We evaluated both single-boiler and dual-boiler espresso machines. Each one operates a little differently. All of these models require you to pack coffee grounds into a portafilter, which you lock into the machine to brew espresso (as opposed to coffee makers that take pods or espresso machines that dispense the beans themselves), and they all come equipped with a steam wand for milk. Those steam wands vary in terms of power, length, and range of motion.
Based on what an espresso requires to taste good, we looked for two main performance features in all of them: the machine’s ability to consistently deliver sweet, balanced shots of espresso with little trouble, and the steam wand’s ability to produce an even microfoam, ideal for lattes, cappuccinos, and latte art. From there, we drilled down on the details to figure out which model might be right for you.
