Best espresso machines for beginners

In its favour

• Barista Assist uses a built-in scale, auto presets and recommendations to balance each coffee.
• An assisted tamper and single, double and Luxe baskets are in the starter kit.
• The automated froth wand steams and whisks at once, with four presets including Cold Froth.

Good to know

• At 17 kg and over 33 cm wide it takes up a lot of worktop.
• The listing does not state the heat-up time.

In its favour

• ThermoJet heating reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds.
• The automatic steam wand lets you set milk temperature and texture.
• At 19.5 cm wide it fits almost any worktop, and auto purge resets the temperature after steaming.

Good to know

• There is no grinder, so you need pre-ground coffee or a separate grinder.
• Tamping is manual and no assist is listed.

In its favour

• Intelligent dosing adjusts the dose and assisted tamping gives consistent pressure.
• A 25-setting conical burr grinder is built in.
• PID temperature control and pre-infusion help even extraction.

Good to know

• Milk texturing is manual, which takes some practice.
• The listing does not mention double wall baskets for beginners.

In its favour

• Auto LatteArt froths milk at 60, 65 or 70°C with three texture profiles.
• Three infusion temperature profiles from 92 to 96°C are listed.
• A stainless steel portafilter takes up to 20 g of coffee.

Good to know

• Single wall baskets are less forgiving of uneven grinding than double wall ones.
• There is no grinder, so you need ground coffee or a separate grinder.

In its favour

• The Smart Tamping Station tamps at the right pressure with a lever, without mess.
• The sensor grinder delivers a consistent dose for each shot.
• The Latte System gives a simple choice of Flat for hot milk or Foam.

Good to know

• This listing does not state the number of grind settings.
• The milk frother is not automatic, so you still hold the jug.

In its favour

• Double wall filter baskets help make crema with pre-ground coffee.
• Thermoblock heating is described as giving a quick heat-up.
• The drip tray adjusts from 100 to 130 mm to fit mugs.

Good to know

• There is no grinder or tamping assist on this machine.
• The listing does not give a heat-up time in seconds.

In its favour

• Barista Assist auto-calibrates grind recommendations and monitors brewing.
• The hands-free steam wand makes microfoam with dairy or plant milk.
• It switches between espresso and filter coffee.

Good to know

• The 1.3 L water tank needs regular refilling.
• The number of grind settings is not stated.