Espresso Machines
What kind of espresso machine are you looking for?
These machines differ far less in what they produce than in how much of the work they do. Some grind, dose and tamp for you and hand you a cup; some control the water and leave everything in front of the group head to you. That choice, not a pressure figure, is what separates them — along with whether a grinder is included, whether you texture the milk yourself, and how much counter they take. Every figure comes from the manufacturer's own documentation — how we evaluate products.
Semi-automatic machines
Every variable is in your hands, including the ones you have not learned to control yet.
Breville Barista Express
Espresso Machines
Breville’s all-in-one espresso machine: an integrated conical burr grinder with 16 settings, a 54 mm portafilter, PID temperature control and a steam wand you work yourself.
View product
Breville Barista Pro
Espresso Machines
Breville’s ThermoJet espresso machine: 30 grind settings on Baratza burrs, a stated three-second heat-up, and a steam wand you work yourself.
View product
De’Longhi Stilosa
Espresso Machines
De’Longhi’s entry manual espresso machine: a 15 bar pump, a stainless steel boiler, single and double filters, and a milk frother you work yourself. No grinder.
View product
Gaggia Classic Pro E24
Espresso Machines
Gaggia’s single-boiler espresso machine: a 58 mm stainless portafilter, a lead-free brass boiler, an over-pressure valve set to 9 bar and a rotating commercial-style steam wand. No grinder.
View productAssisted semi-automatic machines
Consistent dosing and tamping ↔ one fewer variable you can deliberately change.
Breville Barista Express Impress
Espresso Machines
Breville’s assisted espresso machine: 25 grind settings, assisted tamping, PID temperature control and a 54 mm portafilter, with the milk still yours to steam.
View product
Breville Barista Touch Impress
Espresso Machines
Breville’s guided espresso machine: assisted 22 lb tamping with automatic dose correction, Auto MilQ hands-free milk texturing, 13 drink presets and a three-second ThermoJet heat-up.
View productSuper-automatic machines
Coffee without a technique ↔ no access to the variables that change the cup.
