High-end coffee machines are an investment for coffee enthusiasts seeking barista-quality brews at home. From drip brewers to espresso machines, these appliances combine precision, durability, and stunning design. Below, we review eight of the best high-end coffee machines for 2025, highlighting their features, pros, and cons, followed by a buying guide and FAQs to help you choose the perfect model.
1. BALMUDA The Brew Coffee Maker
This is a fuss-free drip brewer that makes a great cup of coffee. The sleek, pleasing design of BALMUDA The Brew makes it a great fit in nearly any kitchen — but at this price point, a high-end coffee maker needs to do more than just look good. Fortunately, The Brew is easy to set up and straightforward to use, with mode options for iced, strong, or regular-strength coffee. This coffee maker performs best with medium-ground coffee — properly stored beans that have been freshly ground just before brewing are always ideal — yielding nuanced flavors and aromas through each of the brewing models. We’ve been testing this model at home for a few months now, and we like it the same as the first day we tasted what it can do. What we may love most is the lengths it goes to replicate the art of making a pour-over while taking away the hassle. Dimensions: 11.75 x 5.5 x 15 inches | Brew type: Drip | Frother: No
Pros:
- Superb drip coffee with pour-over-like quality
- Easy to set up and use
- Distinct, minimalist styling
Cons:
- Not programmable
- High price for a drip machine
- No frother for milk-based drinks
2. Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select Coffee Maker
There are no extras whatsoever. Something of a cult classic in the coffee world, the Technivorm Moccamaster is popular with good reason. You’ll find no programming frills or special mode selections here, just an on/off switch and the choice between a half or full carafe. But what the Moccamaster lacks in extras, it makes up for in pure coffee brewing quality. The KBT keeps coffee hot for longer, however, since the KB’s hot plate shuts off after four hours. Both models offer some manual control over the brewing process by allowing you to open or close the filter basket, and both also produce well-rounded, nuanced, high-quality cups, brewing a full pot quickly. Both are also beautifully designed and covered with a generous five-year warranty. Dimensions: 12.2 x 6.7 x 14.2 inches | Brew type: Drip | Frother: No
Pros:
- Exceptional coffee quality with SCA Golden Cup certification
- Durable, handmade construction
- Five-year warranty
Cons:
- No clock or descaling reminder
- Thermal carafe not dishwasher-safe
- Pricier than other drip brewers
3. Breville Barista Touch Impress
Sleek and powerful, with great programming and a solid built-in grinder, the Barista Touch lets beginners make a variety of café-quality espresso drinks at home with very little learning curve. Like the Barista Touch, it has a touchscreen control center that takes you step by step through the process, as well as multiple drink programs to choose from. But it has a better built-in grinder, an automatic tamper, and an updated automated milk wand with non-dairy milk-frothing options. Even a houseguest could easily walk up, use this machine, and end up with a pretty great drink. The bright touchscreen guides you through the process of dialling in your espresso and steaming your milk, so even beginners don’t feel overwhelmed. What’s more, it optimises the grind size and amount of coffee to ensure that every shot extracts the optimal amount of flavour. Dimensions: 13.4 x 14.6 x 16.5 inches | Brew type: Espresso | Frother: Yes
Pros:
- Intuitive touchscreen for beginners
- High-quality built-in grinder
- Automatic tamper and milk frothing
Cons:
- Expensive for a semi-automatic machine
- Large footprint
- Requires regular cleaning
4. Lelit Mara X
The Lelit Mara X is a beautiful machine with the look and feel of a commercial espresso machine. We’d think of it as the sports car of single-boiler espresso machines. The tamper fits well in your hand, and it has a good weight to it—it was one of the best included tampers of the machines we tested. With a lever mechanism to pull the shot and a curved, double-spouted portafilter where you can watch your espresso slide down, every part of the experience with this machine is sumptuous. We pulled balanced, sweet, nutty shots with a hint of smokiness, as well as lighter shots with florals and notes of honey. Breville acquired the Italian coffee company Lelit in 2023, and since then, the brand’s machines have become more widely available. During our testing, the Lelit MaraX brewed the richest, most flavorful espresso. And the smooth layer of crema it left on top—perfection. Dimensions: 8.7 x 16.1 x 13.8 inches | Brew type: Espresso | Frother: Yes
Pros:
- Commercial-grade espresso quality
- Beautiful, compact design
- Excellent steam wand for microfoam
Cons:
- Single boiler requires purging after steaming
- No built-in grinder
- Steep learning curve for beginners
5. SMEG Medium Fully-Automatic Coffee Machine
Smeg is almost certainly best known for its high-end, retro appliances, and this bean-to-cup coffee machine fits nicely with the rest of the brand’s offerings. The 1950s style of this machine belies some hi-tech innards, though. The easy-to-fill hopper on top grinds beans for the freshest coffee, and the machine produced some of the best-tasting coffee during testing. It took seconds to set up this machine, and we were able to create barista-quality coffee quickly. The steam wand took moments to get up to temperature and enabled us to create dense microfoam easily in the metal milk jug that’s included. All the accessories felt great quality, right down to the metal weighted tamper. We also liked the small footprint of this appliance – for a bean-to-cup machine, it didn’t take up too much space on our kitchen counter. Dimensions: 7.1 x 17.3 x 13.3 inches | Brew type: Bean-to-cup | Frother: Yes
Pros:
- Retro design with modern technology
- Fast setup and brewing
- Compact for a bean-to-cup machine
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- Milk frother not automatic
- High price for features offered
6. Jura J10
It not only brews exceptional espresso and foams milk to perfection, it also creates the best cold brew of any machine I’ve tested, using high-pressure pulses of water to create an authentically smooth, well-rounded flavor profile. Unlike most other machines capable of brewing cold, the Jura J10 forces pulses of water over your freshly ground coffee at high pressure. The result is impressive, and noticeably more flavorsome than cold brew from other machines I’ve tested – mellow and well-rounded. Toss in a couple of ice cubes and you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the J10’s cold brew and coffee made the traditional way overnight. The Jura J10 also has a particularly good milk-texturizing system, with an option to add a syrup of your choice, which is distributed evenly throughout the foam as it’s dispensed. Dimensions: 11 x 12.6 x 16.5 inches | Brew type: Bean-to-cup | Frother: Yes
Pros:
- Outstanding cold brew and espresso
- Advanced milk frothing with syrup option
- High-pressure brewing technology
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Large footprint
- Complex maintenance requirements
7. Breville Dual Boiler
The Dual Boiler has a professional-grade 58-millimeter portafilter, pressure gauge, PID display, shot timer, and hot water spout for preheating cups. Because it has two boilers, we easily pulled shots and steamed milk simultaneously. Its steam pressure created textured microfoam worthy of any café. While a lot of high-end espresso machines aren’t always user-friendly, the Dual Boiler is packed with details that make it simple to operate. Not only does its drip tray have a bobber to alert you when it’s full, but there’s also a hidden storage compartment that houses tools. It has wheels on its underside and there’s even a magnetic divot to hold your tamper when not in use. Dimensions: 14.7 x 14.7 x 14.3 inches | Brew type: Espresso | Frother: Yes
Pros:
- Dual boilers for simultaneous brewing and steaming
- Professional-grade features
- User-friendly design details
Cons:
- Expensive
- No built-in grinder
- Requires regular backflushing
8. Fellow Aiden Precision Coffee Maker
Like so many of Fellow’s other products, like its Ode burr grinder or its Stagg kettle, the Aiden has a beautiful minimalist look about it that will make you happy to have one on your countertop. It has other nice design touches, like a removable side water tank that’s easy to take to the fridge and fill as well as spring-loaded filter basket that seals up when removed from the machine. That means no drips when you go to dump them out. It also makes cold brew, slowly dripping out the water overnight to produce a deliciously smooth pot of coffee. We’ve been testing kitchen products for years, and none are absolutely perfect, but as drip coffee makers go, the Fellow Aiden is as close as they come. Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.9 x 12 inches | Brew type: Drip | Frother: No
Pros:
- SCA Golden Cup certification
- Cold brew capability
- Wi-Fi connectivity for programmability
Cons:
- High price for a drip machine
- Small 10-cup capacity
- No frother for milk drinks
Buying Guide
Choosing a high-end coffee machine depends on your brewing preferences, budget, and desired level of involvement. Here are key factors to consider:
Type of Coffee Machine
- Drip Coffee Makers: Ideal for simplicity and large batches. Models like the BALMUDA The Brew and Technivorm Moccamaster excel for their pour-over-like quality and ease of use.
- Espresso Machines: Perfect for espresso-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. Semi-automatic options like the Breville Barista Touch Impress and Lelit Mara X cater to both beginners and pros.
- Bean-to-Cup Machines: Fully automatic for convenience, grinding and brewing with one touch. The SMEG Medium and Jura J10 are great for those who want minimal effort.
Key Features
- Temperature Control: Look for machines that maintain water between 195°F and 205°F for optimal extraction.
- Pressure: Espresso machines should deliver 9 bars of pressure for consistent shots.
- Frothing: A powerful steam wand or automatic frother is essential for milk-based drinks.
- Grinder: Built-in grinders save space but may limit customization compared to standalone units.
- Durability: High-end machines should use stainless steel or robust materials for longevity.
Budget
High-end coffee machines range from $350 to over $1,500. Drip brewers are generally more affordable, while espresso and bean-to-cup machines command higher prices due to their complexity.
Maintenance
Regular cleaning is crucial, especially for machines with milk systems or internal grinders. Look for models with removable parts or self-cleaning features to simplify upkeep.
Space
Consider counter space. Compact models like the SMEG Medium are ideal for smaller kitchens, while larger machines like the Jura J10 require more room.
FAQs
Q: What’s the difference between a semi-automatic and fully automatic espresso machine?
A semi-automatic machine requires manual control over shot pulling and milk frothing, offering more customization (e.g., Breville Barista Touch Impress). A fully automatic (bean-to-cup) machine grinds, tamps, and brews with one touch, prioritizing convenience (e.g., Jura J10).
Q: Are high-end drip coffee makers worth it compared to budget models?
Yes, if you value consistent flavor and durability. High-end drip brewers like the Technivorm Moccamaster and Fellow Aiden use precise temperature control and quality materials, producing better coffee than budget models with plastic components.
Q: How often should I clean my coffee machine?
Daily rinsing of removable parts and weekly descaling (depending on water hardness) are recommended. Espresso machines with milk frothers need daily flushing to prevent clogs, while bean-to-cup machines may require monthly deep cleaning.
Q: Can I use pre-ground coffee in an espresso machine?
Yes, but freshly ground coffee yields better flavor. For machines without built-in grinders (e.g., Lelit Mara X), use double-walled baskets for pre-ground coffee to enhance extraction.
Q: How long do high-end coffee machines last?
With proper maintenance, high-end machines can last 5–10 years. Brands like Technivorm and Breville offer warranties up to 5 years, and durable materials ensure longevity.