1. DE'LONGHI LA SPECIALISTA MAESTRO
De'Longhi's La Specialista Maestro gets people talking, even if they don't like coffee. Sat on my kitchen countertop, it's almost always the first thing people mention when they walk into the room and I'm pretty proud of it. The machine looks the part, with dials, gauges, and a shiny stainless steel finish.
2. BREVILLE THE BARISTA PRO
If you're ready to indulge your inner barista with some luxury and quality, Breville's The Barista Pro has been waiting for you. The shiny, stainless steel model is simply perfect. It even comes in a range of stunning finishes. Truffle black anyone? Getting set-up with The Barista Pro doesn't take long. I had unboxed it, rinsed it, and brewed a delicious coffee in under five minutes without having to read novel-like instruction manuals beforehand. The grinder has an impressive 30 settings, so you can dial-in to whichever bean variety you've chosen to brew.
3. KITCHENAID ESPRESSO MACHINE
KitchenAid has carried a reputation for their iconic stand mixers into the coffee industry and they are very welcome here. Their espresso machine, available in a range of classic, tasteful colors, is slim and stylish, perfect for any kitchen. It sits subtly on the countertops and quietly works on delivering perfect coffee every time. It's a true success.
4. BREVILLE BAMBINO PLUS
Breville's Bambino Plus is the coffee community's worst kept secret. It's the machine which most baristas will have at home for a multitude of reasons, but the main three are: it's excellent value, well-built, and has sensitive brewing controls.
5. LA PAVONI PROFESSIONAL
If you're after authenticity, luxury, and quality, La Pavoni has a shiny, stainless steel marvel waiting for you. The machine is eye-catching. There's no avoiding it, but all the levers and dials can make it a little scary too — it depends who you are.
6. WACACO PICOPRESSO
Those who are always on-the-go probably already have a Wacaco Picopresso sized-hole in their lives. This espresso machine is no bigger than a can of soda, but can really pack some coffee power. It makes a shot which can rival the machines at the top of this buying guide, but requires a fraction of the space and money too.
7. SMEG ECF01/2
It should come as no surprise that Smeg makes the most stylish espresso machine on the market. The colors, chrome, and curves are irresistible. Even if you have a relatively compact kitchen, the slim design will slot neatly into place, not disturbing your clear aesthetics at all.
8. CASABREWS 5700 PRO
You've probably seen the Casabrews 5700 Pro all over your TikTok. Everybody loves it for the value, quality, and classic espresso machine aesthetics. Before I had tested it, I'll admit that I was a little skeptical. The price doesn't seem to match-up to the claims Casabrews makes. However, after testing, I can confirm that this is worth the hype.
9. FLAIR NEO FLEX
I wouldn't advise manual espresso machines to everyone: they're a technical, hands-on way of making your morning coffee. However, if you're determined to test these models out for yourself, there's no better place to start than with the Flair NEO Flex.