Best Stainless Steel Espresso Machines
The best stainless steel espresso machines, ranked by our review scores. The only finish that looks the same in ten years: it does not yellow, fade or chalk. What it does do is show fingerprints and, in hard water, spots - and brushed and polished behave completely differently there, with polished collecting marks hourly and brushed forgiving them. The word is also used loosely. On cheaper machines "stainless steel" often describes a trim panel or a steel-look wrap over plastic rather than a steel body, so it is worth reading which part the maker is talking about.
How this list is ordered
Ranked by arithmetic, not opinion. Every score is worked out from the specifications each maker publishes, so you can open the working on any product page. Anything commercial is labelled and sits outside that order, and how we score explains what each criterion measures.
Stainless Steel Espresso Machines, ranked by score
scored on what the maker publishesOpen a row for the score working1
BrevilleBarista Express Impress BES876From $799.957.7How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction9.2non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing6.5Build Quality & Durability7.2Ease of Use & Learning Curveweakest link5.3shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedcarries 12 of the 80.5 points scoredMaintenance & Cleaning10.0plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics9.4Value for Money6.8Price from$799.95Score7.7Machine TypeSemi-automatic with built-in grinderBuilt-in GrinderYesAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialStainless steelRead the Breville Barista Express Impress BES876 review →2
BrevilleBarista ProFrom $849.957.6How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction9.2non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing6.5Build Quality & Durability8.2Ease of Use & Learning Curveweakest link4.7shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedcarries 12 of the 80.5 points scoredMaintenance & Cleaning10.0plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics8.1Value for Money6.4Price from$849.95Score7.6Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderYesAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialBrushed stainless steelRead the Breville Barista Pro review →3
BrevilleBarista Touch BES880BSSFrom $987.997.6How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction6.5non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing7.5Build Quality & Durability8.2Ease of Use & Learning Curve7.3shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedMaintenance & Cleaning10.0plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics8.8Value for Moneyweakest link5.6carries 10 of the 80.5 points scoredPrice from$987.99Score7.6Machine TypeSemi-automatic with built-in grinderBuilt-in GrinderYesAutomatic MilkYesBody MaterialStainless steelRead the Breville Barista Touch BES880BSS review →4
BrevilleOracle Jet BES985From $1999.957.6How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction10.0non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing6.5Build Quality & Durability8.8Ease of Use & Learning Curve8.0shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedMaintenance & Cleaning10.0plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics6.9Value for Moneyweakest link2.9carries 10 of the 80.5 points scoredPrice from$1999.95Score7.6Machine TypeAutomatic espresso machine with a built-in grinderBuilt-in GrinderYesAutomatic MilkYesBody MaterialStainless steelRead the Breville Oracle Jet BES985 review →5
RancilioSilvia Pro XFrom $21957.2How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction10.0non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing7.5Build Quality & Durability8.9Ease of Use & Learning Curve3.3shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedMaintenance & Cleaning7.5plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics8.1Value for Moneyweakest link2.5carries 10 of the 80.5 points scoredPrice from$2195Score7.2Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialStainless steelRead the Rancilio Silvia Pro X review →6
BrevilleDual Boiler BES920XLFrom $1599.957.1How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction10.0non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing8.0Build Quality & Durability7.2Ease of Use & Learning Curveweakest link3.3shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedcarries 12 of the 80.5 points scoredMaintenance & Cleaning7.5plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics8.1Value for Money3.3Price from$1599.95Score7.1Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialStainless steelRead the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL review →7
Gevi20Bar Super Automatic Espresso MachineFrom $699.997.1How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction10.0non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing6.0Build Quality & Durability7.2Ease of Use & Learning Curveweakest link5.3shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedcarries 12 of the 80.5 points scoredMaintenance & Cleaning6.7plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics6.2Value for Money7.1Price from$699.99Score7.1Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderYesAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialStainless steelRead the Gevi 20Bar Super Automatic Espresso Machine review →8
BrevilleBarista Touch Impress BES881From $1499.957.0How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction5.8non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing7.5Build Quality & Durability7.2Ease of Use & Learning Curve7.3shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedMaintenance & Cleaning10.0plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics8.8Value for Moneyweakest link3.5carries 10 of the 80.5 points scoredPrice from$1499.95Score7.0Machine TypeSemi-automatic with built-in grinderBuilt-in GrinderYesAutomatic MilkYesBody MaterialStainless steelRead the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 review →9
BrevilleInfuser BES840XLFrom $336.506.8How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction8.5non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing6.0Build Quality & Durability7.6Ease of Use & Learning Curveweakest link2.7shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedcarries 12 of the 80.5 points scoredMaintenance & Cleaning5.8plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics5.6Value for Money10.0Price from$336.50Score6.8Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialStainless steelRead the Breville Infuser BES840XL review →10
LelitMara X V2 PL62XFrom $1699.956.6How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction8.1non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing6.5Build Quality & Durability8.7Ease of Use & Learning Curve3.3shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedMaintenance & Cleaning8.3plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics6.9Value for Moneyweakest link2.9carries 10 of the 80.5 points scoredPrice from$1699.95Score6.6Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialStainless steelRead the Lelit Mara X V2 PL62X review →11
BrevilleBarista Express BES870XLFrom $692.996.4How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction8.5non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing6.0Build Quality & Durability7.6Ease of Use & Learning Curveweakest link4.7shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedcarries 12 of the 80.5 points scoredMaintenance & Cleaning5.0plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics5.0Value for Money6.5Price from$692.99Score6.4Machine TypeSemi-automatic with built-in grinderBuilt-in GrinderYesAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialStainless steelRead the Breville Barista Express BES870XL review →12
Mattino ProMattinata Espresso MachineFrom $159.996.4How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction5.0non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing5.5Build Quality & Durabilityweakest link4.8carries 16 of the 80.5 points scoredEase of Use & Learning Curve6.3shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedMaintenance & Cleaning8.3plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics6.9Value for Money10.0Price from$159.99Score6.4Machine TypeSemi-automaticAutomatic MilkYesRead the Mattino Pro Mattinata Espresso Machine review →13
De'LonghiClassic Signature Espresso MachineFrom $224.996.3How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction5.0non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing5.0Build Quality & Durability7.2Ease of Use & Learning Curveweakest link3.3shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedcarries 12 of the 80.5 points scoredMaintenance & Cleaning7.5plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics6.9Value for Money10.0Price from$224.99Score6.3Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialStainless steelRead the De'Longhi Classic Signature Espresso Machine review →14
La MarzoccoLinea MicraFrom $45006.3How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction8.5non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing8.5Build Quality & Durability6.4Ease of Use & Learning Curve2.7shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedMaintenance & Cleaning7.5plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics6.9Value for Moneyweakest link1.1carries 10 of the 80.5 points scoredPrice from$4500Score6.3Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoRead the La Marzocco Linea Micra review →15
De'LonghiDedica EC680MFrom $149.956.0How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction5.0non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing6.0Build Quality & Durability6.7Ease of Use & Learning Curveweakest link2.7shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedcarries 12 of the 80.5 points scoredMaintenance & Cleaning6.7plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics5.0Value for Money10.0Price from$149.95Score6.0Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialStainless steelRead the De'Longhi Dedica EC680M review →16
Rocket EspressoAppartamento TCAFrom $23006.0How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction8.1non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing6.0Build Quality & Durability7.8Ease of Use & Learning Curve2.7shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedMaintenance & Cleaning8.3plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics5.6Value for Moneyweakest link2.0carries 10 of the 80.5 points scoredPrice from$2300Score6.0Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoRead the Rocket Espresso Appartamento TCA review →17
BrevilleBambino Plus BES5005.6How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction7.3non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing6.0Build Quality & Durabilityweakest link4.4carries 16 of the 80.5 points scoredEase of Use & Learning Curve5.3shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedMaintenance & Cleaning5.0plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics5.6Value for Money5.0no price publishedPricePricing N/AScore5.6Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkYesRead the Breville Bambino Plus BES500 review →18
RancilioSilvia Espresso Machine5.2How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction5.0non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing5.5Build Quality & Durability6.1Ease of Use & Learning Curveweakest link2.7shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedcarries 12 of the 80.5 points scoredMaintenance & Cleaning5.8plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics5.6Value for Money5.0no price publishedPricePricing N/AScore5.2Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialIron frame with stainless steel side panelsRead the Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine review →









