If you are a beginner to the wonderful world of espresso, this article will help direct you to the best espresso machine for the price and save you a trip down the rabbit hole.
Purchasing items using the links in this post may compensate me at no additional cost to you. I only include links to awesome stuff that I actually use and am familiar with.
Why Espresso?
Espresso is rich, concentrated coffee with tons of nuance and flavor. Espresso is a necessary component in a variety of drinks and recipes including those delicious lattes you are probably craving right now. Here are a few reasons why you may want to investigate purchasing an espresso machine:
- Espresso offers the richest, most intense flavor of any coffee.
- Espresso is used in a variety of drinks and dessert recipes.
- If you are short on time, you can make and consume espresso quickly.
- Making your own espresso drinks can save you big money compared to visiting a coffee shop.
Is an Espresso Machine Worth the Price?
If you enjoy espresso and espresso drinks, an espresso machine is your only home-based option, and is therefore worth the price. There are many different price points and varying types of machines. You must determine what sort of experience you are looking for (and what you are willing to pay for). Hopefully, this article will get you started.
In this article, I have detailed the best beginner espresso machine for the price at three different price points. These machines are very beginner friendly and all work quite different from one another. There is a manual brewing option, a pod-based option, and a real semi-automatic espresso machine. Each machine requires a different level of involvement, so consider this as well in your decision.
Under $100: Aeropress
The best espresso machine under $100 doesn’t actually make espresso. The Aeropress is a manual brewing method that makes a variety of different coffee drinks. The Aeropress lacks the high-pressure pump component of a true espresso machine, so it makes concentrated coffee rather than espresso.
AeroPress resting on a Le Creuset Mug
You may wonder why I would include an Aeropress on this list. The truth is, most of the espresso machines in my experience under $100 are absolute junk. They offer a frustrating experience because they use steam instead of a pump or lack the power necessary for a good shot. The Aeropress avoids this entirely by letting you manually brew a shot of concentrated coffee which passes as espresso much better than other options at this price point.
You can purchase the Aeropress on Amazon for $30-40, depending on what you bundle with it. The Aeropress is so cheap and versatile, you can easily use it to hold you over while you save up for a more serious machine (this is exactly what I did). I have three articles detailing the various aspects of the Aeropress and I encourage you to check them out.
Although the Aeropress is one of the least sensitive brewing methods to grind consistency, you will still need a good grinder if you wish to use fresh coffee beans. This will easily push you past the price point of the next option, and you may want to consider your long-term goal when picking a machine.
Under $150: Nespresso by Breville
Once you decide that you are willing to spend over $100, your best option will be a pod-based machine. The Nespresso machines are the best ones out there and the pods come in a variety of roasts and regions. This is the cheapest and simplest way to make high quality, authentic espresso at home, at least initially.
The downside of pod-based machines such as the Nespresso is that the cost of the pods adds up slowly over time. Over the life of this machine, you could end up paying more than a much more expensive espresso machine using actual coffee beans (depending on how much coffee you drink). That being said, the Nespresso option is basically foolproof and won’t mess up your shots. This dependable convenience is worth the price of the pods alone.
The Nespresso is a far better option than other espresso machines at a comparable price level. The use of pods eliminates the need for a high-end grinder, making this your most accessable option for true espresso. You will have to spend several hundred more to beat out the Nespresso based on espresso quality, and you’ll never beat it on convenience.
The Nespresso machine I recommend is made by Breville and is one of the least expensive Nespresso options. The Nespresso Essenza Mini Original Espresso Machine by Breville is available on Amazon and includes 14 pods to get you started. You can bundle it with the Aeroccino milk frother, although Breville does make a much better milk frother if you plan to make lattes super regularly.
Read More: What is a Milk Frother?
Under $600: The Breville Barista Express
The Breville Barista Express is the best traditional espresso machine for the price, hands-down. However, that doesn’t mean it comes cheap. Surprisingly, this price point is considered entry-level in the world of espresso. Once you have decided to spend this much on a coffee machine, you will be best served by the Breville Barista Express.
Breville Barista Express (center) along with other Breville machines
The Breville Barista Express is a semi-automatic espresso machine, meaning you will still prepare the shot, but the machine handles the rest. This type of machine does require some skill to use and you will still ruin shots every now and then. However, the Barista Express includes a pressure gauge to help you dial in the perfect grind and extraction settings and maximize your chance at getting a good shot. In fact, the Barista Express includes all sorts of features that are very friendly to a beginner.
The Barista Express also includes a true steam wand for authentic lattes and cappuccinos. This wand is easy to use and will create real microfoam (the kind that makes great latte art). If you end up going with the Breville, I recommend also picking up a milk temperature thermometer so that you can hit the sweet spot of 140-160-degree steamed milk.
The Breville Barista Express is available on Amazon with a built-in grinder. If you already own a high-end burr grinder, you can go for the Infuser Model instead. However, espresso machines are very sensitive to grind consistency, and the built-in grinder option is perfectly suited to making espresso with the Barista Express. Even if you plan on getting a dedicated grinder for other brewing methods, you may still wish to opt for the Barista Express so that you don’t have to keep messing with your grind settings all the time (it only costs a bit more).
Read More: What is a Burr Grinder?
In Summary
If you are looking to save money and aren’t sure about the longevity of your espresso desires, you should start with the Aeropress and save up for a real machine. I wish to spare you the frustration of a cheap steam machine that you’ll give away later on. I speak from experience here.
If you want the cheapest authentic espresso, the guarantee of 100% perfect shots, and don’t mind paying for the pods, go with the Nespresso. This is also the least involved option if you are the sort who wants to fiddle with your coffee as little as possible.
Lastly, if you are ready to pay for and experience the real deal, which includes a straight path from fresh beans to beautiful espresso, go with the Barista Express. This machine includes everything you need to get started minus the coffee. The experience is all inclusive, beginner friendly, and well worth the money.
I hope you found this article helpful in narrowing down which type of machine will best suit your needs. This article details my journey with espresso machines and the order I experienced them in. Ultimately, I did end up with the Barista Express, kept my Aeropress, and sold my pod-based option. I also donated the other cheapo machines that I wish I never paid for early on. Hopefully you find my experience useful.
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I hope your entry into the wonderful world of espresso is successful!
Happy brewing!
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