You probably love coffee but it is costly to get your daily dose from your neighborhood coffee shop. Having your own espresso machine at home allows you to save tons from buying daily (after you recuperated your initial investment, of course), create your own concoctions according to your preference, experiment with different taste profiles, or even open a small coffee shop of your own. You can also handpick your most favorite and high-quality ingredients so you know your money’s worth.
As you see, there are many reasons why investing in an espresso machine is a good decision if you consume gourmet coffee frequently. And if you just entered adulthood, having an espresso coffee machine at home sounds like a great and cool idea. Learning to create your own coffee blends can qualify as a bragging right.
An automatic espresso machine makes a good beginner espresso machine because it is easy to operate. It also does not take up too much space in the kitchen counter so you can leave it there and easily access it in the morning. There are different sizes to choose from depending on how many people it needs to serve a day or how frequently you have coffee.
Meanwhile, a latte machine comes with a milk frother. The latter allows you to practice latte art at home! If you love lattes, make sure to look for an espresso machine with this feature.
But personally, I’d recommend an espresso machine that can provide you some control on how your coffee will turn out like temperature control, grind settings, and a milk frother. This allows you to practice and experiment with different coffee blends. Who knows you might be able to concoct a signature blend you can offer to your own neighborhood coffee shop someday.
We’ve done the research to bring you our recommended home espresso machine models for beginners like you.
Best Espresso Machine for Beginners – (Comparison)
| Name | Key Feature | |
| Breville BES870XL Barista Express – (Editor’s Choice) | Comes with a built-in coffee grinder with dose control and grind size dial | Check Price |
| Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Espresso Machine | An entry-level commercial-grade semi-automatic espresso machine | Check Price |
| Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Maker by De’Longhi | Fully-automatic, coffee capsule-based operation | Check Price |
Breville BES870XL Barista Express – Editor’s Choice
This espresso machine has optimized settings to bring the natural taste of coffee out of your most favorite beans. The controls are user-friendly and intuitive, too. The Breville barista also provides you with enough control over how your coffee will turn out so you can experiment with different flavor profiles when you are ready.
This Breville coffee machine already comes with a built-in coffee grinder. With this function, coffee making becomes easier and more convenient as the ground coffee beans can be immediately fed to the espresso machine to go from bean to cup in no time.
Meanwhile, this grinding function also allows you to adjust the grind size to fit your preference. A conical burr can also deliver precise amounts of ground coffee to the portafilter of this espresso machine on-demand so it only yields enough amount for your coffee needs. Get freshly-ground and brewed coffee all the time with this convenient feature.
The Breville Barista express utilizes digital temperature control so the water it delivers is of optimum temperature to extract the most taste and nutrients from the coffee beans. This results in a more natural and better-tasting cup of coffee all the time.
This Breville espresso machine also applies the right amount of water pressure that also aids in the extraction of the most natural taste of coffee from the beans you are using. The process starts from a low-pressure infusion that gradually rises to carefully draw the coffee extracts from the beans.
On top of those, the Breville espresso also comes with a built-in steam wand to foam your milk. This allows you to make latte coffee or hone your latte art skills.
Pros
- Comes with a built-in coffee grinder with dose control and grind size dial
- Equipped with digital temperature control (PID)
- With a built-in steam wand
- Optimal water pressure
- Fast coffee – from bean to espresso cup
Cons
- Expensive
Conclusion
The Breville BES870XL Barista Express is an overall user-friendly beginner espresso machine that allows you to experiment or just simply enjoy your freshly-brewed coffee at home.
Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Espresso Machine
If you want your hands on a commercial-grade espresso machine without breaking the bank, this entry-level Gaggia espresso machine can satisfy your requirements.
The Gaggia Classic Pro is a semi-automatic espresso machine that comes with commercial-grade parts and features that allows you to experience using similar machines that cafes use. And it is not just pure experience but also the performance and reliability that you can count on.
The Gaggia coffee machine comes with a 58-millimeter chrome-plated brass portafilter. This is exactly the size of what coffee shops use with their machines. Meanwhile, this espresso machine comes with a commercial-grade steam wand that is effective in producing high-quality microfoam in support of your latte art creations.
Meanwhile, the Gaggia classic comes with a complete set of pressure baskets, which you can also use with your own coffee grinder. This also performs as great as commercial-style machines, allowing you to have the best cream for your cup of espresso.
The Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Espresso Machine is equipped with a dual-heating system so it is ready to work on your coffee creations in about 5 minutes, but is already steam ready at 30 seconds.
This espresso machine also features intuitive controls with separate switches for each activity – power, steaming, and brewing. Each switch comes with an indicator light so you will know which is ready for action.
Also, this espresso machine boasts quiet operation with its vibration pump mounts. They mask the sound during operation that it does not interrupt your sleeping companions at home while you make yourself an early morning brew.
Other noteworthy features include a stainless-steel frame and multiple color options – brushed stainless, classic blue, polar white, cherry red, industrial gray, and thunder black.
Pros
- An entry-level commercial-grade semi-automatic espresso machine
- Equipped with 58-millimeter chrome-plated brass portafilter
- Comes with a commercial-grade steam wand
- Comes with a complete set of pressure baskets
- Separate switches for power, brewing, and steaming
- Steam-ready in 30 seconds; brewing in 5 minutes
- Comes in a stainless-steel frame and multiple color options
Cons
- No bean grinder included
Conclusion
The Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Espresso Machine is for someone who wants to experiment and learn directly from a commercial-grade espresso machine. The semi-automatic operation allows for an effective learning experience with fewer risks.
Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Maker by De’Longhi
Now, experiencing café-quality coffee need not be a hassle for you. For those who need their coffee quick and easy, opting for an automatic coffee machine is your best option.
With the Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Maker by De’Longhi, it is now easy to have your gourmet cup of brew with a touch of a button. This espresso machine works with Nespresso coffee capsules and easily adapts the settings for temperature, pressure, brewing time, and cup size depending on the capsule type. Nespresso’s smart Centrifusion technology can recognize the barcodes on the capsules where it bases the amount of crème for your latte.
Meanwhile, this espresso coffee maker can also yield coffee in 4 different sizes – single or double espresso or 5-ounce or 8-ounce coffee. It is fully automatic so you do not need to adjust other settings, making it a one-touch brewing system in your kitchen.
This espresso machine has a large water tank capacity that can hold up to 54 ounces. It can also contain up to 17 used capsule containers. The used aluminum capsule containers can be sent back for recycling.
This home espresso machine provides a fast heating time of only 15 seconds. It also features an energy-saving function that enables the espresso machine to automatically shut down after 9 minutes of being inactive.
This espresso machine set comes with a milk frother, the Aerocino3. Though there is also an option to buy the machine only. Both sets (with or without the frother) come with complimentary 12 pieces of Nespresso capsules so you can immediately enjoy your gourmet cup of joe after buying it.
Pros
- Fully-automatic, coffee capsule-based operation
- Fast heating time at only 15 seconds with 9-minute inactivity auto shutdown
- Large water tank capacity at 54 ounces
- Automatically adapts the settings for temperature, pressure, brewing time, and cup size depending on the capsule type
- With optional milk frother included in the set
Cons
- Only works with compatible Nespresso coffee capsules
Conclusion
The Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Maker by De’Longhi is perfect for hassle-free gourmet and café quality coffee at the comforts of your home. It makes a good beginner espresso machine with its convenient and automatic operation.
Final Verdict
Looking for the best espresso machine may confuse you because of the vast options out there. There are tons of reliable brands you can never go wrong with, and it will all just boil down to budget, preference, and priority features.
The espresso machines on this list go from manual to semi-automatic, to fully-automatic modes of operation. But if you really want to experience coffee making and learn the ropes, the first two options fit the bill.
For me, the best home espresso machine is the Breville BES870XL Barista Express.
The Breville BES870XL Barista Express provides the user with ample control over his coffee minus the intimidating controls and processes. The built-in coffee grinder and steam wand complete the whole espresso-making system. This espresso machine can help you practice at home while enjoying café-quality coffee at a lesser cost.