Compare the Top 8 Espresso Machines

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Test Espresso Machines?

Over the past decade, WIRED has tested dozens of espresso makers to find our favorites. The process, in part, is simple. We brew a whole lot of coffee. I’ve written about coffee for more than a decade on both the East and West Coasts, including my hometown coffee mecca of Portland, Oregon. Other current and past WIRED espresso testers—who include former baristas and longtime coffee writers—include Jaina Grey , Jeffrey Van Camp , Kat Merck , Tyler Shane , Pete Cottell , and Scott Gilbertson .

On each machine that’s capable, I make and assess at least four styles of drink, on multiple roasts and beans: a basic 2:1 espresso, an Americano, a latte, and a cappuccino. On machines that advertise a wacky array of drinks, I test each one. This includes any newfangled coldspresso and head-scratching variations on a “long.” It also includes, if science dictates, espresso martinis.…