From Bon Appétit · Noah Kaufman · · 2m
Best Espresso Machines for Beginners, Coffee Nerds, and Everyone in Between
Top espresso machines for beginners to experts, tested for taste and ease.
In brief
Top espresso machines for beginners to experts, tested for taste and ease. Fellow Series 1 offers customizable espresso with professional results for $1,500. Originally reported by Bon Appétit.
The espresso boom
Just a decade ago a homemade morning cup of joe in the US pretty exclusively meant drip coffee.
Market expansion
Companies like Breville and De'Longhi offer whole slates of espresso makers, and high-end manufacturers like La Marzocco have come out with home versions.
Access to coffee
At the same time, access to high-quality coffee beans is expanding.
Top picks
Best espresso machine overall: Fellow Series 1; Best budget espresso machine: Breville Bambino Plus; Best espresso machine with a built-in grinder: Breville Barista Pro.
The challenge
The barista-curious shopper is tasked with navigating a saturated, confusing market.
Fellow Series 1
Fellow Series 1: $1,500 Amazon; $1,500 Williams Sonoma; heats quickly; entirely customizable.
Fellow pros
The Series 1 comes with presets for different roast levels or brewing styles; has a thermistor for milk drinks; customizable parameters.
Fellow cons
Expensive; more plastic than high-end machines; digital screen may seem like a video game.
Breville Bambino Plus
Breville Bambino Plus: $500 Amazon; $500 Sur La Table; excellent for beginners; great automatic milk steaming.
Bambino pros
Heats up in five seconds; automatic milk steaming; adjustable brew temperature.
Bambino cons
No pressure gauge; older models lack hot water dispenser.
Barista Pro
Breville Barista Pro: $839 Amazon; quality Baratza burrs in built-in grinder; 30 settings.
Barista pros
Low tech interface with dials and buttons; reliable espresso; dedicated hot water dispenser.
Barista cons
Grinder can jam; requires sending whole machine for repairs.
Lelit MaraX3
Lelit MaraX3: $1,700 Seattle Coffee Gear; most affordable pressure profiling; slow heat up.
MaraX3 pros
Effective heat exchanger; powerful steam wand; mug-friendly cup clearance.
MaraX3 cons
Slow to heat up; descaling process takes hours.
De'Longhi Prima Donna
De'Longhi Prima Donna Aromatic: $2,500 Amazon; hot and cold milk aeration; automated bean adapt.
Prima Donna pros
Makes 30+ drink options; automatic adjustment software for coffee taste.
Prima Donna cons
Finicky menu screen buttons; limited cup size compatibility.
What it means
Fellow Series 1 offers customizable espresso with professional results for $1,500.
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