Making cafe-quality espresso at home is more achievable than ever, with excellent espresso machines available at every price point. Whether you’re pulling your first shot or upgrading from a cheaper machine, this guide will help you find the perfect espresso machine for your budget and skill level.
We’ve tested 20+ espresso machines over the past 5 years, pulling thousands of shots. Here are our top picks for home baristas in 2025.
Quick Picks
- Best Overall: Breville Barista Express ($700)
- Best Value: Gaggia Classic Evo Pro ($450)
- Best Budget: DeLonghi Dedica ($350)
- Best High-End: Rancilio Silvia ($800)
Our Top Picks Reviewed
1. Breville Barista Express – Best All-In-One Espresso Machine
Price: $650-750 | Boiler: Thermocoil | Pressure: 15 bar
The Breville Barista Express is the most popular home espresso machine for good reason: it includes a built-in grinder, delivers cafe-quality shots, and comes with everything you need to start pulling espresso immediately.
What Makes It Special:
- Built-in conical burr grinder with dosing control
- PID temperature control for consistent extraction
- Manual steam wand for latte art
- Pressure gauge shows real-time extraction
- 54mm commercial-size portafilter
- Includes all accessories: tamper, milk jug, filters
Perfect For: Beginners to intermediate home baristas who want an all-in-one solution
Pros: Built-in grinder saves counter space and money, great shot quality, excellent build
Cons: Grinder is good but not great (serious users upgrade later), larger footprint
2. Gaggia Classic Evo Pro – Best Value Espresso Machine
Price: $400-500 | Boiler: Brass | Pressure: 9 bar
The Gaggia Classic has been the entry-level espresso machine of choice for 30+ years. The new Evo Pro version adds modern improvements while keeping the rock-solid brass boiler and commercial-grade portafilter that made it legendary.
What We Love:
- Brass boiler = excellent temperature stability
- 58mm commercial portafilter (upgrade baskets work perfectly)
- Simple, repairable design with readily available parts
- Powerful steam wand
- Compact footprint
- Massive online community and mod guides
Perfect For: Coffee enthusiasts who want commercial-quality espresso and don’t mind a learning curve
Pros: Best shot quality in this price range, highly moddable, lasts 10+ years
Cons: No grinder included, basic features, requires separate grinder ($100-150)
Total Setup Cost: Gaggia ($450) + Baratza Encore grinder ($150) = $600
3. DeLonghi Dedica – Best Budget Espresso Machine
Price: $300-400 | Boiler: Thermoblock | Pressure: 15 bar
The DeLonghi Dedica delivers surprisingly good espresso for under $400. It’s not going to compete with $700+ machines, but it’s leagues better than pod machines at a similar price.
Pros: Affordable, ultra-slim design (6″ wide), easy to use, good for beginners
Cons: Plastic construction, weaker steam wand, pressurized baskets only (non-pressurized available separately)
What About Nespresso / Pod Machines?
Pod machines like Nespresso are convenient but:
- Cost $0.70-1.20 per shot (vs $0.30-0.50 with fresh beans)
- Limited flavor variety
- Not real espresso (pre-ground, stale coffee)
- Environmental waste from pods
If you care about coffee quality, skip pod machines and invest in a real espresso setup.
Do You Need a Separate Grinder?
Machines with built-in grinders:
- Breville Barista Express ($700) – Good grinder included
- Breville Barista Touch ($1,000) – Same grinder, touchscreen interface
- DeLonghi Magnifica ($800-1,200) – Super automatic, does everything
Our recommendation: For $700, the Breville Barista Express gives you the best value with a capable grinder built-in.
For $600, the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro + Baratza Encore gives you BETTER shot quality with more upgrade potential.
Essential Accessories
Don’t forget these essentials (budget an extra $50-100):
- Tamper: 51mm or 58mm to match your portafilter ($15-30)
- Scale: For precise dosing ($20-40)
- Milk Pitcher: For steaming milk ($15-25)
- Knock Box: For spent pucks ($20-30)
- Cleaning Tablets: Cafiza or similar ($10-15)
FAQs
Can I make good espresso with a $300 machine?
Yes, but with caveats. The DeLonghi Dedica at $350 can make decent shots, especially with the non-pressurized basket upgrade ($20). But $450-700 machines deliver noticeably better results.
What’s the minimum I should spend?
$400-450 for the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro (plus $150 for a grinder). Anything cheaper won’t produce real espresso – just strong coffee.
Should I buy used?
Yes! Gaggia Classics last forever. Look for well-maintained used ones for $250-350. Avoid Breville used (more complicated, harder to service).
How long do espresso machines last?
With proper maintenance: Gaggia/Rancilio 10-20 years, Breville 5-10 years, DeLonghi 3-7 years. Buy the best you can afford.
Final Recommendation
For most people: Get the Breville Barista Express. At $700, it’s everything you need in one sleek package.
For enthusiasts: Get the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro + a dedicated espresso grinder. Better shots, more control, endless upgrade path.
On a budget: Wait and save for a Gaggia ($450). Don’t waste money on sub-$300 machines that can’t pull real espresso.
Ready to start your espresso journey? Check out our espresso brewing guide to dial in your new machine!