Last updated: September 14, 2026
Short answer: the drink is spelled espresso, with an “s”. “Expresso” is a very common misspelling — but it is not a different drink, and it is not a different machine. If you searched for an “expresso machine”, you are looking for an espresso machine.
That single letter trips up a huge number of people every month. This guide clears it up in one minute, explains why so many of us say “expresso” in the first place, and then points you to the right machine for what you actually want to make.
Espresso vs “expresso”: which is correct?
Espresso is correct. It comes from Italian, where caffè espresso means coffee that is made to order and pressed out under pressure. There is no “x” anywhere in the Italian word.
“Expresso” is not a regional variant or a lesser version of the drink. It is simply a spelling slip — and an extremely understandable one, for two reasons:
- English pulls it toward “express”. Espresso is fast, it is pressed, and it sounds like “express”. Our brains fill in the letter that feels right.
- French really does use “expresso”. In French, un expresso is a normal, accepted spelling. So plenty of people meet the word with an “x” first and carry it over into English.
So: if you write “expresso” in a café, nobody will be confused. If you are buying a machine, searching either spelling gets you to the same products. But in English, the standard spelling is espresso.
What espresso actually is (and what it is not)
See also: Nespresso Coffee Machines: Every Model Compared (2026) • Sage Coffee Machines (UK) = Breville: Full Range Guide 2026
Espresso is a brewing method, not a roast level and not a bean type. You force hot water through finely ground, compacted coffee under pressure, in a short time. The result is a small, concentrated shot with a layer of crema on top.
Two things follow from that, and they matter more than the spelling:
- “Espresso beans” are just coffee beans. A bag labelled espresso is usually roasted a little darker and is ground finer, but you can pull espresso from most beans. If you want to go deeper, see our guide to choosing arabica coffee beans.
- Pressure is what separates espresso from drip. A drip or filter machine drips water through a coarse bed with gravity. That is a lovely cup of coffee, but it is not espresso, and it will not build crema.
If you searched “expresso machine”, here is what you actually want
People type “expresso machine” with quite different drinks in mind. Match yourself to one of these and you will skip a lot of wasted shopping:
You want real espresso and you enjoy the process
You want a pump espresso machine with a portafilter — the metal handle you pack coffee into. This gives you genuine espresso and full control, and it is the route that rewards practice. Start with our best espresso machines for beginners, or if money is tight, budget espresso machines under $200.
You want a good latte or cappuccino with minimum fuss
You want a machine with a decent steam wand, or an automatic frother. Milk is where most home drinks are won or lost. See our picks for the best automatic milk frothers.
You want one button, no mess, no learning curve
You want a capsule machine. It is not “cheating” — it is a different trade: consistency and speed instead of control. Start with the best capsule coffee machines, or read our Nespresso vs espresso machine comparison if you are torn between the two worlds.
You mostly drink long black coffee, not short shots
Be honest about this one. If you drink mugs rather than shots, a filter or drip setup may make you happier than an espresso machine, and cost far less.
The other spelling everyone gets wrong: “cofee”
While we are here — “coffee” takes two f’s and two e’s. “Cofee”, “coffe” and “caffee” are all common slips. Same as with espresso, none of them are separate drinks, and none of them will stop a shop from selling you a machine.
The Italian caffè (with two f’s and an accent) is a real word — it is what you order in Italy when you want what English speakers call an espresso. That is a genuine difference worth knowing: ask for “un caffè” in Italy and you will be handed a short espresso, not a mug of filter coffee.
Quick vocabulary check before you buy
- Espresso — the concentrated shot itself.
- Ristretto — a shorter, more restricted shot.
- Lungo / Americano — longer drinks. A lungo runs more water through the coffee; an americano is espresso with hot water added afterwards.
- Portafilter — the handled basket you lock into a pump machine.
- Crema — the tan foam on a fresh shot. Nice to see, but not proof of a good shot on its own.
- Capsule / pod — pre-measured coffee in a sealed container.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “expresso” wrong?
In English, yes — the standard spelling is “espresso”. In French, “expresso” is a normal spelling. Either way it refers to the same drink, so no shop or search engine will misunderstand you.
Is expresso a different drink from espresso?
No. There is no separate drink called expresso. It is the same short, pressurised coffee shot, just spelled differently.
Why do so many people say expresso?
Because English already has the word “express”, and the drink is fast and pressed — so the “x” feels natural. French also spells it “expresso”, which reinforces the habit.
Do I need special “espresso beans”?
No. Any fresh coffee can be used for espresso. Beans sold as espresso are usually roasted a bit darker to suit the method, but the grind size and your machine matter far more than the label on the bag.
Can I make espresso without an espresso machine?
Not true espresso, because you cannot generate the pressure. You can get close in character with a moka pot or an AeroPress — strong and concentrated, but without real crema. See our AeroPress vs moka pot comparison.
Final take
Spell it espresso. Then forget the spelling and answer the question that actually decides your purchase: do you want control, or do you want convenience? Pick a pump machine with a portafilter for the first, a capsule machine for the second — and put whatever you save into fresher beans and a better grinder, which will improve your coffee more than almost any upgrade to the machine itself.
