Best home espresso machines

Top pick: Breville Bambino Plus. It's the easiest way into real espresso — heats up in seconds, pulls a proper shot, and its automatic steam wand froths milk for you, so lattes don't take practice. Add a decent burr grinder and you're set.

Who the others suit:

• Gaggia Classic Pro E24 — tinkerers who want a classic, repairable machine and don't mind learning to steam milk by hand.
• Gaggia Brera / Anima Prestige / Magenta Prestige — bean-to-cup drinkers: grind, brew and milk in one button press, no barista skills.
• Ninja Luxe Cafe — households that want espresso, drip-style coffee and cold brew from one machine.
• KitchenAid KF8 — anyone who wants café-style automation and a touchscreen, and will pay for it.
• Casabrews CM5418 — a low-cost first machine to see if the habit sticks.
• Nespresso VertuoPlus — pod convenience over fresh-ground espresso.

Skip anything without a steam wand or grinder if milk drinks or fresh beans matter to you.