Espresso machines have become essential for coffee lovers seeking café-quality drinks at home. In 2025, the market offers options for every skill level, from beginner-friendly automatics to prosumer machines for seasoned baristas. We’ve evaluated performance, ease of use, and value to present the ten best espresso machines of 2025. Each model delivers rich, crema-topped shots, with features tailored to diverse needs, whether you’re brewing a quick latte or perfecting latte art in a busy office setting.
1. Breville Barista Express Impress
The Breville Barista Express Impress emerged as my top choice, hands down. Its impressive performance and user-friendly features make it a standout option for any beginner espresso enthusiast or frequent coffee-at-home consumer. Most importantly, the quality of the espresso produced by this machine was simply exceptional. The crema on each cup was thick and foamy, indicating a proper emulsion in the extraction process. The cappuccino I made was satisfying далі, thanks to its steam wand. While it took a few seconds to blast pure steam and wasn’t the most powerful one I tested (that honor goes to the Rancilio Silvia), the wand delivered enough intensity to heat the milk quickly and produce the microfoam I needed for the drink. “I like the dosing system, which was always a little more of a guessing game with my previous, less expensive machine,” he says, adding that he also appreciates how easy it is to clean the model.
- Pros: User-friendly with assisted tamping, integrated grinder, exceptional crema, easy to clean.
- Cons: Steam wand less powerful than some competitors, large footprint.
2. Profitec Go
After making (and tasting) dozens of espressos and lattes, we think the Profitec Go is the best machine for both new and skilled espresso enthusiasts. It’s powerful and easy to use, and it’s capable of yielding consistent, rich shots with robust flavor profiles. After a new round of testing, the Profitec Go is now our top pick. We prioritized machines that can deliver delicious espresso shots without too much tinkering. The Profitec Go is a single-boiler machine with a compact footprint, making it ideal for smaller kitchens. Its PID temperature control ensures precise brewing, and the quick heat-up time means you’re not waiting long for your morning shot. The steam wand produces excellent microfoam for latte art.
- Pros: Compact, PID temperature control, quick heat-up, great microfoam.
- Cons: Single boiler limits simultaneous brewing and steaming, higher price for a single-boiler model.
3. Gaggia Classic Evo Pro
For its price, it doesn’t get much better than the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro. This compact machine is a straightforward way to learn the ins and outs of espresso. The Gaggia Classic Evo Pro is a no-frills machine for people who are serious about espresso. Don’t let its straightforward interface and simple design fool you: this is the best at-home espresso machine that can pull a full-bodied, flavorful shot. It’s also not the best for true beginners — this is closer to the machine in your local café than the one in your best friend’s house. To make the best use of this machine, we firmly believe a dedicated espresso grinder and one of the best tampers are both needed. The Classic Evo Pro comes packaged with a flimsy, plastic tamper that is a few millimeters short of properly fitting the portafilter, so we highly recommend an upgrade.
- Pros: Full-bodied shots, compact and durable, café-like performance.
- Cons: Requires separate grinder and better tamper, not beginner-friendly.
4. Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus is a longtime Serious Eats favorite. We’ve recommended it for about four years and we’ve yet to have a serious (get it?) complaint with it. It’s quick to heat, comes in a compact package, pulls great espresso shots, and has an automatic steam wand that creates microfoam silky enough for latte art. I’ve been using mine for a couple of months now to make delicious lattes every morning — and it’s by far my favorite machine I’ve tested. The Bambino Plus is Breville’s second-lowest cost offering — but it still produces great and consistent shots. (The original Bambino is cheaper but doesn’t have the automated milk-steaming feature.)
- Pros: Compact, quick heat-up, automatic steam wand, consistent shots.
- Cons: No built-in grinder, limited to manual tamping.
5. De’Longhi Dedica Deluxe
Best of all, the DeLonghi Dedica Deluxe is equipped with a thermoblock heating system, so it’ll be ready to make espresso or steam milk in just a few seconds. Speaking of steaming milk, I was very impressed by DeLonghi’s pannarello steam wand during my testing. There are a couple of settings here, one for creating pillowy cappuccino foam and another for just steamed milk. Seriously, you don’t find that kind of versatility on many machines at this price point, making the Dedica Deluxe stand out from the crowd. This is a very compact manual espresso machine at 5.9 inches wide, and although this is another low-cost espresso machine from De’Longhi, I’d recommend this one over the Stilosa, personally, if you can find the extra few bucks, and especially so if you’re planning on upgrading it for home barista use.
- Pros: Compact, thermoblock for fast heating, versatile steam wand, affordable.
- Cons: No grinder, small water tank requires frequent refills.
6. Jura Z10
As you’d expect from a Jura coffee maker, the Z10 is gorgeous to look at and would seriously elevate the aesthetics of any kitchen. However, this machine is far from just a pretty face. In my Jura Z10 review I was blown away by the Product Recognizing Grinder (P.R.G.). Not only is this grinder super quiet, it can be set to adapt electronically according to the beverage being prepared. The Z10 is equipped with a host of other features, including Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.) and 3D Brewing Technology. The latter feature allows water to flow evenly on multiple levels for a more even extraction. Aside from making sublime espresso and exquisitely textured milk foam, the Z10 is one of the best cold brew coffee makers around. Thanks to Jura’s Cold Extraction Process, espresso can be brewed at lower temperatures, resulting in a creamy and delicious cold brew crossover.
- Pros: Stunning design, quiet grinder, advanced extraction tech, excellent cold brew.
- Cons: Very expensive, complex maintenance for milk system.
7. Nespresso Vertuo Next
In our tests, every cup of espresso and coffee came out hot and well-rounded with a luxurious crema. Plus, the position of the water tank can be moved to fit your counter space. Another noteworthy perk is that Nespresso recycles used pods if you send them back to the company, and the brand’s newest Vertuo machine is made with 54% recycled plastic. Finally, you can’t beat the price, and it requires barely any cleanup. The Vertuo Next uses Nespresso’s pod system, offering a wide variety of blends and drink sizes, from espresso to larger coffee drinks.
- Pros: Affordable, minimal cleanup, recyclable pods, versatile drink sizes.
- Cons: Limited to Nespresso pods, no milk frothing without separate device.
8. Rancilio Silvia Pro X
We reviewed the most updated version of the Rancilio Silvia Pro X’s classic design. Its well-engineered design made it easy to create lots of delicious espresso during testing. Whether you want an espresso or a latte, this machine can handle the job thanks to its two boilers for always-on convenience. The Silvia Pro X offers PID control, pre-infusion, and a pressure gauge for precise brewing. It’s a prosumer machine built to last, with a stainless steel body and commercial-grade components.
- Pros: Dual boilers, PID control, durable build, precise brewing.
- Cons: Steep learning curve, no integrated grinder.
9. Lelit Bianca V3
The Lelit Bianca V3 in painted black, freshly unboxed. We are midway through our full review process on the Lelit Bianca, and every single day I become more and more impressed with this $3,000 machine. First of all, pretty much everything the La Marzocco GS3 paddle group machine can do, the Bianca can do in a package costing almost 2/3rds less. And even more so. The Bianca has three independent pressure modification systems on it; two are programmed automatic modes, and the third is a completely manual control. For $3,000, you are getting an incredibly advanced, extremely high end, generational machine that is absolutely state of the art. It isn’t perfect (we noticed more than a few things we’d like to see updated in the Bianca, which I’ll save for our review).
- Pros: Advanced pressure control, high-end performance, versatile for light roasts.
- Cons: Very expensive, some interface quirks.
10. Philips 3200 LatteGo
During testing, we loved how the superautomatic Philips 3200 LatteGo Espresso Machine did it all for us — from grinding to milk steaming — without any additional effort. With a simple touch of a button, it served up cup after cup of delicious espresso, latte and cappuccino. Two standout features make this one of the best super-automatic espresso machines: the options for an Americano (or long black) and a custom “my cup” setting. We frothed both whole milk and almond milk and noted that the frother worked every bit as well as those on most semiautomatic machines. We also like that the wand is removable and washable.
- Pros: Fully automatic, versatile drink options, removable milk wand, good with plant-based milk.
- Cons: Less control over extraction, plastic build feels less premium.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the difference between semi-automatic, automatic, and super-automatic espresso machines?
Semi-automatic machines, like the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro, require manual control over shot pulling and tamping but automate water pressure and temperature. Automatic machines, such as the Breville Bambino Plus, handle shot timing but still need manual grinding and tamping. Super-automatic machines, like the Jura Z10 and Philips 3200 LatteGo, manage everything—grinding, tamping, brewing, and milk frothing—with minimal user input, ideal for convenience but offering less control.
Do I need a separate grinder for an espresso machine?
Machines with built-in grinders, like the Breville Barista Express Impress, simplify the process. However, models like the Profitec Go, De’Longhi Dedica Deluxe, and Rancilio Silvia Pro X require a separate grinder for fresh grounds, which is critical for quality espresso. Pod-based machines like the Nespresso Vertuo Next don’t need a grinder, as they use pre-packaged capsules.
How often should I clean and descale an espresso machine?
Clean the portafilter, steam wand, and drip tray after each use to prevent coffee oil buildup. Descale every 1–3 months, depending on water hardness and usage, using a descaling solution. Super-automatic machines like the Philips 3200 often have automated cleaning cycles, but manual models like the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro require more hands-on maintenance. Regular care extends machine life and maintains flavor.
Can I make lattes and cappuccinos with these machines?
Most machines, except the Nespresso Vertuo Next, include steam wands for frothing milk, enabling lattes and cappuccinos. The Breville Bambino Plus and De’Longhi Dedica Deluxe offer automatic or versatile wands for easy frothing. Super-automatic models like the Jura Z10 and Philips 3200 automate milk texturing, while prosumer machines like the Lelit Bianca V3 provide precise control for latte art.
Which espresso machine is best for beginners?
The Breville Barista Express Impress is ideal for beginners due to its integrated grinder, assisted tamping, and user-friendly interface. The Breville Bambino Plus is another great choice for its compact size and automatic steam wand, simplifying milk frothing. For minimal effort, the Philips 3200 LatteGo offers a fully automatic experience, perfect for those new to espresso.