12 Best Home Espresso Machines [Top Ones Reviewed]

I hope you agree with me when I say,

Coffee is not a luxury, but a necessity

For any caffeine lovers, an espresso is all they need to boost their productivity. A cup of coffee can either spark your energy levels or be all the relaxing you need. After all, who doesn’t like the delicious aroma of coffee. Whether it’s a day filled with work or one spent lazing on the couch, everyone could use an espresso.

But if you can just grab one on your way to work,
Are espresso machines worth it?
The answer is a solid YES!

You may not want to go out every morning, or you may hate spending on coffee. What if you have some friends over? It would be nice to make them a cup of coffee personalized with your own touch. For people who want quality coffee in the comfort of their own home, we have gathered a list of the best home espresso machines. Let’s dive in these home espresso machine reviews!
I have also included guides on “how to clean espresso machines” and “how espresso machines work”. Make sure to check them out!

Espresso Machines	Rating	Price
Mr. Coffee One-Touch Espresso Maker	9/10 (Amazon's choice)	Check Price
Philips 3200 Series Espresso Machine	10/10 (Editor's Choice)	Check Price
Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Espresso Machine	9/10	Check Price
Breville Barista Touch Espresso Maker	10/10	Check Price
De'Longhi ESAM3300 Espresso Machine	9.5/10	Check Price
Sowtech Espresso Machine	8/10	Check Price
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine	8.5/10	Check Price
DeLonghi Espresso Machine	9/10	Check Price
Breville Inissia Espresso Machine	8.5/10	Check Price
Calphalon Temp iQ Espresso Machine	8/10	Check Price
NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto	8.5/10	Check Price
Flair Espresso Maker	9/10	Check Price

1. Mr. Coffee One-Touch CoffeeHouse Espresso Maker and Cappuccino Machine

Why we love it

Easy to use
Built in milk frother
Adjustable cup tray

Pros	Cons
Removable milk container	Loud operation
Multifunction coffee selection	No check on water/milk reservoirs
19 bar pump	Long start up time

Who doesn’t want a coffee better than Starbucks in the comfort of their own home? Being one of the best espresso machines under 500, Mr. Coffee gives you just that. The taste is phenomenal! It works with any milk of your choice; soy, oat, coconut or regular.

Even for beginners, the process is fairly simple. You can make one or two shots of espresso or even a cappuccino! The part we loved most was the automatic milk frother. By far, this is one of the best automatic espresso machines on the market. However, in this honest automatic espresso machine review we must mention that the loud operation on the frothing mode was displeasing.

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2. Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

Why we love it

Built in grinder
Adjustable temperature and aroma settings
Comes with a drip tray

Pros	Cons
5 drink options	Loud operation
Automatic frother	No tall coffee mugs
Very smooth froth produced

If you are a picky person like me then Philips 3200 Series will steal your heart; it provides aroma, foam level and coffee level customizations as well as 12 bean grinding settings. It not only serves as a great espresso machine but also makes 4 more delicious drinks. The automatic frother created the smoothest foam we had ever had.
Not having to clean the machine after every use and the drip tray added to it being the best espresso machine with grinder built in. Even my 10 year old could make me coffee without wreaking havoc in our kitchen! Even though it’s a bit on the pricey side, you can’t find an espresso machine with grinder and frother like this one for any lower.

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3. Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Espresso Machine

Why we love it

Great control by commercial steam wand
Portafilter is like commercial machines
Good reservoir capacity (72 oz)

Pros	Cons
Less noise	Semi automatic
Very solid build	Tall cups don’t fit
Simple to use

For people who prefer a commercial brew, Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro was heaven sent! All the drinks made by this machine were delicious. Although the price isn’t low; for the best semi automatic espresso machine available, this price is a treat!
This machine offers you full control of the froth by the commercial wand. It’s equipped with a strong build that is sure to last many years. With its quick heating elements and good-sized reservoir, it is one of the best espresso machines for home we could find!

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4. Breville BES880BSS Barista Touch Espresso Maker

Why we love it

Built in grinder
Customizable bean grinding
Saves personalized coffee settings

Pros	Cons
Touch screen display	Expensive
Quick heat up	Water reservoir hard to access
Automatic milk frother

For professional coffee addicts, this machine provides the same rich taste at home. The build quality is high end and sturdy; the design being eye-catching. The touch screen display not only adds in to the aesthetic design but also simplifies operation. The automatic grinder and automatic milk frother save tons of time.
I prefer my coffee dark and bitter while my partner prefers it sugary. Well not a problem because with this machine we could save any personalized settings! It is no doubt one of the best automatic espresso machines on the market! However, the price it has may be more than what most people are willing to spend.

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5. De’Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica Espresso & Coffee Machine

Why we love it

Can create multiple drinks
Easy to clean
Fresh beans grinder

Pros	Cons
Programmable preferences	Expensive
Easy to set up and use	No warning if beans run low

Even though newer models have hit the market, De’Longhi ESAM3300 still remains one of our favorites. It gives you a total of 5 drink choices.

Even though it is slightly pricey, having an espresso machine with a grinder built in and steamer is worth it. Coffee made of freshly ground coffee beans really has no match. Moreover, with all the parts being pull-out, it is unimaginably easy to clean. All in all it’s the best quality espresso machine!

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6. Sowtech Espresso Maker and Cappuccino Machine

Why we love it

Slim design
Easy to use
cheap home espresso machine

Pros	Cons
Good taste	No auto turn off
Easy cleaning	3.5 bar pump
Small and portable	Mainly made of plastic

If you want the best home espresso machine under 100$ then this is the one for you! With a price so low you can cover it in a month of not going to starbucks, the coffee still tastes very good. The slim design enhances portability and is best for small homes. There was a burnt smell at the start though, but it easily went away. Whether you want an espresso shot or a foamed cappuccino, this machine will prove to be the best affordable espresso machine.

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7. Breville BES500BSS Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

Why we love it

Automatic steam wand
Quick heat up
Compact and lightweight design

Pros	Cons
Good quality coffee	Portafilter sometimes gets stuck
Easy to use	Small drip tray
Auto stop feature	Splatters when steamer self cleans

What helped this machine climb our list was its incredibly fast heat up time. Your coffee is ready within seconds! Its slim profile is perfect for small spaces; the design complimenting the aesthetic of your kitchen. The coffee tastes better than most of its competitors.

Whether you want to automatically froth your milk or let the Bambino Plus do it for you, all is possible. The water tank had adequate capacity and was easy to fill. However, the drip tray feels flimsy and tiny and has to be emptied often.

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8.De’Longhi Eletta Digital Super Automatic Espresso Machine

Why we love it

Built in grinder
Adjustable grind settings
Personalized temperature, coffee size and strength settings

Pros	Cons
Programmable coffee settings	Expensive
Touch screen control	Rare software issues
Large bean reservoir	Splatters when steamer self cleans

Here comes one of the best automatic espresso machines; but it’s not just that, it can serve you a total of 11 drinks! It comes with a built in grinder to give you the perfect taste. The automatic frothing is beyond our expectations, making it worth the fortune it costs. If you like to drink steaming hot coffee then DeLonghi ECAM22110SB has you covered! Its temperature setting even at a medium is far superior to its competitors.
Another feature that stole our hearts is the self cleaning; unlike most other companies, DeLonghi’s self cleaning is actually helpful and doesn’t increase the mess. Moreover, the amount of customizability DeLonghi offers makes it worth every dollar!

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9. Breville Inissia Espresso Machine

Why we love it:

19 bar pressure system
Quick heat up
Colorful and compact design

Pros	Cons
Inexpensive	Small water tank
Auto turn off	Loud operation
Removable water reservoir	Doesn’t accommodate tall cups

If simplicity and good taste is all you want then this is the best home espresso machine under 200 that you can find! The Inissia offers you great taste and quality with a price much less than most of its competition. True to its word, the water heats up in under half a minute.
The water reservoir detaches and hence is easy to refill. The colorful design can fit the vibe of any home. However, the pods costing about 70-80 cent each may increase cost compared to using beans, but that isn’t much of a downside to one of the best affordable espresso machines.

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10. Calphalon BVCLECMP1 Temp iQ Espresso Machine

Why we love it:

Large water reservoir (60 oz)
15 bar pressure pump
Comes with a cup warming tray

Pros	Cons
Self cleaning after use	Noisy
Less heat up time	Small frothing pitcher
Compact design	Hard to remove portafilter

For espressos, this machine works like a dream! It provides amazing taste in minimal time. It has a very compact size, hence fitting in small and medium homes. Despite the compact size, it is heavy enough to not move around during operation.
Compared to most of its high priced competitors, it provides the essential features with the perfect tasting espressos. We found it very easy to operate and clean. It is the best espresso machine for beginners in my opinion. The only thing I didn’t like was the steaming wand which I have seen better of, but it wasn’t a deal breaker for such a good home espresso machine.

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11. NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Coffee Machine

Why we love it

Easy to use
17 bar pressure system
Customizable size and temperature

Pros	Cons
Reasonable price	Water reservoir difficult to remove
Sleek modern design	Loud operation
Good water tank (60 oz)	Capsules not widely available

For people used to flavored coffees and espressos, this pod machine is the best espresso machine under 200! The taste and aroma of the flavors is bound to fit all taste buds. It is incredibly simple to operate. The design is as modern as one could wish for! It can make up to 12 cups a day making it one of the best espresso machine for home.
However, the pods make only small cups and multiple may be required for a grande, hence spiking up the cost. The capsules may not be available widely on the market but can be easily ordered online.

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12. Flair Espresso Maker

Why we love it

Beautiful Design
No power needed
Fully manual

Pros	Cons
Easy to clean	Lots of prep required
Portable	Wobbly if excess pressure applied
Complete control	Makes less amount of espresso

Some old souls appreciate the art of manually brewing their coffee using lever espresso machines. No doubt it makes the end result more special, with complete control over the outcome. This manual machine has a slim portable design that is more than pleasing to look at.

The fact that it needs no power means that you can even use it in the woods or realistically, during a blackout. It takes a few times to master but the operation is quite easy overall. If you are sick of electronic machines taking over your life, then Flair Espresso Maker is the best manual espresso machine you will find!

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If you wish to avoid the mistakes most home baristas make, this resource will be helpful.

Conclusion:

The above mentioned products are the best espresso machine for home use that you will find on the market. If the question ‘which espresso machine to buy’ ever bothered you, then we have reviewed the 12 best home espresso machines just for you! Whether you want the best budget espresso machine or want to opt for a pricier option, we have reviewed it all. Choose from the list of best quality espresso machines and order now on Amazon.

More Information

How to clean an espresso machine?

1. Back flush your espresso machine

Place bind filter into the portafilter and run hot water over it; just like you do for making an espresso. Add tablet or suitable detergent for efficient cleaning. Run the water for 5-7 minutes. Then let it sit for another 10 minutes. The water will collect in the drip tray. Repeat this a few more times to ensure that all the detergent is washed away. Doing this once a month should be enough.

2. Clean your portafilter basket

Make sure to remove your portafilter basket using a teaspon for example. Scrub it like you do with dishes. You can use a nylon brush or scrubbing pad. Placing it under hot water may make cleaning easier.

3. Remove dirt and debris from the gasket

Just insert a soft nylon brush inside the gasket and twirl it around to get rid of unwanted debris and coffee deposits. Then run hot water to get rid of the remaining.

4. Clean the Steam Wand

While the above steps are ones you can do every month, this one you should do daily. After every use, wipe down your steam wand with a damp cloth to remove any milk remains. This will prevent the milk from burning and sticking to your wand. You can also turn on the steam wand to let out any water or milk residue in it.

5. Clean the exterior of the machine

Wiping down the exterior of the machine can be very important. You don’t want dirt and debris to build up. Just use a damp cloth and you are all good!

Note: Before you use any cleaning procedures, read your machine’s manual to make sure if they are safe for your machine.

How espresso machines work?

Espresso machines work by heating water near boiling point. The water usually comes from a water reservoir and in some cases, directly from a water line and is heated by a boiler. This water is forced through the ground coffee using a pump, which provides the pressure to pass through the fine grind. The more finely ground the coffee, the more time the espresso shot will take to come out. Ideally, it should take about 25 seconds. Hence, the greater the pressure and the finer the grind, the more concentrated the espresso.

Some people prefer an espresso by itself. but most prefer the addition of some milk element. The milk is frothed using a steaming wand which is connected to the boiler. The steam inside the boiler escapes at high pressure through the wand and when placed inside milk, froths it in the process.

Bob Vila

Hey! I’ve been a Home Improvement Expert for the past 40 years. Having smartened hundreds of homes through my TV shows “This Old House” and “Bob Vila”, I have gathered an expertise in the art of smart home gadgets, appliances, and everything else. Now, I want to share with the world what I have learnt!

Summary

Reviewer

Brandon Derek

Review Date

2020-08-28

Reviewed Item

Home Espresso Machines

Author Rating