# Best Espresso Machines for Beginners, Coffee Nerds, and Everyone in Between

> Top espresso machines for beginners to experts, tested for taste and ease.
- Title: Best Espresso Machines for Beginners, Coffee Nerds, and…
- Summary: Top espresso machines for beginners to experts, tested for taste and ease. Fellow Series 1 offers customizable espresso with professional results for $1,500.
- Keywords: fellow espresso series 1, breville bambino plus, barista pro, lelit mara x3, de'longhi prima donna aromatic, espresso machine, coffee, home espresso, food, lifestyle, Best, Espresso
- Source: Bon Appétit — https://bonappetit.com/story/best-espresso-machines
- Author: Noah Kaufman
- Published: 2022-02-24T18:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: fellow espresso series 1, breville bambino plus, barista pro, lelit mara x3, de'longhi prima donna aromatic, espresso machine, coffee, home espresso, food, lifestyle
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Fellow Series 1 offers customizable espresso with professional results for $1,500.