Espresso

Home Espresso Starter Kit: 8 Accessories Worth Considering (and What Your Machine Already Includes)

By the Steam Wand Studio team ·

You’ve picked an espresso machine, and the “frequently bought together” carousel is already filling up with tampers, pitchers, puck screens and gadgets. Before you add anything to your cart, check what’s already in the box. Many beginner machines include more than you’d expect.

This guide walks through a practical starter kit in order of priority. For each item we note when your machine may already cover it and what to check before buying.

How we put this list together: we compared manufacturer product pages, specification tables, and cleaning instructions. We have not tested these products ourselves. Prices change often, so check the current price on each listing.

Step zero: check what your machine already includes

Here’s what manufacturers list as included with three popular beginner machines:

MachineIncluded accessories (per manufacturer)
Breville Bambino (BES450)1- and 2-cup single-wall and dual-wall filter baskets, milk jug, portafilter, tamper, steam wand tip cleaning tool, descaling powder
Breville Bambino Plus (BES500)54 mm tamper, the Razor precision dosing tool, 16 fl oz (480 ml) stainless milk jug, single- and dual-wall baskets, cleaning tool, cleaning disc
De’Longhi Stilosa (EC260BK)Portafilter, tamper, single and double espresso filters, measuring spoon

If you own one of these, you already have a tamper, and with the Breville machines a milk jug too. That changes what’s worth buying first.

The plain Breville Bambino in that table is model BES450, not the Bambino Plus. Breville’s page is in Sources. Stainless BES450BSS: Breville Bambino BES450BSS at Amazon (paid link)

Know your portafilter size. Accessories like tampers, distribution tools and dosing cups are sized to the basket. Breville’s Bambino line uses 54 mm. Many other machines use 58 mm. Check your manual before ordering.

Heads up: maker links below are not affiliate-tagged. A Breville Bambino BES450BSS Amazon link, if this guide includes one, is a paid link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Quick list

Quick list
PriorityAccessoryWhy it's on the listOften included?Where to buy
1Burr grinderFine, adjustable grind for espressoOnly on all-in-one machinesCheck price at Baratza at BaratzaCheck price at Breville at BrevilleCheck price at Fellow at Fellow
2Coffee scale with timerWeigh dose and shotRarelyCheck price at Acaia at AcaiaCheck price at TIMEMORE at TIMEMORE
3Upgraded tamperConsistent tamp pressureBasic tamper often includedCheck price at Breville at Breville
4Distribution toolBreak up clumps, level the bedRarelyCheck price at Breville at Breville
5Knock boxA place to dump spent pucksRarelyCheck price at Breville at Breville
6Milk pitcher (e.g. Breville Temp Control Milk Jug)Steaming and pouring with temperature guidanceIncluded with some Breville machinesCheck price at Breville at Breville
7Espresso machine cleaning tabletsRemove coffee oilsSometimes a cleaning disc onlyCheck price at Urnex at Urnex
8Descaler (e.g. Urnex Descaling Powder)Remove mineral scaleBreville Bambino includes descaling powderCheck price at Urnex at Urnex

1. A burr grinder (unless your machine has one)

The grinder is the biggest purchase in most starter kits. Espresso needs a fine grind that can be adjusted in small steps. Some all-in-one machines include a grinder; the Ninja Luxe Café Mini, for example, has an integrated conical burr grinder with 60 grind sizes. Baratza Encore ESP at Baratza Breville Smart Grinder Pro at Breville Fellow Opus 2 at Fellow

What to check: a dosing cup or cradle that fits your portafilter. Baratza’s Encore ESP includes a 54 mm dosing cup plus a 58 mm adapter. Breville’s Smart Grinder Pro includes cradles for 50–54 mm and 58 mm. Fellow’s Opus 2 espresso cup fits 54 mm and 58 mm. For a full comparison, see our guide to the best burr grinder for espresso beginners.

2. A coffee scale with a timer

Breville designs the Bambino around an 18 g dose, but you only know you’re at 18 g if you weigh it. A scale with a built-in timer lets you weigh your dose and time your shot at once.

Acaia Lunar at Acaia TIMEMORE Black Mirror Basic 2 at TIMEMORE

What the manufacturers list:

What to check: whether the scale fits on your drip tray under the portafilter. Compare the listed scale dimensions with the space on your machine.

3. An upgraded tamper (optional)

Most beginner machines include a tamper, so this one is optional. Some people upgrade for a tamper that controls pressure.

Breville Force Gauge Tamper 54 mm at Breville

What the manufacturer lists (Breville Force Gauge Tamper 54 mm):

What to check: the diameter must match your basket. A 54 mm tamper won’t suit a 58 mm portafilter.

4. A distribution tool

A distribution tool breaks up clumps and levels the coffee bed before tamping.

Breville Distribution Duo 54 mm at Breville

What the manufacturer lists (Breville Distribution Duo 54 mm):

What to check: size compatibility again. If your basket is 58 mm, look for a 58 mm tool.

5. A knock box

After each shot you’ll need to dump the spent puck. A knock box gives you a sturdy place to tap it out instead of the trash can.

Breville Knock Box 10 at Breville What the manufacturer lists (Breville Knock Box 10):

What to check:

6. A milk pitcher (if your machine has a steam wand)

If you plan to steam milk, you’ll need a stainless pitcher. Breville includes a jug with the Bambino and a 16 fl oz (480 ml) stainless jug with the Bambino Plus, so check before buying a second one.

Breville Temp Control Milk Jug at Breville What the manufacturer lists (Breville Temp Control Milk Jug, BES003XL):

What to check:

If your machine doesn’t have a steam wand (for example, if you use pods or a moka pot), see our guide to milk frothers for lattes instead.

7. Espresso machine cleaning tablets

Coffee oils build up in portafilters, brew groups and lines. Some machines come with a cleaning disc, and the Bambino Plus includes one, but you’ll still need a cleaner.

Urnex Cafiza at Urnex

What the manufacturer lists (Urnex Cafiza tablets, home size):

What to check: your machine’s manual. Always follow your manufacturer’s cleaning procedure and use the product it recommends, since some machines specify their own cleaning tablets.

8. Descaler

Mineral scale from water builds up over time. Breville includes descaling powder with the Bambino, and most manuals specify a descaling schedule and procedure. Urnex Descaling Powder at Urnex

What the manufacturer lists (Urnex Coffee and Espresso Machine Descaling Powder, product code 15-DZP-UCP03):

What to check: use the descaler and frequency your machine’s manual recommends. Some manufacturers specify their own branded descaler. The descaling steps for the Bambino are in /blog/how-to-descale-breville-bambino/.

Nice-to-haves (later, not first)

Once you’ve got the basics, people often look at:

Sample starter kits by budget style

These are not price quotes. Check current prices on each listing.

“Use what’s in the box” kit (Breville Bambino owners):

“Workflow upgrade” kit:

All-in-one machine kit (e.g. Ninja Luxe Café Mini):

FAQ

What’s the single most important accessory? For most machines without a built-in grinder, a burr grinder that can adjust finely for espresso. After that, a scale.

Do I need a 54 mm or 58 mm tamper? Match your portafilter. Breville’s Bambino line uses 54 mm; check your manual for other machines.

Can I skip the knock box? Yes. It’s a convenience, not a requirement.

How often should I clean and descale? Follow your machine’s manual, since manufacturers specify their own schedules.

Sources

Product details can change. Confirm on each listing and check current price before buying.

Pinterest image: Home Espresso Starter Kit: 8 Accessories Worth Considering (and What Your Machine Already Includes)