TL;DR
High-End Machines
For those seeking the best of the best in home espresso machines, the La Marzocco GS3 and Slayer Single Group are frequently mentioned as top-tier options. These machines offer features like pressure profiling and dual boilers, which contribute to their reputation for producing excellent espresso [1:2],
[3:8]. The Synesso MVP Hydra is also highly regarded by industry professionals for its quality and performance
[3:1].
Mid-Range Options
If you're looking for a balance between quality and price, the Lelit Bianca is a popular choice. It's known for its good build quality and ability to produce great espresso without breaking the bank [2:4]. The Rancilio Silvia paired with a Mignon Silenzio grinder is another recommended setup, especially for those living outside the United States where it can be purchased at a lower markup
[4:5].
Budget-Friendly Choices
For those on a tighter budget, manual espresso makers like the Flair Neo or Classic are suggested as the best options under $150. These machines require more manual effort but can still produce high-quality espresso if used correctly [5:2]. However, it's important to note that achieving true espresso quality on a very limited budget can be challenging, and alternatives like moka pots or AeroPress may be more suitable
[5:7].
Importance of a Good Grinder
Regardless of the machine you choose, investing in a good grinder is crucial for making excellent espresso. Many users emphasize that the grinder has a significant impact on flavor and consistency [1:3],
[5:4]. Freshly ground beans are essential for the best results, and while some recommend hand grinders to save costs, others suggest budgeting for a high-quality electric grinder.
Additional Considerations
When selecting an espresso machine, consider factors such as ease of use, maintenance requirements, and your personal preferences for features like temperature control and aesthetics. Some machines, like the Breville models, are praised for their reliability and customer service, making them a solid choice for those who prefer less fuss [2:1].
I'm looking for taste and consistency. I'm very curious to know what's the top tier and why that is.
For humans at home where you don't mind repairs to nearly run for the price of the machine, and you can find someone to do a yearly maintenance check - La Marzocca GS3 MP
cheaper and more reliable - La Marzocca Linea Mini R
and like 30% cheaper
one down maybe the Lelit Bianca
one down from that Gaggia Classic Pro
With a very good grinder and fussing around, you can get a Gaggia nearly match up to a Linea for that $500 vs $5000 Showdown
What the cafes use, well do you want a 30 min heat up time, a plumber and electrician?
Which crank out 100 drinks a day
In the end, it boils down to price and looks and how fancy your grinder is.
Someone offered you a list of top end grinders which is where you will have the biggest impact on flavor and it’s where I would start. Once you get into the top tier machines like a Slayer, GS3, Synesso, even a Synchronika… they all pull a shot in pretty similar ways. Your choice of machine may have to do more with aesthetics vs function. The LM Leva X1 and Kees Van der Westen Idrocompresso were mentioned. These are in a different category from the others. The Idrocompresso leaves me drooling and I am currently considering it even though it’s way overkill for my needs. There is a new category that may be a bridge between the Slayer, GS3 and Leva X1 / Idrocompresso groups. That’s the new ACS Vostok and the Nurri levers. These are hybrid levers that can also function as semi autos if you want. I’m waiting for my local shop to get a Nurri in to play with. You might want to add those to your list to check out.
It's like asking "what's the best car that money can buy?" Everyone you ask will give you a different answer. For me, I would love to have a La Marzocco GS3/MP with a Monolith Max grinder.
I look at a top tier machine as something that has everything you could think of: Pressure profiling, dual boilers, all steel, great steaming, sounds pleasing to the ear, makes the best espresso possible, as small as possible (without compromise on its quality).
Right now I'm thinking eagle one prima or decent being as close to nearly having it all. I'm wondering if there are more ones I have missed.
Eagle one prima has had reliability issues, not sure if they've been fixed or not.
I'd be looking at a spring lever.
Go for slayer single group
Hello, take a look on this review aboutJura E6 espresso machine
one thing i wonder is what makes a top tier machine, what are the requirements. because for me is like ability to control temperature and check the pressure.
from my experience is the beans , their grinding and also all the prep necessary to make an espresso that makes the difference.
i think we can compare to photography. a good enough machine is enough, is the photographer's ability that makes the difference
I look at a top tier machine as something that has everything you could think of: Pressure profiling, dual boilers, all steel, great steaming, sounds pleasing to the ear, makes the best espresso possible, as small as possible (without compromise on its quality).
Right now I'm thinking eagle one prima or decent being as close to nearly having it all. I'm wondering if there are more ones I have missed.
I’m looking to upgrade my at-home coffee setup and need recommendations for the best coffee maker. I want something that brews great coffee, is reliable, and isn’t a total pain to clean. I’m open to drip, espresso, or even a hybrid machine—just want the best balance of quality and convenience. Bonus points if it works well with pre-ground and freshly ground beans.
What do you all swear by? Any must-avoid brands? Appreciate any advice—thanks in advance! ☕
The only answer is moccamaster
It’s not smart, but you put on a smart plug then it is
They aren’t cheap but it’s the last coffee maker you’ll ever have to buy
Bonus that it’s certified for coffee brewing competitions
My spouse prefers at-home coffee with that machine to coffee shop coffee
Do you find it tricky to clean, or is it pretty low maintenance?
Extremely low maintenance. Just rinse the stuff like you would any coffee maker, and run a cleaning cycle every 100 brews per the manufacturer spec
Filters come in packs of 100… clean on a new box of filters
Not sure why you were downvoted. Moccamaster is the answer. It makes great coffee. No need to even make it smart as it makes a pot of coffee pretty quickly.
True true. Idk either. Probably because some people feel strongly about people feeling strongly about something 🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️
I’m with you on not making it smart…my MM isn’t smart at all and I’m able to make 2 pots in the morning (one reg for me, one decaf for the spouse) and still get out of the door on time for work.
For great coffee, always use freshly ground beans. I grind a small amount of beans as needed and store the rest in an airtight container or glass jar to maintain freshness.
Consider looking at the Lelit Mara X or similar machines. In my opinion, they offer a good balance between quality and price.
You can choose between single or double boiler machines, depending on the brand. If you enjoy making milk foam frequently, such as for cappuccinos, a double boiler would be more suitable. However, if you primarily drink pure coffee, a single boiler should suffice. You can still switch to steam mode for milk when needed.
Great advice! Freshly ground beans make a huge difference—I’ll definitely be more mindful about storage. The Lelit Mara X looks like a solid choice, especially for balancing quality and price. I mostly drink black coffee but occasionally make lattes, so a single boiler might be enough for me. How’s the learning curve on the Mara X? I’ve heard it takes some dialing in—worth it for the quality?
The factory settings provide a good starting point. However, you should understand the basics of espresso making. You can monitor the process on machines equipped with pressure and temperature displays. Ideally, the pressure should be around 7-10 bar and the temperature around 87-92 degrees Celsius, both of which depend on the type of coffee and the grind size. Use fresh water daily and keep the brew group clean with regular quick cleaning. Preheat the machine before making your first coffee.
There are many details that influence the quality of the coffee. If you understand these factors and follow the recommendations, making a good cup of coffee isn’t difficult. The challenge lies in finding the right coffee that suits your taste. I ordered 1/4 kg packs of different brands and tested them for six months. I still order small quantities because once a package is opened, it may not retain its freshness, even if stored in an airtight container.
Bunn VP-17
https://youtu.be/t8eYs2vxT-8?si=Re9B_IZ0vWJCjPKn
Can't go wrong with one of these. James Hoffman is pretty much the default person to recommend coffee gear.
I'd stick with one of the drip brewers he mentioned. Espresso is fun and all, but nothing says reliability problems in the long run like complex plumbing combined with a boiler and a pump running at 100-220 psi. Even the most expensive espresso makers are known for breaking.
The most no fuss brand is Breville. Even if you have reliability issues, Breville is known for making it right. They often have expensive flat rate out of warranty repair costs(usually a quarter to half the price of the machine), but you receive a machine with a warranty. If the repair is too much of a hassle, they send you a refurbished or brand new machine. They also sell replacement parts.
The best espresso machine defined by what exactly? This topic gets brought up here often and there’s always a point of diminishing returns.
An argument can be made that for the money, a BDB with Slayer mod is an outstanding value. Will a GS3 MP that costs 5x make espresso that’s 5x better? Doubtful. But there’s something about the workflow of the GS3 that people like.
For me, end game is a KVDW Speedster.
Build quality again is up for some debate. Spromethus on YouTube did a 5 year cost of ownership on a LMLM and I think it was up over $500. Every single group Slayer I’ve seen for sale has a bunch of spare gaskets and parts included.
I think one of the reasons La Marzocco see seen in more coffee shops is because of the readily available spare parts and number of qualified service techs. I also tend to see a lot of KVDW Spirit machines in the wild, too, and assume they too are fairly solid.
Whatever best means for you
first question: acs vesuvio evo leva (I like lever espresso)
second question: idk but I've always heard great things about the olympia cremina build quality
My Olympia maximatic is flawless and made in 1985. Quality.
Money is never a problem, it’s the wife!
If money were no object which wife would you have ;)
Slayer
I've been in the industry for 15 years and the best machine. I've worked on various machines by La Marzocco, Synesso, Slayer, Victoria Arduino, and half a dozen other brands. The best machine I've worked on is the Synesso MVP Hydra.
Curious if anyone knows of any actually good espresso machines for home. I have used a couple, but they pulled awful shots and on one of them the steaming wand didn’t work well at all. Just want a good americano and a shot that can actually be used as a canvas for latte art.
There are many. If you provide a budget we can make some recommendations for you.
This. Budget is essential.
You'll also need to settle for a little more work (than at the cafe) to maximize the flavor
E.g. a quality hand grinder would save you $$ to use towards a decent machine.
Thanks for the response! Yes, definitely an important bit I left out! If I were purchasing myself, I would say the cheapest not awful one 😂 But if I get some good recommendations it is actually something I will be asking for on my wedding registry, so maybe whatever is the best bang for your buck? I’m not quite sure what price would be appropriate to ask for a gift like that, but I know that my parents are wanting to get a meaningful gift and this is what I thought of. So really I’m looking for any suggestions, just so I can see what fellow baristas opinions are.
If you don't live in the united states, I'd go for a rancilio silvia and a mignon silenzio. specifically from espressocoffeeshop.com due to their low markups. Around 780 euros without shipping. If that's too expensive go for a breville bambino and mignon manuale.
​
Due to business agreements, you cant get the rancilio silvia in the united states from espressocoffeeshop. I would recommend getting a grinder from espressocoffeeshop then getting a machine elsewhere (maybe the breville bambino or gaggia classic)
Still need some dollar amounts. You can spend anywhere from a few hundred to many thousand in search for a good machine. But probably if you’re talking registry look for a Breville one.
Oh my. Welcome to r/espresso my friend. We hope you have deep pockets, but they aren't needed.
r/espresso
1 group la marzocco leva
Most machines will be fine. If you’re having troubles with shots, perhaps they are either really poor quality OR you’re not experienced enough to fix the issue.
Hello! I am looking for an espresso machine that is under $150 but produces good espresso. (Crema, good shot quality, not watered down.) I'm a barista and have been for a long time, so I can tell the difference. Any suggestions?
flair neo! or the classic. if you’re just looking for good espresso, Flair is the best option
Do you already have an espresso capable grinder? Because I think a handheld grinder alone is at your budget max.
I have access to one! I am a barista :)
Grinding at work isn’t going to yield the best results. You’re generally adjusting grind numerous times while dialing in a new bag of beans and then you adjust over the course of using that bag. It’s not feasible to use pre-ground coffee given the variability. I don’t want to sound like an ass but it seems you’re either brand new to being a barista or maybe your shop doesn’t really do espresso?
It sounds like you may not quite understand what goes into good espresso. For $150 you’d probably be best off picking up something like a mokapot or an aeropress and making concentrated coffee. For espresso that’s okay you probably need to be more in the $500 range and if you want good, reproducible, and consistent drinks you’re going to be more like $1,500 to start. Just as a point of reference, a good two group machine you see in a coffee shop that makes great drinks is around $20k. You’re not going to shave off 99% of the price for a home device and get anything close.
this is always my answer when people ask about home espresso set ups. unless I had at least $1k to drop on a grinder I wouldn’t even consider it. conventional ceramic burr grinders will never be able to handle fines required for espresso and there’s no way to actually achieve consistency unless you get into sifting and stuff like that. and when I think about sifting while trying to dial, it’s a big nope from me.
unfortunately, with that budget you will most likely get better results with a form of brewed coffee such as an aero press or moka pot. good espresso that you’re likely to distinguish is just not possible with $150 machine and preground coffee.
with that budget you can pick up a super great pour over setup, but will need to budget more for a great grinder that can be consistent and grind find enough for espresso.
$150? Forget abaaat it!
Hey, Given the wide array of options available in the market, I'm actually interested in knowing your thoughts on which espresso machine stands out as the best choice in your view. I'm currently in the process of researching and considering various espresso machines for purchase.
La Marzocco
Home espresso machines range in price from $150 to $15000. You need to specify a budget to get a meaningful recommendation.
The best machine will vary with your use case. How many drinks per day? Milk drinks or straight shots? Light or dark roasts?
You can find recommendations at various price points in this sub's wiki and also here: https://espressoaf.com/recommendations
Don't forget to budget for and choose a grinder. The grinder is more important than the machine.
That was a good read, whoever made that certainly cares a great deal about grinders. I find that beyond the $1000 range, there are simply diminishing returns (if any). The sweet spot is the 500-1000 range where you get buy-it-for life quality and can arguably reach 10/10 for flavour. My personal comparison table for the $500-$1000 range machines I've owned. Not a huge fan of digital displays, as I suspect they will never last you a decade whereas the retro models certainly can span multiple decades.
French press
I don't think I'd trade my decent for any machine at any price
I'm upvoting you just because you don't deserve the downvotes from the dullards that frequent here.
Haha thanks..owning a decent has definitely had an effect on my reddit karma.
FWIW the decent isn't perfect. I too roll my eyes when people claim that it can essentially emulate any machine on the market. But it's constantly improving. The UI is customizable and friendly. I never feel limited by machine. I have endless options to tinker with, or I can use an easy style profile and just get good reliable results.
There are certainly other machines I'd like to have in addition to the decent (though I'm too cheap to buy). But I don't have any real desire to give it up for any reason
Kes Vander Western Speedster if money is not a concern.
I’ve hit the point where my local café knows my order before I even walk in, which is great for them but not so much for my wallet.
EDIT: Went with this espresso machine after a blog review hyped its steam wand for frothy lattes—pulls consistent shots without hogging counter space, and im hoping its going to save me money over cafe runs lol
I’d rather put that money into a decent at-home setup that can pull a proper shot and steam milk without me feeling like I bought a toy.
I don’t need anything super commercial, just something reliable that makes consistent espresso, fits on a small kitchen counter, and won’t fall apart in six months. A steam wand that actually froths milk would be nice since I live on lattes.
any hot takes i should be aware of? thanks!
Gaggia classic pro ( highly moddable ) you will learn a lot before upgrading to the next one coupled with Baratza esp or df64 or eureka mignion.
This assumes you don’t want “one touch” convenient coffee machine
You have to fix a budget and then try to find what fits in your budget. This whole hobby is a rabbit hole, but if you start with a budget it will keep you sane.
My two cents,
Thanks for this!
If I only want Capuccino, what should be better? Moka Pot or Aeropress?
And I have Timemore C2. Would You say it's a mismatch if I were to buy Delonghi Dedica or Breville Barista Express?
Aeropress is more versatile.
C2 might not be a good espresso grinder, you'll need an espresso capable grinder
Where and what kind of milk do you recommend then?
I personally found full cream milk very well textures for cappuccino n froth
If you are looking for easy to make and easy to clean then get nespressoo, if not you are looking under budget then just go with moka pot because any machine under 20-30k is not great. Don't even spend a penny on small machines under 10k I got two machines and they brew very bad 😔. Flair is also a good option I guess.
Go for Vantro
Delonghi for sure.
I want to buy one for long term use. And the money is not an issue. I want the best one for quality. Probably make one drink per day. Mostly milk drinks with light roast. What do you guys recommend?
Slayer single group
La Marzocco Linea Mini
San Remo YOU
Don’t forget about budget for a grinder. Maybe something like a Weber EG-1
no decent?
Based on the utter lack of detail in this person's post doesn't seem like the decent is the vibe for one milk drink per day
decent espresso machine
Oh I think for my money I'd have a slayer single group and a weber eg-1. Feel free to donate some, I wouldnt mind
Sanremo You and a Titus grinder
Kees van der Westen Speedster would be right up there or even the La Marzocco Strada X1
I don't have room for one with a milk steamer, but that's ok bc I only like iced lattes. This would be my first personal espresso machine. Preferably something somewhat cheap, but I'm not too picky <3
Cheapest would probably be a manual lever-type, especially if you're working with a small counter space. Look into the Flair manual espresso offerings - neo/classic/signature/pro depending on how picky you are with espresso quality and depending on your grinder investment
Cheapest and quite compact one will be Breville bambino(not plus), you will still need separate real grinder and that might cost more than machine
I see this a lot, can you please explain why when people recommend the bambino they seem to always say don't get the plus version?
I just got the bambino for my GF instead of the plus, even though she likes the colors of the plus - my browsing showed me that all you get for the extra $150 is an automatic steamer wand. Wasn't worth it at that point
It’s mostly just for value. The plus is basically an identical machine with an auto steam wand feature for an extra $150. So if you don’t make milk drinks, then the bambino is an easy choice. And if you do make milk drinks, you can make better milk than the auto wand if you just learn how to steam milk yourself. The plus is a great option for a specific consumer though - if you make milk drinks but really don’t care for learning how to steam milk and/or much rather value the convenience of the auto frother, then it can be useful. But for most people, I would recommend to use the $150 elsewhere, like to add to your grinder budget
How much are you prepared to spend? The skie's the limit.
Something under 500
In that case, i'd get a lever machine like a ROK or a Robot and spend $350 on an espresso quality grinder. Most of your money should go to the grinder. You can find a used Baratza Vario for about that.
Get a bambino and a decent grinder for sure
Strietman CT2 😂
Get a breville bambino and 1zpresso jx-pro
OP's budget is $500, likes milk drinks. Doesn't appear to be too much into technical brewing stuff, but that could change.
This is easy, OP. You want a Breville Bambino. The tricky part, you're also going to need a grinder. The way espresso works, you really need to grind right before you brew. You'll need to fine tune the grind settings to match your machine and the bean you're using, and this is hard to do if you're grinding all your beans elsewhere.
The absolute cheapest you should go would be the $170 1Zpresso JX Pro hand grinder. Breville makes an electric grinder, the Smart Grinder Pro (SGP), and that might work okay for you. That's $200.
The Bambino and SGP combined are about $550 total. You'll also want so other things -- you'll want a good metal tamper, a coffee scale that measures in 0.1 g increments, cleaning solution, things like that. Buying a new espresso setup is quite expensive, I'd say $600 is the absolute cheapest you should go to have something reasonable.
Hope this helps!
How is this machine now? Planning to get one!
Absolutely brilliant. Can’t survive without this now. One of my best spends till date.
Hey man , congratulations! Planning to buy this in sometime
We now need an asmr of making an espresso shot
Haha. Shall share here soon.
can you post video about making coffee later when you get time
I am new here
Shall try to do that soon.
what's the price of this machine
Where from? How mutch did you shell out.
Their official distributor in India. Same guys are the sellers on Amazon too. Costed about 60k.
Can you please tell me who the official distributors are? I'm in the market for De'Longhi Eletta Explore.
Best home espresso machines
Key Considerations for Home Espresso Machines:
Type of Machine:
Build Quality: Look for machines made from durable materials like stainless steel for longevity.
Pressure: Aim for machines that can generate at least 9 bars of pressure for optimal extraction.
Temperature Control: Consistent temperature is crucial for brewing; machines with PID controllers offer better temperature stability.
Size and Capacity: Consider your kitchen space and how much coffee you typically brew. Some machines have larger water tanks and bean hoppers.
Ease of Cleaning: Look for machines with removable parts and easy access to the brew group for maintenance.
Recommendations:
Breville Barista Express: A great semi-automatic option that includes a built-in grinder, PID temperature control, and a steam wand for frothing milk. It's user-friendly and offers excellent espresso quality.
Rancilio Silvia: A solid choice for those who want a manual experience. It has a commercial-grade build and is known for its durability and quality espresso.
De'Longhi Dinamica ECAM35020: A super-automatic machine that is user-friendly and offers a variety of coffee styles. It has a built-in grinder and is great for those who want convenience without sacrificing quality.
Gaggia Classic Pro: A budget-friendly semi-automatic machine that delivers great espresso and has a strong community for support and modifications.
Choosing the right machine depends on your skill level, budget, and how much control you want over the brewing process.
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