If you are on the quest for the best espresso Machine for beginners, dropping by this post will be of great help.
This helpful kitchen gadget is awesome for making different beverages easily and quickly at home rather than waiting in line at stores.
It is also a fantastic experience for those who love coffee to go deep into the infinite coffee world, trying different formulas and practicing beautiful arts.
When your eyes land on this article, I bet you are looking for such an experience and convenience. Thus, scroll down for further espresso machine reviews!
Contents
Best Espresso Machine for Beginners: A List of 5
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine – Best Overall
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Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 7.6 x 12.5 x 12.2 inches
- Material: Brushed stainless steel
- Type of machine: Semi-automatic machine
- Built-in grinder: No grinder
- Milk frothing function: Automatic foamer
- Controlling Interface: Button control
Detailed review:
I crown the Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine as the best small espresso machine for beginners, considering its balance of price, size, and ease of use.
Speaking of the price, this machine is a decent deal for its construction and semi-automatic functionalities. While it does not break the bank, Breville Bambino Plus is robust and durable enough not to break after a couple of practices.
I also appreciate that the machine does not take up much space in my kitchen thanks to its compact removable water tank – around 47 oz if I’m not wrong. Although the tank is smaller than most espresso makers, you can still make two shots simultaneously.
Functions and ease of use are what beginners will like the most. The whole process is wrapped in five buttons: two buttons to choose desired one or two shots, one to start the steam wand, one to choose the milk temperature (hot, warm, ideal), and the other for texture (high, medium, or low foam). There is a video tutorial for your reference.
Then, the Bambino Plus uses the most advanced thermojet and PID technology to brew and steam the coffee at optimal hot water temperature quickly. In addition, its low-pressure pre-infusion allows priming the beans perfectly and produces precise extraction. This best entry level espresso machine can provide a high-quality taste in the end.
If you like to practice latte or milk espresso, you are happy to know that the Bambino Plus comes with milk-steaming and frothing presets. Once you have more time, you can use a manual steam wand to practice your art skills.
So far, so good, except for the missing scale, dosing tool, and built-in grinder. It means you have to spend extra for those pieces of gear.
Pros:
- Compact and quality construction
- Reasonable price for a semi-automatic machine
- Easy to control with five knobs
- Both automatic and manual milk-frothing
- Complete tutorial and guide for beginners
Cons:
- Lack of accessories
- A limited small removable water tank
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Espresso Machine – Best Classic
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Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 8 x 9.5 x 14.2 inches
- Material: Brushed stainless steel
- Type of machine: Semi-automatic machine
- Built-in grinder: No grinder
- Milk frothing function: Automatic foamer
- Controlling Interface: Knobs
Detailed review:
If you remember the espresso makers back in the 1900s, you might find the next Gaggia Classic Pro familiar. Its manufacturer has a history of 90 years in producing cafes-alike machines. The company has kept the iconic Classic design for years and added more professional functions.
My friend has this machine, and I have used it several times when dropping by his house, so let me share some experiences.
First, such a Classic machine is inspirational and straightforward for beginners. It is analog with three rocker toggles to control the power, brewing and steaming. Each toggle has an indicator light to represent when the functionality is on. Old users like this ideal rather than a smart touch screen.
I usually make hot shots of espresso. Remember to wash the reservoir and flush the machine in advance so that leftover tasting notes will not affect the coffee. I toggle the first switch to turn on the power and the second switch to flow water into the group head.
Heat the water to 195–208°F; then it is time to steam the milk around 140–150°F. A manual rotary dial on the right side helps control the wand and starts frothing the milk into your espresso cup.
The process takes around 20 minutes, and the result shots have consistent taste and texture.
On drawbacks, Gaggia RI9380 does not feature new technologies such as pre-infusion and PID. I also expect that there will be double boilers instead of single ones. You must purge a lot of water and heat it separately for the coffee and milk steam.
Pros:
- A minimalist and modern blend
- Straightforward to use with three buttons
- Consistent taste and texture with commercial water filter
Cons:
- Absence of PID and pre-infusion
- Only single boiler
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine – Best Automatic Espresso Machine
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Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 12.7 x 15.5 x 16 inches
- Material: Brushed stainless steel
- Type of machine: Fully-automatic machine
- Built-in grinder: Burr grinder
- Milk frothing function: Automatic micro foamer
- Controlling Interface: Touchscreen
Detailed review:
Young beginners prefer modern espresso machines, which make shop-like coffee at the touch. Thus, I bring another option here – Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine.
It is worth knowing that the machine is fully automatic. Though you still need to manually tamp, lock in the portafilter, and mix the espresso and milk, other steps are automatic.
You need to add the coffee beans, fill the pitcher, lift the wand, and choose a pre-programmed drink on the screen. There are five default espresso drinks: espresso, Americano, flat white, latte, and cappuccino.
You might even create your recipe by selecting a specific grind size and duration, brewing temperature, milk temperature, and foaming texture. This process is interesting for beginners since you can gradually master brewing and steaming. Remember to save your favorite formula in the espresso maker, then.
For the time being, I’m using this Breville Barista Touch as I desire to quickly create various types of coffee. This espresso machine with grinder allows me to create double shots of espresso at the same time, and the taste has an aromatic flavor.
My only complaint is about the quality build. The extra cash seems to go into smart technology rather than higher-quality components. Some plastic parts look cheap.
Pros:
- The simplest espresso machine
- All accessories are included
- Advanced PID control and pre-infusion
- Easy-to-use touchscreen
- Various pre-programmed drinks are available
- Able to save customized coffee recipes
- Auto milk frothing
Cons:
- Extra cash for smart technologies
- Not able to pull shot and froth milk at a time
- Not as durable as other Breville Barista machines
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine – Best Affordable Espresso Machine
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Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 8.07 x 13.5 x 11.22 inches
- Material: Black stainless steel
- Type of machine: Manual machine
- Built-in grinder: Burr grinder
- Milk frothing function: Manual stand wand
- Controlling Interface: Dials and knobs
Detailed review:
Some beginners only make coffee at home as a hobby. They do not intend to become professional baristas. It is ridiculous to pay the whole extra for bells and whistles like those of Breville Barista Touch.
If you have a similar idea, just go for De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine as the best budget espresso machine. This machine has some stand-out features for its price.
Take a look at the compact design, for instance. The Stilosa is often considered a mini espresso maker – suitable for an RV, van, dorm room, or studio apartment. Its size is 8.07 x 13.5 x 11.22 inches, so you can fit it on a small counter space. Meanwhile, the weight is less than 10 pounds to move around easily.
Also related to the design, I discovered that the machine features a glossy black, going well with robust stainless steel. Such a reliable and beautiful construction is rare for cheap espresso gadgets.
Next, let’s look deep down into the performance of De’Longhi Stilosa. It is a manual machine, meaning you will go through the brewing and steaming yourself.
Get started with selecting single or double shots and cup size, depending on your preference. Then, turn on the power to make your drink. There is a large knob to switch the power on and off, plus another knob landing on the side to twist and control the steam wand.
My helpful tip is to pump 15 bars of pressure regardless of the number of shots. 15 bars give the machine enough range for an initial kick of 10 to 11 bars then a drop to 9-10 bars during the brewing process. The result extraction will be rich and flavorful, coming with a captivating nut-colored surface.
Good overall for a low-cost espresso machine. However, I would like it better if the operation was not so noisy.
Pros:
- Compact and sleek design for small home
- Simple to use with dials and knobs
- Rich and flavorful espresso
Cons:
- Noisy operation
- Possibly mismatched filter cups
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine – Best Office Espresso Machine
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Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 13 x 14 x 16 inches
- Material: Polycarbonate and stainless steel
- Type of machine: Semi-automatic machine
- Built-in grinder: No grinder
- Milk frothing function: Automatic milk foamer
- Controlling Interface: Knobs and dials
Detailed review:
For those who are looking for an espresso machine for the office, Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine is a good choice. This small gadget not only encourages the concentration and productivity of the team but also creates a positive office culture. It is easy to use even if your employees have had no brewing experience.
My boss also bought one for our office, and I have used it quite a lot.
I can see that Rancilio does not invest much in fancy features. The manufacturer focuses on construction, though. All exterior and interior parts are durable – from body cover, chassis, copper piping, electrics, motors, and grade portafilter. This is good for an office machine to handle high-volume usage of employees.
The control panel is understandable at a glimpse. It features a power button with two indicator lights, three function buttons, and a steam wand. Although there are no clear labels, you can still figure out what function it is, thanks to arcane symbols.
Within five minutes of checking all buttons and referring to the manual guide, I can figure out the brewing process and start making a coffee shot. It takes around 10 minutes to complete the drink, then. It takes some more time if you want to steam some milk.
The shot is rich and delicious. Nonetheless, Rancilio Silvia uses a thermostat rather than a PID mechanism. This sometimes makes the brewing temperature slightly over and under the optimal heat.
Pros:
- Quality construction that will last
- Easily understandable control panel
- Quick and delicious shots at the end
Cons:
- Missing bells and whistles
- Only small shots of espresso
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
How to Choose The Best Starter Espresso Machine
Types of Espresso Machines
Get to know the types of espresso machines first. There are four options:
Manual espresso machines
These espresso makers require users to do from A to Z, including grinding, brewing and frothing milk. Thus, it is complicated and time-consuming to use.
Not for beginners at all.
Semi-automatic espresso machines
As its name implies, a semi-automatic machine makes it less quirky to brew espresso shots, thanks to several automatic functions.
I strongly recommend this type of espresso maker for beginners, considering its affordability and ease of use.
Fully-automatic espresso machines
Some fully-automatic machines are designed for busy beginners, with preset options such as grinding, brewing, temperature controlling, auto shut-off, etc.
Those machines are expensive, for sure.
Super-automatic espresso machines
Some fully-automatic machines are even labeled as “super-automatic.” Not only do they have a bunch of preset programs, but the machines also do almost everything from grinding the beans, running the filtrations, steaming the milk, tamping the puck, frothing and steaming milk, then warming the shot while you are sleeping.
All you need is to add the ingredients and choose a program.
How Much Do You Desire to Pay
You might have already picked up your favorite type of espresso machine. Then, budget is your very next concern.
Home espresso machines range from $100 to $6000.
As a beginner, you do not pay too much. I find those between $100 and $1200 would be good deals, then. The more you pay within this range, the better components and user comfort you can expect.
Volume and Frequency of Use
Do you love several cups of coffee or a single drink daily? – Based on your preference, you should pick a wise dimension.
I recommend a single-boiler or small dual-boiler machine, supposing you only make a single morning drink. Otherwise, pick up a large dual-boiler espresso maker to have back-to-back drinks during the day.
Also, ensure you have enough cabinet space for the machine and the grinder if any.
Grinder Options
A built-in grinder helps fasten the coffee-making. You need to fill in some ground coffee, select a setting, and the grinder will cut the coffee quickly and make it ready for brewing.
Though, the taste cannot compare to beans manually crushed by a separate grinder. You can control the milk texture of coffee beans according to your favorite shots – It is an interesting experience and barista skills even for beginners. A small note is that a non-built-in grinder means more expense and work.
Water Heat and Pressure
Budget espresso machines for beginners do not mean you can sacrifice the shot quality. Thus, check the water heat and pressure carefully because these factors significantly affect coffee extraction.
From my experience, you should only choose a machine with PID (Proportional Integral Derivative Controller). It allows changing the thermostat in single-degree increments and keeps the heat stable.
Hot water pressure is equally important. I usually use nine to 15 pumps, and the outcoming shots have a nice crema layer and good texture.
FAQs
Who Is a Home Espresso Machine for?
Espresso machines are for everyone who loves to make coffee at home.
No worries if you have no experience brewing coffee since there are many easy-to-use picks for the best home espresso machine, as I reviewed above. For more info about this coffee drink, check all about espresso in one place here.
Why Are Espresso Makers So Expensive?
Typically, a coffee machine is equipped with many technologies, from bars of pressure, PIDs, steam wands, grinders, a drip tray, etc., to make barista-quality drinks right at home.
Hence, it is a bit pricey yet well worth buying.
What to Make with an Espresso Machine?
With a coffee maker, you can make various drinks such as espresso, romano, doppio, cappuccino, latte, macchiato, etc.
Let me share my favorite recipe for milk-based drinks: A frothy latte with ⅓ espresso and ⅔ steamed milk!
Final Word
Let’s wrap up the topic: the best espresso machine for beginners. I hope you have all the helpful information to pick a suitable one.
Suppose you cannot make a decision so far, why don’t you check the Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine? It gathers all necessary functions in one place so that you can easily make espresso shots. Still, other espresso machines are also well worth buying – don’t forget to check them out as well! ()
