10 Best High End Espresso Machines: Expert Choices for Superior Brews

Customer Review: I’ve been using this espresso machine for a while now and I’m really happy with it. The espresso comes out strong and flavorful with good crema, and the steam wand works well for making lattes and cappuccinos. It’s compact, doesn’t take up much counter space, and is easy to use even if you’re not experienced. Cleaning is simple, and overall it feels like great value for the price

Customer Review: Best espresso machine we’ve owned over the years. Gave it to my husband as a Christmas present and he was so impressed of the performance of this compact but powerful machine. Easy to use and produces specialty coffee shop quality espresso–rich, creamy flavorful and the temperature is perfect! We use it too to make tea. Best of all is it’s excellent price. Highly recommended.

Customer Review: Update 9/19/2020– The machine continues to may fantastic coffee. Enjoying some right now. One of our most used small appliances during the pandemic. Will never go back to SB again. It compares very poorly to what I can make at home now. Have run the descale cycle once because the light turned on, but I think it is set to turn on at a certain number of cycles rather than based on actual scale build up since we use RO water and scale build up is minimal. In any case, certainly does not hurt. Another tip I’ve got is to get yourself some disposable earplugs and set them next to the machine. The decibels during steaming can be really high and they hurt my ears. I also keep a quick read thermometer on the machine to know when my steamed milk is at the temp I like.Update 6/17/2020: This has ended up being one of my favorite birthday presents I gotten in years. Prior to owning the machine my family had a $100/week Starbucks habit. Since purchasing this machine 4 months ago, we’ve spent maybe $40 at SB. With COVID19, we’ve been at home and using this machine several times per day. The coffee it makes has only gotten better as we’ve learned to calibrate it. It has more than paid for itself in a few short months. It is well designed. We drink mostly Americanos so the hot water dispenser with automatic shut off is one of my favorite features. We were able to reprogram the machine to raise the water temperature very easily. The only glitches have come with the grinder which is a bit temperamental with certain beans, but these have been minor. The coffee the machine produces is delicious with a good amount of crema. I run a cleaning table through the machine about once per month, but because we have a reverse osmosis filter on our tap, we have had no need to descale. I highly recommend using reverse osmosis filtered water in the machine to cut down on internal build up. The machine is fairly easy to clean and has a lot of nice touches like the little float indicator that tells you when you need to empty the drip tray. We also like the ability to calibrate shots. I am raising our review from 4 to 5 stars since it seems that our poor experience with the first machine we received was just luck of the draw and we really have no complaints with our current machine. It is wonderful!Update: 2/18/2020 Amazon agreed to swap out the lemon (see original review below) for a new Breville Barista Express. It arrived today. I set it up and ran two cleaning tablets (3 cleaning cycles) before I even tried to make my first cup of espresso. I let the machine warm completely and set the grind size at 5 as suggested. Pulled my first shot and the new machine performed perfectly with the pressure reaching and staying in the middle of the gray extracting zone as it should. The shot was smooth with beautiful crema. I took the opportunity to program this shot so that it would be exactly 1 oz using my little espresso cup. I then pulled a double shot and did the same thing programming the machine to fill two of my espresso cups. Again the pressure was perfect at the level 5 grind size setting and the coffee is absolutely delicious with a beautiful smooth crema. Apparently the first machine I received was a dud. I’m glad Amazon allowed me to swap and will be sending the old one back tomorrow. I’ve changed my rating from 1 to 4 stars. If the new machine continues to perform as it did in its maiden voyage, I will revisit the rating and perhaps raise it to 5 stars. I highly recommend that anyone who buys one of these start off with a couple of clean/descale cycles before trying to make coffee. Save yourself a headache and a lot of wasted coffee.Pros: Very attractive and sturdy. The hot water dispenser is super convenient for making Americanos which is what I drink. I now don’t have to heat up a separate kettle of hot water. It’s great. The built-in grinder is really nice and its automatic function that also allows manual operation is convenient. The programmable temperature and shot amount adjustments are great.Cons: Because it takes so much water to keep the machine clean and operating well (it flushes itself after each use of steam or hot water) the water receptacle has to be refilled OFTEN (around every 3-4 coffees for me). I wish the machine had a bigger water tank. The drip tray also needs to be changed fairly often because the machine flushes itself, but this is does not bother me as much and it is not as often as the water tank. The grinder amounts tend to fluctuate and I’m still trying to figure out what adjustments or cleaning will might fix this. I’m not impressed with their customer service. When I tried to get help for the first unit I purchased (which ended up being defective), it took a couple of days to get a response and then that was an email with the exact same information contained in the user’s manual (I guess the assumption was that I had not read it) along with a flat dismissal that there could be anything wrong with the machine. Thankfully, Amazon dealt with the problem quickly by replacing the machine so I did not have to rely on Breville. I hope that I have a better response if I ever need to contact Breville in the future.Original review:I’ve wasted almost a pound of coffee over the past day trying to get the pressure on this machine to the “espresso” level that the instructions say is required. The machine will not go beyond the “pre infusion” level. I have cleaned it with the cleaning tablet as suggested in some of the reviews and I have adjusted the grind fineness and grind amount to every combination I can think of. Both settings are currently at the maximum levels. I’ve tamped the coffee harder and also used less pressure. NOTHING works. Like I said, I grew up with espresso as it is a daily drink in my culture. When I was little, my mom made it a the little stovetop espresso pot. My last espresso maker was a $79 Mr. Coffee that lasted almost 7 years and made very decent coffee with a nice crema everytime. No fuss. Then it finally broke and I can’t find that model. I didn’t want the new models with milk receptacles. Yuck! Anyway, I thought, well if I’m going to spend over $200 on Mr. Coffee, why not just splurge and get the Breville. The coffee I’ve so far gotten from this machine is thin and acidic and has almost no crema. As I’ve said, I have tried everything suggested. The pressure gage only reached the correct level on two shots after I had just cleaned it and then it went back to barely registering. IT SHOULD NOT BE THIS DIFFICULT TO MAKE A DECENT CUP OF COFFEE! Right now I feel like all these 5 star reviews are a product of the psychological phenomenon that happens with very expensive wine, where people report it tastes better because they don’t want to seem stupid for paying so much and not liking it. I will update if it turns out I’m just missing the magic key to having this thing not be a ridiculously expensive pain in my coffee loving butt. But I’m not feeling hopeful.

Customer Review: The Breville Barista Express has been fantastic for me. It works flawlessly right out of the box and feels very well built. There’s a lot to learn with it, but once you get the hang of it, it’s extremely rewarding.I mostly use the double wall cup for my coffee when I’m not using the built-in bean grinder, and it produces consistently great espresso. The controls are intuitive, the steam wand works well for frothing milk and getting it hot, and cleanup is straightforward.It’s definitely an investment, but for anyone serious about making quality coffee at home, it’s worth every penny. A really solid machine that makes morning coffee something to look forward to. That storage bin that goes behind the drip tray is kind of annoying though since it gets splashed from the steam and boiler drip.

Customer Review: This coffee maker is compact and fits nicely on my kitchen counter. On weekday mornings, it’s simply a race against time. I often grab a cup, throw it into the machine, and then push the button before going to brush my teeth and wash my face. By the time I get back from cleaning up, a steaming cup of Americano is waiting for me, really nice! Sometimes on weekends, if I want to enjoy the ritual of hand-brewed coffee, I can use ground coffee powder, and I can control the concentration and flavor myself. The option to choose between 6 – 12 ounces is really thoughtful. Also, the window design of the built-in water tank may seem inconspicuous, but it is super practical. Once I work late, I am in a hurry and ready to make coffee. I glance at the water level and realize that it’s almost empty. If it weren’t for this window, I might have burned the machine dry. But it would be perfect if the water tank capacity was a bit bigger. So far, used it for over a month, and I have had a good experience making coffee with it.

Customer Review: I absolutely love this single-serve coffee maker! I always make a cup of coffee for myself before work. It’s super convenient, allowing me to brew both K-pod and ground coffee effortlessly. I can have a quick cup in the morning . Also during weekend, I want to take my time enjoying a rich, flavorful brew, this machine also delivers every time.The one-touch brewing feature is a lifesaver. I can drink hot coffee in just two minutes! The compact size fits perfectly in my small kitchen. It won’t take much space on countertop and I appreciate its heat-resistant materials that ensure both safety and durability. And I can easily monitor its water level from its the built-in water tank. Overall, it is reliable, space saving and efficient coffee machine. It perfect addition my daily life style.

Customer Review: Had this since Xmas 25. Used daily. Wife is a barista, so she won’t make me anything. I have to give her $11 and she’s always out of whole milk. But it’s easy enough for a husband to use, so great job on this build.

Customer Review: The machine wasn’t working. I’ve done everything as it was instructed in the instructions but it’s I got only one cup of coffee and then it stopped working. It still worked 30% for espresso brew but not for actual espresso. The milk stammer didn’t work at all. The sound was very loud. Unfortunately, I had to return it. It was very heavy and it was super hard for me to drop off. Super disappointed.

Customer Review: My wife really wanted to purchase an espresso machine, but I was skeptical. I didn’t think I’d want to make espressos every day or clean the machine every so often. I was also concerned about the quality holding up since it’s not cheap. After 6 months of usage I’m converted and now can’t believe we didn’t buy one sooner. I figure I should share our experience and recommendation for others that might be in a similar position. So far we have not had any issues with the machine. The espresso it produces is very good. We use high quality beans, but not different than in quality coffee shops in the PNW, and I would say it’s a better cup of espresso. It can produce several different styles of espresso drinks and can be programmed for multiple favorites. The LCD touch screen makes it very easy to make any style of drink even if you don’t know how to make it. The auto frothing is also a nice feature. Overall, I highly recommend this espresso machine.

Customer Review: Yes, it’s an investment on the front end, but when I tell you this is the best cup of coffee I’ve ever made at home, it makes that investment an easier pill to swallow. It took a few times to understand how to use it, akin to anything, but I’ve got it down pat and can make a bomb cappuccino every morning before work. I prefer this over purchasing coffee, to be honest.Yes, it takes up space but it’s an espresso machine, you want to show it off on your counter! The stainless steel has a nice, clean look that goes with everything, and the area on top of the unit to the right of the grinder is a great space to hold daily use items. There is also a tray under the machine that comes out when you remove the bottom/catchall tray and is good for the additional tools not needed daily.Highly, highly recommend this if you like good coffee and saving money.

Customer Review: I researched extensively before buying this espresso machine. I came across a number of reports of defective machines but decided to take a chance based on Ninja’s reputation. I’m so glad I did! The machine is extremely solid and well built. It can make everything from regular coffee to espresso to iced coffees. This is a very sophisticated machine and reading the manual is essential for a good result. The coffee produced smells and tastes amazing. The milk frother works better than any frother I’ve had before. The bean hopper holds a large amount of coffee beans which I appreciate. I find the speed of the machine to be good and comparable to other espresso machines I’ve had. I’ve seen reports of the coffee produced being too hot or too cold but mine has been perfect for me for each type of drink. Given the many different types of coffee beverages this machine makes with ease, I highly recommend it. In fact, I went to stay with relatives for a month over the holidays and I took the machine with me!

Customer Review: I am so impressed and pleased with this machine. I wanted to wait after two months of use before providing my humble input. I was willing to spend up to $1,500 for a new machine, especially since the last one I had was during my early 30’s and things have improved significantly with the new machines. The Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro has high ratings and reviews from Baristas, the price was actually and surprisingly acceptable. I ran the clean cycle at one month, takes 6 minutes and today, month two, I ran the descale function – 90 minutes. The Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro series does both efficiently and not messy, big, big plus. Coffee tastes better after. The machine is built very well, has all the features I was looking for, coffee beans dispenser, grinder, tamper, inside scale, top hot plate, hot water dispenser, milk frother. Keep the machine clean, use fresh beans and enjoy it. Daily, I use the espresso side, while my spouse uses the classic, drip side. We average 3 servings each a day for a total of 6 together. Coffee always tastes great. Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro is perfect for me. I highly recommend it.

Customer Review: This machine makes great quality espresso.The settings and functions are easy to use and intuitive. The manual and quick guide walk you through everything you needAfter using water in any of is functions it does appear to drain the lines into the drip tray which has a water level first to let you know when to empty it.The highlight of the machine though was the surprisingly great quality grinder it is equipped with. I find the machine works best at right around 15 grind setting for both amount ground, and ease of brewing the espresso.

Customer Review: Most reasonably priced expresso machine WITH grinder and steam foamer.so far, reliable, fast (for expresso machines) easy to maintain.Time will tell on longevity

Customer Review: The media could not be loaded. Beautiful coffee maker. It was easy to set up and easy to make my first cup of expresso. Good taste, no burnt taste at all. Very smooth. It has a good water storage capacity in the back. Easy to clean and professional grade machine.

Customer Review: So far I love it. I have had it a month. Drip pan comes off to clean nicely.I wish it made 4 at a time!

Customer Review: Finally, a pro machine that fits anywhere! Brews rich espresso to creamy lattes. Customizable settings are fantastic. Simple to use with beans or ground coffee. Love it!

Customer Review: I dial in the perfect cup every time! Adjust beans, water, milk for each drink. Makes all my favorites. Compact and sleek. Works great with grounds too. Highly recommend!

Customer Review: It comes with a lot of accessories in the box. With filters, it makes the excellent coffee. The best part is that it’s programmable. Following the instruction, you can adjust how much coffee it makes, so the pressure can be different based on how it is programmed and what filter is used. And every time it is turned on, it warms up fast. Within a minute, coffee is made.It is also a good looking coffee maker. Its stainless steel is well made and elegant. After using for over a week, cleaning is necessary, and we find it easy to clean. We don’t have any issues so far. It’s great value, absolutely worth the money. And most importantly, it makes excellent coffee.Setup & Features: Setup was quick and straightforward. The packaging was neat and professional, and I appreciated the detailed instruction manual with recipes, tips, and tricks. I love that it comes with a reusable filter (no need to constantly buy paper filters), customizable coffee volume, and the 360° adjustable steam wand. I do wish it came with a small brush for sweeping away extra grounds, but the included cleaning tool clips neatly onto the frother wand, which is a nice touch.Overall: Stylish, compact, and powerful—this espresso machine is perfect for anyone looking to bring café-quality shots into a smaller space. For beginners, it’s approachable and easy to use, and for coffee lovers like me, it’s a great secondary machine for the office. Highly recommended.

Customer Review: This espresso machine has been a great addition to my kitchen. It makes strong, rich coffee with a nice crema, and I love having the built-in grinder so I can use freshly ground beans every time. The 20-bar pressure really brings out the flavor, and it feels like café-quality coffee at home.The steam wand works well for frothing milk — perfect for making lattes and cappuccinos. It took me just a few tries to get the hang of it, and now it’s part of my daily routine.Overall, it’s easy to use, looks great on the counter, and makes delicious coffee with minimal effort.