No matter how you take your caffeine in the morning, a piping hot shot of espresso is the best way to tell your brain it’s go-time in a hurry. Your first espresso of the day is only as good as the cup you're sipping it out of, however. We scoured the web for the best espresso cups (also known as demitasse cups in the hospitality industry or tazzina cups in Italy) we could find, narrowing them down based on how well they keep your espresso insulated, how durable their materials are and whether they’re designed with smart storage in mind. Whether you're into double-walled options, ceramic and porcelain ones or portable picks that you can enjoy on your commute to work, you're sure to find your perfect match below.
9 of the Best Espresso Cups to Get Your Daily Jolt With
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Published Jan 21, 2022
The Best Espresso Cup Sets at a Glance
- Best Overall Espresso Cups: De’Longhi Espresso Glasses
- Most Stylish Espresso Cups: Gibson Home Expressions Espresso Cups
- Best Espresso Cups With Saucers: Aozita Espresso Cups
- Best Stackable Espresso Cups: Sweese Espresso Cups
- Best Espresso Cup Set With a Rack: Yhosseun Espresso Cups
- Best Porcelain Espresso Cups: Brew To A Tea Espresso Cups
- Best Stainless Steel Espresso Cups: Oggi Espresso Cups
- Best Double-Wall Espresso Cups: Williams Sonoma Espresso Mugs
- Most Giftable Espresso Mugs: Your Gift Corner Espresso Cups Set
Best Overall Espresso Cups
Make a shot for you and a loved one in these super popular double-walled espresso cups that are as classy as they are functional. They also have a capacity of 2 ounces each.
WHAT WE LIKE: Not only do these work to keep your cuppa piping hot (or cold!) while keeping it at a comfortable temperature for your hands, the borosilicate glass is BPA-free and dishwasher-safe, making these ideal for easy cleaning. They’re condensation-proof, too, so you’ll always be able to clearly see when it's time for a refill.
Most Stylish Espresso Cups
This 13-piece set has it all: six cups for sipping from, six accompanying saucers to hold your teaspoons and catch any spills and a metal rack to display it all.
WHAT WE LIKE: If ever you wanted to add a bit of French flair to your kitchen, these will most definitely provide it. The black-and-white color scheme is ever-so-chic, and the glaze-finished porcelain material is pretty durable, too. Our one complaint? The cups hang a bit more loosely from the rack than we'd like, but if you handle them with care, it shouldn't be a problem.
Best Espresso Cups With Saucers
If you’re just starting your espresso accessory collection, this is your best bet. The 12-piece set includes four 2.4-ounce porcelain cups, four spoons to stir in your favorite accoutrements and four saucers with cup-shaped grooves so as to prevent your drink from tipping over in transit from the coffee machine to the table.
WHAT WE LIKE: You can stack these cups and saucers on top of one another to keep your cupboards looking tidy. All pieces are microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and the chip-resistant porcelain will come in handy if you happen to be on the clumsy side (*raises hands*).
Best Stackable Espresso Cups
Whether you’re working with limited counter space or simply prefer to keep things condensed, these stackable, lead-free porcelain espresso cups are a coffee lover’s dream. Choose between four versatile colors to create a unique aesthetic your favorite coffee shop would be envious of.
WHAT WE LIKE: Boasting a capacity of 2.5 ounces each, these six cups nest into one another in their included stacking case. They’re safe for the dishwasher, microwave, oven and freezer—just be sure to take care, as they can scratch easily.
Best Espresso Cup Set With a Rack
This set of six matte glazed porcelain espresso cups and six saucers contain a generous D-shaped grip for easy handling. And at 4 ounces per cup, you can easily opt for a double shot.
WHAT WE LIKE: These have a narrow rim that the company claims will prevent heat from escaping. Adding to the allure is the included gold-toned iron hanging rod, which suspends the cups and leaves space below to stack the included saucers for a sleek and modern look.
Best Porcelain Espresso Cups
With a 10-carat gold trim along the subtly ruffled mouth of each cup and a 2.4-ounce capacity, this porcelain set boasts an artisanal look that’s bound to enhance your sipping experience.
WHAT WE LIKE: These dishwasher-safe espresso cups and saucers are perfect for entertaining, since there are six sets (12 pieces total). We're also enamored with the elegant details, from the gold trim to the ruffled detail, that make them stunning to put on display. Note that due to the gold, they’re not microwave-safe.
7. Oggi Espresso Cups
Best Stainless-Steel Espresso Cups
Not only are these 4-ounce espresso cups made with a super durable stainless-steel, they're double-walled to keep heat in and condensation out.
WHAT WE LIKE: The stainless-steel material has a sleek, modern look about it that won't easily be destroyed by your husband's butterfingers. Unlike many stainless-steel espresso cups, these ones also come with matching saucers.
Williams Sonoma
8. Williams Sonoma Espresso Cups
Best Double-Wall Espresso Mugs
The artisanal mouth-blown glass of these borosilicate glasses is designed to retain the piping hot temperature of your drink while keeping your hands comfortable and resisting condensation.
WHAT WE LIKE: This incredibly practical double-walled design won't become cloudy over time, according to the company, making for an investment you can rely on for years to come.
Etsy
9. Your Gift Corner Espresso Cups
Most Giftable Espresso Cups
Choose between 28 intricate hand-painted designs in this set of four ceramic espresso cups that range from green succulents and citrus fruits to turquoise waves.
WHAT WE LIKE: This artsy grouping is sure to win over even your most difficult-to-buy for friend. Each cup holds 2.5 ounces and comes with a lookalike saucer to prevent it from running over onto your table linens. And, since each piece is hand-crafted, they're totally unique, making up much of the draw.
Types Of Espresso Cups
There are several different styles of espresso cups to consider when selecting a set of them.
- Stackable: Stackable espresso cups are designed to nest within or on top of one another to reduce clutter in your pantry and prevent your espresso cups from going rogue.
- Stainless-steel: As one of the most durable materials you can find, stainless-steel allows espresso cups to withstand the rigors of heavy handling or accidents. It's also usually dishwasher-safe.
- Porcelain: While porcelain does tend to shatter upon forceful impact, it’s microwave- and dishwasher-safe and considered to be the OG when it comes to drinking espresso.
- Double-walled: In a double-walled espresso cup, your hot drink sits within a layer of borosilicate glass that's protected by another exterior layer of glass to prevent your hands from burning.
- Paper: In our collective effort to reduce our use of single-use paper and plastic, you'll want to only opt for to-go espresso cups when necessary. If you do go this route, be sure to rinse the cup thoroughly before recycling it.
What Is The Best Size For An Espresso Cup?
Unlike a standard 8-ounce filter coffee or Americano, an espresso shot runs between 1 and 1.25 ounces. As such, your cup should clock in between 2 to 3 ounces so that the delicious, frothy crema you see on top of the shot, which develops when air bubbles meet oils in the coffee grounds, stays intact. The crema, also known as the “Guinness effect,” becomes thinned out when poured into a too-large cup, so it’s crucial to keep the espresso shot contained in the right vessel.
