Best Espresso Machines for Beginners of 2025

Rebecca Cantu Avatar
Rebecca Cantu
Last Updated: Jan 7, 2025

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Espresso machines are a great way for beginners to make café-quality coffee at home. These machines come in different sizes and styles, with varying levels of complexity. Some models are fully automatic, while others require more manual effort. For those who are just starting out, it's best to look for a machine that is easy to use and has simple settings. Many machines also come with built-in grinders, which can save time and effort. With a little practice, beginners can soon master the art of making delicious espresso drinks right in their own kitchens.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine Cover #TOP 1
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
ftb score rating icon 9.8
De'Longhi EC680M Espresso Machine Cover #TOP 2
De'Longhi EC680M Espresso Machine
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Evo Pro Cover #TOP 3
Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Evo Pro
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 4 Espresso Machines for Beginners

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

BES500BSS1BUS1
One Size
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine Cover
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel

The Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine is an espresso machine and coffeemaker combo that comes with a user guide in PDF. It is perfect for coffee lovers who want to make delicious espresso drinks at home. The machine is easy to use, and it has a compact design that makes it perfect for small kitchens. It also features a 64 fluid ounce water tank and brushed stainless steel finish.

What We Like
Easy to use
Compact design
64 fluid ounce water tank
Brushed stainless steel finish
#TOP 2

De'Longhi EC680M Espresso Machine

EC680M
Silver
Stainless Steel
De'Longhi EC680M Espresso Machine Cover
De'Longhi EC680M Espresso, Stainless Steel, Silver

The De'Longhi EC680M Espresso Machine is a sleek and compact machine that brews authentic barista-quality beverages. With 15-bar professional pressure and adjustable controls, you can make modifications for your personal taste preferences. The machine is easy to clean with a removable water tank and drip tray. It also features a manual frother to create rich, creamy froth and an Automatic Flow Stop feature to dispense just the right amount of espresso. The machine accommodates taller cups and has a space-saving design.

What We Like
15-bar professional pressure for quality results
Adjustable controls for personal taste preferences
Easy to clean with removable water tank and drip tray
Manual frother for rich, creamy froth
Accommodates taller cups with space-saving design

Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Evo Pro

Gaggia Classic
Small
Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Evo Pro Cover
Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Evo Pro, Small, Brushed Stainless Steel

The Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Espresso Machine is an excellent choice for those looking for a semi-automatic espresso machine in its price range. It is well-engineered with superior components and materials, and produces the tastiest espressos and cappuccinos at home. It is also easy to clean and maintain and is an attractive model to place on your kitchen counter.

What We Like
Superior workmanship
Easy to clean and maintain
Produces delicious espressos and cappuccinos

Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine

EM5000
Silver
One Size
Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine Cover
Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine, Stainless Steel, Programmable Coffee Maker with Automatic Milk Frother, 15-Bar Pump, Ideal for Home Baristas

The Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine is a semi-automatic 3-in-1 coffee maker, cappuccino maker, and latte maker that features a 15-bar pump system for brewing rich tasting espresso coffee. It also includes a trouble-free automatic milk frother and one-touch control panel for drink selections. This machine is great for the average espresso-based specialty coffee drinker and is fairly easy to use. However, it is important to note that the temperature must be adjusted and the machine must be cleaned with white vinegar before use in order to achieve optimal results.

What We Like
Semi-automatic 3-in-1 espresso, cappuccino and latte maker
15-bar pump system for brewing rich tasting espresso coffee
Trouble-free automatic milk frother
One-touch control panel for drink selections
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it worth it to have an espresso machine at home?

Pod or capsule coffee machines are usually cheaper than manual espresso machines (you can pick up a basic pod unit for less than $100 or splurge up to $699). But our expert taste testers agree that if you're fussy about flavour, a manual espresso machine will almost always give you the best, barista-like results.

2. What is the easiest way to make espresso at home?

Splash a small amount of very hot water (around 200°F) onto the coffee grounds in the carafe to bloom. Let the coffee bloom for about 30 seconds, then pour in the rest of the hot water. Secure the French press lid onto the cylinder with the plunger all the way up. Allow your espresso to steep for four minutes.

3. Can a cheap espresso machine make good espresso?

If the cost of your coffee addiction is mounting up and you don't want to shell out on an expensive brewer, there is another option. Yes, that's right, you can make a decent brew right at home with a relatively cheap espresso machine.

Editor's Notes

During our espresso machine for beginners research, we found 28 espresso machine for beginners products and shortlisted 4 quality products. We collected and analyzed 240,576 customer reviews through our big data system to write the espresso machines for beginners list. We found that most customers choose espresso machines for beginners with an average price of $197.08.

The espresso machines for beginners are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of espresso machines for beginners, including Breville, De'Longhi, Gaggia, Mr. Coffee. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 15 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Rebecca Cantu Avatar

Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.