The best espresso machines for making perfect coffee at home

OK, most of this list focuses on countertop espresso machines, but it would be a coffee-making injustice if we ignored this Bialetti Stovertop Espresso Maker. 

First, a disclaimer: The Bialetti doesn't technically make espresso, considering it's not able to build the amount of pressure necessary to technically qualify it as espresso. However, Bialetti does give tips and guidelines for how to brew its "moka" coffee to your liking (a mix between coffee and espresso).

The Bialetti comes in five size options: 1-cup, 3-cup, 6-cup, 9-cup, or 12-cup. The pot is made from polished aluminium and its eight-sided shape apparently allows it to "diffuse heat perfectly," which enhances that great coffee aroma. 

Part of the beauty is that it's nothing fancy. There's no electrics, no buttons to push. Just fill the bottom chamber with water, fill the second chamber with ground coffee beans, and put it on the stove and wait for the coffee. Boom.

It may take a little bit of trial and error in order to get the perfect cup, but once you have it down, you'll be wondering why you didn't give it a chance sooner. Ultimately, it's a great if you want something cheap and simple.

The Barista Express by Sage is a serious coffee maker. It boasts a 15 bar Italian pump, a 1,600 watt thermo coil heating system, a 54mm tamper, a stainless steel conical burr grinder, and a 2-litre removable water tank.

A true espresso drinker knows there are a couple of things that can't be overlooked when it comes to a quality cup: freshness and grinding. The burr grinder is a Barista favourite, as it maximises the surface area of the grinds for optimal flavour. The Barista Express even allows you to adjust the grind and portion size, so you can go from fine to course depending on your preference. 

Once you choose your grind and pre-set your volume (single or double shot), the machine will make your espresso in less than a minute. Now that's fresh.

The Barista Express also comes with four single and dual wall filter baskets, one stainless steel milk jug, a cleaning kit, and a precision raze dose trimming tool and PID digital temperature control. Everything you need.

You can either use the dual-wall pressurised filters (to control pressure and optimise extraction) or, if you're more experienced, try using the non-pressurised single-wall filters to play around and make the brew your own.

Just because you're always on the move or away on your travels, that doesn't mean you should deprive yourself of your daily hit of espresso. That's the beauty of the Wacaco Minipresso — am espresso machine that slips easily into your bag and makes on-the-go espresso.

There's no mains connection or battery needed. Just fill with boiling water (it keeps the temperature like a Thermos) and add a Nespresso or Nespresso-compatible pod. Unlock the piston and pump it a few times for instant, great-tasting espresso. It's small, but gives you eight bars of pressure.

One drawback is that Nespresso seem to now be prioritising the newer Vertuo pods, though the original-style pods — from Nespresso and other brands — are still abundant. And milk frothing is obviously not an option with this machine.

Take it from the coffee lovers themselves. It's a highly-rated, well-reviewed item on Amazon — a must-have gadget for any coffee aficionado's arsenal.

The De'Longhi Dedica style traditional pump espresso maker is not technically a manual machine, but you work the pump by hand rather than pressing a button. It's not the only option on this list to do that, but it's the only one that will fit in pretty much any kitchen, thanks to a very small profile.

This one has fewer features. You'll need to buy your grinder separately for best results, for instance, but there's plenty else to like. It works with both coffee grinds and pods — which makes it the best of both worlds in espresso terms — and has other nice additions, including a cup-warming shelf. Just keep your cup on top of the machine to maintain the perfect temperature.

The temperature of the actual coffee is managed by thermoblock technology, which keeps the espresso at the optimal flavour-enhancing temperature.

You can also make cappuccino with the machine's fancy-sounding Adjustable Cappuccino System. In other words, it has an integrated steam wand which adds a touch of artistic, frothy flair to your coffee.

The Nespresso has become a standard appliance in many modern kitchens. There's a reason for that. That's because Nespresso has built a reputation with quick-and-easy coffee lovers, based on taste, quality, and convenience. And the Nespresso Vertuo Next — exclusive to Amazon — is the pick of the bunch.

When it comes to pod machines, this is the whole coffee caboodle. You get a quality machine, a milk frother, and 12 different flavour capsules.

We all appreciate freshly ground coffee beans, but let's be honest: When you accidentally snooze your alarm (five times) in the morning and don't even have time to brush your hair, the last thing you have time for is grinding beans.

The machine — made by Magimix — works at the push of a button and heats up in just 30 seconds. It also connects to a mobile app, which updates your Nespresso machine and give you tasty hints and advice.

You have a few options when it comes to brews: a single espresso, double espresso, a gran lungo, a regular coffee, an alto, or carafe. As for flavours, the Vertuo pods offer more than 30 blends. It's a world of flavour.

The EspressoWorks All-In-One machine includes pretty much everything you need to make quality espresso, minus the beans. According to the Amazon reviews, this machine almost never disappoints — but if there is an issue, the EspressoWorks customer service is apparently fantastic.

It comes with its own electric bean-grinder, a 1.25 litre removable water tank, a measuring spoon and tamper, a stainless steel filter with two basket options, a stainless steel milk frothing cup, and two espresso cups.

Not to mention an electric grinder (which isn't integrated, but that shouldn't be a deal breaker) and a built-in steam wand for creamy cappuccinos and lattes.

The machine brews espresso with 15 bars of pressure and with the Thermoblock fast heating system, it's ready to use in 45 seconds. The two portafilter baskets allow you to pull either a single or double shot drink. Indeed, when it comes to semi-automatic machine, particularly at this price, it's hard to not to like this machine. It's a tasty bargain.

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The De’Longhi Magnifica comes highly-rated. Indeed, four-and-a-half stars from 45,000+ reviews on Amazon gives this machine a flavoursome rep.

It's the lazy espresso drinker's dream — like as having your local coffee shop barista sat on your kitchen counter at all times. Its super-automatic action takes care of everything, from tamping, to grinding, to extracting. Just fill the containers and push a few buttons.

Unlike the above machine, which has a separate milk frother, the Magnific uses a patented system that mixes steam and milk to create a rich froth. All you have to do is stick your milk under the steam wand nozzle and let it go to work. Then pour as much of that creamy goodness on top of your coffee as you like.

It has a built-in burr, which grinds your favourite beans immediately before brewing for maximum freshness. Meanwhile, an instant reheat function keeps it at the perfect temperature, so you don't have to wait too long for that second cup. And choose from a selection of strengths, cup sizes, and grind options.