I have the best job in the world. As Tom’s Guide’s resident coffee expert, I spend much of my time playing with the best espresso machines. I’ve reviewed everything from the $3k Breville Oracle Dual Boiler to the $129 Casabrews 3700 Essential to the iconic, coffee-snob-favorite Breville Bambino Plus. Catch me on an espresso machine day, and my brain is 99% random coffee knowledge.
What’s the other 1%, I hear you ask? Probably trying to remember if I actually locked my front door, or if I left the fridge open. All of that is to say — I know way too much about coffee. Luckily for you, I’ve decided to put that to good use and help you find the ideal espresso machine for your needs.
What should you look for in an espresso machine?
The first thing you need to figure out is budget. How much money do you have to spend? That’s the most integral part of picking an espresso machine — everything else relies upon that.
Next, think about how much space you have. I’ve tested utter behemoths — the Breville Oracle Dual Boiler is 18 inches tall, 14 inches wide, and 15 inches deep — and also tiny skinny legends — the Casabrews 3700 Essential is just 5 inches wide.
I have a pretty small apartment, so the Breville Bambino Plus + Comandante C40 MK4 hand grinder is as large as I can go.
After you’ve got budget and space figured out, it’s time to think about what you want from your machine. Do you want to make Instagrammable flat whites and cortados? Are you looking for the proverbial gateway drug into the exclusive world of coffee snobbery, or something a toddler could use?
If you want to learn what things like “customizable pre-infusion time” and “PID controller” mean, I’d recommend a Breville. Every Breville — yes, even the entry-level Bambino and Bambino Plus — has a PID controller to ensure your coffee is never burnt or weak and a customizable pre-infusion time so you can adjust the flavor profile of your espresso depending on your beans of choice.
But if you just want to make consistently yummy espresso, you might want to check out the Casabrews 3700 Essential or De’Longhi Stilosa. Both of these machines are exceedingly easy to use, ideal for beginners.
However, if you’ve got serious money to spend, you might want to treat yourself to the Breville Oracle Dual Boiler. This model is the most intelligent espresso machine I’ve ever used. You can pre-program your ideal drink recipes into the machine — or choose from the 15 pre-set drink recipes.
Last but not least, if $3k is a little out of your budget but you want a bean-to-cup, then I wholeheartedly recommend the De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo. This is the best-value bean-to-cup I’ve ever tested — just $699 for a grinder, powerful steam wand, premium design, and a temperature-controlled espresso pull is ideal.
Erin Bashford
Hi! I’m Erin, and I’m a former barista and now a professional espresso machine reviewer. I tested loads of espresso machines every year — last year I reviewed 30 coffee machines — and I’m also a self-professed coffee snob. I use the Breville Bambino Plus, Comandante C40 MK4, and Wacaco Exagram Pro to make consistently delicious coffee.
Let me know which machine tickles your fancy!
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