I’m an ex-barista, and I would never buy an espresso machine without this one key feature

The breville bambino / sage bambino in silver photographed against a blue background with a wooden feature wall, showing the steam wand, group head, water tank, button controls, and espresso.

I'm an ex-barista, and now I'm putting my coffee skills into reviewing espresso machines for a living. I test all of the best espresso machines — and the worst ones, but we don't talk about those — and I'm on a mission to help you spend your money wisely.

If you're even a little bit into coffee, you've definitely heard of Breville and De'Longhi. The espresso machines made by these two companies are some of the best-value home coffee makers, crammed with premium features that'll impress espresso purists and beginners alike. I'm a huge fan of both of these brands' machines, and there's one key reason.