Best Espresso Machine: the Final, Definitive Answer

What is the best espresso machine in 2025? So, I’ve been tasked with an easy question, eh?

Sarcasm aside, there’s no way that one person’s perspective can answer that question. See, even though I like to flex some latte art, I don’t often drink cappuccinos or lattes. Most of the time, I’m just drinking espresso. Plus, I don’t really care how a machine looks in my kitchen; I just want temperature stability and a few other features. But not everyone is me, right?

I decided to tap into the expertise and perspectives that our expert staff has to offer. They speak with LOTS of folks shopping for espresso machines and have a good grip on the things that different coffee drinkers are looking for. 

I sat down for a quick chat with members of our Sales, Technical Support, and Content teams, and even got a quick word in with Danilo Lodi, World Coffee Championships Representative and Judge. I asked them each for their initial thoughts on some espresso machines, and what you see below is a bit of a "Greatest Hits" compilation of their responses.

With all these perspectives, we can’t pick ONE espresso machine; home espresso machines are not a one-size-fits-all type of thing. So, we picked two machines in 4 categories: Dual-Boilers, Heat Exchangers, Entry-Level Semi-Automatics, and Super-Automatics.

Whatever you need in a home espresso machine, we’ll point you in the right direction with some of the best offerings 2025 has to offer.

Best Dual-Boilers

Gaggia Classic GT

The Gaggia Classic GT is the long-anticipated dual-boiler espresso machine from this historic innovator. It’s compact in size, and absolutely LOADED with features, such as fast heat-up, external OPV for brew pressure control, auto on/off schedule, optional auto-volumetric extraction, ability to disable the steam boiler to save energy, control board with simple access to a variety of settings, and my favorite feature: the low-flow flexible pre-infusion. Brian, our lead technician, offered his perspective:

It’s cool to see them develop a dual-boiler machine. A lot of custom parts, really fun to play with, and user-friendly. So I'm excited about this one.

Like I mentioned above, the low-flow pre-infusion is probably my favorite feature. The GT’s pre-infusion runs at 3 grams per second, gently wetting the coffee before your main extraction begins. You can customize your pre-infusion based on roast level: 2 seconds for dark, 8 for medium, 12 for light, or take full manual control if you like to experiment. To be clear, the North American version of the Gaggia Classic GT has these pre-infusion options already programmed. I’ve personally been using the 12-second pre-infusion for those high-density, light roast single-origin shots. I’ve even gone wild and pre-infused for as high as 20-seconds, just to experiment.

Danilo Lodi had a ringing endorsement for this feature when I asked him about it:

The low-flow preinfusion gives me the opportunity to extract high-end specialty coffee with precision to bring out the best flavors.

While it’s an endgame feature for geeks like myself and Danilo, Zach from our Content team notes that the way the pre-infusion is already programmed makes it easy for anyone to use:

This is a great machine to start getting into preinfusion. You can just wake up and press a button, not have to deal with a lever, or flow control valve, or anything like that. You can dial in a medium roast or a light roast pretty easily. It’s intelligently pre-infusing for you in most cases.

Continuing with the unique features, the Classic GT has a dual-pump system: one pump for steam, one for brew. That means you can steam milk and pull a perfect espresso simultaneously without worrying about pressure or temperature interference. Plus, hot water comes out smooth and steady thanks to a clever steam boiler toggle. If you just need hot water for an americano, press the steam boiler switch and the boiler will lower its temperature, avoiding the erratic sputtering you see from hot water taps on most espresso machines. This is a surprisingly underrated feature, but not underrated to Justin from our Sales crew:

I'm a big Americano drinker, so the idea that you can lower the temperature on that steam boiler is actually pretty awesome. You know, you won’t have a bunch of sputtering steam coming out of there, you’ll just have a smooth stream of hot water.

With all this tech, the GT still clocks in at $1,699, making it a feature-packed, high-value dual-boiler that’s hard to beat. I’ll let Todd,a legend in the home espresso machine world, close this one out:

Best value dual-boiler by far. You can get it and a quality grinder like the (Gaggia) MDF 55 or something like that for about the same cost or less than other dual boilers.

ECM Synchronika II

The original Synchronika made waves in the home espresso world with its commercial-quality build, huge boilers, and classy design. ECM listened to fans and packed in upgrades in the Synchronika II, like an easy-to-read OLED PID screen, a smooth knurled rotary knob, and software perks like on/off scheduling, automated pre-infusion, and cleaning reminders.

But the real showstopper is its heat-up time. Thanks to an electrically heated grouphead, the Synchronika II is ready to brew in just 6.5 minutes—faster than any other E61 home espresso machine. And with the programmable on/off schedule, your machine is ready to brew before you even roll out of bed. Nick from our Content & Web team has a good point about this unmatched heat-up time:

I think really, ECM kind of showed where the market is going in terms of, say, like innovations on the E61. So the fact that they put the cartridge heater in addresses, I think, what is often some people's hesitation about E61 groups.

The Synchronika is indeed known for commercial quality build as well. Marc, the familiar face from our YouTube channel, assured me that the Synchronika II is built to last:

One of the questions I get asked is ‘when can I expect to replace a major expensive component in this machine?’ And the truth of the matter is, it should be a really, really long time. All you gotta do is routine maintenance and use good water. And these machines are going to go for decades. They really, really will.

Our tech support team loves the Synchronika II. Our tech lead, Steve, chimes in:

…A really solid upgrade to a machine that's been around for a while... really, like, really, really solid. The Synchronika II is super easy to work on if they need work, but they rarely ever do. It holds up over time and also gives you all the modern features you're probably looking for.

Beyond the tech, the Synchronika II is pure elegance: speedometer-style dials, stainless steel touchpoints, a roomy drip tray, and plenty of options to personalize with Wiedemann wooden accents. Aesthetics and build quality are great, of course, but Zach noted the sheer performance:

It's powerful, its steam is amazing. All my latte art friends out there would definitely love the steam pressure on this machine. It's nice and dry, quick, and almost reminds me more of a commercial machine from my barista days.

Luxurious, loaded with features, and built to last, it’s no wonder this machine has become the “endgame” for serious home baristas. I may or may not have stolen that line from Lily:

I kind of view it as an endgame dual-boiler in our catalog. It really is chock full of features. I don't really feel like you need to upgrade from there. If you're really into experimenting or even hosting, it really can hold up for a lot of different uses.

Best Heat Exchangers

Bezzera LUCE

The Bezzera LUCE has a lot going for it, but what stands out most is how thoughtfully it’s built for real, everyday use. The 2-liter copper boiler gives you AWESOME steam power and solid temperature stability, so you can brew and steam at the same time without the machine struggling to keep up. You get consistent results shot after shot, even if you’re making a few drinks back-to-back. Nick was pretty impressed with its performance:

The thing about the LUCE, and really about a lot of Bezzera’s machines in particular, is it just has totally wild steam power. There’s a massive two-liter copper boiler in there, horizontally mounted, like the Pro 500 (More on that in a moment). You can steam five ounces of milk to about 140 degrees in like, 16 seconds. It's crazy. Plus, the PID is programmed with the brew temperature in mind, not with the steam temperature, so it’s actually quite accurate.

Since it’s a vibration pump machine, you won’t be able to plumb it in. This is where the 4-liter water reservoir is a smart touch. You can go for a couple of days without refilling it, even if you’re brewing for more than one person, so that large reservoir really helps out. The choice to use a vibration pump instead of a rotary pump helps keep the LUCE at a friendly price for a setup that feels this professional, delivering both value and reliability.

Speaking of reliability, there was no shortage of comments about Bezzera’s build quality and hundred-year reputation.

Marc:
What I'll always say about Bezzera is they really make more of their own components in-house than any other manufacturer. And of course, you can't argue with Bezzera's history. They've been around from the very beginning of espresso.

Todd:
Beautiful machine. Would be proud have that on my counter. They manufacture everything in-house, it's very impressive. So the quality control is second to none.

Even small design choices make a difference. For example, the gauges sit higher up on the front panel, so they’re right in your line of sight; you don’t need to crouch to see the action. The design overall was a big hit with our staff. Allysa, our sales lead, and Mel, also from our Sales team offered their thoughts:

Allysa:
I love Bezzera for their designs. The color variations were really, really superb this time, the green in particular. They know how to do it. Of course, we all know the branding, just unforgettable.

Mel:
I personally love to see these companies, especially a company like Bezzera that's been going for well over 100 years, play around with what a modern espresso machine looks like.

The LUCE comes with single and double spout 58 mm commercial portafilters, and 10g and 20g filter baskets come standard as well. Altogether, the Bezzera LUCE feels like a machine that was built by people who actually make espresso every day. Not only is it built by a legendary brand, it’s also beautiful, robust, and comes in at a great price, earning a spot on this year’s list.

Profitec Pro 500 PID

The Profitec Pro 500 PID is a popular espresso machine that’s been going strong in the Whole Latte Love catalog for a decade. This version of the Pro 500 is a Whole Latte Love exclusive and puts a PID screen right on the front panel of the machine, allowing users to change boiler temperature in single-degree increments. In fact, Lily reminded me that the Whole Latte Love exclusive comes stock with a bottomless portafilter, an accessory I wish was included with more espresso machines.

Profitec is known for excellent build quality and reliability, and the Pro 500 PID is no exception. The housing is stainless steel, as is the 2-liter boiler, and the internals include copper-and-brass, giving it commercial-grade components inside and out. What it doesn’t have in features like pre-infusion or on/off scheduling capabilities, it more than makes up for in longevity while maintaining an attractive price. Steve is often singing its praise:

One of my favorite machines, as far as heat exchangers go, it was one of the first to do the PID in there, really, again, really easy to work on, but not a ton goes wrong with them.

Justin and Allysa both drive home why I love the Pro 500 PID:

Justin:
It’s the product of German engineering, and you can expect it to last a long time. You’ve got the PID with a shot timer and the option to add flow control… it's an amazing value for the type of machine that you're getting.

Allysa:
There’s not much flashy about it. It's just one of those machines that's very solid. It does exactly what you want it to do.

The vibration pump is plenty quiet and the PID screen is simple and easy to use. The quarter turn rotary knobs allow you to ease into your steaming, which I love if I only need to steam a little bit of milk, say for a cortado for example (rotary knobs are underrated for that reason, in my opinion).

Since the Pro 500 PID has limited features, it demands that you just focus on the basics of espresso, Zach recommends it to anyone just starting out in the prosumer world.

I think that's a great gateway into these higher-end machines. What you get for the price is key here. You can get wooden components, you can make it look really pretty. Especially with the flow paddle.

The bottom line is that the Profitec Pro 500 PID is an easy-to-use heat exchanger that does an amazing job of getting back to basics: making great drinks and staying dialed in.

Best Entry-Level Semi-Automatics

Gaggia Classic E24

I’ll let Nick kick this one off:

The Gaggia Classic is one of those machines where, I don't know if people realize how much it's subtly improved over even just the last few years. New rocker switches, stainless shower holding plate, brass boiler, nine-bar OPV. And then, you know, not to mention that it just brews really nice espresso and has very nice steam power for a machine of its size.

For decades, some version of the Gaggia Classic has been the starting point for home baristas. For many, it’s been an endgame machine, with a classic case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The E24 takes everything the Gaggia Classic community loves and makes it more stable and more powerful.

Mel:
It is the ideal starter machine, really, and it’s a good value. Especially if you want something that's going to give you more than just a few years.

Todd:
The E24 continues to be your best value entry-level machine. The brass boiler is perfect for the usage that it's getting. It heats up quick, heats to steam temperature quick, and it’s comparable to some of the bigger single-boiler machines.

The game-changing feature in the E24 is a brass boiler instead of the previous aluminum boiler. Not only did the brass material perform with consistency in our temperature stability tests, but the improvement I’m personally loving is the more powerful steam pressure it provides. While it was possible to get fine microfoam on previous versions of the Classic, it took all of your attention and you needed excellent technique. With this newest version of the Gaggia Classic, you’re able to froth and pour latte art like you steamed on a much more expensive machine. Brian notes its evolution over the years:

I mean, it’s a great machine that's been around for a long time, yet there’s been these little-by-little improvements over the years. The brass boiler, I think, is a game changer. It does a lot for temperature stability.

The Gaggia Classic E24 lets you really make it your own. There are nine colors to choose from (I’m partial to Classic Blue, as I reference in our Best Entry-Level Espresso Machines 2025 video) and optional Wiedemann wooden accents. You can even add a bottomless portafilter and upgrade your shower screens and holding plate to improve your extraction—and that’s just scratching the surface.

I’ve actually brought a Gaggia Classic with me on road trips more than once (yes, I’m the classic insufferable coffee guy), so I got a kick out of Lily’s point here:

It's even a machine that I see people take with them places, which is fun. It’s simple to use, has much higher-quality parts than other beginner machines, and is very easy to service, which is a big plus for me.

With tons of support resources and a machine that’s easy to service yourself, the Classic E24 is a starter machine for some, and a lifelong partner for others.

Stone Lite

This year, Rocket Espresso released the Stone Lite, a heat exchanger espresso machine that delivers serious bang-for-your-buck. It’s also one of the most compact machines in our catalog, so if you’re pressed for space, the Stone Lite should be a contender for your countertop.

Lily:
I think it's great, kind of a step up from the E24. You have a heat exchanger capacity, but it's still small, compact. I've heard really great reviews on it from customers who are using it. Also, you can take it with you if you’re traveling, like the E24.

Zach:
It was a very surprising machine. I really like the steam pressure on it, too—I had some amazing pours. It had a really nice dry steam. Plus, it heats up so quick, like 10 minutes.

Simplicity is the name of the game with the Stone Lite. This is a machine for someone who wants to get up and go: No fiddling with flow control or PID screens. If your drink of choice is a latte or cappuccino, the Stone Lite has all you need to get out the door in the morning (although I will add that I’ve had some solid shots of espresso served neat from this machine too).

The sheer look of the Stone Lite turned heads around here too. Mel puts it this way:

I’m big on looks and aesthetics, and I think it has a cool, unique look to it. So if you're really just looking for espresso and milk drinks, it’s an incredible price point that'll still get you a cafe-quality drink.

Brian also mentioned the Stone Lite’s style, but had a good point about the build quality overall:

If you're looking for something that's going to grab people's attention outside of a typical espresso machine look, it's definitely got a leg up on that. Stone is made by Rocket, so you're getting into something that's been around the block. They’ve got quality—they know what they're doing.

Yes, simplicity was one of the goals in mind with the Stone Lite, but the way the Stone Lite delivers that simplicity is pretty cool. The heat exchanger is regulated by a pressurestat that brings water to just under brew temp, but the PID in the grouphead finishes it off by bringing it up to 200°F. This means no need to purge before brewing like on most heat exchanger espresso machines, and reliable brew temperature too.

Nick reminded me that even though the Stone Lite keeps it simple, you still have some wiggle room for customization:

You do get a shower screen that's actually an E61 screen, so you can replace that with some custom stuff like, you know, from E&B Lab or IMS or BIT. And then you also have the interchangeable Rocket steam tips on the steam wand, so there's still room to play there.

At the time of this writing, the Stone Lite is the most affordable heat exchanger in our catalog, making it an easy option for someone who prefers to brew and steam at the same time.

Best Super-Automatics

Gaggia Cadorna Over Ice

The Gaggia Cadorna was already one of Gaggia’s premium products, but the addition of Over Ice capability makes it one of the most affordable super-automatics capable of true iced espresso drinks. By lowering brew temperature and extending extraction time, it delivers a full-bodied shot that won’t immediately melt your ice. For anyone who loves iced lattes or cold specialty drinks, this feature alone makes the machine a compelling option, especially the way Brian puts it:

There aren't a lot of options out there for iced beverage machines. Yeah, so, you're taking a machine like the Gaggia Cadorna that's already a very solid machine, fan-favorite for a while now, with great options, great customization, and then you just added that extra over-ice option on it. So I think it's a great upgrade. Good value for what you're getting, too.

Beyond iced drinks, the Cadorna Over Ice benefits from everything people already appreciate about the Cadorna line. You get ten grinder settings—more than most super-automatics in this range—which gives users more control when dialing in. Add in Gaggia’s long-standing build quality, user profiles, straightforward physical buttons, and ten, yes, ten grind settings, and you end up with a machine that’s easy for multiple people to use while still giving the enthusiast in your life some room to fine-tune.

Justin:
The Cadorna line is one of my favorite Gaggia super-automatic lines… Just the overall build quality, the extra profile features, but just having that extra little feature for that person that loves that iced latte, it's perfect.

Mel:
I really like the Cadorna. The profile settings I think are really, really useful when you have multiple people using a machine. I also really like the buttons, to be honest. You would think I’d feel the opposite, with my generation being more touchscreen inclined, but I think the buttons give a more satisfying touch point.

Justin and Mel have good points about the profiles. You can program up to four user profiles, each with their own distinct parameters for each drink. For example, if you like your espresso pulled a bit shorter than your partner, your profile will save that preference for you, so no re-programming every time you make a drink. With four profiles, plus the default settings, this means you can have up to five versions of the same drink saved at any given time.

All of this comes at a price point that you often don’t see when it comes to iced drinks. It brings customization and versatility in an Italian-made machine to a budget-friendly tier, especially compared to higher-priced iced-capable models. Allysa on the price comparison:

It allows you to get an over-ice drink without spending as much money as you would on something like a Jura Z10. So it really opened up an affordable pathway to get to an iced drink on a super-automatic machine.

For anyone wanting hot or cold specialty drinks on demand without overspending, the Cadorna Over Ice is one of the strongest options in its class.

Gaggia Accademia

I am so, so glad the Accademia made the list. The Gaggia Accademia is an easy-to-use, intuitive, all-in-one super-automatic espresso machine with enough bells and whistles to help you get your coffee right where you want it. It’s even a favorite for some of us, and Marc was happy to chime in about it:

I've used pretty much every super-automatic machine that's been available in the last 15 years in North America, and the Gaggia Academia easily produces the best espresso that I've had on any of them.

Todd’s ears perked up when I asked for his thoughts on the Accademia.

There we go. The Gaggia Academia is my favorite. I have one at home and I love that machine. Without question, to me, it brews the best espresso of any of these super-automatics that we're selling.

The Accademia’s build quality is no joke – the panels are metal instead of plastic. It has both a steam wand and a milk carafe, so you can steam milk any way you like, or just push a button and be on your way. The Coffee Boost feature bumps up your drink’s strength by adding a shorter shot into any drink (that’s how Marc brews his espresso), and the Accademia-exclusive Espresso Plus System (you’ll hear us just call it “flow control” around here) lets you manipulate the flowrate of the espresso, increasing or decreasing the water’s contact time with the coffee. Our staff had a LOT to say about the Accademia, so buckle up:

Nick:
The Accademia, in terms of build quality, is something that I think people often overlook. It's a standard that they don't hold people to as strictly as they should.

Zach:
That's the ultimate super-auto that you can get. We actually use the Accademia in our lab here as part of our dialing-in process for a lot of different coffees.

Steve:
Top-of-the-line for what Gaggia is doing. It's got all the features, you know, quick and easy to use, or you can actually froth good milk with it, which is really cool. For a super automatic, that's a wild claim, and it's actually true.

Mel concurs with Steve on that one; it’s actually true.

Mel:
For people who do want to customize their experience, you can use a carafe or a steam wand. If you want to try some latte art, the wand actually has really good steam pressure.

There’s so much more, from controlling coffee volume, milk volume, temperatures for each, multiple pre-infusion options… I feel like I’m making a list of features instead of a closing statement, but I truly feel that the Gaggia Accademia is a great machine for a small office, household entertaining, or anyone who simply wants a luxury experience with maximum control... There I go, making another list.

Anything Else?

Mega thanks to our caffeinated crew for their takes and insights. I closed out my chats with our staff by asking if there’s anything else they wanted to share while they’ve got the mic, and Brian went for it:

In seriousness, grinders. Best of decisions that you can make going into 2026 is to make sure you’ve got a good grinder, because you're never going to step up your espresso or coffee game in general unless you're stepping up your grinds.

Your host agrees. Justin, a man of occasional brevity, can even point you in the right direction:

I love Ceado grinders. There you go.

Lily had an honorable mention:

The (Profitec) Pro 800 always... I just think it's a solid machine. It's definitely not for everyone. It's a lot, but it makes a very unique espresso, in my opinion. Looks great. Great performance, it was just a very fun machine to use, and there’s a very niche market for that, but I just love the espresso out of it, so... (I asked her, “you exist in that niche, don’t you?”) I really do, yes. I sure do.

Mel spoke for all of us with her closing statement:

I love coffee!

Closing Out The Best Espresso Machine of 2025

And those are our picks for the best espresso machines that 2025 has to offer. If you stuck with me this long, hopefully you can see that there’s no way to narrow it down to just one “Best” espresso machine.

Are you just getting into espresso? Kick it off with a machine where you can learn and get comfortable without breaking the bank. If you don’t want to make espresso a hobby and would rather keep it simple, grab a super-automatic. What if you mostly want milk drinks, like cappuccinos and lattes? A heat exchanger has the value you’re looking for. And of course, if you want to do it all, take the plunge into the dual-boiler world with me.

So, what is the best espresso machine? Well, that depends. In fact, I might even reframe the question altogether: What is the best espresso machine for YOU?

Photography and Graphics by Grace Walker and Elley Ellison

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