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If you can’t start the day without a piping hot cup of coffee, you probably visit your favorite local coffee house pretty regularly. With all of its fancy equipment, it can make impressive — and delicious — coffee-based drinks.

If you invest in a professional-quality espresso machine, you can re-create many of your favorite espresso- and coffee-based drinks in your own kitchen. Check out these tips for making some of the most popular espresso-based beverages at home.

If you want a barista-quality espresso machine for your kitchen, it's essential to know what features to look for.

Start by deciding whether you want a semi-automatic or a super-automatic espresso machine:

The best espresso machines have a water tank large enough to hold enough water for all the drinks you’ll make in a day. Many tanks are even removable for quick, easy refills, and some also have a filter to ensure there aren’t any toxins or impurities in the water.

Another important factor is the time it takes for the machine to reach the proper brewing temperature. Pro-grade machines can often reach their peak temperature in 10 minutes or less. Lower-end models usually require extra heating time.

You'll also want to consider whether the espresso machine has a built-in burr grinder for producing the super-fine grind you need to make espresso. If your machine isn't equipped with its own grinder, you'll need to purchase one separately.

Most espresso machines have a built-in milk frother or steam wand, which is a necessity for making many espresso-based drinks. The frother or wand heats the milk and gives it a foamy texture you can then mix into the espresso or use to top your drinks. You can purchase a milk frother or wand separately if your machine doesn’t have a built-in frother.

With a high-end espresso machine in your kitchen, you can make nearly any espresso- or coffee-based drink you usually order at your favorite coffee shop.

[ Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine ]

This pro-grade espresso machine has a built-in burr grinder that grinds directly into the portafilter. It offers optimal water pressure to extract the best flavor from the ground beans. It also features a powerful steam wand that’s ideal for making cappuccinos, lattes and other cafe drinks.

[ Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine ]

If you’re new to brewing espresso, this user-friendly machine is for you. It has a clear, digital touch display that allows you to make espresso, coffee and other espresso-based drinks by pressing a single button. It also has a built-in ceramic grinder and milk frother and is extremely easy to clean.

[ Calphalon Espresso Machine ]

With its precise heating technology, this espresso machine offers even heating that extracts the perfect flavor for your espresso. It also has a steaming wand for cappuccinos, lattes and other coffee house-inspired drinks. The hinged, removable water tank is easy to refill.

[ GE Profile Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine ]

This Wi-Fi-connected espresso machine features an Italian-made, 15-bar pump that provides the right pressure to draw out the best flavor for your espresso. It also has a built-in conical burr grinder with 15 grind levels. The Wi-Fi connection allows you to customize your drink preferences via the smartHQ app.

[ Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine ]

This high-end espresso machine is preprogrammed with a cafe drinks menu that lets you make a wide range of beverages with the press of a button. It also heats up in seconds and offers automatic milk texturizing for your drinks. Best of all, it doesn’t take up much space on your counter.

[ Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine ]

This semi-automatic espresso machine is ideal for beginners but still features commercial-quality components. It uses dual heating elements to heat up in only five minutes and a durable chrome-plated brass portafilter similar in size and design to those in coffee house machines. It has a commercial-grade steam wand, too.

[ Cuisinart EM-200 Programmable Espresso Maker ]

With a 15-bar pump, this espresso machine brews a rich-tasting espresso that can make cafe-quality beverages. It has a 69-ounce removable water tank that’s easy to refill, and the stainless steel steam wand lets you make delicious lattes and cappuccinos. It also has a warming tray on top.

[ Capresso 116.04 Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine ]

This espresso machine is perfect for anyone who wants to make espresso, cappuccinos and lattes. It comes with two filters, one that can be used with ground coffee and one for espresso pods. It also has a swivel frother that steams and froths milk and a removable water reservoir for easy refills.

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Jennifer Blair writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

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