Should I Buy a Professional Espresso Machine for Home Use?

For coffee lovers, it can be a pain to travel to coffee shops to find that taste. Are you on the hunt for a way to make professional-level espresso right from the comfort of your home? We have the answer for you. 

There are many professional espresso machine options ready to suit any coffee lover’s needs. They can be expensive, but the price will quickly pay off as you reduce your trips to buy drinks elsewhere.  A professional espresso machine is an exciting addition to any home, no matter your experience level.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about a professional espresso machine for home. We’ll discuss the drinks you can make, factors to consider, and our top picks for espresso machines on the market. Let’s get started to allow you to begin your homemade coffee adventure. Now, you can be a barista too.

Espresso Machine Options

The first thing to note when it comes to professional espresso machines is there are three options to choose from today. The type you select might impact your ability to utilize the tool and the control you have with each shot. Each has a different impact on the user and the coffee it produces. 

The three professional espresso machines for home types include:

• Automatic
• Semi-Automatic
• Superautomatic

The best for your home may vary from other coffee drinkers.

Let’s dive into these espresso choices a little more to help you better understand the options on the table. You can find a professional espresso machine for home that fits your needs.

Automatic

The automatic machine is ideal for a beginner in the espresso world. If you want espresso, all you need to do is press the right buttons on the tool. The process will cycle and end at the proper time, leaving behind an espresso shot formed to the settings.

An automatic machine is excellent because it is: 

• Simple to use
• More affordable in many cases 

You don’t need to stress as much about precision with an automatic.

It’s critical to note that an automatic has more electrical components and parts and thus has the potential to break more often than less automated machines. Some versions can be expensive. And, of course, you won’t find as much control over the type of shot that comes out. It’s easier to use, but much less dominance comes as a sacrifice.

Semi-Automatic

Next up is the semi-automatic machine. As the name states, portions of this machine are automatic and manual parts. Semi-automatic espresso machines have an electric pump, which removes a little stress for new users. However, there are still components you have control over to make an excellent shot.

A semi-automatic machine is excellent because it:

• Provides a high level of control for the user
• Makes high-quality products to drink
• Is easier than a fully manual machine
• Has affordable, reputable options on the market

It’s a quality choice for those who want to work a little more for their drink.

Note that some models can be rather expensive for this type of machine. Although there are automatic parts, the semi-automatic is not as simple to utilize as the automatic or superautomatic counterparts. Still, if you want to practice making the ideal espresso yourself, it’s an excellent choice for your kitchen.

Superautomatic

Last up is the superautomatic machine. Like the automatic espresso machine, the superautomatic makes everything hands-off for the user. The difference here is that the superautomatic takes control of everything. All you have to do is add your grounds and press a button. Some superautomatic machines even grind the coffee beans for you.

A superautomatic machine is excellent because it:

• Combines all features into one powerful machine
• Is easy for anyone to utilize
• Includes many special features 

As a beginner, you won’t have to perform much work with the superautomatic machine. 

If you like control, it’s critical to note that you won’t get that with the superautomatic. It’s made to do everything for you, which may not appeal to every coffee drinker. Superautomatic machines can also be more expensive due to the extensive features that have been wrapped into the system. Still, they make for an excellent professional espresso machine for home.

What Drinks Can Be Made With an Espresso Machine?

You have an idea of what espresso machines there are, but what drinks can come to life with one of these? Is your favorite even possible to concoct with a professional espresso machine for home? Many possibilities come with an espresso machine in your house. 

A few popular drinks that can happen with an espresso machine include:

• Espresso shots or double shots: One or two shots straight from the machine.
• Macchiatos: A shot with steamed foam on the top.
• Cappuccinos: A macchiato with a little more milk.
• Lattes: A cappuccino with even more milk.
• Mochas: A latte with additional chocolate. 

These are just a few popular choices.

The world is your oyster with a professional espresso machine for home. There are plenty of recipes online for delicious coffee, and some tools even come equipped with recipe ideas you can try out. There is sure to be a recipe suggestion for that drink you can’t get enough of at your local coffee shop.

Boiler Systems

There are also several boiler systems to consider with a professional espresso machine for home. This aspect is critical to research, as the type of boiler can impact the function of your tool and the cost.

Here are the three boiler systems you can expect:

• Single boiler system: One boiler, which is more energy-efficient but takes longer.
• Heat exchange boilers: Adds pipe, solving the single boiler’s slow speed but not quite as fast as the dual boiler.
• Dual boiler systems: Uses two boilers for heating and brewing, which leads to powerful steam generation.

Our favorite dual boiler - The Lelit Bianca V2 Dual Boiler

These make for different espresso machines.

The power and benefits that come with each system are different. It’s up to you to determine which will work best in your household.

What Makes a Good Espresso Machine?

There are many professional espresso machines for home options on the market. How do you know which one is best for your home? It can be tricky to determine, as a tool that works well in a cafe might not be ideal for your kitchen.

Luckily, we can look at these factors for help: 

• Ease of Use
• Appearance
• Cost
• Size
• Quality
• Ease of Cleaning 

These can help you determine the best choice. 

Let’s talk more about each of these factors to help you narrow down your options. There are many excellent espresso machines, but only one that you will bring home.

Ease of Use

First and foremost is the ease of use. What’s the point of having a professional espresso machine for home if you have no idea how to make it function? You need to consider how experienced you are in the coffee world. Have you made espresso before? Does anyone else in your home have experience? How comfortable are you around a machine? 

When examining options, take a look at the buttons and displays the machine offers. Does it look like something that could fit your skill level, or are you unsure where to start? 

Automatic and superautomatic machines are ideal for beginners. If you feel more comfortable, try a semi-automatic option. And, if you’re feeling brave, there is always the manual espresso machine for individuals who know what they are doing.

Try not to pick a machine above your skill level. It might not be worth the investment if you can’t use it.

Appearance

Unless you don’t care about what your kitchen looks like, appearance is a factor to consider with your professional espresso machine for home. Some are metallic, while others incorporate wood paneling into the design. Some are bulky, while others are sleek.

Appearance can make a difference. Many well-known brands have taken action to make the machines as enticing as possible on the outside. If you have a color scheme or theme for your kitchen, find a machine that matches it

Appearance is not necessarily a factor that will make a difference to everyone. If you’re picky about looks, note the appearance of all espresso machines is not equal. There are elegant, metallic, and colorful options. Imagine the tool in your kitchen before bringing it home for the first time.

Cost

It’s too easy to fall for a machine that has a price tag far above what you are capable of affording. Before shopping for a professional espresso machine for home, ensure you have a price range for yourself and any other person going with you. This step will help narrow down the available options fast.

Note that a high price doesn’t always mean that a professional espresso machine for home is a quality one. Several economically conscious choices are just as good as machines twice as expensive.

An excellent way to find your budget is to note down the features you need the machine to have. Do you want a grinder? A milk frother? Utilize your desires to narrow down a few machine choices that also fit within your price range. If there aren’t any options, you may need to raise your budget or lose a feature.

Size

Have you ever purchased something, such as a dresser, and brought it home, only to realize the piece is too big for the area you envisioned it in? Without careful measuring, this issue can happen with a professional espresso machine. You need to ensure it will fit on your counter before you put the money down.

Professional espresso machine for home options are often portrayed as large, but there are some smaller choices if you don’t have much room. You can also create a shelf to hold the machine if counter space is limited in your kitchen.

Measure out an area ahead of time and ensure the espresso machine is smaller than the dimension you get. This precaution will ensure the machine doesn’t accidentally fall off anything as it sits.

Ease of Cleaning

You might end up with a machine that is easy to use. Press a button, and the desired espresso comes out. And then, after some time, you realize it’s time to clean the machine - and it’s more difficult than you thought.

Part of owning an espresso machine is cleaning it. This process will ensure the components work well to allow delicious espresso every time. An easy machine that is impossible to clean will not bode well. 

Check out reviews and ways to access the interior before a purchase happens. Ensure you know what cleaning products work and which do not. Some products are more inconvenient than they might seem at first glance.

Durability

Durability matters. You want something that will last a long time, particularly if you pay a significant amount for the product. Take a look at reviews and the overall reputation of the brand offering the machine to get an idea of what the durability will look like with this machine.

There are also professional espresso machines that come with a warranty set to replace or fix any parts that become damaged. These often come with higher-end products. What a warranty covers can tell you what to expect from the machine.

Consider durability to get the best bang for your buck in a professional espresso machine for home. You want a coffee maker that will make many cups, not one that will break down after just a few uses.

Considerations Before Buying

There are also several other considerations to consider before buying a professional espresso machine for home. These are a little more personal and can help you decide if it’s worth it to purchase a professional espresso machine. 

Some questions include:

• What drinks do you like?
• How often will you utilize the machine?
• What additional features are available? 

These can make a difference in your choice.

Let’s dive into each question to help you make the right choice. Is an espresso machine ideal? Let’s find out.

What Drinks Do You Like?

What drinks do you enjoy? If you prefer black coffee or frappuccinos, you might not drink espresso or espresso-based drinks daily. In this case, you might benefit more from a standard coffee pot or a blender. Why spend money on a machine that can’t make your favorite beverage?

You will utilize an espresso machine often if you enjoy:

• Espresso shots
• Macchiatos
• Cappuccinos
• Lattes
• Mochas

These all utilize espresso as a base.

Espresso is a strong shot of caffeine that many enjoy in their beverages. If this benefit isn’t up your alley, add this consideration into the type of machine you invest in for your household.

How Often Will You Utilize the Machine?

How often will you make espresso? Is it going to be once a week, or will you put it to work every day? Let’s say you pay $2,000 for the machine, and you pay $5 for a cup of coffee. If you only drink one coffee a week and, as a replacement, opt to utilize a machine once a week to save money, it will take you several years to break even with the value of the machine.

On the other hand, if you make multiple cups of coffee a day, a professional espresso machine for home will come in handy. You can save lots of money by bringing the cafe right to your place of living.

Before you pick a machine, give deep thought to how often you think you will utilize it on a daily, weekly, and even monthly basis. Add this factor into other considerations for the type of machine you buy.

What Additional Features Are Available?

If you are on the hunt for more than an espresso machine, you might want to jot down additional features you want. This step will help you narrow down the ideal espresso maker for your life.

Additional features you might want include:

• Milk frothers
• Bean grinders
• Water filters
• Cup warmers
• Programmable settings

These can make the difference when it comes to a professional espresso machine for home.

There will always be a little sacrifice. You might find an espresso maker with a milk frother but no cup warmer. It could have programmable settings but be difficult to clean. Keep your options open as you hunt for the ideal choice.

Our Picks for Best Professional Espresso Machines for Home

Now, let’s dive into our picks for the best professional espresso machine for home options. These provide a multitude of options for the user, no matter what you might be on the hunt for in a professional espresso machine.

Our top picks include the:

• Rocket Espresso Appartamento
• Lelit Bianca, Quick Mill QM67
• Rocket Espresso R58
• Breville Barista Express
• Breville Oracle Touch

Each has something to offer for a coffee lover. 

Let’s dive into each machine to help you find one that best suits your coffee needs. The espresso makers have proven time and time again that they are the best of the best. Let’s dive right in.

Rocket Espresso Appartamento

If you don’t have a lot of space in your kitchen, the Rocket Espresso Appartamento is an excellent choice. You can find this espresso maker for $1,850. The layout of the intricate components works in a way that doesn’t take up much room while keeping the quality that comes with bigger machines.

A few features on the Rocket Espresso Appartamento include:

• Mechanical pre-infusion
• Heated group head
• Articulated steam
• Hot water wands

There’s a lot to love.

The Rocket Espresso Appartamento is ideal for intermediate coffee makers. It has dimensions of 10.5 in x 17 in x 14.5 in. A heat exchange boiler and stainless-steel surface make it simple to create the ideal espresso shot in the morning. It can handle a cup up to 3.5 inches tall.

This machine might not be as powerful as other espresso options, but it saves space like no other. It has a sleek, modern design and a cool name to boot. There’s little doubt the piece will become the center of conversations at plenty of parties in the future.

Lelit Bianca, Quick Mill QM67

The Lelit Bianca is the next espresso maker on our list, designed for the home barista that wants to make the most with every brew. It allows for manual control of water during the brew. You can find this machine for $2,599. All Lelit products are made in Italy, and this one is no exception to their masterful rule.

A few features on the Lelit Bianca include:

• Dual boiler system
• High-quality materials
• Eco-friendly energy-saving system

The Lelit Bianca was made to perform well in a home.

This espresso machine is ideal for expert coffee makers who know what they want and how they can get it. It offers displays for critical components, such as temperature, to allow the home barista to control the entire time. It’s easy to imagine the sleek design in any kitchen area at 29 cm x 48.5 cm x 40 cm. 

If you want an Italian machine with a delicate design, the Lelit Bianca is an excellent choice. It’s ready to dispense a tasty espresso with the right coffee maker at the helm.

Rocket Espresso R58

The Rocket Espresso R58 is a fancy, classic-looking machine. You can find the model on the market for $3,300. Visually, this dual boiler machine is a sight to behold. It takes inspiration from classic Italian designs, making it ideal for those who want a professional espresso machine for home that will take coffee back to its roots.

A few features on the Rocket Espresso R58 include:

• PID temperature control
• Shot timer display
• Incredible recovery time
• Quality steam power
• Touch screen controller

You get a lot when you invest in this machine.

The Rocket Espresso R58 is ideal for those who have a lot of experience working with espresso, whether at home or in a coffee shop. This update on a previous model has extensive features, such as no-burn wands and a programmable timer. It measures 17 in x 22.5 in x 17 in, so you need to make room for this machine.

If you are an expert at espresso and want a machine to match your ability, this is the one for you. The Rocket Espresso R58 is a masterful machine that has been formed with love. You can be sure you’re getting a good cup every time.

Breville Barista Express

Those on the hunt for a more affordable option will love the Breville Barista Express. This machine offers excellent espresso for only $699.95, half the cost of other popular machines. It won’t take up too much room and offers an excellent shot of espresso in less than a minute, ideal for those who need to move fast in the morning.

A few features on the Breville Barista Express include:

• Dose-control grinding
• Precise espresso extraction
• Micro-foam milk texturing
• Grind size dial
• Hands-free operation

It’s an excellent machine for a low price. 

The Breville Barista Express works best for intermediate coffee makers. It measures 12.5 in x 13.8 in x 15.9 in. A simple button control makes it easy to operate the machine once all components are in place. The stainless-steel design keeps things clean, even as the day gets busy. 

This machine is a little more manual than others, but it’s still not too complicated to utilize. The Breville Barista Express will grind the beans and provide the ideal tamp for your espresso. You can have quality coffee in no time.

Breville Oracle Touch

The Breville Oracle Touch is an automated touchscreen machine from an iconic coffee maker brand. You can find this espresso maker for $2,699.95. The swipeable screen makes it simple to pick the coffee you want from the mechanics, and precise grinding, brewing, and heating measures ensure every taste ends in perfection.

A few features on the Breville Oracle Touch include:

• Automatic grinding for the ideal tamp
• Perfect steam release
• Ideal water pressure monitoring
• Precise water temperature 

This machine is precise in everything it does with minimal effort from the coffee drinker. 

The Breville Oracle Touch is an excellent choice for coffee makers who want something futuristic for their kitchen. It measures 15.4 in x 14.7 in x 17.8 in.. An espresso shot clock displays shot duration. Stainless steel materials ensure the machine stays clean for as long as possible when in use.

For beginners, the Breville Oracle Touch is an excellent way to make espresso at home without handling complicated machinery and measuring perfect shots. This machine is ready to do everything for you with the click of a button. It even comes with a two-year warranty, just in case.