There are five categories of home espresso machines such as semi-automatic espresso machines, fully automatic espresso machines, super automatic espresso & coffee centers, ultra automatic espresso & coffee centers and the lever espresso machines. They all can make a great cup of espresso, but it all depends on how much control and tweaking you want to control to make the perfect cup of espresso.

A semi-automatic espresso machine is a pump-driven equipment with a click button linked to its pump. The user switches it on to begin the removal process and switches it off to end the extraction. Semi-automatic espresso machines are the most inexpensive one of all espresso machines. This home espresso machine also has steam sticks that users can use to steam or froth milk for latte and cappuccino.

The fully automatic espresso machines are also pump-driven machines that only usually have a microchip that powers the pump. In order to perform the extraction, users will only have to click the appropriate button. Its microprocessor will take out the right quantity in the best time length. The benefit of this kind of home espresso equipment is that the extractions of the espresso are repeatable and consistent. Similar to the semi-automatic espresso machines, these kinds of home espresso equipment also comes with steam sticks that users can use to steam or froth milk for latte and cappuccino.

The super automatic espresso and coffee center machines are similar to fully automatic espresso equipment only with espresso grinders incorporated into them. Majority of these super automatic espresso and coffee centers produce regular coffee and espresso. When a user pushes the button which corresponds to the drink of his choice, this kind of home espresso equipment grinds the appropriate amount of espresso which automatically sets it into the portafilter within the equipment, automatically performs the removal process and mechanically puts the used espresso grounds into the inner knock box.

The users just have to maintain the water in its tank, maintain entire roasted beans of coffee and drain the inner knock box when this kind of home machine tells the user to do so. Overall, this kind of home espresso machine features digital displays and features external steam sticks that users can in order to froth or steam milk for cappuccino and latte.

The ultra automatic espresso and coffee centers home espresso machine are similar to the super automatic espresso equipment. However, their function of milk frothing and steaming has been included as well because users will no longer froth or steam milk. All the users have to do is to put milk into its milk reservoir. This kind of home espresso machine automatically steams or froths milk and adds it to the drink automatically. Users will just need to push the "coffee" or "espresso" or "cappuccino" or "latte" button and this home espresso machine will just perform it all.

Lever espresso equipment is not a pump-driven home espresso machine. Rather, users supply the pressure by means of the lever. This kind of home espresso machine does not have boilers inside the equipment in boiling water and milk frothing. For the serious barista who wants to control everything, this may be the best choice for you.

Gaggia makes some of the best home espresso machines on the market today. They make a wide range machines so you can find the one that works best for you.