The best espresso machine for beginners: 6 picks
Six machines, sorted by how much each one does for you: grinding the beans, steaming the milk, and whether it makes drip or cold brew as well as espresso.
RoyalSpaces earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. We haven't tested these machines in our own kitchen; this guide compares them on the specifications each brand lists on Amazon.
Three things to decide
- Do you want the grinder built in? Espresso needs a fine, fresh grind. A built-in grinder means one machine; without one, you'll want a separate grinder.
- Milk by hand or automatic? A manual steam wand teaches you latte art. An automatic one gets you a consistent latte with no practice.
- Espresso only, or drip and cold brew too? Some machines make several kinds of coffee, which helps if not everyone at home drinks espresso.
The six picks at a glance
| Machine | Grinder | Milk | Makes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CASABREWS CM5418 | No | Manual steam wand | Espresso |
| Breville Bambino Plus | No | Automatic steam wand | Espresso |
| Breville Barista Express | Yes | Manual steam wand | Espresso |
| Ninja Luxe Café Mini Plus | Yes | Automatic | Espresso, hot or iced drip |
| Ninja Luxe Café Premier | Yes, 25 settings | Automatic, hot or cold | Espresso, drip, cold brew |
| De'Longhi Magnifica Duo | Yes | Automatic, hot or cold | 20 preset drinks |
CASABREWS CM5418
A small semi-automatic machine for learning the basics without a big outlay.
- 20-bar pump with a 1350 W boiler
- Steam wand for frothing milk by hand
- Compact stainless design for a small kitchen
There's no grinder, and CASABREWS notes you should let the machine cool after frothing before brewing the next shot.
Breville Bambino Plus
Small, quick and easy on milk drinks, if you have or plan to buy a grinder.
- ThermoJet heating: extraction temperature in 3 seconds
- Automatic steam wand with adjustable temperature and texture
- 7.7 inches wide, with a 2-year limited warranty
Breville Barista Express
Grinder, espresso and a manual steam wand in one machine.
- Built-in conical burr grinder with a grind size dial
- Low-pressure pre-infusion and digital (PID) temperature control
- Comes with a milk jug, tamper and dose trimming tool
We compare it with the Bambino Plus in Barista Express vs Bambino Plus.
Ninja Luxe Café Mini Plus
It sets the grind, dose, temperature and pressure for you, which takes most of the guesswork out of espresso.
- Barista Assist calibrates every setting from bean to cup
- Built-in scale for weight-based dosing, plus an integrated burr grinder
- Automatic frothing for dairy or plant milk; 30% smaller than the Luxe Café Pro
Ninja Luxe Café Premier
Three machines in one for a household with mixed tastes.
- Double or quad espresso, three drip styles and two cold brew styles
- Built-in conical burr grinder with 25 settings
- Dual Froth System for hands-free hot or cold microfoam
De'Longhi Magnifica Duo
Fully automatic: choose a drink and it grinds, brews and froths.
- 20 preset hot and iced drinks, including espresso, drip and cold brew
- LatteCrema hot and cold frothing for dairy or plant milk
- Cold brew in under 3 minutes, according to De'Longhi
What else you'll want
- A grinder if your machine doesn't have one. The Baratza Encore ESP has 20 micro-steps for espresso; the OXO Brew burr grinder covers espresso through French press.
- A scale to weigh your dose. The Timemore Basic 2.0 is accurate to 0.1 g and has a built-in timer.
- A milk jug if you steam by hand and your machine doesn't include one, such as the De'Longhi 12 oz frothing jug.
On our Amazon storefront
Every machine and accessory here is in The Espresso Corner on our Amazon storefront (US).
How we chose
We picked popular machines across the main beginner choices (grinder or not, manual or automatic milk, espresso only or more) and compared them on the features each brand lists on Amazon, checked on October 29, 2026. We haven't used them hands-on, and we don't quote prices because they change often; the buttons show today's price. Links go to Amazon in the US or Canada, depending on the country you pick at the top of the page.