A first espresso machine should make a shot without much fuss and give you a steam wand to learn milk drinks. Pump pressure figures on the box are not the whole story, so this guide leans on tank size, wattage, footprint and what comes in the box.
The six machines below range from a steam-brewing model to compact pump machines with pressure gauges and digital controls. Specs come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these machines ourselves, and pressure and speed claims are the makers’ own. Most pump machines expect freshly ground coffee, so a burr grinder is a worthwhile pairing.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Brewing method | Pump machines and steam brewers make different drinks |
| Steam wand | Manual or automatic wands change how much milk practice you need |
| Tank | A bigger tank means fewer refills |
| Footprint | Narrow machines suit small counters |
| In the box | Portafilter, baskets and tamper save extra buying |
Specs at a Glance
| Machine | Size and tank | Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| De’Longhi Stilosa | 12.13 x 9.45 x 14.17 in; 1000 ml | 1100 W | Manual steam wand; single and double baskets; 8.6 lb |
| Breville Bambino | 13.7 x 6.3 x 12 in; 47 oz | 1560 W | ThermoJet heat-up; pre-infusion; 10.9 lb |
| CASABREWS 3700 | 13 x 6.5 x 12.1 in | 1350 W | 20-bar claim; one-cup and two-cup filters; steam wand |
| Chefman CraftBrew | 10.8 x 8.9 x 11.9 in; 1.5 L | 1350 W | 15-bar claim; touch panel; adjustable shot volume |
| Mr. Coffee 4-Shot | 11.2 x 11.2 x 15 in | 1200 W | Steam brewing; frothing pitcher included |
| Gevi 20 Bar | 12.3 x 5.5 x 12 in; 1 L | 1350 W | Pressure gauge; pre-infusion; 8.6 lb |
The 6 Best Espresso Machines for Beginners
1. De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine
A compact manual machine with a stainless steel boiler, a 1000 ml removable tank, a portafilter, a measuring scoop and tamper, single and double shot filters and a manual steam wand. It draws 1100 watts and weighs 8.6 pounds, and lists auto shut-off.
Suits: learning the basics with a manual wand. Strengths: a plain layout and the box includes the basics. Weaknesses: a smaller tank than some. Skip it if you want touch controls.
View De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine on Amazon
2. Breville Bambino BES450BSS
A narrow stainless steel machine, 6.3 inches wide, that the maker says reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds with its ThermoJet system. It uses low-pressure pre-infusion, has an automatic steam wand for adjusting milk temperature and texture, holds 47 fluid ounces and draws 1560 watts.
Suits: small counters and milk drinks. Strengths: a narrow body, fast heat-up claim and an automatic wand. Weaknesses: the heaviest machine here at 10.9 pounds. Skip it if you want a bean-to-cup machine.
View Breville Bambino BES450BSS Espresso Machine on Amazon
3. CASABREWS 3700 Essential
A stainless steel machine measuring 13 by 6.5 by 12.1 inches with a 1350 watt heater. The maker calls it a 20-bar semi-automatic machine and includes one-cup and two-cup filters and a steam wand for milk. The overview we read did not list a tank size.
Suits: a slim machine with a steam wand. Strengths: a narrow footprint and two filter sizes. Weaknesses: tank size not shown in our read. Skip it if you need to know the tank volume before choosing.
View CASABREWS 3700 Essential Espresso Machine on Amazon
4. Chefman CraftBrew 15-Bar Digital
A 15-bar machine with a touch control panel, a built-in timer, adjustable shot volume, two shot baskets, a steam wand and a 1.5 liter removable reservoir. It measures 10.8 by 8.9 by 11.9 inches and draws 1350 watts.
Suits: someone who likes digital controls. Strengths: the biggest tank here and programmable shots. Weaknesses: a wider body than the slim models. Skip it if you want a manual feel.
View Chefman CraftBrew 15-Bar Digital Espresso Machine on Amazon
5. Mr. Coffee 4-Shot Steam Espresso Maker
A steam-brewing machine with an extra-large portafilter that the maker says brews up to four shots, plus a frothing wand, a water pitcher with markings, a measuring scoop and a stainless steel frothing pitcher. The listing shows 1200 watts but also lists voltage as 240, which looks like an error for a US plug, so check the product page before buying.
Suits: a basic machine with a pitcher included. Strengths: a frothing pitcher and scoop in the box. Weaknesses: a conflicting voltage entry and steam brewing rather than a pump. Skip it if you want pump-style pressure.
View Mr. Coffee 4-Shot Steam Espresso Cappuccino and Latte Maker on Amazon
6. Gevi 20 Bar Compact Espresso Machine
A stainless steel machine, 5.5 inches wide, with a 20-bar pump, NTC temperature control, pre-infusion, a pressure gauge, adjustable shot volume and a cup warmer. It has a 1 liter removable tank and comes with a portafilter, 51mm single and double filters, a spoon and tamper and a cleaning pin.
Suits: a learner who wants a gauge to watch. Strengths: a pressure gauge and a very narrow body. Weaknesses: a 1 liter tank. Skip it if you want a larger reservoir.
View Gevi 20 Bar Compact Espresso Machine with Milk Frother on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Rinse the portafilter and baskets after each use.
- Wipe the steam wand right after steaming.
- Descale on the schedule in the manual.
- Start with fresh grounds and change one variable at a time.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying on bar numbers alone.
- Using stale or pre-ground coffee and blaming the machine.
- Skipping the purge and cleaning steps.
- Ignoring tank size if you make several drinks.
Espresso Machine FAQ
Do I need a grinder?
For pump machines, fresh grounds help a lot. A burr grinder is a common partner.
Manual or automatic steam wand?
A manual wand like the Stilosa gives control but takes practice. The Bambino describes an automatic wand.
The Short Version
For a manual start, the Stilosa. For a narrow machine with fast heat-up, the Bambino. For a slim steam-wand model, the CASABREWS. For digital control and a big tank, the Chefman. For a pitcher in the box, the Mr. Coffee. For a pressure gauge, the Gevi.
