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The best espresso machines that make a café-quality brew

These are the best espresso machines on the market to suit your taste, preference and budget.
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If you’re like us and can’t start your day without a morning coffee, then investing in a home espresso machine should definitely be on your to-do list.

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However, when it comes to investing in a new kitchen appliance, finding the right one for your space, preference and budget is easier said than done.

That’s why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to do the research for you, so you can get to sipping your morning coffee in the comfort of your own home sooner, rather than later.

So, if you’re ready to take your morning cuppa to the next level and you’re ready to part ways with sub-par instant coffee at home (we know we are), here are our picks of the best home espresso machines on the market right now based on the different features and goals.

2024’s TOP ESPRESSO MACHINES

  1. Breville The Oracle Jet, $3499, Breville (here’s why)
  2. DeLonghi LaSpecialista Arte manual coffee machine, $598, The Good Guys (here’s why)
  3. Breville Barista Pro, $949, The Good Guys (here’s why)

The best espresso machines in 2024

Breville The Oracle Jet.

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Breville The Oracle Jet

$3499 at Breville

Best for: effortless café-quality coffee at home

If you have the budget to splurge on your at-home espresso machine upgrade, you can’t go wrong with Breville’s new Oracle Jet, which combines cutting-edge automation with barista-level features. This machine lets you effortlessly create café-quality drinks, from espressos and creamy lattes to refreshing cold brews, all at the touch of a button. With hands-free frothing and customisable settings, you can also master latte art and impress your friends. No barista skills needed!

“Very happy,” shared one five-star reviewer on the Breville website. “Coffees are as good as our local coffee shop & we continue to learn & update everything as suggested to improve the experience.”

Colours: brushed stainless steel, black truffle and sea salt

Key features:

  • Automatically grinds, doses and tamps coffee
  • Hands-free frothing
  • Quick heating system that saves energy
  • Guides you to the perfect espresso shot
  • Easy-to-use touch screen
  • Adjustable grinder with 45 settings

Also available at:

DeLonghi LaSpecialista Arte manual Coffee Machine.

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DeLonghi LaSpecialista Arte manual coffee machine

$598 at The Good Guys

Best for: coffee lovers who enjoy flavour experimentation

This stylish machine takes the guesswork out of brewing, guiding you through each step with premium accessories and smart tech, ensuring every cup is café-quality – minus the barista price tag, of course.

It also has over 200 five star reviews on The Good Guys website, with 95% of reviewers recommending it.

“This machine makes great tasting, cafe-quality coffee so easily. I start every day with a delicious cappuccino, and, later, a pick-me-up expresso. Great value for money, and I thoroughly recommend it,” said one customer who gave it a five star rating.

Key features:

  • Eight grind settings
  • Active temperature control
  • MyLatte Art steam wand
  • Three pre-set recipes: Espresso, Long Black and Hot Water
  • Professional single-wall filters for rich flavour
  • Dishwasher-safe parts

Also available at:

Breville The Barista Pro - Brushed Stainless Steel.

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Breville Barista Pro

$949 at The Good Guys

Best for: mouth-watering specialty coffee

Introducing the Breville Barista Pro – your new go-to for easy specialty coffee. With a sleek brushed stainless steel design, it features an integrated grinder and frother, promising to whip up aromatic brews and creamy microfoam in no time at all. Plus, the Dual ThermoJet heating system means you’re just three seconds away from your morning fix.

When we checked The Good Guys website, around 80% of the customer reviews for this home espresso machine gave it five stars.

“Love it! Everyone in my family has stopped buying from a cafe,” said one reviewer.

Another said: “I like everything about this machine, and I would buy this one again.”

Key features:

  • Integrated conical burr grinder with 30 grind settings
  • Three-second heat-up time with ThermoJet heating
  • Low pressure pre-infusion for optimal flavour extraction
  • Manual steam wand
  • Built-in water filter

Also available at:

Sunbeam Origins Espresso Coffee Machine.

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Sunbeam Origins espresso coffee machine

$899 at Myer

Best for: quality espresso with minimal clean-up

This espresso machine is a must-have for coffee lovers, boasting a 58mm commercial-sized group head that packs in rich espresso flavour. With its handy tap-go grinder and powerful dual thermo block heating system, you can brew and steam at the same time, so you get your caffeine faster. The anti-static technology also keeps your bench tidy, while the professional-grade steam wand creates that velvety microfoam we all love.

“I upgraded from the Sunbeam Barista Max to this one and all the features plus the design are well worth it..and incredible value. It looks professional in my kitchen and love the black control panel, which brings sophistication. The auto grinder is easy to use. And GRINDER IS SO MUCH QUIETER!!! It also isn’t messy at all, all the grinds end up in the basket without any spraying over the counter,” one customer who gave it a five star review said.

Key features:

  • 58mm group head for rich espresso
  • Built-in grinder
  • Brews and steams at the same time
  • Less mess with anti-static tech
  • Steam wand for creamy microfoam
  • Comes with filter baskets and tools

Also available at:

Nespresso Essenza Mini Solo.

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Nespresso Essenza Mini Solo

$159 at Amazon

Best for: speedy coffee on a budget

The Nespresso Essenza Mini Solo is perfect for small kitchens, bringing together minimalist design with high-quality brewing. It heats up in just 25 seconds and uses a 19-bar pressure pump to extract rich espresso from Nespresso capsules. With programmable shot sizes for espresso or lungo, this compact machine lets you enjoy your coffee without the hassle of juggling multiple buttons.

“Great quality, super stylish, compact enough to stay on the kitchen top,” one five star reviewer wrote on Amazon in September 2024.

Colours: black, white and red

Key features:

  • Compact, lightweight design
  • Heats up in 25 seconds
  • 19-bar pressure pump for rich espresso
  • Programmable shot sizes (espresso and lungo)
  • Removable water tank (600mL capacity)
  • Auto shut-off

Also available at:

Smeg '50s style retro espresso machine in white.

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Smeg ’50s Retro Style espresso machine

$569 at Bing Lee

Best for: a stylish retro touch

This stunning, retro-style espresso machine blends vintage charm with modern convenience. It has a 15-bar pump and 40 second heat up time, so get ready to indulge in fast, delicious crema. Perfect for adding a retro touch to your kitchen without sacrificing performance!

Colours: black, cream, pastel blue, pastel green, red and white

Key features:

  • 40-second heat-up time
  • 15-bar pump for optimal coffee extraction
  • Stainless steel steam wand for frothing milk
  • Works with ground coffee or ESE pods
  • 1.1-litre water tank capacity
  • Made in Italy
Breville Creatista Pro.

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Breville Creatista Pro

$997 (usually $1399) at Appliances Online

Best for: ultra-tasty espresso in a flash

With the Creatista Pro, your morning coffee is as fast as it is flawless. The intuitive touchscreen lets you scroll, save and perfect your favourite drinks – whether you’re in the mood for a flat white, an espresso or a frothy cappuccino. With its premium stainless steel finish and lightning-fast performance, it brings the café experience right to your countertop.

“Love this machine. It looks beautiful and makes a great coffee! Also it’s good to be able to store your own coffee setup,” said one customer who gave it five stars via Bazaarvoice Authentic Reviews.

Key features:

  • Three-second heat-up time
  • Customisable coffee and milk settings
  • LCD touch screen
  • Built-in automatic steam wand
  • Two-litre removable water tank
  • Hot water nozzle included
  • Nine coffee and eight milk settings

Also available at:

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What is the difference between a coffee maker and an espresso machine?

The main difference between a coffee maker and an espresso machine lies in the brewing process and the type of coffee they produce.

A coffee maker brews coffee by dripping hot water over ground coffee, typically resulting in a milder, larger cup. In contrast, an espresso machine uses pressure to force hot water through finely ground coffee, creating a concentrated shot of espresso with a rich flavour and a creamy crema on top.

Espresso machines also often come with features for steaming milk, making them ideal for specialty drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.

What are the three types of espresso machines?

You may not be aware, but there are different types of espresso machines, each catering to various preferences and skill levels. Understanding the different types can help you choose the right one for your specific needs.

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Manual espresso machines

These require you to control all aspects of the brewing process, including grinding, tamping and water pressure. They offer the most hands-on experience and are often preferred by coffee lovers who enjoy the art of espresso making.

Semi-automatic espresso machines

These machines automate the water flow, letting you control the grind and tamping. They strike a balance between manual and automatic, offering a more user-friendly experience while still leaving room for customisation.

Fully-automatic espresso machines

These automate the entire brewing process, from grinding to extraction. You simply select your desired drink, and the machine handles the rest. They are convenient and ideal for those who want great coffee without the effort.


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