Six machine types. Six different jobs for the owner.

The label matters only when it explains who grinds, doses, textures milk, cleans the path and corrects a bad drink.

Compact semi-automatic

A small espresso body with a portafilter. Strong upgrade path, but the grinder and technique sit outside the box.

Grinding, dosing and brewing share one footprint while the user still prepares the puck and usually steams milk.

The machine grinds, doses and brews internally. Milk, profiles and cleaning design separate the useful models.

The simplest repeatable workflow, with capsule system, drink size, milk and running cost shaping the decision.

Separate brew and steam boilers suit back-to-back milk drinks and tighter temperature control, at a larger size and cost.

Manual pressure, kettle dependence or battery heating each solve portability with a different compromise.

Still deciding?

Read the five-decision buying framework before comparing individual models.