Espresso coffee machines

Can you make the perfect coffee in your kitchen?

Which type of machine suits you? Here are the pros and cons of each, plus features to look for.

Types of espresso coffee machines

Semi-automatic machines

Semi-automatic and manual  espresso machines work along similar lines: you pack the coffee into the filter basket, which sits in the portafilter. You then twist the portafilter into the machine. The only significant difference is that manual machines require you to judge the amount of water that flows through the filter basket whereas semi-autos cut off the flow once a pre-set amount is poured.

Pros

You can choose from a wide variety of ground coffee
You can easily change the strength of your espresso by adjusting the amount of ground coffee and water used
Our tests showed semi-auto machines provide good temperature consistency and milk frothing
Our tests showed most manual models produce good-tasting coffee at a consistent temperature.

Cons

Semi-autos and manuals take time to master.
Portafilters and filter baskets can be fiddly to use and clean; some portafilters require some effort to twist into place.

Capsule machines

Capsule machines use hermetically sealed pods of coffee. You drop a capsule in the top, pull a lever and push a switch. The machine pierces the capsule and forces hot water through to make an espresso.

These machines use proprietary systems such as Caffitaly or Nespresso. We don't recommend capsule machines because of the extra waste they create.

Learn more about coffee capsules.

Pros

They’re convenient to use and easy to clean
The sealed capsules can keep the coffee fresh for up to nine months
Wide variety of coffee blends available
Coffee delivery, on average, takes less than 20 seconds.

Cons

These machines use proprietary systems such as Caffitaly or Nespresso. So they tie you to using certain brands of capsule
Capsules cost more than ground coffee and result in extra packaging waste
You have less control over the strength of your espresso.

Automatic machines

Automatic and automatic-manual espresso machines (also known as “super automatic”) automatically grind the coffee, tamp it, and extract the espresso shot. You fill the bean hopper or add pre-ground coffee, add water to a reservoir and press a button or two. Some models contain an automated milk frothing and dispensing device.

Pros

You can choose from a wide variety of beans or pre-ground coffee
Digital displays and indicators make using them easy
You don’t need to fuss about with portafilters and filter baskets or separate grinders
Many automatic machines have a hopper and grinder built-in
Our testing shows they are one of the easiest types of espresso machine to use.

Cons

You don’t have full “control” over the extraction process (and sometimes the frothing process) that you do with a manual or semi-automatic model and this may result in a less satisfactory taste
In our tests the coffee temperature in tested models wasn’t always consistent from one cup to the next
They can be more expensive than semi-automatic and manual machines.

Features to consider

Ask whether there's a demonstration model of the machine you’re interested in so you can try before you buy, and look for these features:

Size – consider a smaller machine if you have a small kitchen or limited bench space. You can check out more small kitchen appliances here.
But if you often make several coffees back-to-back, you might need a larger machine with a bigger water tank so you don’t have to refill it so often. You also want to easily see the water level.
Clear and simple controls – digital displays are usually best.
Variable strength settings (automatic machines) – so you can adjust the intensity of the brew to your taste.
Adjustable grinder (where included) – to grind the coffee by the right amount to suit your tastes. Also check the grinding mechanism can’t be accessed while it’s running.

TIP: If the machine you want doesn’t have a grinder, and you want to grind your beans fresh before each brew, choose a burr (rather than blade) grinder so the coffee is ground evenly and extracts evenly for the best flavour.
Solid metal hand-held tamper – to pack the coffee down evenly so it extracts properly. Tampers fixed to a machine typically do a poor job.
Cup warmer – to prevent a cold brew and preserve its flavour and the milk’s froth.
Milk frother – if you like a latte or other milky drink, you’ll want a milk frother. Some machines have steam wands to froth milk in a separate jug, while others have built-in automatic frothers.

TIP: If there’s a froth enhancer on the milk-frothing wand, removing it will often produce a better foam (despite its name). Some froth enhancers aren’t removable, so check.
There are also separate tools available to whisk and heat your milk, as well as milk pods that are poured directly into your cup.
TIP: You can make velvety smooth milk froth with a basic coffee plunger. Heat the milk and pour it into your pre-warmed plunger. Then pump the plunger through the milk a few times until it foams.

Image of person frothing milk with plunger or french press.

Automatic cleaning programme – to reduce cleaning work. If the machine must be cleaned manually, check that the parts can be removed easily and are dishwasher safe.
Drip tray – go big and easy to drain, especially if you often make several coffees back-to-back.
Exterior – a seamless design is easier to clean. Avoid stainless steel and matte finishes as they make fingerprints and grime stand out.

See our test results and features for all the espresso machines we've tested.

Coffee machine costs – up front versus long term

Capsule machines are often the cheapest type to buy up front. But they can mean spending more long term, as capsules typically cost more than ground coffee or whole beans.

Here's how coffee costs compare over a year, based on two double shot espressos a day:

Espresso machines (automatic, semi-auto, auto-manual and manual): $350–$660 per year.
Capsule machines: $860–$1,340 per year.
Takeaway coffees: $2,180–$2,900 per year.

* Excludes the price of the coffee machine, since there’s a wide range in prices. Check out our test results to compare prices of the different machines.