Best Espresso Machines of 2022 for Amazing Coffee at Home

This automatic espresso machine delivers a cup of espresso that’s as fancy as it looks; plus, it’s easy to use and adjust based on your preferences. Choose from six grind sizes (fine for dark espresso, coarse for coffee), then select single espresso, double espresso, Americano or coffee. It also dispenses hot water for tea.

La Specialista has a built-in tamping mechanism, which helps pack your grounds perfectly, and a pressure gauge you can monitor to ensure you’re making the perfect cup. It also has an adjustable steam wand that can be used for flat (best for lattes) or foamy (best for cappuccinos) milk. We loved the full-body espresso it produced, with a thin, silky crema. A knock box for used grounds can be bought separately, which we found very useful when making espresso after espresso.

First, we love how easy the Nespresso VertuoPlus is to use. The lid opens and closes with a press of the lever and you can start brewing with the push of a single button. You also won’t accidentally use the wrong pod: The capsule machine uses a special system to detect the barcode on the capsule and then brews it exactly how it’s supposed to brew. Choose from five drink types, including espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, mug and alto.

In our tests, every cup of coffee came out hot and rounded with a luxurious crema. We also like that the position of the water tank can be moved around to accommodate any size counter space. Another noteworthy perk is that Nespresso recycles used pods if you send them back to the company and their newest Vertuo machine is made from 54% recycled plastic. Finally, you can’t beat the price.

If you’re very particular about your coffee, this is the automatic espresso machine for you. The Barista Pro allows you to choose from 30 different grind sizes and five temperatures. The steam wand is basic, so you can froth your milk exactly how you like it. It also comes with four filter baskets, two for pre-ground coffee and two for whole coffee beans. We recommend playing around with the settings, starting with the default settings, to create your perfect espresso.

The Breville Bambino Plus is a perfect automatic machine for those who crave the traditional espresso-making experience. It comes with two dual-wall filter baskets for pre-ground coffee beans, a trimming tool, tamper and a milk jug to be used with the attached steam wand. Choose between a single espresso or a double espresso, plus steamy, frothy or very frothy milk. In our tests, this machine made espresso that was strong with a crema that wasn’t overbearing. We also appreciated that this machine heats quickly and wasn’t too loud.

If you’re looking for a Keurig upgrade, a special gift or the option to froth milk with a capsule machine, look no further than the Keurig K-Cafe. Four coffee size options (6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz and 12 oz), plus a “strong” option make it easy to enjoy your favorite K-cup exactly how you like it. Opt for an Espresso Roast K-cup capsule and the “shot” size option and you’re well on your way to making a fine cup of espresso.

While the Espresso Roast K-cup doesn’t quite deliver on crema, a built-in coffee frother allows you to froth milk quickly and easily for cappuccinos (less milk) and lattes (more milk); plus, there’s also a “cold” option if you’d like to enjoy your frothy milk drink over ice. In our tests, this capsule machine was very consistent when it came to preheat time, brew time, coffee temperature and volume.

Not much beats this capsule espresso machine’s small size and power: With 19 bars of pressure, it makes a good, full-bodied espresso with a creamy crema. Choose from espresso or lungo (which translates to “long” in Italian and produces a slower, larger espresso), with the option to use or remove the drip base for a bigger cup.

The water container seems small at first glance, but we didn’t mind refilling it for the freshest tasting cups. It may also be purchased in a bundle with a separate milk frother, or consider a similar espresso machine we tested with a built-in frother that uses the same type of original pods.

This super-automatic espresso maker grinds your beans and turns out excellent, hot espresso with a thin but creamy crema. But our experts were impressed with the milk hopper and frothing capabilities. The milk hopper is easy to fill, attach, detach and clean. When you choose a drink that incorporates milk, the machine indicates the frother setting and gives you time to select it from three options before frothing begins. It also reminds you to run the cleaning stage for the milk container. It has a touchscreen that’s highly responsive and easy to operate.

The automatic LatteGo espresso machine from Phillips has a large, intuitive touchscreen control panel that makes it easy to select and brew drinks. It grinds whole beans for five different drinks: espresso, cappuccino and latte macchiato as well as black coffee and Americano. It has a removable, dishwasher-safe milk hopper rather than a wand, so frothing milk is simple and hands-free. Our testers found the drinks flavorful but light-bodied.

The Gaggia Carezza Deluxe is made in Italy and has classic Italian styling that suits upscale kitchens (at a reasonable price for an automatic espresso machine). While we have not tested this machine in our labs, reviewers comment that the machine makes great coffee — once you get to know its quirks, such as finding the grinds, tamping and timing that will produce the cup you want. We like the front-loading water reservoir with viewing window for easy access, though some reviewers comment that you have to refill it frequently.