The 7 best espresso cups, according to our experts

One of the best parts of pulling a shot of espresso is inspecting your work afterward. Double-walled glass offerings like these from De'Longhi allow you to do so while also keeping your coffee a little hotter than the average demitasse. The double-walled glass limits condensation for an even better drinking experience.

While this design is on the fragile side, espresso begs to be admired and the delicate glass is a pleasure to hold. There's no better way to covet the stuff than with translucence, and the flared rim goes a long way to deliver all the nuanced flavors a good batch of freshly ground beans has to offer.

Ceramic coffee mugs come with handles because the material can get too hot to hold. These cups from Fellow are an updated take on the traditional ceramic demitasses; the double-walled construction keeps your coffee hot and fingers cool. They're also less breakable than glass. The gently sloped walls of the Monty cups bring the crema to the top of your pour, undiluted.

This is also another great option for a whole set of coffee ware: Fellow makes cappuccino, cortado, and latte cups to cover all of the requisite cafe-drink sizes. These handle-free cups are also stackable, making them perfect for left-handed users and small spaces, too.

When we perform our espresso taste testing, these are the cups we pull out. Similar to tasting glasses for other beverages, the convex shape, three internal fins, and sloping make for easy dissection of tasting notes.

Technical stuff aside, we've also found that this demitasse offers some of the best heat retention we've come across. The only downside is that the glass is incredibly delicate, and we have managed to break more than one. Though not for the clumsy, these fragile glasses are commonly used by espresso experts in tastings.

The classic Villeroy & Boch look gets updated with a curved handle and more durable construction. Owners of modern kitchens might appreciate something a little more design-forward, and Villeroy & Boch's New Wave series, with its slanted rim and flared handle, are a fun take on the classic shape. 

Made with "premium" (not quite china) porcelain, these are on the thinner side, yet more durable than your average ceramic. The New Wave is sold individually and in sets with a saucer and spoon. Just note that because of the unusual shape of the handle, these demitasses are not exactly left-hand-friendly.

While nicer glass isn't to be overlooked, the Youngever Espresso Cups are a smart budget option. The glasses are double-walled glass, just like our best overall pick, but they won't sting to replace if they break. If you're stocking a rental or preparing for a host of espresso drinkers, this four-pack is an easy solution. 

Youngever also makes larger espresso cups and coffee mugs in the same double-walled glass design. If you're just starting out in the world of espresso, the four-pack from Youngever is a bargain.

There's a lot to be said for the classic demitasse and saucer design. After all, they're the workhorses designed to survive the bustling daily life of an espresso cafe. These Sweese cups fit snugly in the paired saucers, leaving just enough room for a little chocolate, baklava, or biscuit.  

For those who want to neatly confine their drinkware to a small countertop or cabinet corner, this stackable set comes with a steel stand for an attractive and functional solution. Give your kitchen a cafe makeover, and choose from one of the four rich colors that this set comes in. The five available colors make for an endearing and personal presentation.

For a rustic, farmhouse feel, it's hard to do better than hand-dipped and individually shaped stoneware. Each of these CB2 cups has a unique shape and hue, ranging from ash-grey to dark blue and black. And for about four dollars, it's a hard price to compete with, hand-dipped or not.

Since the cups are sold individually and each hand-dipped, you can build a unique set one by one. If you'd like to keep your coffee drinkware matching, CB2 also makes this cup in a full 12-ounce size to accommodate cappuccinos, lattes, and more.

We spoke with espresso experts including Lance Hedrick of Onyx Coffee Lab and Chi Sum Ngai and Kaleenah Teoh of The Coffee Project NY to learn what helps you get the most out of tasting your shot. The resounding recommendation was double-walled glass. Of course, choosing the best espresso cup for you is subjective based on how much you're concerned with aesthetics versus aromatics, durability, and cost. That's why we rounded up our favorite designs in a variety of materials.

Glass: Glass is the least durable material, and chances are high you'll break a glass or two. But where flavor and aesthetics are concerned, double-walled glass is superior.

Ceramic: This will keep your espresso at an optimal temperature. Ceramic will also have the least flavor transfer and is fairly durable.

Stainless steel: While stainless steel is your most durable and heat-retentive option (when double-walled), it can impart a metallic flavor some people find unpleasant. It is a great material for folks traveling or camping.

What type of cups are best for espresso?

The best espresso cups, or demitasses (French for "half-cups"), are small because espressos are small. A single shot ranges from about two-thirds of a fluid ounce (20 milliliters) to about two ounces (60 milliliters). Pouring such a small amount of a hot beverage into a full-sized cup or mug would cool it almost immediately, whereas a smaller vessel provides snugger insulation and better heat retention.

What's the difference between espresso and cappuccino cups? 

Cappuccino cups are designed for bearing two shots of espresso and about four ounces of steamed milk, so they have a larger capacity. Espresso cups traditionally hold about two or three fluid ounces (75 milliliters to 90 milliliters), while cappuccino cups usually hold about five or six fluid ounces (145 to 1 5 milliliters).