Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Breville / DeLonghi All-in-One Espresso Machine
Best for Espresso DrinksRatio Six Coffee Maker
Best Low-Plastic OptionPrice
$400-$1000
$370-$800
Summary
For latte and cappuccino drinkers, a Breville or DeLonghi combo machine with a built-in grinder and steam wand beats any drip maker. CNET and the r/espresso community both point here for under-$1000 setups.
The go-to for coffee drinkers worried about microplastics — metal feed lines, minimal plastic contact with hot water, and exceptional brew quality. A cult favorite in r/Coffee.
Pros
- Grinds beans fresh and pulls espresso shots in one machine
- Built-in steam wand for lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites
- Multiple models available from $400-$1000 to fit different budgets
- Consistently recommended by both CNET testers and r/espresso community
- Metal feed lines minimize hot water contact with plastic
- Produces excellent, clean-tasting drip coffee
- Praised by coffee enthusiasts for build quality and aesthetics
- Paper filter use further reduces plastic exposure
Cons
- Significantly more expensive than drip coffee makers
- Steeper learning curve — dialing in espresso takes practice
- Requires more cleaning and maintenance than a simple drip machine
- Built-in grinders on combo machines are less precise than standalone grinders
- Stock dripper is plastic on the base Ratio Six model
- Expensive at ~$370 for the entry-level version
- Carafe lid/spout is plastic, so coffee does touch plastic when pouring
Our take
If you drink milk-based espresso drinks daily, stop looking at drip machines. A Breville or DeLonghi all-in-one will change your mornings — the r/espresso community is unanimous on this.
If you've gone down the microplastics rabbit hole, the Ratio Six is the answer at a price that doesn't require selling a kidney. The community loves it for a reason.
Buy
