The best espresso cups are small (about 2–3 oz / 60–90 ml), thick-walled so they hold heat, and shaped with a rounded inside so crema stays together. For most people, a ceramic or porcelain cup like the Loveramics Egg or notNeutral Lino is the best all-round choice. If you want to watch the shot and keep it hot longer, a double-wall glass such as the Bodum Pavina works well.
Below are our picks for espresso cups and mugs across ceramic, glass and double-wall designs, plus a guide to sizes and materials so you can choose a set that fits your machine.
Quick picks
- Best overall: Loveramics Egg Espresso Cup & Saucer (80 ml)
- Best café classic: notNeutral Lino Espresso Cup & Saucer (89 ml)
- Most durable: Acme Espresso Cup (70 ml)
- Best double-wall glass: Bodum Pavina 2.5 oz (80 ml)
- Best double-wall ceramic: Fellow Monty Milk Art Cups (demitasse)
- Best for cortados and small milk drinks: Loveramics Tulip cups
What makes a good espresso cup?
Before the picks, here’s what matters:
- Size: 60–90 ml (2–3 oz) for single or double shots. Too big and the shot cools quickly and spreads thin.
- Wall thickness: thick ceramic or porcelain retains heat, especially if you preheat it.
- Shape: a rounded or egg-shaped interior helps keep crema intact and concentrates aroma.
- Height: the cup must fit under your portafilter spouts, ideally with a drip tray scale underneath. Many home machines have only 7–10 cm of clearance.
- Durability: commercial-grade porcelain resists chips and stacks well.
The best espresso cups and mugs
1. Loveramics Egg Espresso Cup & Saucer: best overall
The Egg is a café-grade porcelain cup with a rounded, egg-like interior and thick walls. The 80 ml (2.7 oz) espresso size fits a double shot with room to stir, and it’s available in many colors. Loveramics makes matching cappuccino (200 ml) and latte (300 ml) sizes, so you can build a coordinated set.
Who it’s for: anyone who wants a classic, well-made espresso cup that looks good and keeps a shot warm. Typically around $15–20 per cup and saucer.
Pros
- Thick, heat-retaining porcelain
- Rounded shape suits crema and stirring
- Wide range of colors and matching sizes
Cons
- Pricier than generic sets
- Saucer adds height on short drip trays
2. notNeutral Lino Espresso Cup & Saucer: best café classic
The Lino line is a familiar sight in specialty cafés. Its espresso cup holds about 89 ml (3 oz), with a slightly flared shape and sturdy, commercial-grade porcelain. Matching cappuccino and latte sizes are available.
Who it’s for: home baristas who want the look and feel of a specialty café, or need a cup big enough for a generous double. Usually around $10–15 per cup and saucer.
Pros
- Durable, café-grade build
- 3 oz size fits larger doubles
- Full matching range for milk drinks
Cons
- A little large for a single shot
- Fewer color options than some brands
3. Acme Espresso Cup: most durable
New Zealand brand Acme makes chunky, heavy-walled cups designed for busy cafés. The espresso (demitasse) cup holds about 70 ml (2.4 oz) and stacks neatly. Acme cups are known for resisting chips, and they come in a range of muted colors with matching saucers.
Who it’s for: households that want cups to last for years and fit in a small cupboard. Typically around $10–15 per cup, more with a saucer.
Pros
- Very thick walls hold heat
- Stackable and chip-resistant
- Compact size fits under most portafilters
Cons
- Heavy for its size
- 70 ml is snug for a long double
4. Bodum Pavina Double-Wall Glass: best double-wall glass
The Pavina is a borosilicate glass with an inner and outer wall and an air gap between them. The 2.5 oz (80 ml) size suits a double shot. The double wall keeps the outside cool to the touch and slows heat loss, and you get a clear view of the shot and crema. Usually sold in pairs, around $15–25.
Who it’s for: anyone who likes to watch their espresso, or wants an affordable set that also works for cortados and iced espresso.
Pros
- See the crema and layering
- Cool to hold, slower to lose heat
- Affordable
Cons
- Thin glass is more fragile than porcelain
- Hand washing recommended to protect the seal
- Can trap water between walls if the seal is damaged
5. Fellow Monty Milk Art Cups: best double-wall ceramic
Fellow’s Monty cups combine a double-wall design with ceramic, so you get some of the insulation of a glass double-wall cup with the look and feel of a ceramic cup. The interior is shaped to help with latte art, and the line includes demitasse, cortado, cappuccino and latte sizes. Usually sold in sets of two, typically around $30–40.
Who it’s for: design-minded home baristas who make both shots and small milk drinks.
Pros
- Insulating double wall in ceramic
- Shape designed for pouring latte art
- Several sizes in a matching style
Cons
- Expensive per cup
- Lighter than solid porcelain, so it feels less traditional
6. Loveramics Tulip Cups: best for cortados and small milk drinks
The Tulip range has a narrower base and flared rim, which makes it easy to pour latte art into small drinks. The espresso size is about 80 ml (2.7 oz), and the cappuccino size about 180 ml (6 oz), which also works well for cortados and flat whites.
Who it’s for: people who drink macchiatos, cortados and flat whites more than straight shots.
Pros
- Flared shape helps latte art
- Good mid sizes for small milk drinks
- Same durable porcelain as the Egg
Cons
- Thinner at the rim, so it loses heat a little faster
- Taller than the Egg
Espresso mugs: when you want something bigger
“Espresso mug” usually means a small mug with a handle, around 3–6 oz, used for doubles, cortados or Americanos. Good options include the cappuccino sizes in the Loveramics, notNeutral and Acme ranges above. For a larger drink, look for 8–12 oz latte cups in the same series so your set matches. Keep these points in mind:
- A 5–6 oz cup suits cappuccinos and flat whites; 8–12 oz suits lattes.
- Wide, rounded bowls make latte art easier.
- Check the height fits under your machine’s spouts; most mugs won’t, so you’ll pull the shot into a small pitcher or a demitasse first.
How to choose espresso cups
Material
| Material | Heat retention | Durability | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain | Very good when thick | High (commercial grades) | Most people |
| Stoneware ceramic | Good | Medium; can chip | Handmade, rustic look |
| Single-wall glass | Poor | Medium | Cortados, Gibraltars |
| Double-wall glass | Good | Lower; fragile | Watching the shot |
| Double-wall ceramic | Good | Medium | Design-focused setups |
| Stainless steel | Good when insulated | Very high | Travel, camping |
Size guide
- Single shot (about 30 ml): 60–70 ml cup
- Double shot (about 36–60 ml): 70–90 ml cup
- Macchiato: 70–90 ml
- Cortado: 120–150 ml
- Cappuccino / flat white: 150–200 ml
- Latte: 240–350 ml
If you mostly pull doubles at a 1:2 ratio (18 g in, 36 g out), an 80–90 ml cup gives room for crema and stirring. See our brew ratio guide for typical shot sizes.
Fit under your machine
Measure the gap between the drip tray (or your scale) and the bottom of the portafilter spouts. Entry-level machines often have limited clearance; a short, wide cup is easier than a tall one. Removable or adjustable drip trays help; if you are still choosing a machine, check clearance in our beginner espresso machine guide and the maker’s specs.
Care
- Porcelain and stoneware are usually dishwasher safe; check the maker’s guidance for glazes and metallic finishes.
- Double-wall glass usually lasts longer washed by hand and shouldn’t be microwaved if it has a metallic trim.
- Store cups on your machine’s cup warmer if it has one, or rinse with hot water before pulling a shot.
Building out your setup? Our list of essential espresso accessories for beginners covers tampers, knock boxes, milk pitchers and more.
Sets vs individual cups
Boxed sets of four or six are cheaper per cup and fine for casual use, but café brands sold individually let you replace a broken cup, mix colors and add cappuccino or latte sizes later. If you host often, buy two or three more cups than you think you need; chips and breakage add up over time.
FAQ
What size is an espresso cup?
Most espresso cups (demitasse cups) hold about 60–90 ml (2–3 oz). Use the smaller end for single shots and the larger end for doubles.
Are double-wall glasses good for espresso?
Yes. They insulate the shot, stay cool to the touch and let you see the crema. They’re more fragile than porcelain and are best washed by hand.
Why are espresso cups so thick?
Thick porcelain stores heat, so a small shot stays warm longer, especially when you preheat the cup. It also makes cups more durable in busy cafés.
Do I need to preheat espresso cups?
It helps. A cold cup can cool a 30–60 ml shot noticeably. Rinse it with hot water or keep it on your machine’s cup warmer.
What is a demitasse cup?
Demitasse is French for “half cup”. It’s the traditional name for a small espresso cup, usually 60–90 ml, often served with a saucer.
Can I use any small mug for espresso?
You can, but a cup that’s too large or thin-walled lets the shot cool and spreads the crema thin. A thick, 60–90 ml cup gives the best experience.
