Tl;dr: There are tons of features to look out for in general when shopping for an espresso machine, and even more so when you include a built-in grinder. Look for one with plenty of grind settings, small burr sizes, and an espresso machine that meets your needs.

If you’re in the market for a convenient way to get your morning coffee in without the expensive daily costs and long lines—a home espresso maker is a great option!

Not every espresso machine has a grinder built-in, but finding one that does will offer a lot of convenience and can streamline your espresso-making routine. Plus, separate espresso grinders can take up quite a bit of precious counter space.

We’ve put together a list of our absolute favorite espresso machines with built-in grinders and answered all of your burning questions to help you make an informed decision.

Let's dive in!

What to Consider When Buying an Espresso Machine

Here are some other questions you may have about espresso machines with built-in grinders:

Are Built-in Espresso Grinders Good Quality?

Generally speaking, built-in espresso grinders are not as high quality as a stand-alone burr grinder.

Built-in grinders offer tons of convenience, which makes them worthwhile to some. But for those who prefer to have the most high-quality espresso experience— it may be worthwhile to consider purchasing a separate stand-alone grinder.

Grinders can sometimes cost as much as an espresso machine, but there are also a lot of great economical grinders as well.

Check out our guide to the best espresso grinders under $500.

Can I Use a Coffee Grinder Instead of an Espresso Grinder?

While the terms can sometimes be interchangeable, coffee grinders refer to any machine that grinds coffee beans. But not every coffee grinder can grind beans as fine as you need for a good quality shot of espresso.

Always ensure that your grinder is equipped to handle grinding your espresso with an even consistency and a fine enough grind.

Different Types Of Espresso Machines With Built-in Grinders

Here are some different types of espresso machines to consider when shopping around:

Entry Level

While typically entry-level espresso machines cost somewhere between $100-$500, adding a built-in grinder naturally raises the price since there are inherently more moving pieces and features. Don’t let the idea of buying an entry-level machine make you think you’ll be sacrificing quality though.

While there are generally fewer features in beginner-friendly options, you can still get an incredibly delicious espresso drink with proper tweaking and learning to use your machine properly.

We love the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte ($799.95). It's an entry-level, semi-automatic machine that is packed with features; you’ll love the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte.

The built-in grinder features 8 grind settings and delivers even and consistent grind quality every time. This machine has a MyLatteArt steam wand which is ideal for creating microfoam for latte art and crafting great cappuccinos.

This machine also comes with a barista kit that includes a dosing funnel, tamping mat, hard water testing kit, cleaning brush, descaler, a single and double coffee filter, a frothing mug, and a cleaning needle for the steam wand.

If you are a fan of De’Longhi machines but aren’t sure which one to choose, check out our expert guide to the De’Longhi coffee machine lineup.

Compact & Space Saving

Counter space can sometimes be limited in apartments, dorms, or smaller homes. Generally speaking, having a built-in grinder will make your espresso machine larger than one that doesn’t have a built-in grinder.

However, a good quality stand-alone grinder can also take up a significant footprint on your counter or in your cabinet.

The most compact options are super-automatic machines like the Espressione Concierge ($699.99).

This machine is sleek, budget-friendly, and one of the smallest machines with a built-in grinder on the market.

This machine is ideal for anyone who wants great quality espresso with as little effort as possible since it's considered a super-automatic option. All you have to do is ensure the water reservoir and coffee beans stay stocked and enjoy your espresso at the push of a button.

Cleaning the Espressione Concierge is also as easy as occasionally descaling, wiping down the drip tray, and ensuring you dump your used coffee grounds in the removable tray every couple of days or so.

Super-Automatic

Super-automatic machines like the aforementioned Espressione Concierge take all of the guesswork out of crafting quality espresso beverages. All you have to do is keep it clean and stocked with your favorite beans and filtered water, and the machine handles the rest at the push of a button.

We love the Terre Kaffe TK-01 ($895.00) for anyone who wants a more hands-off approach. This machine handles grinding, dosing, brewing, and steaming at the push of a button and is ideal for those who value convenience without sacrificing quality.

Some other great features of this machine are the built-in water filter, which prevents excess hard water from building up on the internal components of this machine. It also features an ambient cup warmer on the top so your mugs can warm up before you start the brewing process.

The Terre Kaffe is also one of the more affordable super-automatic machines currently on the market that provides cafe-quality drinks.

Want to know more? Check out our expert review of the Terra Kaffe TK-01.

Semi-Automatic

Super-automatic machines will give you the most authentic home barista experience. They allow you to dose, tamp, grind, and steam milk on your own. This control over the process is perfect for anyone who wishes to hone in on their barista skills to craft their ideal cup of joe.

There are some fantastic semi-automatic options on the market that we love like the Breville Barista Pro ($849.95)

This machine is a crowd favorite—and for good reason! In fact, the entire Breville lineup has some of the most impressive features and functionalities at an affordable price point.

The Breville Barista Pro is ideal for anyone looking for a semi-automatic machine that can make a great latte, cappuccino, americano, and more.

This machine automatically doses out the perfect amount of espresso grounds to make the perfect shot and has 30-grind settings so you can dial in the perfect grind every time.

The Breville Barista Pro uses a ThermoJet system, which means it can heat up in just 3 seconds, and it only takes a few seconds to switch between brewing and steaming.

With Breville's extensive line of espresso machines, it can be difficult to figure out which one is right for you. Check out our guide that breaks down everything to consider when purchasing a Breville espresso machine.

We also love the De'Longhi La Specialista Prestigio ($899.95). This is an impressive semi-automatic machine that's also jam-packed with features.

This machine has sensor grinding technology that automatically grinds the perfect-sized espresso and automatically doses out the ideal weight. It also has active temperature control, which allows you to change the temperature to get the most out of different espresso beans.

Overall, this machine is a fantastic option for anyone looking for an easy-to-use espresso machine that delivers great quality espresso.

Can’t decide between a De’Longhi machine or a Breville machine? Check out our Breville Versus De’Longhi expert guide that breaks down all the differences between the two brands.

Mid-Range

If you’re looking for more robust features and are willing to spend a bit more on a machine, there are some great mid-range machines with built-in grinders.

These machines will generally have higher-quality grinders as well as some other perks like quicker heat-up times, more steam power, better quality components, and more— depending on the machine.

The Breville Barista Touch ($999.95) is a perfect example of a mid-range option that balances affordability and functionality.

It has an intuitively designed touchscreen interface that gives it a bit more of a super-automatic feel, while still offering the control of a semi-automatic machine.

This machine heats up in just a few seconds and seamlessly and quickly lets you switch from brewing and steaming. All Breville machines feature PID digital temperature control that helps guarantee your espresso shots taste as delicious as possible.

The Breville Barista Express Impress ($899.95) is another great mid-range option and has a lot of the same features as the Barista Touch. The lack of a touch screen makes this machine slightly more budget-friendly and is great for those who like the look of a more classic machine.

If you’re considering this machine, check out our expert review of the Breville Barista Express Impress.

High-End

High-end machines generally have more features and much higher quality stainless steel components than mid-range or entry-level machines. This range is where machines can start to be considered prosumer which is a blend between professional and consumer-grade.

You’ll generally see higher-quality grinders, more steam power, and generally a better quality beverage product.

The Breville Oracle Touch )$2,799.95) is a perfect example of what a high-end machine with a built-in grinder looks like.

This is Breville's best espresso machine that has all of the bells and whistles you could ever want, plus an intuitive touchscreen design. Not only does this machine have a top-of-the-line integrated grinder, but it also tamps your espresso shots evenly and perfectly every time for you.

If you’re someone who can't decide between a super-automatic machine and a semi-automatic machine—the Breville Oracle Touch is the perfect blend of the two.

For more prosumer options, check out our Expert Guide to the Best Prosumer Espresso Machine Options.

Luxury or Commercial-Grade

There aren’t many examples of luxury or commercial-grade machines with built-in grinders. This is because, at this level, the best quality grinders are stand-alone units.

If you’re in the market for a commercial-quality or luxury-grade setup, reach out to one of our Coffee Experts today!

What Features To Look Out For

Here are some features to look out for while shopping around for an espresso machine with a built-in grinder:

Super-Automatic Versus Semi-Automatic

If you’re someone who wants the hands-on experience of tamping, dosing, timing, and perfecting their espresso shots—a semi-automatic machine is the way to go.

Busy individuals who just want to skip the daily coffee shop runs without putting in much extra effort will likely prefer a super-automatic machine that can handle the process for you.

Grinder Quality & Features

There are a few ways to tell how quality a grinder is. First, look for grinders with smaller burr sizes.

Espresso grinders start at about 40mm burrs for entry-level machines, but some professional grinders can get as small as 80 mm. The smaller the burr size, the more consistent and high-quality your grind will be.

Also, the more high-end your grinder is, the more grind settings it’ll likely have. This will allow you to dial in your grind size and give you more control over the final product of your espresso shots.

Some grinders will automatically dose and weigh out your espresso grounds too, which means you won’t need to purchase a separate coffee scale.

It should be noted that there is nothing inherently wrong with purchasing an espresso machine with a built-in grinder, but generally speaking, stand-alone grinders are higher-quality options.

Final Thoughts

Finding the perfect espresso machine for your needs can be a daunting task, so we hope this guide helped to demystify the process.

While some espresso enthusiasts will insist that built-in grinders aren’t the best option, they provide unmatched convenience and can preserve tons of precious counter space. The perfect machine for your needs, interests, and coffee preferences is out there— that's why at Curated, we have a designated team of experts ready to guide you through the process of finding your perfect espresso setup.

If you have any more questions or want some more guidance—reach out to one of our Coffee Experts now!