Our Kitchen Lab's New Favorite Type of Espresso Machine

• In addition to our best value pick, Bosch makes a high-end, fully automatic espresso machine that we've awarded a Coffee & Tea Award to. It's top of the line, featuring a large screen and an extensive selection of drinks, including international options. It's a little wider than the picks on our list.
• Jura was one of the earliest brands to produce fully automatic espresso machines, offering many options to choose from. We’ve tested several that we like, including the EN4 and the E6. The EN4 is slim and makes a good espresso; it has limited drink options. The E6 is larger; the control panel takes just a second to get used to and isn't as advanced as some others on the market. We like that Jura’s machines are compatible with a cooling milk container.
• One of Jura's latest models is the S8, which offers 27 drink options and features a pod that can be used to sweeten the milk foam with syrup. Our testers love it; however, it comes with a hefty price tag.
• Miele’s CM7750 still stands out to me for making the silkiest frothed milk and rich coffee, but it’s super pricey and has basic controls.
• Phillips makes several fully automatic espresso machines at a lower price point than competitors. We’ve touted their LatteGo numerous times for being a great value and easy to clean – all parts of the milk container are dishwasher-safe. It just didn’t make the hottest or strongest espresso. Their newest model offers more drink options and a more advanced display at a higher price point.
• The Terra Kafe delivers a good espresso and has numerous drink functions that are easy to choose from. It’s a bit bulky and boxy, and it randomly emitted steam (likely to clean itself) that could be potentially dangerous to kids and pets.

Every time we test a product in the Kitchen Appliances Lab, we consider the performance and ease of use.

To assess the performance:

• We time how long it takes for the machine to heat.
• We test how consistently it brews by making three shots of espresso and recording the time it takes, the temperature and the volume.
• We assess the taste and crema.
• We brew cappuccinos and lattes, paying special attention to the texture of the milk, and froth a variety of milks.

We score ease-of-use features like:

• The control panel
• Whether the removable parts are dishwasher-safe

Overall, it’s important for the machine to not only make a delicious espresso, but for it to be consistent and easy to use.

People often ask what we do with the products after testing: They go to a good home for long-term testing, where we can survey consumers about their experience years later. This is where some of our most valuable feedback comes from!

✔️ Size: Most fully automatic espresso machines have a large footprint. Some are a little slimmer than others, but I recommend checking the dimensions before making a purchase.

✔️ Type of hopper: Some machines have the hopper built into the top for a flush look, while others have a transparent lid or some even stick out on top. These factors can affect the height and how it fits under your countertop. The size of the hopper also affects how many beans your machine can hold at a time.

✔️ Size of water reservoir: A smaller reservoir means more refills, but it also means fresher-tasting coffee.

✔️ Control panel: The type of control panel will influence how much a fully automatic espresso machine costs. One with buttons versus a screen will cost less, but that also means it’ll offer fewer customizable features. A larger, more advanced screen makes the overall experience nicer and more seamless, but it comes at a cost.

✔️ Types of drinks: All espresso machines make espresso, and many have a frothing wand so you can make cappuccinos, lattes, Americanos and more using your own recipe. Basic fully automatic espresso machines can make these with a single touch of a button, while the more advanced ones can make different types of drinks, too, like cortados, macchiatos, flat whites and more using built-in recipes. Some even make true American coffee.

✔️ Milk container: My favorite milk containers are the ones that connect directly to the machine, so you don’t have to worry about using a skinny, flexible straw you can potentially lose. If the machine you want uses a straw system, it’s helpful to know that most machines have a rinsing system, so any residue will have a harder time building up. (And, the Kitchenaid’s straw stores right on the machine!) I also like milk containers that allow you to store milk securely in the fridge.

✔️ Dishwasher-safe parts: The drip trays on fully automatic espresso machines fill up often because they rinse themselves to heat and before turning off. The grounds also gather in the waste container. Being able to toss these parts in the dishwasher has been a lifesaver, helping to eliminate strong odors.

• Fully automatic espresso machines are pricey, but they do it all — they grind, they brew, they froth milk.
• They’re big, but I think a good one is worth the counter space.
• They can be loud (since they grind beans every time).
• They rinse themselves with water to heat up and before shutting down, which causes the drip tray to fill up pretty often.
• The used grounds can mold in the waste container — remember to empty it often, especially if you don’t plan on using it for a while.

Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Kitchen Appliances Lab where she oversees all testing and content related to kitchen appliances. She started testing espresso machines at Good Housekeeping in 2019 and worked with them beforehand when she worked at a kitchen appliance brand. She loves good coffee and has converted to only drinking espresso a couple of years ago. Brewing espresso has to be easy for her and the cleanup has to be minimal — or extremely worth it.

Jamie Ueda has been testing espresso machines for Good Housekeeping for at least three years now. She’s taken coffee and espresso courses from the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) in brewing, barista skills and sensory tasting, and is a returning judge in our Coffee & Tea Awards.