Best Espresso Machines 2026

A PID holds the brew water within about a degree shot to shot. Without one, the temperature depends on how long since the last shot, which is why the second one tastes different from the first. It is the largest share of this criterion and one of the clearest lines between a machine that can be dialled in and one that cannot.

58mm is the commercial standard and scores full points. It matters mostly because of what surrounds it: baskets, tampers and distribution tools are all made for it, and a wider basket spreads the same dose thinner, which extracts more evenly. 51mm and 54mm machines work, but you are shopping in a smaller world for everything you might add later.

A pressurised basket has a restriction built in that generates crema regardless of your grind. It makes a bad grinder look acceptable and hides everything you would need to know to improve. A single wall basket tells you the truth, and scores here.

A gentle low-pressure start before full pressure earns points, because it evens out the puck before the shot begins.

Small extras: a rotary pump scores a little above a vibratory one, and a bottomless portafilter lets you see the shot.

It scores highest; a heat exchanger close behind, then thermojet, and a thermoblock or single boiler least.

It scores above an automatic wand, and a panarello lower again: easier, but it produces foam rather than the glossy microfoam latte art needs.

Full points on power, which decides how fast steam builds.

Full points; aluminium scores less, glass less again, and plastic least.

A heavy machine holds temperature and stays put when you lock in the portafilter, and more than 15 kilograms scores full points.

Both earn points.

Each earns points of its own.

It forgives a poor grind, so it earns a point here even though it costs one under shot quality.

A machine that connects to the water supply removes the tank from the chores entirely.

Full points on the tank; a litre or less scores least.

Thermoblock and thermojet machines descale most easily and score highest here, and a dual boiler scores least, which is the honest cost of its steam.

Full points; over three minutes scores least.

Both earn points, because a machine that tells you what it is doing is one you can learn.

The rest of the criterion.