One note—this one doesn’t come with a built-in grinder, which is a plus for those with limited counter space. (Expect to make way for something slightly smaller than a stand mixer.) Which means you probably want to invest in a conical burr grinder to go with it since freshly ground coffee beats pre-ground any day of the week—but you already knew that.
My countertop is enormous. Gimme the option that comes with the grinder.
The Breville Barista Touch is the semi-automatic pick for spacious suburban kitchens. It’s five inches wider and three inches longer than the Bambino and includes a conical burr grinder, along with a hot water wand. At first glance, you might think that touch screens are a bit like…cheating? But unlike similarly sized Breville models, the Barista Touch really does boast all the ease of the Bambino, with the same foolproof milk frother and quick heating transition from espresso to steam wand.
Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine
What about the best old school espresso machines?
If you’re in the market for a classic commercial machine at a home-cook price point, go for an Italian machine like the Rancilio Silvia. (For a competitor option, check out BA’s review of the Gaggia Classic Pro.) “Rancilio specialized in commercial machines, and this type of machine was made as a sample to send as a gift to their distributors,” explains Suyog Mody, co-founder of Boston-based coffee subscription company Driftaway. “It ended up becoming so popular that they decided to release it on the consumer market.” The Silvia still boasts commercial construction, so expect it to last and last. Mody loves that it’s low-profile and quieter than most home machines—and that the customer support is helpful as you begin to tinker with the parts and upgrade or replace them over time. (Great espresso machines are like classic cars; you can customize and update certain parts instead of getting a whole new one.)
Like the Bambino, investing in a good conical burr grinder to go alongside the Rancilio Silvia is key. Also like the Bambino, there are two filter baskets included, one for single shots and one for double. The price difference here really comes down to longevity—this is a commercial-grade machine with stainless steel, brass, and copper parts that are all easily replaceable or upgradable. It’s a bit more finicky than the Breville (some people find the lack of a PID system, which regulates pressure and temperature, annoying) but, this could easily be a ten or fifteen year machine with a little care.
Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine
What if I’m a pro looking for La Marzocco quality at home?
Laura Perry, co-founder of Luna Coffee (another one of my favorite coffee subscription picks) recommends the Decent DE1. “It’s not cheap, but the Decent DE1 is awesome for a few reasons,” she says. “It’s got incredible temperature control at the grouphead (a rarity for home machines), and there’s a tablet to graph and deploy shot profiles.” Take all the information that built-in coffee iPad gives you and go check out the Decent Espresso chat room, “which [provides] lots of support as you embark on your espresso nerd quest,” says Perry. This is a pro pick with a pro price: the Decent DE1 Pro, the latest model of the machine that Perry loves (and employs at Luna Coffee HQ), is $3,399.
What if I’m looking for something to do most of the heavy lifting itself?
My first espresso maker was a super-automatic Jura—and to be honest, it made such consistently good espresso that it outperformed the Bambino for the first few weeks, while I was still learning the ropes. A fully automatic coffee machine measures and grinds the beans and pulls the shot. Some machines also froth milk. All you need to do is fill the water tank and replenish the coffee beans and the Jura will make you the coffee drink of your choice at the push of a button. It’s about as involved as popping in a Nespresso pod—there is no grinding beans or tamping down a portafilter involved. There’s nothing wrong with that, and if you prefer the ease of an automatic espresso machine and can stand the price, I do recommend the Jura. But it is less FUN.
JURA Automatic Espresso Machine
More highly-caffeinated content from BA’s Coffee Week:
- The Best Ways to Make Coffee, According to Baristas
- This Flash-Frozen Concentrate Is Revolutionizing the Way I Drink Coffee
- These Are the Best Drip Coffee Makers, According to a Highly Caffeinated BA Staffer
- BA Reviews: Is the Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine Worth It?
- My Le Creuset French Press Symbolizes Everything I Love About Adulthood
One note—this one doesn’t come with a built-in grinder, which is a plus for those with limited counter space. (Expect to make way for something slightly smaller than a stand mixer.) Which means you probably want to invest in a conical burr grinder to go with it since freshly ground coffee beats pre-ground any day of the week—but you already knew that.My countertop is enormous. Gimme the option that comes with the grinder.The Breville Barista Touch is the semi-automatic pick for spacious suburban kitchens. It’s five inches wider and three inches longer than the Bambino and includes a conical burr grinder, along with a hot water wand. At first glance, you might think that touch screens are a bit like…cheating? But unlike similarly sized Breville models, the Barista Touch really does boast all the ease of the Bambino, with the same foolproof milk frother and quick heating transition from espresso to steam wand.Breville Barista Touch Espresso MachineWhat about the best old school espresso machines?If you’re in the market for a classic commercial machine at a home-cook price point, go for an Italian machine like the Rancilio Silvia. (For a competitor option, check out BA’s review of the Gaggia Classic Pro.) “Rancilio specialized in commercial machines, and this type of machine was made as a sample to send as a gift to their distributors,” explains Suyog Mody, co-founder of Boston-based coffee subscription company Driftaway. “It ended up becoming so popular that they decided to release it on the consumer market.” The Silvia still boasts commercial construction, so expect it to last and last. Mody loves that it’s low-profile and quieter than most home machines—and that the customer support is helpful as you begin to tinker with the parts and upgrade or replace them over time. (Great espresso machines are like classic cars; you can customize and update certain parts instead of getting a whole new one.)Like the Bambino, investing in a good conical burr grinder to go alongside the Rancilio Silvia is key. Also like the Bambino, there are two filter baskets included, one for single shots and one for double. The price difference here really comes down to longevity—this is a commercial-grade machine with stainless steel, brass, and copper parts that are all easily replaceable or upgradable. It’s a bit more finicky than the Breville (some people find the lack of a PID system, which regulates pressure and temperature, annoying) but, this could easily be a ten or fifteen year machine with a little care.Rancilio Silvia Espresso MachineWhat if I’m a pro looking for La Marzocco quality at home?Laura Perry, co-founder of Luna Coffee (another one of my favorite coffee subscription picks) recommends the Decent DE1. “It’s not cheap, but the Decent DE1 is awesome for a few reasons,” she says. “It’s got incredible temperature control at the grouphead (a rarity for home machines), and there’s a tablet to graph and deploy shot profiles.” Take all the information that built-in coffee iPad gives you and go check out the Decent Espresso chat room, “which [provides] lots of support as you embark on your espresso nerd quest,” says Perry. This is a pro pick with a pro price: the Decent DE1 Pro, the latest model of the machine that Perry loves (and employs at Luna Coffee HQ), is $3,399.What if I’m looking for something to do most of the heavy lifting itself?My first espresso maker was a super-automatic Jura—and to be honest, it made such consistently good espresso that it outperformed the Bambino for the first few weeks, while I was still learning the ropes. A fully automatic coffee machine measures and grinds the beans and pulls the shot. Some machines also froth milk. All you need to do is fill the water tank and replenish the coffee beans and the Jura will make you the coffee drink of your choice at the push of a button. It’s about as involved as popping in a Nespresso pod—there is no grinding beans or tamping down a portafilter involved. There’s nothing wrong with that, and if you prefer the ease of an automatic espresso machine and can stand the price, I do recommend the Jura. But it is less FUN.JURA Automatic Espresso MachineMore highly-caffeinated content from BA’s Coffee Week:The Best Ways to Make Coffee, According to BaristasThis Flash-Frozen Concentrate Is Revolutionizing the Way I Drink CoffeeThese Are the Best Drip Coffee Makers, According to a Highly Caffeinated BA StafferBA Reviews: Is the Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine Worth It?My Le Creuset French Press Symbolizes Everything I Love About Adulthood