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Best espresso machines for beginners
Our top pick is the Breville Barista Touch Impress. Beginners need a machine that is forgiving: a built-in grinder or guided dosing, simple controls and good milk steaming. We favor models experts and owners call easy to learn.
The short answer
Our top pick for beginners is the Breville Barista Touch Impress: it suits you if you're new to espresso and want great drinks without a learning curve. If you want the least hassle over the years, look at the Jura E8. The Breville Bambino Plus is the one people are happiest living with.
Quick answers
What is the best espresso machine for beginners?
The Breville Barista Touch Impress. It suits you if you're new to espresso and want great drinks without a learning curve.
Based on: Highest score of the 8 espresso machines we rank for beginners.What is the most reliable espresso machine for beginners?
The Jura E8. It's the least likely to give you trouble.
Based on: Reliability 81; problems mentioned by 8% of owners.Which espresso machine for beginners are people happiest with?
The Breville Bambino Plus. People who live with it are the most satisfied.
Based on: Owners score 86, from ratings and comments.How much should I spend on a espresso machine for beginners?
The top-rated ones start around $399 and go up to about $1,995. The Breville Bambino Plus is the lowest-priced of the leaders.
Based on: US prices quoted in expert reviews and at Amazon.com for the six highest-scoring models.What should I look for in a espresso machine for beginners?
Beginners need a machine that is forgiving: a built-in grinder or guided dosing, simple controls and good milk steaming. We favor models experts and owners call easy to learn.
Based on: What expert reviews and owners stress for this need.The ranking
60% overall score · 40% fit for this need- 01
EXPOWNREL83Breville Barista Touch Impress
The easiest way to make café-style espresso drinks at home
89 for this need5 of 5 expert reviews recommend it for this94% of owner mentions are positive - 02
EXPOWNREL86Breville Bambino Plus
Tiny, fast, beginner-friendly espresso maker with surprisingly good milk foam
88 for this need5 of 5 expert reviews recommend it for this81% of owner mentions are positive - 03
EXPOWNREL81Breville Barista Express Impress
An easy, all-in-one way to make really good espresso at home
84 for this need4 of 5 expert reviews recommend it for this88% of owner mentions are positive - 04
EXPOWNREL78Ninja Luxe Cafe
Friendly all-in-one espresso maker that takes the guesswork out of lattes
84 for this need6 of 7 expert reviews recommend it for this92% of owner mentions are positive - 05
EXPOWNREL76Breville Oracle Jet
Café-style drinks made easy, at a steep price with some quirks
80 for this need7 of 8 expert reviews recommend it for this82% of owner mentions are positive - 06
EXPOWNREL77Breville Barista Express
Café-quality espresso at home, if you're willing to learn the ropes
77 for this need3 of 4 expert reviews recommend it for this79% of owner mentions are positive - 07
EXPOWNREL75Rancilio Silvia Pro X
A sturdy, precise dual boiler that rewards hands-on home baristas
69 for this need2 of 4 expert reviews recommend it for this71% of owner mentions are positive - 08
EXPOWNREL74Jura E8
Excellent push-button espresso that's easy to live with, at a steep price
69 for this need2 of 4 expert reviews mention it as a strength96% of owner mentions are positive
Fit = share of expert reviews that recommend it for this, plus what owners report on the related topics. How we score.