Start your journey to espresso mastery with the best espresso machines for beginners from Amazon! From easy-to-use models that are ideal for novices, to powerful machines built to last and make café-quality coffee every time, you’ll find a great selection of options on Amazon.
With a little practice and perseverance, you’ll soon be making delicious brews like an expert barista!
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Best Overall
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Best Under $800
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Best Under $500
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Best Budget
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- Consistency 4/5
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The intense aroma and rich, strong, and full-bodied flavor of espresso have many under its spell. As much as you like the thought of being able to get your daily dose of double-shot espresso or weekend cappuccino fix right from the comfort of your home kitchen.
Let’s face it, finding the best espresso machine can be daunting. I mean, who has the time to learn about milk frothers, grinders, steam wands, portafilters, and more?!
Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! We put the best coffee nerds to work to bring to you this shortlist of the 6 best espresso machines for beginners, so you don’t have to worry too much about the technicalities but rather focus on enjoying a café-quality espresso at home.
That being said, there will be a small learning curve at the start. But once you figure it out, it is smooth sailing onwards!
1. De’Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine
A relatively new entry to the market, the De’Longhi La Specialista is one handsome-looking espresso machine that can adorn any space. The size of this machine makes it ideal even for smaller apartment kitchens, without any compromise on its quality and sturdy construction.
It comes with a built-in sensor grinder that can be programmed with 6 different grind settings (fine to coarse), which delivers precise and consistent grinding, and a bean sensor that makes sure that you don’t run out of coffee beans while grinding.
The La Specialista also features a smart tamping station that applies the right level of pressure to pack your grounds with just a pull of the lever. The machine allows you to choose between manual milk frothing (for latte art) or hands-free rich frothing (for cappuccino), with the company’s patented Panarello steam wand.
Safe to say, the De’Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine is suitable for everyone, thanks to its ability to make fool-proof coffee every time, even if it is your first time using a professional-quality espresso machine.
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2. Breville Bambino
The Bambino is the most affordable option in Breville’s lineup of luxe espresso machines. For under $500, this is an entry-level espresso machine that wouldn’t make a dent in your wallet, while still yielding café-quality espresso at home. This is a stylish, stainless steel, one-cup countertop espresso machine featuring a space-saving design.
The best way to describe the Breville Bambino would be that it sits between a pod espresso maker and a full-fledged espresso machine with a built-in grinder. Yes, this machine uses freshly ground coffee and not pods, but doesn’t have a grinder built-in; this obviously means you’ll have to purchase a good quality grinder separately to enjoy café-quality espresso from the machine. With a 54mm portafilter, powerful steam pressure wand, and low pressure pre-infusion, this machine produces consistently rich, delicious, and full-bodied coffee every single time.
The Breville Bambino is an excellent choice for you if you use pre-ground coffee, already own a quality coffee grinder, or are willing to invest in one. Once you have that box checked, leave it to the machine to entice you with impressive espresso.
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3. Breville BES870XL Barista Express
Another strong contender for the best espresso machines for beginners “award” is the Breville Barista Express. In fact, this is the kind of machine that is designed to meet the needs of both beginners and experts alike with multiple easy-use and convenience features like single and dual wall filters.
The Barista Express BES870XL comes with an integrated conical burr grinder, which delivers the right dose of coffee on demand, and this means one less step to extracting the perfect espresso pull. You get to choose between 16 different grinding levels (yes, 16!), which helps define the flavor of your espresso just the way you desire.
The 15-bar Italian pump in the brewing system enables low pressure pre-infusions, which are responsible for the perfect caramel-colored espresso in your cup. You will also have no issues steaming milk with the Barista Express; it has plenty of power and steam pressure to deliver silky, smooth, and velvety milk for your lattes and cappuccinos.
The Breville Barista Express BES870XL is right for anyone looking to take their espresso-making skill to the next level.
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4. Nespresso Vertuo Next
Best for someone who is in a committed relationship with their coffee
The slimmest addition to Nespresso’s Vertuo series, the Vertuo Next is a modern-looking espresso machine made from 40% recycled plastic and is also one of the easiest-to-use models in the category.
The highlight of this machine is that it comes only with the absolute essential features to make espresso-making as quick and easy for the user as possible. Unlike the other manual espresso machines, you just need to know how to press a button!
With the Vertuo Next, you get to make espresso, double espresso, and coffee (5oz, 8oz, and 14oz); and unlike many other espresso machines on the market, this one also brews 18oz carafe (with coffee carafe pods), all of which is done at the touch of a button. Depending on the capsule you use, it automatically adapts brewing parameters like cup size, brewing time, pressure, etc., and the adjustable and removable cup holder allows you to use five different cup sizes.
The machine has a pretty decent heat-up time of 30 seconds, which is probably the time it takes for you to choose your pod, insert it into the machine, and get your cup ready, and the Vertuo Next will be ready to use.
The Nespresso Vertuo Next is for those of you who prefer an easy-to-use, and mess-free machine with simple functionalities that are worth the price you pay for it.
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5. Philips 3200 Series with LatteGo
The Philips 3200 Series with LatteGo is a super-automatic espresso machine that excels in producing 5 delicious coffee drinks, including latte macchiato and cappuccino, at one touch. Apart from the fact that this espresso machine is a looker, thanks to its modern design, it also functions as your very own home barista on demand and does it all.
One feature that sets this product apart from the rest in this price range is the ceramic flat burr grinder; the grinder can be adjusted to 12 different levels, enabling you to make your beans into coarse grindings to ultra-fine powder. The LatteGo system is a clever and advanced addition to the unit; it mixes milk and air in the frothing chamber and dispenses a silky, smooth layer of milk froth to your cup at the right temperature. This system, in particular, is also easy to clean, as it involves only 2 parts, and no tubes or other hidden parts.
The Philips 3200 Series with LatteGo is for you if you’re in search of a no-nonsense, convenient, one-touch espresso machine, and don’t really care about honing your brewing skills.
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6. Wacaco Minipresso NS
The Minipresso NS from Wacaco has made the impossible possible – brewing amazing espresso outdoors and on the go! This is a well-designed, portable espresso machine that produces really flavorful, intense, high-quality espresso with decent crema.
Since this is a manual espresso maker and nothing like your typical home espresso machine, there are quite a few steps you’ll have to master to be able to extract a shot. Thankfully, it comes with a thorough manual with a lot of illustrations that make the process fairly simple. The fact that Minipresso NS is hand-operated and doesn’t require electricity or N2O cartridges for its operation is a huge plus.
The machine uses Nespresso Original capsules, which means you are guaranteed consistently high-quality espresso on the go. This also reduces the possibilities of error, unlike with the use of coffee grounds, and the resulting espresso is extremely close to what you’d get from a regular Nespresso machine.
Weighing just 0.78 lbs. (350 grams), the Wacaco Minipresso NS is the lightest and smallest handheld espresso maker, perfect for travelers. Whether you go on a two-day business trip or a week-long camping trip in the great outdoors, this portable espresso machine is a must-pack item.
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Best Espresso Machine Buying Guide
Enjoying a perfectly brewed cup of espresso at home (or on the go) is a delightful everyday experience. But, this is possible only if you choose the right espresso machine that meets your needs, rather than splurging on the machine that catches your attention.
Here is a quick buying guide to help you determine which espresso machine is right for you:
1. Consider Your Budget
Of course, your budget plays a critical role when it comes to choosing the right espresso machine. However, making your decision solely based on the cost can be difficult, as the machines vary in their features and functionalities, and the general rule is that you get what you pay for.
As you can see from the list above, you can find espresso machines that cost a couple hundred dollars, and the pricing can go way beyond $1000 as well. Many high-end machines come built with premium quality materials and are highly durable. On the other hand, you can also find machines that come packed with plenty of features, which reflects in their price tag.
Since this article focuses on finding the best espresso machines for beginners, our list contains the best you can start off with and continue to use as you build up your expertise.
2. Ease of Use
The ease of use of the espresso machine is one of the major deciding factors when it comes to choosing the right one as a beginner. This factor can be determined by the type of machine you choose, and the different types of espresso machines you can choose from are:
- Manual espresso machines: Designed for espresso aficionados, manual espresso machines give the user complete control over the espresso-making process, from grinding to brewing to setting brew time, and more. The catch here is that the quality of the resulting espresso depends on the user’s skill level, and hence, may not be consistent. For these reasons, manual espresso machines require a learning curve and more patience.
- Automatic espresso machines: As their name suggests, these machines are all about providing the user complete convenience by making the espresso-making process simple and effortless. Here, the machine takes care of everything, allowing the user to pull an excellent-quality espresso shot with just the push of a button. These machines are great for beginners.
- Capsule espresso machines: A capsule espresso machine is a beautiful medley of manual and automatic espresso machines. The use of individual capsules allows the user to easily switch between blends to determine their sweet spot, and the results are always consistent. Apparently, capsule espresso machines are also a great choice for beginners, with a small learning curve at first.
3. Consistency
Once again, the type of espresso machine you choose plays a key role in determining the consistency of your espresso.
Without a doubt, both capsule espresso machines and automatic espresso machines deliver consistent results every single time, whereas a manual espresso machine delivers inconsistent shots since the control lies entirely with the user.
4. Milk Frother
Even with milk frothers, you have two options – frothing the milk manually or automatically. As a beginner at making espressos, you could stick with choosing an espresso machine with an automatic milk frother. In this case, the machine takes care of the frothing process and then automatically dispenses the right amount of milk to your cup.
However, if you’re all about learning and mastering the craft of espresso making, you could choose to do the frothing manually, where you get to have control over the milk pitcher while the steam wand does its work.
Remember, not all espresso machines come with a milk frother. When you choose a model like the Nespresso Vertuo Next on our list, you’ll be required to purchase a professional quality milk frother separately to enjoy your favorite milk-based coffee drinks.
5. Size
When you search for espresso machines online, you could easily be blinded by the array of amazingly attractive models you come across. But, before you get carried away by their beauty, take into account the space you have available on your counter where the machine will be placed.
Think about how much space you are willing to sacrifice for the espresso machine, and then look at the specifications of the model you prefer to know if it can sit comfortably in your kitchen.
6. Built-in Grinder vs No Grinder
Having an espresso machine with a built-in grinder eliminates the need for you to spend extra on a separate coffee grinder and give up more space on your kitchen counter.
Choosing an espresso machine like the Breville Bambino involves the additional work of having to grind your own coffee. This is perfectly ok if you already own or are willing to buy a quality burr grinder; but, if you purchase a run-of-the-mill grinder, you will be left with inconsistent grinds, which in turn will affect the quality of your espresso.
Of course, you can choose to use pre-ground coffee; but, let’s face it, its flavor is not always the same as freshly ground coffee.
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Best Overall
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Best Under $800
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Best Under $500
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Best Budget
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Primary Rating:
4.0
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Primary Rating:
4.5
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Primary Rating:
4.5
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Primary Rating:
4.0
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Pros:
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- Consistency 4/5
- Ease of use 3/5
- Quality 5/5
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- Ease of use 3/5
- Quality 5/5
- Consistency 4/5
- Ease of use 4/5
- Quality 4.5/5
- Consistency 4/5
- Ease of use 5/5
- Quality 4/5
Espresso Machine Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good espresso machine to start on?
If it’s in your budget, Oour recommendation would be the De’Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine. This is an all-in-one machine, with a built-in grinder, tamping station, hot water spout, and even an exclusive Latte System to produce all the coffee beverages you love. With this machine, you wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of perfecting every single aspect of brewing. For a budget-friendly option, we recommend the Nespresso Vertuo Next for a super easy coffee solution.
How to choose an espresso machine?
When it comes to choosing an espresso machine, you can start by determining your budget, and then move on to choosing the features that you think are essential, and those you can sacrifice to stay within budget. Choose the type of espresso machine you’d like – manual, automatic, or capsule, and also its size. Go through our Buying Guide above for more detailed information.
Is it worth it to get an espresso machine?
If you’re a coffee lover and cannot imagine starting your day without visiting your favorite coffee shop in the morning, we’d say that it is absolutely worth it to get an espresso machine for your home. The machine not only brings café-style coffee to your home but will also cost you less than your daily coffee run.
Now that you have a pretty good idea about the type of espresso machine you want, you might also want to take a look at our recommendations for the best coffee grinders, in case you choose a machine without a built-in grinder.