5 Best Beginner Espresso Machines: Top Picks for Coffee Newbies

Enjoying a shot of quality espresso is no longer reserved for coffee shops, hobbyists, or former baristas. With home espresso machines, you can create your favorite drink in a snap.

Gone are the days of walking five blocks for that much-needed pick-me-up. With a little bit of practice, you can make cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos, flat whites, or cortados that rival the flavors of expensive coffee shops and cafes.

If you’re seriously considering starting your home-based brewing journey, you’ll definitely want to find the right espresso machine. But the market is flooded with all sorts of models that have flashy features and jaw-dropping prices. So choosing an espresso machine can feel overwhelming.

Luckily, we’ve done much of the work for you. Here, you’ll discover the best beginner espresso machines to suit your unique preference, skill level, and budget. 

Different Types of Espresso Machines

Espresso machines come in many shapes and sizes. And while baristas make it look almost effortless, plenty of thought (and lots of practice) goes into concocting the perfect espresso shot. 

You want to understand your espresso machine inside and out to ensure consistent and fast brews. But most importantly, you want to figure out what you want from a brewer and how much time you can spend practicing. 

To get you started, below are some of the most common types of espresso machines you may want to consider:

Manual

Manual brewers are typically the most affordable machines you can get. Instead of a built-in boiler, these models use the pressure through a lever the user pulls. If you prefer a more hands-on or retro-approach to brewing, a manual model could fit right in your kitchen.

They’re simple yet effective machines that inspired the expression, “pulling a shot,” from pulling the lever of a manual brewer to make a cup of espresso.

Semi-Automatic

If pulling a lever isn’t your cup of espresso, these machines also come in semi-automatic. These are the most commonly-used espresso machines—in homes, offices, and coffee shops. They come with a convenient switch that allows the users to stop or resume brewing.

Semi-automatic espresso makers can be a great way to learn the ins and outs of brewing. They provide a balance of customizability and consistency that leaves enough room for people with a creative palette.

One downside to semi-automatic machines is that they often require a separate coffee grinder and (sometimes) tamper. Of course, if you’re serious about your espresso, having extra gear is never a bad idea.

Automatic

The primary difference between a semi and a fully automatic espresso machine is that the latter has a flow meter. What this feature does is it measures the amount of water for each cup and uses the same amount every time.

So, unlike a semi-automatic that leaves the users to decide when to stop, an automatic espresso maker halts on its own. Some models also let you customize the amount of water for your shots.

Super-Automatic

Here’s a fantastic option for those who prefer a hands-off (almost) brewing experience. Drop in your whole beans, press start, and leave the brewer to do all the work. Their convenience makes them a popular pick for many.

But for all their convenience, there are a few tradeoffs you should consider. In some super-automatic models, you’ll have less control over aspects of brewing, particularly brewing and dosing time. You’d be surprised at how much these things affect how your shot can taste!

5 Best Espresso Machines For Beginners

Back then, stumbling upon espresso machines inside home kitchens was few and far between. But options are plentiful these days, whether you’re looking for convenient one-push-brew machines or affordable yet customizable semis.

Here are five of our best picks, tried and tested by our team’s brewing experts and espresso hobbyists.

Breville Barista Express Impress

If you’re stepping into this world clean-slate, no other machine is worth your attention than the Breville Barista Express Impress. 

A model that’s beloved for its ease of use, this brewer comes with a built-in grinder, automatic coffee portioning feature, and an intelligent dosing and tamping feature. In short, everything you’ll ever need to make a great shot of espresso.

The machine detects if you’ve grounded too much or too few beans, and the assisted tamp lever ensures you don’t over-grind your coffee. 

Its steam wand is lighting fast. Plus, the interactive notification light whenever you get the grind levels right is a fantastic addition for espresso newbies.

Gaggia Classic Evo Pro

This is the successor of the Gaggia Classic, a fan-favorite entry-level espresso maker for many years. The Gaggia Classic Evo Pro boasts the same user-friendly design and ability to make cafe-worthy cups.

You may need a few trials and errors to master the Evo Pro as a beginner. But with practice, it can make velvety milk froths perfect for your cappuccinos and lattes.

For newbies wanting to enjoy perfectly pulled espresso shots but with little budget to spare, the Evo Pro may be the machine you’re looking for.

The Breville Bambino Plus

Simple and compact, the Breville Bambino Plus would sit snugly on your counter without taking much-needed kitchen space. Besides the minimal footprint, it also comes with several delightful surprises you won’t find in others in this budget price point.

The machine features dose control, two dual-wall filter baskets, a trimming tool, and a tamper. It’s quick to heat up too, and can go from “off” to “ready to brew” in less than five minutes.

But what makes the Bambino Plus the right pick for newbies? In our opinion, it’s the automatic milk steaming. This remarkable function lets you decide how foamy you want your milk, totally hands-free.

Profitec Go Espresso Machine 

If you’re serious about your espresso business, you won’t go wrong with the Profitec Go. Sleek yet sturdy, this machine effortlessly makes consistently flavorful and crema-rich shots. 

While capable of concocting nuanced brews, the Profitec Go is surprisingly straightforward, even for beginners. We love that the preheating process only takes around six minutes. 

Profitec Go has two control panels. The upper portion has the manual controls to operate your shots and the steam wand, while the lower one lets you tweak the brewing temperatures.

The portafilter locks to the group head with ease, the built-in digital timer allows for precise extraction time, and, while not the most powerful, the steam wand can be positioned for various heights and angles.

Lelit Mara X

For people who don’t want to compromise espresso quality over savings, the Lelit Mara X is a no brainer pick—both in design and performance.

Although it lacks some of the flashy functions of other commercial brewers, such as a digital PID and built-in timer, it makes up for it by pulling one of the most exquisite espresso shots you’ll ever taste.

Every step of the brewing process feels deliberate. The tamper is well-designed and the curved, double-spouted portafilter where you can see the espresso flow down makes the experience extra intimate.

Steaming milk offers a similar controlled experience. While the steam wand can feel weak, it delivers the same smooth-textured results on dairy and non-dairy milk as other high-end machines.

Additionally, the Lelit Mira X lets you brew directly into a mug because of its spacious 4-inch cup clearance. It may sound trivial but not many luxury brewers are this convenient.

Key Features to Consider in an Espresso Machine

Investing in an espresso machine can be daunting if you don’t know what you should be looking for. To help you get started, here are some of the key features you want for your first espresso machine.

Boiler Configuration

Boilers handle the brewing and steaming while configuration refers to the number and type of boilers in an espresso machine. Many high-end brewers have two boilers to ensure consistency but heat exchangers like the Lelit Mara X can be a superb single-boiler option.

Temperature Control

Most hobbyists look to the temperature control functions like PID when judging espresso machines (for good reasons). In most cases, the more control you have over heat, the better espresso you can brew.

Milk Steaming Functions

If your brewing machine already has it, you’re mostly all set. But if you’re gearing to improve your espresso game, you’d best consider researching steaming power, wand quality, and other practical accessories.

The Final Scoop

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world (second only to tea), with over 400 billion cups consumed every year. Americans, for one, drink over 450 million cups of joe every day.

For those planning to join the coffee mania, you’d best invest in a good espresso machine. Of course, if you dislike the guesswork of shopping blindly, you won’t go wrong with any one in this curated list.