The Breville Barista Express ticks the most boxes of any machine we tested, with solid performance, features and a reasonable price -- all from a brand with a proven track record in the at-home espresso category.

This manual espresso machine has a powerful burr grinder that pulverizes espresso beans and smart technology that doses grounds directly into its portafilter basket, while its sturdy frother steams milk well and makes thick foam. It's not among the cheapest of espresso machines, but you're getting a lot for the price.

The control panel may be a little intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of things, a delicious shot (or double shot) of espresso, latte or other freshly ground coffee drink of choice will be your reward. Made from stainless steel, the Barista Express is a cinch to clean as well. To seal the deal, Breville includes premium metal tools such as a handy-dose trimmer and tamper.

It's worth noting that this machine has heft, so you may want to look at the next machine on the list instead if counter space is at a premium

This compact and trendy espresso machine would look great on any countertop and the stainless steel version is currently on sale at Amazon for $119, which makes it the cheapest option on our list by far. Even at its full price, we like the Casabrews as a true budget buy that delivers reliable espresso shots.

The Casabrews is a compact 20-bar espresso machine made for beginners and small kitchens. It has a 34-ounce removable water tank (which makes refilling and cleaning pretty easy) and a steam milk frother for making your favorite espresso beverages. The machine also has straightforward controls for quick, at-home espresso drinks.  

One of our coffee experts, Katherine Peach, tested it side by side with the more expensive Breville Bambino. Ultimately, the $300 Bambino was the more proficient machine, but for the price, the Casabrews impressed. That said, if you're making espresso regularly, a machine this inexpensive may not last more than a few years of consistent use.

Although it's small, it still has a nice-sized water tank, so you don't have to worry about refilling it often, and it pulled creamy, delicious shots during our testing. The Casabrews also comes in seven colors, a bonus for anyone interested in a less conventional appliance on the counter.

You can read our full review of Casabrews CM5418 here.

If space is at a premium, the modest Bambino won't demand much of it. This compact model impressed us more than any espresso machine in its weight class.

One of the biggest draws of the Bambino is its three-second "ThermoJet" heating system with PID control and a digital thermostat that controls the water temperature for greater stability. (Large swings in temperature will affect the flavor of a shot.) The ThermoJet innovation is more than a marketing gimmick: a glass-ceramic enamel coating on the stainless steel heats faster, resulting in an impressively short wait time before you can steam milk or pull a piping-hot espresso shot.

Breville also found a sweet spot at 9 bars of extraction pressure, similar to most commercial machines. Additional benefits of the Breville Bambino include its 180-degree rotation, which makes it more comfortable to use.

In addition to being a great compact option, this is ideal for beginners. It's so simple to use and clean, and we found it pulled quality espresso shots on par with more expensive picks like Breville's Barista Express.

We especially appreciate how easy it is to froth milk with the Bambino. Just insert the steam wand into the stainless-steel milk pitcher that is included with the Breville Bambino Plus, then press one button. Less than a minute later, you'll have expertly steamed milk foam ready for lattes and cappuccinos.

Ninja drops into a crowded space with a customer base known for its particularity, but it seeks to remove some of the snobbish stigma from at-home espresso-making and offer a more user-friendly experience. 

The machine has an unusually large portafilter that can be converted into a traditional coffee filter, allowing you to make up to 18 ounces of drip coffee. There's also a cold brew function that turns out concentrated coffee mixed with water, for an instant chill on steamy summer days. Ninja's system also whisks milk and nut milk in addition to the more traditional steaming. 

Despite the dozens of beverage-making options, we found the control panel easy to use. After three or four attempts, we had both a drip coffee setting and an espresso strength that we liked. The suggested grind size for particular styles was clear, as was the option to change it manually if we wanted to try something coarser or finer. 

We appreciate the detachable bean hopper (something I'm still waiting for Breville to introduce in its machines), which lets you clean it thoroughly and swap beans without much trouble if you prefer a darker roast and someone else in the home prefers a lighter roast. 

The machine has a sharp, modern look, although it's not the best-looking espresso machine in the middle price tier.

You can read our full review here.

This pricey model has more functions and automation than the average espresso machine. You can fully program your own custom settings via the slick digital interface, including your preferred grind size, temperature and foam needs. It is tied for the most expensive on the list but it is considered a professional-grade espresso machine and is built to last.

Precision, automation and speed were the driving factors behind the Oracle Jet's upgraded technologies, which feature a fully integrated Baratza European Precision Burr that automatically grinds, doses and tamps by simply holding the portafilter in place under the grind and tamp outlet until the display technology clearly lets you know you're good to go. The system offers 45 grind settings, while factoring in the roast or expiration date of the beans you've selected.

For non-dairy foam fanatics, the Oracle Jet system now offers built-in settings for soy, almond and oat milk, which can be customized to your preferred temperature and foam quality. No more scalding hot Starbucks for you. The temperature and foam settings automatically adjust when you select different, non-dairy milks.

Keep in mind, too, that if you want one of the specialty colors, Sea Salt & Brass or Stainless Steel & Brass, it will cost an additional $300.

You can read our full review of the Breville Oracle Jet here.

In short, no. What you can do is make coffee drinks that come close. For instance, moka pots brew coffee under pressure that's very concentrated. Likewise, you use an AeroPress brewer to make strong, espresso-like joe.

Like any coffee maker, espresso machines require regular cleaning to ensure optimal operation. Espresso makers can be particularly sensitive to maintenance neglect. In addition to coffee brewing, some of these products have systems for steaming milk and grinding beans. Each subsystem calls for specific steps to keep them dirt and grime-free.

The portafilter, the main brewing chamber, should be hand-washed with soap and hot water daily. To make the task easier, run a water-only brewing cycle before and after each espresso shot you pull (brew). You'll likely have to clean the water shower screen weekly too. For more details, be sure to check your machine's manual (PDF) for cleaning instructions specific to your brewer.

If your espresso machine can also steam milk, then the list of drinks you can make is vast. Just to name a few, there are traditional Italian drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. The flat white is an Australian cross between those two. You serve these hot or over ice as well. If milk isn't your preference, there is the Americano, espresso diluted with hot water.

Answering this question depends on what you mean. If we're simply talking about taste, something similar to or better than a coffee shop is possible, although it'll take quality ingredients and practice. 

If we're talking about price, you should be able to recoup your cost fairly quickly, even for a pricier machine. If you replace a $4 latte with one you make at home every workday, you'll save close to $20 in a week. You'll pay some for coffee beans and milk, but much less than a dollar. Take a tip for your barista into account, and you're likely saving more. If you're saving $20 each week, that's more than $1,000 a year. Even if you go to a coffee shop occasionally, you can easily pay for even our most expensive recommendation with your savings in the first year.

It depends. If you favor convenience and want a machine that can pump out great espresso at the touch of a button, an automatic machine is for you. However, if you want to dive deep into the hobby of making great espresso, a manual machine will give you a lot more control.