Whether you’re a beginner home barista or you’re ready to become your household’s resident espresso expert, keep reading to shop some of our top home espresso machine picks. It's dead simple to use and to keep clean, and it's compact in size -- and I found it pulled delicious shots of espresso second only to Breville's Barista Express. The best ones will ensure an even grind so that your espresso has the best crema (that decadent top layer of oils and fats) and flavor. Still with me? Buy De'Longhi ECP3220 15 Bar Espresso and Cappuccino Machine with Advanced Cappuccino System at Walmart.com While it lacks its own coffee grinder, the Cuisinart EM-100 has plenty going for it when it comes to making an espresso, cappuccino or latte. So long as you have a good burr grinder (sold separately) and quality dark roast beans, this machine will give you a great 40-milliliter espresso with the perfect crema. There’s no guesswork needed, thanks to the coffee measuring guides and automatic milk frother. Get AirPods for $109 as Apple's Black Friday Deals Extend Through the Weekend, Attention-Starved Trump May Start 2024 Campaign During Biden’s Inauguration, Report Says, Frank Zappa Documentary Soundtrack Gathers Career Highlights, Unreleased Tracks, How to Watch Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. Online, Watch Four Sheryl Crows Cover Tom Petty’s ‘You Don’t Know How It Feels’ on ‘Fallon’, ‘Zappa’ Review: A Modernist Mozart Who Happened to Be a Rock Star, Flight Experts Weigh In on Traveling During Covid: Here’s How to Stay Safe, Screw It, We’re Totally Wearing Holiday Face Masks This Year, Upgrading Your Grooming Routine? I make sure to record the weight of the grounds I use, plus the weight of espresso for each shot I pull. Some espresso machines come with a built-in steam frothing wand, but not all include a frothing pitcher. A good automatic espresso machine doesn't come cheap though, and you can expect to pay at least $500 for something that whips up legit cafe-caliber espresso drinks (or an espresso shot, if that's your thing). So I supply my own grinder: the Breville Smart Grinder Pro. Both factors are critical for a proper espresso brewing process. If “less is more” is your coffee mantra, this professional-quality manual espresso press by Flair will give you complete control over your pull. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. For those who crave great espresso at home but are nervous about getting the technique down, the Breville Bambino Plus is the perfect choice. Even generic store-bought beans taste more flavorful and fuller bodied when run through this machine. You can even manage the menu and restrict options, making it a great choice for offices, too. You can have all of the coffee maker bells and whistles, but they won’t do your cup of joe good if you don’t use them. Make sure to avoid this pitfall and buy a home espresso machine that produces superb shots. Made from stainless steel, the Barista Express is a cinch to clean as well. Its removable 1.5-liter water tank is located in the back, so the appliance is great for counters with limited space. Burr grinder: The first step to making espresso is finely grinding whole coffee beans, and that’s where a burr grinder comes in. It's super concentrated, rich yet balanced and has complex flavors that hook you like no other coffee style. Measuring 5.6 inches wide by 12.8 inches high by 16.2 inches deep, the appliance doesn’t take up a ton of space and the attached 40-ounce water reservoir can be arranged to fit your counter setup. Here's a list of our favorite models we tested from Breville, Nespresso, Mr. Coffee, Cuisinart, DeLonghi and others. The crème de la crème of space-saving home espresso machines, Jura’s X8 offers 21 different options and customizable settings. Read more. Automatic Pump: This type of machine will do the brewing for you, but you’ll also need to grind your beans and tamp them down first. Semi-Automatic Pump: With this type of espresso maker, it’s on you to grind the beans, tamp the grounds into the portafilter, turn the machine on, and turn it off when your shot is ready. Buy on Wayfair. This one was pulled from the Breville Barista Express. This espresso machine has a compact design but is powerful enough to brew from fine coffee grounds. We want to hear from you! Want more options for your cup of coffee? Free 2-day shipping on qualified orders over $35. It's the ultimate test for home brewers. Below are some of the most common types of pump-driven appliances: Manual Pump: If you’re looking for a truly hands-on experience, go with an electricity-free option that requires you to manually pump the espresso yourself. From customizable settings to convenient presets, this semi-automatic machine is easy to use for all skill levels and perfect for beginners. Many coffee makers billed as domestic espresso machines are that in name only. I limited my testing to manual espresso machines, not the ones that make espresso from pods or capsules (after all, is espresso from an espresso pod really espresso?). A double boiler lets you cut down on time and do both at the same time. At under $100, it’s also one of the best-values too. This yields a balanced cup, assuming you perform an even and efficient extraction of coffee compounds from your grounds (both flavor and caffeine). For $600, the machine's formidable grinder pulverizes espresso beans and smart technology doses grounds directly into its portafilter basket, plus its sturdy frother steams milk well and makes thick foam. It heats up in as little as 25 seconds and has an automatic one-button brewing function for five different cup sizes, meaning your java will be ready in about a minute. What’s also great about this travel-friendly appliance is its modular design, which makes it easy to clean. Buy Hamilton Beach The Scoop Single-Serve Coffee Maker Single Serve Brewer 14 oz. Budget: Are you willing to put down a pretty penny for a high-end appliance, or do you prefer to start basic to ensure you’re committed to your coffee cause?