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Everything the kitchen desk has published on coffee — tested, measured and updated as products change.

Espresso extracting from a machine group head
BEST · Coffee

The Best Espresso Machines

Sixty kilos of coffee, one refractometer, eleven machines.

Naomi Park · August 10, 2026 · 2 min read

Tested in this category

Independently scored

Espresso extracting from a machine group head

De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro

A grind-to-cup espresso machine that removes most of the guesswork without removing control.

Score
8.7 / 10
Price band
$800 – $1,000

Best for: Home baristas who want café espresso without a full setup

Price band last checked 2026-08-10. Live pricing arrives with our retailer feed.

Espresso cup surrounded by roasted coffee beans

Nespresso Vertuo Creatista

Capsule convenience with better milk texturing than the category norm.

Score
8.3 / 10
Price band
$500 – $650

Best for: Busy households prioritising speed and consistency

Price band last checked 2026-08-10. Live pricing arrives with our retailer feed.

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