Best espresso machine to buy for home A high-quality espresso machine can ensure that you can make coffee-shop-quality warm drinks in your home. If you like shots that are short and intense or you want to recreate longer espresso-based drinks, such as cappuccinos or lattes You can take on your role as a barista to make your ideal coffee every time. Espresso machines work by pushing hot pressurized liquid through the ground coffee in an insulated basket. It also gives you unlimited freedom in experimenting with how compact the coffee grounds should be (known as tapping) and the amount of water is forced through the ground to get the perfect espresso shot. The combination of coffee that's compacted loosely and plenty of water results in the coffee being weaker, whereas the stronger flavor is created by using less water and ground coffee that's compacted to a high degree. If you're just beginning to learn about the world of espresso machines, take a look at these...