7 Best High-End Espresso Machines in 2024

This is our review of the best high-end espresso machines.

Sometimes I feel like having the best-tasting drink possible. In many cases, that’s only possible with a high-end espresso maker. That’s why I compiled a list of the best ones here.

I chose the ECM Synchronika as the number 1 choice because it’s possible to eliminate the need to descale your machine with it entirely. And it includes a high-quality group head. Making it the best choice for reducing maintenance and improving drink flavor.

ECM Synchronika: Best Overall

• Price: $$
• Type: Semi-automatic
• Dimensions: 18.7 × 13.2 × 16.53 in (D, W, H)
• Bars of pressure: 15
• Boiler Type: Dual boilers
• Warranty: 3 years
• Milk frother: Yes
• Water capacity: 101 fl oz = 101 solo shots
• Material: Stainless steel

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However, you may want a bit more power or convenience, which you’ll find with alternative machines I listed.

Find your next dream machine.

Top 7 High-End Espresso Machines

1. ECM Synchronika: Best Overall
2. Profitec Pro 300: Best Performer
3. LELIT Elizabeth: Lowest price
4. Rocket Espresso Appartamento: Most compact
5. Breville Oracle: Best Machine With Grinder
6. Nespresso Creatista: Best Nespresso Machine
7. Breville Barista Pro: Best Machine Under $1,000

7 Best High-End Espresso Machines for Home

High-end machines include espresso makers that cost over $500 and include various quality-of-life features/components such as pre-infusion. These are all wallet-busters. Meaning, don’t expect to find any deals.

If you’re looking for commercial models, you can find all our High-End espresso machines here.

Now that’s out of the way.

Check out this legend:

• Dimensions:
  • D: depth
  • W: width
  • H: height
• PID = proportional integral derivative: monitors water temperature & makes minor adjustments to keep it to a set temperature.
• ESE = Easy Serve Espresso: pods with pre-ground beans to make brewing drinks easier.

Additional information regarding parts, features, or whatever will also fall under the buyer’s guide section.

Each section will cover who each machine is best for, goods and bads, and whether it provides value.

1. ECM Synchronika: Best Overall

Price	$$
Type	Semi-automatic
Boiler Type	Dual boilers
Dimensions	18.7 × 13.2 × 16.53 in (D, W, H)
Bars of Pressure	15
Warranty	3 years
Milk Frother	Yes
Water Capacity	101 fl oz = 101 solo shots
Material	Stainless steel

ECM’s Synchronika works best for anyone wanting a machine that COULD reduce any required maintenance.

Semi-automatic espresso makers first automate water heating, resulting in consistent drink temperatures. It’ll then apply water pressure to your portafilter. This automation gives control over the rest of your drink.

Its addition of dual boilers presents a feature that’ll heat your machine quicker and allow you to brew espresso and froth milk simultaneously. Great for producing drinks quicker.

If you have a bunch of extra money, this machine’s worth the high cost.

To eliminate maintenance, connect the machine directly to your plumbing, Then invest a few hundred bones into a BWT filter [1]. The filter removes any potential for mineral buildup, which will help your machine last longer.

And eliminate the need to descale every couple of months. Then, the direct connection to your plumbing prevents you from needing to refill your water reservoir constantly.

The E61 group head is a double-edged sword. It takes longer to heat your machine, but it lasts longer than other group head types. That’s important since this machine’s responsible for pulsing water through your portafilter.

You may prefer something other than using this for milk-based drinks like lattes. Since the steamer doesn’t have much power, which may make it more difficult to froth/steam milk.

Here’s a pick with more juice.

2. Profitec Pro 300: Best Performer

Price	$$
Type	Semi-automatic
Dimensions	16.34 × 10.04 × 15.16 in (D, W, H)
Bars of Pressure	15
Boiler Type	Dual boilers
Warranty	3 years
Milk Frother	Yes
Water Capacity	101 fl oz = 101 solo shots
Material	Stainless steel

The Profitec Pro 300 works best for anyone who doesn’t want to risk waking anyone when brewing espresso early in the morning or in the middle of the night.

This machine’s semi-automatic(ness) automates only water pressure and temperature. Giving you the ability to tailor drinks to your preferences in other areas.

Dual boilers heat machines quicker than other boilers (e.g., single boiler), allowing users to make drinks and steam milk simultaneously. A great addition to make drinks quicker.

Due to the lack of pre-infusion and not having the highest-quality steam wand, it’s a bit difficult to recommend this product. However, if you don’t mind those weaknesses, it’s worth the price.

The shorter steam wand gives you less control over your milk’s texture, which could result in a less-than-ideal taste in lattes or cappuccinos. And the included pressure gauge only applies to the steamer. Not the coffee.

But if you don’t care for steaming milk, disable it. Save electricity. And save space with this machine’s compact size. A welcomed addition to smaller kitchens, compact coffee carts, or studio apartments.

The next choice is more affordable.

3. LELIT Elizabeth: Lowest Price High-End Espresso Machine

Price	$$
Type	Semi-automatic
Dimensions	11 × 12 × 15 in (D, W, H)
Bars of Pressure	8–11 bars
Boiler Type	Dual boiler
Warranty	3 years
Milk Frother	Yes
Water Capacity	84 fl oz = 84 solo shots
Material	Stainless steel

LELIT’s Elizabeth model serves as an affordable, yet very high-quality espresso machine for anyone who wants excellent features and a fast-heating machine.

Since it’s a semi-automatic machine, you’ll retain control over every espresso-making step except water heating and pressure. It gives you control over your drink (for the most part), while providing consistency in what it automates.

Its inclusion of a dual boiler makes the machine heat quicker. Great for reducing downtime between drinks. And it allows users to simultaneously brew drinks and steam milk.

The only corners LELIT cut is using Teflon tubing within the machine. Not too bad considering the machine’s less than $1,200 and includes high-quality features. Definitely worth the cost.

Pre-infusion gradually applies pressure to the portafilter to evenly distribute the beans’ flavor. Resulting in a better-tasting drink. And if you want another drink, it’ll take only 10 minutes to reheat.

The water reservoir is a bit more difficult to access, making it difficult to refill.

Here’s a smaller machine.

4. Rocket Espresso Appartamento: Most Compact High-End Espresso Machine

Price	$$$
Type	Semi-automatic
Dimensions	17 × 10 × 14 in (D, W, H)
Bars of Pressure	13–14 bars
Boiler Type	Single
Warranty	3 years
Milk Frother	Yes
Water Capacity	101 fl oz = 101 solo shots
Material	Stainless steel

The Rocket Espresso Appartamento works best for anyone wanting a machine with a massive water reservoir that doesn’t demand much counter space.

Semi-automatic machines preserve user control over every aspect of espresso making, except with water temperature moderation and applying pressure. Allowing you to customize your drink’s taste while maintaining consistent results.

But it requires more time to brew each drink. The single boiler further increases this time, since you can’t brew beverages and froth simultaneously. Plus, it heats water slower.

However, the heat exchanger—a component in many professional machines—allows a single boiler to deliver steam and water. Negating the weakness of a single boiler. And actually allowing you to do both tasks at once.

The temperature consistency can act weird sometimes because of the heat exchanger. You’ll want to give the machine a cooling flush before brewing your shots to ensure consistent temperatures.

The inclusion of the E61 group head adds further value to this machine. It ensures consistent water flow and will last longer than most other types of group heads. Making the Apparatamento a long-lasting machine.

Thus, making it worth the cost.

You can’t connect it directly to your plumbing. A downside for someone who wants fresh (and filtered) water with their shots.

And despite the price point, it includes a cheap plastic railing around the cup warmer. A stainless steel replacement would cost under or over $100. The price could change anytime, but expect it around that point.

One last gripe comes from the machine not going up to 15 bars of pressure. A downer for those who love bitter espresso.

Need a grinder? Here’s a great pick.

5. Breville Oracle: Best With Grinder

Price	$$$
Type	Super-automatic
Dimensions	17.8 × 15.4 × 14.7 in (D, W, H)
Bars of Pressure	15 bars
Boiler Type	Dual boiler
Warranty	2 years
Milk Frother	Yes
Water Capacity	84 fl oz = 84 solo shots
Material	Stainless steel

The Breville Oracle works best for anyone who wants a machine that has a built-in grinder and will froth milk for you. Resulting in consistent-tasting drinks.

Super-automatic machines grind, tamper, brew, and everything else. Making it the best choice for making many drinks back-to-back. The dual boilers further cement this point. They allow you to brew and froth milk simultaneously. And heats drinks quicker.

It’s a dual boiler, automatic machine that also includes pre-infusion. So long as those features seem appealing, and if you like milk-based drinks (e.g., cortado), this machine’s right for you.

Pre-infusion helps evenly extract beans’ flavors by wetting them before brewing. Press any drink on the touchscreen UI, like an Americano, and it’ll tailor the temperature, pressure, and milk froth to said drink.

The automatic tamping further reduces the work you’ll need to apply. No more guessing how much pressure you’re applying to drinks.

But all these features make it a bit large. Not ideal for homes with small countertops.

And you can’t connect it to your plumbing. I’ve seen semi-automatic machines in this price range with such a feature. It would eliminate the need to refill your water and descale your machine—if you add filters.

Perhaps you’re after a Nespresso.

6. Nespresso Creatista Pro: Nespresso Machine

Price	$
Type	Capsule
Dimensions	6.7 × 16.1 × 12.2 in (D, W, H)
Bars of Pressure	19
Warranty	2 years
Milk Frother	Yes
Water Capacity	60 fl oz = 7 cups
Material	Stainless steel

The Nespresso Creatista Pro is the highest-quality (and most expensive) capsule maker you can get. Making it the BEST option for anyone wanting great-tasting coffee and amazing milk froth fast.

A capsule espresso machine allows you to place a pod into the machine, and it brews its own drink. It prevents the need for manual input and works perfectly for producing drinks in less than a minute.

The stainless steel body triumphs over every other Nespresso model, since that means it’ll last much longer. Requiring fewer replacements. That perk alone makes this machine worth the cost.

The high-quality pump lasts longer than most Nespresso machines, though, you’ll still get similar-tasting coffee. And the biggest downside to this expensive machine is the lack of automatically ejecting pods.

But it has a descaling alert. Instead of setting calendar alerts to descale your machine, it tells you when you need it to clean mineral buildup. Furthermore, it includes an automatic wand cleaning feature. Saving you a bunch of time cleaning that after every use.

The biggest perk from this pricey capsule machine comes from the included milk frother. Do you notice how the wand looks like what traditional espresso machines would include? That’ll give you much more control over your milk’s texture than Aeroccinos.

A frother most people would usually get as an add-on for their Nespresso machines.

This machine’s perfect for fast and great-tasting coffee. And if you love lattes, cappuccinos, and those other milk-based drinks, you’ll enjoy the steam wand.

I have a machine that’ll cost under $1,000. Check it out.

7. Breville Barista Pro: Best High-End Espresso Machine Under $1,000

Price	$
Type	Super-automatic
Dimensions	12 × 13 × 13 in (D, W, H)
Bars of Pressure	15
Boiler Type	ThermoJet
Warranty	2 years
Milk Frother	Yes
Water Capacity	67 fl oz = 67 solo shots
Material	Stainless steel

The Breville Barista Pro provides a more affordable alternative to the Breville Oracle (a super-automatic machine), which makes it great for making quick drinks.

Super-automatic makers do everything for you and take the fun out of espresso making. But in a good way. It produces specific drinks (e.g., Americano) at the press of a button. Making it an ideal choice for producing drinks for many people quickly.

Since you don’t need to tailor each shot to a preference.

It also uses a ThermoJet heating system, meaning it’ll heat within 3 seconds. Perfect for those who want to make drinks quicker. Since you won’t need to wait as long for the machine to reheat.

Despite not having a dual boiler, the Barista Pro is worth the price.

The lack of a pressure gauge forces you to buy a separate one or to guess each shot’s pressure based on intuition. Training will help you understand this, but it’s still annoying. And before you brew your shot, you’ll want to flush your machine.

The heating elements could create inconsistencies with flavor extraction, meaning you’ll want to flush the tank before each shot.

Stainless steel conical burrs are fine in most cases. But considering it’s a high-end machine, I feel obliged to complain. Conical burrs don’t produce as consistent of grinds as flat ones. When stainless steel heats, it could negatively impact your beans’ flavor.

But it includes PID to help manage your machine’s temperature. And pre-infusion to aid with bean flavor extraction. Both features improve your drink’s flavor.

Learn how to pick the best machine.

How to Choose the Best High-End Espresso Machines

Here’s how to shop for a high-end espresso machine:

The following sections will cover criteria to consider when shopping for a high-end espresso machine. I’ll talk about features to look out for and what’ll make your drink taste better.

1. Water Pressure

• <7 bars: under-extracted; super sour
• 7–9 bars: Mild flavor & a bit sour
• 9 bars: sweet spot; balanced flavor & excellent starting point
• 15 bars: stronger-tasting drink, but not too bitter
• >15 bars: over-extracted drink; excessively bitter

The ideal water pressure for brewing espresso is 9 bars [2]. This pressure matters as it extracts the rich flavors and oils from the finely ground coffee, producing a full-bodied, aromatic espresso shot. 

High-end espresso machines typically operate at 15 bars of pressure. However, they include pressure regulators to maintain the optimal 9 bars during extraction. Higher pressure capability ensures machine durability and consistent performance.

An important feature related to pressure is pre-infusion. Pre-infusion is when the coffee grounds are lightly soaked before full pressure is applied. This step ensures an even extraction.

Enhancing the espresso’s flavor profile by allowing the water to penetrate all the coffee grounds uniformly.

2. Time to Heat

• Temperature control: Maintains machine temperature.
• Boiler type: Time it takes to heat the machine.
• Time to heat frother: Time it takes to heat milk frother/steamer.

The perfect espresso needs water at around 195–205 °F [3]. Deviations from this range can spoil the flavor, making it bitter or flat.

Espresso machines use different boiler types for temperature management. Single boilers heat water for brewing and steaming separately. Dual boilers heat them simultaneously. Heat exchanger systems preheat water for brewing, using steam pressure to maintain temperature. 

These three factors—temperature, boiler type, and frother heat-up time—all impact the user’s experience by influencing taste, consistency, and preparation speed.

High-end espresso machines typically have precise temperature control systems, often with PID controllers. Ensuring the water is always at the optimal brewing temperature. They mostly use dual boilers or heat exchanger systems for efficient temperature management.

Their milk frothers heat quickly, regularly in less than a minute, for fast and efficient preparation.

3. Design

• Size: Compact(ness)
• Aesthetics: Whether it looks good.
• Materials: Stronger materials equals longer lifespan.
• Water reservoir size: Determines time required before next refill.

High-end espresso machines have compact yet efficient designs, fitting nicely in smaller kitchen spaces. Their aesthetics are often sleek and elegant, with a professional finish. They use premium materials like stainless steel for durability and optimal heat retention.

They also feature larger water reservoirs for convenience.

Many high-end machines have a direct plumbing connection option. This means they can connect to your home’s water supply.

This feature brings 2 benefits. First, it eliminates the need for refilling the water reservoir. Second, it maintains a consistent water pressure, which aids in even extraction and the overall quality of your espresso.

4. Ease of Use

Make cleaning easier by keeping an eye out for these features:

• Touchscreen interface: Allows you to choose programmed drinks.
• Removable components: Makes cleaning & maintenance easier.
• Descaling notification: Notifies you when it’s time to descale.
• Automatic descaling: Descales your machine for you.

Expect to find machines with state-of-the-art touchscreen interfaces in the realm of high-end espresso machines. These are usually found on premium super-automatic devices. And they allow you to select pre-programmed drinks.

Upon selecting said drink, the machine will adjust the temperature, milk froth, and pressure accordingly to match its ratios.

Opt for a high-end machine with detachable components for ease of cleaning. This will not only refine your coffee experience, but also save you valuable time refilling water reservoirs and cleaning parts.

Luxury espresso machines often include added features such as descaling notifications. As they’ll remind you when it’s time to descale. Crucial maintenance that’ll extend your machine’s lifespan and ensure you won’t get bad-tasting drinks.

5. Coffee Machine with Grinder vs. Separate Grinder

The following sections will help you determine whether it’s worth getting a high-end espresso machine with a built-in grinder.

1. Built-in Grinder

Many high-end espresso machines do feature built-in grinders. Having a built-in grinder promotes fresh flavors, as you grind beans right before brewing.

Though built-in grinders offer these advantages, they also have potential downsides:

Pros:

• Optimal Freshness: Ensures the freshest grounds for brewing.
  • Grinding just before brewing can enhance your espresso’s taste.
• Space-Saving: Combines two appliances in one.
• Synchronized Brewing: Streamlines the espresso making process.
  • Your machine can transition from grinding to brewing, making the process quicker.

Cons:

• Limited Flexibility: Restricts the use of the grinder.
  • With a built-in grinder, you can only use it when you’re making coffee with the machine.
• Potential Breakdown: Risks machine failure due to one component.
  • If the grinder fails, the entire espresso machine might become unusable.
• Cleaning Difficulty: Complicates maintenance.
  • Built-in grinders can be more challenging to clean than separate units.

You’ll mostly find built-in grinders with high-end super-automatic machines. What happens if you don’t get an espresso machine with such a feature?

2. Separate Grinder

Any espresso without a built-in grinder must buy a separate grinder. Many high-end semi-automatic and automatic machines won’t have a grinder included.

Let’s see whether it’s worth strictly opting for semi-automatic machines:

Pros:

• Adaptability: Modifies grinding settings to accommodate various brewing styles.
• Unaffected Function: Espresso machine continues operation irrespective of grinder conditions.
• Cleaning Convenience: With their accessible parts, make cleaning straightforward, contributing to consistent flavor.

Cons:

• Expanded Footprint: Calls for additional countertop space.
• Higher Investment: Adds to the total cost of coffee equipment.
• Additional Process: Adds an extra stage to the brewing process.

If you value drink quality, have available counter space, and have extra money, opt for a separate grinder.

6. Brewing Capabilities

• Shot preparation methods: Doppio, ristretto, etc.
• Included milk frother: All machines in this price range include them.

No matter the machine, it’ll include a milk frother. Even high-end Nespresso machines include excellent steam wands.

Because of this inclusion, you’ll have access to making all these drinks and more:

Semi-automatic machines—for the most part—won’t include programmable coffee-making buttons. Meaning, you couldn’t press a button that’ll make a “cortado.” If you frequently drink a specific drink, you may want to find a machine with such a feature.

Super-automatic machines typically include it.

7. Quality-of-life Features

Let’s compare a bunch of luxury features:

High-end espresso machines often come equipped with these advanced features. Pre-infusion is a common addition as it helps to improve the consistency and taste of the espresso.

PID temperature controllers are typical in these machines for their ability to maintain an accurate brewing temperature, which is crucial for creating a great tasting espresso.

Automatic tamping and programmable settings further enhance user experience and espresso quality. It applies the correct pressure to coffee grounds for consistent extraction, while programmable settings offer a personalized brewing experience.

Allowing users to adjust settings like strength and volume according to their preferences.

5 Types of high-end Espresso Machines Compared

Here are all the different high-end espresso maker types available:

I didn’t include stovetop makers. Because they’re usually under $100 and provide an espresso-like beverage.

The following sections will cover the average prices, what they automate, advantages, and additional information. Use what I provide to help you decide whether each machine is worth getting.

1. Super-automatic / Fully-automatic Machines

• Average price: $800–$5,000 (varies by model).
• Automation: Grinding, brewing, water flow, & pressure.
• Advantages: Top-notch convenience, consistency, & variety.

Super-automatic machines take all the fun out of brewing espresso. Since they do all the work for you. But they make up for their lack of customization with speed. Making them ideal for entertaining guests or for office spaces.

Many fully-automatic makers fall under the “high-end” category. Many of them will include features that’ll increase their price such as dual boilers, pre-infusion, and more.

2. Semi-automatic Machines

• Average price: $200–$2,000 (varies by model).
• Automation: Pressure & water flow.
• Advantages: Control, consistency, & user-friendliness.

You sacrifice automation for control over your beverage to better tailor them to your preference. However, you still automate water boiling, flow, and pressure. Preventing you from having to buy a separate boiler.

These machines work best for anyone who prefers some control, but not all.

When searching for high-end machines, I mostly saw semi-automatic machines. Meaning you’ll have no trouble finding these when shopping for luxury devices.

3. Automatic Machines

• Average price: $300–$3,000 (varies by model).
• Automation: Pressure, water flow, & shot timing.
• Advantages: Consistency, time-saving, & ease of use.

Automatic machines balance time, automation, cost, and drink control. You lose control over shot timing, water flow, pressure, and tamping. But you still control aspects like bean grinding.

These work best for anyone who doesn’t want to spend a fortune on super-automatic machines, but doesn’t want to put as much manual labor into their drinks. So long as you can find one.

It’s difficult to find a high-end automatic machine.

4. Manual Machines

• Average price: $100–$800 (varies by machine).
• Automation: Nothing; do everything by hand.
• Advantages: Mastery, customization, & mechanical simplicity.

Manual machines have no automation and require you to perform every espresso-making step. Making it an ideal option for folks who want total control over their drinks taste. And who doesn’t want to use electricity.

If you were to boil water without electricity.

I digress:

Most manual machines I’ve seen sit under the $500 price point. I’m sure if you looked hard enough, you’d find a machine you could sink your money into.

5. Capsule Machines

• Average price: $100–$700 (varies by machine).
• Automation: Brewing & water flow.
• Advantages: Simplicity, consistency, & minimal mess.

Capsule machines only require you to place a capsule in an outlet and press down the pod “group head.” From there, the machines will usually read the machine’s barcode and brew based on the pod type.

For instance, if you have a ristretto pod, the machine will create a concentrated espresso shot.

High-end capsule machines seem to sit under $600. I haven’t seen any priced higher.

Our Verdict

Here are the best 3:

1. ECM Synchronika: Connect it directly to plumbing.
2. Profitec Pro 300: Quiet & compact.
3. LELIT Elizabeth: Affordable & includes pre-infusion.

I chose the ECM Synchronika due to its ability to eliminate the need to refill water reservoirs and descale. It also has excellent components (E61 group head) that’ll make it last longer.

To find more high-end machines, check out our list of the best espresso makers under $2,000.

ECM Synchronika: Best Overall

• Price: $$
• Type: Semi-automatic
• Dimensions: 18.7 × 13.2 × 16.53 in (D, W, H)
• Bars of pressure: 15
• Boiler Type: Dual boilers
• Warranty: 3 years
• Milk frother: Yes
• Water capacity: 101 fl oz = 101 solo shots
• Material: Stainless steel

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