Bravo Verdict
Category Ranking

The Best Espresso Machines

Breville Barista Express
#1Best Overall
Breville

Breville Barista Express

$599
at Amazon
4.5 (12,483)
Bottom Line

The best all-in-one espresso machine for beginners who want real results fast.

The Bravo Verdict

This machine is built for people who want café quality coffee at home without buying five separate pieces of gear. The built-in grinder, assisted tamping and automatic dosing make the whole process way less intimidating than it would be otherwise. You grind, you tamp with one lever pull, you pull...

Gaggia Classic Pro
#2Best Budget
Gaggia

Gaggia Classic Pro

$449
at Amazon
4.4 (3,211)
Bottom Line

A legendary espresso machine that rewards patience but punishes newcomers with extra costs.

The Bravo Verdict

This espresso machine has been around for decades and for good reason. It pulls genuinely great shots. The brass boiler and group head give it better thermal stability than older versions and it heats up in about two minutes flat. The steam wand is surprisingly powerful too, texturing milk for...

Rancilio Silvia
#3Best for Modders
Rancilio

Rancilio Silvia

$795
at Amazon
4.5 (2,140)
Bottom Line

Commercial grade internals in a home footprint. A modder's dream.

The Bravo Verdict

The Silvia's cult following is earned. Brass boiler, commercial group and the same body design for over 20 years.

De'Longhi Dedica EC685
#4Best for Beginners
De'Longhi

De'Longhi Dedica EC685

$199
at Amazon
4.3 (18,500)
Bottom Line

The gateway espresso machine. Small footprint, small price, real espresso.

The Bravo Verdict

At 6 inches wide, it fits anywhere. The thermoblock heats fast and the pressurized portafilter makes decent espresso even without a great grinder.

Rocket Appartamento
#5Best Premium
Rocket

Rocket Appartamento

$1,795
at Amazon
4.8 (620)
Bottom Line

Italian heat exchanger for people who take espresso seriously.

The Bravo Verdict

Full heat exchanger design lets you brew and steam simultaneously. Built by hand in Milan with rotary pump options.

Flair 58
#6Best Portable
Flair

Flair 58

$599
at Amazon
4.6 (890)
Bottom Line

Manual lever espresso at commercial quality. No electricity required for brewing.

The Bravo Verdict

Full 58mm commercial portafilter, pre heat controller and pure manual lever action. Total control over pressure profiling.