We all want to relax and have a good cup of coffee when we’re at home. Espresso or macchiato fans especially focus a lot of their attention on the coffee brand, and the coffee making machine that they use.
To make a satisfyingly delicious cup, one that will have the power to get us through the day or the evening, we don’t need any espresso machine, we need the “best espresso machine”.
However, it’s not always easy to find this perfect item, as we need to also consider its price, and the level of effort it requires to use and clean it.
Luckily, we’re avid coffee lovers like most, so we decided to test out and review some of the finest espresso machines out there.
Let’s dive in!
How to Choose the Best Espresso Machine in 2022 [Our Take]
Set-Up & Ease of Use
The first step of acquiring an espresso machine is to know how to set it up and use it with ease. Making a cup of coffee shouldn’t be a hard thing to do. Therefore, it’s essential for the automatic espresso machine you buy to be easy to use and also easy to clean afterward.
Yes, you will still need to learn how to operate it, but it doesn’t have to be rocket science now, does it?
Features & Accessories
Different espresso machines have different accessories, but most come packed with loads of features. You need to watch out if the espresso coffee maker you’re looking for has a steamer wand, or a cup for steaming milk.
We evaluate the quality of these tools and accessories, as you don’t want to have the cup break down after its third use.
Temperature & Pressure
Coffee is being brewed with a water temperature of about 200 𐩑F (90 𐩑C) and pressure of about 10 bars. These two factors are vital for the coffee’s taste.
The best automatic espresso machine is usually more expensive, higher in quality, and tends to have fantastic mechanisms and equipment installed that provide excellent pressure and temperature control.
Espresso Taste
Even though the choice of coffee is important, the taste is still a vital factor when choosing an espresso machine. You don’t want to spend a lot of money and energy buying a super automatic espresso machine only to have it deliver a bitter coffee or, even worse, sour coffee.
Therefore, always look for the taste to be as balanced as possible, and ask friends or look at reviews online to find out which product delivers the best taste.
Now, let’s take a look at the top 7 products you can easily find on Amazon:
7 Best Espresso Machine Products to Look Out For This Year
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine
What We Like:
- Lots of features
- Grind control dosage
- Optimal extraction of espresso
- Grinding options
The Barista Express espresso machine with grinder is part of Breville’s series, offering an all-in-one coffee maker.
It’s the complete package, with optimal water pressure and extraction of espresso, dosage control, and manual microfoam milk texturing. With an innovative built-in grinder, it allows for quick grinding from beans to espresso in under a minute.
This machine also comes packed with a trimming tool for dosing, stainless steel portafilter, coffee scoop, stainless steel milk jug, cleaning disc, filter baskets, and other various accessories.
A tad pricey but definitely worth every penny.
Price: $693.00
Mr Coffee Espresso Machine
What We Like:
- 3-in-1 espresso, latte, and cappuccino maker
- Easy to use and clean
- Automatic end to brewing and foaming cycles
- Perfect for regular, everyday use
If you’re looking to buy a gift for a friend, relative, or another close person, this is the best home espresso machine we recommend. It’s a 3-in-1 type of package deal, offering an easy way to serve espresso, latte, or cappuccino.
The control panel is especially easy to use and navigate around, which makes it perfect for beginners. Every attachment is easily detached and cleaned, making for awesome everyday use of this machine.
One thing we did notice is that this espresso machine comes without a built-in grinder. Although, you do have the option to buy a coffee grinder for an additional $40. So if you’re looking to brew your own roast, you’ll be all set.
We tried and tested the espresso from this machine and confidently state it is probably the best espresso machine under $200.
Price: $179.99
Capresso Ultima Pro
What We Like:
- A fantastic choice for the money
- Plain interface with simple buttons
- Steam wand attachment
- Multiple espresso shots
The Capresso Ultima Pro machine is incredibly easy to use, making it an excellent choice for those that are new to home espresso making.
If you’re looking for a cheap espresso machine while also being able to create delicious coffee, this is one of the best around. It’s programmable, comes with an easily removable water tank, and has a nice hidden lid that lets you store extra filters along with the measuring spoon.
The steam wand is also easily attached and detached, and you only have to wipe it off with a wet sponge to clean it.
Overall, we were pretty happy with its results, and we highly recommend this espresso machine.
Price: $189.24
with Grinder: $285.10
Breville Espresso Machine – Bambino Plus
What We Like
- Grind control dosage
- Optimal extraction of espresso
- Optimal water pressure
- Automatic milk microfoam texturing
Want to look like a professional barista at your home? Then Breville is your choice as it’s the most compact machine around.
This Breville coffee maker is just 7.7 inches wide, making it a perfect fit for any countertop. It comes packed with a great deal of features, including one or two cup options, faster heating up time, milk temperature adjustment, and automatic purge after steaming.
If you’re looking for a traditional experience while making espresso in your home, the Bambino Plus is the best automatic espresso machine on the market.
It does require a bit more hands-on operating, which means you need to be somewhat experienced with coffee machines if you choose this particular product.
Price: $449.95
Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve
What We Like:
- 3-in-1 espresso, latte, and cappuccino maker
- Capability to brew stronger coffee
- Different cup sizes
- Capability to create specialty shots for drinks
If you’re on a tight budget but want to make and taste quality coffee, the Keurig K-Cafe is the best affordable espresso machine.
It has a simple interface with straightforward controls, allows you to brew up to 6 cups, and can froth fresh, skim, almond, and soy milk. Perfect for lactose intolerant and vegan coffee lovers who’d rather not take their coffee black. You can also set the controls to brew a more intense coffee, if you’re looking for a higher kick.
The machine also has a feature to automatically turn off after two hours from the last coffee brewed for energy efficiency. Not bad for one of the best cheap espresso machine items on the market.
Price: $204.00
De’Longhi Bar Espresso
What We Like:
- Professional bar pressure
- Authentic Italian taste
- Easy to use and clean
- 3-in-1 espresso, cappuccino, and latte maker
This amazing De’Longhi coffee maker is the best espresso machine for beginners. Not only is it easy to use and clean, but it also gives the options to make espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes with an authentic Italian taste.
What’s best about this machine is the 15-bar professional pressure which ensures you get quality coffee every time you use it. The adjustable controls also allow for taste modifications to suit different preferences.
Its design is of impeccable quality as well, and all parts are easily cleaned and are dishwasher-safe. If you’re looking for an Italian espresso machine, this is it. Enjoy quality barista-like beverages at home just as you would at your favorite local coffee shop.
Price: $129.55
Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus
What We Like:
- Smart assistance options
- Effortless to use
- Built-in frother
- 19 bars of pressure
We saved the best espresso machine for last since we fell in love with this product! The Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus is an ideal solution for any busy household. With its sleek design and ease of use, you can create an authentic and delicious espresso within minutes.
What we liked most about it is the capability to create complex coffee drinks like macchiatos, cappuccinos, or flat whites. If you’re a cappuccino enthusiast, this is without a doubt the best cappuccino machine and definitely worth considering.
This coffee maker comes equipped with a 1.5-liter water tank that’s easily removable, automatic steam wand purge, speedy auto cleaning process, stainless steel milk jug, and fantastic 19 bars of pressure.
Price: $799.99
Is the Best Home Espresso Machine Worth Buying?
If you’re passionate about espresso and you visit the local cafeteria to indulge in your favorite beverage, then an espresso machine is definitely worth buying.
However, if you don’t want to truly learn how to make fabulous espresso, cappuccino, or even macchiato, we wouldn’t recommend reaching out for the best espresso machine, just so you can impress your friends.
They’re not cheap, after all, and will take up space on your kitchen countertop. So be sure in your decision, check out the features of each machine, and then decide on your purchase.
