Choosing your first espresso machine can be intimidating. What features should you look for? How much should you spend? How can you avoid making an expensive mistake and buying something that will end up gathering dust in a cupboard for years?
That's where I come in. I test coffee makers for a living (I've had my hands on 14 in the last 12 months alone), and I've used that experience to pick out three espresso machines I believe are perfect for beginners. Two are fully automatic, meaning they handle the whole process of brewing espresso drinks for you, from bean to cup, and the other is a great introduction to brewing coffee manually. You'll need a separate grinder to use this one, but it's an excellent way to start developing your barista skills, and is the most affordable of the three.
