Best High-End Espresso Machines: Top 7 Luxury Brands Most Recommended By Experts

Espresso is great by itself, but it’s also a key ingredient in many of our favorite coffee-based drinks, including the Caffé Americano, Cappuccino, and the Caffé Latte. It would be great if you didn’t have to travel down to your favorite local coffee shop just to enjoy one of these delicious coffee drinks. Well, with one of the best high-end espresso makers, you can brew up barista-quality espresso drinks in the comfort of your own home. 

Brewing the perfect cup of espresso can sometimes feel like an impossible feat. But it is not all that difficult. A new study reveals that adding a splash of water to your coffee beans just before brewing produces less static electricity during the brewing process, therefore leading to a more even, intense cup of espresso. That means you can achieve the perfect cup without leaving the house!

Plus, espresso isn’t just good for your morning energy boost. Research shows that a daily shot of espresso can prevent Alzheimer’s. However, coffee impacts more than your brain and cognitive abilities. Another study from the University of Bologna in Italy also found that drinking at least two cups of coffee per day helps maintain healthy blood pressure. That sounds like an excellent reason to brew that second cup of espresso in the morning. 

So, which high-end espresso makers are considered top-notch? StudyFinds did the research, consulting 11 review sites in an effort to bring you a consensus list of the best high-end espresso makers. Our list comprises the seven most frequently listed espresso machines from across these sites. Do you have a luxury espresso machine that you feel should have made the list? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below! 

The List: Best High-End Espresso Makers, According to Experts

 

1. Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine

Topping the list of the best high-end espresso makers is the Breville Barista Express. Out of the box, this espresso machine instantly transforms your home into your favorite coffee shop. “We were incredibly impressed with this machine during the first couple of months we used it. It took everything that was good about Breville models like the Barista Express and the Barista Pro and added a smart grinding and tamping system that made it easy to consistently dose and tamp your shots properly,” writes Epicurious. 

Breville improved upon its existing espresso machines and added some great features. This machine includes quick setup instructions to help get you up and brewing in no time at all. “After thorough testing and evaluation, the Breville Barista Express Impress emerged as my top choice, hands down. Its impressive performance and user-friendly features make it a standout option for any espresso enthusiast or frequent coffee-at-home consumer. Setting up the machine was a breeze, taking only 15 minutes from start to finish. Filling the water tank, soaking the filter, attaching the hopper and adding the beans were also straightforward and easy tasks, thanks to the well-written instruction manual and user-friendly quick setup sheet,” adds Forbes. 

This espresso machine features both manual and automatic operation, so the amount of work involved is completely up to you. At just under $1,000, this espresso machine is worth the investment. 

“The Breville Barista Express is our pick for the best overall espresso machine because of its choice of automatic or manual operation, plus it has all of the basic trappings you need for a cafe-quality espresso at home. It has built-in features like a grinder and frother and uses low-pressure pre-infusion to soak the coffee during the extraction process. Keeping you in the driver’s seat, the built-in conical burr grinder with 16 grind settings lets you grind to the exact size and amount you want. The Breville Barista Express has an integrated thermocoil heating system that delivers water at exactly 200 degrees Fahrenheit,” furthers US News and World Report. 

2. Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine

The Rocket Appartamento features a sleek and compact design, so it works well in tight spaces, but that’s not all. “The Rocket Appartamento is a prosumer espresso machine that has been gaining popularity among coffee enthusiasts. It is a heat exchanger machine that uses a vibratory pump to deliver water to the grouphead. One of the standout features of the Rocket Appartamento is its design. It has a sleek and compact design that makes it perfect for small kitchens or apartments. The machine is available in a variety of colors, including white, copper, and black, allowing users to choose the one that best fits their home decor. In terms of performance, the Rocket Appartamento delivers consistent and high-quality espresso shots. It uses a heat exchanger system, which allows for simultaneous brewing and steaming,” writes Majesty Coffee. 

Again, this high-end espresso machine is designed for small spaces such as apartments and lofts. Just because you’re cramped for space doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a barista-level espresso when you want one. “The Rocket Espresso Appartmento is still certainly an investment, but this semi-automatic machine offers a heat exchange boiler and a heated group head to help heat the water in your machine to the optimal temperature and steam milk while you pull your espresso,” adds NBC News. 

The Rocket Appartamento is an incredibly stylish machine, too. Add in the large reservoir and you have everything you need from a home espresso machine. “If you’re looking for the best home espresso machine that will also add a touch of style to your kitchen, the Appartamento is a great choice since there are so many options available for different side panel colors. The vibration pump on the Appartamento may mean that this isn’t a plumbable espresso machine, but the water reservoir is larger than the industry standard of 2 liters and can hold 2.5 liters of water, so you won’t have to worry about constantly refilling it,” furthers Whole Latte Love. 

3. Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

The third spot on the list of the best luxury espresso machines once again belongs to Breville, but this time it’s the Bambino Plus. Breville is one of the top brands in home espresso machines and this model certainly lives up to its name. “It’s the best espresso machine at its price point, in my book. It’s semi-automatic, which means the machine uses a pump to get the pressure right in your shot, making it easy enough for beginners, but it still requires you to tamp your own shot and actually push the brew button. About half an hour of manual-reading (or video-watching, for my fellow manual-averse people) and a few practice shots and you’ll be on your way to coffee shop-quality espresso,” writes Bon Appetit. 

You might need some additional information on how to use this Breville espresso machine, but you’ll love the results once you master this machine. It’s truly one of the best home espresso machine money can buy. “The Breville Bambino Plus is a long-time favorite here at Coffeeness. In fact, I recently awarded it the Best Overall title in my guide to the best small espresso machines. The Bambino Plus isn’t just defined by its compact size, though. In reality, this is a powerful espresso machine with a 54mm portafilter and an automatic pre-infusion function. Costing $499.95, the Bambino Plus isn’t exactly cheap. However, the machine’s solid stainless steel construction and ease of operation make it more than worth the investment,” writes Coffeeness. 

The Bambino Plus produces a delicious espresso in a short time, something we’re all looking for in a home espresso machine. “For one thing, it heats up almost instantly; it goes from off to ready to brew in less than five seconds. It only comes with pressurized filter baskets (also known as double-walled filter baskets), which almost guarantee the proper pressure and good crema from a single or double shot even if you don’t tamp perfectly, grind your coffee beans too coarsely, or don’t have precisely the right amount of grounds,” explains Epicurious. 

4. Diletta Mio Espresso Machine

The Diletta Mio looks like an espresso machine you’d find down at your local coffee shop and the end product is just as tasty. “What you notice right away about the Diletta Mio is its sleek, elegant design. Its sophisticated aesthetic comes at a high price, as this is the most expensive model on our list. It’s an Italian-made machine best suited for intermediate-level coffee aficionados who will enjoy a list of features that give them complete control over their golden shot. For instance, the PID brew boiler facilitates stability by balancing quick heat times,” explains US News and World Report. 

You’ll love everything the Diletta Mio has to offer. The Mio is durable, stylish, luxurious, and gives you total control over brewing a delicious shot of espresso. “The Diletta Mio is everything an Italian-made espresso machine should be. It’s compact, stylish, built to last, and brews circles around the competition. It’s an absolute joy to use, too. The controls are all straightforward and pared down to the essentials. You have one button for power, one button for brewing, one button for steaming, and a switch to toggle between brew-ready and steam-ready modes. A good espresso machine should feel a little analog, like an heirloom-quality stand mixer,” raves Wired. 

The Diletta Mio espresso machines are built in Milan, Italy, so it’s a credible machine that you can trust. It holds plenty of water and you can even order the Mios in a couple of different finishes to match the aesthetic of your kitchen or coffee counter. 

“These Diletta Mio machines, built in Milan, come in all stainless steel as you might expect, but it’s also available in matte white and matte black, both of which hide smudgy fingerprints, and limited edition evergreen. The machine has a 2-liter water tank that slides out the side, which means you don’t have to shimmy your machine forward to refill if it’s below a low-hanging cabinet,” furthers Bon Appetit. 

5. Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine

The fifth spot on the list of the top luxury espresso machines belongs to the Rancilio Silvia. The Rancilio Silvia machine pays homage to the classic Italian espresso machines that you know and love. “If you’re in the market for a classic, go for an Italian machine like the Rancilio Silvia… Like the Bambino, investing in a good conical burr grinder to go alongside the Rancilio Silvia is key. Also like the Bambino, there are two filter baskets included, one for single shots and one for double. The price difference here really comes down to longevity—this is a commercial-grade machine with stainless steel, brass, and copper parts that are all easily replaceable or upgradable,” explains Bon Appetit. 

Replaceable, upgradeable parts mean you can customize the Rancilio Silvia to fit your needs. These machines have been around since the late ‘90s and offer a classic box design. “This awesome home espresso maker has hardly changed over the years. The machine’s classic boxy design, durable stainless steel housing and commercial-grade group head are all still in evidence, although there have been some improvements to the brewing thermostats,” furthers Coffeeness. 

The Rancilio Silvia is a professional-looking espresso maker for your home. “The Rancilio Silvia was the single most professional piece of equipment I tested. Though it requires more expertise to operate than the semiautomatic machines, it’s the perfect choice for coffee geeks and hobbyists who are passionate about learning more about the craft of brewing espresso and the art of steaming milk. No, it may not have all the fancy features of other machines, but the Silvia delivers on its promise of an efficient brewing experience with durable, well-made accessories,” adds Forbes. 

6. Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine

The Gaggia Classic Pro offers everything you need from a classic espresso machine and more. “With its black and stainless-steel body, the Gaggia Classic Pro has that Italian café look about it, but it’s not just beautiful on the outside. It’s a nice machine and was the only one we tested in this price range that came with a commercial-size 58-mm portafilter,” writes Epicurious. 

The Gaggia Classic Pro features a minimalist design and is made in Italy. Gaggia prides itself on producing machines that give you a coffee bar quality espresso in your home. “Featuring rugged stainless steel construction and a sleek, minimalist design, the Gaggia Classic Pro has been serving home baristas well since 1991. Now, that’s what I call staying power! As with the Rancilio Silvia, improvements have been made over the years, but we’re still looking at essentially the same machine. There’s a commercial-style 58 millimeter portafilter, powerful commercial-style manual steam wand and a generous 72 ounce (2.1 liter) removable water tank. Although you’ll have to wait for the Gaggia Classic Pro to heat up, the improved aluminum boiler means we’re only talking around five minutes,” raves Coffeeness. 

You can also order additional parts from Gaggia through its website. However, this machine works great out of the box and gives home brewers serious control over their espressos. “This is a serious espresso maker with commercial-grade parts and a no-nonsense design. While it provides absolute consistent pressure and temperature during the extraction process, the user has to grind and tamp the coffee and time the brewing process as well as hold and move the pitcher when frothing. That makes the Gaggia ideal for someone who likes to be hands-on and fine-tune the size of the grind and intensity of their espresso as well as the volume of their foam,” adds Food Network. 

7. Philips 3200 Series Espresso Machine LatteGo

Rounding out the list of the best high-end espresso machines is the Philips 3200 Series LatteGo. Philips has long been a top brand in the world of home appliances and its espresso machines follow suit and don’t disappoint. “If you’re not looking to build up your skills as an at-home barista, the fully automatic Philips 3200 Series machine with a built-in grinder will do all the heavy lifting for you. Using the machine’s intuitive buttons, simply select the type of beverage you want to make (espresso, coffee, cappuccino, americano, or latte macchiato), as well as the aroma, strength, and length of the brew. This unit comes with a built-in milk frother, as well as ceramic grinders that can be adjusted in 12 steps to produce ultrafine powder or coarse grounds,” raves US News and World Report. 

The Philips 3200 gives you the ability to enjoy five different espresso-based drinks at the touch of a button. You can even customize your drinks by strengthening the amount of espresso and steamed milk. “The Philips 3200 Series doesn’t come cheap, but it brings a lot to the table. This espresso machine lets the user create beverages which would usually require barista-level experience at the push of a button. It comes with several settings, including espresso, hot water, cappuccino, coffee, latte macchiato and americano. Plus there’s the option to customize your selection by strength, size and the amount of steamed milk. When we tried it out for ourselves, we found the coffee it produced tasted good and was not overly bitter,” adds Tom’s Guide. 

The level of control the Philips 3200 offers is off the charts. Still, this is a quality espresso machine that you’ll enjoy for years and years. The Philips 3200 is durable and reliable, giving you everything you need for the perfect espresso drinks right in your own home. “In addition to grinding, tamping, and brewing, the LatteGo tops your espresso with foamy milk automatically. It has an innovative system consisting of a frothing chamber with a spout that hooks onto the front of the appliance. Before pulling a shot, the LatteGo whips up milk in the chamber and dispenses it into your cup. You can adjust the grind of your beans and the temperature, strength, and volume of your brew and quantity of froth to your preference,” furthers Food Network. 

You might also be interested in:

• Best Espresso Makers
• Best High-End Coffee Makers
• Best French Press Coffee Makers
• Best Coffee Makers

Sources: 

• Epicurious
• Food Network
• US News and World Report
• Coffeeness
• Whole Latte Love
• Tom’s Guide
• Wired
• Forbes
• Bon Appetit
• NBC News
• Majesty Coffee

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.