10 Best Steam Espresso Machines 2026 in the United States

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 Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine BES880BTR in Black Truffle offers a comprehensive solution for making espresso at home. One standout feature is its integrated precision conical burr grinder, which ensures you get the right amount of coffee for maximum flavor. The machine uses low pressure pre-infusion followed by optimal water pressure, which helps in extracting balanced flavors for your espresso. The ThermoJet heating system is another strong point, heating up within 3 seconds to reach the ideal extraction temperature quickly.

With digital temperature control (PID), it maintains precise water temperature for consistent espresso quality. The automatic steam wand allows you to control milk temperature and texture, which is great for creating barista-quality microfoam and latte art. The touch screen simplifies operation, letting you grind, brew, and texture milk in three easy steps, and it allows for customization with saved settings for up to 8 personalized coffees.

Included accessories like the stainless steel portafilter, dose trimming tool, and cleaning kit enhance the experience. However, the size might be a bit bulky for smaller kitchens, and weighing 21.8 pounds, it is relatively heavy. Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential to keep it functioning optimally. The machine's durability is supported by a 2-year limited warranty. It is a well-rounded choice for those seeking an all-in-one solution for home espresso, especially for users who value customization and convenience.

The Breville Barista Touch Impress is designed to make espresso making approachable and precise, especially for those who want barista-level results at home without the usual complexity. Its standout feature is the ThermoJet heating system, which heats up in just 3 seconds, so you don’t have to wait long to start brewing. The machine also offers excellent temperature control and pressure management, ensuring your espresso is extracted just right every time. The integrated grinder with 30 grind settings allows you to customize your coffee strength and flavor easily.

One of its biggest strengths is the assisted tamping system, which helps you press the coffee grounds evenly—a key step for good espresso. The touchscreen guides you step-by-step, making it simpler to use, even if you’re new to espresso machines. The automatic steam wand with the MilQ system can create silky microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos, including settings for alternative milks, which is great if you don’t use dairy.

The machine’s size and capacity suit most home kitchens, and it includes helpful accessories like various filter baskets and cleaning tools. The brushed stainless steel build feels durable and looks modern, though the 24-pound weight means it’s quite substantial and not very portable. Cleaning is manageable thanks to included tools and programmable maintenance alerts, but like most machines with integrated grinders and milk frothers, it requires regular upkeep to perform its best. For coffee enthusiasts who want control over their brew without the steep learning curve, the Barista Touch Impress is a strong contender. It might be more than casual coffee drinkers need, and some users report a learning period to master all functions. It is a higher-priced option compared to basic machines, but the convenience and quality it offers justify this for many.