Checklist · 10 picks · 3 categories
Links to Amazon are affiliate links. I earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you, and it never decides a pick. How I make money
Affiliate link.
Home espresso is a fun rabbit hole, and the gear matters more than with any other coffee. You need three things: a machine, a grinder that goes fine enough for espresso, and a tamper to pack the grounds evenly.
The machines here are Food Network picks, from a best-value starter to an all-in-one with the grinder built in. Homegrounds' grinder and tamper picks cover beginner-friendly to dial-in-everything, and CNN Underscored's top coffee scale helps you weigh every shot. Each card shows the drawback the testers called out. Start with a machine, a grinder (unless yours has one built in) and a tamper that matches your portafilter size.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you mostly drink drip, pour-over or cold brew; the Coffee Bar list covers those plus frothers and syrups.
Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.
Pick a budget to see your plan.
Your plan lives in this link. Copy it or email it to yourself so Safari doesn't forget it.
Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 30, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
0 of 4 on your list · tap one to see your options
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| De'Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine | budget | $100-150 | trying espresso without a big spend | 1 outlet |
| Breville Bambino Plus | splurge | $500+ | latte lovers ready to stop paying café prices | 1 outlet |
| Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine | splurge | $500+ | an all-in-one setup with the grinder built in | 1 outlet |
Best espresso machinebudget pick · Compact
Best for trying espresso without a big spend
Food Network's best value espresso machine: affordable, with a straightforward design and a milk frother.
Heads up. Budget construction, no grinder, and it can get messy
1 outlet. Food Network best value espresso machine.
$100-150
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link. I may earn a commission at no cost to you.
splurge pick · Compact
Best for latte lovers ready to stop paying café prices
A small espresso machine that heats up in seconds and steams milk automatically, so lattes are easy from day one.
Heads up. Needs a separate espresso grinder for best results
1 outlet. Food Network reviewed espresso pick.
$500+
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Countertop
Best for an all-in-one setup with the grinder built in
Food Network's best splurge espresso machine: a built-in grinder and coffee shop-quality espresso in one machine.
Heads up. Pricey, with a learning curve for beginners
1 outlet. Food Network best splurge espresso machine.
$500+
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breville Smart Grinder Pro | mid | $200-300 | a first grinder that can go fine enough for espresso | 1 outlet |
| 1Zpresso K-Ultra | mid | $200-300 | small counters and quiet mornings | 1 outlet |
| Baratza Sette 270 | splurge | $300-500 | dialing in espresso with tiny adjustments | 1 outlet |
Best espresso grindermid pick · Countertop
Best for a first grinder that can go fine enough for espresso
Homegrounds' best espresso grinder for beginners: easy to use and affordable, with a large digital display and 60 grind settings.
Heads up. Its timer is less precise than pricier grinders'
1 outlet. Homegrounds best espresso grinder for beginners.
$200-300
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Handheld
Best for small counters and quiet mornings
Homegrounds' best manual coffee grinder for espresso: very fine adjustment steps with an easy external ring.
Heads up. Hand grinding means more work every morning
1 outlet. Homegrounds best manual grinder for espresso.
$200-300
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Countertop
Best for dialing in espresso with tiny adjustments
Homegrounds' runner-up espresso grinder: very fast, with low retention, 270 grind settings and three programmable timed doses.
Heads up. Loud at 92 dB, and coarse grind quality drops
1 outlet. Homegrounds runner-up espresso grinder.
$300-500
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LuxHaus Calibrated Espresso Tamper | budget | $25-50 | even, consistent tamps on a budget | 1 outlet |
| Normcore Spring Loaded Tamper V4 | mid | $25-50 | finding a tamper that fits your portafilter | 1 outlet |
| Espro Calibrated Flat Tamper | splurge | $50-100 | espresso nerds chasing the perfect shot | 1 outlet |
| Greater Goods Digital Coffee Scale | budget | $25-50 | consistent cups every morning | 1 outlet |
Best tamperbudget pick · 49, 51, 53 or 58 mm
Best for even, consistent tamps on a budget
Homegrounds' best value tamper: a calibrated stainless steel tamper set to 30 lbs of pressure.
Heads up. The logo engraving can trap stray grounds
1 outlet. Homegrounds best value espresso tamper.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · 49 to 58.5 mm
Best for finding a tamper that fits your portafilter
Homegrounds' runner-up tamper: spring-loaded with adjustable pressure, a leveling plate and the most size options.
Heads up. Only one color, and it's on the expensive side
1 outlet. Homegrounds runner-up espresso tamper.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · 53 to 58.35 mm
Best for espresso nerds chasing the perfect shot
Homegrounds' best overall tamper: calibrated for consistent 30-lb pressure in a sleek, sturdy build.
Heads up. Expensive, and there are no small sizes
1 outlet. Homegrounds best overall espresso tamper.
$50-100
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
Best coffee scalebudget pick · Compact
Best for consistent cups every morning
CNN Underscored's best overall coffee scale: solid performance at a budget price, with a built-in timer.
Heads up. No ratio calculator, and its four buttons get a lot of use.
1 outlet. CNN Underscored best overall coffee scale.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Usually, yes. Espresso needs a very fine, even grind, and Food Network notes the budget Stilosa has no grinder. The Breville Barista Express is the exception here, with a grinder built in.
It has to match your machine's portafilter basket, so check the size on your machine's listing first. The Normcore tamper comes in the most sizes, from 49 to 58.5 mm.
Yes. The Coffee Bar list is about all kinds of coffee drinks, from pour-over to cold brew. This one is just the gear for pulling espresso shots: machines, espresso-ready grinders, tampers and a scale.