The Best Espresso Machines in 2021 (Reviewed and Compared)

An espresso machine is definitely not one of the essential kitchen appliances, such as a fridge or even a hand mixer, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t improve your lifestyle. Who wouldn’t enjoy sipping a freshly brewed espresso or cappuccino in the comfort of their own home? Especially now when we’re spending so much time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That’s why we ranked the best espresso machines on the market following a strict methodology. We focused on the following factors:

• User-friendliness
• Temperature and pressure control
• Steam wand performance
• Buying perks
• Quality-price ratio.

Check out our top list, as well as our expert reviews below.

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This Breville espresso machine allows you to make full-flavored espresso like a real barista. It comes with all the necessary accessories, so you only need to get some high-quality beans, and you’ll enjoy a rich espresso or creamy latte in no time. Therefore, it deserves to be rated as the best espresso machine in 2020.

User-friendliness: Although this machine might seem a bit complicated at first, you’ll quickly see this isn’t true. The user manual is very detailed, so after the first two to three times you’ve used it, you’ll master the entire process. However, you might need some time to learn how to use its steam wand perfectly. Based on numerous espresso machine reviews, watching a few Youtube videos may even help you create some latte art.

Built-in burr grinder: There’s no better way to make delicious coffee than using freshly ground beans. And this Breville model allows you to do exactly that. With a simple dial, you can easily adjust the grind size and amount, and it will grind coffee beans directly to the portafilter.

Precise temperature control: This feature is extremely convenient. The machine keeps the temperature of the water for extracting espresso at the optimal level, which is crucial for the best home espresso machine.

Professional steam wand: As we’ve already mentioned, the steam wand allows you to froth your milk. In addition to creating latte art, the silky texture of micro-foam milk boosts the coffee flavor. Last but not least, you’ll be happy to know that a frothing pitcher is also included.

Pros:

• Integrated burr grinder for freshly ground coffee
• Built-in steam wand for frothing
• Single and double shots available

Cons:

• In a higher price range

Built-in grinder: Brewing espresso from freshly ground coffee gives the best results. And with an integrated grinder, that’s easy to achieve. You can choose one of the six settings, ranging from coarse to fine. Also, thanks to its Sensor Grinding Technology, you’ll get the right dose of coffee every time.

Smart tamping station: Once you grind your coffee beans, you can easily tamp coffee in the portafilter by pulling the lever. This way, you’ll avoid making a mess in the kitchen. This characteristic certainly helps make La Specialista one of the best espresso machines for home.

Three preset options: You can save some time by picking one of the three preset options—Espresso, Americano, or Coffee. However, if you’d like to craft your own coffee, you can use the my button and make a personalized beverage.

Steam wand: Depending on your preference, you can choose between hot milk and micro-foam. All you need to do is select one of the two options on the steam wand—flat or foam.

Pros:

• Built-in grinder with six settings
• Integrated tamping system for a mess-free kitchen
• Steam wand with two settings

Cons:

• Some complaints about the water sensor

Easy to use: The Espressione Concierge is a fully automatic espresso machine which is incredibly easy to work. All you need to do is fill the tank with water, put coffee beans into the grinder, and select the type of coffee you want to make. The control panel with the LED display is very intuitive and simple to use. Its user-friendliness and the simplicity of the coffee-making process will make you happy you got this espresso machine for your home.

Saves kitchen space: Even if your kitchen isn’t spacious, you can enjoy a tasty espresso in the comfort of your home. Thanks to its slim design, this machine can easily fit on any countertop.

Integrated coffee grinder: The stainless steel grinder allows you to grind coffee beans right before extracting espresso. Another great detail is that you can choose one of the five fineness settings. As a result, you’ll get coffee with a rich flavor. What’s more, the grinder is pretty quiet, producing noise at a volume of only 70 dB. So if you’re looking for the best espresso machine with a grinder, you should definitely consider this model.

Versatile frothing nozzle: If your preferred coffee style is creamy latte or cappuccino, you can use the frothing nozzle to steam milk and create some delicious froth. In addition, the nozzle can provide you with hot water for your tea.

Pros:

• Integrated stainless-steel coffee grinder
• Frothing nozzle for a creamy cappuccino
• Small footprint

Cons:

• Some user complaints about the bean hopper

User-friendliness: Want a cup of rich espresso without much fuss? Then this machine is perfect for you. It’s very simple and easy to use. So if you don’t have aspirations to develop barista skills, you can get the Capresso Ultima Pro, one of the best espresso machines for under $200.

All you need to do is fill the water tank, fill the portafilter with a scoop of ground coffee, and press the one-cup button. If you want to brew two cups of espresso, the procedure is the same, just add two scoops of coffee and press the two-cup button.

Self-tamping portafilter: Although it’s a semi automatic espresso machine, you don’t have to tamp the coffee in the filter yourself. The Capresso Ultima Pro will do it for you.

Programmable cup buttons: Both buttons can be easily programmed to make up to 6 oz. of espresso.

Steam wand: For a creamy cappuccino or latte, use the steam wand to froth your milk. It’s great that it also has a hot water function, which comes in very handy if you’re craving Americanos or tea.

Pros:

• Very easy to use
• Programmable cup buttons
• Frothing wand for silky foam

Cons:

• A bit loud

User-friendliness: Delicious, creamy coffee with a touch of a single button? Absolutely possible. The coffee-making process couldn’t be less demanding—just insert a pod and press the start button. The VertuoPlus will brew your coffee for you, automatically eject the capsule, and store it. So if you don’t want to become a true home barista, but need the best cheap espresso machine that makes excellent coffee, this is a fantastic pick.

Variety of choice: You can choose from four different cup sizes and opt for espresso, gran lungo, mug, or alto. What makes this machine truly special is its ability to recognize each coffee capsule type by reading its barcode, and adjust the brewing parameters accordingly.

Coffee with smooth crema: Thanks to Nespresso’s patented technology, Centrifusion, the VertuoPlus makes coffee with a lovely silky crema.

Pros:

• Very simple to use
• Four cup sizes
• A variety of high-quality blend options

Cons:

• Not customizable

User-friendliness: Coffee capsule machines are generally quite easy to use, and this one is not an exception. After inserting a pod, just select the cup size, and you’ll be able to enjoy tasty coffee in no time.

Integrated frother: According to more than one review of the best espresso machines, the Keurig coffee maker can’t brew coffee with a smooth crema. However, there’s a handy built-in milk frother, which allows you to effortlessly make a delicious latte or cappuccino. You can also switch it to a cold setting, which is perfect for iced coffee drinks. Finally, the frother is dishwasher-safe, so the cleanup is fairly quick and effortless.

Variety of choice: You can choose from a variety of Keurig coffee pods and find the flavor that suits you most. Moreover, if you prefer a more intense taste, you can press the button for a stronger brew. Another useful feature is the coffee shot button, which allows you to prepare specialty coffee. Doubtlessly, this is one of the best inexpensive espresso machines on the market if you’re looking for coffee pod machines.

Pros:

• Integrated frother with a cold setting
• Four cup sizes
• Travel mug friendly

Cons:

• Can’t brew coffee with a silky crema

Easy to use: With this home espresso machine, you’ll always be just a few pushes of a button away from a cup of freshly brewed, delicious coffee. It features an intuitive control panel and a digital display, which makes the entire process very simple.

A variety of drink options: You can choose one of the fifteen preset options, including espresso, cappuccino, Americano, ristretto, and latte. If you prefer stronger coffee, just opt for the Dark function, or you can use the Extra shot button for a more intense flavor. In addition, you can make green, black, or herbal tea. It’s no wonder this Krups machine is often dubbed the best rated espresso machine, considering how many choices it provides.

Built-in grinder: What’s great about this coffee maker is that it has a built-in grinder, which allows you to brew freshly ground coffee. Thanks to a dial on the bean hopper, you can easily adjust the grind size, and after grinding, the machine will automatically tamp coffee.

Integrated frother: The Krups espresso machine comes with an integrated milk container, which is ideal for frothing milk. Its maintenance is also very convenient because it’s removable and therefore cleaned a lot more quickly.

Pros:

• Very easy to use
• 15 preset drink options
• Integrated grinder and milk frother

Cons:

• Higher price tag

Easy to use: The model’s simple control panel features only a few buttons, so it’s pretty intuitive. Also, the coffee machine automatically detects which attachment you want to use. Therefore, you don’t have to bother with any complicated settings.

Versatile: The most impressive advantage of this specific Mr. Coffee model is its versatility, which makes it one of the best espresso machines under $500. You’d like a cup of traditional drip coffee? Simply use a 10-cup thermal carafe and brew some fresh coffee. Do you prefer a single-serve coffee? No problem—Mr. Coffee is compatible with K-Cup pods, so you can enjoy your preferred flavor whenever you like. And that’s not all. This coffee machine can even craft fully flavored espresso.

Built-in frother wand: In addition to making three types of coffee beverages, this coffee machine features an integrated frother. Therefore, you can easily make a latte or cappuccino, if that’s your thing.

Pros:

• Also brews traditional drip coffee
• Compatible with K-Cup pods 
• Built-in wand for frothing milk

Cons:

• Somewhat noisy

Designed and made in Italy: Looking for a high-quality commercial-like espresso machine? Then you have to consider Gaggia. It’s a perfect choice for all at-home baristas.

User-friendliness: A simple user interface leaves no room for confusion. The three rocker buttons and corresponding indicator lights are very intuitive. Therefore, for a full-flavored espresso, you just need to add some ground coffee to the portafilter and tamp it. Then attach the portafilter to its place and press the brew button. It’s great that this Italian espresso machine comes with a ground coffee doser and a tamper.

Professional steam wand: The integrated steam wand allows you to froth milk for your cappuccino or latte. However, many reviews suggest that this feature could be a bit better since it can only make fluffy milk foam. Therefore, if you like your cappuccino with creamy micro-foam, you may want to look for another espresso machine with a better frother. Regardless of this detail, this coffee machine brews terrific espresso.

Pros:

• Simple to use
• Professional steam wand
• Affordable

Cons:

• No integrated grinder

Ease of use: Once you get the hang of it, this lever espresso machine is really simple to use. However, you’ll need some practice before you make a full-flavored espresso. Several factors, —such as lever-lowering speed, fineness of grind, and tamping pressure—will affect the taste of your beverages. And nothing is automated. Therefore, if you want to have a perfect espresso in your cup at the mere push of a few buttons, this model isn’t the right choice for you. Instead, you should look for the best semi-automatic espresso machine or an automatic one.

A variety of accessories: La Pavoni’s espresso machine comes with all the necessary accessories. Besides a tamper, screen, and screen holder, you’ll also get a measuring ladle and cappuccino attachment.

Durable: This sturdy coffee machine is made of steel with very few plastic parts. No wonder that numerous reviews confirm it will stand the test of time and allow you to brew flavorful espresso for years to come.

Pros:

• High-quality espresso machine
• Very durable
• Built-in milk frother

Cons:

• Requires some effort and practice

Getting a home espresso machine isn’t a small investment. That’s why it’s vital to make the right decision, and we hope our top-10 list will be of great help to you. While sipping tasty coffee and analyzing different features of coffee machines, we focused on several factors. 

Temperature and Pressure Control

For a perfect cup of espresso, you need stable water-pressure and temperature. Also, if the pressure is too high, your espresso may be too bitter due to overextraction. Ideally, the water temperature should be around 195°F, while the pressure should be about 10 bars.

That’s why some of the best espresso machines in 2020 feature a PID controller (Proportional Integral Derivative), which maintains the perfect brewing temperature with remarkable precision. On the other hand, cheaper models can’t maintain consistent temperature, which may result in varying quality of your espresso shot.

Steam Wand Performance

If you plan to brew espresso shots only, then you can opt for an espresso machine without this feature. However, if you’d like to drink cappuccinos and lattes with smooth milk froth, it’s best to buy an espresso machine with a high-quality steam wand.

Keep in mind that inferior frothers can’t make velvety smooth foam, so they’re not a good option if you’re into making latte art. But it’s not only about the looks—dry foam doesn’t taste nearly as good as silky micro-foam. That’s why we looked for steam wands that create froth instead of just pumping air bubbles.

User-Friendliness

Brewing coffee should be an enjoyable process, so we tried to choose the best espresso machine for home use that won’t give you a headache. In other words, all parts should fit in easily, the control panel should be simple and intuitive, and you shouldn’t be left with a messy kitchen after making beverages.

However, you need to know that different types of espresso machines require different levels of effort and skill. As you can guess, a manual espresso machine is more demanding than an automatic one, but it will give you more control over the brewing process. Therefore, your choice should depend on your preferences.

Warranty

In general, you can’t expect that an espresso machine will be covered with a long-term warranty. Most machines on our list come with one- or two-year warranties, but we believe that this is enough to give you peace of mind and assure you that you’re buying a high-quality product.

Quality-Price Ratio

Whether you’re interested in the best espresso machines for under $300 or $1000, our comprehensive list has got you covered. You can find coffee machines with different price tags here, ranging from less than a couple of hundred dollars to a thousand dollars. Therefore, regardless of your budget, you can find a top-notch apparatus that brews delicious espresso. However, bear in mind that a more affordable espresso machine might not include as many accessories or additional features as a pricier one.

Depending on how skillful you are and how much you want to learn about brewing espresso, you can go with one of the following options.

Manual espresso machines—also known as lever machines—are an excellent choice for all home baristas who aren’t afraid of a steep learning curve. The great thing about this kind of machine is that you have control over the entire process, from grinding and tamping coffee to adjusting water pressure. However, you’ll need some time to learn how to use an espresso machine of this type to be able to make superb beverages.

Semi-automatic espresso machines are slightly easier to use than manual machines since they feature a button instead of a lever. Other than that, the coffee-making process is pretty much the same, and you can still customize the size of your beverage.

Automatic espresso machines do most of the work for you. Since they allow you to pick the size of your drink with a push of a button, you’ll get more consistent results. Some of them even come with built-in grinders and automatically tamp coffee. Such models are often called super-automatic. So if you’d like to get the best home espresso machine in 2020 but don’t want to experiment much, turn to this kind of coffee machine. 

Capsule machines are the easiest to use. All you need to do is insert a coffee pod and press a button. However, they don’t give you any control over your coffee quality. Also, while they are often cheaper, you may spend lots of money on coffee pods in the long run. 

Wrapping Up

Considering that over 60% of Americans drink coffee every day, it’s no wonder the market is flooded with coffee machines. Since we know how difficult it may be to make the right choice, we prepared this list of the 10 best espresso machines. We hope that it will help you get the perfect model for your needs and enjoy a freshly brewed espresso in no time.