How do you use an espresso machine?

Each machine will operate a bit differently, so be sure to consult the instruction manual to make sure you’re able to make the most of your espresso machine. Pod and capsule machines will typically operate by the push of a button after you’ve dropped in your pod of choice, whereas more conventional machines will require a more hands-on approach. With a manual machine, you will have to measure and grind your beans, add water to the machine, tamp the grounds to lay flat in the bed, reassemble the machine with the grounds-filled lever, and pull your first shot. Machines will, of course, vary, so be sure to read the instructions fully.

How do you descale an espresso machine?

Again, check your instruction manual first, but you can typically run a descaling solution (or a 50/50 mixture of water and distilled vinegar) through the machine every month or two — depending on how frequently you use your machine — to keep it in great condition.

What size grind is best in an espresso machine?

“For espresso, you want a fine grind,” says Calatrello. “The ground coffee will look a little finer than table salt. This grind size will work for espresso machines as well as stovetops (Moka pot) and Aeropress coffee makers.”

How much caffeine is in a shot of espresso?

There’s approximately 63 mg of caffeine in a shot of espresso. Typically, an 8-ounce cup of coffee offers around 96 mg of caffeine, making a single cup of coffee stronger than a single shot of espresso.

The 6 Best Small Espresso Machines of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Breville Bambino Plus Expresso Machine on top of a gray kitchen counter — Photo:
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson

Many of us start our day with a cup of coffee, but there’s something equally lovely about an espresso shot as a midday pick-me-up or perhaps in an after-dinner espresso martini. While conventional espresso machines can be bulky, complicated, or expensive, the best small espresso machines have a minimal footprint and are often as simple to use as pushing a button.

“Espresso machines may be categorized into three basic modalities: manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic,” says Heather Calatrello, owner and head roaster at ShedLight Coffee. “For those seeking a truly hands-off brewing experience, fully automatic machines are the way to go. For most home coffee brewers, however, a semi-automatic machine will tick most of the boxes for ease of use and affordability.”

Whichever your preference, the best small espresso machines should reliably produce great results, all without the fuss and space requirements of a full-sized espresso machine. We tested dozens of espresso machines, evaluating each one on design, ease of use, and overall performance. With Calatrello’s help, we’ve rounded up the best small espresso machines.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine at Amazon ($500)

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Best Value:

De'Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine at Amazon ($87)

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Best Splurge:

SMEG Medium Fully-Automatic Coffee Machine at Amazon ($1,000)

Jump to Review

Best Nespresso:

Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe by Breville at Amazon ($140)

Jump to Review

Best Portable:

AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press at Amazon ($40)

Jump to Review

Best Stovetop:

Bialetti Moka Express at Amazon ($49)

Jump to Review

Best Overall

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

PHOTO:

Breville

$500 At Amazon $500 At Williams-Sonoma $500 At Sur La Table

Pros

The Bambino is easy-to-use, compact, and the milk frother attachment works exceptionally well.

Cons

There are no variable grind control settings to dial in, so you'll need to use a separate grinder for more precise control.

The Bambino is hands down our favorite small espresso machine. With its ability to select automatic one- or two-shot volumes at the touch of a button, it's an ideal option for beginners. This user-friendly machine features a simple control panel with just five buttons. Its compact design and lightweight construction can tuck into any corner of your coffee bar or cabinet, although we'd opt to keep it out on our countertops permanently.

During our tests, we liked that this machine has a small footprint while still feeling sturdy and durable. It's well-designed, and we noted that the automatic milk frother works well. If you don't like frothing milk at home or simply want to keep your hands free, this is the product for you. One note: There are no variables to dial in for the espresso itself. That comes from whatever coffee grinder or ground coffee you use. Overall, the Bambino delivers an exceptional coffee experience with a compact footprint.

Dimensions: 7.6 x 12.5 x 12.2 inches | Type: Manual | Coffee Source: Grounds | Milk Frother: Yes

Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson

Best Value

De'Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine

PHOTO:

Amazon

$87 At Amazon $87 At Target $100 At Wayfair

Pros

This is a great value for those who don’t mind a manual machine.

Cons

The plastic body isn’t as luxe as some other models.

If you’re up for a manual espresso machine, the De’Longhi Stilosa is a great budget buy with a compact footprint. This small machine lets you pull either a single or double shot of espresso — perfect for a cute espresso cup. Plus, there’s a built-in milk frother, and its dual-level cup holder accommodates taller mugs.

During our tests, it took a few trial runs to figure out the correct pressure and flow of water. However, we found that the final pulls from the machine created excellent espresso. Although there is a bit of a learning curve if you’re not already familiar with espresso machines, the no-frills design of this De’Longhi will have you up and running in no time. The package includes everything you need to get started — just add espresso grounds.

Dimensions: 8.07 x 13.5 x 11.22 inches | Type: Manual | Coffee source: Grounds | Milk frother: Yes

Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson

Best Splurge

SMEG Medium Fully-Automatic Coffee Machine

PHOTO:

Williams Sonoma

$1,000 At Amazon $1,000 At Nordstrom $1,000 At verishop.com

Pros

This was the most consistent machine out of the semi and super-automatic machines

Cons

The milk wand is too short, and this machine does not include a milk jug.

A sleek combination of retro style and futuristic minimalism, the Smeg Medium Fully-Automatic Coffee Machine earned a nearly perfect score in our tests. If you're looking for an incredibly easy-to-use automatic espresso machine, we recommend the Smeg. It has a fully automated brewing process with a simple 5-button control panel. While its design looks boxy at first glance, it has a compact footprint and we noted that it could easily be tucked into the corner of any coffee bar setup.

One of the most user-friendly espresso machines we tested, this machine takes care of everything from grinding beans to tamping espresso to steaming milk. We found this machine consistently delivers well-rounded shots with each pull. While the milk wand could benefit from an extended length, its overall ease of use and performance make it a great choice, even for first-time espresso drinkers. Based on this machine's consistent performance and ease of use, we recommend the Smeg as our best splurge.

Dimensions: 13.25 x 7 x 17 inches | Type: Automatic | Coffee source: Grounds | Milk frother: Yes

Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson
Food & Wine / Nick Simpson

Best Nespresso

Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe by Breville

PHOTO:

Amazon

$140 At Amazon $190 At Target $200 At Williams-Sonoma

Pros

This is an easy-to-use machine with built-in pod storage.

Cons

It’s only compatible with Nespresso Vertuo pods.

Also a top pick in our selection of best Nespresso machines, the Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe is one of our favorite small espresso machines thanks to its ease of use and consistent quality. During our tests, we found this machine to be quite versatile since it can brew espresso and coffee in four sizes. We also liked the generously sized 60-ounce water tank, which requires less frequent refills. Whether we selected espresso or a full-size cup of coffee, the VertuoPlus turned out smooth, aromatic coffee drinks.

While it does operate exclusively with Vertuo Nespresso pods, there’s a wide variety available, and the VertuoPlus offers built-in pod storage. Choose from two sizes of coffee or two sizes of espresso, and your beverage is ready with the touch of a button. Settings include 5-ounce coffee, 8-ounce coffee, single espresso, and double espresso. This is a compact, user-friendly, and high-quality small espresso machine.

Dimensions: 5.5 x 16.9 x 12.4 inches | Type: Automatic | Coffee source: Pods | Milk frother: No; sold separately

Food & Wine / Siobhan Wallace
Food & Wine / Siobhan Wallace
Food & Wine / Siobhan Wallace

Best Portable

AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press

PHOTO:

Amazon

$40 At Amazon $40 At REI $40 At Target

Pros

This is a portable, lightweight kit that comes with everything except coffee.

Cons

There might be some trial and error as you figure out the coffee-to-water ratios.

Whether you’re looking for a camping coffee maker or keeping a secret stash of espresso at your desk, the Aeropress Go is the top-recommended choice for portable coffee making. A 10-ounce capacity means you can brew as little coffee as you like, including a quick hit of espresso. In our AeroPress tests, we loved the convenience and simplicity of this manual press for pour-over coffee, cold brew, lattes, and (of course) single or double shots of espresso.

The Aeropress Go kit comes with everything you need, and it’s so easy to use that the only real thing you’ll need to figure out is your preferred grounds-to-water ratio. This kit is purposefully designed so that everything stores away nicely within the mug and lid — no counter space is required.

Dimensions: 4.75 x 4.75 x 11.75 inches | Type: Manual | Coffee source: Grounds | Milk frother: No

Best Stovetop

Bialetti Moka Express

PHOTO:

Amazon

$49 At Amazon $49 At Target $40 At Williams-Sonoma

Pros

This is a classic and iconic espresso maker that still holds up in modern kitchens.

Cons

The aluminum-developed flavor isn’t for everyone.

For purists or folks looking for something more basic, the classic Moka pot is still a great way to brew quality espresso at home. There’s no fancy machine needed for this method. Just pop the Moka Express on your stovetop and let the heat work its magic. This may not be the ideal choice if you’re looking for a versatile machine that can whip up barista-style espresso drinks, but if you’re a less-is-more type, it’s hard to beat the ease of use and small size of the Moka pot.

In our tests, we found the Bialetti to be pretty straightforward to use — fill the reservoir with water, pop in your grounds, screw on the top half, and place on the stove to start the brewing process. One note is that the aluminum body gets pretty hot, so you’ll want to handle it with care.

Dimensions: 5.51 x 3.94 x 6.69 inches | Type: Manual | Coffee source: Grounds | Milk frother: No

Our Favorite Small Espresso Machines

Our favorite small espresso machine is the Breville Bambino because it's easy-to-use, compact, and the milk frother attachment works exceptionally well. The Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine is a great pod-based choice if you’re looking for simplicity. For a splurge, we recommend the Smeg Medium Fully-Automatic Coffee Machine.

How We Tested Small Espresso Machines

As part of our larger espresso machine testing, we combed through our testing data to determine the best small espresso machines from the bunch. Though these machines range in size from single-serving manual espresso presses to fully automatic espresso machines, they have one factor in common: They can all easily fit inside a standard-sized kitchen cabinet.

Each of the small espresso machines we recommend above has a compact footprint and lightweight design. In our tests, we evaluated each espresso machine based on the below metrics:

Setup: Each machine was subjected to three tests to evaluate the espresso machine's setup process performance in pulling espresso shots and steaming and frothing milk. And we even timed how long it took to complete the process.
Ease of Use: The first test assessed the difficulty, time consumption, and beginner-friendliness of setting up the machine. We followed the manufacturer's instructions, familiarized ourselves with the machine's settings, and completed the cleaning/flushing cycle. It is important to us when recommending machines how difficult, time-consuming, and/or beginner-friendly the espresso machine is to set up for use since this is for the home.
Consistency: The second test evaluated the machine's consistency and ease of use when pulling espresso shots. We followed the manufacturer's instructions and any best practices for optimizing water temperature/preheating. Then, we made a double shot and programmed the settings accordingly, if applicable. We evaluated the crema, body, and taste of espresso. We subtracted for points if the espresso was under-extracted (watery body; thin, pale crema; too sour) or over-extracted (syrupy body; overly dark crema; too bitter). Well-balanced results earned top marks and positions at the top of our rankings. Each machine was used for a total of six shots to adjust for user error and tweaks, which most machines will need.
Milk Frothing: The third and final test evaluated how well the machines steamed and frothed milk if the machines have that capability. We looked at temperature, the time it took to reach our desired result, and the frothing/steaming consistency.

Factors to Consider

Type

Whether you opt for manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic, consider which machine type you’re most likely to actually use. Would you rather push a button or two and have a nice espresso, or are you up for the whole barista experience each time you want a coffee? Manual will, by trade, require more effort, but some people prefer it.

Versatility

What’s your favorite coffee drink? If you’re a black-coffee-only, sip-your-espresso-straight-up kind of person, finding a machine with a built-in milk frother probably doesn’t need to be your top priority. If you want to spice up your morning coffee with a frothy latte or cappuccino, consider a machine with various settings.

Pressure

“Pressure is necessary to produce the rich crema that is only found in espresso,” says Calatrello. “This pressure refers to atmospheric pressure and is measured in bars. There are many machines that advertise 15-, 18-, or even 20-bar pressure, but in reality, nine bars is the perfect amount of pressure for espresso.”

Size

Espresso machines can be bulky, especially if they include additional accessories like a milk frother, detachable grinder, or a water reservoir tank. Although we included the dimensions for each model above, make sure you shop according to your available storage or countertop space.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you use an espresso machine?

Each machine will operate a bit differently, so be sure to consult the instruction manual to make sure you’re able to make the most of your espresso machine. Pod and capsule machines will typically operate by the push of a button after you’ve dropped in your pod of choice, whereas more conventional machines will require a more hands-on approach.

With a manual machine, you will have to measure and grind your beans, add water to the machine, tamp the grounds to lay flat in the bed, reassemble the machine with the grounds-filled lever, and pull your first shot. Machines will, of course, vary, so be sure to read the instructions fully.
How do you descale an espresso machine?

Again, check your instruction manual first, but you can typically run a descaling solution (or a 50/50 mixture of water and distilled vinegar) through the machine every month or two — depending on how frequently you use your machine — to keep it in great condition.
What size grind is best in an espresso machine?

“For espresso, you want a fine grind,” says Calatrello. “The ground coffee will look a little finer than table salt. This grind size will work for espresso machines as well as stovetops (Moka pot) and Aeropress coffee makers.”
How much caffeine is in a shot of espresso?

There’s approximately 63 mg of caffeine in a shot of espresso. Typically, an 8-ounce cup of coffee offers around 96 mg of caffeine, making a single cup of coffee stronger than a single shot of espresso.

Our Expertise

Summer Rylander is a food and travel journalist who has written about food, beverage, and cooking products for Food & Wine, Allrecipes, Serious Eats, and The Kitchn. She made her selections based on in-depth research and conversation with coffee roasting expert Heather Calatrello.
Danielle St. Pierre is a commerce editor for Food & Wine. In addition to participating in lab and real-world tests to evaluate the best small espresso machines, she updated this review with fresh testing insights, original lab photography, and additional product information.

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