After Brewing Hundreds of Cups of Coffee, These Are the 4 Coffee and Espresso Machines That Stood Out
We’re confident these combo machines will revolutionize your morning routine.
Expert consulted: Nicole PapantoniouKitchen Appliances Lab Director
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Coffee makers and espresso machines are more versatile than ever—and if you can’t choose between the two, you don’t have to. Combo machines bring both into one appliance, letting you make everything from simple drip coffee to lattes and cappuccinos. Some even come with built-in grinders and automatic milk frothers for extra convenience.
Our top picks:
- Best Overall: De'Longhi All-in-One Combination Coffee Maker & Espresso Machine
- Best Value: Cuisinart Coffee Center Barista Bar 4-in-1 Coffee Maker
- Most Versatile: KitchenAid KF8 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
- Best Capsule: Nespresso Vertuo Plus Coffee and Espresso Maker
For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Coooking Lab has tested nearly every type of coffee and espresso maker to find the best ones. In recent years alone, we’ve tested more than 100 types of coffee and espresso makers—and I’ve been a contributing writer and analyst in the Kitchen & Cooking Lab for the past 6 years where I’ve been testing all coffee and espresso appliances. I even took Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) training classes in coffee brewing, barista techniques, and sensory evaluation. I’ve brewed and tasted hundreds of cups of coffee and espresso, evaluating not just flavor but also performance and ease of use to land on our top picks.
Best Deal
Pros
- Can make coffee, espresso, and frothed milk
- Doesn't take up too much counter space
- Great taste
Cons
- Espresso machine side needs to be primed
De'Longhi’s all-in-one coffee and espresso maker has everything you need to make drip coffee, espresso shots, lattes, and more. Its dual heating system lets you brew a pot of coffee and pull an espresso shot simultaneously—plus, with a built-in milk frother, there's no need to buy extra equipment to make your favorite coffeehouse drinks.
Despite packing in so many features, the machine's footprint is only slightly larger than most drip-only models and about the same size as some espresso makers. For a model that offers the functionality of both machines, the fact that it doesn't take up too much counter space is impressive.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: The drip coffee side features a reusable filter (sometimes called a permanent filter), which we found easy to change in our Lab testing. The coffee brewed quickly, in about five minutes, and was tasty. The keep-warm setting can be set for up to 11 hours and 59 minutes, with a default of two hours. Not only did it keep our coffee drinkable for the full two hours, but it actually made it warmer. I found the espresso side convenient, thanks to a removable water reservoir and a portafilter that accommodates pre-ground beans or ESE coffee pods. It also produced a nice, even crema.
TAKE NOTE: The only drawback is that you’ll need to run a cycle of hot water through the espresso side before pulling a shot. The upside? If you place your mug under the portafilter, that water will preheat it at the same time.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: De'Longhi All-in-One Coffee Maker
| Machine type | Drip coffee maker and semi-automatic espresso machine |
| Coffee type | Pre-ground (espresso maker is compatible with ESE pods) |
| Dimensions | 11" x 14.5" x 12.8" |
| Water tank capacity | 32 ounces |
| Milk frother | Built-in steam wand |
Pros
- Compatible with K-Cups or Nespresso pods
- Produces extra hot coffee
- Built-in steam wand
Cons
- Learning curve to using the control panel
This machine is a great choice for those who want to brew a full pot of coffee and also have the convenience of capsules. What makes this machine stand out is its compatibility with K-Cups and Nespresso pods, a feature I haven’t seen in other machines. Choose between 6-, 8-, and 10-ounce single-serve sizes, and the carafe can make up to 12 cups of drip coffee. It comes with a built-in steam wand for frothing or steaming milk for cappuccinos and lattes.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: When I tested this machine, it brewed a piping-hot cup of coffee, and tasters commented that the brew was well-balanced and flavorful. At-home testers who have been using this model for over a year have found the coffee machine reliable.
TAKE NOTE: The control panel isn’t very intuitive, so it takes some time to get used to. However, once you learn how it works, it’s easy to use.
Features at a Glance
| Machine type | Drip coffee and single-serve K-Cups or Nespresso pods |
| Coffee type | Drip, pods, or capsules |
| Dimensions | 11.88" x 12.88" x 16.75" |
| Water tank capacity | 72 ounces |
| Milk frother | Built-in wand |
Pros
- Easy to navigate touchscreen
- Makes flavorful coffee that's customizable
- Milk frothing container can be stored in the fridge
Cons
- Drip tray needs frequent emptying
- Expensive
The KF8 is one of the most versatile machines out there. The coffee is highly customizable, with options to adjust the strength, temperature, and volume, so you can have it just the way you like it. If you like to change beans, the hopper is removable, so you can easily swap or refill coffee beans.
It also makes a variety of drinks, including lattes, Americanos, cortados, and more, with just a few taps on the screen. This fully automatic machine comes with a milk container that adds the correct amount of milk and froth to your drink.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: I was impressed with this KitchenAid machine, finding it one of the easiest-to-use fully automatic espresso machines I’ve ever tested. Right from the start, it was intuitive to use without needing to read through the instruction manual. The touchscreen was also highly responsive, and navigating all the coffee options was a breeze. The machine also provides step-by-step instructions for tasks like rinsing the milk hose, which our consumer testers found extremely easy to follow. In addition to its user-friendliness, the KF8 produced tasty, well-balanced espresso shots, according to our consumer testers. In Lab tests, the frother produced excellent foam, and I appreciated that the leftover milk could be stored in the fridge.
TAKE NOTE: Cleanup was easy, though keep in mind that the machine rinses itself when it shuts off, so you’ll need to empty the drip tray more frequently.
RELATED: Best High-End Coffee Makers
| Machine type | Automatic |
| Coffee type | Whole or pre-ground |
| Dimensions | 10.2" x 18.5" x 14.3" |
| Water tank capacity | 74.3 ounces |
| Milk frother | Separate container attached with a hose |
Pros
- Barcode system automatically adjusts to capsule type
- Produces well-round espresso with excellent crema
- Water tank is removable and adjustable
Cons
- Can't use your own coffee beans or grounds
The Nespresso Vertuo features a unique barcode system that detects the capsule type and automatically adjusts the size, temperature, pressure, and brew time to make the perfect cup of coffee or espresso. That means, unlike other machines, you don’t need to brew multiple pods or manually add water to get the drink you want. The Nespresso offers brew options like espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, mug, and alto, allowing you to customize the strength and size of your drink.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: In our Lab tests, every cup of coffee and espresso we made with this machine was hot and well-rounded, with the espresso delivering excellent crema. The machine has a relatively small footprint, and we also liked that the water tank is removable and can be positioned in three different ways to fit your available space. Plus, if you're concerned about capsule waste, Nespresso offers a recycling program that lets you send used pods back to the company.
TAKE NOTE: You can't use your own coffee with this machine and must use Nespresso capsules.
| Machine type | Single-serve |
| Coffee type | Capsule |
| Dimensions | 9.1" x 13.2" x 12.8" |
| Water tank capacity | 40 ounces |
| Milk frother | No |
Small and portable options
Portable coffee makers are great options when you want strong, espresso-like coffee without a full machine. They can brew a concentrated coffee that’s perfect on its own, diluted with hot water to make an Americano-style cup, or with milk for a latte-like drink.
Bialetti Express Moka Pot
Bialetti Express Moka Pot
Pros
- Makes strong, espresso-like coffee
- Simple to use
- Compact
Cons
- Hand-wash only
Don’t let the simplicity of the Bialetti Moka Pot fool you—it still brews some of the most flavorful and strong coffee around. This no-frills stovetop coffee maker delivers quick results and is one of the most affordable options on this list, making it a great value.
Plus, it’s easy to use. Just fill the base with water, insert the funnel, and add ground coffee. As the water heats up on the stovetop, pressure pushes it through the coffee grounds, brewing your coffee in just minutes. (Just be sure to watch it carefully to avoid burning the coffee.) The result is a strong brew similar to espresso, and if you prefer a more traditional cup, you can make it Americano-style by adding hot water.
The Moka Pot comes in several sizes, from 1-cup to 12-cup capacities. Each size is relatively compact, making it perfect for those with limited storage space.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: In our tests, it produced a dark, full-bodied coffee with a hint of bitterness. One at-home tester raves about her Bialetti Moka Pot, saying it makes the tastiest coffee and saves her $3,500 a year on coffee shop runs.
TAKE NOTE: While this moka pot is hand-wash only and should be cleaned without soap, its small size means it rinses out in just a few minutes, with a deeper clean needed only occasionally.
RELATED: We Tested Moka Pots to Find the Best Ones
| Machine type | Manual |
| Coffee type | Pre-ground |
| Dimensions | 4.25" x 8.5" |
| Water tank capacity | Available in 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-cup capacities |
| Milk frother | Not included |
AeroPress Go Coffee Maker
AeroPress Go Coffee Maker
Pros
- All parts nest neatly into the provided cup and lid
- Makes tasty coffee
- Easy to use
Cons
- Makes a good espresso-like drink, but not true espresso
We've always been impressed with the AeroPress coffee press for its smooth, tasty coffee, and its compact size makes it perfect for travel. AeroPress took it a step further with the Go, offering everything you need to brew a delicious cup in a compact setup. (We liked it so much that it was a winner in our Kitchen Gear and Coffee Awards!) The Go includes a plunger, filters, a cup, a lid, a scoop, and a stirrer, and you can brew directly into the provided cup.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: I was impressed with how easy it is to make coffee: just add hot water and coffee grounds, let it steep for a minute (depending on your preferred strength), and then plunge it through an airtight chamber with a filter.
I found the AeroPress Go brewed a rich, flavorful cup and was incredibly user-friendly. Our consumer testers appreciated that everything stacks together, so you don’t have to worry about losing parts when traveling. It’s also great for the office, as it’s small enough to store on your desk for a fresh cup anytime. You can even make a tasty espresso-like drink with the Go.
TAKE NOTE: While the Go uses pressure to push water through the grounds, it doesn’t reach the same levels as a true espresso machine, so the flavor isn’t quite traditional espresso. That said, with finely ground coffee and a small amount of water, it still makes a solid espresso-style drink when you don’t have a full machine.
RELATED: Best Manual Espresso Machines
| Machine type | Manual |
| Coffee type | Pre-ground |
| Dimensions | 5.3" x 3.9" x 3.9" |
| Water tank capacity | 8.01 ounces |
| Milk frother | Not included |
Others we tested and liked but may not be for everyone
- De'Longhi Magnifica Start Espresso Machine: I appreciate this De'Longhi machine's simplicity and straightforward design. It offers a choice of five popular drinks at the push of a button, including espresso, coffee, cappuccino, latte macchiato, and hot water, and the machine handles everything, including milk frothing. The built-in frothing container doesn’t work as well with non-dairy milk, like almond, but that’s true of most frothers.
- De'Longhi True Brew Drip Coffee Maker: This is a great option for the drip coffee lover who occasionally drinks espresso. It can make a 40-ounce carafe of coffee and offers many single-serve options, including 8-, 12-, 16-, and 24-ounce cups. It can make a concentrated coffee shot that’s similar to espresso, which I found made a delicious latte. Tasters found the drip coffee delicious. Just avoid using oily beans on the finest setting, as they can clog the machine.
- Bruvi: The Bruvi impressed our Lab and Test Kitchen experts with its tasty single-serve coffee made from its “B-Pods.” Consumer testers also found it easy to use and praised the flavor—and there’s even a capsule for matcha. A few downsides: The capsules are pricey and hard to find in retail stores, so you have to order them through Amazon or the Bruvi website.
- Lavazza Classy Plus: This machine impressed our entire team by frothing milk for cappuccinos and lattes directly in your cup, then adding the coffee capsule for a nearly hands-free single-serve drink and easy cleanup. It even froths plant-based milk well, unlike some milk frothers. Other drink options include a shot or a double shot of espresso, a lungo (Italian-style coffee), or a regular cup of drip coffee. Just be sure to turn it off when you’re done, since it doesn’t have an automatic shut-off feature.
- Jura S8: The Jura S8 makes a variety of coffee and espresso drinks at the push of a button. What makes this such a standout machine is the innovative sweet foam option that blends your favorite syrup into the foam for your cappuccino or latte. It makes a wide variety of drinks from Americanos and lattes to ristrettos and lungos. It has a ton of features, but it doesn’t come cheap.
How we test coffee and espresso makers
We test coffee-and-espresso combo machines in our Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab throughout the year, and continually research the top models available in stores and online, focusing on best-sellers, popular brands, and new releases. We test each one using a standardized methodology just as we would for drip coffee makers and espresso machines.
✔️ Drip coffee maker performance: To test drip coffee makers, we use equipment to measure the water temperature throughout the brewing cycle. We also take the temperature of the first cup of freshly brewed coffee and record the initial reading. To test keep-warm settings, we monitor the temperature at various intervals over a two-hour period.
✔️ Espresso performance: For espresso makers, we evaluate shot-pulling time, consistency, temperature, and noise level. We also assess the quality of the crema. If the machine has a milk frother, we test it with skim, whole, and oat milk.
✔️ Ease of use: We also assess each coffee and espresso maker’s ease of use, including how simple it is to program, access the brew basket if applicable, read the control panel, fill the water tank, and clean. We note whether it has a keep-warm option and automatic shut-off capabilities. Additionally, we evaluate the clarity and comprehensiveness of the instruction manual.
✔️ Taste test: For both coffee and espresso makers, our Kitchen Lab experts and I sample a fresh cup of drip coffee or espresso shot and rate it based on taste.
What to look for when shopping for coffee and espresso combo machines
✔️ Coffee type: When choosing a machine, consider whether you prefer using pre-ground coffee, whole beans, or pods. A machine that uses pre-ground coffee lets you skip grinding, but it won’t taste as good as coffee that’s freshly ground from a machine with a built-in grinder.
✔️ Manual or automatic: Automatic coffee and espresso makers can make a coffeehouse-style drink with just the push of a button. Other machines require more hands-on work, such as grinding coffee beans separately if you’re using whole beans or loading a portafilter and tamping for espresso.
✔️ Space: Check that you have enough counter space and clearance underneath cupboards to fit the machine.
✔️ Water tank capacity: If you have multiple household members using the machine or want to reduce the need for frequent refills, opt for a larger water reservoir. Smaller tanks take up less space and let you change the water more often to keep it fresh.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Jamie Ueda has reviewed and written about a wide range of coffee and espresso machines, evaluating dozens of models over the years. She covers a lot of coffee and espresso testing year-round and has a passion for the craft of coffee. She has completed intensive training through the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) in coffee brewing, barista techniques, and sensory evaluation. She also serves as a judge for the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Awards, where she frequently tests products and shares her expertise.
Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, where she oversees all testing related to cooking and drinking equipment, including drip coffee makers and espresso makers. With years of experience, she has tested hundreds of coffee makers.
Nicole (she/her) is the senior director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab. She oversees all content and testing related to kitchen products, food, and recipes. She has worked at GH since 2019, and is a trained cook, published recipe developer, and seasoned product tester with nearly 15 years of experience. She has worked in test kitchens for national magazines and kitchen appliances brands, where she also helped develop products for the home cook. She earned a degree in journalism from SUNY New Paltz, graduated with a Grand Diplome in Classic Culinary Arts from the French Culinary Institute, and studied culinary nutrition at the Natural Gourmet Institute (both now part of the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City.)
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