Thinking about buying an espresso machine?

In this article: buying an espresso machine, espresso buyers guide, espresso machine tips

Are you are thinking about buying an home espresso machine? Before you buy an espresso machine, there are several factors worth considering and that may help you when deciding what espresso machine to buy.

Depending on the type of machine and price range you are considering, the factors to consider is slightly different. Below you can read about the factors you should consider for each type of espresso machine.

Bying smaller steam-pressure espresso machines

This category of counter-top espresso machines are relatively inexpensive and are commonly priced at $100 or below. They won't produce the perfect full-bodied espresso, but for espresso drinks combined with milk, such as latte's or cappuccino's, you may consider buying an espresso machine in this category.

Important points of consideration are

  • Coffee flow control. A good espresso machine in this price range offers some sort of mechanism to cut off the flow of coffee. If missing, you will not be able to control the amount and strength of the espresso.
  • Steam control. Even if just an on-off switch, it's a great plus to be able to control the steam pressure when frothing milk with your espresso machine.

Buying a pump-driven counter-top espresso machine

This category of espresso machine can range from $100 and up to around $1000.

The difference between the lower and higher end machines are quite considerable, so you might want to categorize them further, where the upper range is considered professional home espresso machines.


  • If you are going to use your espresso machine very frequently or produce several shots of espresso within a short period of time e.g. when serving several guests, you should generally consider a heavier and slightly larger machine. Not only is the espresso machine more robust but will also heat up faster between the shots and you can thus serve more guests in shorter time.
  • As you can read about on other pages of the espresso guide, a cold espresso cup for your hot espresso coffee is no good. A cold cup will give you less crema and your espresso will not taste as good. Therefore, an espresso machine equipped with a cup warmer is a good investment.

    The cup warmer is usually a plate on top of the espresso machine that heats up when the machine is turned on. If you are mostly making latte's and cappuccino's however, the hot milk will compensate for the cold cup and a cup warmer becomes less important.

    • More information shortly!