Looking for an espresso machine that won’t break the bank? a budget of $500 hits the spot. many of the best espresso machine makers like breville and gaggia are below this price.
This was the estimate for my first espresso machine. it’s great for beginners, as $500 buys quality components and new features without spending a lot of money. however, there are many options, and I remember hours of research to choose a machine.
Reading: Best coffee maker under 500
To make it easy for you, I’ve selected the seven best espresso machines under $500. my favorite is the bambino plus with automatic milk foam and heating in 3 seconds.
I will also provide a comprehensive buying guide, so you are fully equipped to choose an espresso machine for yourself.
the 7 best espresso machines under $500
1. breville infuser
my first choice is the breville infuser, mainly because of the espresso flavor that this machine offers. The infuser has a pre-infusion function, which means that it pushes water through the beans at a lower pressure before extraction. the pre-infusion results in a better extraction of the oils and the flavor of the coffee.
The heating system is a 1600w thermocoil with pid. pid keeps the water at the right temperature, so you get a consistent extraction and a flavorful shot of espresso.
An auto purge feature adjusts the water temperature between steaming and brewing, so you get the optimal temperature for both.
I also liked that you can choose between a single or double shot. there is volumetric control with preset. you can reprogram the drink volume and manually override settings, meaning you have more control and can brew espresso to your preference. the hot water dispenser is useful when you want tea or hot chocolate.
The steam wand rotates 360 degrees, so you can froth milk for milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. swivel feature makes it easy to fit jars of various sizes.
The only thing the infuser doesn’t have is a grinder, so it will be an additional expense.
who is it for? the breville brewer is a good choice for beginners and experienced baristas alike, as you can decide how much control you want over your espresso. It’s also a good option if you already have a grinder or are planning to get one.
2. gaggia classic pro
The next best espresso machine under $500 is the Gaggia Classic Pro. this is one of the best espresso machines from gaggia. It comes with a stainless steel body, a commercial steam wand, and a 58mm portafilter commonly found on commercial espresso machines.
Most espresso machines have a 54mm basket, while the 58mm size of the Classic Pro allows you to add more ground coffee to create a larger, flatter disc, resulting in a tastiest espresso.
The heating system is single boiler, which means it’s not the fastest espresso machine. you will have to wait about five minutes for the coffee maker to heat up. however, it is ready to steam in just 30 seconds.
classic pro has a three-way solenoid valve, which releases the pressure from the group head as soon as you finish brewing. you can remove the portafilter and take your next drink right away, which comes in handy when making coffee drinks for multiple people.
Overall, classic pro is easy to use. There are only three buttons that tell you when the coffee machine is ready to use. The 72 oz water tank is large enough for you to make multiple drinks without refilling.
one of my favorite things in classic pro is the steam wand that can reach the high pressure needed for a good foam. It has a tip with two holes and creates microfoam effortlessly. this also means you can work on your latte art skills.
Lastly, I like how quiet it is. gaggia redesigned the classic (hence the name pro classic) with noise-dampening technology, which you’ll love when you set it up first thing in the morning.
for whom? gaggia classic pro is an excellent option if you are a beginner barista who wants a machine that is easy to use. It’s also a great option if you want to practice making latte art.
3. breville bambino plus
The first thing that makes bambino plus stand out is its compact size. but don’t let the smaller size fool you. This espresso machine is a powerhouse packed with impressive technology. First, there’s the PID temperature control, which means consistent espresso shots every time.
With low pressure pre-infusion, you’re guaranteed a flavorful espresso, whether you’re using pre-ground coffee or freshly ground coffee beans.
bambino plus uses the latest breville technology, a thermojet heating system. While you can’t brew and steam simultaneously, you can perform these actions one after the other with virtually no wait time.
my absolute favorite part of the bambino plus is the steam wand. it is an automatic steam wand with options present for the function and temperature of the milk, and it offers a rich micro-foam thanks to the four holes at the tip.
all you have to do is place the milk container on the tray, press the button with the preset option you want and the machine will do all the work.
the wand works great thanks to the temperature control sensors in the drip tray. you can choose from three options for the temperature of the milk (50, 70 or 90 degrees centigrade) and the texture you want. sensors work to adjust the temperature to your preference.
Who is it for? The breville bambino plus is the best espresso machine under $500 if you want a machine that draws flavorful espresso and steams milk automatically. if you don’t want to handle the steam wand yourself, this is a good option.
4. breville bambino
See also: How to get the most out of your Miele coffee machine
The Breville Bambino is a simple espresso machine that makes excellent espresso and is the most affordable option on this list. is perfect for beginners.
breville bambino is slightly smaller than the bambino plus (7.7 in x 12.6 in x 12.2 vs. 9.6 in x 16.3 in x 16.9 in) and has a smaller reservoir (47oz vs. 64oz).
However, the bambino is no slouch when it comes to espresso flavor. bambino has the same preparation technology as the plus version. a low pressure pre-infusion pushes the water through the beans before the high pressure extraction begins.
the pid controls the thermojet heating system and ensures constant extraction at the optimum water temperature. Both machines have a 3-second heat-up with Breville’s state-of-the-art heating system.
However, a steam wand is one feature where bambino and bambino plus differ significantly. Breville Bambino has a manual wand, while Plus has an automatic one. Also, Bambino’s wand only has one hole, compared to Bambino Plus’s four, which means Bambino Plus can vaporize 20 seconds faster than Bambino.
Still, I found the quality of the frothed milk to be similar. you can steam and froth milk for both lattes and cappuccinos with breville bambino.
Finally, the Breville Bambino has a hot water dispenser, giving you a greater variety of beverages compared to the Bambino Plus.
who is it for? breville bambino is an excellent option if you are not afraid of the learning curve and want to learn how to froth milk. You will be able to master different techniques and learn to froth both whole and vegetable milk.
read our full comparison of bambino vs. baby plus.
5. professional style 2
flair pro 2 is a unique espresso machine in that it is manual. the brewing process is entirely human-driven, including the generation of nine bars of pressure; does not use electricity to prepare espresso.
Espresso lovers choose manual espresso machines because they give the barista total control. additional control over pressure and firing time are the key points of a manual machine. even large semi-automatic espresso machines pump out 12 bars or more, which can brew too quickly.
With a slow and steady pour, a manual espresso machine can achieve the highest level of espresso perfection compared to other types.
for manual machines, flair pro 2 is easy to use. It has a pressure gauge, so you can perform pressure profiles and control in real time. the filter basket is 46mm and the smaller diameter is more forgiving. Typically, you need very finely ground coffee beans for a quality espresso, or problems like channeling can occur.
however flair pro 2 has a smaller basket so you actually need to use coarse ground coffee. coarse soils work better with the smaller basket, as very fine soils could choke it. this is useful if you don’t have a top of the line grinder (which is usually very expensive).
The device is extremely light. I was worried that this espresso machine would wobble because it’s so light, but I didn’t worry. lever arm and base fit together securely. the silicone grip prevents your hands from slipping when squeezing the coffee.
The biggest drawback of the flair pro 2 is that you can’t make drinks with milk. this could be a serious drawback if you are a big lover of lattes. You’ll need to get a separate milk frother if you want lattes and cappuccinos.
for whom? flair pro 2 is the perfect choice for espresso purists. If you want to achieve the highest level of perfection with full control, a manual espresso machine is for you. the flair pro 2 is easy to use and portable.
6. brera gaggia
gaggia brera is not a semi-automatic espresso machine but a super-automatic one. this is the only espresso machine on this list with a built-in coffee grinder. the coffee grinder is a ceramic grinder with five positions. there’s also a bypass dispenser for pre-ground beans, which is handy when you want to decaf.
Although this is a super-automatic machine, it does have a manual milk frother, so you’ll have to do the work yourself. this also means there is a learning curve if you have never used a steam wand before. the brera wand is decent and can produce good foam, but you don’t need microfoam for latte art.
This is a fairly compact machine (10 x 15.5 x 11.5 inches), so its components, such as the drip tray, water reservoir, and bean hopper, are also smaller, which which means frequent emptying and filling.
Overall, Brera is very easy to use and has many customization options. for example, you can decide how many beans you want your espresso to have, set the cup size, and choose from three coffee strength options.
One thing I didn’t like is that it requires frequent descaling and takes a while, which can be annoying when you’re craving some caffeine.
for whom? gaggia brera is a great choice for espresso drinkers who want an affordable super-automatic espresso machine. you’ll love this espresso machine if you don’t want to measure, grind, and tamp.
7. calphalon temp iq
calphalon temp iq comes with and without a grinder. if you plan to stay under $500, you’ll have to opt for the version without a built-in grinder. This best espresso machine under $500 comes with a 58mm portafilter that is 2.5 inches deep. As I mentioned, this is a commercial grade portafilter, so you will have even water dispersion and optimal extraction.
calphalon temp iq comes with single and double wall filter baskets, so you can improve your skills with this espresso machine. start with pressurized (double wall) if you are a beginning barista. there is more wiggle room with grind sizes, then move on to non-pressurized (single wall).
temp iq uses thermal block heating technology and pid ensures optimal extraction of oils at a constant water temperature. in general, you will get a consistently delicious espresso with good crema.
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This espresso machine comes with a commercial grade steam wand. I found that it can reach high pressure and can even create good microfoam needed for lattes and thick foam for cappuccinos in just 30 seconds. This is a pen wand, and it is easy to rotate, so you can position the milk jug as you like.
you can do single or double shots with this device. volumetric draft control pours the exact amount of water needed for your draft and automatically shuts off. this means there is less work for you and you don’t have to worry about dialing.
who is it for? calphalon temp iq is a good option if you want an espresso machine that makes tasty shots and good milk foam, but you don’t want to pay through the roof.
See our full review of the calphalon temp iq.
understand the types of espresso machines
manual espresso machines
The manual espresso maker requires the most work on your part, but also gives you the most control. these are also called piston machines as you need to pull a lever to create the pressure needed to fire a shot.
You can control every part of the brewing process: measuring, grinding the beans, tamping, and pulling the lever. It’s a lot of work, but you’ll have a delicious espresso once you perfect the brewing process.
semi-automatic espresso machines
Semi-automatic machines may or may not have a built-in grinder. It’s up to you whether you want to pay for a built-in grinder or have a stand-alone one. we have reviewed grinder espresso machines that are more expensive than this list.
A separate grinder gives you more freedom to experiment and find the grind that works best for your coffee beans.
With a semi-automatic, you need to grind the beans, transfer them to the portafilter, tamp, attach the portafilter to the group head, and steam the milk if you want a milk-based beverage.
It’s a lot more work compared to a super-automatic espresso machine, and there can be a big learning curve if you’re new to espresso, but you can tweak the shot until it suits your taste perfectly.
Most espresso machines under $500 fall into this category.
super-automatic espresso machines
Super autos don’t need much input from you because the machine takes care of everything. These are called bean-to-cup machines, so you can get espresso at the push of a button. the device grinds, tamps and pulls the shot automatically. some even steam the milk for you. you will have to do little work with these machines but also less control over the final result of the espresso.
Super-automatic machines tend to be more expensive, so you won’t usually find them in this price range.
what to consider when buying an espresso machine for less than $500
heating elements
In addition to freshly brewed coffee beans, heating elements are the key to espresso quality. Here’s what to consider:
- Heating system: The espresso needs to be hot, so you need a machine that can heat the water quickly and maintain the temperature while pushing the water through a tight disk. the best heating elements are stainless steel ones as they are durable. heat blocks are commonly found in espresso machines under $500.
- pid : Pressure and temperature may drop once extraction begins. this results in a low-quality espresso. the best espresso machines have pid, which controls the temperature. pid ensures that the water temperature remains stable at the optimal level (190 to 195 degrees), so you always get a consistent espresso.
- pump: the pump must generate between 9 and 15 bars of pressure. low pressure means a weak, under-extracted espresso, but too much pressure means an over-extracted bitter drink.
durability
An espresso machine must withstand a lot of pressure and daily use. The best espresso maker is made from stainless steel as it can last for a long time. however, some have plastic parts, especially on the outside. make sure the plastic is durable and not easily scratched.
Interior elements such as the boiler, pump and other heating elements must be made of metal.
In general, you’ll find that many machines in the $500 range are made of stainless steel, so durability shouldn’t be an issue.
other functions
If you go to the higher end of the $500 budget, you can get additional features. these can include more accessories, a hot water outlet, fast heat-up time, programmable options, and more. Additional features may include a removable drip tray and water reservoir, making for easy use and maintenance.
The espresso machine may have the ability to adjust to different cup sizes, which is especially useful when making lattes and cappuccinos.
another popular add-on feature is auto power off. this saves energy and prevents the espresso machine from wearing out prematurely.
Finally, you don’t have to opt for a black appliance. Today, espresso machines come in a wide range of colors, so you can choose the one that best suits your kitchen décor.
keep in mind that the more features you choose, the more expensive the espresso machine will be.
milk frother
The milk frother is an important consideration if you like milk-based beverages. Most frothers in this price range are manual, which means you’ll have to learn how to froth milk yourself. however, some machines, like the bambino plus, have an automatic wand that makes the foam for you.
The milk frother should be able to create enough pressure to create microfoam for lattes and thick foam for cappuccinos.
best espresso machines under $500: final thoughts
Make sure you think carefully about your needs when choosing the best espresso machine for you. For example, if you want a machine that is compact in size, choose the Breville Bambino.
if you want to learn how to steam and froth milk yourself, opt for the breville infuser. If you want a super-automatic espresso machine that makes a shot at the touch of a button, Gaggia Brera is for you.
If your budget is tight, we’ve reviewed the best espresso machines under $200. or, if you want an espresso machine with a grinder, we have also selected the best selection.
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