The best espresso machines to unleash your inner barista at home, tested

We've rounded up espresso machines for every budget and skill level, from the cheapest manual models to high-end assisted marvels

The best coffee machines for your home: your morning brew made easy

More espresso, less depresso. To be clear, these weren't the words of Angelo Moriondo, the Italian inventor who patented the first espresso machine in 1884, but it's nice to imagine that he shared the sentiment. Without him, and the inventors that refined his creation, our daily lives - the sour-faced commutes and sunny weekend strolls - would be all the poorer.

Espresso forms the bedrock of many coffee staples - the latte, the cappuccino, the flat white, the americano - but making the perfect shot, or just a rather good one, is a thrillingly contentious topic. Millions of hours of YouTube videos have been dedicated to the craft, and the associated Reddit threads may one day form a voluminous historical artefact.

Best manual espresso machine overall:
Lelit Anna PL41TEM
_{509.95 at Amazon}

Best budget espresso machine:
De'Longhi Stilosa EC230
_{89 at Amazon}

Best for temperature control on a budget:
ProCook espresso machine
_{199 at ProCook}

Best if you can afford it:
Sage Dual Boiler
_{1,059.95 at Origin Coffee}

Best assisted espresso machine overall:
Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier
_{499 at John Lewis}

Best assisted machine for beginners:
Sage Bambino Plus
_{349 at John Lewis}

Best high-end assisted espresso machine:
Sage Oracle Jet
_{1,699 at John Lewis}