Is an espresso machine worth it

Questions to ask yourself

If you answered yes to most of these, an espresso machine is likely to be worth it. If not, read on for alternatives.

• Do you drink espresso, lattes, cappuccinos or flat whites most days?
• Do you enjoy learning a skill and tweaking settings?
• Can you spare five to ten minutes in the morning?
• Do you have worktop space for a machine and possibly a grinder?
• Are you happy to clean and descale regularly?

The real cost: machine, grinder and kit

The machine is only part of the spend. Unless it has a built-in grinder, you need an espresso-capable grinder, which can cost as much as an entry-level machine. Add scales, a decent tamper, a milk jug and cleaning products. Our what do you need for an espresso machine article lists the kit.

Against that, home espresso costs much less per cup than café coffee. Our cost per cup calculator shows the saving per week for your own habits, which tells you roughly how long the setup takes to pay back.

Time and learning curve

Expect a few weeks of trial and error. Every new bag of beans needs some dialling in: adjusting grind and dose until shots taste right. Steaming silky milk takes practice too. Once you have the routine, a latte takes a few minutes including warm-up.

If you want to shorten the learning curve, assisted machines with built-in scales, guided tamping or automatic milk wands help. Our espresso machines for beginners guide focuses on those.

Espresso machine vs the alternatives

Our comparisons go deeper: bean-to-cup vs espresso machine, bean-to-cup vs pod and espresso vs filter.

Signs it will be worth it

People who get the most from an espresso machine usually already buy café coffee regularly, are curious about how different beans taste and like having a morning ritual. They also tend to make milk drinks, where home steaming makes a big difference compared with instant or pod frothers.

People who end up disappointed often bought a machine without a suitable grinder, used stale pre-ground coffee or expected café results from day one. Avoid those traps and an espresso machine can last many years. See how long coffee machines last.

See espresso machines for beginners →

Making the most of your machine

If you do buy one, a few habits make a big difference. Buy fresh beans in smaller bags and use them within a few weeks of roasting. Weigh your dose and your shot so you can repeat what works. Change one thing at a time when dialling in, starting with the grind. Our espresso dose and ratio guide gives sensible starting numbers.

Look after the machine from day one. Set or check your water hardness, use a filter if your area is hard, backflush if your machine supports it and descale when needed. Our hard water guide explains UK water. A machine that is kept clean makes better coffee and lasts longer, which is the surest way to make it worth the money.

Finally, give yourself time. Most people find their shots improve noticeably over the first month, and milk texturing clicks after a few dozen attempts.

Frequently asked questions

Are espresso machines worth the investment? For daily espresso and milk drink lovers, usually yes, especially compared with buying café coffee.

Do I need an expensive espresso machine? No. A well-chosen entry machine and a good grinder make better coffee than an expensive machine with a poor grinder.

Is a bean-to-cup better than an espresso machine? It is easier, not better. Manual machines give more control and often better espresso with practice.

Can I make good espresso with pre-ground coffee? Only with pressurised baskets, and quality is limited. Fresh grinding makes the biggest difference.