11 best espresso machines for making quality coffee at home

Score: 96/100

Sage is another heavyweight in the coffee world, and our testers were impressed with the fully automatic function, which makes this machine incredibly easy to use—even for complete coffee beginners.

It preheated in just 60 seconds and consistently produced high-quality espressos at the perfect temperature, complete with a rich, inviting layer of crema.

Swapping the filter baskets proved a little tricky—our tester had some difficulty removing them from the portafilter—but this was a minor issue, especially given how simple it was to texture milk. The automatic steam wand heated almost instantly and offers different volumes and textures for flat whites, lattes and cappuccinos. Just select the right setting and enjoy effortless, velvety, frothy milk.

This is one of the most expensive models we’ve tried but it’s worth spending extra for the automatic functions and one-touch buttons, especially if you’re a beginner.

Score: 93/100

Gaggia’s espresso machine heated up in just 20 seconds and features a clear indicator light, letting you start tamping immediately — perfect for busy mornings.

Double shots were consistently excellent, though single espressos were slightly less predictable, averaging 3.4 grams below the target yield. That said, every shot had a rich crema, and our testers found the machine straightforward to use overall, even with its manual controls.

An angled steam wand would have made milk frothing a bit easier, but this didn’t stop the machine from excelling at texturing, producing smooth microfoam in a reasonable amount of time—ideal for lattes and cappuccinos.

You can use paper coffee pods with this machine too, making it more versatile than some of the others on this list.

Score: 92/100

Our experts were impressed that this coffee machine heated up in just 60 seconds during testing, producing a beautiful layer of crema on every shot. The espressos were consistent too, so you can enjoy a perfect cup every time.

The simple control panel was a hit with testers, featuring just three buttons: on/off, extraction, and steaming. The whole coffee-making process is straightforward—indicator lights show when the machine is ready, and cleanup is quick and easy. The instructions also clearly outline the descaling process.

While the machine’s distinctive Nordic design stands out, it feels lighter and more basic compared to other espresso machines on our list. However, for those on a tighter budget, it still performs well where it matters most.

Score: 91/100

As expected from KitchenAid, this espresso machine is a sleek and sophisticated model with a rapid preheat time – faster than its advertised 45 seconds during our testing.

The machine features PID temperature control, designed to maintain consistent brewing temperatures. While we noticed slight variations between single and double shots, extraction weight was extremely accurate, and every shot had a rich, inviting layer of crema.

You can’t brew and steam milk simultaneously, but the manual steam wand was ready in just 18 seconds. We were able to create the perfect volume of milk with smooth microfoam for each latte or cappuccino.

Score: 88/100

This smart-looking machine preheats in 40 seconds and produced great espresso shots. Each one reached the target volume and temperature, although the crema was thin and disappeared quickly, leaving our coffee lacking that velvety finish. The machine was able to brew three double espressos one after another though, making it a good pick for coffee-loving households.

While you can’t steam at the same time as brewing, the manual steam wand took less than a minute to make good micro foam and the froth remained stable on top of our drinks. It was a breeze to clean, too, and the descaling process was straightforward.

For the price, we expected this machine to include a milk jug, and it was disappointing that the provided tamper was narrower than the baskets so you might need a little extra time and patience to get the grounds level. Overall, however, this is a reliable, consistent machine that will look sleek on your kitchen counter thanks to the stainless-steel design and traditional pressure display on the front.

Score: 86/100

This sleek machine from De’Longhi is a more affordable option from the brand behind our winning espresso maker. It heats up in a minute and a half, with a green light on the control panel indicating when it's ready to brew.

Our espressos were very consistent, but the ratio was slightly off, pouring more liquid than we’d have liked. There was still a thick crema though and fans of double espressos will be pleased to know these came out with a better ratio and flavour.

The machine really shone when it came to manually steaming milk, building pressure quickly and creating smooth, creamy micro-foam for a range of coffees. There might still be a bit of trial and error required if you’re new to frothing milk, but this is a great machine for beginners as it achieves good quality foam with ease.

Score: 85/100

This one-touch espresso machine is perfect for beginners, consistently brewing single and double espressos—though shots were slightly below the target yield.

The built-in milk frother was a highlight, producing two foam textures ideal for lattes or cappuccinos. Testers noted some microfoam that held its shape for around two minutes. After frothing, the milk compartment is fridge-safe and dishwasher-friendly, making cleanup quick and hassle-free.

Score: 85/100

Ready to brew in just 14 seconds, this is our top choice for speedy morning espressos. Our shots were consistent, but the crema was thin and patchy on both single and doubles. However, this machine is compatible with regular coffee pods (not just the ESE paper pods that other models in this list use) and the crema produced from these was much better – thick, flavoursome, and stable – plus the machine produced three in a row without rebuilding pressure.

It took between one-and-a-half and two minutes to froth milk to the right volume, and it didn’t disperse quickly when poured into our mugs. The foam wasn’t quite as velvety as we’d have liked though, with some larger bubbles disrupting the smooth texture.

Day-to-day cleaning is straightforward and the controls are easy to get to grips with, making it a good value choice. It’s not as cheap as the Swan, but it’s worth spending a little extra if you want the flexibility of using coffee pods too.

Score: 82/100

If you’re still after a slim, compact model with an automatic milk frother, opt for this one from Hamilton Beach.

It heats up in just over 30 seconds and made fantastic espresso shots with a thick, even crema. Our doubles were smaller than we’d have liked though with a thinner crema on top and the provided tamper is smaller than the baskets that hold the ground coffee, so you might find it tricky to get the coffee level before brewing.

The automatic milk system was ready in five seconds after making an espresso and it took about 30 seconds for it to make the right amount of foam. Our flat white and cappuccino came out well, but our latte milk was too thick with some larger bubbles mixed in.

Overall, it’s very easy to use and best suited to americano drinkers who don’t want to spend lots on a machine. That said, its niggles may be worth the compromise thanks to its straightforward, budget-friendly design.

Score: 79/100

If you’re keen to explore specialty coffee for the first time, this affordable stainless-steel espresso machine is a great choice. It features four simple, fuss-free buttons, a handy recipe booklet with ideas ranging from affogatos to Irish coffee, and instructions packed with useful tips—especially for frothing milk.

Consistency was a little variable, with single and double espresso shots differing from the target yield by three to four grams. There was also a slight variation in the temperature of double shots. However, every shot had a clear, appealing layer of crema. For milk-based drinks, microfoam appeared occasionally, but the milk still blended well with the coffee, creating enjoyable lattes and cappuccinos.