Home espresso and coffee gear, reviewed before you buy
Machines, grinders, beans and the accessories that actually fit them, with what we like and what could be better.
Our short list
- 01Breville Bambino BES450Breville 54mm
- 02Breville Bambino Plus BES500Breville 54mm
- 03Breville Barista Pro BES878Breville 54mm
- 04Breville Barista Touch BES880BSSBreville 54mm
- 05De'Longhi Dedica EC685RDe'Longhi 51mm
- 06De'Longhi Stilosa Compact Manual Espresso MachineDe'Longhi 51mm
- 07Rancilio Silvia HSD-SILVIA Espresso MachineGaggia / Rancilio
Latest from the blog
- Buying guide · Nov 3, 2026
Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus: Which Espresso Fits You?
Compare Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus to choose between manual milk control and hands-free steaming. See which model fits your counter, budget, and daily espresso routine.
Espresso Machines
- Breville
Breville Bambino BES450
A compact machine for home espresso, the Breville Bambino BES450 suits buyers who want fast startup, simple controls, and milk drinks on a small counter. The main trade-off is manual steaming and mixed owner reports about temperature and steam consistency, so it is less appealing if you want more automation.
- Breville
Breville Bambino Plus BES500
The Breville Bambino Plus BES500 suits shoppers who want a compact home espresso machine with fast startup and automatic milk texturing. The main trade-off is the steam system: owner reports point to purge mess and reliability problems, so buyers should weigh that against the workflow benefits.
- Breville
Breville Barista Pro BES878
A fit for home users who want an integrated grinder and quick bean-to-cup workflow with guided shot control. This Breville Barista Pro review points to a machine with real setup trade-offs, especially if you want easier grinder dialing or worry about owner-reported reliability issues.
- Breville
Breville Barista Touch BES880BSS
Breville Barista Touch BES880BSS review: it suits buyers who want guided home espresso, a touchscreen, an integrated grinder, and automatic milk texturing. The main trade-off is the limited warranty, so the fit depends on how much you value that streamlined workflow.
Coffee Grinders
- Baratza
Baratza Encore ESP ZCG495
This review points to a grinder for espresso buyers who want simple adjustment and easier upkeep. The main trade-off is that owner feedback points to retention, clumping, and occasional chute clogging, so the workflow is not fuss-free.
- Baratza
Baratza Encore
The Baratza Encore suits shoppers who want a straightforward grinder for filter coffee and pour overs, with a wide grind range and a simple setup. The main trade-off is that owner feedback points to mess, noise, slower grinding, and limited espresso performance.
Breville Smart Grinder Pro BCG820BSS
Best for buyers who want one programmable grinder for espresso through French press. It offers flexible dosing and direct grinding into several containers, but the trade-off is that coarser grinds and some espresso baskets can be less cooperative.
Fellow Opus conical burr grinder
Opus makes sense for home brewers who want one grinder for multiple methods. The trade-off is the repeated complaints about retention, mess, and a plastic body that some owners feel is less premium than more metal grinders. It is best if you can live with those trade-offs.
Coffee Beans
- Kicking Horse Coffee
Kicking Horse Kick Ass Dark Roast Whole Bean 1 lb
This is a dark, whole bean blend for shoppers who want a bold cup with smoky, chocolate-forward notes. It suits dark-roast drinkers who are comfortable with a strong cup. The main trade-off is that its intensity can come across as burned, bitter, or too smoky for some drinkers.
- Kicking Horse Coffee
Kicking Horse Cliff Hanger Espresso Whole Bean 2.2 lb
In a Kicking Horse Cliff Hanger Espresso Whole Bean 2.2 lb review, this suits espresso drinkers who want a bright, fruit-and-cocoa whole bean with low acidity and full body. The main trade-off is that the listing does not state machine model compatibility, roast level, or origin, so people who need those specs should look elsewhere.
- Stumptown Coffee
Stumptown Coffee Roasters Hair Bender Whole Bean 12 oz
Hair Bender suits shoppers who want Stumptown’s signature espresso blend in a 12oz whole bean bag and prefer a coffee with some brewing flexibility. The main trade-off is that espresso can be less forgiving, with owners reporting sour or hard-to-dial-in shots.
- illy
illy Classico Medium Roast Whole Bean Coffee 8.8 oz
Worth it for espresso or other supported brew methods if you want a smooth, 100% Arabica whole-bean coffee with a clearly defined flavor profile. If you want a more neutral cup or worry about packaging issues, this is not the best fit.
Coffee Makers & Brewers
- AeroPress
AeroPress Original Coffee Press
A compact, travel-ready single-cup brewer for people who want quick cleanup and flexible brew styles. The main trade-off is small batch capacity, and some owners say pressing takes effort.
- CHEMEX®
Chemex Classic Series Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker 6-Cup
Best for someone who wants a manual pour-over brewer for coffee for more than one person or guests. The main trade-off is the thicker filter system, which can be harder to dial in and more annoying to clean.
- Hario
Hario V60 Plastic Coffee Dripper Size 02 Clear
This dripper suits shoppers who want a simple V60 option for 2-4 cups. It is worth considering if lightweight practicality matters more than a more premium feel.
OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker 8722000
A good fit if you want ground coffee, a glass carafe, and a machine that can handle both a mug and a full pot. The main trade-off is that the smaller-batch setup needs more attention than a basic drip brewer, and there is no timer or delay-brew feature. If brewing control and a podless single-serve option matter, it is easier to recommend.
Coffee & Espresso Accessories
- Normcore
Normcore 51mm 3-ear Bottomless Portafilter Dedica
This Normcore 51mm 3-ear Bottomless Portafilter Dedica review points to a sturdy, clearly compatible bottomless option for Dedica owners. It is worth it when the pros and cons match your workflow, but the basket size, cleaning limits, and the pull of cheaper alternatives are the main reasons some buyers may pass.
- Normcore
Normcore 51mm 3-ear Bottomless Portafilter walnut
Best for compatible 51mm Delonghi owners who want shot feedback and a walnut-handled stainless build. The main trade-off is that fit can still depend on ear thickness, and the open design makes prep issues visible fast.
- Breville
7-piece 53,3mm Breville espresso tool kit
A practical seven-tool puck-prep set for home baristas who want one kit for tamping, leveling, dosing, and cleanup. The main trade-off is reported fit and durability issues, so it works best for buyers who value convenience over a fully separate setup.
- Fellow
Fellow Atmos Electric Vacuum Coffee Canister 0.7L, Matte Black
The Fellow Atmos Electric Vacuum Coffee Canister 0.7L, Matte Black suits shoppers who want vacuum coffee storage without manually compressing the air. The main caution is that owner reports on automatic resealing are mixed, so it is best for buyers who can accept some variability.
Maintenance & Cleaning
- Breville
Breville BES008 ClaroSwiss-style Water Filter
Fits owners of compatible Breville machines who want water treatment and scale control. The main trade-off is the 90-day replacement cycle, plus complaints about cost and availability.
- Breville
Breville BWF100 Replacement Charcoal Filters
Worth it for buyers who need the listed Breville match and want a straightforward filter swap. If the code does not line up, alternatives are the safer choice, and the decision is more about fit than build quality claims.
- Breville
Breville BEC250 Espresso Cleaning Tablets
A practical choice for Breville espresso owners who want a tablet cleaner for coffee oils and residue. The main trade-off is that it does not remove mineral deposits, and some owners report a tablet may not dissolve on the first pull.
- De'Longhi
De'Longhi EcoDecalk 16,9 oz
A straightforward choice for shoppers who want De'Longhi's recommended descaler for routine maintenance. The pros and cons are clear: quick to use and broadly compatible, but focused only on limescale and not broader cleaning.
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How we review
We read the maker’s specs and manuals and what owners report, then write down what each product does well, where it falls short and who it suits. The score out of 10 is set by our editors, never by AI.