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
Espresso basics
How Many Ounces Is a Shot of Espresso?
A single shot of espresso is about 1 ounce (30 ml), and a double shot is about 2 ounces (60 ml). Here is how shot sizes compare, how baristas measure by weight, and how many shots go into common drinks.
Coffee gear
Best Stainless Steel Coffee Makers (Plastic-Free)
The best stainless steel coffee makers for avoiding plastic are mostly manual: a stainless French press, a stainless pour over dripper, a stovetop moka pot or a stainless percolator. Here are our picks and what to know about plastic in electric machines.
Coffee gear
Best French Press Coffee Makers
The best French press coffee maker for most people is the classic Bodum Chambord, with the Espro P7 for the cleanest cup and the Fellow Clara or Frieling for heat retention. Here are our picks, a recipe and how to choose.
Beans
Dark Roast Coffee: Flavor, Caffeine and Best Uses
Dark roast coffee is roasted longer and hotter, usually into or past second crack, giving bold, smoky, bittersweet flavors with low acidity. Here is how it tastes, how much caffeine it has and how to brew it best.
Maintenance
How to Descale a Keurig Coffee Maker and Clean It
To descale a Keurig, empty the reservoir, add descaling solution and water, run brew cycles until the reservoir is empty, then rinse with fresh water. Here are the steps for most models, plus how to clean the needles, pod holder and reservoir.
Machines
Best Commercial Espresso Machines for Small Cafés
The best commercial espresso machine for a small café is usually a reliable two-group volumetric machine with local service support. Here are proven picks from Nuova Simonelli, La Marzocco, Rancilio, Rocket, Victoria Arduino and Lucca, plus how to choose.
Machines
De’Longhi Stilosa Review
The De'Longhi Stilosa is a compact, budget espresso machine with a 15-bar pump, a 51 mm portafilter and a manual steam wand. It makes surprisingly good espresso for around $100–$150, with a few compromises in build and accessories.
Machines
Gaggia Classic Pro Review
The Gaggia Classic Pro is a simple, durable espresso machine with a 58 mm commercial-style portafilter, a 9-bar pressure valve and a powerful steam wand. It rewards learning and modding, but it has no PID and needs a separate grinder.
Machines
Breville Barista Express Review
The Breville Barista Express is an all-in-one espresso machine with a built-in conical burr grinder, a pressure gauge and a manual steam wand. It remains one of the best ways to learn espresso at home for around $500–$700.
Machines
Breville Bambino Plus Review
The Breville Bambino Plus is a compact espresso machine that heats in about 3 seconds and textures milk automatically. It is one of the best values for beginners who make lattes and already have, or plan to buy, a good grinder.