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30-second read
Our picks in 30 seconds
One pick per boiler design, by the rule we use everywhere: the cheapest in stock with that design as published.
Pump espresso machine
No. 1Cheapest single boiler
Gaggia Carezza Deluxe
15bar, pump pressure as published
$314.10 at Whole Latte Love, the lowest price we found. Single boiler; 15 bar; tank 47 oz; 11 x 12.5 x 12.75 in.
- Boiler
- Single boiler
- Pump pressure
- 15 bar
- Water tank
- 47 oz
- Size (W x D x H)
- 11 x 12.5 x 12.75 in
- Weight
- 13.2 lb
- Power
- 1300 W
- 2 stores in stock; the next lowest is $349
- the store shows a compare-at price of $349
- Whole Latte Love$314.10
$349 - Gaggia North America$349
$314.10 $349price checked November 7, 2026; it may have changed
Pump espresso machine
No. 2Cheapest heat exchanger
Lelit Mara X V2
n/ppump pressure not published
$1,699 at Espresso Outlet, the lowest price we found. Heat exchanger; tank 84.5 oz (fills from the top); 9 x 16 x 14 in.
- Boiler
- Heat exchanger
- Pump pressure
- not published
- Water tank
- 84.5 oz (fills from the top)
- Size (W x D x H)
- 9 x 16 x 14 in
- Weight
- 42 lb
- Power
- 1250 W
- 4 stores in stock; the next lowest is $1,699
- pump pressure not published on the pages we read
- the water tank fills from the top
- Espresso Outlet$1,699
- Majesty Coffee$1,699
$1,699.95 - Whole Latte Lovefrom $1,699.95
- Seattle Coffee Gear$1,699.95
$1,699price checked November 7, 2026; it may have changed
Check price at Espresso OutletPump espresso machine
No. 3Cheapest dual boiler
Breville Dual Boiler
15bar, pump pressure as published
$1,599.95 at Seattle Coffee Gear, the lowest price we found. Dual boiler; 15 bar; tank 84 oz (fills from the top); 16.25 x 15 x 15 in.
- Boiler
- Dual boiler
- Pump pressure
- 15 bar
- Water tank
- 84 oz (fills from the top)
- Size (W x D x H)
- 16.25 x 15 x 15 in
- Weight
- 28.35 lb
- Power
- 1700 W
- 4 stores in stock; the next lowest is $1,599.95
- the water tank fills from the top
- Seattle Coffee Gear$1,599.95
- Espresso Outlet$1,599.95
- Majesty Coffee$1,599.95
- Breville$1,599.95
- Whole Latte Love$1,599.95 out of stock
$1,599.95price checked November 7, 2026; it may have changed
Check price at Seattle Coffee GearPump espresso machine
No. 4Cheapest thermoblock
De'Longhi Stilosa EC260
15bar, pump pressure as published
$149.95 at De'Longhi, the lowest price we found. Thermoblock / thermocoil; 15 bar; tank 33.81 oz (fills from the top); 8.07 x 13.5 x 11.22 in.
- Boiler
- Thermoblock / thermocoil
- Pump pressure
- 15 bar
- Water tank
- 33.81 oz (fills from the top)
- Size (W x D x H)
- 8.07 x 13.5 x 11.22 in
- Weight
- 8.61 lb
- Power
- 1100 W
- the water tank fills from the top
- De'Longhi$149.95
- Whole Latte Love$149.95 out of stock
$149.95price checked November 7, 2026; it may have changed
Check price at De'LonghiPrices shown by the stores on November 7, 2026 (holiday sale prices included). We have not tested any of these machines: we compare the published specifications. The commission never decides a pick. How we compare: criteria, sources and dates
Contents
Crema Count is meant to be paid through affiliate links: if you buy through a link to a store, we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. No program has accepted the site yet, and a commission never decides a pick. How we choose.
Every pump espresso machine needs hot water to brew and hotter water, as steam, to froth milk. How it gets there decides how long you wait, whether you can brew and steam at once, and a good part of the price. Below, the four designs as the stores we read classify each machine; we have not measured temperatures ourselves.
Thermoblock or thermocoil
Water is heated on the way through a heated metal block or coil, not stored. Fast to start (Breville publishes "Ready in 3 seconds" for its Thermojet Bambino machines), compact, usually one temperature at a time: steam after you brew.
In our check: 18 pump machines, $149.95 to $1,999.95, 1100 to 1750 W as published, published warm-up 6 to 382 seconds (7 models publish one).
| Machine | Lowest price | Power | Warm-up (published) | Water tank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| De'Longhi Stilosa EC260 | $149.95 at De'Longhi | 1100 W | not published | 33.81 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| De'Longhi ECP3630 | $199.95 at Whole Latte Love (2 stores, up to $199.95) | 1100 W | not published | 37.2 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Gaggia Espresso Evolution | $249 at Whole Latte Love (2 stores, up to $299.99) | not published | not published | 40.6 oz | Check price |
| De'Longhi Dedica Duo EC890 | $249.95 at Whole Latte Love (3 stores, up to $249.95) | 1450 W | not published | 34.83 oz | Check price |
| Breville Bambino | $299 at Espresso Outlet (4 stores, up to $299.95) | 1560 W | 6 s | 47 oz | Check price |
| Breville Bambino Plus | $499.95 at Whole Latte Love (5 stores, up to $499.95) | 1560 W | 16 s | 64 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Breville Barista Express | $499.95 at Seattle Coffee Gear (4 stores, up to $699.95) | 1600 W | 60 s | 67 oz | Check price |
| De'Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus EC950M | $499.95 at Whole Latte Love (3 stores, up to $499.95) | 1450 W | not published | 54 oz | Check price |
| SMEG ECF02 | $499.95 at Seattle Coffee Gear | 1450 W | not published | 37.2 oz | Check price |
| De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo EC9255 | $699.95 at Whole Latte Love (3 stores, up to $699.95) | 1600 W | not published | 56.13 oz | Check price |
| Breville Barista Express Impress | $799.95 at Whole Latte Love (5 stores, up to $999.95) | 1750 W | 60 s | 67 oz | Check price |
| De'Longhi La Specialista Opera EC9555M | $799.95 at Seattle Coffee Gear (2 stores, up to $799.95) | 1550 W | not published | 67.6 oz | Check price |
| De'Longhi La Specialista Touch EC9455M | $799.95 at Whole Latte Love (3 stores, up to $799.95) | 1450 W | not published | 57.48 oz | Check price |
| Breville Barista Pro | $849.95 at Espresso Outlet (2 stores, up to $849.95) | 1680 W | not published | 67 oz | Check price |
| Breville Barista Touch | $999.95 at Whole Latte Love (5 stores, up to $999.95) | 1680 W | 43 s | 67 oz | Check price |
| Breville Barista Touch Impress | $1,199.95 at Whole Latte Love (5 stores, up to $1,499.95) | 1750 W | 20 s | 67 oz | Check price |
| Diletta Mio | $1,409 at Seattle Coffee Gear | 1600 W | 382 s | 67.6 oz | Check price |
| Breville Oracle Jet | $1,999.95 at Whole Latte Love (5 stores, up to $1,999.95) | 1400 W | not published | 77 oz | Check price |
How we compare: criteria, sources and dates
Single boiler
One small boiler holds water at brewing temperature; to steam, you switch it to a higher temperature and wait. Simple and durable, but milk drinks take turns.
In our check: 14 pump machines, $314.10 to $1,995, 850 to 1700 W as published, published warm-up 116 to 1200 seconds (10 models publish one).
| Machine | Lowest price | Power | Warm-up (published) | Water tank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaggia Carezza Deluxe | $314.10 at Whole Latte Love (2 stores, up to $349) | 1300 W | not published | 47 oz | Check price |
| Gaggia Classic Pro E24 | $499 at Whole Latte Love (2 stores, up to $549) | 1425 W | not published | 72 oz | Check price |
| Lelit Anna | $599.95 at Whole Latte Love (2 stores, up to $599.95) | 1050 W | 600 s | 91.3 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Bezzera New Hobby | $799 at Whole Latte Love | 1100 W | not published | 101 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Rancilio Silvia M | $995 at Whole Latte Love (6 stores, up to $995) | 993 W | 210 s | 74 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Lelit Victoria | $999 at Majesty Coffee (4 stores, up to $999.95) | 1200 W | 360 s | 84.5 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Profitec GO | $1,199 at Whole Latte Love (2 stores, up to $1,199) | not published | 510 s | 94.7 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Quick Mill Pop Up | $1,295 at Clive Coffee (2 stores, up to $1,295) | 1200 W | 900 s | 60.9 oz | Check price |
| LUCCA Solo | $1,395 at Clive Coffee (2 stores, up to $1,395) | 850 W | 660 s | 67.6 oz | Check price |
| Quick Mill Silvano Evo | $1,395 at Majesty Coffee (3 stores, up to $1,495) | 1600 W | not published | 67.6 oz | Check price |
| Fellow Espresso Series 1 | $1,499.95 at Whole Latte Love (4 stores, up to $1,499.95) | 1700 W | 116 s | 67.6 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| ECM Puristika | $1,659 at Whole Latte Love | not published | 600 s | 67.6 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| ECM Classika PID (Quick Steam) | $1,799 at Clive Coffee | 1200 W | 1200 s | 94.7 oz | Check price |
| Quick Mill Andreja Premium Evo | $1,995 at Whole Latte Love (4 stores, up to $1,995) | 1400 W | 900 s | 100 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
How we compare: criteria, sources and dates
Heat exchanger
One large boiler is kept at steam temperature; fresh brew water passes through a tube inside it on its way to the group. You can brew and steam at the same time with one boiler to heat.
In our check: 10 pump machines, $1,699 to $2,750, 1200 to 1550 W as published, published warm-up 810 to 1200 seconds (7 models publish one).
| Machine | Lowest price | Power | Warm-up (published) | Water tank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lelit Mara X V2 | $1,699 at Espresso Outlet (4 stores, up to $1,699.95) | 1250 W | 1200 s | 84.5 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Profitec Pro 400 | $1,699 at Whole Latte Love | 1400 W | not published | 94.7 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Lelit Mara X3 | $1,999.95 at Whole Latte Love (4 stores, up to $1,999.95) | 1400 W | 1080 s | 84.5 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Profitec JUMP | $2,059 at Whole Latte Love (2 stores, up to $2,059) | 1400 W | not published | 94.7 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Diletta Bello+ | $2,149 at Seattle Coffee Gear | 1500 W | 810 s | 101.4 oz | Check price |
| Rocket Appartamento 2.0 | $2,150 at Whole Latte Love (5 stores, up to $2,150) | 1200 W | 1200 s | 84.53 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| ECM Mechanika Slim PID | $2,159 at Whole Latte Love (2 stores, up to $2,159) | not published | not published | 101.4 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Rocket Appartamento TCA | $2,300 at Whole Latte Love (6 stores, up to $2,300) | 1350 W | 1200 s | 84.53 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Rocket Giotto FAST V | $2,750 at Whole Latte Love (3 stores, up to $2,750) | 1550 W | 900 s | 60.9 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Rocket Mozzafiato FAST V | $2,750 at Whole Latte Love (4 stores, up to $2,750) | 1550 W | 900 s | 60.9 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
How we compare: criteria, sources and dates
Dual boiler
Two boilers: one held at brewing temperature, one at steam temperature, each controlled on its own (most with a PID). Brew and steam at once; more metal to heat, more watts and usually the longest warm-up.
In our check: 11 pump machines, $1,599.95 to $3,599, 1200 to 1800 W as published, published warm-up 600 to 1200 seconds (6 models publish one).
| Machine | Lowest price | Power | Warm-up (published) | Water tank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breville Dual Boiler | $1,599.95 at Seattle Coffee Gear (4 stores, up to $1,599.95) | 1700 W | 1080 s | 84 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Lelit Elizabeth | $1,799 at Seattle Coffee Gear (5 stores, up to $1,799.95) | 1200 W | 600 s | 84.5 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Rancilio Silvia Pro X | $2,195 at Whole Latte Love (6 stores, up to $2,195) | 1300 W | 900 s | 67.63 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Profitec MOVE | $2,199 at Clive Coffee (2 stores, up to $2,249) | 1600 W | not published | 94.7 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Breville Oracle (dual boiler) | $2,199.95 at Whole Latte Love (2 stores, up to $2,999.95) | 1800 W | not published | 84 oz | Check price |
| Profitec RIDE | $2,499 at Whole Latte Love (2 stores, up to $2,599) | not published | not published | not published | Check price |
| LUCCA A53 Mini V2 | $2,595 at Clive Coffee (2 stores, up to $2,595) | 1200 W | 900 s | 81 oz | Check price |
| Lelit Bianca V3 | $2,999.95 at Whole Latte Love (5 stores, up to $2,999.95) | 1400 W | 1200 s | 84.5 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| ECM Technika VI | $3,299 at Whole Latte Love (2 stores, up to $3,299) | not published | not published | 101 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| Profitec DRIVE | $3,449 at Whole Latte Love (2 stores, up to $3,499) | 1600 W | 660 s | 101 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
| ECM Synchronika II | $3,599 at Whole Latte Love (2 stores, up to $3,599) | not published | not published | 94.7 oz (fills from the top) | Check price |
How we compare: criteria, sources and dates
Which one for your drinks?
- Mostly straight espresso or americanos: a thermoblock or single boiler does the job; steaming speed matters little.
- One milk drink at a time: any design works; thermoblocks and single boilers make you wait between brewing and steaming.
- Several milk drinks in a row: a heat exchanger or dual boiler brews and steams at once.
See every model in the comparison, and what a heat-up costs in electricity in the cost per cup calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a single boiler and a dual boiler?
A single boiler brews and steams from one tank of water held at one temperature at a time: you brew, then wait for it to heat up to steam. A dual boiler keeps one boiler at brewing temperature and one at steaming temperature, so you can do both at once.
Is a heat exchanger as good as a dual boiler?
It also brews and steams at the same time: brew water runs through a tube inside a hot steam boiler. It has one boiler to heat, and the brew temperature depends on that design; dual boilers set each temperature on its own. Which is better for you depends on your drinks and budget, not on a test we have run.
What is a thermoblock?
A heater that warms water as it flows, instead of a tank of hot water. It heats fast (Breville publishes a 3 second heat-up for its Thermojet machines) and costs less; steaming and brewing usually take turns.