When discussing small home espresso machines that can produce a great shot despite their diminutive frames, the well-known Rancilio Silvia is often compared against Breville's newer upstart, the Infuser.
While the Silvia features several commercial-grade components backed by a design that is sometimes equated with a tank, the Infuser has features to spare and excellent temperature control. Choosing which one that is right for you is largely a virtue of longevity vs. precision -- and price tag. While they'll produce similar shots at the end of the day, the Infuser is more than $100 cheaper than the Silvia, so if you're looking for something under $500, it may meet your budget a bit better.
In this video, Gail runs through their features and compares their functionality. Then she demonstrates making a latte on both so you can watch them in action.