How to Choose the Best Breville Espresso Machine For You

If you're taking baby steps into the world of specialty coffee, the Breville Bambino Plus Stainless Steel Espresso Maker ($500) is a great place to start. Its compact footprint takes up little space, it boots up in three seconds, and it creates a great shot of espresso. And, of course, the steam wand gives you opportunities to practice making flawless foam. You'll need a separate grinder for your beans, but this entry-level machine is more than capable of working magic with them.

Making a rich, creamy latte is easy with the Breville Infuser Espresso Machine ($580). Its low and steady water pressure creates a flavorful espresso shot, while its high-powered steam wand creates a gorgeous (and delicious) foam for drinks. Again, you'll need a stand-alone grinder, but this midlevel offering includes just the features a home barista needs.

If you wake up at 7 a.m. and need caffeine by 7:01, Breville The Barista Express Espresso Machine ($700) is the one for you. The grinder measures and grinds a precise dose of espresso, and in less than a minute, the machine brews the shot. Like yours with milk? The steam wand lets you create microfoam for a delicious — and fast — finish.

The integrated burr grinder and LED display elevate the Breville Barista Pro Stainless Steel Espresso Maker ($800) to the next level. You won't need a separate grinder, and you won't need any special training to get your shot right, either — the machine makes it so simple, even a kid could do it. (If kids drank flat whites, that is.)

The Breville Barista Touch Espresso Maker ($1,000) has the features you want in an espresso machine (fast operation, hands-free milk frothing, an integrated grinder — the list goes on) as well as a uniquely delightful feature. Its programmable touch screen shows you how to make eight drinks, plus it'll remember precisely how you prefer your espresso. It's the closest thing to an iPhone in the world of espresso.

When you want a top-of-the-line experience, the dual-boiler Breville the Oracle Touch Complete Espresso Maker ($2,700) is the machine to buy. It has automated, touch-screen operation that's basically foolproof. Program it once, then swipe and select for espresso, long black, latte, flat white, or cappuccino. From there, the burr grinder gets to work by grinding, dosing, and tamping fresh coffee. Digitally controlled temperature heats the water to its optimum temperature, while the steam wand creates the silkiest foam imaginable. And are you ready for this? The wand CLEANS ITSELF.