Top7 Espresso Machines Worth Buying in 2026
Ranked on shot quality, ease of use, steam performance, build and value, based on Wirecutter, Wired and Consumer Reports-style testing.
1 Our top pick · Best overall
Breville Barista Express BES870XL
Home baristas who want to grind, dose and pull shots from one machine.
- Built-in grinder with dose control
- Long-running favorite in expert guides
- Steep learning curve and the grinder is basic
Compare the seven
Side by side| Rank | Product | Best for | Price | Key advantage | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Breville Barista Express BES870XL | Best overall | $$$Premium | Built-in grinder with dose control | Buy |
| 02 |  Breville Bambino BES450 | Best budget | $$Mid-range | Heats up in about 3 seconds | Buy |
| 03 |  Breville Bambino Plus BES500 | Best for milk drinks | $$Mid-range | Automatic steam wand sets milk temperature and texture | Buy |
| 04 |  Breville Barista Pro BES878 | Best for fast heat-up | $$$Premium | Ready in about 3 seconds | Buy |
| 05 |  Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 | Best for beginners | $$$$Top-end | Assisted tamping removes a hard skill | Buy |
| 06 |  Breville Barista Express Impress BES876 | Best mid-range with tamp assist | $$$Premium | Assisted tamping and dosing guidance | Buy |
| 07 |  Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL | Best premium | $$$$Top-end | Separate boilers brew and steam at once | Buy |
Our 7 picks in detail
1 Breville Barista Express BES870XL
Who it's for: Home baristas who want to grind, dose and pull shots from one machine.
- Built-in grinder with dose control
- Long-running favorite in expert guides
- Steep learning curve and the grinder is basic
2 Breville Bambino BES450
Who it's for: Beginners who want real espresso in a small footprint without a built-in grinder.
- Heats up in about 3 seconds
- Compact and well built
- Needs a separate grinder
3 Breville Bambino Plus BES500
Who it's for: Latte and cappuccino drinkers who want hands-off milk texturing.
- Automatic steam wand sets milk temperature and texture
- Very small footprint
- Needs a separate grinder
4 Breville Barista Pro BES878
Who it's for: Households that pull several drinks a day and don't want to wait for the machine.
- Ready in about 3 seconds
- LCD shows grind setting and shot progress
- Larger and pricier than the Barista Express
5 Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881
Who it's for: First-time buyers who want the machine to handle dosing, tamping and milk.
- Assisted tamping removes a hard skill
- Touchscreen walks you through each drink
- High price and fewer ways to fine-tune shots
6 Breville Barista Express Impress BES876
Who it's for: Buyers who like the Barista Express but want an easier, more consistent tamp.
- Assisted tamping and dosing guidance
- Keeps the Express's gauge and manual steam wand
- Costs more than the standard Barista Express
7 Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL
Who it's for: Enthusiasts who want to pull back-to-back shots and steam milk at the same time.
- Separate boilers brew and steam at once
- Precise temperature and pressure control
- Expensive and needs a separate grinder
Questions people ask
Do I need a separate grinder?
A good grinder matters as much as the machine. Models with a built-in grinder are simpler, while a separate grinder gives better consistency and easier upgrades.
What is the difference between single and dual boiler machines?
Single boiler or thermojet machines switch between brewing and steaming temperature. Dual boilers do both at once, which helps with back-to-back milk drinks.
How long does an espresso machine last?
Most home machines last 5 to 10 years with regular descaling and gasket changes. Replacement parts availability is worth checking before you buy.
Is a manual or automatic steam wand better?
Automatic wands give consistent milk with no practice. A manual wand takes time to learn but gives more control and better latte art.
How did we pick these espresso machines?
We compared the best-selling and highest-rated espresso machines on Amazon, read expert reviews and the most common complaints, then kept one pick for each kind of buyer. Read our full method.
