You can enjoy coffee at home that’s as good as your favourite cafe simply by buying the right machine.
I’ve compiled a list of the best espresso machines on the market, including details on why I chose each one. Espresso machines come in a huge range of price points, so I’ve included something to fit everyone’s budget.
My top pick
My favourite espresso machine in 2022 is the Barista Express by Breville (Amazon link), which is manufactured under the brand name Sage in the UK. Within this one machine, you can grind, dose and tamp your coffee beans to make delicious espresso as well as steam your milk.
You’ll be amazed at how simple it is to replicate your favourite coffee drink from your local cafe. The hefty, all stainless steel Barista Express does all of the hard work for you.
Making great espresso all starts with grinding and dosing your coffee beans. The grinder hopper is large enough to hold an entire packet of coffee beans (225g/8oz).
The integrated conical burr grinder doses the exact amount of coffee you need directly into the portafilter. The adjustment wheel located on the side of the machine makes changing the grind size so simple.
The machine has its own tamper stored neatly by way of a magnet so you don’t go losing it. Once you’ve tamped your coffee, you just need to lock the portafilter in place to begin making your espresso. The huge 2 litre (68fl oz) water tank means you don’t have to keep refilling it every five minutes.
If you prefer to use pre-ground coffee, the machine has a dedicated portafilter basket specially designed for use with pre-ground coffee. If you think that you’ll never need the grinding facility for whole coffee beans, check out the cheaper version of this machine without the grinder.
The machine has two presets depending on whether you want a single or double espresso. The water temperature is controlled with a state of the art system that ensures that the temperature remains consistent to within one degree, ensuring a perfectly extracted shot of espresso.
Once you’ve made your espresso, it’s time to steam some milk. The Barista Express features a powerful steam wand that can steam milk just as good as any commercial machine. Place your pitcher of milk under the wand and create your favourite drink. Whether you prefer a frothy cappuccino, or you want to make some cool latte art, this machine does the job.
Beneath where you place your cup is the large drip tray that catches any little drips or unwanted spills. To remove it, simply slide it out and pour any contents down the sink.
Neatly tucked at the back of the drip tray is a box that houses all of the machine’s different sized portafilter baskets. These little additions are why I like this machine so much. Everything is so well thought out, making for a nice, compact and aesthetically pleasing espresso machine.
Breville has really upped the ante with their line of espresso machines. They’re creating espresso machines that are getting the attention and respect of the likes of former World Barista Champion, James Hoffmann.
The allure of making espresso at home can quickly vanish with most cheaper machines as the effort involved becomes a real chore because they are such hard work. Things are made worse when your cheap machine doesn’t live up to the coffee you enjoy from your local cafe.
The Breville (Sage) Barista Express features absolutely everything you need in one compact machine. Automated dosing for your ground coffee and water, an integrated tamper that’s been custom-designed, digitally controlled water temperature, and a powerful steam wand that can produce milk that makes creating latte art a breeze.
Check out the current price today (you’ll be automatically directed to your country’s Amazon):
Best entry-level pick
The best budget espresso machine in 2022 is without doubt the De’Longhi Dedica (Amazon link).The Dedica has all the necessary features needed to produce great espresso at a very affordable price.
What I like so much is its small footprint and sturdy stainless steel construction. The Dedica is just 15cm (6 inches) wide, which means that you won’t have to sacrifice space in your kitchen or student dorm.
Although the machine has a small footprint, it doesn’t lack in power in any way whatsoever. It features a 15-bar pump that’s capable of producing true espresso as well as a 1.1L (37fl oz) removable water tank that’s neatly stored at the rear of the machine with a clearly visible water level indicator.
Unlike cheap machines, the water is dispensed evenly over the ground coffee, so there’s no worry of uneven extraction or channelling which causes undrinkable espresso.
The small size means that it only takes 30 seconds to heat up ready for making your espresso. The wait between switching between brewing your espresso and steaming milk is just a few seconds due to the Dedica’s powerful internals.
The steam wand is also very powerful for such a small machine. You can heat your milk quickly, creating frothy cappuccinos or delicious micro-foam for making latte art.
The machine’s simplicity means that there are just three buttons at the top. One for single espresso, another for double espresso and the third for steaming milk.
The De’Longhi Dedica comes with several portafilter baskets, depending on your drink preference. There are separate baskets for single espresso and double espresso. If you prefer to use pods, there is a dedicated basket that has been designed to be compatible with ESE pods.
The standard portfilter baskets that come with the machine are pressurized models. These have the advantage of being very forgiving when it comes to varying grind sizes, which is something that is essential for those buying pre-ground coffee.
Whilst pressurized filters have their place, what I really like is a non-pressurized basket. They’re the type used on commercial machines because the design makes superior espresso.
Fortunately, the Dedica is compatible with non-pressurized baskets, and the change takes under one minute to do so. If you are going to grind your own coffee beans, make sure to buy the De’Longhi Dedica compatible non-pressurized portafilter basket (Amazon link) as you’ll immediately notice the difference in the quality of your espresso.
Another great feature of this machine is that it has an automatic shut-off that gives you peace of mind should you forget to switch it off when you’re running out the door to work in the morning.
The machine also has a removable drip tray that catches any unwanted spills whilst making your favourite coffee drink.
Whilst there are definitely cheaper espresso machines available on the market, none come close to the quality of the De’Longhi Dedica. Other machines are made from cheap plastics that have a worrying amount of flex, are incredibly noisy, spurt water a high pressure in random places causing channelling and bitter coffee, and they all lack the capability for easily heating milk.
This is a really beautiful little espresso machine that will really add to your kitchen without the problem of having to make space for it. It has all the features any coffee-lover could want with its pressurized, non-pressurized and pod capability. Throw in its powerful milk-steaming capability and you’re good to go for making coffee that rivals your favourite cafe.
Check out the current price today (you’ll be automatically directed to your country’s Amazon):
FAQs
Best Espresso Machines in 2022 | Eleven Coffees? ›
This is an example of how longterm testing of a product can be valuable. Our top pick for much of 2022 was the flashy Breville Barista Express Impress.
What kind of coffee is best for an espresso machine? ›Fine-grained coffee is the ideal ground coffee for espresso machines because it produces a balanced, consistent drink with full organoleptic qualities. The flavour of the cup is enhanced by the ground coffee blend, which allows the water to extract the most vital characteristics.
Which espresso machine does Starbucks use? ›Starbucks has been using the Mastrena machine since 2008, and the company has worked closely with Thermoplan to customize the machine to their specific needs. The Mastrena machine is used in most Starbucks stores worldwide and is a key part of their coffee-making process.
How much does a good espresso machine cost? ›While a beginner can get a satisfactory machine for as little as $100, as your tastes and skills develop, you can expect to pay around $500 for a good espresso machine. The commercial machine territory is a whole different ball game and they range from $1,000 to over $20,000.
Why is Cafe Bustelo so good? ›Cafe Bustelo offers mostly dark roast coffee, with a few options closer to a medium roast – appropriate choices of roast to pair with the inherent flavors of Robusta beans. As a result, Cafe Bustelo coffees have flavor profiles of dark chocolate, earthiness, and toasted nuts and are very low in acidity.
Is Starbucks espresso roast the same as espresso? ›Espresso is not actually a roast, it's a coffee extraction process where fine grinds are run through with hot water at a high pressure. Because of this, companies label their coffee bags espresso roast as a marketing tool, much like the well-known French or Italian roasts.
What is Italy's favorite espresso? ›Among the most popular in Italy there is the original Lavazza Rossa (Arabica from Brazil, Robusta from Africa), Lavazza Crema e Gusto (Arabica from Brazil and Robusta from South East Asia) and Lavazza Qualita' Oro (6 Arabica varieties from central and South America).
Why is Italian espresso so good? ›In summary, Italian espresso tastes better because it is always made from a fresh roast, which is never more than eight days old. In America, it is hard to find a fresh roasted coffee because there are not enough small-scale, local roasters and there are not enough coffee shops.
How much does a Starbucks espresso machine cost? ›Starbucks uses super automatic machines that have built in grinders and a computerized menu that make the espresso making process as easy and quick as possible. The cost of a Starbucks espresso machine is around $18,000.
What is the signature espresso at Starbucks? ›Each espresso blend has its own unique roast profile. Their signature espresso is roasted darker, creating an intense, bold profile and lingering finish. Starbucks® Blonde Espresso is an entirely new roast profile: It's lighter, which highlights the coffee's natural sweetness, and has a smooth, creamy body.
What coffee machine does Dunkin Donuts use? ›
They use a Swiss-made commercial espresso machine called the Schaerer Ambiente that is a superautomatic that does most of the work for you.
What are the 3 types of espresso machines? ›There are three main espresso machine types, semi-automatic, automatic, and super automatic, and each type has a different level of oversight.
Are more expensive espresso machines better? ›An expensive home espresso machine is a better choice in the long run due to having higher-quality materials and more convenience features. Functions such as pre-wetting, built-in grinders, and high pressure bars will make your coffee taste incredible.
How many years does an espresso machine last? ›A really good manual or semi-automatic espresso machine should last for 20 or more years. If you really want to stretch, there are commercial models small enough for home use that will last even longer.
Can you use regular ground coffee in an espresso machine? ›You'll be happy to know regular pre ground coffee can be used for an espresso machine, provided it has the right fine grind. Many coffee drinkers also prefer to use dark roasted coffee due to its stronger flavor.
Can regular coffee be used for espresso? ›Regular coffee beans don't have the same shine as espresso beans and may not be rich in natural oils so, when you use them to make an espresso, you will not get a crema.
What roast is best for espresso? ›Italian baristas insist that medium or medium dark roasts are perfect for making espresso. Dark roasted beans have an oily and shiny exterior. They'll be dark to almost black in color. These beans are heated at the highest range, more than 100°F higher than light roasts.
What size coffee grind is best for espresso? ›The best grind size for espresso is fine. A fine 1/32 size coffee grind will help avoid a sour taste or bitter flavor, over-extraction, or under-extraction. The wrong size can make it hard for the hot water to force through the coffee bed or lead to channeling. This all affects the taste and strength of espresso.