Recommended Espresso Machines

The DeLonghi EC140B is about the least expensive pump-driven espresso and cappuccino maker available that can produce the equivalent of a Starbucks cappuccino. It retails at $140, but can be bought online for around $100.

A compact pump-driven machine that offers excellent value for the price. Accepts either loose coffee grounds or E.S.E. espresso pods. It retails at $180, but you'll find it sold online for around $130.

The Carezza retails at $300, but it can be picked up at Amazon.com for as little as $200. It uses the same pump and boiler as Gaggia's flagship home model, the Gaggia Classic, and produces equally good espresso. The chromium-plated brass group and filter holder ensures temperature stability. Highly recommended!

A heavy-duty version of the Carezza with a stainless-steel housing and three-way solenoid valve (allows the next shot to be prepared instantly). The Classic is probably on a par with the Rancilio Silvia, though it has a smaller aluminium boiler. Sturdy enough to stand up to years of daily use, but at around $500, it's pricey compared to a Carezza.

Stylish and sturdy Italian-made machine that produces superb espresso. It is fitted with a quality brass boiler and is compact enough to fit in the smallest kitchen. A few inconveniences - the steam wand is rather short and the pump is noisy. It costs around $500.

The machine that all home models are measured against, with very high construction quality for the price. The Silvia is fitted with a brass boiler, chromed brass brewing head, chrome-plated brass portafilter and 3-way solenoid valve. On the downside, it requires a certain amount of skill to operate and steaming is slow. It costs around $550.

This machine is capable of producing fabulous espresso and froths milk to perfection. Like all manual espresso machines, it takes time to master - short of near-perfect technique it will produce inferior espresso to an equivalent quality semi-automatic machine. It costs around $650 ($580 online).

The Impressa F7 grinds, tamps, brews and cleans in under 60 seconds - perfect for first thing in the morning. It produces very good espresso, but like all fully-automatic models, the convenience comes at a price - the F7 costs around $1,600 ($1,300 online).