The 10 Best Espresso Machines of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Mr. Coffee Café Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker

4.5

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Mr. Coffee has long been a well-known source for affordable drip coffee makers, but it's no slouch in the espresso department either. The brand designed this highly rated espresso machine complete with a milk frother so you can have cappuccino or lattes at home any time you want. You can use any coffee beans you like, whether you grind them fresh or buy them from the store. The water and milk reservoirs are both removable for easy filling and cleaning, and a touch panel makes it simple to select the drink you want. You can also customize your drink or choose the manual setting for even more control. The machine automatically goes to sleep after 15 minutes of non-use, saving you power.

The Café Barista received high marks in our testing process, particularly because of its ease of use and overall design. Our reviewer wrote that the machine is both sleek and modern looking, and that it easily fits in with the rest of her kitchen appliances. She also noted that all of its parts are labeled clearly and removable, which is convenient for cleaning and refilling.

Price at time of publish: $250

Grounds or Pods: Grounds | Frother/Steamer: Yes | Grinder: No | Dimensions: 12.6 x 8.86 x 11.22 inches | Wattage: 1,040 | Voltage: 110 to 120

Best Versatile

Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker

4.7

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Ninja has created a bevy of appliances in the food world, from blenders and air fryers to coffee makers. The brand's Specialty Coffee Maker is a highly versatile option that we tested ourselves and recommend to customers looking for a do-it-all device. It has six brew sizes ranging from four ounces of coffee concentrate to a full carafe of drip coffee. Our reviewer said that the icons for different sizes of cups and other containers are easy to understand and that the panel lights up to show you which you chose.

Make sure to note that this isn't a true espresso machine, as it brews coffee concentrate instead. The concentrate is a worthy substitute, though, mimicking espresso thanks to its super-rich taste and thick consistency. Our product tester called the concentrate strong and tasty. Paired with a fold-away milk frother, you'll be able to make your favorite coffeehouse drinks and more. Even iced coffee is just the touch of a button away.

You can purchase this machine with a glass carafe or a thermal stainless steel one, both of which hold up to 50 ounces, or roughly 10 cups. The Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker is also certified by the SCA Golden Cup Standard, which is an extensive set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality of at-home brewing.

Price at time of publish: $164

Grounds or Pods: Grounds | Frother/Steamer: Yes | Grinder: No | Dimensions: 12 x 8.8 x 15 inches | Wattage: 1,500 | Voltage: 120

Best Budget

Nespresso Essenza Mini

4.8

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Nespresso has made its name as the go-to capsule espresso maker. The machines are easy to use, the capsules are recyclable, and the flavor is highly praised by users. This is one of the smallest Nespresso machines you’ll find, built to fit a slim space with the water reservoir behind the machine where it’s out of the way. On top of that, it comes at a budget price. After testing the product, our reviewer called it a small but powerful machine and an excellent option for anyone who desires good espresso at home with limited space.

The machine only needs 25 seconds to heat up, and it turns off after nine minutes to save energy. It makes two sizes of coffee: espresso (1.35 ounce) and lungo (5 ounces) so it’s not as versatile as larger, more expensive machines, but it still makes a great cup. As an added bonus, our product tester said the item requires minimal cleanup when you're finished brewing.

Price at time of publish: $170

Grounds or Pods: Pods | Frother/Steamer: Available in bundle deal | Grinder: No | Dimensions: 3.3 in x 12 in x 8.03 inches | Wattage: 1,255 | Voltage: 110

Best Splurge

Breville The Barista Express Espresso Machine

4.2

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Espresso aficionados will tell you that the brew is best when the beans are ground fresh, and the Barista Express makes that easy with an integrated conical burr grinder. We tested the product firsthand and found its many customizable settings convenient, especially regarding the grinder; our reviewer was able to adjust the grind size, grind amount, and tamp to get the perfect espresso shot. While there may be a learning curve involved, it's worth it in the end, as the Barista Express is one of the best at-home espresso machines on the market.

The water tank includes a carbon filter to remove impurities from the water before brewing, and it holds two liters of water, so you’ll have enough to make espresso for a crowd before you need a refill. When you’re not making espresso, you can use the grinder on its own for your French press or cold brew coffee.

This 15-bar pressure machine has two presets for standard shot sizes, but you can override those for custom amounts, if you prefer. The steam wand finishes your beverage with exquisitely steamed milk for all your favorite coffeehouse drinks. Our reviewer wrote that the steam wand conveniently moves in all directions, allowing you to angle the wand off to the side to move your milk jug up and down and properly steam the milk.

Price at time of publish: $750

Grounds or Pods: Grounds | Frother/Steamer: Yes | Grinder: Yes | Dimensions: 12 x 11 x 13.5 | Wattage: 1,500 | Voltage: 110 to 120

Best Mid-Range

Nespresso Lattissima Pro by De’Longhi

4.8

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It couldn’t be any easier. The Lattissima Pro uses convenient Nespresso capsules, so there’s no need for messy grinding and tamping. In addition, the frother smoothly prepares milk for layered coffee drinks. This machine uses 19 bars of pressure to achieve the best flavor whether you want a simple shot or a cozy cappuccino. The proprietary heating system takes cold water to the ideal brewing temperature in just a few seconds, so you don't have to wait for the machine to heat up. Our reviewer corroborated this after testing, saying that the Lattissima Pro heats quickly. She also said it has virtually no cleanup, making it one of the most efficient espresso machines around.

The detachable milk container lets you store your milk in the refrigerator between batches of coffee, and the auto-clean feature keeps the foamer clean. Our tester noted that the container can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher and added that hand washing is easy enough too. Coffee styles are pre-programmed, so you don’t need to remember settings—just choose ristretto, espresso, lungo, cappuccino, latte, steamed milk, or hot water with the press of a button.

Price at time of publish: $650

Grounds or Pods: Pods | Frother/Steamer: Yes | Grinder: No | Dimensions: 10.8 x 7.6 x 13 inches | Wattage: 1,300 | Voltage: 200

Best Stovetop

Bialetti Moka Express Espresso Maker, 3-Cup

4.8

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Buying a coffee maker can be a headache, but the decision is much easier when a product has been trusted for as long as the Bialetti Moka Express. This small and simple device was invented almost a century ago and has been popular ever since because it lets owners make espresso-like coffee from home. Technically speaking, the Moka Express does not brew "real espresso," as it cannot produce the same amount of pressure as a commercial espresso maker. That said, moka pots are still considered a type of espresso maker (specifically a stovetop espresso maker) within the coffee industry.

Our tester found that when using high heat on a coil burner and medium-ground coffee, it only takes three minutes to brew a lighter coffee. On medium heat with a fine grind, it takes almost 10 minutes to get rich, espresso-like coffee to drink on its own or as part of latte or cappuccino.

This moka pot is made from polished aluminum in a classic octagonal shape that will look good on your stovetop or table—however, it's small enough to store in a cupboard if that's preferred—while the shape also helps diffuse heat. It has a patented safety valve for protection and is easy to disassemble for cleaning; although, hand-washing it after every use can be a pain.

One of the only qualms our tester has with the Bialetti Moka Express, which he's owned for more than two years now, is that the handle can get hot, so you may want to use an oven mitt or towel when removing it from the burner.

Price at time of publish: $45

Grounds or Pods: Grounds | Frother/Steamer: No | Grinder: No | Sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, or 18 espresso-sized cups | Dimensions: 4 x 9 inches (6-cup model)

Best Precision

Breville the Barista Express Impress

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Breville looked to capture and improve upon one of its most popular espresso makers with this new model, the Barista Express Impress. It has a similar design to its predecessor, the Barista Express, with a brushed stainless steel exterior and comparable though slightly larger dimensions. The Impress also retains handy features like a steam wand, top-loading burr grinder, and 2-liter water tank. But the main enhancement Breville made is in the machine's precision and ease of use.

Users can now avoid a whole lot of guesswork in the espresso-making process thanks to the Impress Puck System. After the portafilter is secured into the group head, the machine indicates how much coffee to dose (or add) with a light-up display that turns green when the right amount is reached. From there, users pull a surprisingly satisfying lever that tamps the espresso puck with exactly 22 pounds of force; the tamp even turns seven degrees to replicate exactly how baristas make espresso. This new system means espresso will turn just how you like it every single time.

As an expected drawback, the Barista Express Impress is one of the most expensive espresso makers on our list. That said, the machine has a two-year warranty and should last long, long beyond that time frame. It's a workhorse of a machine that's highly approachable to coffee lovers who want to make delicious espresso with less effort.

Price at time of publish: $898

Grounds or Pods: Grounds | Frother/Steamer: Yes | Grinder: Yes | Dimensions: 13 x 15 x 16.1 inches | Wattage: 1,850 | Voltage: 120

Best Compact

Coffee Gator Espresso Machine

4.8

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Measuring a mere 5.5 inches wide, the Coffee Gator Espresso Machine is slim enough to slide between your cookbooks, canisters, and miscellaneous kitchenware. Its height of 10.3 inches provides plenty of space beneath most cupboards, and the removable water reservoir means no cramped and awkward pouring. The best part? This small brewer has a small price to match. 

One of our expert coffee writers tested this espresso machine firsthand and praised its quick heat-up time (roughly 20 seconds), the strong espresso it brews, and of course its compact design. Our reviewer used the item for several weeks, experimenting with a variety of coffee beans, and said the machine consistently produced delicious espresso shots topped with a rich crema. 

He added that the machine is a great choice for beginners because it’s so easy to use, along with its entry-level price tag. Cleaning is straightforward, too: All you have to do is rinse the portafilter, which comes with three different filter baskets, and the detachable drip tray. Routine descaling–the process of removing mineral buildup caused by water contact–is also recommended.

Price at time of publish: $150

Grounds or Pods: Grounds | Frother/Steamer: Yes | Grinder: No | Dimensions: 12.4 x 5.5 x 10.3 inches | Wattage: 1,150 | Voltage: 120

Best Commercial

Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine

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Espresso lovers looking for the full barista experience should consider the Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine. It's been around for more than 20 years, bringing commercial-quality espresso to home kitchens. This isn't some oversized and unwieldy machine, however. At just 9.2 inches wide and 11.4 inches long, it's well suited for countertops. It's easy to use for a manual espresso maker, too. There are four simple buttons on the front display, one of which has a light to indicate when the machine is finished heating up. The 67-ounce water tank is also removable for easy filling and cleaning.

The Silvia has been so popular for so long that Rancilio developed alternative models: the Silvia Pro and Silvia Pro X. Each has its own benefits, but we highlighted the original Silvia because it's timeless and well rounded. That said, the newer models have dual-boiler systems that heat up water for espresso and steaming separately, as well as PID controllers to maintain water temperature better. If these are must-have features, you may prefer the Pro or Pro X, both of which are more expensive than the Silvia.

Price at time of publish: $830

Grounds or Pods: Grounds | Frother/Steamer: Yes | Grinder: No | Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.2 x 13.4 inches | Wattage: 1,000 | Voltage: 120