The Best Espresso Machines (2026)

Commonly praised

• + All-in-one design makes a complete espresso setup approachable
• + Many units run for years with regular descaling
• + Breville warranty service is generally responsive

Common complaints

• − Built-in grinder range and wear limit long-term upgrades
• − Steam wand, shower screen, and pump issues appear after a few years for some
• − Out-of-warranty repairs can be expensive

Commonly praised

• + Commercial 58mm portafilter and strong steam power
• + Simple, repairable design with plentiful spare parts
• + Heats up quickly for a boiler machine

Common complaints

• − No PID temperature control, so consistency takes practice
• − Steep learning curve for beginners
• − Some owners note vibration and an awkward drip tray height

Commonly praised

• + Easy to use and very affordable entry to espresso
• + Steam wand performs better than its price suggests
• + Compact footprint

Common complaints

• − Plastic portafilter and modest pump limit shot quality
• − Durability concerns surface after months of daily use
• − Small water tank needs frequent refills

Commonly praised

• + One-touch coffee and espresso with good crema
• + Fast and very easy
• + Pods give consistent results

Common complaints

• − Leaks are a common complaint across Vertuo models
• − Error lights and capsule recognition problems
• − Pods are expensive and tied to Nespresso

Commonly praised

• + Fast heat-up and a built-in grinder
• + Makes café-quality lattes once dialled in
• + Clear display and intuitive controls

Common complaints

• − Some owners report steam wand or pump faults after a few years
• − Warranty repairs do not always fix the problem
• − The drip tray is small

Commonly praised

• + Good espresso and an effective steam wand
• + Built-in grinder at a mid-range price
• + Compact for an all-in-one machine

Common complaints

• − Some owners report grinder failures within months
• − Leaks and unresponsive buttons appear in owner reports
• − Warranty service can be slow

Commonly praised

• + Commercial-grade build that lasts a decade or more
• + Powerful steam
• + Simple, repairable design

Common complaints

• − A steep learning curve to get consistent shots
• − Slow to heat, and temperature swings need managing
• − The drip tray is small

Commonly praised

• + Heats up in seconds with excellent espresso for the size
• + Automatic milk frothing is easy for beginners
• + Compact footprint

Common complaints

• − The automatic steam wand is the most common failure point
• − Some owners report intermittent faults after about a year
• − The flashing-light cleaning cycle can lock the machine until it is run

Commonly praised

• + Very affordable route to home espresso
• + Makes decent shots and froths milk
• + Responsive customer service

Common complaints

• − It is loud while brewing
• − It can overheat after steaming and needs a cool-down
• − Some owners report gauge or portafilter faults

Commonly praised

• + One-touch drinks with fresh-ground beans
• + The two-part LatteGo milk system is quick to clean
• + Simple, intuitive controls

Common complaints

• − Some owners report the milk frother failing or leaking
• − The plastic milk parts can crack over time
• − Coffee is not as hot as some owners would like