Our expert team has purchased and tested 15+ top-rated espresso machine models available on the market. And, the review list is renewed every year to ensure that our readers will receive the most up-to-date options.
Below is our 2022’s update list of six most reliable espresso machines out there. Take a look!
Here are the most reliable espresso machines you can buy in 2024:
- Best Budget Option (Super-Automatic Machine): Breville BES870XL
- Fast Heating (Super-Automatic Machine): Philips Kitchen Appliances EP4321/54
- Easy To Clean (Super-Automatic Machine): Gaggia Cadorna Milk Super-Automatic
- Energy-Efficient (Semi-Automatic Machine): Nespresso Essenza
- Easy To Use (Semi-Automatic Machine): KitchenAid KES6403BM
- Best For Grounded Coffee (Semi-Automatic Machine): JASSY Espresso Coffee Machine
| 6 Most Reliable Espresso Machines | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Budget Option | Breville BES870XL
| |
Fast Heating | Philips Kitchen Appliances EP4321/54
| |
Easy To Clean | Gaggia Cadorna Milk Super-Automatic
| |
Energy-Efficient | Nespresso Essenza
| |
Easy To Use | KitchenAid KES6403BM
| |
Best For Grounded Coffee | JASSY Espresso Coffee Machine
| |
Best Budget Option: Breville BES870XL
- Make tasteful coffee - pressure gauge, digital temperature control, and milk frother
- Great value for the price – including a lot of accessories
- Require fewer water-refilling times – 1.98-liter water tank capacity
- Big and bulky
- There are so many plastic parts
For those coffee-addicted people who are looking for a more money-saving way to enjoy coffee, the Breville BES870XL is the best option.
Compared to similarly-priced machines, it makes much more tasteful coffee thanks to the pressure gauge, the digital temperature control, and the milk frother.
It also includes many other accessories and functions, such as the hot water dispenser, copper dosing tool, cleaning tools, and tamper. You don't need to buy a separate grinder, either.
Another notable feature is its large water tank - which is nearly 2 liters, so you will not have to refill it too frequently.
| Breville BES870XL Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 12.5 x 12.6 x 13.1 inches |
Capacity | 1.98 liters |
Highlight Features | pressure gauge, digital temperature control, and milk frother including a lot of accessories 1.98-liter water tank capacity |
The Breville BES870XL is far beyond the functioning of any similarly-priced machines that we tested, making it the most budget option that’s worth a try.
Fast Heating: Philips Kitchen Appliances EP4321/54
- Preheat water in 20-30 seconds
- User-friendly & quick to set up – the visual TFT display with icons
- Able to memorize your coffee settings - memory function
- The water tank is a bit flimsy
If you're a busy person who wants to shorten the coffee-making process without affecting its taste, the Philips Kitchen Appliances EP4321/54 is a good choice.
It takes only 20-30 seconds to warm up the water before use. Additionally, thanks to the visual TFT display with icons, you can easily choose your favorite drink through a tap of a touch button - unlike many other espresso machines which you MUST read the instructions to know how to use them.
One last plus is aside from offering many customizable coffee settings, it has a memory function - which will save your preset.
| Philips Kitchen Appliances EP4321/54 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 9.6 x 11.42 x 14.6 inches |
Capacity | 1.8 Liters |
Temperature Range | 90 and 98°C |
Highlight Features | Preheat water in 20-30 seconds the visual TFT display with icons memory function |
The fast-heating Philips Kitchen Appliances EP4321/54 is absolutely a cool option for those people who want to get out of the house more quickly in the morning but can’t live without their coffee.
Easy To Clean: Gaggia Cadorna Milk Super-Automatic
- Great customizability - 10 pre-programmed options & 4 user profiles
- Easy to clean – Quick Clean function
- Expensive
The Gaggia Cadorna might not be the most affordable option that we found, but absolutely the worthiest investment for people who want the next-level coffee-making experience.
The biggest advantages you’ll receive are more customizable settings and a simplified cleaning process.
It gives you up to 10 pre-programmed options plus 4 user profiles to memorize your favorite coffee settings.
Along with that, there is a full set of accessories, such as a water hardness test strip, water filter, grinder scoop, and more. You'll also receive a manufacturer’s 1-year warranty.
| Gaggia Cadorna Milk Super-Automatic Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 15" H x 10.2" W x 17.3" D |
Capacity | 1.8 liters |
Highlight Features | 10 pre-programmed options & 4 user profiles Quick Clean function |
If you’re willing to invest in a higher-end espresso machine for higher-quality coffee drinks, reliable working, and easy-to-clean process, we suggest the Gaggia Cadorna
Energy-Efficient: Nespresso Essenza
- Energy-efficient – 30-second water preheating & auto-shut off after 9 minutes
- Space-saving - 8.1in x 12.8in x 4.3in of measurement
- There’s on/off switch
The biggest benefit of the Nespresso Essenza is its outstanding energy efficiency. Unlike other semi-automatic machines, this one takes only 30 seconds per touch for water preheating and will turn off after 9 minutes.
Using it is not complicated at all as there are only two programmable buttons - one for Lungo and another for Espresso.
According to its capacity, this machine is perfect for singles, couples, or small families. Its compact size is also ideal for small houses or narrow kitchens.
| Nespresso Essenza Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 8.1in x 12.8in x 4.3in |
Capacity | 0.6 Liters |
Highlight Features | 30-second water preheating & auto-shut off after 9 minutes two touch functional buttons 8.1in x 12.8in x 4.3in of measurement |
The Nespresso Essenza is our go-to semi-automatic espresso machine for energy efficiency.
Easy To Use: KitchenAid KES6403BM
- Easy to use - dosage selector
- Ensure precise water temperature - smart temperature sensors
- Help make more delicious espresso - cup warmer, steam wand, and 58mm commercial-grade portafilter
- Pricey
- The steamer could work better
The KitchenAid KES6403BM - with an emphasis on dosage selector - makes it a great selection for low-tech people.
This feature gives you two big benefits - allowing for either preparing your drink(s) in a more barista-style way through just a press of a button or customizing your shot size.
Its smart temperature sensors are an impressive feature, which can ensure optimal temperature for a more tasteful espresso. Some other notable features frequently found on higher-end machines are cup warmer, steam wand, and 58mm commercial-grade portafilter.
| KitchenAid KES6403BM Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 6.38 x 13.15 x 11.26 inches |
Highlight Features | dosage selector smart temperature sensors cup warmer, steam wand, and 58mm commercial-grade portafilter |
Engineered with a dosage selector and other smart features, the KitchenAid KES6403BM is one of the easiest-to-use semi-automatic machines that we found.
Best For Grounded Coffee: JASSY Espresso Coffee Machine
- Able to finely grind coffee - 19-bar high-pressure pump
- User-friendly – digital display with touch buttons
- No complaint
If you're a big fan of well-ground espresso with a thick layer of crema, we highly recommend the JASSY Espresso Coffee Machine. It stands out from the competition for the 19-bar high-pressure pump and the smart dosage system.
It's also a great selection for those who love latte and cappuccino, thanks to the automatic milk tank.
The digital display with touch buttons is a big bonus.
| JASSY Espresso Coffee Machine Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 14.5 x 12.35 x 10.25 inches |
Highlight Features | 19-bar high-pressure pump digital display with touch buttons |
The JASSY is our top recommendation for those who are in need of the best semi-automatic espresso machine for grounded coffee.
How To Choose The Most Reliable Espresso Machine?
Types Of Boiler
The very first quality of a reliable espresso machine is it matches your morning routine.
Not all espresso machines can steam all types of espresso drinks perfectly. Each specific espresso drink requires a different construction of the machine.
For example, an Americano cup or a straight espresso cup requires a single-boiler machine while a large milk drink requires a heat exchanger or dual boiler model.
Therefore, you should determine what you’d like to drink in the morning and then choose the right espresso machine for your needs. It is the type of boiler in this case and there are four common options.
Pros | Cons | |
Dual boiler | The most consistent steam and brew temp Precise temperature control Able to steam and brew at a time Perfect for multiple back to back drinks during the day | Expensive |
Thermoblock | Affordable More temperature control of brew water Able to steam and brew at a time | Not suited for producing large milk drinks or lots of drinks |
Heat exchanger | Able to steam and brew at a time Affordable | Require a cooling flush Lack of precision in temperature control |
Single boiler | The most budget option Perfect for single morning drinks | Time-taking Unable to steam and brew at a time Lack of precision in temperature control |
Temperature Control
The temperature control of a reliable espresso machine must be accurate and stable enough for the best coffee extraction.
There are two main options of temperature controller:
- Digital PID temperature controllers – which is ideal for serious home baristas who want accuracy of up to 0.1 degrees Celsius
- Analog temperature control system – which is ideal for people who just want to enjoy coffee with milk or an espresso
Which Brands Make The Most Reliable Espresso Machine?
Breville
Founded in 1932, Breville is an Australian brand dedicated to manufacturing small home appliances and is primarily recognized for its coffee makers.
This is one of the world’s most reliable espresso machine manufacturers. It used to produce "Creatista" coffee machines for Nespresso in 2016 and distributed Nespresso goods in Canada, the US, New Zealand, and Australia.
Philips
Over the past decade, this 130-year history technology company has transformed into the world's leading brand in manufacturing and distributing home appliances and products related to health technology.
Nespresso
After 30 years of fine-tuning its know-how, Nespresso is arguably the best coffee machine manufacturer in its field. Their products stand out from the rest for beautiful design, top-tier quality, and technology.
KitchenAid
Starting in 1919, KitchenAid is a great brand dedicated to manufacturing kitchen appliances. Coffee makers are one of their most beloved lines and earn the highest sales throughout the years. They stand out for innovation, functionality, and quality.
FAQs
What is the lifespan of an espresso machine?
An espresso machine lasts between 5 and 15 years depending on the frequency of use, maintenance, and other elements.
Are espresso machines high maintenance?
No, they aren’t. Espresso machines might be complex in their construction but actually are very easy to clean.
How do I know if my espresso machine needs descaling?
You should know “what is scale” first, then learn how to descale your espresso machine. Here is a tutorial video for your reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi6WXlPtBpE
What happens if you don't descale your espresso machine?
If you don’t descale your espresso machine, there might be some consequences as below:
- Your drinks aren’t hot enough to enjoy
- Water clog issues, causing the machine to break
- Your coffee beans are unable to extract to their full flavor
What does purging mean in relation to an espresso machine?
In relation to an espresso machine, “purging” means flushing.
Conclusion
Our most reliable espresso machine review was designed to help you determine the right model to match your budget, needs, and tastes. Our intensive analysis revealed the pros and cons of each option to help you find out the features that you want.
Hopefully, this post was helpful to you. Thanks for reading!
