The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Espresso Machines: Tier Ranked!

So you're thinking about buying your first espresso machine. First of all welcome to what will become one of the best decisions you've ever made!

Second, yeah, I get it. There are hundreds of machines out there and it is genuinely overwhelming. That's exactly why I made this blog and I also made a video about it if you prefer to watch rather than read.  Watch the full video here

I asked you guys send in machines you would like me to Tier Rank and you sent in a mountain of machines, so I went through the most requested ones and scored them from S tier (absolute bangers) all the way down to F tier (just... no). And I'll be honest with you some of these had me shaking my head. But hey, that's what I'm here for.

👉 Watch the full video here I go through every single one of these with my full coffee coach commentary.

Let's get into it. Starting at the bottom but if you can't be bothered, just skip to the end and find my top recommendations. 

F Tier - Hard No

Look, I'm not here to be mean. But these machine manufacturers need to know that I don't believe their machine is up to standard.

Keenstar

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $30–$60 | ~AUD $50–$90

Are we really doing this? The Keenstar runs at 3.5 bar. Three point five! That's basically the pressure of water coming out of your tap. That is not espresso. I don't know who sent this one in, but no. Just no. F for Fail!

• 3.5 bar pump pressure. Espresso requires 9 bar minimum

• Does not produce true espresso. physically incapable

• Not suitable for any serious coffee use

• Save your money and put it toward a real machine

Ninja Luxe

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $499–$599 | ~AUD $749–$899

I like what Ninja tried to do here. Great idea in concept to pack everything into one machine at a sensible price. But then they just went and added features that don't make sense, things that don't serve the coffee, things that feel like marketing box-ticking rather than actual barista thinking. F for Frankenstein, because that's exactly what it is.

• Feature-packed. Looks impressive on paper

• Features feel gimmicky rather than useful for coffee quality

• Confusing workflow that doesn't benefit the brewing process

• Better all-in-one options available at this price

De'Longhi La Specialista

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $499 | ~AUD $799

This one "should" be good. It's got a built-in grinder, temperature controls, all these personalised settings. On paper it's the De'Longhi answer to the Breville Barista Express and Pro. But it is so convoluted. It's over-engineered in all the wrong ways. It just doesn't work well enough to justify the complexity. F from me.

• Built-in grinder with limited settings

• Temperature control and personalised settings

• Overly complex interface that doesn't deliver on its promise

• Inconsistent results that don't match the price tag

So they are the first machines I'd avoid. It's only up from here! These machines are still not even ok, people buy them because they seem cheap and convient but in the long run, they just let you down.

D Tier - Wouldn't Recommend

These machines exist, and I understand why people buy them, but there are genuinely better choices.

Breville Barista Express

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $699–$749 | ~AUD $999–$1,199

Honestly, I almost gave this an E. The Express is just inconsistent and it struggles with pressure, it doesn't make great coffee reliably, and you're always running into little issues. They made the Pro to fix the Express's problems, which tells you something. Skip this one.

• Built-in conical burr grinder with grind size adjustment

• Inconsistent pressure and extraction results

• Better options at this price point (the Bambino + grinder combo)

• The Pro is better, but even then, look elsewhere

De'Longhi Dedica

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $249 | ~AUD $250

Slim and nice-looking, yes. But the Dedica just doesn't have the grunt. It's underpowered, and when you try to grind fine enough to get a proper extraction, it can choke. The Stilosa is cheaper and I'd take that over the Dedica any day.

• Very slim, space-saving design

• Underpowered and struggles with fine grind sizes needed for quality espresso

• Inconsistent extraction results

• Better options available at a similar price

The next tier are ones that I can actually recommend but I have some hesitations and I'll explain why.

C Tier - If you must

These machines have some things going for them, but there are better options available for a similar budget for a beginner (some of these are great if you're a pro).

Gaggia Classic Pro

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $399–$499 | ~AUD $699–$899

The Gaggia Classic Pro is a legendary machine. Ultra durable, tinkerable, and it'll last forever if you look after it. But it is not a "beginner" machine. To get the best coffee out of it, you need to know what you're doing. You need to understand extraction, grind size, temperature surfing (if you don't know what that is, then don't buy it!). If you're keen to learn and love the idea of tinkering and modding, you'll adore it. But as a first machine? There are easier purchases.

• Incredibly durable 

• Beloved by the tinkering/modding community

• Not beginner-friendly, requires espresso knowledge to extract well

• Commercial 58mm portafilter for accessory flexibility

Breville Bambino Plus

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $450 | ~AUD $499

Look, I know this one might surprise you. The Bambino (base) gets an A from me, but the Plus gets a C. Here's why: the only real difference between the two is the auto steam wand. You're paying around $200 more for that feature that I don't think is worth it. Here's the thing, steaming milk properly on a manual wand takes about a day to learn. So I just don't think it's worth the upgrade for most people.

• Auto milk texturing, convenient for true beginners

• Identical internals to the original Bambino

• $200+ premium for auto steam wand only

• Save the money and learn to steam manually, it's not hard, I promise

Lelit Anna (without PID)

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $400–$600 | ~AUD $599–$899

Without the PID, the Anna becomes less reliable and harder to dial in. Add in the 57mm non-standard portafilter and there are better options at a similar price.

• 57mm portafilter is non-standard sizing that will annoy you when you upgrade

• Less reliable without PID temperature control

• Better value alternatives available at this price point

• Worth saving up for the PID version if you love the Anna

Breville Oracle (base model)

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $1,499–$1,799 | ~AUD $2,299–$2,799

For the money, I just don't think the base Oracle is worth it. It's essentially an expensive Barista Express/Pro with automation built in. Get a Bambino and a good standalone grinder and you'll make the same quality espresso for less money.

• Automated grinding, dosing, and tamping

• High price for what it delivers vs. alternatives

• Better value options in the same price bracket

• The Bambino + quality grinder combo is a smarter investment

B Tier - Good Machines with some downside

These are decent picks if budget is a major factor. They'll make good coffee, they're just not quite as polished or capable as the tier above.

Ascaso Dream PID

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $1499 | ~AUD $1999

Honestly, I love the look of this machine. It comes in a bunch of colours and it's a solid option for a lot of people. A few quirks and inconsistencies are what knock it down from A tier, but it's still a respectable choice.

• Eye-catching design available in multiple colours

• Good feature set for the price

• Some inconsistency with steam wand pressure

• Slightly on the expensive side

HIBREW H10A

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $200–$350 | ~AUD $300–$500

I haven't personally used this one, but it's got a lot going for it on paper. Super cheap, temperature control built in, and it uses commercial 58mm parts which is great news for accessories and future upgrades. Giving it a B on the strength of what it offers.

• Commercial 58mm group 

• PID Temperature control included

• Very affordable entry point

• Haven't personally tested it but for the price its a very low risk with high upside

De'Longhi Stilosa M

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $135 | ~AUD $149

If you have a tight budget and just want to get started, the Stilosa is genuinely hard to argue with. It's cheap, it's got a decent boiler, it'll pump out coffee, and you can grind fine enough to get a proper extraction going. It's not going to win any beauty contests, but it works.

• Extremely affordable and one of the cheapest but good options available

• Decent boiler for the price point

• Gets the job done for a true beginner on a budget

• Not the most elegant machine, but reliable

CASABREWS

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $80–$150 | ~AUD $120–$220

Similar vibe to the Stilosa, cheap, cheerful, and functional. The 20-bar rating sounds impressive but just means it's got enough pressure to extract a decent shot. It's very much what you pay for, but if you just want something to start with while you find your feet? Not a bad option.

• Budget-friendly entry point

• Sufficient pressure for decent espresso extraction

• Good "starter" machine while you figure out what you want

• Don't expect commercial quality at this price

Breville Barista Pro

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $699–$799 | ~AUD $999–$1,299

The Pro is an improvement over the Express (see above) with better features and more control. My main gripe remains the built-in grinder, I'm just not a fan. The beans warm up in the hopper, the grinder dust gets into the machine over time, and I think you're better off with a standalone grinder paired with the Bambino. But if you specifically want a built-in grinder setup, the Pro is the way to go over the Express.

• Integrated conical burr grinder with multiple settings

• Better features and control than the Barista Express

• Built-in grinder is convenient but limits long-term coffee quality

• OK all-in-one for people who want simplicity

Lelit Anna (with PID)

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $600–$800 | ~AUD $900–$1,200

With the PID, the Anna is a solid machine. The one thing that confuses me is why they went with the 57mm portafilter. It's non-standard, which means all your accessories have to match, and when you eventually upgrade your machine, you'll need to upgrade your accessories too. Worth knowing upfront.

• PID temperature control 

• Italian manufacturing with solid build quality

• 57mm portafilter, non-standard sizing, limits accessory choices

• Breville have now purchased Lelit so beware of service

Lelit Kate (with built-in grinder)

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $1,000–$1,400 | ~AUD $1,499–$2,099

I love most of what Lelit makes, and the Kate is a good machine but the built-in grinder is what knocks it down. Your beans will warm up sitting in the hopper, and coffee fines will go inside the machine over time so that's not ideal. That said, if you love Lelit and want the convenience of a grinder built in, this is still a quality product.

• All-in-one machine with built-in grinder

• All the quality you'd expect from Lelit

• Built-in grinder means beans warm up and dust affects the machine over time

• Great for convenience-focused beginners

Breville Oracle Jet

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $2,000–$2,500 | ~AUD $3,000–$3,499

I went back and forth on this one a bit, I almost gave it a C. It's expensive and I think there are better options for the money, but the Jet boiler does heat up in about 3 seconds, which is legitimately great. Still, for what you're paying, I think you can do better.

• Jet boiler that heats up in approximately 3 seconds

• Automatic grinding, dosing, and tamping built in

• Premium price for features available elsewhere for less

• Better options exist at this price range

Rancilio Silvia

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $995 | ~AUD $1,399–$1,599

You can't make a list like this without the Silvia on it. It's been around for 20+ years. It's basically indestructible. It goes forever. But  (and this is a big but) it is not the easiest machine to learn on. To get the best out of it, you need to know what you're doing. For a complete beginner, the learning curve is real. If you're the tinkering type who loves a challenge, you'll love it eventually. But it's not the one I'd hand to someone on their very first day.

• Built like an absolute tank 

• 20+ year track record of reliability

• Steeper learning curve and requires some barista knowledge to get the best from it

• A classic for a reason, but not the friendliest first machine

A Tier — Excellent Choices, Highly Recommended

These machines are brilliant picks. A solid A means you won't regret buying one — there's just something small holding them back from that top S spot.

Turan Legato

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $600–$800 | ~AUD $900–$1,200 (not yet available in Australia at time of filming)

I haven't gotten my hands on one yet (it wasn't released here when I filmed this), but everything about it looks fantastic. It has a 58mm commercial portafilter, great tech at a surprisingly low price point. The only thing keeping this from S tier is a few early reliability question marks. If they sort that out, this could move up.

• Great aesthetic and quality build

• All the tech like PID, 58mm portafilters, Preinfusion 

• Very affordable entry point

• Long term reliability is still an unknown

Maraki Espresso Machine

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $1800 | ~AUD $2700

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I genuinely loved using this machine, its probably my favourite all-in-one machine. It is stuffed full of features like grind by weight, brew by weight, preinfusion, hands free silky milk, coffee making tips etc. There is no other dual boiler machine with this much tech at this price point. It's remarkable value if the brand sticks around.

• Dual boiler with rotary pump

• Packed with features normally found on machines twice the price

• Brand new to market and so far great support/service

• Great option for the tech-curious beginner

Breville Bambino (original)

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $250 | ~AUD $399

The Bambino is the best entry-level machine in its class. It's small, it heats up in seconds, it makes great espresso, and it won't break the bank. If you're just starting out and you want something reliable that won't overwhelm you, this is it. (Note: I'm only giving the original an A. Scroll up to see what I think about the Bambino Plus.)

• ThermoJet heating system means its ready in 3 seconds

• PID temperature control for consistent extraction

• Compact footprint, perfect for smaller kitchens

• Pressurised baskets included for use with pre-ground coffee

Breville Dual Boiler

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $1,599 | ~AUD $1499

This was my favourite machine for such a long time, and I still love it. For a newbie who wants the ease of brewing espresso and steaming milk at the same time without the complexity of a traditional heat exchanger, this is magic. It does have some reliability issues after about 3-5 years which is the only reason I'm not putting it in S tier and the price has crept up. But in terms of ease of use for a dual boiler? Still hard to beat.

• True dual boiler, pull shots and steam simultaneously

• Incredibly easy and intuitive for beginners

• Built-in PID and pre-infusion

• Some machines last 5+ years others die in about 3. Its great until it isn't.

Lelit Victoria (with PID)

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $999–$1,099 | ~AUD $1,499–$1,799

I believe in this one. It's slim, it's a little boxy in design but some people love that, it's got the PID, it uses a 58mm commercial portafilter, and it's a brilliant first proper home espresso machine. If the price is right for you and you find one — go get it.

• PID temperature control for precise, consistent brewing

• Standard 58mm commercial portafilter, great for future upgrades

• Pre-infusion for even extraction

• Solid build quality from a trusted Italian manufacturer

☆ S Tier — The Best of the Best for Beginners

These are the machines I'd happily recommend to anyone walking through the door for the first time. They punch above their weight, they're built properly, and they'll grow with you.

Profitec Go

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $1,199 | ~AUD $1,899

Oh, I love this machine! It comes in a range of gorgeous colours, it's modern, it's got proper buttons, it heats up quickly, it's robust, and it's cheap for what you get. Everything about it just makes sense. This is a machine that's going to serve you beautifully from day one and keep delivering for years.

• PID temperature control with a built-in shot timer

• Fast heat-up (ready in about 5 minutes)

• Professional 58mm portafilter, standard commercial sizing

• Available in multiple colours; compact enough for any kitchen counter

Lelit Mara X

⏱ Watch from here · ~USD $1,700 | ~AUD $2,999

This one is the second machine I'm putting in S tier, and it earns every bit of it. It is gorgeous too. The heat exchange system means you can pull a shot and steam milk at the same time, no waiting around. It comes in matte black, matte white, and stainless steel, and honestly the matte colours with the timber accents are just stunning. Even if you're a complete newbie, this machine is going to treat you right and if you grow into a seasoned home barista, it'll still have plenty to offer.

• Heat exchange boiler - brew and steam simultaneously, no switching modes

• Dual PID temperature probes for exceptional stability

• Three selectable brew temperature settings to suit different roasts

• Compact footprint with a near-silent pump

So What Should You Actually Buy?

Here's the quick version:

Tight budget? Start with the De'Longhi Stilosa (~AUD $149–$229). You'll learn the basics and it won't hurt if you decide coffee at home isn't for you.

Entry level sweet spot machine: The Breville Bambino is genuinely one of the best entry-level machines going. Pair it with a decent standalone grinder and you're set.

Ready to invest properly? If you've got a bit more to spend and want something truly special, the Lelit Mara X is a showstopper.

The best machine is the one you'll actually use. Great coffee is waiting for you on the other side.

Enjoy your brew!☕

Ryde, Your Coffee Coach

Want beans worthy of your new machine? We roast specialty-grade Arabica coffees at Grounds of Origin Medium-light and genuinely delicious. Our signature blend is Il Caramello and is a great place to start.