For coffee enthusiasts, a barista-quality coffee machine can transform your kitchen into a personal café. In 2025, the market offers a range of espresso machines catering to beginners and seasoned home baristas alike. After extensive research and testing, we’ve compiled a list of the seven best barista coffee machines, highlighting their features, pros, cons, and why they stand out. This guide also includes a buying guide and FAQs to help you choose the perfect machine.
1. Breville Barista Express Impress
For its premium construction, user-friendly design, mess-free operation and rich flavor yield, the Breville Barista Express Impress is our top pick—and the machine we’d recommend to most people. A semi-automatic model, this popular device has an assisted dosing and tamping system, meaning it measures the perfect amount of beans to grind and tamps the grounds with the ideal amount of pressure. What’s more, the system automatically adjusts the dose and tamping based on the last grind—a favorite feature of audience development director Spencer Dukoff, who’s been using the machine for the past nine months. “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. “I make espresso or a latte nearly every day now, and I feel like this machine has elevated my appreciation of coffee.” Dimensions: 12.9 x 14.9 x 16.1 inches | Weight: 24 pounds | Water tank capacity: 2L | Portafilter diameter: 54mm | Features and accessories: Built-in bean hopper, steam wand, extraction feedback pressure gauge, stainless steel milk jug, 1- and 2-cup single- and dual-wall filter baskets | Warranty: 2-year repair, replacement (at Breville’s discretion).
Pros:
- Assisted dosing and tamping simplify the process for beginners.
- Built-in grinder ensures fresh grounds.
- Easy to clean with mess-free operation.
- Consistent, rich espresso with adjustable settings.
Cons:
- Built-in grinder has limited range compared to standalone models.
- May feel bulky for smaller kitchens.
2. Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus is a longtime 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. Type: manual | Dimensions: 40 x 37 x 38 cm (WDH) | Water tank: 2.5L | Time to heat up: 5mins | Time to steam milk: 45secs | Grinder included: no | Noise: 60dB (brew), 64dB (steam) | Warranty: two-year repair, replace or refund at Sage’s discretion.
Pros:
- Compact design ideal for small spaces.
- Automatic steam wand produces latte art-worthy microfoam.
- Quick heat-up time.
- Reliable temperature stability for consistent shots.
Cons:
- Requires a separate grinder, increasing overall cost.
- Lightweight base may slide during portafilter locking.
3. Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series
The Ninja Luxe Café Premier is the perfect option for anyone looking to buy their first coffee machine without spending over £1,000 or becoming a fully-fledged barista. This versatile semi-automatic coffee machine includes basket accessories for making single, double and quadruple espressos, and can also produce filter coffee, cold brew and frothed dairy and plant milk. I say semi-automatic, but with the Luxe Premier’s “Barista Assist” system, the machine will recommend a grind size, weigh out your coffee with a digital scale built into the grinder and can calibrate things like brew time and temperature based on how well your espresso shot pulls, leaving very little up to the user. As well as being super easy to use and producing reliably solid coffee, the Luxe Premier is also well-built and surprisingly compact. It’s also a lot cheaper than many of its semi-automatic rivals, making it a great option for anyone looking to pick up a hassle-free espresso machine for less.
Pros:
- Barista Assist technology simplifies grinding and dosing.
- Versatile: makes espresso, filter coffee, and cold brew.
- Compact and budget-friendly compared to premium models.
- Excellent milk frother with dairy and plant milk options.
Cons:
- Plastic dosing funnel feels less durable.
- Less control for advanced users who prefer manual tweaks.
4. 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. The Profitec Go can pull deep, flavorful, and consistent shots, combining the capability of higher-priced machines with a basic interface. It’s simple for beginners to learn but has a build and power that will appeal to home espresso pros. It pulls shots with a full range of flavor and depth, and it can be dialed in to highlight particular characteristics of your beans.
Pros:
- Commercial-grade pressure and temperature stability.
- Simple interface suits beginners and pros.
- Compact yet powerful for consistent shots.
- Durable, high-quality build.
Cons:
- No built-in grinder, requiring a separate purchase.
- Higher price point than entry-level models.
5. Breville Oracle Jet
The Breville Oracle Jet grinds, doses, tamps, and froths your milk for you, and it guides you through the entire espresso-making process. 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.
Pros:
- Fully automated process with touchscreen guidance.
- High-quality built-in grinder and automatic tamper.
- Supports non-dairy milk frothing.
- Ideal for beginners and busy users.
Cons:
- Expensive, closer to professional-grade pricing.
- Large footprint may not suit small kitchens.
6. De’Longhi La Specialista Arte
De’Longhi La Specialista Arte: This was a close runner-up to my favorite pick overall, producing a beautifully extracted shot of espresso with only a couple of easy adjustments to the dose and grind size. It comes with a tamping mat and dosing funnel to minimize mess. I enjoyed the flexibility and power of the steam wand, which produced thick and silky milk. However, these accessories were edged out by those of the Breville Barista Express Impress.
Pros:
- Excellent espresso extraction with minimal adjustments.
- Powerful steam wand for silky microfoam.
- Includes tamping mat and dosing funnel for clean operation.
- Compact design for smaller spaces.
Cons:
- Accessories slightly less refined than Breville’s.
- Built-in grinder less versatile than standalone options.
7. KitchenAid KF8
And based on testing, we think the recently released KitchenAid KF8 is the best of its kind. Whereas many other fully automatic models come with 10 or so pre-programmed recipes, the KF8 is equipped with 40-plus recipes, plus it’s possible to add your own. “You can also experiment and create fancier beverages, saving the recipe to your personalized menu for future use—a handy feature, especially if you’re picky like me about your coffee but also too lazy to measure and time the steps every morning,” home and kitchen editor Sholeen Damarwala writes in her review of the model. “The KF8 has essentially proven to be a stand-in for a barista on my countertop.”
Pros:
- 40+ pre-programmed recipes with custom options.
- Fully automatic, minimizing user effort.
- Self-cleaning feature simplifies maintenance.
- High-quality espresso and milk-based drinks.
Cons:
- Premium price reflects advanced features.
- Less hands-on control for barista enthusiasts.
Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Barista Coffee Machine
When shopping for an espresso machine, consider the following factors to ensure you pick the right model for your needs:
- Type of Machine:
- Manual: Full control over grinding, tamping, and brewing. Best for experienced baristas who enjoy the process.
- Semi-Automatic: Automates some steps like water flow but requires manual grinding and tamping. Ideal for most home users.
- Fully Automatic: Grinds, doses, tamps, and brews with minimal input. Perfect for beginners or those prioritizing convenience.
- Pressure: Look for machines with 9 bars of pressure, the industry standard for optimal espresso extraction. Some models allow adjustment via an OPV valve for better flavor control.
- Grinder: Built-in grinders are convenient but often less versatile than standalone models. If you’re serious about coffee, consider investing in a separate burr grinder for finer control over grind size.
- Milk Frothing: A powerful steam wand is essential for latte art-worthy microfoam. Automatic wands simplify the process but may limit texture control.
- Size and Footprint: Measure your counter space. Compact models like the Bambino Plus suit small kitchens, while larger machines like the Oracle Jet require more room.
- Budget: Machines range from $200 to over $2,000. Entry-level models can produce good espresso with practice, but pricier options offer better consistency and features like PID temperature control.
- Ease of Cleaning: Look for machines with removable parts and minimal mess. Fully automatic models often have self-cleaning features.
FAQs
Q: What’s the difference between a semi-automatic and fully automatic espresso machine?
A semi-automatic machine requires you to grind, dose, and tamp the coffee, while controlling the shot pull manually. A fully automatic machine handles these steps with the press of a button, making it more beginner-friendly but less customizable.
Q: Do I need a separate grinder for these machines?
It depends on the model. Machines like the Breville Barista Express Impress and Ninja Luxe Café have built-in grinders, which are convenient but may lack the precision of standalone grinders. Models like the Bambino Plus and Profitec Go require a separate grinder for best results.
Q: How important is pressure in an espresso machine?
Pressure is critical for proper espresso extraction. The industry standard is 9 bars, which ensures a balanced, flavorful shot. Machines with adjustable pressure (via an OPV valve) offer more control for advanced users.
Q: Can these machines handle non-dairy milk?
Yes, many modern machines, like the Breville Oracle Jet and Ninja Luxe Café, have steam wands or automatic frothers optimized for plant-based milks like oat, almond, or soy, producing creamy microfoam.
Q: How often should I clean my espresso machine?
Daily cleaning of the portafilter, steam wand, and drip tray is recommended. Deep cleaning (descaling and backflushing) should be done every 1-2 months, depending on usage and water hardness. Fully automatic machines like the KitchenAid KF8 often have self-cleaning cycles to simplify maintenance.
Conclusion
The best barista coffee machine for you depends on your skill level, budget, and coffee preferences. The Breville Barista Express Impress stands out for its balance of automation and control, making it ideal for most home users. For compact spaces, the Bambino Plus delivers impressive performance, while the Ninja Luxe Café offers versatility at a lower price. Advanced users will appreciate the Profitec Go’s precision, and those seeking a fully automated experience can’t go wrong with the KitchenAid KF8 or Breville Oracle Jet. Use this guide to find your perfect machine and elevate your home coffee game in 2025.