What are the best home espresso machines for someone who’s tired of bad coffee?
I’m thinking about getting a home espresso machine, but I’m realizing this is one of those rabbit holes where the more you read, the more confused you get.
I don’t need a full café setup, but I do want something that can make good espresso and milk drinks without turning every morning into a science project. I mostly drink lattes, cappuccinos, and the occasional straight espresso, so steaming milk matters too.
I’m torn between getting a beginner-friendly machine or spending more upfront on something that I won’t outgrow in six months. I also keep seeing people say the grinder matters as much as the machine, which makes the whole thing even harder to budget for.
For anyone who makes espresso at home, what machine would you actually recommend? Is it worth buying a pricier setup from the start, or should beginners keep it simple until they know what they’re doing?