Machines
Best Espresso Machines for Beginners (2026)
Our top picks for a first espresso machine, from the easy Breville Bambino Plus to budget and all-in-one options, and how to choose.
Home espresso, made simple
Café-quality espresso in your own kitchen
Honest buying guides, step-by-step technique and simple recipes for home baristas, from your first shot to latte art.
Start here Latest guidesChoose
Buy the right gear once
Plain-English buying guides for machines, grinders and milk tools at every budget.
Brew
Pull a better shot
Dial-in, ratios, grind size and fixes for sour, bitter or watery espresso.
Enjoy
Make café drinks at home
Lattes, cortados, seasonal recipes and ideas for your home coffee corner.
Latest guides
Troubleshooting
Sour Espresso: Why It Happens and How to Fix It
Sour espresso usually means under-extraction. Here are the six common causes and the fix for each.
Technique
What Grind Size for Espresso? A Visual Guide
What espresso grind size looks and feels like, how it compares to other methods, and how to dial in your grinder.
Technique
How to Tamp Espresso Properly
How to tamp espresso for even extraction: distribution, grip, pressure and the common mistakes that cause channeling.
Technique
How Long Should an Espresso Shot Take?
Espresso shot time: how long a shot should take, when to start the timer, and what fast or slow shots tell you about your grind.
Technique
How to Dial In Espresso, Step by Step
A simple, repeatable method to dial in any new bag of espresso beans in a few shots, with a taste-and-time troubleshooting table.
Technique
Espresso Brew Ratio Explained (1:2 and Beyond)
What espresso brew ratio means, how to calculate it, and how ristretto, normale and long ratios change taste.
Machines
Breville Barista Express vs De’Longhi La Specialista
Breville's Barista Express against De'Longhi's La Specialista range, focusing on the Arte Evo: grinders, workflow, temperature and milk.
Technique
How to Make Espresso at Home: Complete Beginner’s Guide
A complete beginner's method for making espresso at home: the 18 g in, 36 g out starting recipe and each step explained.
Machines
Breville Bambino Plus vs Barista Express
Breville's Bambino Plus and Barista Express compared on espresso quality, milk steaming, speed, size and total cost.
Accessories
Essential Espresso Accessories for Beginners
The six espresso accessories every beginner needs, what each one does, rough costs, and which extras can wait.