Shopping for an espresso machine isn’t an easy task. Here I’ll give you my list of solid machines under 500 dollars.
Asser Christensen
When it comes to espresso machines the difference between the authentic models and the entry-level plastic stuff is pretty significant. Sure, you can pull a shot or make something close to a flat white with one on of the cheapos from the big box store, but you’re never going to get close to espresso perfection – the so-called ‘god shot.’
500 dollars seem to be where the invisible line is drawn, so if that is your budget, I congratulate you.
At this point, you could get a machine and even afford a few major upgrades such as precision baskets, puck screens and calibrated tampers. So that means that you can geek out and optimize your extraction.
Read on to see my top recommendations.
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Breville Bambino Plus Espresso... | ||
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Gaggia 14101 Classic... | ||
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Flair Espresso Maker PRO 2... | ||
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Breville Infuser Espresso... | ||
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De'Longhi Dedica 5-Bar Pump... |
I really like the Bambino Plus, and actually think it can make better espresso straight-out-of the box, compared to its famous Italian budget-rval, the Gaggia Classic.
On the surface, this device looks like a typical semi-automatic; maybe just a bit smaller and more plain, but looks can be deceiving.
In fact, this budget model from Breville packs in a bunch of exciting technology without taking away the fun of being a home-barista.
You’ve got the cutting edge PID temperature technology that allows for pulling consistent shots every time. It also means that you don’t have to think about temperature surfing, which is a massive headache.
You also get a helpful pre-infusion function that slowly increases the pressure.
Overall, this is definitely the most advanced machine in this particular price range, and I think for most people it actually makes more sense than an entry-level single-boiler such as the Gaggia Classic.
I have made many coffe-shop level drinks on this machine. Check out my full Breville Bambino Plus review for more information.
💡 Bonus Info: Now you can get IMS baskets in the correct 54 mm size for the Bambino, which means that it’s an even more attractive option.
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Are you not that impressed with all the new and fancy technology? Do you love solid brass metal and detest flimsy plastic? Do you secretly think everything was better in the 90’s?
Then look no further than the Gaggia Classic. The design hasn’t really changed much since 1991, so it definitely lives up to its “Classic” moniker.
The machine is compact and affordable, while still having a commercial sized 58 mm portafilter.
The Gaggia Classic isn’t as approachable as the more modern Breville machines, but its built to last, and you can get a ton of aftermarket accessories for it. You can modify it with a PID and do some cool stuff, if you’re that type of person.
While being a really solid espresso maker, I rank it a bit below the Breville Bambino Plus, since it requires a lot of effort from the user to really master.
Check out my full Gaggia Classic review if you want to learn more.
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Non-electric manual lever espresso is one of the hottest trend among home-espresso aficionados.
The espresso makers from Flair have especially made a big impression on the market, and today you have a big community around the their products.
Flair Pro 2 is a beautiful device. It’s super lightweight, which means that you can travel with it. Still, it’s solid in all the right places. The brew head and basket are heavy-duty high quality stuff.
I have previously reviewed the first version, the Pro 1 and I was impressed.
Fortunately, the Pro 2 version is even better with a superior basket design.
The downside to the Flair Pro 2, is that there are no milk drinks in the package. You’ll need to get a separate steamer if you want a latte now and then.
The good thing is that it’s a portable device that can make absolutely mean espresso with a little bit of training (and a good burr grinder).
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This is a slightly more espresso-focused machine compared to the milk focused Breville Bambino Plus. With the Infuser you can also change the brew temperature, but that is the only real plus over the Bambino.
The device is named after its ‘pre-infusion’ mode that first wets the ground without brewing. After that a perfect 9 bars of pressure is applied.
Breville is generous when it comes to the technology, and they have equipped this little fella with a real PID thermometer, so the shot is always brewed at the right temperature.
Another cool feature is that it has a ‘dry puck’ mode. In daily use that means that it’s easy to bang out the used grounds of the portafilter, and you won’t have to get your hands and sink all messy.
This machine is BPA free, which is a nice plus.
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No mention of budget espresso machines without a mention of Delonghi!
At this point, the Italian brand is almost synonymous with ‘cheap espresso makers that are decent.’
The Dedica is one of the company’s newer models, but it’s become quite popular the last couple of years due to its ultra slim countertop footprint. It’s the kind of espresso machine that you can easily persuade your girlfriend to get.
The espresso and steaming also work pretty well. Honestly, you’re not going to win any barista competitions with this one, but it does the basics well enough.
You can get both unpressurized baskets and naked portafilters in the correct 51 mm size for the Dedica, which means that you’ll be able to get a bit more out of it compared to the standard configuration.
The Dedica is both small and cheap, but with a few affordable upgrades it punches above its weight class.
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While the market for espresso gear is vast today, the market can still mostly be broken down into three primary schools.
My suggestion is that you more or less forget about the third category. You can find decent super automatic machines today, but they tend to be a lot more expensive than the semi-automatics.
This is because everything is built into a super automatic – hence its other name; the fully automatic. With the press of a single button, you can get a cappuccino.
With the semi, you will have to do the following every time you want a cuppa joe.
In the end, the result is the similar, but the process is 100 percent different. That’s why semis and supers are likely to appeal to two different subsets of coffee geeks.
If you are a real coffee snob, ahem, lover, you’ll pick the semi because you are much more involved in the process, and you’ll be able to tweak the shot to please your taste buds.
Okay, so by now we agree that the semi is the way to go. But the market is still huge. Luckily, you can always go for one of the classics. Some machines have been around for decades, which is a long time in today’s hectic consumer environment. What this means, is that customer complaints have been minimal and that no R&D department has been able to come up with improvements for years.
Machines like Rancilio Silvia and Gaggia Classic are evergreens for a good reason. They are built like tanks, sturdy and get the job done.
So it’s all pretty easy, right? Well, it would have been, if the espresso market hadn’t been shaken up by a specific Australian company within recent years.
Breville has gained a reputation for creating solid espresso gear that incorporates new technology like PID temperature control at an attractive price.
You could see the choice this way: Would you prefer a new Japanese car with automatic gear and Bluetooth connectivity?
Or would you rather get a vintage Mercedes with stick shift?
There’s no right and wrong here; both options have their merits. Ultimately, the choice comes down to convenience versus timeless style.
Hello, and welcome! I'm the editor & founder of this site.
I have been a coffee geek since I started home roasting more than a decade ago. Since then, coffee has taken me on countless adventures: From ancient coffee ceremonies in Ethiopia to the volcanos of Sumatra.
My background is in journalism, and today I'm also a licensed Q Grader under the Coffee Quality Institute.
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