The Best Espresso Machines for Families and Busy Households
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When several people want coffee every morning, speed and simplicity matter more than anything. Everyone should be able to make their drink without a lesson.
Look for one-touch drinks or saved profiles, a big water tank, and either an automatic milk system or a machine that can brew and steam at once.
Our picks at a glance
- De'Longhi Magnifica Evo: Bean-to-cup with milk carafe
- Jura E8: Premium one-touch
- De'Longhi Rivelia: Two bean hoppers
- Philips 3200 LatteGo: Best push-button
- Breville Barista Touch: Best touchscreen
- Breville Dual Boiler: Brew and steam at once
The picks
One-touch milk drinks that anyone can make.
Watch out: The milk carafe needs regular cleaning.
Seventeen one-touch specialties and built-in cleaning programs.
Watch out: Premium tier.
Two bean containers, so one person can have decaf and another regular coffee.
Watch out: Smaller water tank for a busy home.
Simple buttons and a milk system that rinses clean quickly.
Watch out: Less control over each drink.
Saved drink settings on a touchscreen, with automatic milk.
Watch out: Premium tier.
Brew and steam at the same time for several milk drinks in a row.
Watch out: Needs a separate grinder and some skill.
Side by side
| Machine | Type | Grinder | Milk | Price tier* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| De'Longhi Magnifica Evo | Super-automatic (bean to cup) | Yes, conical steel burr | LatteCrema automatic milk carafe | Mid-range |
| Jura E8 | Super-automatic (bean to cup) | Yes, built-in burr grinder | Automatic milk system (milk pipe) | Premium |
| De'Longhi Rivelia | Super-automatic (bean to cup) | Yes, with two swappable bean containers | LatteCrema Hot automatic milk carafe | Premium |
| Philips 3200 LatteGo | Super-automatic (bean to cup) | Yes, ceramic burr | LatteGo automatic milk system | Premium |
| Breville Barista Touch | Semi-automatic with built-in grinder | Yes, conical burr | Automatic steam wand (set temp and texture) | Premium |
| Breville Dual Boiler | Semi-automatic dual boiler (no grinder) | No | Manual steam wand (separate steam boiler) | Premium |
*Price tier is a rough guide. Click through for today's price on Amazon.
Tips before you buy
Count the cups
If you make more than four or five drinks a morning, a big water tank and fast steam save a lot of time.
Keep it simple
The best family machine is the one everyone can use. One-touch machines avoid arguments about who makes the coffee.
How we chose
We compared manufacturer specifications, design features and patterns in published owner feedback. We do not accept payment from brands for placement. More about how we work.
FAQ
Which machine is best for several people?
A bean-to-cup machine with one-touch milk drinks is the easiest. Enthusiasts who make drinks for others may prefer a dual boiler.
Can kids use these machines?
Steam and hot water can burn. Follow the manufacturer's safety instructions and supervise children.
More buying guides
- Best Espresso Machines for Beginners
- Best Espresso Machines with a Built-In Grinder
- Best Budget Espresso Machines
- Best Espresso Machines for Lattes and Cappuccinos
- Best Bean-to-Cup Espresso Machines
- Best Espresso Machines for Small Kitchens
- Best Espresso Machines for Latte Art
- Espresso Machines That Fit Under Kitchen Cabinets
- Best Premium Espresso Machines
- Best Mid-Range Espresso Machines
- Espresso Machines That Heat Up in Seconds
- Best Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines
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- Breville Barista Express vs Breville Barista Express Impress
- Breville Bambino vs Breville Bambino Plus