The best espresso machine with grinder built in for most people is the Breville Barista Express: it combines a conical burr grinder, PID temperature control, a pressure gauge and a manual steam wand at a fair price. Choose the Barista Pro if you want a 3-second heat-up and finer grinder, the Barista Touch Impress for the most guided experience, or the CASABREWS 5700Pro if budget comes first. All-in-one machines save space and money, but a separate grinder still gives more control if you get serious.
Quick picks
- Best overall: Breville Barista Express
- Best for speed: Breville Barista Pro
- Most guided: Breville Barista Touch Impress
- Best De’Longhi: De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo
- Best budget: CASABREWS 5700Pro
- Most automated: Breville Oracle series
The best espresso machines with a built-in grinder
1. Breville Barista Express: best overall
The Barista Express has a 16-setting conical burr grinder that doses into a 54 mm portafilter, PID temperature control, low-pressure pre-infusion, a pressure gauge and a manual steam wand. It is hands-on enough to teach real espresso skills and widely supported, with lots of tutorials and parts. It typically sells for around $500–$700.
Who it’s for: beginners who want everything in one box and enjoy learning.
Pros
- Great value all-in-one
- Pressure gauge helps you learn
- Huge owner community
Cons
- Thermocoil is slower than ThermoJet
- Grinder struggles with very light roasts
Read our full Breville Barista Express review.
2. Breville Barista Pro: best for speed
The Barista Pro upgrades the Express with a ThermoJet heating system that reaches brewing temperature in about 3 seconds, a 30-setting grinder for finer adjustment, and an LCD with a shot timer. It switches from brewing to steaming quickly, so lattes are faster. It usually costs around $700–$850.
Who it’s for: people who want quicker mornings and more grind control.
Pros
- Very fast heat-up
- Finer grind adjustment
- Shot timer on screen
Cons
- No analog pressure gauge
- Costs more than the Express
3. Breville Barista Touch Impress: most guided
The Touch Impress adds Breville’s Impress puck system, a lever that tamps for you at consistent pressure and adjusts the next dose automatically, plus a touchscreen with step-by-step guidance and automatic milk texturing. It is the easiest way to get consistent espresso and lattes with little experience, at around $1,000–$1,500.
Who it’s for: busy households and beginners who want café drinks with minimal mess.
Pros
- Assisted tamping and dosing
- Automatic milk texturing
- Touchscreen guidance
Cons
- Expensive
- Less hands-on learning
The original Barista Touch is a cheaper alternative without assisted tamping. See our Breville Barista Touch review.
4. De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo: best De’Longhi
De’Longhi’s La Specialista line combines a conical burr grinder, a steam wand and a simpler, dial-based workflow with a tamping station. The Arte Evo is the compact, more affordable model, and it adds a cold extraction option for cold brew-style drinks. It typically sells for around $500–$700.
Who it’s for: people who prefer De’Longhi’s design and want a straightforward all-in-one.
Pros
- Simple controls
- Cold extraction option
- Tamping station reduces mess
Cons
- 51 mm portafilter limits accessories
- Fewer grind settings than Breville’s Pro models
For a direct comparison with Breville, see Barista Express vs La Specialista.
5. CASABREWS 5700Pro: best budget
The 5700Pro packs a conical burr grinder, a 58 mm portafilter, adjustable PID temperature and a steam wand into a machine that usually costs around $450–$600. It is noisy and has a learning curve, but it offers a lot for the money.
Who it’s for: budget buyers who want a grinder included and a 58 mm portafilter.
Pros
- Low price for the features
- 58 mm portafilter
- Adjustable temperature
Cons
- Noisy
- Smaller support network
Read our CASABREWS espresso machine review.
6. Breville Oracle series: most automated
Breville’s Oracle machines automate the hardest steps: they grind, dose and tamp automatically, then texture milk on their own, while still using a real portafilter. Prices are much higher, typically well above $1,500, but they come closest to café results with super-automatic convenience.
Who it’s for: people who want espresso machine quality without learning barista skills, and have the budget.
Pros
- Automatic grind, dose and tamp
- Excellent consistency
Cons
- Very expensive
- Large and heavy
Comparison table
| Machine | Grinder settings | Heating | Portafilter | Milk | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breville Barista Express | 16 | Thermocoil, PID | 54 mm | Manual wand | Around $500–$700 |
| Breville Barista Pro | 30 | ThermoJet, about 3 s | 54 mm | Manual wand | Around $700–$850 |
| Barista Touch Impress | Many | ThermoJet | 54 mm | Automatic wand | Around $1,000–$1,500 |
| La Specialista Arte Evo | Several | Thermoblock | 51 mm | Manual wand | Around $500–$700 |
| CASABREWS 5700Pro | 15 plus half steps | Thermocoil, PID | 58 mm | Manual wand | Around $450–$600 |
| Breville Oracle series | Many | Varies by model | 58 mm | Automatic wand | Well above $1,500 |
Prices change often and vary by retailer and region. Holiday sales frequently bring all-in-one machines down by a meaningful amount, so it can pay to watch prices before buying.
How to choose an espresso machine with grinder built in
Built-in grinder vs separate grinder
All-in-one machines save counter space and money, and they are simple. The trade-off is that the grinder is tied to the machine: if one fails, both are out of action, and you cannot upgrade the grinder alone. A separate grinder usually offers finer adjustment and better consistency. If you think espresso will become a serious hobby, a machine like the Bambino Plus with a separate grinder may suit you better. See our Bambino Plus review.
Heat-up time
ThermoJet machines are ready in seconds; thermocoil and thermoblock machines take a little longer, and traditional boiler machines need 15 minutes or more.
Grinder adjustment
More settings and finer steps make dialing in easier, especially with light roasts. Check whether the inner or upper burr can be adjusted to extend the range.
Milk frothing
Manual wands teach latte art but take practice. Automatic wands are convenient and consistent.
Portafilter size
58 mm baskets have the widest accessory selection, 54 mm is standard for Breville, and 51 mm is common on De’Longhi.
Support and parts
Machines from large brands with local service networks are easier to repair. Check the warranty length and whether gaskets, burrs and baskets are easy to buy.
Cleaning
Look for removable drip trays, easy access to the grinder burrs, and automatic cleaning prompts. Machines with automatic milk systems need regular cleaning of the wand or milk path.
Counter space
Most all-in-ones are 30–40 cm wide and 40–45 cm tall with the hopper. Measure under your cabinets.
All-in-one vs separate machine and grinder: cost comparison
| Setup | Approx. total | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Budget all-in-one (e.g. CASABREWS 5700Pro) | Around $450–$600 | Lowest cost to start |
| Mid all-in-one (e.g. Barista Express or Pro) | Around $500–$850 | Simple, supported, one box |
| Compact machine + budget grinder (e.g. Bambino Plus + Encore ESP) | Around $600–$700 | Upgrade path, faster heat-up |
| Classic machine + good grinder (e.g. Gaggia Classic Pro + mid grinder) | Around $800–$1,000 | Enthusiasts, long-term flexibility |
The totals overlap more than many people expect. If you like the idea of upgrading one part at a time, a separate grinder is worth considering. See our Baratza Encore ESP review for a popular budget option.
Caring for a built-in grinder
Built-in grinders sit next to heat and steam, which can encourage oils and moisture to build up. Keep the bean hopper lid closed, only load a few days of beans at a time, and brush out the burrs and chute every couple of weeks. Most Breville models let you lift out the upper burr by hand. If shots suddenly run much faster or slower at the same setting, a quick clean usually fixes it.
Tips for better shots from a built-in grinder
- Use fresh beans with a roast date, ideally 5–30 days off roast.
- Weigh your dose and yield, since timed grinding drifts.
- Stir the grounds with a WDT tool before tamping.
- Clean the burrs every couple of weeks.
- Avoid very oily beans, which can clog built-in grinders.
- Purge a gram or two after big grind changes so you taste the new setting, not leftover grounds.
For bean ideas, see our list of the best coffee beans for espresso, and for budget machines, our guide to the best espresso machines under $500.
FAQ
Is it better to buy an espresso machine with a built-in grinder?
It is simpler, more compact and often cheaper than buying both separately. A separate grinder gives more control and can be upgraded later.
What is the best espresso machine with a grinder for beginners?
The Breville Barista Express for hands-on learning, or the Barista Touch Impress if you want the machine to guide you.
Can you use pre-ground coffee in an espresso machine with a grinder?
Yes. Most let you bypass the grinder and fill the portafilter with pre-ground coffee, usually with a dual-wall basket.
How long do built-in grinders last?
With regular cleaning, many last for years. Burrs can often be replaced when they wear.
Do all-in-one espresso machines make good espresso?
Yes, with fresh beans and good technique. Their grinders are the main limit, especially with light roasts.