overall
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL
9.5
Check price on Amazon → Compare the 10 best espresso machines of 2026, including semi-automatic, manual, super-automatic and budget picks for home baristas.
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For most home baristas in 2026 the best espresso machine is the Breville Barista Express, which pairs a conical burr grinder with a 15-bar pump, heated group head and full steam wand in one unit so you can grind, tamp and pull a shot without buying separate equipment. Want a touch-screen experience with guided milk texturing? The Breville Barista Pro adds an LCD display and faster heat-up. On a smaller budget? The Breville Bambino Plus delivers genuinely good pressure and auto-steam in a compact body, while the DeLonghi Dedica is the slimmest option at 6 inches wide. Want zero electricity in the brew path? The Flair 58 is a lever machine built for the purist. Below we compare 10 machines on type, boiler configuration and what they do best.
| # | Product | Best for | Type | Boiler | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL | overall | Semi-auto | Single boiler | Grind-to-cup | Check Price |
| 2 | DeLonghi La Specialista Arte Espresso Machine EC9155MB | for guided workflow | Semi-auto | Dual thermoblock | Grind-to-cup | Check Price |
| 3 | Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS | compact semi-auto | Semi-auto | Thermocoil | Auto-steam | Check Price |
| 4 | Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine RI9380 | for enthusiasts | Semi-auto | Single boiler | Prosumer | Check Price |
| 5 | Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine | for serious home baristas | Semi-auto | Single boiler | Prosumer | Check Price |
| 6 | DeLonghi Dedica Espresso Machine EC685 | slim budget | Semi-auto | Thermoblock | Slim budget | Check Price |
| 7 | Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine BES878 | for guided dialling-in | Semi-auto | ThermoJet | Grind-to-cup | Check Price |
| 8 | Philips 3200 LatteGo Fully Automatic Espresso Machine EP3241 | super-auto | Super-auto | Dual boiler | Bean-to-cup | Check Price |
| 9 | Flair 58 Manual Lever Espresso Maker | for purists | Manual | No boiler | Lever manual | Check Price |
| 10 | CASABREWS 5700 Gense Espresso Machine | budget with grinder | Semi-auto | Single thermoblock | Budget grinder combo | Check Price |
Why we picked it: The Breville Barista Express is the machine we recommend to most home baristas in 2026 because it removes the single biggest barrier to good espresso at home: the separate grinder. Its integrated conical burr grinder lets you dial in grind size and dose directly on the machine, so beans go from whole to portafilter in seconds with no bench clutter. The heated group head stabilises brew temperature so the first shot of the day pulls as well as the fifth. A full commercial-style steam wand gives genuine control for latte art. Everything needed for consistent cafe-quality espresso is in one purchase.
Home baristas who want a complete grind-to-cup setup without buying a separate grinder or sacrificing steam quality.
Anyone who already owns a quality grinder and prefers a standalone espresso machine, or wants a dual boiler for simultaneous brew and steam.
Key specs: 15 bar - dual heating system - conical burr grinder - 67 oz water tank - 54mm portafilter - manual steam wand - stainless
Why we picked it: The DeLonghi La Specialista Arte delivers a more guided experience than the Breville Barista Express without losing manual control. Its sensor grinder measures the dose by weight rather than time, which means grind consistency is more repeatable from the first pull regardless of how stale or fresh the beans are. The dual thermoblock heats separately for brew and steam, so there is no pause between pulling a shot and steaming milk. A My Latte Art steam wand delivers precise micro-foam with a lever that gives tactile feedback. Cold brew functionality is a bonus for warm months. Tamping tools are included in the box.
Home baristas who want a guided, consistent workflow with dual-thermoblock convenience and integrated grinder in one machine.
Purists who prefer a standalone grinder or buyers who want the lowest possible entry price for semi-automatic espresso.
Key specs: Semi-automatic - integrated sensor grinder with 8 settings - dual thermoblock - 19 bar pump - active temperature control - My Latte Art steam wand - cold brew mode - includes tamping tools
Why we picked it: The Breville Bambino Plus is the pick for anyone who wants genuine espresso performance without the footprint of a full semi-automatic machine. Its thermocoil reaches brew temperature in three seconds, which is fast enough to pull a shot without pre-warming rituals. The automatic steam wand heats and textures milk to the temperature you select, making lattes consistent without practising latte art technique first. The 58mm portafilter is the same size used in commercial machines, which means compatible baskets and accessories are easy to find. At under eight inches wide it fits tight kitchen benches with room to spare.
Compact kitchen users and newer home baristas who want fast, consistent espresso and easy milk drinks without a large machine.
Enthusiasts who want full manual steam control for latte art, or anyone who wants an integrated grinder in the same unit.
Key specs: 54 oz water tank - 15 bar - thermocoil - 58mm portafilter - auto/manual steam - 3 sec heat-up - stainless
Why we picked it: The Gaggia Classic Pro is the machine for home baristas who want to learn proper espresso technique and eventually modify their setup as skills grow. Its commercial 58mm portafilter and solid steel boiler are genuine prosumer components at a mid-range price, and the removal of the Panarello frother sleeve in the Pro version means the steam wand delivers dry commercial-style steam rather than the pre-foamed output of consumer machines. The 3-way solenoid valve depressurises the group after the shot, producing dry pucks that are easy to knock out and preventing backflow. The machine has a large modification community and accepts temperature controllers, flow profiles and pressure gauges without difficulty.
Espresso enthusiasts who want a modifiable prosumer machine with commercial portafilter standards and room to grow their technique.
Beginners who want a guided or automatic experience, or anyone who needs simultaneous brew and steam without a pause.
Key specs: 15 bar - 58mm commercial portafilter - 3-way solenoid valve - steel boiler - commercial steam wand - 72 oz tank
Why we picked it: The Rancilio Silvia has been a benchmark home espresso machine since 1997 and earns its place on this list through build quality and longevity rather than modern conveniences. Its brass boiler has greater thermal mass than the steel boiler in the Gaggia Classic Pro, which means temperature is more stable across a session once the machine is warmed up. The group head and portafilter are commercial components. The steam wand is a genuine commercial wand, not a domestic frother. There are no programmable features and no PID as standard, but the machine accepts a PID controller easily and owners regularly keep them running for fifteen or more years. For a serious home barista who wants a machine that will last, the Silvia is compelling.
Serious home baristas who want a long-lasting prosumer machine built to commercial standards and are comfortable with manual temperature management.
Beginners or anyone wanting a guided machine, or buyers who need simultaneous brew and steam or automatic milk texturing.
Key specs: 15 bar - brass boiler - commercial group head - commercial steam wand - 67 oz reservoir - stainless steel body
Why we picked it: The DeLonghi Dedica is the answer to the question: what is the best espresso machine if my counter is genuinely narrow? At six inches wide it is the slimmest machine in this guide and can fit in kitchen spots where no other semi-automatic machine will go. Its 15-bar pump and thermoblock deliver proper espresso extraction, and the three-in-one filter basket accepts a pod, a single shot or a double shot without switching portafilters. Heat-up time is around 40 seconds. The Panarello frother produces milk foam without manual technique, which suits casual latte drinkers well. It is not a prosumer machine and its baskets are pressurised rather than commercial-style, but for everyday espresso and milk drinks in a slim package it is very good value.
Slim-kitchen users and budget buyers who want a proper 15-bar espresso machine with milk frothing in the smallest possible footprint.
Enthusiasts who want non-pressurised baskets, a commercial steam wand or the ability to modify and upgrade their setup.
Key specs: 15 bar - thermoblock - 6 in wide - 3-in-1 filter - Panarello frother - 40 oz water tank - stainless steel
Why we picked it: The Breville Barista Pro combines the integrated grinder of the Barista Express with a faster ThermoJet heating element and an LCD display that shows a shot clock and temperature readout. The three-second heat-up removes the wait that single-boiler machines typically require. Thirty grind settings give finer dose control than the Barista Express. The shot clock on the display helps beginner and intermediate baristas understand extraction yield without a separate timer. The manual steam wand requires technique, which suits anyone who wants to develop latte art skills. If the Barista Express is the comprehensive starter machine, the Barista Pro is the step-up for someone who wants faster heat, more grind resolution and display feedback.
Home baristas who want the fastest heat-up and most display feedback from an integrated grinder machine without going to a dual boiler.
Budget buyers who are well served by the Barista Express, or anyone who wants a dual boiler for simultaneous brew and steam.
Key specs: 15 bar - ThermoJet - 3 sec heat-up - 30 grind settings - 54mm portafilter - LCD display - 67 oz tank - stainless
Why we picked it: The Philips 3200 LatteGo is the super-automatic machine we recommend for households where everyone wants cafe drinks without learning espresso technique. Push a button on the intuitive touch display and the ceramic grinder doses, the dual boiler heats, and the LatteGo system froths milk into a latte or cappuccino, all automatically. The 100 percent ceramic grinder produces no metallic flavour in the grounds and is rated to a very long service life. The LatteGo milk carafe has no tubes or small parts to disassemble, making daily cleaning quick. AquaClean filters extend the descaling interval significantly. The trade-off versus a semi-automatic machine is less control over extraction variables.
Households where multiple people want varied cafe drinks on demand without learning to pull shots or texture milk.
Enthusiasts who want control over extraction variables, or anyone who wants a machine they can modify and upgrade over time.
Key specs: Dual boiler - ceramic grinder - 60 oz water tank - 5 coffee varieties - LatteGo milk carafe - AquaClean - touch display
Why we picked it: The Flair 58 is the machine for the barista who wants to understand pressure and extraction without a pump or electronics in the brew path. You heat water separately, pour it into the preheated group head, and control the entire pressure curve of the shot by feel through the lever. The 58mm portafilter is the same commercial standard as the Gaggia Classic Pro and accepts all compatible baskets and accessories. A pressure gauge is standard so you can see and respond to the curve in real time. Because there is no boiler or pump, the Flair is entirely manual and requires a separate kettle and grinder, but produces espresso that rivals machines at several times its price when operated with good technique.
Espresso purists and experienced baristas who want total control over pressure profiling and are happy to heat water separately.
Beginners, anyone who wants automatic or semi-automatic convenience, or anyone who needs integrated milk steaming in the same machine.
Key specs: Manual lever - 58mm portafilter - pressure gauge - no boiler - no pump - heats to 200 F puck water - foldable for storage
Why we picked it: The CASABREWS 5700 Gense earns its place as the budget grinder-combo pick by including a built-in burr grinder at a price significantly below the Breville Barista Express. A 20-bar pump provides more than enough extraction pressure, and the steam wand handles everyday milk frothing without needing a separate frother. The removable 34 oz water tank makes refilling clean. Build quality is lighter than the Breville and Gaggia options in this guide, and the grinder has fewer adjustment steps, but for a household stepping up from pod machines to fresh-ground espresso on a limited budget, the CASABREWS 5700 removes most of the friction at a fraction of the cost.
Budget buyers and first-time espresso machine owners who want fresh-ground espresso with milk frothing without spending at Breville or Gaggia prices.
Enthusiasts who want prosumer build quality, a commercial portafilter or fine grind control, where the Gaggia Classic Pro or Barista Express are the better fit.
Key specs: 20 bar - built-in burr grinder - single thermoblock - steam wand - 34 oz tank - stainless steel body
The Breville Bambino Plus is the most beginner-friendly machine in this guide. It heats up in three seconds, the automatic steam wand textures milk consistently without technique, and the 58mm portafilter is compatible with a wide range of baskets and accessories for when skills develop. The DeLonghi Dedica is the right pick if counter space is the primary constraint, fitting into a 6-inch-wide slot no other machine here can match. Both machines let beginners make good espresso and milk drinks from the first day without a steep learning curve.
If you buy a machine without an integrated grinder, yes. Pre-ground coffee goes stale very quickly once exposed to air, and the grind size sold as "espresso" in supermarkets is rarely optimised for your specific machine. A quality burr grinder is as important as the machine itself for shot quality. The Breville Barista Express and Barista Pro include an integrated conical burr grinder, which removes the need for a separate purchase. If you already own a quality grinder, machines without integration like the Gaggia Classic Pro or Rancilio Silvia often produce more consistent shots because the grinder is not a compromise.
Heat-up time varies significantly by machine type. The Breville Bambino Plus and Barista Pro use a ThermoJet or thermocoil that reaches brew temperature in three seconds. Single-boiler machines like the Gaggia Classic Pro and Rancilio Silvia need 15-25 minutes to thermally stabilise for the best results, though they can pull a drinkable shot in 10-15 minutes. Super-automatic machines like the Philips 3200 LatteGo heat up in 20-45 seconds for the first drink. If your morning routine cannot accommodate a warm-up period, a thermocoil machine is the practical choice.
A manual lever machine like the Flair 58 is worth it if you want to understand and control every variable in espresso extraction, including the pressure curve through the shot, without spending on a high-end electronic machine. The results can be outstanding and the machine requires no electricity in the brew path. The trade-off is significant: you need a separate gooseneck kettle to heat water to the right temperature, a quality burr grinder, and the patience to practise the lever technique. A lever machine is not a convenience purchase. It suits the barista who treats espresso as a craft rather than a morning routine.
Semi-automatic machines like the Breville Barista Express and Gaggia Classic Pro give you control over grind size, tamp pressure and extraction time, which produces the best possible espresso when technique is dialled in, but requires practice. Super-automatic machines like the Philips 3200 LatteGo automate every step from grinding to frothing: ideal for households where convenience matters more than control. Manual lever machines like the Flair 58 remove electricity from the brew path entirely and give pressure profiling to any barista who wants it, but require a separate kettle and grinder. Choose the type that matches your willingness to learn, not your aspiration.
A single-boiler machine heats one element for both brewing and steaming, so there is a pause of 20-45 seconds between pulling a shot and steaming milk. This is manageable for one or two drinks but slows down a busy morning. A dual thermoblock, as in the DeLonghi La Specialista Arte and Breville Bambino Plus, heats separately for each task so there is no pause. A true dual boiler maintains both temperatures simultaneously and is the commercial standard, though few home machines at this price offer it. For home use making one or two drinks at a time, a dual thermoblock is usually the practical sweet spot.
An integrated burr grinder, as on the Breville Barista Express and Barista Pro, removes the need for a separate grinder purchase and keeps the counter tidy. The trade-off is that the built-in grinder cannot be upgraded independently when you want better burrs. If you already own a quality burr grinder, a machine without an integrated grinder gives you more flexibility and often better shot consistency by separating the two functions. For a first espresso setup with no existing grinder, an integrated machine is the more practical starting point.
The portafilter diameter determines which baskets, tampers and accessories fit your machine. A 58mm portafilter, used by the Gaggia Classic Pro, Rancilio Silvia, Breville machines and the Flair 58, is the commercial standard and has the widest aftermarket ecosystem. A 54mm portafilter, used on the Breville Bambino Plus and Barista Pro, has a good range of compatible accessories but fewer options. Smaller or proprietary portafilters, as on some budget machines, limit you to the manufacturer's own baskets. If upgrading to precision baskets or experimenting with different doses matters to you, a 58mm portafilter is the better long-term choice.
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| 15-bar pump | Commercial-standard extraction pressure for espresso; most machines exceed this slightly and regulate down to 9 bar at the puck. |
| PID temperature control | Holds boiler temperature to within 1-2 degrees F for shot-to-shot consistency; available as a standard or aftermarket upgrade. |
| 3-way solenoid valve | Depressurises the group head after extraction for clean, dry pucks and prevents backflow into the portafilter. |
| Steam wand style | A bare commercial wand gives control for micro-foam and latte art; a Panarello sleeve automates foam production for casual users. |
| Portafilter diameter | 58mm is the commercial standard with the widest accessory ecosystem; 54mm has good but narrower aftermarket support. |
Every product above was scored out of 10 on the same six-part rubric, then sorted into an S to C tier. We do not accept free units or payment for placement, and price or affiliate commission never factors into the score.
| Criterion | What we check | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Core performance | The numbers that define the category: capacity, power, resolution, battery life, speed or output, taken from manufacturer specs and cross-checked against independent test data where it exists. | High |
| Build & reliability | Materials, warranty length, brand track record, and how often the model shows up in long-term failure or return complaints. | High |
| Real-world usability | Weight, dimensions, noise level, setup difficulty and day-to-day friction, drawn from owner reviews and published measurements. | Medium |
| Running cost | Ongoing costs beyond the purchase: subscriptions, consumables, energy use or maintenance, where they apply to the category. | Medium |
| Owner feedback | Patterns across aggregated verified owner reviews: recurring praise, recurring complaints, and whether the experience matches the marketing. | Medium |
| Value | What you get relative to the rest of the field at a similar price band, not an absolute price judgment. | Medium |
Sources: manufacturer spec sheets and manuals, retailer listing data, aggregated verified owner reviews, and published independent test results where available for the category.
Honesty note: We have not hands-on tested every product on this page. Where we have not personally used a product, its ranking is based on verified specs, aggregated owner feedback, availability and editorial comparison rather than a hands-on review. Hands-on impressions, when included in a product entry above, are clearly written from direct use.
We don't accept free units or payment for placement. Our rankings combine verified manufacturer specifications, real owner feedback and availability, compared on one transparent S to C rubric.
How this was written: our guides are researched and reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy.