The 10 Best Coffee and Espresso Machines to Make Coffee Like a Pro

Composite of coffee and espresso machines — Photo:
Courtesy of Target, Crate & Barrel

There's something supremely satisfying about starting your morning with a delicious cup of coffee, and if you make it at home, you don't even need to change out of your pajamas. If your homemade cup of joe doesn't taste as good as the stuff brewed by your local barista, you've come to the right place. We've rounded up the best coffee makers and espresso machines for home use.

When it comes to shopping for an espresso machine or coffee maker, knowing what you like to drink is key. "This should always guide where you look and what you are looking for," says Andrea Allen, co-founder of Onyx Coffee Lab and 2020 U.S. Barista Champion. If you drink coffee but not espresso drinks, there is no reason to invest in a machine that also makes lattes. She also recommends starting at a mid-priced option from a trusted brand. "People feel like they need to buy the nicest one out there for it to be any good, but in reality, the coffee itself is the item that makes the most impact on your experience," she says.

Andrea Allen, co-founder of Onyx Coffee Lab and 2020 U.S. Barista Champion
Miles Butler, co-owner and founder of Many Hands Coffee Co.

Tips for Brewing a Good Cup of Coffee

In addition to choosing a quality machine, keep these basic tips in mind to make great coffee at home.

First, use fresh (never pre-ground) beans, says Miles Butler, co-owner and founder of Many Hands Coffee Co.
Second, how you grind your coffee beans is vital to the quality of your cup. "Conical burr or flat burr grinders will give you the most consistent grind time and time again, and they last a long time," Butler says.
Lastly, if you're using a coffee maker like a French press where you heat the water, don't "cook" your coffee by pouring boiling water over the grinds.

Instead, Butler recommends letting boiled water chill for a minute (ideally, it should reach a temperature between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit) before submerging the grounds. Boiling water will over-extract the grounds and result in a more bitter coffee; using slightly cooler water will lead to a smoother taste and a more enjoyable and approachable cup overall, says Butler. He advises patience—and be sure to practice getting your coffee just how you like it.

De'Longhi TrueBrew Automatic Coffee Maker with Bean Extract Technology

If you love fresh ground coffee but don't want to purchase a separate coffee grinder, the De'Longhi TrueBrew Coffee Maker makes life easy with a built-in, conical burr grinder. Simply add your favorite coffee beans, make your selection (you can choose from five brewing styles: light, gold, bold, over-ice, and espresso), and watch as your coffee is made to perfection. Better yet, when the coffee maker is done brewing your cup, it packs the used coffee grounds into an easily disposable puck.

$375 at Target

Ninja Hot & Iced Coffee Maker

Some people prefer iced coffee to hot coffee or just like to have the option to make iced coffee at home occasionally. This coffee maker from Ninja has three brew styles (classic, rich, and over ice) and can make iced coffee without it tasting watered down. Conveniently, there is also six different brew sizes, from carafe to single mug, meaning this coffee maker can handle a brunch crowd.

$120 at Target

Philips 4300 Series Fully-Automatic Espresso Machine with LatteGo

Bring the coffee shop to your home with this espresso machine. It can whip up espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, cafes au lait, and Americanos in a flash. Customize your favorite settings with two easy-to-program user profiles plus a guest profile for overnight guests.

$1,000 at Crate & Barrel

AeroPress Original Coffee Maker

A favorite of baristas and other coffee professionals, the Aeropress "is easy, quick, and essentially foolproof," Butler says. Experts often take this small manual coffee maker with them when they travel.

It's also great if you like to hit the snooze button but still want a top-notch cup of coffee in the morning—it takes about a minute to brew 1 to 3 cups of coffee. Using a rapid, total immersion brewing process that doesn't require a long steep time, the appliance produces coffee that is smooth and full-flavored.

Pro tip: You can also use an Aeropress to turn espresso into an Americano with the addition of hot water or a latte by adding steamed milk, says Butler.

$40 at Amazon

6-Cup Classic Chemex

For pour-overs, you can't go wrong with a Chemex, says Allen. "Due to its tempered glass and compact and ergonomic design, it is a beautiful and simple way to tease out the nuances of any given origin or blend," says Butler.

He recommends using a reusable stainless-steel mesh filter rather than paper filters to reduce waste. A Chemex is also a good method for making coffee if you want to make it ahead and sip it later. The brand notes coffee brewed in a Chemex can be refrigerated and reheated without losing its nuanced flavor.

$47 at Amazon

Espro P5 French Press

Not all French presses are created equal, and this one by Espro is a cut above the rest, say our experts. Butler is a fan of the durable, sleek design and unique filter basket of the ESPRO P5. "The dual-walled stainless-steel mesh filter 'cage' is unlike any other French press I've brewed with, giving you a smooth and groundless cup every time," he says.

The Espro P5 press stops extraction as soon as the plunger is depressed, and its filter system is 9 to 12 times finer than standard filters on the market.

$70 at Crate & Barrel

Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine

Whether you're new to making espresso or a full-fledged barista, this user-friendly machine by Breville is a solid option for a serious caffeine enthusiast. It has five pre-programmed favorites (espresso, Americano, latte, flat white, and cappuccino), and you can customize the brewing and steaming functions to make your perfect cup every time.

"This machine produces great espresso and has a built-in grinder and steam wand," Allen says. She explains that it's also an optimal size for the home and can even be stored in a larger cabinet when not in use.

$1,000 at Crate & Barrel

Breville Oracle Touch Espresso Machine

If you're ready to go all-out on your at-home espresso game, the Breville Oracle Touch Espresso Machine is the "Cadillac of home espresso machines," says Allen. "I've literally never pulled a bad espresso on it."

It's outfitted with a conical burr grinder that automatically grinds, doses, and tamps grounds into a stainless-steel portafilter. And with this machine, you're always just a few taps of a touchscreen away from a perfectly brewed cup of coffee.

$2,800 at Crate & Barrel

Smeg 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker

The Smeg 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker is an aesthetically pleasing option that combines mid-century style with modern conveniences like aroma control (so you can adjust how strong your coffee is) and auto start. It can brew between 2 and 10 cups and has a keep-warm plate in case you want another cup later. This machine comes in a variety of colors to match your kitchen—or your other SMEG appliances.

$230 at Williams-Sonoma

De'Longhi All in One Combination Coffee Maker

For the coffee enthusiast who wants it all—or if you drink lattes but your partner prefers brewed coffee—De'Longhi has the answer. Their combination brewer makes both espresso and drip coffee. And yes, you can use both sides at once. The machine comes with a steam wand for frothing milk, a bold setting for stronger drip coffee, and a 10-cup spill-proof glass carafe.

$320 at Williams-Sonoma

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