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Top 10
Grind, brew and froth at home, mostly with a grinder built in.
By the New Coffee Makers editors · Updated
Quick answer: For most people the best espresso machine under $1,000 is the Breville Barista Express ($699.95), because it combines a burr grinder, steam wand and manual controls in one machine. If you want push-button cappuccinos instead, get the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo with LatteCrema; on a tight budget, the Gaggia Brera ($499) grinds and brews for less.
Eight of these ten machines have a grinder built in, so you can go from whole beans to a cappuccino without buying anything else. We split them between manual "barista" machines, where you tamp and steam yourself, and superautomatics that do everything at the push of a button.
Best overall
Breville
The machine most people picture when they think of a home espresso setup: a built-in conical burr grinder, a steam wand and manual controls in one box. It suits beginners who want to learn real espresso without buying a separate grinder.
Also sold on Amazon (Paid link)
Best for speed
Breville
A step up from the Express, with a fast-heating system so you go from switch-on to first shot in seconds, plus a clear digital display. Great for busy mornings and anyone who makes milk drinks back to back.
Also sold on Amazon (Paid link)
Easiest manual machine
Breville
Breville's assisted tamping system doses and tamps for you, taking the mess and guesswork out of the trickiest step. Ideal for first-timers who want café results with less trial and error.
Also sold on Amazon (Paid link)
Best touchscreen
Breville
A touchscreen walks you through lattes, flat whites and cappuccinos, and the automatic milk wand textures milk to the temperature you pick. The pick for cappuccino lovers who want simplicity right at the $1,000 line.
Also sold on Amazon (Paid link)
Best value with grinder
De'Longhi
A compact manual machine with a built-in burr grinder and a barista kit at one of the lowest prices in this class. A smart choice for small kitchens and budget-minded beginners.
Also sold on Amazon (Paid link)
Best superautomatic for cappuccino
De'Longhi
Push a button and it grinds, brews and froths milk from its LatteCrema carafe, with no barista skills needed. Best for households that want one-touch cappuccinos and lattes.
Also sold on Amazon (Paid link)
Best one-touch espresso
De'Longhi
The same bean-to-cup convenience with a manual frothing wand in place of the carafe, for less money. Good for espresso and Americano drinkers who only occasionally steam milk.
Also sold on Amazon (Paid link)
Best Italian superautomatic
Gaggia
An Italian bean-to-cup machine with a milk carafe and user profiles so everyone in the house gets their drink their way. A strong value for families who drink cappuccinos every day.
Also sold on Amazon (Paid link)
Best budget superautomatic
Gaggia
A small, long-running superautomatic with a built-in ceramic grinder and a steam wand for frothing. The easiest way to get fresh-ground espresso on a budget.
Also sold on Amazon (Paid link)
Best compact (no grinder)
Breville
It has no grinder, but it heats up in seconds and froths milk automatically in a tiny footprint. Pair it with a good burr grinder if you already own one or want to upgrade it separately.
Also sold on Amazon (Paid link)
For most beginners, yes. Freshly ground coffee is essential for espresso, and a built-in grinder saves counter space and the cost of a separate grinder, typically $150 to $400. Enthusiasts often prefer a separate grinder for finer control.
On a manual (semi-automatic) machine you grind, tamp, brew and steam milk yourself. A superautomatic grinds, tamps, brews and often froths milk at the push of a button, trading some control for convenience.
For hands-off cappuccinos, the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo with LatteCrema or the Gaggia Cadorna Milk froth milk automatically. For café-style microfoam with little effort, the Breville Barista Touch textures milk automatically to the temperature you choose.
The Gaggia Brera ($499) and De'Longhi La Specialista Arte ($599.95) are the least expensive machines on this list with built-in grinders.
We chose current, widely sold models with strong buyer reviews and expert coverage. We didn't test these machines ourselves. Prices are the lowest list price we found on the maker's or a specialist retailer's own product page, and change often. Ratings appear only where the seller publishes them; we don't show Amazon prices or ratings.
Photos are Creative Commons images from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one and on our photo credits page; where no licensed photo exists we show an illustration.