Discover the Best Espresso Machines for Every Skill Level in 2026

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1. Finally, a does-it-all grinder for a reasonable price. *** Final Update***I have now been using this grinder for close to 2 years. I have also purchased a Vario-W in order to grind by weight as I thought that would help with my consistency while making espresso; however, I will be honest, I now use the Vario for Drip and Press and use the Encore exclusively for espresso. I’m sure the Vario would work just as well (probably better) but I have found the right setting, tamp pressure, etc that makes the coffee I like using the Encore, so why mess with a good thing? I mention that for the benifit of those thinking this might not be a good espresso grinder. While I am aware that there are other pro-sumer models available, this one has been great. It does not have a large range of usable settings for espresso, but with varying tamp pressure, you should be able to get what you are looking for. A quick story about Baratza’s customer support: a few months ago I noticed that my grind was suddenly too course and my shots were flowing way to fast. Since the grinder was well outside of its one-year warrany, I took it apart and found that the insides had been severely damaged. I had just moved form Washington State to Alabama and I am sure the damage was due to the poor packing and handling my goods received from our movers. (A story for another day). Anyway, as I mentioned somewhere below in one of my earlier reviews, Baratza sells pieces to replace your grinder should you need them. I needed a new ring assembly that holds the actual grinder teeth in place (consisting of several pieces) and even a new internal housing to remount the motor as some of the mounts had been broken (probably from the movers throwing my things). I was surprised to see everyting I needed was actually available to the consumer on their website – no annoying calls to convince someone to sell me those pieces. While I was at it, I decided I would also replace some other pieces that I figured wouldn’t hurt – all in all I was looking at around $30 to rebuild my grinder like new. I was pretty excited about the prices. I emailed Baratza and told them my story and asked if they had any guides or schematics to help me in the rebuild. Within a day, I recieved a reply from Baratza and they told me I shouldn’t have such an extensive failure with my unit in such a short time of owning it and they told me they had canceled my order and were shipping me a NEW grinder – and to please return the broken one in the box along with a prepaid shipping label they provided!!! I wrote back and explained that my grinder was no longer under warranty and the damages were due to mishandling: not a manufacturing defect – I thought someone had misunderstood me. They wrote back and said they were sorry my grinder was broken by the movers and they were happy to replace it! I couldn’t believe it – they sent me another grinder with no payment from me and simply trusted me to return the broken one. When I got the new grinder I noticed the grind settings were different from the earlier one – I had read they tuend it up for better espresso performance and they did – before I was unable to “choke” my Quickmill Silvano – now if I use a setting below 6, it chokes up. I find settings 6-8 work the best for espresso, 18-24 for drip/pour-over and 30-35 for French Press. Of course, that is all highly subjective and your mileage may vary, but if you are new to the Encore, perhaps that will give you a “ballpark” to work with. Anyway, since that day about 5 months ago, I’ve continued using my Encore and am very pleased with it. I highly recommend it for its performance, simplicity (sometimes simple is better) and the customer support the Baratza team provided.*** 1 Year Update***I have been using this grinder multiple times per day for a year now and so far I have NO problems to report. It still grinds just as well as it did on day one, the burrs are still sharp and I still love this grinder. I have no doubt I made the right purchase and I am glad I didn’t opt for the “fancy” lcd models with the automated grind features; to me all those extra bells & whistles = more that could break. If I were to upgrade, it would be for a unit in another “class”; perhaps the Vario, but that is several $100 more and I don’t see any reason to do so at this time. I will add that there is a 1 star review on this site that complains about larger beans not feeding through the hopper. Initially, I thought it sounded silly; however, not long ago, I roasted a batch of beans much darker than usual (VERY VERY dark roast), resulting in the beans being about 1 1/2 times their usual size. While grinding, I noticed that about 4 beans got lodged between the hopper and burrs. I tapped the side of the unit a few times and the final beans fed through the hopper. I had this happen two or three times. So, I suppose if you habitually use a bean that is much larger than your typical coffee bean, you might have an issue. Just search through the 1 star reviews for more details (at the time of this update, there was only one 1 star review).Summary: fantastic grinder for an excellent price makes this a best buy in my book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a serious coffee drinker.***Update***I’ve been using this grinder daily for almost 4 months, grinding enough for about 12 cups each day (maybe more on weekends). I usually use it early morning, afternoon and evening. I grind mainly for drip and espresso, occasionally for French press or pour-over. I still have no complaints with this grinder: I believe I made the right choice between this and fancier LCD options. I’ve ground for a 12 cup pot on numerous occasions when company comes over, and it never overheats or bogs or slows down- I don’t think it notices if you’re grinding for 1 cup or 12! Everything is solid and the burrs are still sharp as ever. Once a month I disassemble it to give it a good cleaning. It doesn’t seem to retain much grinds in the chamber. My only gripe is the static build up after grinding can make a mess when you pull out the grind chamber: there are enough grinds clinging to the exit chute to scatter on the counter if you’re not careful (to be fair, this is a common problem plaguing all burr grinders). But really I don’t even notice that anymore, after a couple weeks you develop your own routine on how to deal with it and it ceases being an issue. I tend to grind, prep the coffee pot/filter to give the static time to discharge, then I give it a solid knock or two on the side and front before taking out the chute (thankfully this is a VERY solid grinder). It might sound tedious, but I actually had to sit here and think about it because it’s simply second nature now and I don’t even notice doing it. The only time I notice the problem is when someone else uses the grinder who isn’t aware of the “technique”.Another great feature is that baratza sells every piece imaginable should you ever have a problem in the future: right down to a new motor or exterior knobs! All the pieces seemed priced appropriately. So while this may not be important to some, I like knowing that should the need arise, my equipment is completely serviceable. So I guess when the day comes that I need new burrs, I won’t be shopping for another grinder, but paying a small sum for a new set of burrs. I didn’t find that option on many of the other units I shopped around for. Ultimately, I still completely recommend this grinder and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone who wants quality, affordability and versatility all rolled into a single package!***Original Review***I’ve been looking for a grinder that I could use with my current espresso machine (pressurized portafilter), drip coffee pot, and french press and would also allow me to grow into a more expensive espresso machine (i.e. the Rancilio Silvia or Quickmill Silvano). I was looking at the Rocky grinder, the Baratza Vario and Virtuoso Preciso, the Breville Smart Grinder, et al. Then I came along the Encore which I believe is new for 2012. I read several “professional” reviews and even saw some video reviews where the Encore was able to “choke” the Silvia at around grind setting “6”. If you aren’t aware, the Maestro and Maestro Plus (which the Encore replaces) weren’t able to grind fine enough to choke the Silvia straight from the factory. Although this grinder isn’t “stepless” (you have a larger variance from one “click” to the next when adjusting the grind setting, you still get 40 settings which are plenty for any home grinder. With a little tamping technique, this grinder will work fine for any espresso machine – not my opinion – the “pros” opinion. I am currently using it with my pressurized espresso machine, my drip pot and the occasional pour over and french press. It works great for them all! While it doesn’t perform as well (or so I’ve read) as the Preciso or other high-end grinders, the fact that you can even begin to compare them speaks volumes for Baratza. I believe that currently there is NO other grinder on the market that can stand next to this one in terms of quality & versatility within the price range. Maybe the Breville Smart Grinder, but it still costs 50% more, I don’t like the LCD display and I’ve heard (no practical experience) from several sources that Breville customer service is not quite up to par. If any of you out there care, the Baratza Maestro and Maestro Plus were already popular grinders and Baratza completely over-hauled it and produced the Encore – it offers WAY more at the same price. I’m sorry if this sounds like I’m selling the Baratza name, but this is the first of their products I’ve owned – I’m just impressed they did this with the Encore. So often a company produces a 2nd iteration of a product with lesser features or cheaper quality parts. Check it out for yourself, the innards are improved for better durability along with the burrs for a more consistent and fine grind! WOW…who does that?!Oh, and the first time I used it my wife was in the other room (separated by an open doorway) and she was shocked to find I had used it without her hearing it! Maybe when I close the door and begin my 5am grinding I won’t wake the kids!The only con (which I’ve heard is not an uncommon problem with this type of grinder) is that when I remove the grind container and IF I accidentally knock the grinder, leftover grinds can fall from the chute onto the counter. I have a Dustbuster within arms reach of the grinder so it’s no big deal, but if I didn’t, it might aggravate me.I’m so glad I bought this and not one of the other many many brands I researched for months. I completely recommend it.

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2. Great little machine that’s good for a year of daily use (see durability update at end). The fact that you’re reading this review means that you’re looking for an espresso machine (yeah, I know – duh). The fact that you’re looking for an espresso machine means that you probably want either the convenience of making fun little coffee drinks at home, and/or you want to save money because you’ve been spending a significant portion of your disposable income on similar concoctions at the overpriced coffee house down the street. To which concern I can most assuredly relate – we have the misfortune to live half a block from what is arguably the best coffee shop in Seattle, and I don’t even want to think how much of the owner’s retirement fund has come out of my pocket. Good thing he’s a friend.So anyway, here you are on Amazon, trying to filter – ha ha, please note clever pun – through the endless product choices, which range from cheapo plastic crap to espresso machines so expensive and complicated that you wonder if you’ll need a degree in engineering to operate them. Your head is getting ready to explode as you read about things like burr grinders, with some Amazonians subtly implying that if you don’t use one of these for your home-roasted gourmet coffee beans – the ones you import weekly on a private jet from an exclusive estate in the Ethiopian Highlands – then your intellect must compare unfavorably with that of certain lower primates. And then there are the reviews that provide detailed instructions regarding this or that machine’s temperamental foibles and intolerance of idiots, advising you sternly that if you don’t do X, Y and Z in a very particular order, accompanied by ritual chanting and animal sacrifice, your $2000 espresso machine will never perform in the optimal way.Or so it sure seems sometimes.So here’s the key question: WHY do you want an espresso machine? Do you truly want to become an espresso master, the envy and talk of all your Yuppie friends (“Wow, Bob has a Lockheed-Martin X-320 Parisian-Bistro-Espresso Cafe Super-System with built-in burr grinder and rocket launch module, and he sure knows how to use it!”) Or do you just want a machine that costs (way) under a thousand bucks that’ll make a tasty latté or cappuccino in the morning, and in so doing save you from supporting your local coffee shop owner’s boat payments?If it’s the latter, then I humbly recommend this fine little machine. It’s easy to set up, and if one uses decent ground espresso (for the record, I use Lavazza) it makes excellent coffee drinks with a minimum of fuss. You don’t need to fiddle with frothing yourself – just hit the right buttons and it will turn out coffee that will have you saying “Mmm, that’s good!” before you proceed with your day. Unless, of course, you’re a coffee snob who wouldn’t dream of using anything smacking of “automatic” that doesn’t involve multiple complex steps, a $300 grinder, manual frothing, a degree in engineering and animal sacrifices. But then if you’re that person you’re probably not looking at this machine.Put the machine through a clean cycle regularly, and DO delime it at least once in a while. It’s a tedious procedure but not doing so may affect performance (we had some issues a few months in and deliming fixed them).Do follow the setup instructions carefully, especially with regard to priming the machine the first time. And don’t do what I did, which is to wonder why nothing was happening – specifically, why no water was coming out – and then finally notice the sticker on the back of the water tank that said “Remove plastic plug before use”.Duh.UPDATE, SEPTEMBER 2021: we have now owned several of these machines over a period of 8 years, so I can tell you with confidence about their durability. Bottom line: they’re good for about a year of daily use.Eventually, the frother stops working well. Despite deliming, it will have a harder time getting up to pressure and producing froth. Eventually it ceases to be functional. Since there’s a one-year warranty, you might want to trigger that before the year is up – we did that with a previous machine and Mr Coffee’s customer service was terrific – they immediately sent us a new machine for free. So, basically, you get two years of use out of one purchase.Key point: despite the durability issue, this machine has saved us a ton of money and I’d still highly recommend it (and will likely buy another when our current one dies next year).P.S. As some others have noted, the reservoir sometimes leaks water; we had this on one unit. My stupid but effective solution to this was to insert a strip of thin cardboard (part of the flap of a small cardboard box works) between the machine and the reservoir (i.e. behind the reservoir). Apparently this “pushes” the reservoir back enough to set it right, and it fixed the issue.

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3. TIPS THAT WORK! From an average person, not a barista. I’ll give tips after a little background info, what wasn’t right and what customer service said to do, that WORKED!First off my background. I am not, nor have I every been a barista. I am an average person who likes mochas from the coffee shop, but I live 80 miles from town, so I don’t get them very often and wanted to try making them at home. This is my first espresso machine. I read a lot of blogs and watched online videos from real baristas giving tips how to make good espresso drinks at home before purchasing this. I got this thing and things didn’t taste right to me, bitter. So I did more research and figured out the problem, it wasn’t heating up well. I checked temperature and it was only getting to 157*F on average (too cold) and took 14-15 seconds to make one shot (too fast). NOT what the online advice says you need. Online advice says 170-180*F and 27-30 seconds is about right. So I called Mr Coffee for help before I sent it back to Amazon. GLAD I did.The call: In short, customer service told me to run a cleaning cycle per directions from page 16 in the user manual. Which is 1/2 tank of white vinegar, hit the button for double shot. Repeat as many times as you need. Also run a cleaning cycle through the milk dispenser. My thought was, “what the heck, its a new machine! I did the priming as directed before use, how can it be dirty?” But I had to give it a try or send it back. Well I’ll be go to heck, it WORKED!While directions said you only need to run it few times. I had the time, so I ran the whole 1/2 tank white vinegar through (double shot at at a time) since I has to toss the vinegar anyway, so why not really clean it eh? Anyway, after a couple times running the double shot espresso button the temperature went from consistent 157*F to 175-182*F. Wahoo! It seemed to matter how long I let it warm up between shots. Running two times consecutively got the 175-177*, which is just what you want. Letting it sit and warm up a few minutes before runs got it 180-184*, which is getting a little too hot. BTW, I was using a good quality quick, calibrated thermometer that I use for caramel making, which is a very exacting process to do right. So I figured it could accurately measure the espresso before it cooled from air temperature, which by the way is mere seconds I found out.NOTE: The higher temperature is NOT for drinking comfort (how hot you like it) it is what the espresso NEEDS to properly extract and not be bitter. You can let it sit a few minutes if you don’t like it that hot, personally I don’t want a burned tongue, so I wait a little. Coming out of the machine perfect drinking temperature is NOT a good thing.SECOND NOTE: Running the vinegar through is NOT descaling, it is cleaning. Descaling is something else you do, read the manual on how. The vinegar clean is NOT priming, it is cleaning. Don’t know why you need to clean the new machine in addition to priming, but DO it anyway. Make sure to rinse the reservoir out, then run some PLAIN water through to remove the vinegar afterwards, do it as many times as it takes to get the smell out, mine took a full reservoir. Honestly though it’s faster shipping it back and waiting for a replacement machine because it doesn’t get hot enough, this WORKS.When I first got it, as I said it was taking 14-15 seconds to run the shots through. During the cleaning process they got longer and longer. Now that it’s clean, it’s about 28-30 seconds. Again, just what you want. I use my cell phone stop watch feature to be accurate.In summary, based on what I’ve read and how I got it to work well, at least for “normal” person standards. This a good machine. Here’s my TIPS TO GET IT WORKING RIGHT:1. Learn to grind grounds well. Do NOT buy pre-ground, buy beans and grind them yourself. It has to do with when the oil is release one how well it works. If you are going to the trouble to use a machine like this (rather than just normal a coffee machine) you can go to the effort to grind as well, it’s just part of the process.You can use the hand held cone burr grinders for the most accurate fine ground. Or you can spend a bundle on an electric burr grinder. From what I read, you REALLY do need to get a good one if you go electric. In fact that is almost more important than the machine they say. Inconsistent size of grounds will yield inconsistent shots. Too fine (Turkish grind, which is like flour) and it clogs the filter making the machine unable to push all the water through. Too course (regular coffee machine grind) and the water goes through too fast making it bitter. Espresso grind has to be the consistency of table salt.I’m cheap, so using the hand grinder does work and I advise it for other cheap people. However, in the morning I am cranky and impatient, I’m also lazy, so I’ve ordered a couple different electric burr grinders to see if that works as well. I plan to return which ever (or both) that don’t grind as the espresso NEEDS (good ol Amazon prime and their return policies). No, I did not take the online baristas advice and buy a $200 burr grinder (I am cheap after all), but I did spend about $50 on a burr grinder and $20 on a blade style. Will update when I have decided what works or not, which I kept or if I end up just doing the hand grind.2. Learn how full to fill the cup. At least to the top of the rim, or a little higher. You want the end result about 1/8-1/4″ from the top. The amount in the cup DOES matter.3. Learn how to pack your grounds to 30lbs of pressure. How to do that, put your bathroom scale on the counter. Use your tamper to push until you get the feel of 30lbs pressure. Repeat several times until you can push it pretty accurately. This is very important. Also, but a metal tamper, the plastic one isn’t sturdy enough for 30 lbs pressure, it bents and packs unevenly. You can get metal tampers cheap, it’s worth it.4. Before you make your cup each morning, warm the machine as directions indicate, but ALSO run a shot of plain water through first. The second time through will be hotter, and it only takes 30 seconds.5. Even though it’s a new machine, and you did the priming as the manual says, run 1/2 tank of white vinegar through it (directions on page 16 of manual) and it will make a tremendous difference. Don’t argue, just do it.6. You can open the lid and fill the reservoir with it ON the machine with a pitcher if taking it on and off is too hard.NOTE: I did NOT receive this at a discount in exchange for an honest review. This is a good machine for the average espresso based specialty coffee drinker. I gave it a full 5 stars because it’s pretty idiot proof (I’m not the most mechanical person) and it makes mochas that are pretty darn good in my average persons opinion. I have no idea what a real coffee expert would say, and really, shouldn’t they have a professional machine anyway? […]

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4. Excellent! Beautiful and sturdy. I’ve been using this French press every morning for 9.5 months now and it looks like new. It has exceeded my expectations. It is very well built, sturdy, very nice looking, and keeps my coffee warm until I am done. (Admittedly, it doesn’t take me long to get through this amount of coffee.) I had been thinking of getting a traditional glass French press, but was worried about my clumsy self breaking it. Every month or so, I might need to tighten the screw connection, but that has been all! It cleans up easily.Although I wouldn’t be classified as a coffee connoisseur, I know what I like. I like a rather strong, full bodied coffee with nuanced flavors shining through. I love the coffee I make with this press. I don’t think I ever made a bitter cup with this press.I have the 23oz, polished stainless steel version. The water boiler I have boils 500mL, which is a perfect amount for the 23oz press. When full of grounds and the 500mL of water, there is still enough room between the liquid level and the bottom of the pouring spout. I can press the plunger to the top of the liquid so that when I move it around while brewing, liquid doesn’t slosh out of the press. With this amount of liquid, I’ve never had a problem with coffee splashing out the spout while pressing the plunger down.I was skeptical about French presses. I’m not a big fan of scooping out wet coffee grounds, but I have gotten used to it. This is now my only coffee making gadget. I gave away my Keurig and I’m forever done with my old machines needing filters. The bar was high for me to be happy with this press, given it’s high price. It was worth every penny.

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5. Premium, easy-to-clean french press. First of all, I got the 17oz brushed option. In my experience, glass presses tend to break easily. This stainless steel model is durable, and the double-wall insulation keeps it hot while brewing. I think this was the only 17oz press I found that came in a brushed finish. Not a fan of mirror finishes.I got this because the decaf at my work tastes awful and needed a good way to make coffee for myself to fill my 16oz Joeveo mug. I wanted the smaller size for that reason, and it was important to keep it hot for the Joeveo insulation magic to work. Long story short, I am very satisfied. I did not notice any of the quality issues that other reviewers noted. The welds look clean and nice. It has a premium look and feel. It’s easy to clean. There’s a bit of friction when actually pressing it, but I assume this is because it’s stainless steel, as I’ve only used glass presses before. I use hot water from the coffee maker at work, and the press keeps it plenty hot while brewing. I can’t vouch for now long it keeps it hot after that, as I’m not interested in letting it sit in there with the grounds. I have not noticed any grounds in the coffee yet, and I’m not even using coarse grounds like you’re supposed to with presses. I’m still experimenting with different grounds, but it’s already way better than the drip decaf provided at work. One thing worth noting is that I drink black coffee so as not to add calories to it. The quality of coffee and brewing is more important when drinking it black, otherwise it is harsh and bitter.One thing to note is not to fill it past the bottom of the pouring spout. If you do, scalding liquid will squirt out when you put the cap on. It also can cause some grounds to make it around the filter. I noticed that it doesn’t make quite enough coffee to fill my 16oz Joeveo mug completely even though it says 17oz. I’m thinking either it’s 17oz counting some unusable volume, or the Joeveo mug is a bit larger than 16oz. In any case, it almost fills it, and I like the small size, so I am satisfied. I don’t think I would want the 23oz or 36oz options for this particular application.

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6. Replacement machine works like a dream… paid for itself in less than 6 months. Update 9/19/2020– The machine continues to may fantastic coffee. Enjoying some right now. One of our most used small appliances during the pandemic. Will never go back to SB again. It compares very poorly to what I can make at home now. Have run the descale cycle once because the light turned on, but I think it is set to turn on at a certain number of cycles rather than based on actual scale build up since we use RO water and scale build up is minimal. In any case, certainly does not hurt. Another tip I’ve got is to get yourself some disposable earplugs and set them next to the machine. The decibels during steaming can be really high and they hurt my ears. I also keep a quick read thermometer on the machine to know when my steamed milk is at the temp I like.Update 6/17/2020: This has ended up being one of my favorite birthday presents I gotten in years. Prior to owning the machine my family had a $100/week Starbucks habit. Since purchasing this machine 4 months ago, we’ve spent maybe $40 at SB. With COVID19, we’ve been at home and using this machine several times per day. The coffee it makes has only gotten better as we’ve learned to calibrate it. It has more than paid for itself in a few short months. It is well designed. We drink mostly Americanos so the hot water dispenser with automatic shut off is one of my favorite features. We were able to reprogram the machine to raise the water temperature very easily. The only glitches have come with the grinder which is a bit temperamental with certain beans, but these have been minor. The coffee the machine produces is delicious with a good amount of crema. I run a cleaning table through the machine about once per month, but because we have a reverse osmosis filter on our tap, we have had no need to descale. I highly recommend using reverse osmosis filtered water in the machine to cut down on internal build up. The machine is fairly easy to clean and has a lot of nice touches like the little float indicator that tells you when you need to empty the drip tray. We also like the ability to calibrate shots. I am raising our review from 4 to 5 stars since it seems that our poor experience with the first machine we received was just luck of the draw and we really have no complaints with our current machine. It is wonderful!Update: 2/18/2020 Amazon agreed to swap out the lemon (see original review below) for a new Breville Barista Express. It arrived today. I set it up and ran two cleaning tablets (3 cleaning cycles) before I even tried to make my first cup of espresso. I let the machine warm completely and set the grind size at 5 as suggested. Pulled my first shot and the new machine performed perfectly with the pressure reaching and staying in the middle of the gray extracting zone as it should. The shot was smooth with beautiful crema. I took the opportunity to program this shot so that it would be exactly 1 oz using my little espresso cup. I then pulled a double shot and did the same thing programming the machine to fill two of my espresso cups. Again the pressure was perfect at the level 5 grind size setting and the coffee is absolutely delicious with a beautiful smooth crema. Apparently the first machine I received was a dud. I’m glad Amazon allowed me to swap and will be sending the old one back tomorrow. I’ve changed my rating from 1 to 4 stars. If the new machine continues to perform as it did in its maiden voyage, I will revisit the rating and perhaps raise it to 5 stars. I highly recommend that anyone who buys one of these start off with a couple of clean/descale cycles before trying to make coffee. Save yourself a headache and a lot of wasted coffee.Pros: Very attractive and sturdy. The hot water dispenser is super convenient for making Americanos which is what I drink. I now don’t have to heat up a separate kettle of hot water. It’s great. The built-in grinder is really nice and its automatic function that also allows manual operation is convenient. The programmable temperature and shot amount adjustments are great.Cons: Because it takes so much water to keep the machine clean and operating well (it flushes itself after each use of steam or hot water) the water receptacle has to be refilled OFTEN (around every 3-4 coffees for me). I wish the machine had a bigger water tank. The drip tray also needs to be changed fairly often because the machine flushes itself, but this is does not bother me as much and it is not as often as the water tank. The grinder amounts tend to fluctuate and I’m still trying to figure out what adjustments or cleaning will might fix this. I’m not impressed with their customer service. When I tried to get help for the first unit I purchased (which ended up being defective), it took a couple of days to get a response and then that was an email with the exact same information contained in the user’s manual (I guess the assumption was that I had not read it) along with a flat dismissal that there could be anything wrong with the machine. Thankfully, Amazon dealt with the problem quickly by replacing the machine so I did not have to rely on Breville. I hope that I have a better response if I ever need to contact Breville in the future.Original review:I’ve wasted almost a pound of coffee over the past day trying to get the pressure on this machine to the “espresso” level that the instructions say is required. The machine will not go beyond the “pre infusion” level. I have cleaned it with the cleaning tablet as suggested in some of the reviews and I have adjusted the grind fineness and grind amount to every combination I can think of. Both settings are currently at the maximum levels. I’ve tamped the coffee harder and also used less pressure. NOTHING works. Like I said, I grew up with espresso as it is a daily drink in my culture. When I was little, my mom made it a the little stovetop espresso pot. My last espresso maker was a $79 Mr. Coffee that lasted almost 7 years and made very decent coffee with a nice crema everytime. No fuss. Then it finally broke and I can’t find that model. I didn’t want the new models with milk receptacles. Yuck! Anyway, I thought, well if I’m going to spend over $200 on Mr. Coffee, why not just splurge and get the Breville. The coffee I’ve so far gotten from this machine is thin and acidic and has almost no crema. As I’ve said, I have tried everything suggested. The pressure gage only reached the correct level on two shots after I had just cleaned it and then it went back to barely registering. IT SHOULD NOT BE THIS DIFFICULT TO MAKE A DECENT CUP OF COFFEE! Right now I feel like all these 5 star reviews are a product of the psychological phenomenon that happens with very expensive wine, where people report it tastes better because they don’t want to seem stupid for paying so much and not liking it. I will update if it turns out I’m just missing the magic key to having this thing not be a ridiculously expensive pain in my coffee loving butt. But I’m not feeling hopeful.

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7. The BEST Espresso Machine in the PRICE RANGE. I’ve been enjoying coffee for almost sixty years.I’ve worked as a barista in my early twenties. I know my way around coffee; particularly when selecting beans; the roast; how to get the best grind using the best grinder; how to achieve the best cup of coffee using almost every conceivable method and device.These days I am prefer a delicious, smooth-bodied, crema-rich cappuccino when I wake up. Unfortunately, health concerns have limited me to just one cup of coffee a day, so I make damn sure I enjoy the best tasting espresso or cappuccino every morning.Ordinarily, I would have been using my time-tested and still reliable 1968 La Pavoni espresso machine. This machine took me over a year to master and once I had it down, no other espresso machine even came close to pulling the finest tasting espresso or caps you could drink.But the La Pavoni is a bulky and intensively time-consuming machine to use; especially in the morning once you’re out of bed and your brain still isn’t operating at 100% until AFTER you’ve enjoyed your coffee.I needed to find and purchase an interim type of counter-type of espresso machine. Oh, I will still use my La Pavoni for that special occasion, because there still isn’t, in my opinion, a machine that can produce a finer tasting espresso or cappuccino than the La Pavoni.After about a month of intensive research, which included reading and evaluating every review and recommendation I could find, the Gaggia Classic Pro is the model that kept coming up as the best in its price range EVERYWHERE.And then I started looking at the Youtube videos. Almost to a video, it was the Gaggia Classic Pro that was heralded as THE espresso machine to buy in its price range. And another surprise: the Gaggia Classic Pro had been receiving this endorsement going back decades.Another big plus: Gaggia is an Italian company that has the inside scoop on coffee…that’s all they do. They make coffee machines.I decided to purchase the Gaggia Classic Pro…and man oh man was this ever the right choice.It did take a couple of tries, even from this seasoned user, to appreciate all the ins and outs of this machine. The machine is far more sophisticated than it looks.But can it produce a satisfying espresso or cappuccino? And can it steam or foam up milk like no one’s business (providing you know what you’re doing and you don’t scald your milk…and especially if you have a talent making espresso art)?I only use bottled water so as not to build up sediment inside the machine. I like to keep my equipment cleaned, well maintained, and operational at all times. You need to understand how this machine is put together in order to master all of its secrets.My suggestion is: check out the HUGE volume of Gaggia Classic Pro Youtube videos online. They will teach you everything you need to know in order to get your Gaggia to produce the type of enjoyable espresso or cappuccino you like. But you do need to understand how the boiler and the rest of the components work together if you really want to achieve the finest results from the Gaggia Classic Pro.I have paired my Gaggia Classic Pro with the latest model of Baratza’s burr grinders in order to affect the perfect grind of the whole beans I use. And, by the way, I grind only the amount of beans I need for that morning’s coffee. The balance of my 1Lb once a month purchase of whole beans are kept in a sealed, but valved container in order to release the CO^2 that coffee beans give off.I set the burrs to the finest possible grind setting. I have found with the Gaggia Classic Pro, one of the secrets is to NOT tamp down the coffee to the point of a severe compression. Make sure the amount of coffee is evenly dispersed and then lightly tamp it down. Don’t forget to run hot water through the group head in order to preheat it.I also recommend purchasing an inexpensive hand held timer. You’ll need it. You’ll understand why after viewing many of the Youtube videos featured about the Gaggia Classic Pro.When you’re ready to make your cup, place a preheated cup under the group head and let ‘er rip. When the light goes off, press the OFF button. Then follow the Youtube recommendations for using the steam wand, otherwise you will run out of pressure before you obtain the type of steamed or foamed milk you need.And make sure you clean off the steam wand IMMEDIATELY after use and then let a blast of steam go through the wand to unclog it on its inside. And always use bottled water. NEVER use tap water with a Gaggia Classic Pro.If you do, your machine will die an early death in a couple of years instead of lasting a couple of decades.I recommend the Gaggia Classic Pro with a full five star rating. It is, without any doubt, the finest espresso machine anyone can purchase in this price range. It offers superior workmanship made from superior components and materials; it is a remarkably well-engineered device; it is an attractive model to place on your kitchen counter; it is easy to clean and maintain; and it will produce for you the tastiest espressos and cappuccinos at home for you to enjoy.

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8. UPDATED REVIEW – My Favorite purchase in the past 3 years. Updated Review for the De’longhi Stilosa Espresso MachineThis is an update to my previous review. I have had my machine for several months now and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! BEST PURCHASE I HAVE MADE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.There definitely is a learning curve if you are new to this, so it is trial and error on some things like:- how hard to tamp the ground espresso- not to overload the portafilter.- how much an ounce or two ounces is when pulling a shot- when to stop the shot because it is not automated- the ratio of milk to espresso to get the best taste for my preferences.I am obsessed with this machine! I drink lattes almost every day now instead of once or twice a month because of cost and having to go find a Starbucks.If you are new to espresso machines like I was it is a good idea to watch youtube videos, measure things properly like ounces of grind vs ounces of espresso shot, until you get used to it.But I have learned how to use this machine and can just eye amounts and get a perfect shot of espresso.I had to find a good decaffeinated espresso bean because I can’t have caffeine. I found a great brand here on amazon Allegro Decaff organic espresso beans.I am so glad I splurged and bought this.ORIGINAL REVIEWI love my new De’longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine.The Good…1. Price Point is Great ..This will pay for itself within a year by making lattes at home instead of going to starbucks2. Very Basic Machine for beginners easy to understand how it works…plus there are youtube videos on how this machine works.3. I don’t have to leave the house for a latte!4. It seems to be really well made and good qualityCONS1. It doesn’t come with the espresso shot glasses or the milk frothing cup so you have to buy these seperatly.2. the tamper included is really just a piece of plastic and a waste so you need to buy one..and it really does affect how your espresso comes out. so buy a good one3. The machine is NOT AUTOMATED! what does this mean???This means you cannot just touch a button and a shot of espresso comes out & your done…NO.. You have to start the espresso drip and watch it to see when you need to turn it off. otherwise it will just keep dripping through like coffee and you will ruin your shot of espresso. Learning how to pull an espresso shot and timing it and guessing when it is done is a learning process.It seems to me that it should be automated. That would be a basic requirement for me.if I had known it was not automated I probably would not have bought it. I don’t even know if higher end machines have an automated system or not, but as a beginner it would have been really great to have.OVERALL-Good PurchaseSo it takes practice learning to pull a shot of espresso, getting the best grind of beans, tamping it down, how much water to use…It’s a whole process, but it is fun to learn. There is a lot more involved than I realized. I made 5 shots before I started to get the timing and measurements right. I hope to continue to get better at this, and it was a great birthday gift to myself.

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9. The Creme de la Crema of Espresso Machines. The best pro-sumer machine on the market, in my opinion. If you love espresso and making your own espresso drinks the Sylvia Pro represents the best value for a pro-sumer machine.It has 2 boilers, one for espresso and one for steam, so there’s no waiting for a single boiler to heat up or cool down. Plus, you can make plain espressos and leave the steam boiler turned off if you want.It’s a very well-built, heavy-duty machine for serious coffee lovers. If you’re a Keurig-type person you’ll hate it because it requires some (limited) skill to operate.You can individually set the brewing and steaming temperatures to your preference. It also features pre-infusion – you can set it to pre-wet the coffee for 1 to 6 seconds before the pump kicks in.You’ll also need a high-quality burr grinder to go with the Sylvia Pro to take advantage of its superior quality. In order to pull great shots you need a very consistent grind.Previously I had a Gaggia Pro single boiler machine, and it made perfectly acceptable espresso, but you had to either pull the shot first and then wait for the boiler to heat up to steam OR steam the milk first and then purge the boiler to cool it down to pull the espresso shot. The steaming wand on the Sylvia Pro has 4 openings so it steams the milk much faster than the Gaggia Pro, more like a commercial unit.

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10. Frieling 36 OZ. French Press VS Cuisinart Coffee maker. We have been using 12 cup Cuisinart programmable coffee makers for over a decade. They work great. Pour the water into the top, put in a paper filter, put in coffee grounds and turn it on. In less than 5 minutes there is a half pot of coffee. Easy.So why buy a non mechanical French press, actually invented in Italy, and use it instead?One big reason. Coffee makers aren’t recyclable. When they stop working they go a landfill. Cuisinart doesn’t offer any advice on recycling them. If you take them to Best Buy or somewhere, they will charge you to recycle it. Same as with flat screen TV sets. Garbage.The press doesn’t heat the coffee, so a few tips. I pour the water I plan to make into coffee into a coffee mug first, and then pour the water into a glass Pyrex cup and put it in a microwave oven to heat the water to a boil. I scope the coffee grounds and put them into the bottom of the press. When the water is hot I pour it on top of the grounds and use a long handled ice tea spoon to stir up the mixture for a few minutes. Then I put the top of the press on with the plunger pulled all the way up. i wait a few minutes and press the plunger down slowly until it is at the bottom. Then I pour out a nice hot freshly brewed cup of coffee. No longer than what it take to brew in a coffee maker.The clean up of the grounds in the bottom of the press is easier if I pour water into the press and then pour the grounds into a strainer. I have a strainer basket in the sink drain on one side where we have a disposal to keep anything unwanted from falling into it. After a few more rinses of the press, it is clean of grounds. I rinse off the bottom of the plunger and the press is ready again to use. I simply take the strainer and dump the grounds into the garbage.TIP: Be careful not to unscrew the strainer from the plunger stem. I check mine every few times to make sure it is still on tight.I like the fact that the press has no electronic components and is stainless steel. Sturdy and well made. CR rated this brand high due to the strainer basket at the bottom and the carafe’s double wall which keeps coffee, or tea, hot. I prefer to make coffee in the press now. No need to buy coffee filters, or carbon filters for the water, or worry about breaking a glass carafe and disposing of a coffee maker.Though we still have the Cuisinart coffee maker, I never use it now.

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11. Great grinder with some nitpicks. UPDATE November 2, 2025:Within a week of posting the March update, I started to have trouble with the grinder. It would occasionally become sluggish or stop, but I could always get it restarted again. I’ve seen other reports of similar problems, but since the grinder continued to work, I carried on with it. Finally, about a month ago it completely died. Following some YT videos, I was able to disassemble the grinder to test the motor and other components. The short story is that the power board had died. I contacted Baratza support, and after a brief email conversation and me sending them photos of the power board, they sent me a replacement power board for free, even though the grinder was outside the 1-year warranty period. I installed the new power board, and the grinder is running again.As for why the board originally failed, I think I accidentally got coffee grounds inside the guts of the grinder while cleaning it. I can’t say for sure if that was the cause, the day after I cleaned it, I inverted it with some grinds in the hopper. The next day the problems started. Regardless, this review is now not just for the grinder, but for their support.UPDATE March 8, 2025:The grinder has been wonderful to use over the past year. I am changing my review to five stars.In addition to the star bump, there are three important updates, plus a comment:1) I upgraded the burr from the original “M3” burr to an M2 burr I ordered directly from Baratza (now Breville). I think it was worth the money.2) Lighter roasts do make for a slightly messier cleanup than darker roasts. My original review noted not having experienced much of that.3) Pay attention to your grinding. If it suddenly seems inconsistent, inspect the ring burr holder to make sure all three outer tabs are intact. These are plastic parts designed to break under load to protect the more important internal components. I highly recommend ordering spare holders. I have had two break in the past year, reasons unknown. It sucks to have your grinder down waiting for replacement parts to arrive.Finally, this grinder is not going to give you better coffee if there are problems besides the grinder you’re replacing. For me, I discovered the house water had been a secret roadblock to making good coffee at home. Once I realized how bad it was (cheap TDS meter purchased here on Amazon), I switched to using distilled water remineralized with Third Wave Water (also sold here on Amazon).ORIGINAL REVIEW:This is a “5-stars, but” review that makes me drop the rating to 4 stars. I’d give it 4 1/2 stars. Compared to the blade grinder I was using, though, it’s worth 10 stars.I ordered the Encore in March 2024, shipped from and sold by Amazon.com. I wanted to be sure of the sender, even if it might have saved a few dollars ordering from a different vendor.The first thing you have to do is to do some minor assembly, and you would think that should be easy to do. There is a fluted rubber gasket that would not stay seated on the ring burr, though, and I ended up tearing it even before making a single pot of coffee. I did some googling and found out that there’s a new version of the gasket that is supposed to be with newer Encores, so I’m not sure why mine had the old one. Regardless, I could have tried to obtain a replacement gasket either from Baratza or here, but I ended up ordering some aftermarket gaskets from Aieve (sold here on Amazon) that are a perfect match to Baratza’s new gasket. If you get an Encore and it comes with the new gasket, congrats on not having to deal with that headache.After getting it assembled, I followed another online recommendation to run a small batch of beans through the grinder as sort of a break-in. That worked fine.Since then, the grinder has performed admirably. It has been used nearly every day on a variety of dark and medium roasts. It hasn’t been especially staticky or messy. An occasional brushing of the chute and burrs is all I’ve needed to clean it out. I’ve been careful to keep the grounds below the line on the hopper, so I’ve avoided clogging it. I did buy some Urnex Grindz tablets, and I’ll be using them soon to give the internals a more thorough cleaning.As for the coffee itself, I’m not an expert, but it seems fairly consistent in grinds for drip and French press. Any failures on making a less-than-tasty batch of coffee are almost certainly my fault, not the grinder’s.Besides the finicky original gasket, the only complaint I have would be the noise. There are remedies for that, most notably upgrading the conical burr to the one found in the Virtuoso+ or Encore ESP, but I’m not ready to do that yet.Depending on who you ask, the lack of a timer on the Encore is either a curse or a blessing. I’m happy with it. I don’t store the coffee in the hopper. I weigh each batch of beans before pouring them in the hopper, so I just turn the grinder on and let it empty the hopper. You can tell by the noise level when the grinder is done, it’s significantly quieter. The resulting grounds have been the same weight as what I put in the hopper, so I know the grinder isn’t leaving large quantities of coffee behind.There are tons of videos on YouTube regarding the Encore. I recommend checking those out.

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12. I received a faulty machine and Cart2Globe did not replace it in India. They also do not give a warranty card, which is required to repair the machine in India. I wasted INR 25,000 on it and there was no accountability from the seller. Buy it at your own risk in India, at least. Really disappointed.

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13. My Journal to a perfect espresso. I love espresso. I had scheduled 3 weeks staycation to spend at home with my wife and she gave me her blessing to create my own barista station with anything I would like. My mission was to watch many videos and order from amazon all that was needed to accomplish this. I did manage to create a very functional setup.After many trials by ordering, trying and returning several items, I have concluded to the following listing, with categories as essential, nice to have and optional, along with my commentary.The reason of this review is to provide you my weeks of extensive research, review, testing and evaluation of several products and give you some options to consider. I’ll not make any money out of this neither get any benefit besides the satisfaction that I am able to help you.Essential: Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Evo Pro, Small, Brushed Stainless Steel ~ $399https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RQ3NL76No other espresso machine comes near to this most awesome qualifications for a home barista, reliability, longevity and quality than this little monster. If you can find it under $400, it is a steal. I appreciate the upgrades from the previous models and the excellent online resources that can guide you to the right direction. They are so many youtubers that can teach you how to use it properly. I am extremely happy with this purchase.Essential: CUISINART Coffee Grinder, Electric Burr One-Touch Automatic Grinder with18-Position Grind Selector, Stainless Steel, DBM-8P1 ~ $59.95https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00018RRRKI already owned this Grinder. It is working very well and with the following optional mod, you can make it to produce even finer grind. By accomplishing this, you can save $$$.Optional: Romeda Aluminum Tape, 2 inch x 65 Feet Foil Tape (3.9 mil), Insulation Adhesive Metal Tape, High Temperature Heavy Duty HVAC Tape, Silver Tape Aluminum Foil Tape for Ductwork, Dryer Vent, HVAC ~ $7.59https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BHWMSTDI found a way to mod my grinder (check online for a instructions of how to do that) using this Aluminum tape and produce finer espresso grind.Nice to have: 1LB – Patented Airtight Container | Multi-use Vacuum Container Works as Smell Proof Containers for Ground Coffee and Coffee Bean Containers. White Floral ~ $17.76https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RJZRMP8When I open a big bag of coffee, I use this container to hold all the excess.Essential: Coffee Gator Coffee Canister, Stainless Steel Airtight Coffee Containers for Ground Coffee with Date-Tracker, CO2-Release Valve, Measuring Scoop & Travel Jar – Medium, 16 oz, Silver ~ $17.99https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014HG645Mif you want to have fresh beans, you need a place to put them.Nice to have: Pyrex Prepware 1-Cup Measuring Cup, Clear with Red Measurements ~ $9.97https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CFMZNYou’ll find out that is nice to have a container to collect the water before you pull a shot from your machine and not using the drip tray. It is very versatile and can also be used to fill the machine with filter water from your refrigerator.Essential: Milk Frothing Pitcher 350ml/600ml/900ml/1500ml (12oz/20oz/32oz/50oz) Steaming Pitchers Stainless Steel Milk/Coffee/Cappuccino/Latte Art Barista Steam Pitchers Milk Jug Cup with Art Pen,12oz ~ $9.58https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KFYXTRRYou’ll use it every single time you pull a shot to get the steam out of the single boiler and also when you ready to froth milk.Nice to have: Empty Amber Glass Spray Bottles – 2 Pack – Each Large 16oz Refillable Bottle is Great for Essential Oils, Plants, Cleaning Solutions, Hair Mister – Durable Nozzle w/Fine Mist and Stream Setting ~ $19.98https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G98Y1BABefore I place the coffee beans into the grinder, I spay them by using this bottle with water and eliminate all the static that can be produced during the grinding process. I owned these bottles and was able to use them for that purpose. Of Course you can get a much smaller one…Essential: Transparent Dosing Cup 58mm, Antistatic Plastic Barista Coffee Powder Espresso Dosing Cup Sniffing Mug Powder Feeder Compatible with all 58mm Portafilter Baskets 58mm US ~ $7.99https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPSHY4GJAfter the grinding is over, I use this cup to measure 16g of grinded espresso beans on the digital scale and then add them on the portafilter (I do add the 51mm paper filter first).Essential: Greater Goods Digital Espresso & Coffee Scale – 750 x 0.1g, Mini Scale with 6 Units for Jewelry, Coins, Herbs, Food and Small Precise Things ~ $14.99https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SJTXGN7A perfect espresso shot is a measured espresso shot. The only way to know if you produce good coffee is by trying, adjusting, measuring and dialing your accessories. This little scale does everything that you needed for very well and is well worth it.Essential: 58mm Portafilter Funnel, Espresso Dosing Funnel with Magnetic, Lightweight Aluminum Espresso Funnel, 58mm Dosing Funnel ~ $8.97https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJJXPNQTAfter you place the grinded coffee from the measuring cup to the portafilter, you using this magnetic funnel to contain the coffee into the designated area.Essential: NEOUZA Coffee WDT Distribution Tool Accessories, Aluminum Handle, 0.4mm 6 Stainless Needles, Espresso Powder Stirrer ~ $9.99https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW3R282HEveryone is using this little tool to distribute the coffee and avoid channeling.Nice to have: Francis King Home Barista Espresso Tamping Station – Portafilter Stand for Single or Double Spout – Raised Tamp Mat – Essential Espresso Accessories ~ $9.99https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4VSBLZ2I made a decision to go to this inexpensive tamping station for two reasons. One that is just helps me handling the portafilter on an elevated and secure location and two that is pretty simple to clean and use. And yes, it was cheaper and goes with the aluminum style with the rest of the units on my setup.Essential: Normcore 58.5mm Coffee Tamper V4 – Spring-loaded Tamper with 15lb / 25lb / 30lbs Replacement Springs – Anodized Aluminum Handle and Stand – Stainless Steel Flat Base ~ $43.99https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BTLP4P1This is the final moment: The portafilter is on the tamping station after you have used all the prior tools and you ready to use your tamper. I have conteplated to use a distributor and never really appreciate what it does. I found that by tamping the portafilter left and right, it places the grind in position and by using this precise tamper it does the job fine. Yes, that tamper is very well made and it is no surpise that is #1 on sales and reviews. I insert the 58mm paper filter on the portafilter. I run for 4 sec the machine to get the water into the boiler and ready for extraction by wiping the head and then I insert the portafilter.Nice to have: Knock Box for Coffee Grounds – Innovative Barista Accessory with Improved Handling – Coffee Knock Box for Espresso Machine, Black ~ $19.95https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QTCXTK5You can either use this or a trash can or the glass pitcher after you completed your espresso shot. I found this unit very well build, great quality.Essential: Magnetic Hooks 304 Stainless Steel Hooks Heavy Duty Magnets Hanging Hooks for Refrigerator Grill Toolbox Cabins Outdoor,Cruise Essentials Camper Accessories,4pack(Silver,1.3in-2) ~ $16.99https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRL582NPI personally, like when is over, to have my portafilter hanging on the side of my machine. It is personal preference and that hook allows me to do that.Essential (Cleaning): Aieve Coffee Cleaning Brush Set, 7 Pcs Espresso Coffee Brush Kit includes Cleaning Towel, Wooden Coffee Grinder Brush, Nylon Brush for Coffee Pot, Pasta Maker ~ $9.59https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYGT9VVJWill use when most of these brushes when is time for cleaning, either your grinder, or the table or the machine. Haven’t use all of them yet.Essential (Cleaning): 58-Milimeter Backflush Insert, Metal ~ $5.97https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016C8ZO4Will use when is time for cleaning. Haven’t done that yet.Essential (Cleaning): Urnex Espresso Machine Cleaning Powder – 566 grams – Cafiza Professional Espresso Machine Cleaner ~ $16.98https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001418KNSWill use when is time for cleaning. Haven’t done that yet.Essential (Cleaning): Gaggia Decalcifier Descaler Solution 250ml (3 Bottles) ~ $16.95https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LIEI7TMWill use when is time for cleaning. Haven’t done that yet.Nice to have: Aieve Coffee Paper Filter Compatible with Breville Barista Espresso Coffee Maker, 58 mm Espresso Filter Puck Screen Portafilter Paper (400 Pcs) ~ $8.99https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5DP647FKeeps the head of the machine clean and helps with the distribution of the water. I prefer to use a paper filter vs a metal and that way I don’t have to chase it out of the puck bucket when is time for cleaning.Nice to have: Aieve Coffee Paper Filter Compatible with Breville Barista Espresso Coffee Maker, 400 Pcs 51 mm Espresso Filter Puck Screen Portafilter Paper ~ $7.99https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B5DPVDW7For the bottom of the portafilter. Will help with the distribution of the water, a sweeter taste easier cleanup.Nice to have: European Style Tea Coffee Cup Set Black Gold Gradual Vintage Ceramic Cup Coffee Mug With Spoon&Saucer Set Used for Latte, Americano, Cappuccino, Tea, Beer (2 pack) ~ $29.99https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093GS6J6RAfter all this hard work, it is nice to have something to appreciate your good coffee.Nice to have: Hobnail Glass Tumbler with Bamboo Lids and Straws, Borosilicate Iced Coffee Cup 22 oz/ 650ML for Smoothie Juice Hot and Cold Drinks ~ $17.98https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYGSWRHKWhen is time to make my fredo espresso or any other iced coffee style, that is my goto cup.Nice to have: Zulay Kitchen Executive Series Milk Frother Wand – Upgraded & Improved Stand – Ideal Coffee Gift – Coffee Frother Handheld Foam Maker For Lattes – Electric Milk Frother Handheld For Cappuccino ~ $19.99https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074ZL35DHTo use when is time to make a cold froth. I use it in conjuction with my milk frothing pitcher (after is placed on the freezer for couple minutes to get even colder temperature)Optional: UPKOCH 2Pcs Boxes filter paper storage box coffee station organizer for countertop coffee filter organizer espresso filter paper coffee filter case filter basket Italian plastic white ~ $9.49https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNSNMPPGIt is nice to have a place for the two 58 & 51 filters. The choice is yours if you want these boxes or another container.Optional: Flat Plug Power Strip, 6 Ft Ultra Thin Flat Extension Cord, 3 Outlets 3 USB Ports(2 USB C) Multi Plug Outlet Extender with No Surge Protector for Cruise Ship, Travel, Dorm Room Essentials ~ $9.99https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BM3K436MIt is nice to have all your appliances connected without showing all the cables around.Optional: Mind Reader 6 Compartment Upright Breakroom Coffee Condiment and Cup Storage Organizer, Black ~ $16.49https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0169ZDUSIVery nice organizer for all your essentials when you ready to go to work.Optional: Dish Drying Mats for Kitchen Counter Coffee Mat Under Sink Mats for Kitchen Waterproof Dish Mat Drying Kitchen Mat Bar Mats for Countertop Coffee Bar Accessories (Black A, 12″*14.5″) ~ $7.49https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B9B1NWH2It keeps the counter clean and your wife happy.Optional: DK177 Coffee Mat Coffee Bar Mat Hide Stain Absorbent Drying Mat with Waterproof Rubber Backing Fit Under Coffee Maker Coffee Machine Coffee Pot Espresso Machine Coffee Bar Accessories-19″x12″ ~ $7.98https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW7L7DSXLike the one above, after you hand wash some of the units, you can let them dry on this Mat before you put them away.Optional: 3 Pieces Kitchen Towel Hooks Round Adhesive Dish Towel Hook Premium Chrome Finish & Easy Installation Wall Mount Hand Towel Hook Ideal as Bathroom, Shower or Outdoor Towel Holders ~ $6.98https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099S55BD9Where do you want to have your towel placed? In your machine? In your counter? In the mat? or hanging? It is up to you.Optional: eufy by Anker, HomeVac H11,Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner,Ultra-Lightweight 1.2lbs,5500Pa Suction Power,USB Charging, for Home Cleaning ~ $59.99https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MQB9BF5From time to time, I find myself using a wetted paper towel to pick up what is left from the coffee grinds on the mats. This little and handy vacuum allowed me to keep my area clean and also connected to the power strip that is already there with the other units. Remember that keeping your area clean before, during and after your shot is complete, is very important.Hope you find this extensive review of various items helpful.Despite what you hear from many people about the boiler issues or other minor complains, this machine is amazing, it has past the test of time and will be reliable for years to come if you take care of it.I can tell you that by using it every day, I found myself more comfortable and happy with the results and my learning experience is awesome and wish you the same.Have a nice cup of coffee and enjoy a blessed day.Update Aug 8I have made some extra purchases and want to give you an update:Optional: Professional Espresso Distribution Tool – Adjustable Depth and Dual Head Coffee Tamper – Stainless Steel, Double-Sided Coffee Leveler – Espresso Machine Accessories (Gun Metal, 58.5mm) ~ $11.49https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM68DDYRI like this little unit that have a leveler and a heavy tamper all in one for an excellent price and didn’t want to skip. One think I like is that without placing extra pressure, the weight of the unit itself it adjust the pressure of the portafilter. So far is an excellent choice 2 for 1 and highly recommended.Optional: IMS 55 mm Precision Group Head Screen – GA 200 IM ~ $13.93https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WWM6O40Lots of reviews online recommended this screen for a better water flow. I did it but I cannot tell a difference so far.Optional: E&B Lab NT (NanoTech) Double Espresso Portafilter Basket 58mm Ridgeless (18) ~ $26.99https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BF7R2RXTSame like the previous item, i made the upgrade just because everyone says it is good filter. I haven’t notice a difference yet.Nice to have: Group Gasket-E61 (Red), Silicone, E61 8mm, SYNCHKG060251 ~ $6.04https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OX59S5QRecommended upgrade. It does make the installation of the portafilter on the head much easier and is a very cheap upgrade.Nice to have: Ibyx Elegant Sliding Tray for Your Coffee Maker & Heavy Kitchen Appliances – Patent Pending – Sturdy, Slides Easily from Under The Cabinet – Rolling Appliance Tray for Countertop with Wheels 16″x13″ ~ $39.99https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1KSG5Q5Recommended upgrade. It places the unit under my cabinets and when I want to fill the water, I just pull them out.Nice to have: Espresso Cup with Handle, Stainless Steel Espresso Accessories, Double Spout Metal Measuring Cup with Dual Scale, Espresso Shot pitcher with V-Shaped Mouth, 3.4OZ/100ML ~ $8.99https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLP441W8It is silver and a little cup that is nice to have when you make a cold coffee like a fredo espresso.

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14. Incredible value that makes good espresso with some hacks. If you are interested in learning about espresso but don’t want to shell out hundreds at this point then this machine is perfect.Check out Lance Hendrick’s YouTube video about this machine to understand why it is a good buy.Here are things I’ve learned for making great espresso with this machine:I. Do not use the pressurized portafilter that comes with the machine as is. You have two options: (1) remove the pressurization component (again see Hendrick’s video) and also pull out (with pliers) the black plastic funnel component leaving just the basket and filter screen inside the portafilter. See photo. (2) buy a regular 51mm non-pressurized portafilter to use instead. See photo. The only problem with (2) is that the fit might not be perfect and so you might get some leakage. That was my experience. Doing (2) for a while (leaks and all) was helpful to learn what good extraction should look like. You get down and watch how the espresso comes out. It should come out even and creamy. It should taste good. You experiment with grinds, beans, volume, tamping pressure till it gets there. Once I had things dialed in, I went back to (1) to avoid the occasional leakage. If you do (2) and there’s no leakage then you’re all set. (If you use the portafilter as-is out of the box you will get weak pseudo-espresso with fake crema from the pressurization.)II. Get a better tamper. The plastic one that comes with the machine is awkward and feels like it can break. You can see the one I use on the pic. It wasn’t expensive but it’s good quality. Good tamping is crucial to develop the right puck pressure with the coffee itself.III. Use freshly roasted coffee that is freshly ground for espresso. Freshness has been the biggest factor in getting tasty espresso. I bought a burr grinder on Amazon that was also pretty cheap but does espresso-fine grind. It’s worked well (although I recognize it may not have the longest lifespan, we’ll see). The key has been buying freshly roasted coffee. It doesn’t have to be the most expensive, just fresh. So if your Trader Joe’s moves its whole bean coffee quickly, you might be better off buying that than the bag of beans that’s been sitting around for a month at the fancy coffee shop. The difference is huge.IV. Keep things clean. After I pull a shot I take off the portafilter and run water through to flush out the residue from the machine head and wipe it with a sponge. Maybe once a month an unscrew the filter from the machine head and rinse it out. I knock out the espresso puck and rinse the portafilter thoroughly. The water should come out looking like an even shower, no lines or unevenness. It makes a difference for the espresso. Keeping things clean helps in getting good consistency.I don’t use the steam wand, so can’t comment on that.After dialing things in I am getting tasty espresso that is as good as most coffee shops or restaurants nearby. Of course if I want to treat myself I can go to one of the more exceptional coffee shops, but now I have a benchmark to know whether they are doing anything special.

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15. Great machine – hopefully my buy-it-for-life. Edited my review after speaking with support at Seattle Coffee (who are fantastic and responded super quickly – 10/10 service). The picture shows the drip tray cover, which I thought was printed/painted metal and thus unacceptable – they quickly cleared up that it is a protective film, and after picking away at an edge for a few minutes, it all started to peel off super easily and now looks just like the pictures! Very nice plastic/rubbery protective film, and easy to remove once it gets going!Onto the machine now that I can leave a more informed review – it’s great! Going through the menus reminds me a little of using my furnace/AC diagnostics, and I need to look codes up sometimes, but I’m glad it doesn’t require an app for anything. My only real complaint is that the timed turn-on is a timer, not a time of day, so I have to do the math every time. Might get a smart plug.You can set the steam and boiler temperature manually, and while I have no means to test the machine thoroughly, well-known reviewers have noted that it keeps perfect, consistent pressure and temperature, which is exactly what you need for espresso! The pressure gauge is nice to see that, not that I really use it when pulling. Also, the machine could push through much finer grinds than my last, to the point I needed to shim my grinder to get fine enough to choke it. This is great! I think it’s a combination of a wider portafilter (58 vs 51) and better pressure/heat for espresso.The solenoid is such a nice upgrade over my last machine, too – not having a pool of liquid on top the puck when I remove it is such an underrated feature!Steams milk completely by the time a shot finishes pulling, which is really all you need for a good dual boiler IMO. Even thicker milks that gave me trouble on my last machine get a nice vortex in the pitcher.And lastly, the build is excellent! Metal, heavy duty, doesn’t slide around my countertop like a cheaper machine.10/10!

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16. Es muy compacto, ideal para mí barra de café mini. Me encanta su diseño por qué es fácil de limpiar. La molienda es súper sencilla, y con suficientes grados. Casi no hace ruido al moler y llegó al día siguiente que hice la compra!

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17. A Fantastic Espresso Machine—Worth Every Penny. This machine has completely elevated my at-home coffee setup. The build quality is excellent, the controls are straightforward, and once you dial in your grind, the espresso it produces is rich, smooth, and consistently flavorful. The steam wand is powerful and makes great microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos.Cleanup is simple, the design looks beautiful on the counter, and it feels like a true upgrade from entry-level machines. If you’re looking for a reliable, café-quality experience at home, this is an outstanding choice.

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18. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Makes amazing coffee with zero hassle. This machine is perfect for anyone who wants café-quality drinks at home without spending a ton of money. It heats up fast, the espresso comes out smooth with a nice crema, and the milk frother works way better than I expected. Super easy to use and easy to clean. I’ve been making lattes, cappuccinos, and regular espresso shots every day and they taste just as good as the coffee shops. Definitely a great value for the price — highly recommend if you want to upgrade your morning coffee routine

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19. Easy to used. I’ve been using the Breville Barista Express for a while now, also this is my first time got espresso machine . The built-in grinder is convenient and produces consistent grounds once dialed in. Espresso quality is very good for a home machine, with rich crema and balanced flavor. Steam wand works well for milk, though it takes more practice. There is a learning curve at first, but once you get used to it, making coffee at home becomes enjoyable and reliable. Great value for coffee lovers.

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20. Amazing espresso machine for this price point, if you see it on sale just buy it and you’ll love it. I researched many different espresso machines and read numerous reviews but I finally decided on the Breville Barista Express and I am extremely satisfied so far. I have owned it for about a month and make 2-4 coffees per day. Using the instructions recommended starter settings, the machine produced a delicious espresso and cappuccino right out of the box. I’ve fine tuned it following the instructions and You Tube videos to make it even better. My wife and I believe this produces much better coffees than the local coffee shops. The machine comes with everything you need to get started other than good coffee beans but I highly recommend getting a few accessories and upgrades for the best results: a small coffee scale to help fine tune your input and output amounts, a bottomless portafilter (the one provided appears nice but has plastic inside), a self leveling tamper, a WDT to break up any clumps in your grinds, and a few nice microfiber clothes for wiping the steam wand and quick cleanups of the machine. It is very easy to use, very easy to clean, and makes delicious coffee drinks for a fraction of the local coffee shops. A few notes for other reviews that I’ve read: heat up time – people have complained about the start up and heat up time, I don’t know what they are talking about, as this heats up very fast and is ready to go before I have my portafilter tamped; grinder fineness, watch a few YouTube videos and they show you how to adjust the grinding settings inside the grinder. Bottom line this is an amazing espresso machine for this price point, just don’t pay full price as it regularly goes on sale for 20-30% discounts.

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21. Highly recommend. Upgraded from a bambino and wow I’ve never even had a good tasting shot before! It makes great espresso! Love how I can change the temperature! It’s not to loud. Easy to clean with the cleaning cycles. It looks great it’s heavy enough that I don’t have to hold the machine to remove the portafilter. The functions are great.

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