Best Home Espresso Machine Australia [2024 Guide + Reviews]

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Published: // Updated: September 5, 2024
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Are you looking for your first espresso machine, or is it time for an upgrade?  Are you wondering what is the best home espresso machine Australia currently has on offer? If this sounds like you, then you’re in luck because this guide is all about choosing the best home espresso machines.

If you’ve never owned an espresso machine, it can be pretty full on trying to figure out what’s the best espresso coffee machine.  There are various features to consider such as milk frothers, grinders, water tank sizes and boilers. 

Espresso machines also come in a vast range of prices, from relatively cheap – to eye watering prices – particularly if you’re after the best espresso machine.

With so much to consider and weigh up – it can be quite an overwhelming process trying to figure out which is the best espresso machine Australia has that is right for you. 

So if you are not sure which are the best espresso machines for home use, you’re in the right place!  In this best espresso machines home use guide we step through the various factors you need to consider when buying the perfect machine. 

We then review some of the very best espresso coffee machines for home use currently on the Aussie market.

>> Click here to see the best home espresso machine now

Whether you’re after the best manual espresso machine for home use, best semi automatic espresso machine, the best prosumer espresso machine or even just the best budget espresso machine, I have no doubt we can help you find something perfect in this guide.

So, let’s get into it and find you the best espresso machine for the home.

home espresso machine making espresso

My Pick For The Best Espresso Machine Australia

If you don’t have the time to read my entire best home espresso machine reviews and just want to hear my recommendation, I love the Breville Dual Boiler Espresso Machine.  

I own and love the Breville Dual Boiler because it is simple to use, you can have barista quality coffee at the push of a button and you have full control over the brewing process.

Breville The Dynamic Duo Espresso Machine with Grinder, Brushed Stainless Steel BEP920BSS

It has two boilers, a powerful steam wand, hot water spout and auto start function and is often packaged with the Breville Smart Grinder Pro so you are ready to brew better coffee.

Click here to buy the Breville dual boiler now or keep reading below for my detailed best espresso machine for home reviews.

The Best Home Espresso Machine Australia 2024 Comparison

Below is a handy comparison table showing all the top home espresso machines featured in this guide. 

The table lists the various features side by side to help you decide which is the best at home espresso machine for you.

ImageModelTypeBuilt-in grinderFrotherPrice
Breville The Barista Pro Espresso, Brushed Stainless Steel, BES878BSSBreville The Barista ProAutomaticYesManualCHECK
Breville The Dynamic Duo Espresso Machine with Grinder, Brushed Stainless Steel BEP920BSSBreville Dual Boiler Espresso MachineSemi AutomaticNoManualCHECK
Rancilio Silvia Pro Espresso Machine silver.Rancilio Silvia Pro Espresso Machine on ebaySemi AutomaticNoManualCHECK
Bezzera BZ10 Espresso Machine silver.Bezzera BZ10 Espresso Machine on ebaySemi AutomaticNoManualCHECK
La Pavoni Europiccola EL manual espresso machine silver.La Pavoni Europiccola EL manual espresso machine on ebayManual leverNoManualCHECK
Breville The Oracle Touch Espresso MachineAutomaticYesAutomatic and manualCHECK
De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9865.M Cold Brew Coffee, Manual Coffee Machine, Cold Extraction Technology, Smart Tamping Station, 8 Hot & Cold Recipes, Manual and Automatic Milk Frothing, MetalDe’Longhi La Specialista MaestroAutomaticYesAutomatic and manualCHECK
Sunbeam EM5300K Barista Max Coffee Machine | Automatic Espresso, Latte & Cappuccino Coffee Maker with Integrated Bean Grinder & Steam Milk Frother | 15 Bar Italian Pump | BlackSunbeam Barista Max Espresso MachineSemi automaticYesManualCHECK
Flair Espresso Maker - Manual PressFlair Manual PressManual leverNoNoneCHECK

What Is An Espresso Machine?

In Australia we tend to use the terms ‘espresso machine’ and ‘coffee machine’ interchangeably. However it is worth pointing out that not all home coffee machines are espresso machines!

Espresso is a method of preparing coffee where pressurized hot water is forced through ground coffee in a filter to produce a concentrated coffee brew called espresso. A standard shot of espresso is around 30ml.

Espresso can be enjoyed as it is, or mixed with milk or water to produce an endless array of café quality espresso coffee drinks.

Other methods of brewing coffee we review separately include with a plunger, filter, stovetop, pod or pour over.

If you are unsure whether you are looking for an espresso machine or a different type of coffee maker, hop over to this article, where we share the best of all the different types of coffee machines.

Things To Consider When Buying The Best Espresso Coffee Machine

When it comes to the best espresso machine at home, there are some great options on the market. But at the end of the day, it really comes down to your individual preferences and circumstances. 

To purchase the best espresso machine for home use that is perfect for you, consider the following factors.

If you know what features you need, click here to hop straight to the reviews.

Types of espresso machines

As I alluded to earlier, there are a range of espresso machines. So the first thing you will need to decide when purchasing the best coffee espresso machine is which type of espresso machine is right for you. 

This will really come down to how much of the brewing process you want to be automated and how much of the process you want to do yourself manually. Here we cover three types of espresso machine:

  • Manual
  • Semi Automatic
  • Automatic

Below is a brief overview of the different types of espresso machines.

Manual

With a manual espresso machine, there is no automation in the process.  You manually do every step including all the prep work such as grinding the beans, placing them into the portafilter as well as manually pumping the espresso by hand or controlling the time of espresso extraction. 

They can be challenging to master but are the best espresso home machine for the coffee expert who wants complete control over every step of the brewing process.

Semi Automatic

A semi automatic espresso machine still requires quite a few manual steps such as grinding the beans and tamping them and placing the portafilter in the brew head. 

However, with just a press of a button, the machine will pump out the espresso and (usually) automatically stop the flow of espresso.

The best semi automatic espresso machine for home use tends to have a limited range of programmable options, such as the extraction time and water temperature.

A semi auto espresso machine is a great option for home baristas who would like control over the brewing and frothing process.

We review the top options below or see our full review of semi automatic espresso machines here.

espresso machine extracting espresso into two white coffee cups

Automatic

An automatic espresso machine takes care of more steps of the brewing process.  These machines may have one or a few of the following features:

  • An integrated grinder to grind the beans
  • Assisted tamping to tamp the grounds into the portafilter
  • Automatic milk steamer to froth your milk just how you like it.

The difference between an automatic espresso machine and a bean to cup super automatic coffee machine is there are still manual steps along the way to brew your coffee. Whereas a super automatic is completely hands off.

An automatic espresso machine is perfect for people stepping up from a capsule coffee machine or drip coffee maker who just want great coffee without needing to learn all the steps of the coffee making process.

We review the very best automatic espresso machines below. Alternatively, for super automatics, see our detailed review of fully automatic espresso machines here.

Material

When it comes to what your espresso machine is made out of, you generally have the option of metal (often stainless steel) and a combination of plastic. 

For the best home coffee espresso machine, that will last for years, then consider one constructed mostly from stainless steel.  The more features made with stainless steel, the more robust and durable your espresso machine will be.

Boiler Type

Many people don’t give much consideration to the type of boiler their espresso machine comes with, but this is worth considering, particularly for those in a hurry most mornings and want their coffee ready quickly.

The boiler in your espresso machine is used to both brew your coffee as well as steam the milk. 

There are many types of boilers from the traditional stainless steel or copper boiler to the more economical and faster thermocoil heating systems.

Most machines come with just one boiler or thermocoil, which means you’ll need to wait until your coffee is brewed before you can froth the milk.  With a dual boiler or a heat exchanger, you can simultaneously brew and steam your milk at the same time.

So if you only drink black coffee, a single boiler is fine. But if you mostly make milk coffee drinks, a dual boiler is faster and far more convenient (but it comes with a higher price tag).  So you will need to weigh up cost versus convenience. 

If you’re purchasing an espresso machine for a household full of milk coffee drinkers or a busy office, then buying an espresso machine with a dual boiler will absolutely be worth the investment.

You’ll also want to keep in mind that dual boilers tend to be much larger than a single boiler coffee machine.  So if bench space is at a premium – stick with a single boiler coffee machine.

cup of espresso with espresso machine portafilter and ground coffee

Grinder

When it comes to great tasting espresso, having a coffee grinder is super important.  This is because a consistent grind size and freshly ground coffee is essential for brewing the perfect espresso.

Many espresso experts will tell you a quality grinder is more important than the machine.

But to keep it simple, you might prefer to opt for the best espresso machine with built in grinder.  While there are many benefits to purchasing a stand alone grinder, a lot of new machines have good quality inbuilt grinders.

These are fine for home coffee brewing and they offer the advantage of reducing the overall footprint in your kitchen and simplifying the coffee preparation process.

If you decide to go for the best home espresso machine with grinder, you’ll also want to give some consideration to the grinder settings.  Machines will have many different settings for grinder types as well as options for pre ground coffee.

Don’t worry too much about the hopper size on machines with integrated grinders, as you should only keep a day or two of beans in the hopper and store the rest of your coffee in a coffee bean container.

Auto or manual milk frother

If you like milk based coffee beverages like a latte or a magic, then you’ll also want to consider the milk frother. 

This is essential for making lattes and cappuccinos.  Even if you’re not a latte or cappuccino drinker yourself – no doubt friends that come round will be.

Most of the top 10 espresso machines for home use come with an in built milk frother and will steam the milk for you in a coffee milk jug.

However some manual espresso machines won’t have a frother at all.

So if you want to play around with a bit of latte art, then you’ll definitely want the best home barista espresso machine that comes with a powerful manual steam wand.

Size

Before you purchase an espresso machine, it’s recommended to assess how much bench space you have at home.  Espresso machines come in all shapes and sizes and some of them are huge!

Measure the available bench space you have and compare this to the dimensions of the espresso machines you are considering – before you buy them.  Make sure there is enough surface area and top clearance to use the machine properly as well as being near a power point.

Plus consider any coffee accessories you may need alongside your machine (depending on the type), including a grinder, espresso tamper, tamp mat, scale and coffee grinds bin.

Programs and display settings

The best espresso coffee machine for home use will come with various programmable options and display settings.

On an automatic espresso machine, having a few different programmable options is excellent for saving your preferred brew and getting your morning coffee with a press of a button. 

However, don’t be starry eyed over an espresso machine with too many programmable options as in most cases you won’t need them.  Plus too many just becomes overwhelming.

One of the best features worth looking out for on an espresso machine is programmable volume and temperature control. This gives you much greater control over the extraction process.

Another feature of the best home use espresso machine is clear and easy to read display settings.  This will make the machine much easier to navigate than one with just indicator lights, particularly when programming your machine and when monitoring extraction pressure.

Best Espresso Machine 2024 Reviews Australia

Below are our at home espresso machine reviews.  These are some of the best home espresso coffee machine options currently on the Australia market.

Note: As we have many other coffee machine reviews available on the site, we are not going to include Nespresso machines or bean to cup super automatic coffee machines in these espresso machine reviews.

Here we purely focus on reviews for the best home espresso machines Australia has to offer from manual lever to semi-automatic espresso machines and prosumer espresso machines.

1. Breville The Barista Pro Review

Best home espresso machine with grinder

Breville The Barista Pro Espresso, Brushed Stainless Steel, BES878BSS

Key Specifications

  • Boiler: Single thermojet
  • Grinder: Stainless steel conical burr
  • Milk frother: Yes, manual
  • Portafilter: 54mm
  • Dimensions: 35 x 41 x 41 cm

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For the most delicious cup of coffee at the push of a button, you simply can’t go wrong with the Breville Barista Pro.  This is one of the best home barista machine options currently on the market, particularly for those wanting an automatic model.

You won’t need a masters degree to use these best home espresso makers, thanks to the new intuitive interface. 

The LCD screen will walk you through every step of the way, providing grinding and extracting progress animations.  This screen also provides all the information and options to customise your brew, so you can make your cuppa exactly how you like it.

This best automatic espresso machine heats up in just 3 seconds and with a single touch, the built in stainless steel conical burr grinder will deliver the right amount of coffee, ready for the extraction process.  The grinder comes with 30 adjustable grind size settings and dose options.

Thanks to the PID digital temperature control, the water is heated at the perfect temperature every time for the optimal espresso extraction. 

The Barista Pro has low pressure, pre infusion, which gradually increases the pressure, ensuring the coffee flavours are perfectly extracted.

The dedicated hot water outlet is perfect for making long blacks and the large 2L water tank means you won’t need to fill it as often.

Choose from a range of exterior colours to suit your décor including black, silver, red, sea salt and grey.

Breville The Barista Pro Black

Once you’re ready for milk, this countertop espresso machine instantaneously moves from making espresso to steaming milk, so there aren’t any long waits for your caffeine hit.  The manual steam wand is powerful and gives you full control over the milk texturing process.

It comes with a 2 year warranty and is one of best value espresso machine options. This is a great looking machine, it is easy to use and in my opinion one of the best espresso machines with built in grinder on the market today. 

Pros

Intuitive digital display

Manual frother for texturing control

Rapid heat up time

Cons

No pressure gauge to monitor extraction

Built-in grinder not everyone’s preference

Best For: Whether you’re after your first espresso machine or looking to upgrade, the Barista Pro is well worth considering if you are looking for a machine with integrated grinder.

>> Click here to check the Breville Barista Pro price and read reviews on Amazon

2. Breville Dual Boiler Espresso Machine Review

Best home espresso machine Australia

Breville The Dynamic Duo Espresso Machine with Grinder, Brushed Stainless Steel BEP920BSS

Key Specifications

  • Boiler: Dual stainless steel
  • Grinder: Separate
  • Milk frother: Yes, manual
  • Portafilter: 58 mm
  • Dimensions: 41 x 37.5 x 37.5 cm

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In terms of the best brand espresso machine, Breville is considered to be one of the best in Australia – so it’s no surprise that these reviews feature a few of their machines. 

Next up we have the Breville Dual Boiler BES920, my favourite and the machine I use every day at home.

The Breville Dual Boiler straddles the consumer and prosumer espresso machine market, with prosumer features like the dual stainless steel boilers, heated group head and commercial 58 mm portafilter.

But it also sits comfortably with the consumer market with convenience features like programmable auto start and LCD screen and one touch button control and a much more accessible price point (especially when on sale).

The Dual Boiler doesn’t feature an integrated grinder – but for many, that is a blessing as many prefer to choose their own quality grinder separate from the machine. 

Like all Breville espresso machines, every brew starts by pre infusing ground coffee with steady water pressure.  The espresso boiler is PID controlled for precise water temperature and the steam boiler heat exchange assists with thermal stability.

With this best semi automatic espresso machine, you can easily choose from 1 or 2 shots or if you want to decide exactly how much espresso you have simply opt for manual control. 

For those who like milk based coffee drinks, the powerful 360 degree swivel manual steamer gives you full control to create perfectly textured micro foam and experiment with latte art.

Cleaning is easy, particularly given this best domestic espresso machine will alert you when it’s time to do some routine maintenance and descaling

Other features include a large front accessible 2.5L water tank, hot water dispenser, adjustable temperature and volume control at the touch of a button. It comes with a 2 year warranty and the Breville quality range of accessories. 

Pros

Dual boilers

Quick start up time

Accessible price point

Cons

Lacks prosumer machine design

Best For: If you’re looking for a high quality machine without a built in grinder, or simply the best home semi automatic espresso machine, the Breville Dual Boiler espresso machine is a great choice.

>> Click here to read the Breville Dual Boiler reviews on Amazon

3. Rancilio Silvia Pro Review

Best classic Italian espresso machine

Rancilio Silvia Pro Espresso Machine.

Key Specifications

  • Boiler: Dual brass boilers
  • Grinder: None
  • Milk frother: Yes, manual
  • Portafilter: 58 mm
  • Dimensions: 25 x 42 x 39 cm

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The Rancilio Silvia Pro is the essential Italian espresso machine that delivers professional espresso at home.

Don’t let the compact machine fool you – this Rancilio machine is an espresso powerhouse and a firm favourite of espresso drinkers for its precision and control.

With a stainless steel casing and dual insulated brass boilers, this is a durable machine that will last for years to come.

The Dual PID controllers ensure precise temperature and thermal stability for both extraction and steaming. The dual boilers mean you can extract your shot whilst steaming the milk, speeding up the process of brewing your coffee.

The simple control panel with LED display makes it simple to select your options and the programmable auto start up means your machine is ready and warm when you wake up.

The swivel steam wand delivers powerful steam for the perfect cappuccino or flat white.

Other great features of this best at home espresso machine include large removable 2L water tank, removable drip tray and cup warmer. It comes with a 1 year warranty and a choice of stainless steel, black or white colours.

Pros

Classic Italian design

Dual boilers

Powerful steam wand

Cons

No pre-infusion

Small drip tray

Short 1 year warranty

Best For: If you are comparing the best home espresso machines, you can’t go past the Rancilio Silvia Pro espresso machine.  It is a great choice for those looking for a simple, high quality and compact machine.

>> Click here to check the price for the Rancilio Silvia Pro on ebay

4. Bezzera BZ10 Espresso Machine Review

Best prosumer espresso machine

Bezzera BZ10 Espresso Machine.

Key Specifications

  • Boiler: Single copper boiler
  • Grinder: None
  • Milk frother: Yes, manual
  • Portafilter: 58 mm
  • Dimensions: 25 x 43 x 38 cm

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If you’re after a professional quality home espresso machine, the Bezzera BZ10 is well worth considering if you can stretch your budget.

This is a heat exchanger espresso machine made in Italy with a polished stainless steel body. The compact size and impressive design makes it ideal for the smaller home kitchen and pro home baristas looking for a high quality machine.

Bezzera is different to most of the machines on our list as they design all their own parts.

This best home coffee and espresso machine has a 3L removable water tank and 1.5 L heat exchange copper boiler that heats up under 8 minutes, which is fast for this style of machine.

Thanks to the heat exchange boiler you can pull your espresso shot and heat your milk at the same time even though there is just the one boiler.

The Bezzera BZ10 group head is unique too as it is completely electronically heated which means it is faster to heat up than an E61 group. It comes with a commercial 58 mm portafilter with 16 gram capacity and a heated group head for a stable temperature extraction.

Espresso extraction is manual so you can either use a coffee scale to monitor volume and time or eye it manually to determine when to end the shot.

If you like cappuccinos and lattes, you’ll appreciate how easy it is to make textured microfoam with the 360 degree swivel powerful steam wand. 

Other features include cup warming tray, separate hot water spout, removable drip tray, dual needle pressure gauge and a one year warranty.

Pros

Compact size

Heat exchange boiler

Fast heat up time

Cons

No PID or pre infusion

No temperature indicator

No auto start function

Best for: The Bezzera BZ10 is the perfect choice for all home baristas looking for one of the top 10 home espresso machines. 

>> Click here to check the Bezzera price at ebay

5. La Pavoni Europiccola EL Review

Best manual espresso machine

La Pavoni Europiccola EL manual espresso machine.

Key Specifications

  • Boiler: Brass casing boiler
  • Grinder: None
  • Milk frother: Yes, manual
  • Portafilter: 51 mm
  • Dimensions: 20 x 29 x 32 cm

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For the best manual level espresso machine you really can’t go past La Pavoni, who have been manufacturing for over 100 years.

This robust Italian espresso machine is one of the simplest and enjoyable ways to make espresso at home.

Designed and built in Italy, the La Pavoni Europiccola EL works by lever and piston. When the lever is pushed down, water is forced through the coffee in the filter to your cup. So you have full manual control over the speed of extraction.

The Europiccola EL comes with a professional chromed brass group head and filter holder for stable temperature control and a 51mm portafilter.

This best Italian espresso machine has an 0.8L boiler capacity, and is ready in around 5 minutes. It can brew 8 shots of espresso continuously and has a water level indicator too.

The simple manual controls give you full control over the espresso extraction and milk texturing process.

For those that love beautiful creamy cappuccinos, you’ll love the professional stainless steel steam wand.  This wand includes two steam outlets which create the perfect milk froth.

Pros

Iconic design

Lightweight and compact size

Full manual control

Cons

Manual extraction not ideal for beginners

Short 1 year warranty

Best For: The La Pavoni Europiccola EL is an iconic machine perfect for the home barista ready to master the art of espresso brewing. Quiet, sophisticated and long lasting, it is one of the best manual lever espresso machines.

>> Click here to check the La Pavoni machine price at ebay

6. Breville Oracle Touch Espresso Machine Review

Best automatic espresso machine

Key Specifications

  • Boiler: Dual stainless steel boilers
  • Grinder: Stainless steel conical burrs
  • Milk frother: Yes, automatic
  • Portafilter: 58 mm
  • Dimensions: 39 x 37 x 45.4 cm

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If you’re after the best of the best, the Crème de la crème of espresso machines – then you’re going to want to consider the Breville Oracle Touch – yet another top quality espresso machine from Breville. 

This best home automatic espresso machine is one of the most expensive in these reviews – however, it would be an excellent investment for a large and busy household or small office.

The Oracle Touch makes a range of coffee drinks, including espresso, lattes and cappuccinos.  The machine can simultaneously make two coffees perfect for those hectic mornings when everyone is rushing out the door.

This best espresso machine for home use is fast too, thanks to the stainless steel dual boilers for both espresso extraction and the steam wand so that it can extract espresso and texture milk at the same time.

Included with this best rated home espresso machine is a built in water filter, stainless steel conical burr grinder and automatic milk frother. 

What also makes this machine unique is that it will automatically grind your coffee beans, dose and tamp it properly, and ensure the ideal temperature is set for optimal extraction.  The steam wand will then automatically prepare the milk to the programmed settings.

This coffee machine features a range of settings, so there is no need for anyone to compromise on how they like their coffee.  Adjust the strength, milk texture and temperature; you can even adjust the water pressure. 

Plus you can save up to 8 personalised coffees – you can even add everyone’s name with an icon.  Alternatively, just use one of the five cafe favourites that come as a default setting.

This is a robust machine made with a stunning stainless steel finish.  It also features an attractive easy to read LCD screen which you can swipe through to read and choose your desired settings.

Other great features of this best professional espresso machine for home use include a sizeable 2.5l water tank, auto shut off function and a two year warranty.

If you are considering this machine, it is also worth checking out the Breville White Glove Service for this Oracle model, which offers a complimentary hands on master class in your home with an expert!

Pros

Intuitive LCD touch screen display

Dual stainless steel boilers

Automatic milk frother and tamping

Cons

Premium price tag

Interface upgrades require a service call

Best For: If you’re after the best high end home espresso machine, the Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect option.  With this machine you can be your very own barista in the comfort of your own home at the touch of a button.

>> Click here to check the price and read reviews at The Good Guys

7. DeLonghi La Specialista Maestro Review

Best De’Longhi Home Espresso Machine

De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9865.M Cold Brew Coffee, Manual Coffee Machine, Cold Extraction Technology, Smart Tamping Station, 8 Hot & Cold Recipes, Manual and Automatic Milk Frothing, Metal

Key Specifications

  • Boiler: Single thermoblock
  • Grinder: Stainless steel conical burrs
  • Milk frother: Yes, automatic
  • Portafilter: 51 mm
  • Dimensions: 42 x 37 x 47 cm

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If you love both hot and cold brew coffee and want the best automatic espresso maker, you should consider the new Delonghi La Specialista Maestro espresso machine.

These top rated home espresso machines have been designed specifically for the Australian coffee consumer market and come packed full of great features so you can enjoy barista quality coffee at home.

What makes this machine stand out from all the others is the cold extraction technology which can deliver cool espresso and cold brew in under 5 minutes.

Fitted with a built in grinder with 8 grind settings, this espresso machine uses sensor grinding technology to ensure you have a consistent grind regardless of what dose you choose. 

Plus with the built in tamping station – the tamp pressure and even level all takes place inside the machine – so no mess!

There are plenty of adjustable settings to choose from, to ensure each coffee is brewed precisely to your liking. 

You can adjust the extraction temperature with five different settings and choose from 6 preset drinks such as a latte or flat white. 

Delonghi La Specialista Maestro Espresso Machine

This best espresso machine home use option also features the all important pre infusion process. Unlike most other machines, the Delonghi has dynamic preinfusion, which matches your grind and dose size with the required volume for the selected drink for the ultimate extraction.

The central pressure gauge helps you dial in your espresso and the active temperature control monitors the water temperature throughout the brewing process.

The LatteCrema system with built in adjustable steam wand is perfect for those who prefer a milky caffeine fix.  You can either let the machine automatically produce dense and frothy milk or it has the option to switch to manual to have full control over the milk texturing.

Other features include a large 2.5L water tank, range of accessories and removable drip tray. It comes with a two year warranty and is the perfect choice if you’re looking for the best home espresso machine.

Pros

Advanced grind and extraction technologies

No mess automatic tamper and milk frother

Unique cold brew technology

Cons

Steam wand a little underpowered

Can be difficult to dial the dose in

Single thermoblock

Best For: The Delonghi Specialista Maestro is not only an easy to use machine; it is also stylish and will look fantastic on the bench in any home kitchen.  It is a good option if you want barista quality hot and cold coffee without the learning curve.

>> Click here to check the La Specialista price and reviews on Amazon

8. Sunbeam Barista Max Review

Best affordable espresso machine

Sunbeam EM5300K Barista Max Coffee Machine | Automatic Espresso, Latte & Cappuccino Coffee Maker with Integrated Bean Grinder & Steam Milk Frother | 15 Bar Italian Pump | Black

Key Specifications

  • Boiler: Single thermoblock
  • Grinder: Stainless steel conical burrs
  • Milk frother: Yes, manual
  • Portafilter: 58 mm
  • Dimensions: 21 x 35 x 41 cm

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The Sunbeam Barista Max is a mid priced semi automatic espresso machine.  It’s priced lower than the other machines on our list and is a great option if you are looking for the best espresso machine budget option.

This is an entry level machine for espresso lovers but comes well featured to get you on your espresso making journey.

It comes with all the essentials to make great coffee, including a built in conical burr grinder with 30 adjustable settings and 58mm commercial sized group head. 

The PID controller helps manage the temperature on the fast heat up thermoblock and the pre-infusion helps achieve a quality extraction.

If you’re brand new to espresso machines, you’ll appreciate the pre programmed one or two shots of espresso.  However, for those barista wannabe’s, you can take complete control with the manual shot button. 

With its sizeable 2.8l water tank, this cheap good espresso machine would be well suited to a busy home with multiple coffee drinks. 

Plus with the powerful built in steam wand, you can create perfectly textured microfoam for lattes, flat whites and cappuccinos.

It comes with all the essential accessories, plus a choice of colours, including matte black or stainless steel silver.  It’s the perfect option for those after the best espresso machine under 1000.

Pros

Great value

Simple control panel

Rapid heating time

Cons

Grinder can make the drip tray a little messy

Noisier than others on our list

Plastic components and exterior

Best for: If you’re on a tight budget but don’t want to compromise on espresso quality or features, you really can’t go wrong with the Sunbeam Barista Max.  My first espresso machine was a Sunbeam and they offer great value for money.

>> Click here to check the Barista Max price and reviews on Amazon

9. Flair Manual Press Espresso Maker Review

Best cheap manual lever espresso machine

Flair Espresso Maker - Manual Press

Key Specifications

  • Boiler: Manual
  • Grinder: None
  • Milk frother: No, none
  • Portafilter: 46 mm
  • Dimensions: 10 x 35 x 25 cm

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

If you want full control and want to take your barista skills to the next level, then you may want to consider a manual espresso maker such as the Flair. 

This interesting, yet elegant looking contraption will not only look fantastic on your kitchen bench, it will also have you making professional quality espresso in your own home.

And not only does it make great tasting coffee – but it’s sure to be a conversation starter too.

The beauty of the Flair Espresso Maker is there is nothing to plug in or break down – so it’s completely portable and can be used absolutely anywhere in the home. 

The manual espresso maker is durable, constructed with moulded, reinforced aluminium materials and a detachable stainless steel brewing head. 

The Flair classic espresso maker has a bottomless portafilter, 60 ml reservoir and doses between 12-18 grams. It yields around 45ml of espresso with each pull.

This best home manual coffee machine is lightweight and even comes with its own carry case, so you could take it each day to the office or while away on holidays.

Plus this best home manual espresso machine is backed by a five year warranty – so you can purchase this espresso maker with the knowledge that it will last for years to come.

To make your espresso, use any coffee you prefer.  Of course, there is no grinder so you will need to have a separate grinder or purchase pre ground coffee.  There is also no milk frother – but these can easily be purchased if required.

Pros

Full control over espresso extraction

Lightweight and portable

Cons

Small capacity

No milk frother or grinder

Best for: While probably not ideal for those after their first home espresso machine – for those that love experimenting with their coffee, and keen to have something they can take wherever they go – the Flair Espresso Maker is a great choice. 

>> Click here to check the Flair price on Amazon

Before You Go

I hope you found this guide to the best espresso machine helpful.

If you are planning to invest in an espresso machine, you will also need a few essential espresso accessories to go with it.

To help you find the right ones, read our reviews on the best coffee scale, the best coffee tampers, the best knock boxes, the best coffee storage containers and the best milk jugs.

Or you can find all our coffee machine reviews here or see all the best coffee gear here.

More Coffee Equipment Reviews

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Rachel Rodda

Founder of Coffeewise, Rachel is a passionate coffee drinker, Specialty Coffee Association member and former barista who loves to research and share practical tips on brewing great coffee at home. Read more about me here.