Compare all 18 machines by type, price, grinder and portafilter standard, then stack up to 4 side by side.
Semi-automatics (like the Barista Express Impress or Classic Pro Evo) require you to grind, dose and tamp yourself in exchange for more control over the shot. Super-automatics (like the Z10 or Eletta Explore) handle grinding and brewing at the push of a button, trading some control for speed and consistency. Our guide to machine types breaks this down further.
A built-in grinder is convenient and keeps upfront cost down, but a separate burr grinder generally gives more consistent, adjustable grounds for espresso. If a machine on this list shows "None (BYO)" under Grinder, budget separately for a dedicated espresso grinder.
Several machines on this list land between $400 and $800 and still score well on Match Score — a reasonable range for a first machine. Going higher typically buys you a bigger boiler, tighter temperature control (PID) or a larger 58mm portafilter standard rather than a fundamentally different brewing experience.