The espresso machine you want is a spec decision
Boiler type, PID, price tier, what you brew: that is what separates espresso machines. EspressoSpecDB lays 55 machines from 18 brands side by side, from manufacturer data, so you compare like for like instead of reading ten review roundups.
55 machines18 brands4 boiler types5 uses
Jump to your use and budget
Find your matchAnswer five questions, see only the machines that fit.Compare two machinesPick any two of 55, side by side.Every machine, by specThe full sortable table.
Choose by what matters: the boiler
Single boilerOne boiler heats for brewing OR steaming — you switch and wait between.9 machinesThermoblock / thermocoilHeats water on demand through a metal block instead of holding a boiler tank.24 machinesHeat exchanger (HX)A single boiler kept at steam temperature with a heat-exchanger tube drawing brew water through it — so you can pull a shot and steam milk at the same time.8 machinesDual boilerSeparate boilers for brew and steam, each independently temperature-controlled.14 machines
A few machines at a glance
| Machine | Boiler | Tier | PID | Portafilter | Specs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breville Bambino | Thermoblock / thermocoil | Entry | PID | 54mm | Specs |
| Gaggia Classic Pro | Single boiler | Entry | — | 58mm | Specs |
| Rocket Appartamento | Heat exchanger (HX) | Prosumer | — | 58mm | Specs |
| Lelit MaraX | Heat exchanger (HX) | Mid-range | PID | 58mm | Specs |
| Breville Dual Boiler (BES920) | Dual boiler | Mid-range | PID | 58mm | Specs |
| Profitec Pro 500 | Heat exchanger (HX) | Prosumer | PID | 58mm | Specs |
| Rancilio Silvia Pro X | Dual boiler | Prosumer | PID | 58mm | Specs |
| Jura E8 | Thermoblock / thermocoil | Prosumer | — | — | Specs |
Popular comparisons
The head-to-heads this database links most, the machines people most often cross-shop. Open one for the full spec table and verdict, or compare any two machines.
- Breville Barista Pro vs Breville Dual Boiler (BES920)
- Breville Barista Touch vs Breville Dual Boiler (BES920)
- Breville Barista Pro vs De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro
- Breville Dual Boiler (BES920) vs De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro
- Breville Barista Touch vs De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro
- Breville Barista Pro vs Lelit Elizabeth
- Breville Barista Pro vs Lelit MaraX
- Breville Dual Boiler (BES920) vs Lelit MaraX
Start with what you know: browse by brand
Already have a brand in mind? Every machine we cover from 18 brands.
Buying guides
- Single boiler vs heat exchanger vs dual boiler: which do you need?
- How much should you spend on your first espresso machine?
- Do you need a PID espresso machine?
- Espresso machine vs grinder: how to split your budget
- 58mm vs 54mm vs 51mm portafilter: does the size matter?
- 9 bar vs 15 bar espresso: why more bars is not better
Where the specs come from
Every figure is taken from the manufacturer's own product page or manual and the source is linked on each machine page. We list a stable price tier band, never a live price claim, and we do not score or rank machines we have not tested. Read the full methodology and how we verify. Last verified 2026-06-11.
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