Buying Guide: Espresso Machines
The right machine depends less on price alone and more on how much milk you steam and how much control you want. Read machine types first for the architecture behind each pick, then match your habits below.
Match the machine to how you drink
- First machine, tight budget → Pico ($249). Single-thermoblock, pressurized baskets, ultra-compact. Forgiving and cheap; brew-then-steam if you occasionally want a cappuccino.
- One person, precise shots, occasional milk → Solo ($349). Single boiler with PID for stable brew temperature and a real 58mm basket. Wait 60-90s between brewing and steaming.
- Milk drinks for a household, no dual-boiler budget → Flux ($549). Heat exchanger brews and steams at once with strong steam. Pull a 2-4s cooling flush after idle; brew temp is a touch less precise.
- Frequent, back-to-back milk drinks with best temp control → Duo ($649). Dual PID boilers: simultaneous brew and steam, adjustable brew temperature, no cooling flush.
- Enthusiast who enjoys the ritual → Lever ($799). Manual spring lever with natural pre-infusion and a declining pressure profile. Hands-on and steam-capable.
Comparison
| Model | Type | Price | Simultaneous brew + steam | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pico | Single thermoblock | $249 | No | First machine on a budget |
| Solo | Single boiler + PID | $349 | No | One person, precise, occasional milk |
| Flux | Heat exchanger | $549 | Yes | Household milk drinks, mid price |
| Duo | Dual boiler | $649 | Yes | Frequent milk, best temp control |
| Lever | Manual lever | $799 | Yes | Enthusiast who enjoys the ritual |
A few practical notes
- If you rarely steam milk, a single boiler is no compromise — the money is better spent on the grinder.
- Steam frequency, not just budget, is the real dividing line: heavy milk use is where HX and dual boiler earn their price.
- All 58mm models share standard accessories — check compatibility before adding a bottomless portafilter or precision basket.
Once you've chosen, get set up with getting started and learn to dial in.