10 Best Steam Espresso Machines 2025 in the United States

The De'Longhi Magnifica Plus is a fully automatic espresso machine that shines with its ease of use and customization. It offers 18 one-touch drink recipes, including espresso, cappuccino, and iced coffee, with options to adjust size and coffee strength, making it great for households with multiple users thanks to 4 user profiles. Its built-in conical burr grinder with 13 grind settings ensures fresh, evenly ground coffee, which helps bring out rich flavors. The machine’s LatteCrema system automatically steams and froths milk with three texture options, producing creamy milk foam without manual effort.

The 3.5-inch touchscreen display is intuitive, guiding users through drink customization smoothly. In terms of cleaning, many parts are removable and dishwasher-safe, reducing maintenance hassle. The machine’s size is moderate (about 17.5" deep and 9.5" wide), which fits well on most kitchen counters but might be bulky for very small spaces. Its build quality is solid, reflecting De'Longhi’s reputation for durability.

Although the machine offers many features and a touchscreen interface that might feel overwhelming to those looking for a simple device, it provides a versatile, mostly hands-off espresso experience with strong customization and easy cleaning. It is less ideal if you prefer manual control or need a compact, minimalist machine. The price could be higher compared to more basic models.

The Breville Barista Express BES870BSXL is a solid choice for anyone looking to make café-quality espresso at home. Its built-in conical burr grinder allows you to grind fresh coffee beans directly into the portafilter, which helps capture great flavor. The machine uses low-pressure pre-infusion to gradually build pressure, helping to extract balanced and flavorful espresso shots. Temperature control is precise thanks to its digital PID system, ensuring the water is just right for espresso extraction every time.

The steam wand is powerful and versatile, perfect for frothing milk to create microfoam, so you can make lattes and cappuccinos with good texture and even try latte art. The machine holds up well in build quality with stainless steel parts, though it weighs over 22 pounds, so it’s not the easiest to move around or store in tight spaces. The water tank and bean hopper have decent capacity for home use—about 67 ounces and half a pound respectively.

Cleaning requires some regular attention because of the integrated grinder and steam wand, but the included tools help manage this. The Barista Express also offers customization like grind size and shot volume, which is great if you like to experiment with your coffee. While it’s a semi-automatic machine and needs a bit of practice, it’s very user-friendly for beginners wanting to step up from basic espresso makers. This durable, all-in-one espresso machine balances convenience with quality, especially suited for coffee lovers who want to grind fresh beans and brew espresso without buying separate devices. Its size and cleaning needs might not suit everyone, but its performance and features make it a top pick in its category.

The Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine is designed for those who want a simple way to enjoy a variety of coffee drinks at home without fuss. It offers five popular coffee options, including espresso, cappuccino, and latte macchiato, all accessible through an easy-to-use touch display. Thanks to its fully automatic operation and a 100% ceramic grinder, it delivers consistent coffee quality with good aroma and temperature control, supported by the Aroma Extract system that balances brewing temperature and flavor extraction.

The machine includes the LatteGo milk frother, which is very user-friendly and quick to clean since it has only two parts and no tubes, making milk-based drinks convenient to prepare and maintain. The AquaClean filter helps reduce the need for frequent descaling, which is helpful for long-term care and performance. Regarding build quality, the machine is solid and compact enough to fit comfortably on most kitchen counters, although it is heavier than some other models at just over 21 pounds. While it lacks a traditional steam wand, the integrated milk system compensates well for beginners or those who prefer automation over manual frothing.

Cleaning is straightforward, especially with removable parts and dishwasher-safe components. Although it may not offer the advanced steam wand experience or temperature customization desired by some more experienced users, this Philips model is well suited for users seeking ease, variety, and smart features in a fully automatic espresso machine without needing deep barista skills.