Best Espresso Machine 2021

Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL – All-in-one design with a capable integrated grinder saves space and money.

The Breville Barista Express is a fantastic machine for those looking to elevate their home coffee experience beyond basic brewers. Its all-in-one design, featuring an integrated conical burr grinder, is a major advantage, saving both counter space and the cost of a separate unit. The machine offers a high degree of control over the brewing process, from grind size and dose amount to precise water temperature via its PID controller.

The manual steam wand is powerful and produces excellent microfoam for latte art, although it takes practice to master. While it’s not a simple push-button appliance, the learning curve is manageable and rewarding. The build quality feels solid, and the included accessories, like the milk jug and trimming tool, mean you have almost everything you need to get started right out of the box.

It successfully bridges the gap between consumer-grade and pro-level equipment.

Gevi Commercial Espresso and Coffee Makers – Features a 20-bar pump and pressure gauge for better extraction control.

The Gevi espresso machine is a capable unit for home use, offering a good balance of features and user-friendliness. The 20-bar pump and temperature control system provide a solid foundation for good espresso extraction, and the inclusion of a pressure gauge is a very helpful feature for monitoring your shots. Its full stainless steel body feels durable and gives it a premium look, while the compact design is great for smaller kitchen counters.

The steam wand is powerful enough to produce decent microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos with a little practice. While it’s a semi-automatic machine, the controls are quite intuitive, making it accessible for those new to the craft. The dedicated hot water function is a nice bonus for making Americanos or tea, adding to its overall versatility.

It’s a well-rounded machine for daily coffee enthusiasts.

CASABREWS CM5418 Espresso Machine 20 Bar – Professional 20-bar pump provides strong pressure for quality extraction.

The CASABREWS espresso machine is a capable entry-level unit for home use. Its 20-bar pressure system and 1350W boiler consistently pull respectable espresso shots with a nice layer of crema. The built-in pressure gauge is a helpful feature, offering a degree of control usually found on more expensive models, allowing you to fine-tune your extraction.

The steam wand is powerful enough to create decent microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos after a bit of practice. The overall build is compact and the stainless steel finish looks good on the counter. The 34 oz water tank is a reasonable size for daily use.

One important operational note is the machine requires a cool-down period after steaming milk before you can pull another shot of espresso. Following the instructions for this is key to avoiding an overheating error. Overall, it’s a solid performer for its category.

Ninja | Espresso Machine and Drip Coffee Maker| Luxe Café Premier Series | Integrated Coffee Grinder – All-in-one functionality for espresso, drip coffee, and cold brew.

This 3-in-1 coffee machine presents a versatile solution for households with diverse coffee preferences, integrating espresso, drip, and cold brew functions into one unit. The standout feature is the ‘Barista Assist Technology’, which aims to simplify the brewing process through guided settings, a built-in scale for precise weight-based dosing, and an integrated conical burr grinder. This automation removes much of the guesswork typically involved in crafting café-quality drinks.

The hands-free dual frothing system is another significant convenience, offering presets for both hot and cold microfoam using various milk types. With a wide range of brew styles and sizes available, from a double shot of espresso to a large over-ice coffee, the machine is designed to be a comprehensive coffee station. It effectively bridges the gap between manual brewing and fully automatic convenience, offering control without a steep learning curve.

Breville Bambino Espresso Machine BES450BSS – Extremely fast 3-second heat-up time.

This Breville espresso machine is a compelling option for home baristas looking to elevate their coffee game. Its standout feature is the ThermoJet heating system, which brings the machine to extraction temperature in a remarkable 3 seconds, a significant convenience for daily use. The automatic steam wand is another highlight, consistently producing quality microfoam with adjustable temperature and texture settings, making it easy to create lattes and cappuccinos.

For the espresso itself, the machine employs low-pressure pre-infusion and PID temperature control, features that help ensure a balanced and flavorful extraction from the 19-gram dose in the 54mm portafilter. The control panel is straightforward and easy to navigate. While the 1-year warranty is standard, the overall package offers a great blend of user-friendly automation and high-quality performance for crafting specialty coffee drinks at home.

TENKER Espresso Machine with Grinder – Integrated grinder with 30 settings saves counter space and cost.

This all-in-one espresso machine offers a comprehensive package for the home barista. The integrated grinder with 30 settings is a significant advantage, providing good control over the coffee grounds without needing a separate device. The 20-bar pump and PID temperature control work together to produce consistent espresso shots with a decent crema.

I found the large 61oz water tank to be very convenient, reducing the frequency of refills. The steam wand is powerful enough for lattes and cappuccinos, and the inclusion of a milk pitcher and proper tamper is a thoughtful touch. While the initial setup and learning the functions of the control knob for steam and hot water takes a moment, the overall performance is quite solid.

It’s a capable machine that balances features with a relatively compact footprint, making it a good fit for most kitchens.

PHILIPS 5500 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine – LatteGo Milk System – Extensive selection of 20 hot and iced coffee recipes.

This fully automatic coffee machine offers an impressive range of features for the home barista. With 20 different drink recipes, including specifically calibrated iced coffee options, it caters to a wide variety of tastes. The LatteGo milk system is a standout feature, creating smooth froth and simplifying the cleaning process significantly with its two-part, no-tube design.

The machine heats up quickly thanks to the QuickStart function, eliminating the usual wait time. Another notable improvement is the SilentBrew technology, which makes the grinding and brewing process noticeably quieter than many older models. The color touch display is intuitive for selecting drinks and customizing settings like strength and volume.

You can also save these preferences into two user profiles, which is a convenient touch for households with multiple coffee drinkers. Overall, it’s a comprehensive and user-friendly unit that brings a coffee shop experience home.

QJA Espresso Machine with Milk Frother – Powerful 20-bar pressure pump for quality espresso extraction.

The QJA Semi-Automatic Espresso Maker is a capable machine for home or office use, offering features typically found in more expensive models. The 20-bar pressure system and 1400W boiler perform well, consistently pulling rich espresso shots. Its LED touch screen is a nice modern touch, providing programmable options that allow for more control over the brewing process than a standard entry-level machine.

The steam wand is effective for frothing milk for lattes and cappuccinos, and the wand’s removable nozzle simplifies cleaning. The large 57.5 oz water tank is a convenient feature, reducing the need for frequent refills. While it requires some practice to master, the overall build quality and functionality are impressive for its category.

The inclusion of self-cleaning and descaling programs is a practical bonus that aids in long-term maintenance, making this a well-rounded appliance for the aspiring home barista.

COWSAR Espresso Machine 15 Bar – All-in-one design with a built-in, adjustable conical burr grinder.

This espresso machine offers a comprehensive, all-in-one solution for the home barista. The integrated grinder is a major plus, saving counter space and allowing you to go from bean to cup with one appliance. The combination of 15-bar pressure, a pre-infusion system, and PID temperature control provides a high degree of control over the final shot, resulting in consistent and flavorful espresso once you get it dialed in.

The steam wand is powerful and effective, capably producing silky microfoam suitable for lattes and cappuccinos. Its stainless steel construction feels solid, and the large 75oz water tank is very practical for daily use. While there’s a learning curve compared to simpler machines, the features provided are excellent for anyone serious about elevating their home coffee game.

The inclusion of cleaning tools stored discreetly behind the drip tray is a thoughtful touch for maintenance.

ANYCOLD Espresso Machine 20 Bar – 20-bar professional pressure pump for quality espresso extraction.

This semi-automatic espresso maker is a solid option for those looking to craft barista-style drinks at home. The 20-bar pressure pump and 1450W motor are designed to extract rich flavor and crema from your coffee grounds. Its built-in steam wand allows for frothing milk for lattes and cappuccinos.

The unit’s compact, stainless steel design is a nice touch, making it suitable for smaller kitchens without sacrificing aesthetics. The package includes the necessary accessories to get started, such as a portafilter with single and double shot filters and a combination tamper/spoon. It’s important to note the manufacturer’s instruction to let the machine cool down after steaming milk before pulling another shot to avoid overheating.

The 34 oz water tank is detachable, which simplifies refilling and cleaning. Overall, it presents a comprehensive package for the aspiring home barista.