious, hot espresso with a thin but creamy crema. The milk hopper and foaming capabilities, on the other hand, impressed our specialists. Filling, attaching, detaching, and cleaning the milk hopper is simple. When you select a milk-based beverage, the machine displays the frother setting and allows you time to choose one of three alternatives before frothing begins. It also reminds you to do the milk container cleaning stage. It includes a touchscreen that is extremely responsive and simple to use.
6. Gaggia Carezza De LUXE Espresso Machine
Made in Italy, the Gaggia Carezza Deluxe offers a classic Italian design that complements premium kitchens (at a reasonable price for an automatic espresso machine). While we have not tested this machine in our labs, reviewers have stated that it makes excellent coffee if you learn its quirks, such as choosing the right grinds, tamping, and timing to obtain the cup you desire. Although some customers complain that you have to replace it regularly, we enjoy the front-loading water reservoir with a viewing window for convenient access.
5. De’Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine
This automatic espresso machine makes a cup of espresso that looks as good as it tastes, and it’s simple to operate and modify to your preferences. Select single espresso, double espresso, Americano, or coffee from six grind options (fine for dark espresso, coarse for coffee). It also has a tea dispenser that provides hot water.
La Specialista contains a built-in tamping mechanism that helps evenly pack your grounds, as well as a pressure gauge that you can check to verify you’re preparing the perfect cup. It also comes with an adjustable steam wand for flat (best for lattes) or frothy (best for cappuccinos) milk. We liked how it created a full-bodied espresso with a thin, velvety crema. Separately available is a knock box for discarded grinds, which we found quite useful when making espresso after espresso.
4. Mr. Coffee Espresso Maker – Best for Nespresso with Milk
This espresso machine, with 19 bars of pressure, ensures that you get the most out of your Nespresso capsules. Even better, after your shot is ready, it will heat and froth your beverage in three seconds.
The one-button interface, which reduces guesswork, and the automatic frother, which whips milk swiftly, are praised by reviewers. The detachable water reservoir, as well as the adaptable cup tray that takes both short and tall mugs, are important features. Then there’s the comprehensive user guide, which will help you get started straight away.
3. Calphalon Espresso Machine with Tamper
2. Best Overall: Breville the Barista Express
For most prospective purchasers, the top-of-the-line Breville Barista Express is the greatest espresso machine right now. It isn’t the most inexpensive, but it provides unrivaled utility and efficiency. First, it can steam milk automatically with a fantastic micro-foam texture — excellent value for money.
Second, it boasts a large 54 ml portafilter that can accommodate up to 19 grams of ground coffee for high-quality shots. Reviewers like how the machine regulates the temperature and pressure gradually as you pull a shot for the optimum flavor. Overall, the Barista Express passes like a standard model, but it performs admirably.
1. Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso
Phillips’ automatic LatteGo espresso machine boasts a wide, intuitive touchscreen control display that makes selecting and brewing drinks simple. It grinds whole beans for espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, black coffee, and Americano, as well as black coffee and Americano. Instead of a wand, it has a removable, dishwasher-safe milk hopper, making foaming milk simple and hands-free. The drinks were delicious but light-bodied, according to our tasters.