Best Coffee Machines for Home
Pick the right home coffee machine for how you brew. This guide covers drip, capsule, and espresso machines, with a first pick and an alternate for each type.
Prices change often. Check the current price on the manufacturer's site or a retailer listing before you buy.
The short answer
For most people who want one machine that makes espresso-style drinks at home, start with the Breville Barista Express (BES870). It includes a built-in grinder and gives you direct control over dose, grind, and milk texture.
If you mainly want a cup of filter coffee each morning, a drip machine fits better. If you want the least effort per cup, choose a capsule or automatic espresso machine.
Choose by how you brew
Three questions narrow the field quickly. What do you drink most: filter coffee, capsule coffee, or espresso drinks? How much hands-on work will you do each morning? How much counter space and budget do you have? Use the answers to pick a type first, then compare machines inside that type.
Learn the differences between coffee types→Drip coffee machines
Drip machines brew a full carafe of filter coffee with little input. They suit households that drink several cups of the same coffee through the morning.
Capsule coffee machines
Capsule machines brew a single cup from a sealed capsule or pod with minimal preparation. The running cost depends on the capsule price.
Capsule costs add up over time. Use our tool to see the long-term impact.
Calculate cost per cupEspresso machines
Espresso machines make the most control possible at home. The best fit depends on whether you want to grind and dose yourself.
Automatic espresso machines
Super-automatic machines grind, dose, brew, and steam with a few button presses. You trade some control for speed and consistency.
Who should buy which machine
Match your routine to a machine type.
| Machine type | Best for | Less suited for |
|---|---|---|
| Drip (Moccamaster, OXO, Aiden) | Filter coffee for several cups each morning | Espresso and milk drinks |
| Capsule (Nespresso Vertuo, Keurig K-Supreme Plus) | Fast single cups with little cleanup | Lowest running cost per cup |
| Manual espresso (Breville Barista Express, Bambino Plus, La Specialista Arte, Gaggia Classic Pro) | Hands-on espresso drinks at home | People who want no daily setup |
| Automatic espresso (Philips 5500 LatteGo, JURA E8) | Espresso drinks with minimal effort | Buyers who want full control over each shot |
Check these before you buy
Check the current price, the water tank size, the milk system, and the cleaning routine for the exact model. Model specifications can change between revisions, so confirm them on the manufacturer's current product page.
Prices change often and vary by retailer. Compare the current price on the manufacturer's site or a retailer listing before you buy.
Tools to use after you choose
Use these calculators to compare running costs and dial in your brew.
Frequently asked questions
Which home coffee machine should I buy first?
Start with the type that matches your most common drink. Filter coffee points to a drip machine, a quick single cup points to a capsule machine, and espresso drinks point to an espresso machine. For most people who want espresso at home with a grinder included, the Breville Barista Express (BES870) is a strong first choice.
Is a capsule machine cheaper per cup than an espresso machine?
It depends on the capsule price, the bean price, and how many drinks you make. Use the coffee cost per cup calculator to compare your own numbers.
Do I need a grinder for an espresso machine?
Espresso depends on a fine, consistent grind. Machines with a built-in grinder, such as the Breville Barista Express, handle this step. With other espresso machines, you buy and use a separate grinder.
Does this guide cover office coffee machines?
No. This guide covers home coffee machines only. Office and commercial capacity and purchasing are outside its scope.
Home Coffee Notes
Independent coffee guides for home brewing.
Compare espresso machinesQuestions? Contact yiyang@felo.ai