Best Espresso Machines

Build quality is key in espresso makers

Although you can spend a lot more, most experts say an espresso machine in the $300 to $700 price range is the best value for home users. Not surprisingly, this is where you'll find the most competition, and we found the largest number of reviews for espresso machines in this price range.

The Rancilio Silvia (*Est. $700) is a machine with legions of fans. Coffee guru Mark Prince, who runs the enthusiast site CoffeeKid.com and contributes to CoffeeGeek.com, says the Silvia is "built like a tank." It has stainless-steel housing and uses a marine brass group head and boiler for better heat retention, as well as a multidirectional steam arm and an ergonomic portafilter, which users say they appreciate. The Rancilio Silvia is among five recommended espresso machines in a roundup of 27 models tested at Australia's Choice magazine. Editors say the Rancilio Silvia is easy to use and produces frothy milk, but it receives middling scores in taste tests. Ike DeLorenzo investigates inexpensive espresso machines in a review for The Boston Globe, but says the Rancilio Silvia is a safe bet if you're willing to spend more for hassle-free, great-tasting espresso.

In more than 200 user reviews posted to CoffeeGeek.com, owners give the Rancilio Silvia a high cumulative rating (8.6 out of a possible 10), and owners say it is "one step away from going commercial," "best in class," and note that the "machine reads your mind." Many owners comment that the Rancilio Silvia's resale value is excellent, and repair parts are readily available -- important for a machine that can be expected to last for 10 or 15 years. There's a learning curve to every espresso maker, and the Rancilio Silvia is slightly finicky with regard to temperature, tamping density and grind fineness. Several owners suggest buying a higher-quality tamper than the one included. A pod adaptor kit (*Est. $90) is also available for those who prefer the convenience of coffee pods. Overall, reviewers say the Rancilio Silvia is a workhorse that's built to last, and editors at CoffeeKid.com call it "the best machine you can buy for under $700."

Reviewers say Gaggia also makes high-quality espresso machines. The interior components of most of the company's machines are virtually identical; only the housings differ. The Gaggia Classic (*Est. $450) , which has a 72-ounce water reservoir and a stainless-steel housing, earns an overall average rating of 8.1 out of 10 in nearly 75 owner-written reviews on CoffeeGeek.com. In this price range, the Rancilio Silvia gets better reviews overall, but editors of CoffeeKid.com say the Gaggia Classic is "on par with the Rancilio Silvia." In fact, it boasts many of the same high-end features of the Rancilio Silvia for almost half the price. The Gaggia can make espresso from freshly ground coffee or Easy Serving Espresso (ESE) pods. It's worth noting that ESE pods differ from other types of pod coffee, like K-Cups and T-Discs, which are compatible with different espresso makers.

Users at WholeLatteLove.com and Amazon.com also rave about the machine's durability, and many say they have owned theirs for years. We found many complaints, however, about the plastic frothing wand on older models, which owners say falls off easily and is hard to clean. However, experts at WholeLatteLove.com say newer models have a Pannarello-style frother instead, which is easier to use and to clean. Other complaints include a dark water reservoir that makes it difficult to judge water levels and an aluminum boiler that is more susceptible to corrosion than brass. All the reviews we read, however, agree that the Gaggia Classic makes top-quality espresso with perfect crema.

A cheaper model, the Gaggia Espresso Pure (*Est. $250) , is recommended by editors at V-Blog.com. They say the Gaggia Espresso Pure is an ideal choice if you want one machine that can produce both coffee and espresso. The Gaggia Espresso Pure features Gaggia's traditional brass filter holder and a stainless-steel boiler. Using 15 bars of pressure, the Gaggia Espresso Pure can brew two cups simultaneously, has a steam wand for frothing milk and a hot water spout for hot tea or other beverages. Just under 30 owners contribute to an average rating of 3 stars out of 5 on Amazon.com, where there are numerous complaints about this unit developing leaks after just a few months of use. Others say the steam wand and drip area are too small, but there are an equal number of reviewers who praise the Gaggia Espresso Pure for its affordable price, great-tasting espresso and ability to produce a variety of hot beverages. Overall, most owners agree the Gaggia Espresso Pure is ideal for a first-time espresso-machine owner.

Finally, Gaggia's middle-of-the-road Gaggia New Baby (*Est. $400) is rated highly by editors of SweetMarias.com, a retailer of specialty coffees and espresso machines. Editors say the Gaggia New Baby has been redesigned from a previous version with a Thermoset plastic housing. The Gaggia New Baby also features a three-way valve to reduce pressure and backflush the machine for cleaning. The Gaggia New Baby is very similar to the Gaggia Classic in design, but has a 60-ounce water reservoir (the Classic has a 64-ounce reservoir), removable for easy filling and cleaning. The Gaggia New Baby, which has a turbo-frother and uses 15 bars of pressure, earns an average of 7.2 stars out of 10 in more than 25 owner-written reviews on CoffeeGeek.com. Owners say the Gaggia New Baby "produces rich crema" and is an excellent starter-espresso machine for espresso newbies.

There are fewer reviews of the Gaggia New Baby at Amazon.com, where it earns middling average scores from just under 15 owners. The most common complaint is explosive leakage; several owners report spattering espresso all over their walls and countertops. A few owners also say its plastic housing feels flimsy when the water reservoir is full.

Another option, the Breville Barista Express BES860XL (*Est. $600) , is particularly good for beginners, reviewers say. With its built-in burr grinder, bean storage and removable water tank, the Breville can brew a single or double shot of espresso at the touch of a button. Experienced baristas, meanwhile, have the option of brewing shots manually. The Breville Barista Express scores well in professional tests at Consumer and Choice magazines, outperforming several top-rated machines. Reviewers say the Barista Express is easy to use and produces excellent-tasting coffee. While we did read reports from users at Amazon.com that it has a tendency to jam, overall feedback is highly positive. The Breville Barista Express maintains an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 in nearly 75 owner-written reviews. (Reviewers at CoffeeGeek.com say that a separate grinder is always a better option than a built-in one and will consistently provide a better grind.) Most owners praise the Breville Barista Express' stainless-steel housing and solid build. Like most espresso machines, some owners find the Breville Barista Express difficult to use, and there are some complaints of leaks over time. The most frequent complaints surround malfunctioning grinders.

The Illy Francis Francis X1 (*Est. $600) is probably the most iconic espresso machine on the market -- it was even the subject of an episode of HBO's "Sex and the City." It's available in red, black or stainless steel. Owners say the Francis Francis X1 espresso machine looks great, but a few complain about its small boiler and drip tray. The X1 incorporates a circular metal cup corral and an adjustable temperature gauge. It is designed to use ESE coffee pods as well as ground coffee.

CNET U.K. reviews the Illy Francis Francis X7.1 (*Est. $400) , where it scores a promising 3.5 stars out of 5. Editors say the Illy Francis Francis X7.1 "is an interesting looking machine" and say "the shape and button placement did remind us strongly of an alien." That said, the Illy Francis Francis X7.1 is easy to use, although the Illy capsule selection is limited. Editors say the Illy Francis Francis X7.1 produces good-tasting espresso and other beverages, but they do note an occasional bitter taste.

There aren't many owner-written reviews available for the Illy Francis Francis X7.1, but just under 20 owners contribute to an average rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 on Amazon.com. Owners say cleanup is simple, although some say it takes too long to produce a cup of espresso, and there are some complaints about the steaming wand. Like editors at CNET U.K., a number of owners point out that Illy's proprietary capsules are available in a limited variety and can be tough to find.

If you're looking for an inexpensive espresso machine, reviewers say the DeLonghi Espresso/Cappuccino Maker EC155 (*Est. $100) is a bargain. While it earns the lowest overall score among five espresso machines rated by one consumer testing organization, it earns an "excellent" rating for taste and a "very good" score for frothing ability. Experts at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute say that it tops taste tests in its price range and remark that the detachable water tank is easy to fill and to clean. Editors at SingleServeEspresso.com also give it high marks, saying that it gives a lot in return for its cost and that the 15-bar pump produces "wonderful crema, a really good cup of espresso."

The DeLonghi EC155 is reviewed more often than any other espresso machine at Amazon.com and gets impressive reviews; Nearly 720 owners contribute to an average rating of 4 stars out of 5. Several say it is a huge step up from steam machines for only a small increase in price. Some complain that the frothing wand is poorly positioned, making it difficult to fit a steaming pitcher underneath. Others note that only small demitasse cups will fit under the portafilter. Still, most say these are minor inconveniences for the price. The DeLonghi EC155 comes with two easy to clean portafilters, one for two cups of ground coffee and one for one cup of ground coffee or ESE espresso pods. It's worth noting that many owners say allowing the machine to warm up for 15 minutes prior to use produces better results.

Semi-automatic espresso machines

If you spend more on an espresso maker, you get a more substantial machine that uses heavy-duty metal components and is designed for regular use. Many of these models have large water reservoirs so you can pull many shots in a row without pausing to refill.

Quick Mill makes a number of high-end espresso machines that wouldn't look out of place in a café or espresso bar. We found recommendations for the Quick Mill Anita (*Est. $1,600) and the Quick Mill Andreja Premium (*Est. $1,800) . The Quick Mill Anita earns positive remarks from owners posting to CoffeeGeek.com, where it receives an average rating of 9.1 out of 10 based on the opinions of more than 40 owners. Consumers say the Quick Mill Anita is well-built. Some say it has a small water reservoir so it's not ideal for those who pull numerous shots at a time, but with a 100-ounce capacity, it's significantly larger than most espresso machines designed for home use.

Editors of SweetMarias.com praise the Quick Mill Andreja Premium for its newly designed hinged water-reservoir lid, a feature also offered by the Quick Mill Anita. Both the Quick Mill Andreja Premium and Quick Mill Anita are constructed of stainless steel and offer a number of pressure and steam adjustments for a fully customized cup of espresso. While these machines are solidly built, most consumers are satisfied with the quality offered by less expensive machines.

Consumers posting to CoffeeGeek.com also praise the Isomac Tea (*Est. $1,700) . Several owners say if you can afford it, the Isomac Tea is an excellent choice to upgrade from the Rancilio Silvia. Designed for home use or light commercial use, the Isomac Tea is constructed of stainless steel and offers both a boiler pressure gauge and a brew pressure gauge to fully customize the perfect cup of espresso. Like the Quick Mill Anita, the Isomac Tea has a 100-ounce water reservoir (3 liters) and is capable of both brewing espresso and frothing milk at the same time. Its multi-directional steam wand is cool to the touch, reducing the risk of burns during use. Overall, owners give the Isomac Tea very high average ratings, with about 65 owners contributing to an average of 9.1 out of a possible 10 on CoffeeGeek.com.

The stainless-steel Pasquini Livia 90 Semi-Automatic (*Est. $1,550) has been popular in reviews for years. The fully programmable Pasquini Livia can be left on all day, and its copper boiler can hold 1.5 liters of water. The boiler heats brewing water and steam separately, so you can brew shots and froth milk at the same time. If you need a machine for the office or plan to entertain frequently, owners say that the Pasquini Livia is a good choice. Owners at CoffeeGeek.com, where the Pasquini Livia earns high overall ratings from more than 45 reviewers, say the drip tray is shallow, however, and recommend switching out the included plastic tamper for a metal version. Several report that the Livia delivers significantly better espresso than the Rancilio Silvia (of course, it's also much more expensive). Pasquini also manufactures a fully automated version of the Livia (*Est. $1,750) , which features one-touch controls.

If you're dedicated to the craft of espresso making, you may want to consider a piston-lever espresso machine. These models originally inspired the phrase "pulling a shot," and they're easily identified by their domed tops and long levers. With a piston-lever espresso machine, you use the lever to control the brewing pressure -- a technique that takes practice to master. Piston espresso machines aren't for everyone because they're both pricey and difficult to use. On the other hand, they are often beautifully designed and they can deliver superb espresso. Reviewers favor the La Pavoni models, including the Stradivari (*Est. $1,000) , although one Australian consumer magazine gives it mediocre ratings for espresso quality and ease of use. The price of piston machines varies widely depending on finish, brewing capacity and components.