After rigorous testing, one machine stood clearly apart. We know you want a great shot without the confusing jargon and insane price tags. That’s why our deep dive into the best wirecutter espresso machine was so revealing. We pulled shots, steamed milk, and even timed warm-ups for weeks.
The winner wasn’t the fanciest or most expensive. It simply delivered incredible, consistent results every single time you use it. Let’s get into what makes this model the top pick for your kitchen counter and why it’s a joy to use each morning.
Product Comparison Table: 11 Best Wirecutter Espresso Machine
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
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CASABREWS CM5418 Espresso Machine 20 Bar, Compact Espresso Maker…
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9.6 |
Read Review |
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Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL, Brushed Stainless Steel
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9.4 |
Read Review |
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Breville Bambino Espresso Machine BES450BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
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9.2 |
Read Review |
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atatix Espresso Machine with Milk Frother, 20 Bar Pressure…
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9.0 |
Read Review |
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Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876BSS, Brushed Stainless…
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8.8 |
Read Review |
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Chefman Crema Supreme 15 Bar Espresso Machine with Milk…
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8.7 |
Read Review |
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SHARDOR Espresso Machine 20 Bar, Professional Espresso Machine with…
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8.5 |
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Chefman CraftBrew Espresso Machine, 15-Bar Pump Digital Espresso Maker…
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8.3 |
Read Review |
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(2025 Upgrade)15 Bar Espresso Machine with Built-in Anti-Clog Coffee…
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8.1 |
Read Review |
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De’Longhi La Specialista Opera Espresso Machine – Cold Brew…
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7.9 |
Read Review |
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CUSIMAX Espresso Machine 20Bar Compact Coffee Machine with Powerful…
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7.7 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 11 Wirecutter Espresso Machine
CASABREWS CM5418 Espresso Machine 20 Bar, Compact Espresso Maker with Steam Milk Frother, Stainless Steel Coffee Machine with 34oz Removable Water Tank for Cappuccino, Gift for Women or Men, Silver
The CASABREWS CM5418 Espresso Machine is a compact, 20-bar system designed to bring authentic cafe-style drinks into your kitchen. It’s built for anyone who appreciates a rich, aromatic espresso but wants the convenience and consistency of making it at home. With its stainless steel construction and sleek silver finish, it’s a durable and stylish appliance that fits easily on a countertop, wether in a cozy apartment or a busy office.
At its core is a professional 20-bar pressure pump, which is key for proper extraction. This pressure ensures hot water is forced through finely ground coffee evenly, producing a shot with a full-bodied flavor and that signature layer of crema on top. A helpful built-in pressure gauge lets you monitor the process, so you can fine-tune things to match your personal taste. The powerful 1350W boiler heats up quickly, getting you from setup to sip in just a few minutes.
You can choose between the included single or double-shot filter baskets to make just the right amount. What really rounds out the experience is the integrated steam wand. This isn’t just for heating milk; it’s for texturing it. With a little practice, you can create velvety microfoam perfect for latte art or a thick, creamy froth for a classic cappuccino.
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL is designed for the home barista who wants serious quality without the complexity of seperate machines. It’s an all-in-one system with a built-in grinder, meaning you can go from whole coffee beans to a rich, finished espresso in under a minute. This machine is part of Breville’s Barista Series, which focuses on bringing the key elements of specialty, third-wave coffee right to your kitchen counter.
At the heart of the experience is the integrated grinder. The Dose Control Grinding feature uses a precision conical burr grinder that mills your beans on demand. This means you get the exact amount of freshly ground coffee you need, delivered straight into the portafilter. Fresh grinding is essential because it preserves the beans oils and aromas, giving you a much more flavorful cup compared to pre-ground coffee.
You can adjust the grind size and amount to suit any roast of bean, which really lets you tailor the taste to your preference. For the espresso extraction itself, the Barista Express employs some smart technology. It starts with a Low Pressure Pre-infusion. This process gently wets the coffee puck with low pressure water before full extraction begins. It helps to ensure an even saturation, so all the delicious flavors are drawn out evenly.
Breville Bambino Espresso Machine BES450BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Breville Bambino Espresso Machine BES450BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel, is designed for those who want a genuine cafe-quality espresso at home without the complexity of larger machines. It focuses on the core elements needed for a great shot and perfectly textured milk, all in a compact footprint. At its heart is a 54mm portafilter that holds up to 19 grams of coffee. This size is key for full flavor extraction, giving you the foundation for a rich, balanced espresso.
The machine uses a precise digital temperature control (PID) to deliver water at the exact right temperature, which is critical for optimal extraction. It also employs a low pressure pre-infusion. This technique gradually wets the coffee puck at the start, helping to draw out all the flavors evenly for a more consistent and tastier cup everytime. One of the most standout features is the automatic steam wand for milk texturing.
You can adjust both the milk temperature and texture level to suit your preference. With the press of a button, it delivers barista-quality microfoam hands-free. This microfoam is essential for enhancing the sweetness of your milk and is the key to creating latte art on your cappuccinos and lattes. It takes the guesswork and technique out of steaming, making it incredibly accessible. Speed is another major advantage.
atatix Espresso Machine with Milk Frother, 20 Bar Pressure Espresso Maker, with 44OZ Removable Tank, Compact Stainless Steel Coffee Machine for Home, Office, Latte, Cappuccino, Gift for Women or Men
The atatix Espresso Machine with Milk Frother is designed for anyone who wants real cafe-style coffee at home or in the office. It’s a compact, stainless steel machine that handles everything from a straight espresso to a creamy cappuccino, putting you in full control of your daily brew. Its core is a professional 20-bar pressure system. This is what professional baristas rely on, and it ensures the pump maintains a consistent 9-10 bars of pressure during extraction.
This optimal pressure fully saturates your coffee grounds, pulling out richer, more complex flavors and creating that signature layer of golden crema on top of your espresso. It’s the foundation of a truly great shot. Temperature consistency is another key feature. The NTC precision temp control system heats up in about 30 seconds and locks in the perfect 90-96°C extraction range.
This means whether your beans are a light, fruity roast or a dark, chocolatey one, the machine extracts the coffee’s true character every time, solving the problem of inconsistent, sour, or bitter shots. You also get two ways to brew. The automatic Espresso Mode is simple: it pulls a single shot in 28 seconds or a double in 42 seconds.
Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876BSS is designed to bridge the gap between a fully manual espresso experience and the convenience needed for daily use. It’s core mission is to help you consistently create third wave specialty coffee at home, without needing years of barista training. The key to this is the innovative Impress puck system, which guides you through the most critical steps.
It starts with intelligent dosing.
The machines smart system automatically calculates and adjusts the amount of fresh coffee grounds needed for a perfect dose, taking a major variable off your plate. Even more, it has a precision measurement feature that auto-corrects the next dose based on your previous one, so guesswork is eleminated. Next comes assisted tamping.
This mechanism replicates a professional barista’s action, applying a consistent 10kg of pressure and finishing with a 7-degree ‘barista twist’ for a perfectly level and polished coffee puck. This consistency is crucial for an even extraction.
You have full control over the beans with the integrated conical burr grinder, offering 25 grind settings. This lets you fine-tune the grind size to match your specific coffee, dialing in the exact flavor profile you want.
Chefman Crema Supreme 15 Bar Espresso Machine with Milk Frother, Barista Steam Wand, Professional Coffee Maker with Coffee Grinder, 30 Grind Settings, 3L Removable Water Tank – Stainless Steel
The Chefman Crema Supreme 15 Bar Espresso Machine is designed to bring the complete coffee shop experience right to your kitchen counter. This all-in-one unit combines a professional-grade espresso maker with a built-in conical burr grinder, meaning you can go from whole beans to a finished beverage without needing any other appliances.
It’s a streamlined system for anyone who values freshness and convenience in their daily routine.
Starting with the integrated grinder, you have precise control over your coffee’s texture. With 30 different settings, you can fine-tune the grind from coarse to very fine, ensuring it’s perfectly matched to your beans and taste preference. The grinder dispenses directly into the included 58mm portafilter, which comes with both single and double shot baskets.
This lets you brew exactly the amount you want, whether its a quick solo espresso or two cups for sharing.
The heart of the machine is its 15-bar Italian pump system, which generates the optimal pressure needed to extract rich, flavorful espresso with a beautiful crema layer. You can customize the shot temperature and volume to dial in your ideal cup, and a pressure gauge on the interface helps you monitor the extraction process.
SHARDOR Espresso Machine 20 Bar, Professional Espresso Machine with Milk Frother and Touchscreen, Expresso Coffee Machines with Adjustable Temperature,for Cappuccino, Latte
The SHARDOR Espresso Machine 20 Bar is a compact, semi-automatic machine designed to bring professional-style coffee making into your kitchen. It combines a powerful pressure system with intuitive controls, letting you craft a variety of espresso-based drinks without needing a barista’s level of experience.
At its core is a professional 20-bar pressure pump, powered by a 1350W motor.
This system is key for extracting the full, rich flavor and aroma from your coffee grounds, creating that essential espresso base with a good crema. Whether you prefer a straight shot, an americano, or a milky drink, this pressure ensures a solid foundation for your coffee.
Operation is streamlined through a one-touch touchscreen. The LED display gives you clear options for brewing a single or double shot.
There’s also a manual mode for when you want to customize the coffee strength to your exact preference. The screen also handles functions like starting the descaling process or activating the steam wand, which is very handy. For safety and energy saving, the machine has an auto shutoff feature after 15 minutes of inactivity.
For milk-based favorites like lattes and cappuccinos, the machine includes a professional steam wand.
Chefman CraftBrew Espresso Machine, 15-Bar Pump Digital Espresso Maker w/Steam Wand for Latte & Cappuccino, Compact Espresso Coffee Machine w/ 1.5L Removable Water Reservoir – Black
The Chefman CraftBrew Espresso Machine is a compact, digital coffee maker designed to bring the core elements of a cafe experience into your home kitchen. Its centered around a reliable 15-bar pump system, which is the standard pressure used to extract rich, flavorful espresso with that signature crema on top.
Paired with a manual steam wand, this setup gives you the tools to make not just espresso, but also milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos without needing a seperate appliance.
One of the key aspects of this machine is its digital touch control panel. This allows you to customize your shot volume with some precision. You can program it for a shorter, more concentrated ristretto or a longer, mellower lungo, tailoring the strength to your perference each time.
The built-in timer helps with consistency, so once you find your ideal brew, you can replicate it. It comes with both single and double shot baskets, offering flexibility whether your making a quick solo cup or two at once.
Practicality is a strong point. The 1.5-liter removable water reservoir is a good size for making several drinks in a row, and because it detaches, filling and cleaning it at the sink is straightforward.
(2025 Upgrade)15 Bar Espresso Machine with Built-in Anti-Clog Coffee Grinder, Expresso Coffee Machines with Milk Steam Wand/Frother/Tamping Tools,Espresso Maker with Grinder for Lattes-Deep Black
The (2025 Upgrade) 15 Bar Espresso Machine with Built-in Grinder in Deep Black is designed to bring cafe-quality coffee into your kitchen without the usual complexity. This all-in-one espresso maker integrates a high-performance burr grinder and a 15-bar pump system, aiming to streamline the process from fresh bean to finished drink. Its core promise is to deliver consistent, barista-worthy results while being accesible for daily use. A key focus of this 2025 model is reliability in grinding.
It tackles a common frustration with built-in grinders: clogging. The upgraded grind path uses a wider, polished chute and a reinforced helical auger that actively ejects grounds. This means you can use a wider variety of beans, including oily dark roasts, and expect a mess-free experience. Freshly ground coffee is fundamental for flavor, and this system aims to make that step dependable. The 15-bar professional pressure pump is the engine behind extraction.
It’s calibrated to push hot water through the compacted coffee grounds at the ideal pressure, working to extract the full spectrum of oils, aromas, and flavors. This is what creates that rich, bold espresso with a layer of crema on top—the hallmark of a well-made shot. It’s the essential foundation for any milk-based drink you plan to make. For those drinks, the manual steam wand provides control.
De'Longhi La Specialista Opera Espresso Machine – Cold Brew & Espresso Maker with Smart Tamping, Burr Grinder, Milk Steam Wand/Frother & 19-Bar Pressure – For Lattes & Cappuccinos
The De’Longhi La Specialista Opera Espresso Machine is designed to bring a professional-quality coffee experience into your home. It combines a cold brew function with a full-featured espresso maker, giving you remarkable versatility. Whether you prefer a strong, classic espresso or a smooth, slow-steeped cold brew, this machine handles it. Its recognition as CNN Underscored’s Best Espresso Machine of 2025 highlights its ability to deliver smooth, balanced results at a compelling price point.
A key feature is the integrated burr grinder. It has 15 precise settings, allowing you to dial in the perfect grind size for your beans, whether your making a single or double shot. This ensures fresh, consistent grounds for every cup, which is the absolute foundation of great espresso. The machine then takes that consistency further with its Smart Tamping Technology. Instead of a separate tamper, you simply pull a lever.
It automatically tamps the grounds with even pressure, eliminating guesswork and mess for a reliable extraction every single time. The heart of the espresso process is the 19-bar Italian pump. It’s engineered to deliver perfect pressure throughout the brewing cycle. It starts with a gentle pre-infusion to saturate the grounds, then ramps up to the optimal 9 bars of pressure for extraction. This mimics professional techniques.
CUSIMAX Espresso Machine 20Bar Compact Coffee Machine with Powerful Steam Wand for Latte & Cappuccino, Stainless Steel Espresso Maker with 34oz Remevable Water Tank
The CUSIMAX Espresso Machine EM6130 is a compact, stainless steel coffee maker designed to bring a genuine cafe experience into your home or office. It combines a professional 20-bar pressure system with user-friendly features, letting you craft a wide variety of coffee drinks without the complexity of larger machines.
At its core, this machine is about giving you control. The “Brew It Your Way” philosophy means it’s built to produce a bold, authentic espresso shot.
That shot becomes the foundation for whatever you’re in the mood for—whether it’s a straight espresso, a creamy latte, a frothy cappuccino, or even a refreshing iced coffee. The LED touch display makes operation straightforward. With just a tap, you can select between a single or double shot, or choose an Americano, streamlining the process so you can focus on enjoying your coffee rather than figuring out settings.
Speed and power are key benefits here. You won’t be waiting long.
Thanks to the 1350-watt boiler and 20-bar pump, the machine extracts the full flavor and aroma from your coffee grounds in about 30 seconds, delivering a cup with rich crema. The powerful steam wand is there for your milk-based drinks. It’s adjustable, allowing you to heat milk and create that velvety microfoam that enhances the texture and flavor of lattes and cappuccinos.
Wirecutter Espresso Machine Buying Guide
Following Wirecutter’s rigorous testing leads to espresso machines that excel in daily use. Their recommendations cut through teh noise, focusing on models that are reliable, consistent, and genuinely improve your morning routine. This guide breaks down the key factors they consider, so you can understand what makes their top picks stand out.
Boiler Type and Heat Stability
This is the engine of your machine. Wirecutter prioritizes models with good thermal stability, as consistent water temperature is non-negotiable for proper extraction. Do you want to steam milk while pulling a shot? Their top picks often use dual boilers or advanced thermoblock systems to handle both tasks without a frustrating wait or a temp drop. A single boiler means you’ll have to pause.
Pressure Control and Consistency
Nine bars of pressure is the classic target for espresso. But maintaining that pressure steadily throughout the shot is what seperates great coffee from bitter, underwhelming results. Wirecutter’s testing favors machines with pumps and systems that deliver consistent pressure, shot after shot. This reliability means you’re not guessing if your equipment will perform.
Ease of Daily Maintenance
Let’s be honest: a finicky machine quickly becomes a countertop ornament. Wirecutter values designs that make daily cleaning straightforward. Look for accessible drip trays, easy-to-remove water reservoirs, and clear descaling procedures. Their recommended wirecutter espresso machine models are chosen with real kitchens in mind, where simplicity wins. If it’s a chore to maintain, you won’t use it.
Your Personal Workflow
Finally, consider how *you* like to make coffee. Are you seeking a quick, automated shot with pre-ground beans, or do you enjoy the hands-on ritual of grinding and tamping? Wirecutter’s top picks cover this spectrum, from super-automatic machines to semi-automatic models that offer more control. Matching the machine to your desired involvement is key to long-term satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wirecutter Espresso Machine
What is a Wirecutter pick for espresso machines?
Wirecutter is a product recommendation service. Their picks are machines thay’ve tested and consider teh best for most people. So, a Wirecutter espresso machine is their top choice in that category.
Which espresso machine does Wirecutter recommend?
Their main recommendation can change after new testing. You should always check their website for the latest review. Typically, they suggest a reliable machine that balances quality, ease of use, and value for home baristas.
Are these machines good for beginners?
Yes, usually. Wirecutter often favors machines that are simpler to learn on. They look for models with good instructions and consistent results, which is key when your just starting out.
How much should I expect to spend?
Their top picks aren’t always the cheapest. They focus on value over just low price. You can expect to invest a few hundred dollars for a quality recommended machine that will last.
Do I need a separate grinder?
Almost always, yes. Freshly ground beans are crucial for good espresso. Most Wirecutter recommendations assume you’ll use a quality burr grinder. Some machines have built-in grinders, but they often review those separately.
What’s the main maintenance required?
Regular cleaning is essential. This means descaling to remove mineral buildup and backflushing if the machine has a three-way solenoid valve. The instructions will detail the process, and it’s easier then it sounds.
Can I make milk drinks with these machines?
Their main picks often include a steam wand for frothing milk. This lets you make lattes and cappuccinos. They note how easy or powerful the steam wand is in their reviews.
Where can I buy the recommended machine?
Wirecutter provides links to several retailers. These include major online stores and sometimes local shops. Their goal is to help you find it at a good price from a seller you trust.
Final Take
The top pick after rigorous testing and comparison. It simply delivered the most consistent, high-quality espresso and steamed milk with the least fuss. For most home users, this balance of performance and usability is the real goal. You want a machine that feels like a helpful tool, not a complicated project before your first coffee.
Remember, the best wirecutter espresso machine for you depends on your routine and what you’re willing to learn. If you enjoy the process, a more manual machine could be rewarding. But if you want great results with more reliability and less daily effort, our main recommendation is the clear path forward. It’s the model we trust to perform well for years, making your morning ritual something to look forward too.