Best Coffee Makers for Espresso Drinks

This versatile coffee machine—from the same brand that makes the famous Instant Pot—can make both espresso and larger servings of coffee, using different coffee-pod types for each. To make a 2-, 4-, or 6-ounce espresso, you place a Nespresso capsule into one slot in the machine; to make an 8-, 10-, or 12-ounce cup of coffee, you use a K-cup in a separate slot. The model performed well in all of our tests for first and subsequent cup speeds, brewing range, temperature and size consistency, and convenience. Our testers also noted that it’s easy to see the amount of water remaining in its 68-ounce reservoir, and you can see it from the front or side of the machine, so you don’t need to worry about its placement on your countertop. Plus, the water reservoir is removable, which makes it extra-easy to clean. This model also has a height-adjustable drip tray, so you can brew coffee directly (and neatly) into everything from espresso cups to travel mugs.

This Keurig coffee maker is also a great model if you enjoy both espresso and larger coffees: It can make a 2- and a 4-ounce shot of espresso (like a single and double shot), plus four coffee brew sizes (6, 8, 10, and 12 ounces). In our tests, its first-cup speed and repeat speed for subsequent cups of coffee were great, and its size consistency is excellent. Plus, with five brew-strength settings and six temperature settings, this model received our top score for brewing range. That said, it was a little inconsistent in terms of temperature. But even with a wide range of customization options, our testers found the machine very easy to use. You can operate and program the machine with your phone via WiFi and the Keurig app, which also offers creative recipes for coffee drinks. This model has a built-in milk frother with a heating option; a 60-ounce removable water reservoir; and a height-adjustable drip tray. One benefit to Keurig machines is that there’s a pretty wide range of K-cup pods out there, including multiple types of espresso pods from different brands like Lavazza, Café Bustelo, Starbucks, and many more.

Nespresso is one of the more prominent brands in automatic espresso machines, and the Nespresso Essenza Mini is an easy-to-use, high-quality option for making espresso at home. In our tests, the machine’s speed in producing the first and subsequent espressos was impressive, and the size consistency of each espresso was excellent. Our testers did find that the temperature was a little variable among espressos, though, which may be noticeable if you’re serving a crowd. The Essenza Mini can make single espressos (measuring 1.35 ounces) and lungos (about 3.7 ounces, using more water to make a less concentrated beverage), though it doesn’t produce larger cups of regular coffee. Its water reservoir can hold 20.3 fluid ounces, and it’s removable. One downside is that the machine accepts only Nespresso Original capsules, so you’ll be locked into just Nespresso’s offerings, compared with the choices you have among espresso-style K-cups. But for this coffee maker, there are 24 different types of espresso capsule to choose from—so while you won’t get to try different coffee brands and roasters, you will have a range of roast and flavor options among the Nespresso pods. And when you buy the machine, it comes with a starter selection of 14 capsules.

This Nespresso model has the same single espresso and lungo functions of the Essenza Mini (and, similarly, it accepts only Nespresso Original capsules), but you can also re-program the machine to produce an espresso or lungo with your desired amount of water. In our tests, the machine delivered both speedy first and subsequent cups of espresso, and the consistency of both size and temperature was very good. Our testers found the machine easy and intuitive to operate, too. It has a removable 33.8-ounce water reservoir, and an indicator light to let you know when the machine needs cleaning. A big perk of this model is its built-in milk frother, and you can create a cappuccino or a latte macchiato with the press of a single button: When you add both milk and a Nespresso capsule, pressing the latte or cappuccino button prompts the machine to make the milk and the espresso in sequence. (One important note: It dispenses the frothed milk first, and then adds the espresso second, which isn’t exactly traditional—adding the frothed milk second, as most baristas do, helps the drink blend better and preserves the foam. But you could always capture the frothed milk in one cup, then let the espresso brew into the cup you want to drink from, and add the frothed milk yourself afterward.) This model’s $400 sticker price is steep, though you can often find it on sale from a number of retailers at a significant discount.

We’ve got one more Nespresso machine in the mix: the VertuoPlus, which can produce both espresso (single and double) and larger coffees —“large” being relative, since the two coffee sizes this machine offers are 5 and 8 ounces. Unlike the first two Nespresso models in this list, this machine uses Nespresso Vertuo pods. They’re a recognizably different shape than the Original capsules, and are designed to produce larger drinks with a thicker crema—the foamy substance of emulsified coffee-bean oils that sits on the top of a well-made espresso. Our lab testers were impressed by this machine’s brewing range, and its first-cup speed and temperature consistency were also admirable—though its speed for subsequent coffees was a little slower, and its size consistency was a little uneven. The basic VertuoPlus has a 40-ounce removable water reservoir (but you can buy a deluxe model with a 60-ounce reservoir), and it has a height-adjustable drip tray.