Best espresso machines for beginners with little counter space

A small espresso machine isn't small once a grinder sits beside it. So count the grinder first. That one sum changes which of these four suits your kitchen.

None of these has been on my counter. Test findings come from Tom's Guide, TechRadar and CoffeeGeek, named where I use them. Sizes and prices come from the makers, checked November 2, 2026.

Which kind of beginner are you

Two machines here have no grinder, and two have one built in. The first pair sit smaller and run $299.95 and $149.95, against $699.95 and $749.95 for the second, but single-wall baskets want fresh, fine grounds. Tom's Guide says the Bambino's pressurized baskets let less fussy users get a decent shot from pre-ground coffee, so a grinder can wait on that one.

The built-in pair take more space. Breville's sheets put the Bambino's footprint at 11.9 in by 6.1 in and the Barista Express's at 15.9 in by 13.1 in, so measure your own counter from the wall to the edge.

Breville Bambino

At $299.95, this is where I'd start in a studio or a galley kitchen. Breville lists it at 11.9 in by 6.1 in, while Tom's Guide's roundup lists 13.7 x 6.3 x 12 inches, so measure for the largest figure front to back.

Tom's Guide's reviewer, a former barista, listed no cons. I'd still count one: the milk is steamed by hand, so someone has to learn it. Tom's Guide reports four seconds from espresso to steam, which keeps a two-drink morning short. My Bambino review has the rest.

De'Longhi Stilosa

$149.95 buys you a 13.5 x 8.07 x 11.22 in machine, length first, with a 33.81 oz tank. Tom's Guide tested the sister EC230 and says the EC260 works almost identically apart from pod support and small details. Shots tasted good, though crema was thin and one needed a grinder change to lose its sourness.

The catches are all in the accessories. Tom's Guide found the plastic tamper doesn't fit the 51 mm portafilter, and no milk jug comes in the box. It recommends buying a metal tamper and calls the steam wand a touch overzealous. De'Longhi lists a 4.29 inch maximum cup height, so a tall mug won't go under the spout.

Skip it if you want a machine that forgives you. Tom's Guide says it needs more skill than a Bambino Plus. It suits one person with a small budget who enjoys tinkering, and who already owns a grinder or will buy a hand grinder.

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo

This is the one for a home where nobody will learn espresso. It costs $749.95 and has 13 settings on a built-in grinder. TechRadar says you select a drink and the machine does the rest, with clean-up that takes seconds.

But it's on this list with an asterisk. TechRadar calls it one of the biggest machines it has tested, and the dimensions, 17.32 x 9.45 x 14.17 in, need a deep counter and room to open the top lid. TechRadar also measured 78 dB while grinding. Milk is manual on this version.

Breville Barista Express

$699.95 gets you 16 settings on a built-in grinder, a steam wand and a set of tools, which is a lot of learning in one box. CoffeeGeek calls its grinder well suited to the job, and warns that a failed grinder leaves you with "a partial brick". It weighs 22.09 lb.

I'd only buy it if you've got a long clear run of counter and a real wish to learn. CoffeeGeek gives its height as 15.8 inches against 12.4 in on Breville's sheet, so check under your cabinets. If you're torn between this and the De'Longhi, ask who'll do the tamping every morning. If nobody will, buy the De'Longhi.

If espresso is the wrong answer

Plenty of people want a big pot of black coffee and only think they want espresso. Then none of these fit. The Moccamaster review covers a drip machine with almost nothing to learn. You can also compare every espresso machine I've priced.