The 3 Best Espresso Machines of 2024 - CNET

Article updated on November 1, 2024 at 7:19 PM PDT

Bring the taste of your favorite coffee shop drinks directly into your home with the best espresso machines.

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

A good cup of coffee, whatever your preferred type, is a fantastic way to start your day. And with a quality espresso machine, you can make all your favorite coffee shop drinks at home, from lattes to Americanos. We’ve tested plenty of machines to help you find the perfect upgrade for your coffee station or the ideal holiday gift for the coffee lover in your life.

Plus, an espresso machine can save you time and money, given how many trips to Starbucks you may be able to cut from your daily routine. And it certainly beats the "just add water" experience of instant coffee, which often fails to capture the beloved aroma and taste of a well-crafted brew.

Studies have shown that even the smell of coffee can increase alertness and aid productivity. Plus, consuming a reasonable number of coffees per day (three to four) can decrease the risk of Type 2 diabetes, several kinds of cancers and even neurological, metabolic and liver conditions.

Our favorite espresso machine for 2024 is Breville Barista Express, thanks to its impressive performance, whether drinking an espresso neat or with frothed milk. It's on the pricier side, but if you can afford it, don't waste time getting it into your home.

But there are also fantastic budget espresso machines. And it's worth stating that the best espresso machines aren't just for straight espresso, either. The models below cater to a number of different caffeinated drinks, from flat whites to cappuccinos, depending on your particular drink of choice.

A good espresso coffee is uniquely powerful and flavorful. It's the ultimate test for home brewers.

I spent over 80 hours putting 10 espresso makers through their paces, opting to limit my testing to manual espresso machines only, rather than espresso machines that use a coffee pod or capsule. During the process, I made and sampled scores of espresso shots, double shots, lattes, cappuccinos and a whole lot of steamed and frothed milk. I also took into account things like water reservoirs and storage, water filters, control panels, grinding capabilities and automatic milk frother length (and the ability to froth and steam milk).

I made sure to test the efficacy of each espresso machine's built-in grinder, as well as how easily the drip tray can be cleaned and replaced. I specifically looked for models that incorporated an advanced brewing process combined with other useful (as well as nice-to-have) features, like a milk frother, steam wand or a double portafilter basket for double-shot drinks.

Of all espresso machines, you can't beat the Breville Barista Express and its combination of performance, features and price. This manual espresso machine has a formidable grinder that pulverizes espresso beans and smart technology that doses grounds directly into its portafilter basket while its sturdy frother steams milk well and makes thick foam. It also consistently pulled the best-tasting coffee bean shots of espresso in my test group. It's not among the cheapest of espresso machines, you're getting a lot for the price.

The control panel may be a little intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of things, a delicious shot (or double shot) of espresso, latte or other freshly ground coffee drink of choice will be your reward. Made from stainless steel, the Barista Express is a cinch to clean as well. To seal the deal, Breville includes premium metal tools such as a handy dose trimmer and tamper.

I will note that this machine is not small. If counter space is at a premium in your kitchen, you may want to look at the next machine on the list instead.

For a novice barista who craves great home espresso but is nervous about getting the coffee ground and espresso-making technique down, the Breville Bambino Plus is the perfect choice. It's dead simple to use and to keep clean, and it's compact and I found it pulled delicious shots of espresso second only to Breville's Barista Express. I especially appreciate how easy it is to froth milk with the Breville Bambino. Just insert the steam wand into the stainless-steel milk pitcher that comes included with the Breville Bambino Plus, then press one button. Less than a minute later, you'll have expertly steamed milk foam ready for lattes and cappuccinos.

It lacks its own coffee grinder, but the Cuisinart EM-100 has plenty going for it when it comes to making espresso, cappuccinos or lattes. This budget espresso machine has a compact design but is powerful enough to brew from fine coffee grounds. It also pulls flavorful espresso shots of good quality and strength. The machine features a long stainless-steel frother for steaming milk and a built-in cup warmer heating element too. A solid espresso machine at about a third of the price of the Breville.

My evaluation process for a home espresso machine is similar to how I test standard drip coffee makers. First, I hand-wash and dry all removable parts and accessories. For most espresso makers, that includes the filter basket, metal portafilter inserts, water tank and so on. Next, I run one brewing cycle with just hot water to flush away any residual material from manufacturing.

Most automatic espresso machines, save for fancy super-automatic models, lack an integrated coffee grinder and I prefer testing espresso machines with freshly ground coffee, not preground coffee, so I supply my own grinder: the Breville Smart Grinder Pro. I chose this conical burr grinder for two reasons. First, it's calibrated more for espresso than for drip or other brewing styles. That means it produces a coffee bean grind that's quite fine. Second, its grind size is consistently uniform. Both factors are critical for a proper espresso brewing process.

To pull shots, I start with the suggested method outlined in a given machine's product manual. Usually that covers the amount of coffee grounds expected per shot, along with any guidelines regarding coarseness level. Likewise, I follow tamping instructions (light, medium or hard tamp) if the manual provides them.

Whenever possible, I brew double shots of espresso for all my test runs. I make sure to record the weight of the grounds I use, plus the weight of espresso for each shot I pull. This data, along with readings from a portable refractometer, allows me to calculate two important percentages: total dissolved solids and extraction percentage.

Just as for any coffee brew, the ideal extraction percentage for espresso is a range between 18% and 22%. This yields a balanced cup, assuming you perform an even and efficient extraction of coffee compounds from your grounds (both flavor and caffeine).

Not many home espresso machines can brew quality shots. This one was pulled from the Breville Barista Express.

If you over-extract, you run the risk of leaching out unpleasant flavors (bitterness) after the good. On the opposite end of the scale, under-extracted brews tend to have undeveloped flavors. Lacking sugars and other caramelized organic chemicals, these shots will taste sour, weak and watery.

Unlike a cup of drip coffee, barista-quality espresso should be concentrated. Excellent drip typically has a TDS percentage of 1.3% or 1.4%, great espresso has a much higher percentage. The Breville Barista Express, for example, produced shots with TDS percentages as high as 12.4%.

The shots I pulled were balanced, with an extraction of 18.6%. The test coffee beans I use are the same variety I employ for standard coffee makers -- Costco Kirkland Colombian. It's a medium-dark roast suitable for brewing espresso as well.

Many espresso machines have steaming wands for frothing milk. The Breville Bambino makes steaming milk especially easy.

Lastly, I try my hand at milk frothing with each coffee machine equipped with a steam wand. I record the overall experience with the steam wand, whether the process is a snap, a tricky chore or somewhere in between.

You can use steamed milk to create cafe-style espresso drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.

A good automatic espresso machine doesn't come cheap and you can expect to pay at least $500 for something that whips up a legit cafe-caliber espresso drink (or just an espresso shot, if that's your thing). When in doubt, try to remember how much you'll be saving on all the cappuccinos, lattes and double shots from the specialty coffee shop.

You can also drop as little as $100 if you're willing to settle for a mediocre espresso, but I urge you not to pounce on an espresso maker that costs less -- especially if you plan on drinking espresso regularly. Seemingly affordable espresso machines may look like a bargain at first but they're often a waste of money and counter space.

For the coffee lover on a budget, "espresso brewers" (in the $30 to $50 price range) typically lack motorized pumps and are powered by steam pressure alone. What they produce is technically equal to moka pot coffee, the sort of drink made by simple stovetop brewers; it won't taste quite like the espresso you're used to from the barista at your local coffee shop or cafe. That's not inherently bad... it's just not espresso.

In short, no. What you can do is make coffee drinks that come close. For instance, moka pots brew coffee under pressure that's very concentrated. Likewise, you use an AeroPress brewer to make strong, espresso-like joe.

Like any coffee maker, espresso machines require regular cleaning to ensure optimal operation. Espresso makers can be particularly sensitive to maintenance neglect. In addition to coffee brewing, some of these products have systems for steaming milk and grinding beans. Each subsystem calls for specific steps to keep them dirt and grime-free.

The portafilter, the main brewing chamber, should be hand-washed with soap and hot water daily. To make the task easier, run a water-only brewing cycle before and after each espresso shot you pull (brew). You'll likely have to clean the water shower screen weekly too. For more details be sure to check your machine's manual (PDF) for cleaning instructions specific to your brewer.

If your espresso machine can also steam milk then the list of drinks you can make is vast. Just to name a few, there are traditional Italian drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. The flat white is an Australian cross between those two. You serve these hot or over ice as well. If milk isn't your preference there is the Americano, espresso diluted with hot water.

Answering this question depends on what you mean. If we're simply talking about taste, something similar to or better than a coffee shop is possible, although it'll take quality ingredients and practice.

If we're talking about price, you should be able to recoup your cost fairly quickly, even for a pricier machine. If you replace a $4 latte with one you make at home every workday, you'll save close to $20 in a week. You'll pay some for coffee beans and milk, but much less than a dollar. Take a tip for your barista into account and you're likely saving more. If you're saving $20 each week, that's over $1,000 a year. Even if you go to a coffee shop occasionally, you can easily pay for even our most expensive recommendation with your savings in Year 1.