Of all the ways to make coffee, the espresso machine is the most intimidating. Most other brewing methods require you to do little more than measure out some coffee and pour water over it. Making espresso drinks brings in a slew of other variables: monitoring water pressure, tamping coffee grounds, steaming milk.
But as the editor of Wirecutter’s kitchen coverage, I’ve tried just about every piece of coffee gear we cover. And of the six different means of making coffee sitting in my kitchen right now (I swear, I use all of them), it’s the speedy, surprisingly easy-to-use Breville Barista Touch espresso machine that I turn to on my most harried mornings, when I’m running late to daycare drop-off and I’m not sure I’ll survive the commute without caffeine.
Upgrade pick
Sleek and powerful, with great programming and a built-in grinder, the Barista Touch lets beginners make a variety of café-quality espresso drinks at home with very little learning curve.
Our pick
This potent little machine is fast and easy to use, and it will impress both beginners and experienced baristas with its consistent espresso shots and silky frothed milk.
Breville makes a wide range of espresso machines. We haven’t tested them all, but the ones we have tried for our guide to the best espresso machines handle the basics well. They heat up especially fast, and they maintain a steady temperature and pressure, making it easier to consistently pull a good shot than most entry-level home espresso machines we’ve tested.
But we specifically recommend the Breville Barista Touch and the Breville Bambino Plus as the two machines in the lineup that will serve you well whether you want to mindlessly make a decent cappuccino every morning or launch into a full-blown espresso hobby. And each one does it all while being relatively inexpensive for a good espresso machine.
