Best Espresso Machines for Beginners
Research-Based Guide. We have not tested these products ourselves. This page summarizes manufacturer pages and manuals and says so where a fact is missing. Prices change often, so any price we mention is approximate and was seen on November 2, 2026. Check the current listing before you buy.
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The best beginner machine depends on how you want to start. Choose the Breville Barista Express if you want one machine that also grinds. Choose the Bambino Plus if you mostly make milk drinks. Choose the Bambino or the De’Longhi Stilosa if you want a lower-cost machine and will buy a grinder. Choose the Gaggia Classic E24 if you want to learn traditional manual espresso.
Quick picks
| If you want | Pick | Milk | Grinder | Warranty (maker’s page) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One machine that grinds | Breville Barista Express | Manual steam wand | Built in | 1-year limited |
| Easier milk drinks | Breville Bambino Plus | Automatic texturing | Buy separately | 2-year limited |
| Compact and simple | Breville Bambino | Manual steam wand | Buy separately | 1-year limited |
| Lowest-cost start | De’Longhi Stilosa | Manual frother wand | Buy separately | 1 year, plus 1 with registration |
| Traditional manual machine | Gaggia Classic E24 | Manual steam wand | Buy separately | Not stated on the product page |
First, decide on the grinder
Most machines here do not include a grinder, and a good grinder matters as much as the machine. The Barista Express includes one. For the others, add a grinder to your budget, such as the Baratza Encore ESP. Our guide to built-in versus separate grinders works through the decision.
Which one suits you
- Barista Express: Breville lists 16 grind settings, PID temperature control and a pressure gauge. Read the review.
- Bambino Plus: it textures milk automatically. Read the review.
- Bambino: the same 54 mm portafilter and ThermoJet heating as the Plus, with a manual steam wand. See Bambino vs Bambino Plus.
- Gaggia Classic E24: a 58 mm portafilter and manual steam wand, with a pressurized filter included in the box. Read the review.
- Stilosa: De’Longhi lists a 15 bar pump and a manual frother wand but does not say whether its filters are pressurized.
Budget
Prices differ a lot. See our guides to machines around $300 and around $500, and the full checklist in How to Choose an Espresso Machine.
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