We Made Hundreds of Espresso Shots to Find the 7 Best Machines for Your Kitchen

• Breville Barista Express Impress: Many of our coffee experts loved this machine, and it was one of our previous best overall picks. However, a few of our pros have noticed durability issues after a few years of use.
• De’Longhi Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Coffee & Espresso Machine: This easy-to-use machine offers tasty espresso or coffee from the convenience of a capsule. It reads the capsule’s barcode to brew the drink exactly as intended.
• De’Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic Fully Automatic Espresso Machine: This impressive, high-quality machine looks professional and offers many drink customization options. We found the touchscreen less responsive than we'd like.
• Fellow Series 1 Espresso Maker: This machine performed very well in testing and is easy to use. It’s better suited for serious coffee drinkers who want to spend the time customizing the settings to find their perfect shot.
• Philips Baristina: This is a great compact espresso machine with a built-in grinder. It's not fully automatic, but it's a strong value for a machine that grinds, tamps, and brews espresso for just under $400.
• Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic: This was one of our favorite fully automatic espresso machines. Other models slightly edged it out, but it's a decently priced machine at just under $600.
• Terra Kaffe Demi Fully Automatic: We love this more compact upgrade from the previous Terra Kaffe model. Though it doesn’t include a frother, it makes delicious espresso shots as well as drip coffee.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, we evaluate each espresso maker for ease of use, brew time, consistency, taste, temperature, and noise level.

✔️ Type:

• Manual machines require finely ground beans that you scoop into a portafilter and tamp down. The filter attaches to the brew head, and a lever manually pulls water through the grounds. It is the most customizable method, but arguably the most difficult to master.
• Semi-automatic and automatic machines combine manual and automated features. Typically, a semi-automatic machine is more hands-on and requires grinding and tamping, while an automatic machine often handles these steps for you. Both usually require manual milk frothing.
• Fully automatic machines are a step above automatic ones. Beyond grinding and tamping beans, they also froth milk and dispense it into your cup at the push of a button or two. Many offer drinks beyond espresso, such as Americanos and lattes, and we’ve recently seen models with a cold brew-style option.
• Capsule machines use pods filled with pre-measured coffee to make espresso and other coffee drinks. They offer the most consistency and ease of use with minimal effort.

✔️ Size: Models with more customization options tend to be larger, while smaller machines are usually simpler and offer fewer brewing choices.

✔️ Price: A good espresso maker with features like a built-in grinder and multiple drink options can be expensive; a simple machine is usually more affordable. However, some espresso machines that seem straightforward can be costly because of higher-quality materials, more efficient heating, milk frothers, or advanced technology.

✔️ Pressure: The amount of pressure exerted upon coffee grounds is measured by BARs or barometric pressure. While some machines can reach up to 19 BARs, a machine that exerts 7 to 11 BARs of pressure will produce a good extraction.

✔️ Coffee grinder: Grinding your coffee beans right before pulling a shot is ideal for a good cup of espresso. Espresso machines with built-in grinders are convenient, reduce mess, and ensure you get freshly ground beans every time. One downside is that built-in grinders are hard to repair, and you may need to replace the whole machine.

✔️ Milk frother: There are two common types of milk frothers: manual wands and automatic systems. A manual wand lets you froth milk yourself—great for practicing latte art, but it takes some skill. Automatic frothers use a built-in milk container to steam and add milk directly to your cup, making it easy to get a perfectly foamed cappuccino with no guesswork.

✔️ Cleanup: Espresso machines are generally easy to clean, though this depends on the model. Machines with a handheld portafilter and frothing wand require daily upkeep after use, while fully automatic machines often clean themselves. Some fully automatic models have milk containers with tubes and large drip trays, which can be awkward to clean. With every machine, you’ll need to descale it every few months to keep it running well and your coffee tasting its best.

When choosing an espresso machine, beginners should consider whether they want convenience or to explore the espresso-making process. If convenience is your priority, choose a fully automatic or automatic machine. Look for features such as a built-in grinder, assisted tamping, and automatic frothing.

If you want more control or enjoy experimenting, a manual or semi-automatic machine offers flexibility. Features vary by machine, but they typically require users to manually grind, load, and tamp the coffee while automating the brewing process. If you enjoy lattes or cappuccinos, consider whether you want to froth milk manually with a wand or let the machine do it. Additional features, such as temperature control, pressure settings, and brew time, let you fine-tune your espresso and customize its flavor.

Espresso makers use pressure to quickly push hot water through a tightly packed portafilter of finely ground coffee. The added pressure and fast brew time create espresso's thick body and crema layer.

The espresso's look and taste depend on many factors, including the beans, how tightly they’re packed, grind size, water temperature, pressure, and more. This makes every shot highly customizable depending on the machine.

Lizzy Briskin is a contributing analyst and writer in the GH Kitchen Lab. She’s tested hundreds of kitchen appliances, including coffee makers and milk frothers. Her favorite machines are easy to operate and make excellent frothed milk.

Jamie Ueda is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in product development and manufacturing. She tests and writes about everything coffee-related, including espresso makers with grinders, espresso makers, coffee grinders, drip coffee makers, French presses, and more. She is passionate about coffee and has completed rigorous SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) courses in coffee brewing, barista skills, and sensory tasting. She regularly tests products and shares her expertise as a judge in the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Awards.

Nicole Papantoniou is the senior director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, where she oversees all testing and content related to cooking and making drinks. Her favorite espresso machines are easy to use and clean and, most importantly, deliver a rich, balanced cup of espresso.