Yahoo Finance 12 best espresso machines for barista quality coffee at home
Stereotypes would have people believe that Britons drink tea, tea and only tea, but we love coffee almost as much. As a nation, we actually consume about 95 million cups of java a day.
Although some coffee is knocked back in the home, we have a penchant for visiting our local cafes. And while that cup of joe might give you a little lift, it may also leave your wallet somewhat lighter because research shows Britons spend as much as £4bn in coffee shops a year.
If you’re among those splashing out perhaps too much on takeaway brews, a barista-style machine at home could be just what you need. Thankfully, there are dozens available to suit your coffee drinking habits.
When choosing a machine, there are several things to consider. Most importantly is what type of coffee drinker you are. Are you a straightforward espresso devotee or a latte, flat white or cappuccino fan? You should also consider how many people in your home will be fighting over a fresh cup each morning and how much you are willing to spend for that perfect espresso.
Whatever your answers to those questions, there will be an espresso machine for you. We are sure of it because we found them all and tried them out to make your choice that little bit easier.
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How we tested
We tried a broad range of machines, including everything from top-end automatic bean to cup models, right through to hand-powered manual devices and pod machines. With the barista-style machines, we made everything from espressos to flat whites, and we tested the pod machines by making straight-up coffees and other drinks, such as hot chocolate, so everyone, including our little ones, was catered for.
We noted how easy each was to set up, checked how straightforward they were to use for making different drinks and how simple they were to keep clean and fresh. We also looked at aesthetics, how much space they take up, and the noise they produce when making our drinks. Above all, we taste-tested what each machine created to find those that make the most delicious coffee.
The best espresso machines for 2022 are:
Best overall – Gaggia classic: £430, Selfridges.com
Best bean to cup machine – Breville barista max coffee machine: £499, Currys.co.uk
Best for colour – Swan Nordic pump espresso coffee machine: £119.99, Shop.swan-brand.co.uk
Best retro-style machine – Smeg 1950s retro style espresso machine: £319, Currys.co.uk
Best automatic machine – Melitta avanza: £379, Amazon.co.uk
Best for espresso pods – Grind one Nespresso pod machine: £275, Grind.co.uk
Best budget buy – Salter caffe barista pro espresso maker: £69.99, Currys.co.uk
Best luxury buy – Cuisinart veloce: £630, Cuisinart.co.uk
Best for all the family – Bosch tassimo my way 2: £99.99, Bosch-home.co.uk
Best hand-powered machine – ROK EspressoGC explorer edition: £219, Rok.coffee
Best for coffee options – Dualit 3 in 1 coffee machine: £199.99, Dualit.com
Best compact machine – Dualit espresso coffee machine: £129.99, Dualit.com
Gaggia classic
Best: Overall
Rating: 10/10
Dimensions: H 380mm x W 240mm x D 230mm
Colours: Brushed stainless steel, cherry red, classic blue, industrial grey, polar white, thunder black and limited-edition acrobat
Milk steam wand: Yes
Tank capacity: 2.1l
Coffee type: Ground and ESE pods
Coffee aficionados will instantly recognise Gaggia as one of the best brands out there, and its classic machine has been a prosumer favourite for three decades. When we tested it, we could tell why.
The Italian designed and made machine looks super sleek and stylish, and it comes in several colours to fit any kitchen. It is exceptionally well made and robust enough to see you through years of daily use. We were impressed with how quickly it was to set up too and were making our first espresso in mere minutes – after filling the generous water tank and adding ground coffee to one of the three basket filters and compressing with the tamper included, that is.
Operation is straightforward and intuitive, with only three light-up buttons on the front and the steam wand control dial on the side, so we weren’t overwhelmed with too many complicated options. For those who enjoy coffee with milk, the professional steam wand with two outlets instead of the standard one makes outstandingly silky foamed milk for when you feel like getting fancy and creating some latte art.
Ultimately, the coffee you’ll enjoy is exquisite, and we loved trying out our machine with the free bag of Gaggia ground coffee that comes in the box. With this on our worktop, we feel every inch the pro barista.
Buy now £430.00, Selfridges.com
Breville barista max coffee machine
Best: Bean to cup machine
Rating: 9.5/10
Dimensions: H 407mm x W 347mm x D 322mm
Colours: Stainless steel
Milk steam wand: Yes
Tank capacity: 2.8l
Coffee type: Beans and ground
Nothing quite beats the scent and flavour of freshly ground coffee beans, and this machine gives you that at home for just shy of £300. The stainless-steel construction looks professional and stylish, and it’s a sturdy model that will handle repeated use.
Great attention to detail during design shows in little touches – like the fact that the tamper fits perfectly into its own home on the top of the machine when not in use. Or that there’s a light that illuminates the portafilter as the coffee beans are ground into the basket so you can see when it is full.
It also comes with its own 450ml stainless steel milk jug, which is rare, and the water tank is large enough to keep you going for lengthy periods between refills. The barista max is easy to set up and operate and is not nearly as noisy as expected, even when grinding whole beans. It also makes a superb cup of coffee, whether an espresso or latte.
Buy now £499.00, Currys.co.uk
Swan Nordic pump espresso coffee machine
Best: For colour
Rating: 7.5/10
Dimensions: H 310mm x W 194mm x D 284mm
Colours: Blue, grey, white and green, all with wood effect parts
Milk steam wand: Yes
Tank capacity: 1.2l
Coffee type: ESE pods and ground
Those with country or Scandi kitchens will love this charming Nordic-style espresso machine. We like the wood effect details and the contrasting hues, and think the temperature gauge on the front of the control panel is a great touch. It doesn’t take up too much room and it’s simple to use – we had it up and running from the box in moments.
Swan’s machine offers flexibility too for those who prefer ESE pods to sometimes-messier pre-ground coffee, and it makes a delicious brew for one or two cups at a time. The price is also brilliant and it looks more expensive than its true cost of just over £100.
Buy now £119.99, Shop.swan-brand.co.uk
Smeg 1950s retro style espresso machine
Best: Retro-style machine
Rating: 8/10
Dimensions: H 330mm x W 149mm x D 329mm
Colours: Cream, black, pastel green and pastel blue
Milk steam wand: Yes
Tank capacity: 1l
Coffee type: ESE pods and ground
An unmistakably Smeg product, there is no better espresso machine for retro and vintage enthusiasts. Its striking design is surprisingly slimline, and it is built to last with stainless steel parts that will withstand heavy use. We love the simple to use buttons and that, on the top, you have ample room to store and warm several espresso cups. The steam lever on the side is also novel.
Speaking of the steam wand, it makes heavenly silky milk for lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites, which might require tall cups – but that’s not a problem either because the drip tray is removable to accommodate them. This machine is on the pricier side, but it’s a real showstopper.
Buy now £319.00, Currys.co.uk
Melitta avanza
Best: Automatic machine
Rating: 9/10
Dimensions: H 303mm x W 200mm x D 455mm
Colours: Black and grey
Milk steam wand: Milk foam system
Tank capacity: 1.5l
Coffee type: Beans
The Avanza is a seriously stylish machine that does all the work for you at the press of a button, and it is much slimmer than we’d expected with such a powerful piece of kit. Operation is simple, there are plenty of buttons on the light-up control panel for selecting intensity, double cup mode and even service (for cleaning, maintenance and adjusting things like the brewing temperature and water hardness settings). There’s also dials for cup volume and producing steamed milk.
The bean container has a generous 250g capacity, and the grinder is quiet enough to use on those mornings when you’re up before the rest of the family. Instead of a conventional milk steam wand, this machine uses a cappuccinatore that takes in milk from a vessel through a tube and dispenses it as a luxuriously dense foam for a superior at-home cappuccino.
Most importantly, we think this machine makes ridiculously tasty coffee from freshly ground beans thanks to its aroma-extraction system. This function moistens the ground coffee with water before the brewing process to make the most of the flavours – the power of this becomes evident during use as the smell of fresh coffee fills the air. It also creates the best crema of all the machines we tested. There’s an app too for accessing tutorials on how to keep your avanza in perfect working order and loads of information on coffee – ideal for java nerds.
Buy now £379.00, Amazon.co.uk
Grind one Nespresso pod machine
Best: For espresso pods
Rating: 8/10
Dimensions: H 259mm x W 186mm x D 336mm
Colours: Polished stainless steel
Milk steam wand: No
Tank capacity: 1.2l
Coffee type: Pods
On the looks front, this one comes out on top – the stainless-steel design with minimalist pale pink Grind logo is straight out of Stockholm. We adore the industrial style on/off switch, buttons and seriously cool lever handle. The machine is also up there in terms of ease of use. The benefit of coffee pods is that you simply slot them into the opening at the top of the unit, press a button and away you go.
You can only make one cup at a time, which might not be ideal for busy households or gatherings, but there are options for 40ml espresso or 100ml coffee. The waste bin is easy to empty, and the drip tray is adjustable too. Plus, if you buy this machine, you’ll never need to replace it because Grind will deal with any problems, repairing breakages in London – for free in the first two years.
Buy now £275.00, Grind.co.uk
Salter caffe barista pro espresso maker
Best: Budget buy
Rating: 8.5/10
Dimensions: H 310mm x W 260mm x D 350mm
Colours: Stainless steel and black
Milk steam wand: Yes
Tank capacity: 1.2l
Coffee type: Ground
This espresso machine is an absolute steal without compromising on performance or the deliciousness of the coffee it makes. We had it out of the box and up and running in about two minutes. It is straightforward and no fuss, with buttons for powering it on and selecting the steam or espresso functions and a dial for controlling the steam wand. We especially love that this machine means that no one should be without at-home barista-style espressos, no matter their budget. Sign up for email notifications when it’s back in stock.
Buy now £69.99, Currys.co.uk
Cuisinart veloce
Best: Luxury buy
Rating: 9/10
Dimensions: H 320mm x W 190mm x D 400mm
Colours: Black and stainless steel
Milk steam wand: Milk system included
Tank capacity: 1.25l
Coffee type: Beans and ground
The Veloce is the most expensive model in our roundup, but it’s also the Ferrari of at-home espresso machines. Its high-gloss black body is sleek and stylish, and it is a hi-tech marvel that gives you an abundance of options. Instead of a steam wand, it features a milk system with an ice pack for freshness that creates the most intensely frothy milk for cappuccinos and flat whites.
Operation is intelligent and intuitive. The LCD touch-screen display allows you to choose the drink you want to make and then adjust the strength, size, temperature and even the ratio of coffee to frothed or steamed milk. It had us speechless and made divine coffee from the fresh beans it grinds for you, and we like that you also have the option of using pre-ground coffee.
Cuisinart really has thought of everything with this hugely impressive machine – the waste container is easy to empty, and it comes with a descaler, milk cleaning solution, cleaning tablets and PH strips to keep your flashy machine in tip-top condition. If you’ve got the space, and the cash, this one is a stellar choice.
Buy now £630.00, Cuisinart.co.uk
Bosch Tassimo my way 2
Best: For all the family
Rating: 8/10
Dimensions: H 280mm x W 230mm x D 330mm
Colours: Black
Milk steam wand: No
Tank capacity: 1.3l
Coffee type: Pods
What do you do when you want cafe-quality coffee at home but want something that everyone will be able to use? You buy a handy multitasking machine like this Tassimo. There’s so much to like about this little machine; it’s compact, incredibly simple to use and allows you to adjust the temperature, volume and intensity to your preference.
There are also 70 drinks to choose from, including cappuccinos, standard espressos and even caramel and gingerbread lattes. You can even choose between Oreo, Cadbury and Baileys hot chocolates or a tea. We’ve loved making Costa lattes at home and the kids are now obsessed with creamy, silky Cadbury hot chocolate.
True, the pods aren’t always cheap, but they are more affordable than takeaway coffees and make a perfect drink every time. Plus, the machine itself will set you back less than £80 – a great quality bargain.
Buy now £99.99, Bosch-home.co.uk
ROK EspressoGC explorer edition
Best: Hand-powered machine
Rating: 9/10
Dimensions: H 320mm x W 240mm x D 130mm
Colours: Silver and black (made from cast aluminium, steel and glass-composite)
Milk steam wand: Manual milk frother
Coffee type: Ground
Few things are as pleasurable as making handcrafted coffee at home. With this exceptionally well made and robust device, you can get that satisfaction every morning. We felt like master artisans when testing out this intriguing and visually awesome machine – with it on your worktop, you’ll feel the same and it is sure to attract oohs and ahhs from visitors.
Not only does it look good, it is also easy to use. Simply boil the kettle, pack your ground coffee into one of the three portafilters included (we love the crema-plus one) and pour freshly boiled water into the opening at the top. Then, all that’s left to do is use the arms of the machine, sort of like a corkscrew, and you’ll end up with some of the best tasting espresso we tried while putting together this roundup. For those who take milk in their coffee, you can also use the manual frother included, which makes milk dense enough for some serious latte art.
There’s something so wonderfully mindful about using ROK’s machine and it made a big impact on us.
Buy now £219.00, Rok.coffee
Dualit 3 in 1 coffee machine
Best: For coffee options
Rating: 7.5/10
Dimensions: H 330mm x W 207mm x D 284mm
Colours: Polished stainless steel
Milk steam wand: Yes
Tank capacity: 1.5l
Coffee type: Dualit coffee capsules, Nespresso capsules, ESE pods and ground
Dualit is known for its high-quality appliances and this enormously versatile machine is no different. It is quick and easy to set up and allows for many options in terms of the type of coffee used, so it will suit most households. We used it with coffee grounds and found it makes aromatic espresso with an impressive crema and barista-quality cappuccinos thanks to the excellent milk frothing wand. This is a reasonable machine from a top-quality brand that we think is robust enough for years of heavy use.
Buy now £179.26, Amazon.co.uk
Dualit espresso coffee machine
Best: Compact machine
Rating: 8/10
Dimensions: H 280mm x W 150mm x D 240mm
Colours: Black
Milk steam wand: Yes
Tank capacity: 1.4l
Coffee type: Ground and ESE pods
Coffee lovers with limited worktop space will rejoice at this compact yet brilliant performance espresso machine. It has everything needed, including a frothing wand, to make the perfect cup. No space is wasted, and it even features a double-ended measuring spoon and tamper. Operation is simple and instead of buttons, this machine has a dial on the front that lets you choose between the espresso-making function and the steam wand, which is controlled with a knob on the side.
The size certainly doesn’t impact its capacity and it can still make two single espressos simultaneously like other larger models. We also really like that it comes with a water softener bag in the box for the freshest tasting coffee and limescale build-up prevention.
Buy now £129.00, Dualit.com
Espresso machine FAQs
What are the best machines for home use?
For ease of use, bean to cup espresso machines are best as you can enjoy barista quality coffee at the touch of a button. Most people who want an espresso machine at home are looking for convenience which these models provide.
What is the difference between cheaper and more expensive espresso machines?
The main differences between affordable and expensive espresso machines are the pressure control and temperature control features. Unlike cheaper machines, expensive models use a pump to deliver more precise pressure and dedicated heaters to ensure that water is delivered at a specific temperature – helping to ensure a consistent espresso every time.
How long do espresso machines last?
Depending on their quality, a good espresso machine can last between five and 10 years. To ensure longevity, regular maintenance is required to keep them running well.
The verdict: Espresso machines
The Gaggia classic is easily the creme de la (ahem) crema of espresso machines. It might be for at-home use, but you can’t help feeling like a professional when you’re making coffee this ever-so Italian wonder. The ease of use, styling and aromatic drinks it creates easily make it our best buy.
The Cuisinart veloce deserves a mention for its mind-boggling tech. While we’d highly recommend Salter caffe barista pro for those not willing to shell out hundreds but still want a seriously good espresso machine at home.
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Looking for the whole shebang? Check out our round-up of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines
