8 of the Best Espresso Cups According to Coffee Snobs
Choosing the best espresso cups will elevate your daily coffee routine!
It’s a fact not known by many bean heads that the size, material, and even the color of your espresso cup greatly affects its taste and feel… And even the look of your crema!
Are you one of these bean heads?
In that case, you’ll want to know the imperatives when it comes to choosing the best espresso cups to enjoy that perfect espresso cup.
In this review article, we’ll let you in on the results of our tests and experiments.
We will tackle:
- The most popular espresso cups – and the best ones;
- Best espresso cup for each types, need and preference;
- Things you have to know before buying an espresso cup;
- Glasses that are espresso machine-friendly;
- And lots more!
What are the Best Espresso Cups?
There’s is some science when choosing the best espresso cup for your morning dose of joe. If you’re a big coffee enthusiast, or just starting out this delicious journey, read on!
We will share the top tips for choosing the best espresso cups for that perfect coffee shop-worthy espresso shot some of us need kick start your day!
Let's spill the beans...
Check out our overviews below and click on "Read More" to jump down to the in-depth reviews:
no. 1
- 4 cups (2oz each)
- Double walled design
- Borosilicate glass
- Dishwasher safe
no. 2
- 6 cups (3.5oz each)
- Porcelain design
- Comes with saucers
- Comes with a metal rack
no. 3
- 6 cups (2.7oz each)
- Individually hand blown
- Double wall borosilicate design
- Comes with 6 cups
no. 4
- 4 cups (2oz each)
- Fun red and white polka dot design
- Ceramic cups
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
no. 5
- 2 cups (2.7oz each)
- 304-grade stainless steel
- Heavy duty
- Dishwasher safe
no. 6
- 2 cups (5oz each)
- Stainless steel design
- Anti-slip fingerprint press
- Insulated cups
no. 7
- 8 cups (4oz each)
- Porcelain design
- Bright colors
- Saucers are included
no. 8
- 6 cups (5.5oz each)
- High quality ceramic design
- Comes with saucers and spoons
- Dishwasher safe
Now stick around so you can learn more about each product we mentioned and what you should look for when you're shopping for one!
1. JoyJolt Savor Double Wall Insulated Espresso Glasses
Best Classic Design
| Material | Borosilicate glass |
| Size | 1.75 x 2.5 inches |
| Capacity | 2 ounces |
| No. Of Cups | 4 |
| Pros | • The borosilicate glass material is heat resistant • Stronger and more durable than the regular glasses • Double wall keeps your hand from scorching • Beautiful crystal design • Comes in attractive giftable boxes • Dishwasher safe • Microwave safe • Freezer safe |
| Cons | • Easily scratches • Can be a little pricey for some |
| Manufacturer | JoyJolt |
| Bottom Line | A sturdy glass espresso cup with double glass walls to keep your coffee hot and your hands cool. |
SUMMARY:
A good curved bottom for a smooth sip!
Double walls to keep your coffee hot for an extended period of time!
These are the most basic but important qualities you should look for in a good espresso cup.
And all these we’ve found in JoyJolt’s double-wall insulated glass cups, making it this review’s Editor’s Choice.
Let me show you how.
It has the traditional espresso cup design with a crystal clear BPA free borosilicate glass material that ensures extra durability compared to your regular coffee glass cups.
But that’s not all.
Our favorite feature is its double walls.
Most double wall espresso cups have air in between the walls for better heat retention for your coffee while keeping your hands from burning.
A bonus:
If you have a Nespresso coffee maker or an automatic espresso machine or even a portable espresso maker, this coffee cup fits in perfectly and is perfect for a double shot espresso!
It also comes in a beautiful printed box that makes it a perfect gift for all those espresso lovers out there!
2. Gibson Home Espresso Expressions Cups
Best Microwave Safe
| Material | Porcelain |
| Size | 48.3 x 43.2 x 20.3 cm |
| Capacity | 3.5 ounce |
| No. Of Cups | 6 sets of cups and saucer |
| Pros | • Stylish design • Perfectly microwaveable • Includes a metal rack • Crafted with a reactive glaze finishing technique |
| Cons | • Might be too delicate |
| Manufacturer | Gibson Overseas, Inc. |
| Bottom Line | A stylish and chic cup and saucer set that’s perfectly and safely microwaveable. It also comes with a rack to save space. |
SUMMARY:
Looking for a more homey kind of fancy?
This design by Gibson Home is the perfect centerpiece for every kitchen or dining area with its fun and homey prints over perfectly glazed surfaces.
Perfectly glazed?
Indeed, thanks to the meticulous reactive glaze finishing technique that makes this set look like a million dollars.
But that’s not the best part!
This microwave and dishwasher safe set also comes with a metal rack in which you can store or display your cups and saucers as you wish.
Its 3.5-ounce capacity lets you enjoy a good double espresso with extra space for the foam.
Tip:
For a more intense coffee taste, swirl it around your cup first before sipping!
3. ComSaf Espresso Insulated Glass Cups
Best Double Walled
| Material | Glass |
| Size | 6.5 x 6.5 x 6.2 cm |
| Capacity | 2.7 ounce |
| No. Of Cups | 6 |
| Pros | • Crystal clear design to show off your coffee layers • Individually hand blown • Double wall borosilicate to keep your coffee hot for an extended period of time • Can also be used for ice creams, tea, and spirits |
| Cons | • Can be too delicate for heavy-handed people |
| Manufacturer | ComSaf |
| Bottom Line | One of the best espresso cups with double walled glass features that can keep your coffee hot for longer. |
SUMMARY:
Sometimes, your favorite morning jolt just doesn’t feel the same whenever it gets even the tiniest bit cold.
That’s why we made it a point to find the best double walled espresso glasses...
And this small cup with its borosilicate glass material is apparently popular among espresso drinkers and deservingly so!
Individually crafted and hand-blown by skilled makers, I have never been this proud serving espresso to guests.
What’s cooler…
...is the fact that aside from warm drinks, I can enjoy my espresso hot or cold because it can also retain coldness.
4. City to Cottage Espresso Cups
Best Design
| Material | Ceramic |
| Size | 2.56” x 3.74” x 2.56” |
| Capacity | 2 ounces |
| No. Of Cups | 4 |
| Pros | • Comes in colorful red and white polka dot design • Microwave and dishwasher safe • Great for gifts • Safe and secured packaging • Comes with a free downloadable recipe e-book |
| Cons | • Capacity is a little small |
| Manufacturer | City to Cottage |
| Bottom Line | A fun espresso set that’s perfect for espresso drinkers who love polka dot designs. |
SUMMARY:
Finding your kitchen too dreary?
You don’t have to buy a new kitchen decoration because this polka dot espresso set is enough centerpiece to give life to any space!
Not only does it contain a set of festive cups to adorn your counter but it also comes with a free downloadable recipe e-book.
Yes, please!
5. RECAPS Stainless Steel Espresso Cups Set
Best Unbreakable Set
| Material | 304-grade stainless steel |
| Size | 50 x 41 x 50 millimeters |
| Capacity | 2.7 ounces |
| No. Of Cups | 2 |
| Pros | • Non-corrosive stainless steel • Keeps coffee hot for an extended period of time • Unbreakable • Portable |
| Cons | • Doesn’t have a handle |
| Manufacturer | RECAPS |
| Bottom Line | A sturdy high-performing stainless steel cup that’s as long-lasting as it’s heavy-duty. |
SUMMARY:
Heavy duty quality shouldn’t mean sacrificing good aesthetics.
This 304-grade stainless steel cup lets you have the best of both worlds with its dependable and unbreakable quality and an elegant industrial look to boot!
And because it’s steel, this cup is one of those that you can carry anywhere without any hassle.
It doesn’t have any handle but hey, that’s a small price to pay with the fact that it can keep your coffee hot for another 20 minutes!
6. Kitchenexus Small Stainless Steel Espresso Cups
Best Value
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Size | 7.4 x 7.4 x 6.6 cm |
| Capacity | 5 ounces |
| No. Of Cups | 2 |
| Pros | • Stainless steel material is lightweight • With anti-slip fingerprint press to let you hold the cups securely • Child-friendly insulated espresso cups • Unbreakable demitasse cups • Portable for picnics and trips • Stylish metallic design |
| Cons | • Much smaller in actual |
| Manufacturer | KITCHENEXUS |
| Bottom Line | A set of minimalist stainless steel cups with dimpled press or grooves to let you hold it firmly. Perfect for households with kids. |
SUMMARY:
Fancy a good industrial elegance in your espresso cups?
Now you can have an espresso cup set that’s both aesthetically pleasing and kid-friendly at the same time!
These sleek stainless steel espresso cups have one unique feature that you’ll love - and these are the dimpled grooves on the cups’ either side to let you hold your fresh hot coffee or double shot securely and firmly.
But aside from this…
I love how its vacuum double wall insulation lets my cuppa joe stay hot for around 20 to almost 30 minutes.
These are all premium features and it’s surprising to see them in a set this affordable.
That’s why without hesitation, we think these are amongst the best espresso mugs and gave these metal babies the Best Value Award.
Oh, and I can even bring this to outings because it’s that lightweight, despite its double walls.
On the other hand…
Lightweightness didn’t equate to fragileness in this case, because these are tough guys and quite unbreakable… test it out with your little ones if you have doubts!
No wonder…
My mom asked me if she could keep it.
It’s not only perfect for domestic use but the envy of coffee aficionados who love a modern twist in their morning cup of freshly ground coffee.
7. Comfify Espresso Cups with Matching Saucers
Best for Gifts
| Material | Porcelain |
| Size | 6.35cm H x 5.7cm W (cup) 10.9cm (saucer) |
| Capacity | 4 ounces |
| No. Of Cups | 8 |
| Pros | • Affordable for premium porcelain cups and saucers • With bright and cheerful colors • Perfect as a gift • With a sturdy handle • Set includes espresso cups and saucers with espresso spoons • Perfectly fit different kinds of espresso machines |
| Cons | • Could break easily |
| Manufacturer | Comfify |
| Bottom Line | A set of colorful espresso cups to give as an affordable gift to any coffee aficionado |
SUMMARY:
Nothing says casual elegance more like little porcelain espresso cups in bright and cheerful colors that are perfect for your afternoon pick-me-up coffee.
Coming in a 4-oz size, these demitasse espresso cups didn’t only look good displayed on our shelf but also came as a handy and impressive gift. Aside from the cool espresso cups, an individual set doesn’t only include an espresso cup and saucer but also a matching coffee spoon!
Tip:
In case you want to impress some guests, the saucer egg style even allows you to put a couple of sugar cubes on the side or a piece of cookie!
Another bonus is how well a cup fits in an espresso machine.
But to me, it brought memories of a Parisian coffee shop right in the heart of my home!
8. Hedume 6 Pack Espresso Cups with Saucers and Spoons
Best for Guests
| Material | High-quality ceramic |
| Size | 2.9” D x 2.25” H (cup) 2.9” D (saucers) 5” (spoons) |
| Capacity | 5.5 ounce |
| No. Of Cups | 6 sets |
| Pros | • Clean minimalist design • Sturdy build and handle • Comes complete with spoons and saucers • Space-saving stackable design • Dishwasher safe • Freezer safe • Microwave safe |
| Cons | • Can be too pricey for your budget |
| Manufacturer | Hedume |
| Bottom Line | A simple and sleek all-white espresso cup set that will make your home feel like a real cafe. |
SUMMARY:
Love the homey but extra inspiring ambiance of coffee shops? Why not bring it right to your home?
I don’t know about you…
...but nothing beats clean bright white espresso and latte cups.
They’re so classy.
These sleek minimalist ceramic cups are the perfect espresso cup. Our favorite dark brown nectar looks so delicious against a bright white background.
That’s why coffee shops mostly prefer white espresso glasses.
But that’s not the best thing yet.
This set contains 6 perfectly stackable espresso mugs! Just perfect if you live in studio-type apartments or have a small kitchen.
Stylish and practical? Count me in.
How to Choose the Right Espresso Mugs?
Let us help you in your quest to select the best cups for espresso coffee.
What Material to Choose?
- Ceramic- This is the most common material of all. Ceramics can retain heat well and are available with many design options to choose from. Porcelain also belongs to this type.
- Stainless steel- Stainless steel is lightweight and unbreakable. Just make sure to choose the double-walled kind.
- Glass- Glass has the same qualities as ceramic but is usually more fragile.
Any Other Practical Considerations?
- Make sure to buy only good-quality steel cups. Cheap ones can affect the taste of your espresso shots with an unwanted metallic taste.
- Demitasse or “half cup” is the most common size or capacity of espresso cups.
- Narrower coffee cups make the cream look fuller while wider coffee cups spread it, making it thinner.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose espresso cups?
Consider how wide the cup will be as it affects how your espresso will look. Also, look for a cup with good heat insulation so you can enjoy your coffee hot and fresh.
But what would be the best option for you may not be for someone else. It also depends on personal preference.
Why are espresso cups double walled?
A double-wall design keeps the temperature of your coffee consistent and helps it last longer while keeping the heat from seeping into your hands.
Why are espresso cups so small?
Aside from the fact that each espresso shot is super concentrated, espresso glasses are made to be small so that the crema doesn’t spread and get lost, which is why they are called demitasse cups.
Bottom Line
You’ve just been served a smoking hot shot of the best espresso cups on the market today.
Coffee lovers will agree…
...that over the years, coffee-drinking has evolved from being a necessity to a kind of an experience and even a way of life, like sipping wine!
That’s why an espresso cup that’s not only attractive to look at but also does its job well is indeed more than a necessity - it’s an investment.
What’s your favorite? Let us know in the comments below and let’s discuss!
