An espresso machine is the most important equipment you will own, especially when you own a restaurant or a café. Customers flocking to your business are looking for delicious espresso beverages that give them a quick boost and help them start the day. Coffee enthusiasts who ‘get a kick’ every morning with their daily dose of caffeine are looking for beautiful and simple coffee machines too. With such a widespread need for these nifty little machines and an even wider variety of products available, selecting one could be difficult.

Selecting an espresso machine takes a great deal of time. A coffee machine does not only have to be beautifully designed but highly functional as well. After all, you will be better off buying a machine that makes the best use of the coffee beans, reduces waste, and brings a fresh new flavor for you every day.

Best Espresso Machines 2018 – Our Top Picks

We have tested 100+ espresso machines in our labs and rated them according to their brewing capacity, price point and design and here are our suggestions for the best espresso machines for home and commercial use:

Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine

(1778)

$479.99

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Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista Espresso and Cappuccino...

(2377)

$193.99

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Jura 13623 Giga 5 Automatic Coffee Machine,...

(30)

$5,143.39

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Gaggia Classic Semi-Automatic Espresso Maker....

(668)

$349.00

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At this moment, there are 720+ various espresso machines available in the market and every other model has some or the other unique feature you’ve never heard about before. We have tested hundreds of espresso machines in our lab and here is the curated list of the best espresso machines for you:

Which is the best espresso machine for home use?

If you are looking for espresso machines that give you hot coffee each morning without having to rush to the nearest café, you should definitely have an espresso machine. Let’s dig a little deeper.

Let’s take a look at best espresso machines for home use.

#1 Breville BES920XL Dual Boiler Espresso Machine

This 30-pound, home use espresso machine is great for people looking for a quick espresso shot before starting their day. The stainless-steel body comes with dual boilers. You get OPV for limiting extraction pressure and dual Italian pumps to steam and extract coffee at the same time. Loaded with useful features, the product boasts of a backlit LCD panel that helps you regulate temperature and even provide assisted descaling. You get a water hardness test strip, apart from other advanced features, to get commercial machine level performance.

You can use the PID temperature controlled boiler to get a powerful espresso shot while getting powerful steam from the second. Steaming is café quality, and you can expect the best use of coffee beans in the process, especially with the Razor Dosing Tool that measures the dosing precisely. The Over Pressure Valve or OPV helps you in limiting extracting pressure. This helps your coffee remain pleasantly delicious, instead of bitter and over-done. The best thing about this machine is that it lets you program that timing and pressure of the coffee making process. The machine comes with a 2-year limited warranty and boasts of café-rivaling taste with its 1700-watt powered system.

#2 Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine

Nobody likes stale coffee. Freshly ground beans always give the most authentic flavors of the roast and produce better coffee each time. However, it could be difficult to get delicious espresso made from freshly grounded beans each time you want to enjoy a cup. The machine comes with a powerful 1600-watt thermos coil heating system and a stainless-steel burr grinder. The stainless-steel burr grinding system gives you better quality ground, and its purge function helps you adjust water temperature per your own needs. The machine can be used by experienced baristas to create customized coffee blends for themselves. However, even beginners will find it easy to use the machine with the pressurized, dual-wall filters.

This machine boasts of a 15-bar pump (made in Italy) which helps in getting the ideal temperature for making the perfect espresso. You will also be able to make cappuccino and lattes on this machine, for times when you or your guests want to take a break from the usual espresso. Its 360-degree swivel action steam wand helps you in texturing milk perfectly for the most amazing brews of your choice. The machine scores highly on design and durability. The design is sleek, and its stainless-steel body fits into any kitchen with ease.

#3 Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine

If you are looking for a machine that is elegantly designed and amazingly portable, then the Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine should be your choice. The portable machine comes with an iron frame and stainless-steel side panels, giving it a beautiful and enviable look. It comes with a porta filter handle, one that you see in Rancilio’s commercial coffee products. The machine retains heat perfectly and your brew stays hot in the cup for longer. The steaming pressure is managed precisely in the machine, and you get commercial quality work done with a small home use machine.

This machine is styled in a sleek traditional design and will fit most kitchen decors with ease. It is smaller than its counterparts, making it ideal for small kitchen usage as well. The best feature of this machine is its heat stability because of which the coffee is grounded perfectly and gives you barista-quality brews each time. The 58mm portafilter is great for an American sized cup. The brass boiler comes with chrome plating and holds 12 oz. of water (the largest for home machines). This gives it better steaming power and makes it perfect to brew multiple cups quickly. It also comes with a stainless-steel wand for texturing and steaming milk for times when you want to replace your espresso with a latte.

#4 Breville BES840XL the Infuser Espresso Machine

Some home espresso machines are guilty of providing unevenly ground brews, but not the Infuser Espresso Machine by Breville. This machine comes with a [powerful1600-watt thermo coil heating system and a re-infusion function. This helps you get better heat stability and a delicious beverage each time. The machine starts with low water pressure when it extracts the brew and starts to expand grinding the beans gently to get a strong taste without the bitterness. Like most of its peers, the machine comes with a 15 bar Italian pump and auto purge function that helps in regulation steam temperature for the best coffee experience.

The Infuser Espresso machine comes with a 54mm portafilter for the perfect brew. You can monitor extraction pressure and use the PID temperature control to suit your needs. For more convenience, the machine comes with a dry puck feature which removes excess water from the ground so that it can be cleaned easily. You also get a cleaning alert and a removable drip tray which makes maintenance easier. Overall, it is a fantastic machine for both beginners and experts who want to get a great brew and the most convenience.

#5 Gaggia 14101 Classic Espresso Machine

If you are looking for a beautiful, traditional, and portable design in coffee machines and enjoy no-frills coffee making experience, then you should choose the Gaggia 14101 Classic Espresso Machine. This machine brings the perfect commercial style coffee making to your home without the big designs. It can fit perfectly into any kitchen, regardless of the décor and the size. With two stainless steel filter baskets and chrome plated marine brass portafilter, you will be getting a great brew each time you switch it on. The heat stability of the machine is great and provides it an extra point for classic, hot brews with each roast.

The machine is incredibly light at 17.6 pounds. Gaggia’s Italian espresso and cappuccino machines are perfect for getting a delicious brew that is not over-done. The machine has two heating elements and a 1425 watts system that helps you get a quick coffee. It comes with a 58mm filter that is usually found in more advanced machines. The entire boiler of the machine has been converted into a heating element, giving an even and well-extracted coffee.  You can expect durability and exceptional shot recovery time. This is not all. It comes with a big cup warmer that can hold at least 5 cups at once.

Which is the best espresso machine for commercial use?

If you own a café and are looking for a heavy-duty, highly customizable, and durable espresso machine, you should choose one from among our selection. These machines boast of better heating, more even grounds, better customization options and shorter shot recovery times. Ready?

Let’s take a look at best espresso machines for commercial use.

#1 Jura Giga 5 Automatic Coffee Machine

This machine instantly catches your attention with its pleasing aesthetics and a sleek design. It also boasts of a quieter operation. The machine comes with two ceramic disc grinders, that ground coffee beans perfectly without making too much noise. These grinders are virtually wear-free which helps you get great coffee for the customers in the years to come.

Apart from the traditional espresso, you can get 17 specialty coffees with different individually programmable functionalities. It comes with Rotary Selection and a beautiful TFT display that makes it easier to program your brew. Whether you are looking for a macchiato, a Café Melange, a Shakerato, a Pepresso or a Marocchino, you get it all with the touch of a button. Go ahead and ahead fancy coffees to your menu. You will not be disappointed with this machine.

The machine is made in Switzerland, and you can expect great design sense and more durability from the product. The machine comes with a dual spout that can be adjusted for height as well as width. The machines have an amazing multi-chambered system (patented) that dispenses coffee, milk, and foam in the desired proportions according to the coffee. Overall, this is the perfect machine for any café that wants to serve a variety of coffee drinks to its customers without any hassles.

#2 DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine

If you are looking for a sub-$1000 commercial coffee machine that doesn’t compromise on design or durability, this DeLonghi Magnifica Super-Automatic coffee machine should be your choice. Though the machine is known for its amazing ‘Cappuccino system,’ it is great for making espresso and a variety of other coffee drinks. It is considered a great value for money buy that helps you in getting customizable functions and better grounds each time. The control button works at the push of a button to provide a variety of brews to the barista. The machine also comes with a patented ‘Direct-To-Brew’ system which helps you get the best espresso shots and grin beans quickly and perfectly.

The bur grinder reduces noise and provides highly professional grinds. The machine works equally well with ground coffee as well as coffee beans. It comes with all the features of a full-size automatic machine, which makes it easier to use, even by a relatively inexperienced barista. It is easy to choose the density, temperature, and richness of each espresso cup with this highly customizable system. It is a perfect addition to a small café that aims to add rich cappuccinos, lattes, and espressos to its menu.

#3 DeLonghi ECAM28465M Prima Donna

If you are looking for an amazing machine that provides you delicious lattes at the touch of a button, this is the machine that you need. The DeLonghi Prima Donna comes with a patented Single Touch Latte Crema System that provides you delicious coffee with the touch of a button. It makes great espressos too. The best thing about the machine is that it comes with a hot water spout as well. You can make hot chocolate and tea with the help of this spout. This also lets you add more beverage options in your menu. The machine also comes with a 2-liter water tank which makes it easier for you to serve a busy café without refilling too often.

The machine’s exterior is made up of stainless steel, making it a sturdy and good-looking machine. It also has a digital display system and memory function to create customized coffee grinds. The machine’s foam is thick and rich, which enriches your espresso drinks even more. Prima Donna comes with a burr grinder system that comes with 13 adjustable settings for different brews. You can adjust for water hardness. The machine shuts down automatically to save power and avoid any accidents. For additional convenience, the milk container can be detached and stored safely in a fridge. Overall, a great addition to any commercial kitchen

#4 Profitec Pro 700 Dual Boiler Espresso Machine

This advanced coffee machine is for baristas looking for highly customized brews. It has a 3-liter water reservoir but can also be connected directly to a water line. This is one of the best features of this machine which makes it perfect for use in busy cafes.Even the drip tray comes with a 1-liter capacity to avoid continuous cleaning and save time. It comes with two boilers – one is dedicated to brewing (0.75 liters) and the second for steaming (2 liters). Each boiler is made of stainless steel and boasts of thermal insulation for better heat retention. Even the hot water wand of the machine comes with insulation. The rotary pump and RPM motor of the machine work almost noiseless.

It comes with thermosyphon heating system which provides the best temperature stability to the E61 brew group, made of chrome plated brass. You can handle pressure and temperature with ease. This high-end espresso machine can help you get the same rich and dense espresso each time. It excels in consistency and high-quality brewing. Though the machine is expensive, it is perfect for any busy restaurant with high demand for coffee beverages.

#5 Nuova Simonelli Aurelia II Volumetric 2 Group Espresso Machine

This is another one of the advanced coffee machines that will be perfect for busier cafes and restaurants. More expensive than any other espresso machines listed here, the Volumetric Group 2 is designed to provide high-quality espresso shots each time. The machine boasts of incredible consistency in quality. It is a barista’s dream come true. With advanced features and a highly customizable experience, there is no chance you will get a complaint about your coffee’s quality. Whether you are serving hundreds of cups of coffee each day or focusing on producing only premium quality brews, this machine can do it all for you. It boasts of precision design and T3 technology that helps you regulate temperature better. You can even control the amount of espresso you are looking for, so that grinds can be made bigger or smaller, according to the drink.

It also allows pre-infusion at low pressure at the beginning of the grinding process which helps you get a more consistent taste. The auto steam wand is also a great addition to getting rich steamed milk or froth. This is the best-in-class espresso machine you can buy.

Introduction and the Types of Espresso Machines

An espresso machine is a coffee lover’s ultimate home gadget fantasy. With a good espresso machine by your side, it becomes easy to get your daily coffee boost or a refreshing latte on a relaxed Sunday. However, not all espresso machines are made equal. Coffee machines can be segregated by use. The first is domestic or home use machine which is used for creating quick and simple espresso shots for home use. You do not get heated wands, insulation, and programmable functions on these machines. The second is commercial use machines. They come with high end patented designs, heavier models, highly customizable settings, metal designs, and advanced features like thermosyphon heating, cup size adjustment and more.

You can also categorize espresso machines according to the pressure mechanisms. The high-end commercial machines use rotary pumps while most domestic use machines work with vibrational pumps. You also get the single boiler and double boiler variants in the market. The perfect machine for you will depend on your needs as well as your budget.

Things To Consider Before Buying Espresso Machines

Durability- even if you are buying a home espresso machine, you will be spending more than $350. That is a big amount of money. So, you need to be extra careful about the durability of the machine. Get only those machines that have a proven track record of durability. P.S. a European brand often offers better durability.

Grinder- Burr grinders are common on many commercial machines and high-end models even come with noiseless ceramic grinders. The rest come with steel bodies and stainless-steel grinders. The quality of the grinder will decide the quality of your brew. Make sure you see one in action (even if on YouTube) before deciding what to buy.

Customer reviews- when buying online (like Amazon) pay close attention to the customer reviews. You want to be able to make better buying decisions based on what other people have experienced. Therefore, find some time to read the customer reviews after reading the product description. You will get to know if you are buying the best or the worst.

Budget- how much do you spend on coffee? Will it be worth buying a coffee machine instead of buying a cup on your way to work? How much are you ready to pay for a coffee machine? Answer these questions before you get an espresso machine.

Espresso Machine Troubleshooting Guide

Some problems may arise when working with espresso machines. Most problems can be fixed very easily, without having to call the manufacturer for servicing. Here are a few common problems and their solutions.

• Cold beverages

You should be using preheated cups only with espresso beverages. If the machine is unable to dispense hot coffee, you must adjust the machine to position two and wait for 15 minutes to let the temperature reach 1.0 bar.

• Coffee dispenses too slowly or quickly

If the speed of coffee dispenser seems off, you need to check the grind. Your coffee could be ground too coarse or too fine. If yes, then change the grind settings and see if the speed comes back to normal. If it does not, check if the pressure is set at 9.0 bar. You can also see if the filter has enough coffee. Make sure that the filter is cleaned every day for proper functioning.

• Filter holder is difficult to load

This could be a case of improper coffee dosage. Adjust the weight of the coffee beans and try to install again.

• Coffee spills out

The filter basket or group gasket could be damaged. Call the manufacturer for servicing.

Summary

Espresso machines are perfect for both home and commercial use. They provide the coffee of your choice, whenever you want. Having an espresso machine at home could give you more power to customize your drink while a commercial machine will help you provide rich beverages to your customers with consistent quality each time. Use our guide to find the best home espresso machines and get more value for your money.