It's easy to go overboard when shopping for an espresso machine. There are so many opinions out there that can bog you down when what you really need is some simple advice. You don't really need to know everything about every espresso machine to make a great choice — you just need to understand your own needs. For many home espresso drinkers you don't need to break the bank or buy a complicated manual machine. We're here to help you figure out where your needs align with a great piece of coffee equipment!
In This Article
How to Find the Right Machine for You
Picking out the best espresso machine for you isn't as simple as looking at a list of what the best machines on the market are. Every user is different, with different budgets, different skill levels, and different needs for automation and approachability. Because of this, we have organized this list based on use cases, not as a ranking. We'll cover both semi-automatic and superautomatic machines in this list as well, as one or the other kind is likely going to be better for your situation.
New to espresso? Our guide on Semi-Automatic vs. Superautomatic Espresso Machines breaks down the key differences to help you decide which type is right for you.
Our Picks: The Best Home Espresso Machines
We've organized this with descriptive headers to help you to understand how we've selected these machines. They generally work on a scale of effort vs. control.
Philips 4400 LatteGo
The Philips 4400 LatteGo is an everyday workhorse loaded with value and approachability. This machine produces consistent results and is easy to live with. Maintenance is simple, cleaning is a breeze, and learning to use the machine takes minutes. This machine is a "superautomatic," which means that it handles grinding, brewing, and milk steaming in one unit. The LatteGo milk system gives you access to one touch lattes and cappuccinos, and you'll be able to brew a full range of other drinks as well. The 4400 is a perfect option for households looking for cafe style drinks with minimal effort and easy maintenance. Where this machine may not fit is with users who want heavy control of their drink parameters, but for many simplicity is the goal!
Perfect for households that want café-quality drinks with minimal effort, cleanup, and learning curve.
Jura E6
The trade-off with many superautomatics is that while they brew good shots with a low learning curve, they don't always brew with the same degree of quality as a carefully dialed-in shot pulled by an experienced barista. The Jura E6 gets as close to this high water mark as superautos do with its patented Swiss-engineered Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.). You still get push-button convenience that you get with any superauto, but with the E6 you'll also get a higher quality shot. The trade-off here is really the price level. For some, the quality difference may not be that noticeable, or they may be committing a lower budget to their coffee setup.
Best for the hands-off drinker who won't compromise on cup quality — premium price, premium results.
Related: Browse all of our superautomatic espresso machines to compare options.
Breville Barista Touch Impress
If you're looking to learn how to brew like a barista but want a smooth onramp then the Breville Barista Touch Impress may be the perfect machine for you. This brewer combines grinder and machine into one unit to handle every aspect of your drink crafting. While it uses a semi-automatic workflow, guided walkthroughs and automatic milk steaming help you to understand the brewing process. As your skillset grows, the Impress Touch gives you the ability to take a bit more control than what you'd find in a superautomatic. We feel this makes this machine great for a wide range of newer users who want to grow their espresso hobby over time and start with a solid foundation.
Bridges the gap between super-auto ease and semi-auto craft — ideal for new home baristas ready to learn.
Just getting started? Check out our guide on How to Buy Your First Espresso Machine for a broader look at what to consider.
Diletta Bello+
The Diletta Bello+ is the first "prosumer" machine on our list. This means that it's an option built for home users who want to get as much control over their shots as they can, while also chasing cafe levels of performance. The machine's dual boiler allows you to simultaneously pull shots and steam milk for back to back drinks, and its heated E61 grouphead provides consistent temperatures for high quality shots. The Bello+ achieves all of this without reaching the dizzying heights of some ultra-high end machines. This machine will be a great fit for users ready to upgrade from something entry level for the workflow benefits that come with capabilities like simultaneous steaming and brewing. It will be less attractive for a new user or for someone looking for a full-on commercial machine.
A true prosumer upgrade at a non-terrifying price — dual boilers and E61 quality for the home barista ready to level up.
LELIT Bianca
Finally we have the LELIT Bianca. This machine is really a bit of a unicorn in the espresso world. It comes in at around the $3,000 mark (expensive, but far from the ceiling for home espresso) and offers dual boilers, a commercial style rotary pump (which means it can be plumbed in), and flow control. Flow control allows you to directly control the flow rate of water through the portafilter, giving you the ultimate ability to manage your shot's flavor profile. While it is the highest priced machine on our list, it's also the last machine many users will buy, with longevity and top-end performance on offer. Perfect for the serious espresso fanatic who wants their machine to offer the ultimate in flavor experimentation and fine control, this machine definitely brings a high degree of complexity that will challenge newer users.
The "buy it for life" pick — dual boilers, rotary pump, and flow control for serious flavor experimentation.
Explore the lineup: Not sure which LELIT is right for you? Read our guide on Which LELIT Espresso Machine Should You Buy?
Don't Sleep on Your Grinder
One common misconception that some new users have is that you should focus on the machine over the grinder. In reality, your choice of grinder matters just as much as your choice of machine. While this isn't something you need to worry about with an all in one or superautomatic machine, we want to stress that for standalone espresso brewers it's key that your grinder be up to the task of producing those powdery grounds.
Related: Check out our picks for Top 3 Espresso Grinders Under $500, or browse all espresso grinders.
We hope this list of machines has helped you to understand what options are out there. We invite you to check out our product pages for each to learn more, and we encourage you to subscribe to the SCG newsletter for brew guides, gear deep-dives, and the occasional hot take!
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a super-automatic and a semi-automatic espresso machine?
A super-automatic handles everything — grinding, tamping, brewing, and often milk steaming — at the push of a button. A semi-automatic requires you to grind, dose, tamp, and control the shot yourself. Super-autos prioritize convenience while semi-autos give you more control over flavor.
Do I need a separate grinder with an espresso machine?
It depends on the machine. Super-automatics and some semi-autos like the Breville Barista Touch Impress have built-in grinders. Standalone semi-automatic machines like the Diletta Bello+ and LELIT Bianca require a separate espresso grinder for the best results.
How much should I spend on a home espresso machine?
That depends on your priorities. Solid super-automatics start around $800, beginner semi-autos around $1,000, and prosumer machines range from $1,500 to $3,000+. More expensive doesn't always mean better for your needs — a simple super-auto may be the perfect fit if you value convenience over control.
What is a prosumer espresso machine?
A prosumer machine is built for home use but borrows features from commercial equipment — dual boilers, PID temperature control, E61 groupheads, and sometimes rotary pumps. They offer the most control and build quality but come with a steeper learning curve and higher price.
Can a super-automatic espresso machine make good espresso?
Yes. Modern super-automatics like the Jura E6 produce excellent espresso, especially for everyday drinking. They won't offer the same level of fine-tuning as a dialed-in semi-auto setup, but for most home users the convenience and consistency make them a great choice.
Find Your Perfect Espresso Machine
Browse our full selection of espresso machines — from super-automatics to prosumer semi-autos — and find the right fit for your home.
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