Posted on: MAR 14, 2025
Posted by: STOKES COFFEE
Recommended Espresso Machines & Accessories for the Budding Barista
Mike, Training Manager at Stokes Tea & Coffee
Making café-quality espresso at home is easier than ever with the right equipment. Whether you're just starting out or looking to upgrade, here’s a list of our top picks for the best home barista espresso machines and accessories to suit all budgets.
Espresso Machine Recommendations
Entry-Level ($$)
A compact, easy-to-use machine with quick heat-up time and automatic milk steaming. The Bambino is perfect for beginners who want quality espresso without complex adjustments.
Beautifully simple machine, single boiler and linear pump. The Classic is well loved for its reliability and the ability to mod. The Gaggia Classic is a decent price for the base and can be modified over time to improve the utility and consistency.
Mid-Range ($$$)
Built-in grinder, fast heat-up, and intuitive controls make this an excellent all-in-one option. Great for those who want a balance of convenience and manual control without needing a separate grinder.
A home barista classic, known for using high quality materials which help holding stable temperature and pressure, a good build which should see a long-life span, and customisable parts. Great for people who want simple, quality equipment with less of the bells and whistles.
High-End ($$$$)
The Dual Boiler offers precise temperature control, simultaneous brewing & steaming, and pro-level performance. The Dual boiler is Ideal for espresso enthusiasts who want a more manual experience in controlling extraction and milk texture with more precise temperature control and the ability to steam milk whilst pulling a shot.
Effectively this is all the tech of a professional machine, with the convenience of a home operation. The pump will build 9 bars without the effect of the coffees grind due to the cube moving away from using a linear pump and instead using a rotary pump. This means there will be no pressure lag whilst pulling the shot giving more consistent extractions every time.
This is for those happy to spend a good amount of money on what you would deme an important hobby!
Accessories
Here are some recommended tools to help achieve better extraction from your home machine
WDT Tools (Weiss Distribution Technique)
Helps break up clumps in coffee grounds for even extraction.
WDT helps Reduces channelling and improves shot consistency.
Blind Shaker
A container to shake up the dry grounds and then evenly distribute the coffee into the filter.
Shaking the grounds before tamping seems to help the water move through the coffee puck easier, this means we can use a slightly finer grind and therefore increase the extraction of the coffee.
Milk Jug
A good-quality stainless steel milk jug for steaming and pouring latte art. Allows better control over milk texturing and pouring precision.
Scales
Precision scales to measure coffee dose and shot output. Ensures consistency in brewing ratios for better repeatability.
With the right espresso machine and accessories, you can take your home barista skills to the next level. Whether you’re just starting or fine-tuning your technique, investing in quality gear will make a huge difference in your daily coffee routine. Happy brewing!
