10 Best Double Boiler Espresso Machines 2025 in the United States

The Breville Barista Express BES870XL is a semi-automatic espresso machine designed for coffee enthusiasts who want to bring café-quality espresso into their kitchen. It features an integrated conical burr grinder with dose control, allowing you to grind fresh coffee beans directly before brewing to achieve better flavor. The machine uses a single boiler with a low-pressure pre-infusion system to gently extract espresso, ensuring balanced taste. Temperature control is managed by a precise digital system (PID), maintaining the ideal water temperature for espresso extraction — a key factor for quality espresso.

The steam wand is powerful and manual, enabling you to create creamy microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos, though it requires some practice to master. Build quality is solid, with a brushed stainless steel finish that feels durable and stylish. The water tank is reasonably sized at 67 ounces, suitable for everyday use but may require refilling during heavy use. Its size is relatively large, so ensure your counter space can accommodate its footprint. Note that the Barista Express does not have a double boiler, so steaming milk and brewing espresso cannot be done simultaneously. However, its pump delivers optimal pressure for espresso extraction.

Ease of use is enhanced by intuitive dials for grind size and dose, along with included accessories such as a tamper and cleaning tools, making it beginner-friendly yet flexible enough for more experienced users. Although there is a learning curve to perfect your barista skills, this machine provides excellent value for those serious about crafting espresso drinks at home.

The Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine is designed to bring café-quality coffee to your home. One of its standout features is the integrated grinder, which allows you to move from coffee beans to a fresh espresso in under a minute. This machine ensures optimal flavor through dose control grinding and low-pressure pre-infusion. The rapid ThermoJet heating system heats up in just 3 seconds, making it very convenient for those in a rush. Precise digital temperature control helps achieve the perfect espresso extraction, which is crucial for coffee enthusiasts seeking consistency and quality.

The automatic steam wand is handy for creating milk-based beverages like cappuccinos and lattes, offering adjustable milk temperature and texture for personalized drinks. The touchscreen interface simplifies the brewing process and allows you to save up to 8 custom coffee settings, catering to different tastes in the household. While the build quality and brushed stainless steel finish add a touch of elegance, the machine is relatively heavy at 21.8 pounds, which might be a consideration if you plan to move it frequently. Additionally, its size may consume significant counter space.

The machine is on the pricier side and could be considered an investment. However, its multiple features and ease of use make it a strong contender for coffee lovers seeking an all-in-one espresso machine at home. The product also comes with valuable accessories like a stainless steel jug, water filter, and a cleaning kit, which add to its convenience and functionality.

The Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine, with its brushed stainless steel finish, is an attractive option for espresso enthusiasts seeking convenience and quality at home. Its standout feature is the integrated conical burr grinder, which offers precise dose control for optimal flavor extraction. The ThermoJet heating system ensures the machine reaches the desired temperature in just 3 seconds, making it quick and efficient. This machine also comes with a digital temperature control (PID), providing consistent and precise water temperature for effective espresso extraction.

For those interested in customizing their milk-based drinks, the manual microfoam milk texturing with a powerful steam wand caters to latte art lovers. The intuitive LCD interface, with animations that guide you through the grinding and extraction process, adds to its user-friendly appeal. Accessories such as filter baskets, a milk jug, and a cleaning kit are included, enhancing its value.

However, the Breville Barista Pro does not have a double boiler system, which is a key feature in the double-boiler espresso machine category. This means it can’t simultaneously brew espresso and steam milk, potentially slowing down the coffee-making process for some users. It weighs 19.5 pounds, making it relatively heavy but reflecting its robust build quality. The machine is semi-automatic, which might require a learning curve for users new to espresso machines.

It's highly rated with a 4.4 out of 5 stars from over 3,000 reviews, indicating customer satisfaction. Those who prioritize speed, integrated grinding, and user-friendly controls will likely find the Breville Barista Pro to be a suitable choice. However, people looking for a true double-boiler experience might need to consider other options.