Best Espresso Machine Under $500

It is nice to have an espresso machine in the house, especially if you’re into coffee so much that you want to be able to make it at home anytime you want and get high-quality results. Machines under $500 are nice to start your espresso machine journey with or upgrade from a less expensive entry-level machine. The best of these espresso machines have many features to offer, are durable, easy-to-use, and, of course, come under a good price tag. Let’s see what the best espresso machines under $500 are.

#1 Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Espresso Machine – Best Choice

Editor’s rating: 5 Star Editor's Rating

Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Espresso Machine, Solid, Brushed Stainless Steel The Gaggia Classic Pro is an espresso machine that is usually compared to the more expensive Rancilio Silvia. This proves the value of the Pro, making its place on top of this best list a sure deal for years to come.

The Classic Pro can make one or two espressi and has a milk frother for every milk-based drink that comes to your mind. It is a machine made of stainless steel, and is, therefore, durable and resistant to corrosion. To get your favorite beverage, just fill the chrome-plated brass portafilter with ground coffee and lock it into the group head.

This espresso machine has three big rocker control buttons that are intuitive and easy-to-use. It, furthermore, has a three-way solenoid valve which prevents the coffee grounds from becoming soupy. Overall, this is a very simple, but good-quality espresso machine which makes great coffee.

Key features:

  • Made of stainless steel
  • Double and single espresso shots
  • Milk frother
  • Steam dial
  • 58mm portafilter
  • Chrome-plated brass group head
  • Rocker control buttons
  • Has a three-way solenoid valve

Pros

Makes delicious coffee drinks

Durable

Very simple to use

Cons

Nothing for this product

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#2 Nespresso Lattissima Plus – Best value

Editor’s rating: 4.5 Star Editor's Rating

Nespresso by De'Longhi EN520SL Lattissima Plus Espresso and Cappuccino Machine with Nespresso Capsule System, Silver The Nespresso Lattissima by De’Longhi is a great single-serve espresso machine that comes at a very affordable price. Making coffee drinks on this machine is easy since you can make them at the touch of a button. Furthermore, the Lattissima also comes with an automatic milk carafe for everyone who doesn’t like frothing the milk manually.

This espresso machine uses a 19-bar pressure pump which improves the extraction of the espresso. The machine only works with Nespresso Original capsules and has a sliding drip tray in case you want to make a larger coffee drink. Its thermoblock heating system helps it heat up fast, and it helps you get your coffee faster.

Key features:

  • Single-serve espresso machine
  • Four coffee choices
  • Two settings for the milk
  • 19-bar pressure pump
  • Thermoblock heating system
  • Works with Nespresso Original capsules
  • Automatic Cappuccino System
  • Sliding drip tray

Pros

The coffee drinks taste great

Automatic milk carafe makes frothing easier

Accommodates very tall coffee cups

Cons

Many parts made of plastic

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#3 Breville Duo Temp Pro Espresso Machine – Premium pick

Editor’s rating: 5 Star Editor's Rating

Breville BES810BSSUSC BES810BSS Duo Temp Pro Espresso Machine, Stainless Steel The Duo Temp Pro by Breville relies on great brewing and steaming technologies that guarantee the quality of the coffee drinks made by this espresso machine. Place one or two cups underneath the machine to get single or double espresso shots with the help of the 15-bar pressure pump and the precise extraction. The pre-infusion that happens before the coffee is brewed makes sure that your espresso has an irresistible aroma. Furthermore, the coffee dose control and the temperature control guarantee the great taste of the coffee.

You can also use the Duo Temp Pro to make some great milk-based coffee drinks. This espresso machine has a manual steam wand which makes great milk foam and has a plastic grip for easier use. The machine comes with a stainless steel milk container to froth the milk in. Other than that, the Duo Temp Pro works with a portafilter and comes with double and single wall filter baskets.

Key features:

  • Single or double espresso shots
  • Manual steam wand
  • 15-bar pressure pump
  • Pre-infusion
  • Comes with pressurized and unpressurized filter baskets
  • The machine comes with a tamper attached to it
  • Comes with a stainless steel milk container

Pros

Great milk foam

Auto purge feature lowers the temperature in the heat system

PID temperature control

Coffee dose control

Cons

You’ll need to put in some effort to understand how to operate the machine

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#4 Nespresso Citiz & Milk Espresso Machine

Editor’s rating: 5 Star Editor's Rating

Nespresso by De'Longhi EN267BAE Original Espresso Machine Bundle with Aeroccino Milk Frother by De'Longhi, Black Everyone who’s looking for a compact and stylish espresso machine should check out the Nespresso Citiz & Milk. This is a single-serve machine with a 19-bar pressure pump for optimal espresso extraction. You can use two buttons to make yourself espresso or lungo, and these buttons let you choose how much coffee you want in your cup.

The Aeroccino milk frother comes integrated to the machine, and it makes some great milk foam. It is great that the Citiz & Milk can make espresso and froth milk at the same time. This makes sure that your coffee doesn’t lose on temperature while you’re waiting for the froth to be made. The Citiz & Milk also has a cup support tray and a 34-ounce reservoir for water.

Key features:

  • Single-serve
  • Programmable espresso and lungo buttons
  • Aeroccino milk frother
  • 19-bar pressure pump
  • Works with Nespresso Original capsules only
  • Cup support tray
  • 34 oz water reservoir

Pros

Makes espresso with great crema

Makes espresso and milk foam at the same time

Compact

Looks great

Cons

Compatible only with Nespresso Original capsules

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#5 Smeg ECF01RDUS Espresso Coffee Machine

Editor’s rating: 5 Star Editor's Rating

Smeg ECF01RDUS Espresso Coffee Machine One Size Red The Smeg ECF01RDUS espresso coffee machine will serve you single espresso when you’re having a cup of coffee alone or double espresso when you have your friend over. There are three intuitive buttons for espresso-making and for using the steam wand on the machine. Once you press on one of the buttons for single or double espresso, the 15-bar pressure pump will do its best to transfer the rich flavor of the coffee into your cup.

The Smeg ECF01RDUS works with a portafilter and has a removable drip tray which you can remove when your coffee cup can’t fit underneath the machine with the tray on. This machine has a single thermoblock heating system and doesn’t take long to heat up when you turn it on. Furthermore, it will also alert you to descale it once it needs to be descaled, so you’ll never have to wonder whether it should be descaled or not.

Key features:

  • Single or double-serve
  • Three intuitive control buttons
  • 15-bar pressure pump
  • Steam wand
  • Portafilter
  • Single thermoblock heating system
  • Removable drip tray
  • Maintenance alert

Pros

Rich coffee drinks

Simple to use

Compact

Beautiful design

Cons

The power button is located on the side, which could make it difficult to push in some situations

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#6 DE’LONGHI ESAM3300 Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso

Editor’s rating: 4 Star Editor's Rating

DELONGHI ESAM3300 Super Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine The De’Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica is a super-automatic espresso machine that makes coffee drinks with and without coffee. This machine has a Cappuccino System frother with which you can froth the milk and an 8.8-ounce bean hopper for your favorite coffee beans. The Magnifica is a Direct-to-Brew machine, which means that it grinds the coffee beans in the bean hopper and then makes an espresso out of them.

A great thing about this espresso machine is that it lets you program the coffee strength and the cup size of your coffee drinks. Therefore, the single and double espresso shots that the Magnifica can make for you can be customized exactly how you like them. The machine can, furthermore, accommodate cups with different sizes and has a removable brew unit for easier maintenance.

Key features:

  • Single and double espresso shots
  • Programmable coffee drinks
  • Cappuccino System frother
  • 8.8 oz bean hopperm
  • Energy Save mode
  • Removable brew unit

Pros

Makes both coffee and milk-based drinks

The buttons on the control panel are easy to use

Can accommodate different cups

Cons

Makes a lot of noise when grinding the coffee

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#7 Breville BES840XL/A the Infuser Espresso Machine

Editor’s rating: 4 Star Editor's Rating

Breville BES840XL/A the Infuser Espresso Machine The Breville BES840XL/A the Infuser makes single and double espresso shots with the help of a 15-bar pressure pump. Before it makes the espresso, the Infuser pre-infuses the coffee, which improves its extraction and hence its aroma. The machine has a steam wand that micro-foams the milk, making it great for latte art and a delicious addition to any milk-based drink.

The auto-purge function of the Infuser lowers the temperature of the water after steaming to make sure that you can brew your coffee with the right brew water temperature. The Infuser lets you control the volume of your coffee, which is great for customizing your coffee drinks. This machine comes with a stainless steel milk container that you can use when you need to froth milk, a portafilter, and filter baskets.

Key features:

  • Single and double espresso shots
  • 15-bar pressure pump
  • Steam wand
  • Pre-infusion
  • Auto purge
  • Uses a portafilter
  • Comes with a stainless steel milk container
  • Comes with pressurized and unpressurized filter baskets

Pros

Lets you program the coffee volume

Makes milk-based coffee drinks and espresso

Makes latte art possible with the frother that creates micro-foam

Cons

It will take you some time to learn how to customize your coffee drinks

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#8 EspressoWorks 7 Pc Espresso Machine

Editor’s rating: 4 Star Editor's Rating

EspressoWorks 7 Pc All-In-One Espresso Machine & Cappuccino Maker Barista Bundle Set w/Built-In Steamer & Frother (Inc: Coffee Bean Grinder, Milk Frothing Cup, Spoon/Tamper & 2 Cups), Stainless Steel The EspressoWorks 7 Pc All-In-One is an espresso machine and a cappuccino maker that uses a 15-bar pressure pump to prepare tasty single and double espresso shots. If you like milk-based coffee drinks, you might like this machine because it has a steam wand to steam your milk with. Furthermore, you’ll also get a milk container made of stainless steel to froth the milk in it.

A very nice thing about this espresso machine is that it comes with a separate coffee grinder. Therefore, all that’s expected from you is to grind the coffee beans, insert one of the filter baskets into the portafiler that comes with the machine, lock the portafilter into the machine, and let the All-In-One prepare you an espresso. This machine heats up quickly after being turned on and it is very easy to use.

Key features:

  • Single and double espresso shots
  • 15-bar pressure pump
  • Steam wand
  • Comes with a portafilter
  • Comes with two filter baskets
  • You get a coffee grinder with the machine
  • Comes with a milk container

Pros

Heats up fast

Easy to use

You don’t have to buy a separate grinder since the machine comes with one

Cons

Doesn’t have programmable options

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#9 Nespresso Lattissima Touch Original Espresso Machine

Editor’s rating: 4 Star Editor's Rating

Nespresso by De'Longhi EN560B Lattissima Touch Original Espresso Machine with Milk Frother by De'Longhi, Washed Black The Nespresso EN550B Lattissima Touch Original espresso machine by De’Longhi is a single-serve machine that makes coffee drinks at the touch of a button. This machine can make you espresso, ristretto, and lungo, two milk-based drinks (cappuccino and latte macchiato), and hot milk. The machine uses a 19-bar pressure pump to make quality espresso and an automatic milk carafe for frothing milk.

To heat up the brewing water to the right temperature, the Lattissima Touch Original uses a thermoblock heating system. The machine, furthermore, has a programmable shut-down time and it won’t make your electricity bills go through the roof.

Key features:

  • Single-serve espresso machine
  • Six coffee drinks at the touch of a button
  • 19-bar pressure pump
  • Automatic milk carafe
  • Thermoblock heating system
  • Programmable shut-down time

Pros

Coffee drinks with a nice taste

Easy to use

You don’t have to move the cup when making milk-based drinks

Cons

Uses Nespresso Original capsules only

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#10 Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine

Editor’s rating: 4 Star Editor's Rating

Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine in Black. Pannarello Wand Frothing for Latte and Cappuccino Drinks. Espresso from Pre-Ground or Whole Bean Coffee. The Gaggia Brera is a super-automatic espresso machine, which is great for everyone who likes the espresso machine to take over when it’s time for making coffee. The Brera works with both coffee beans and ground coffee and makes both coffee-based and milk-based drinks. This machine has an integrated multi-level grinder and a Panarello steam wand, and these two features allow the Brera to make you very tasty coffee drinks.

This espresso machine is very easy to use since it has an easy-to-understand LED display and four push control buttons that are intuitive. On the Brera, you can program the volume and strength of the coffee and customize the drinks to your preference. Once turned on, the machine doesn’t take too long to heat up, and you won’t, therefore, have to wait for long until your coffee is prepared.

Key features:

  • Panarello steam wand
  • Multi-level grinder
  • Bean hopper
  • Bypass doser
  • LED display
  • Four control buttons

Pros

Heats up quickly

Programmable coffee drinks

Works with coffee beans and ground coffee

Cons

Some find the Panarello steam wand to be a bit delicate

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FAQ

What is an espresso machine?

Espresso machines are machines that force very hot water through ground coffee to prepare espresso. The water that is forced through the coffee is under pressure and this improves the espresso extraction; this is how you get an espresso that’s thick, creamy, and rich.

What kind of espresso machines are there?

Espresso machines can be pump-driven, air-pump-driven, piston-driven, and steam-driven.

Do I need to use a filter with my espresso machine?

Yes, you do. The filter will make sure that that water with which the machine prepares the coffee drinks is free from any chemicals that can alter the taste of your coffee. Furthermore, the filter will reduce the need for your machine to be descaled.

Things to consider when buying an espresso machine

Durability – Of course, you want the espresso machine that you’re about to buy to be durable so that it can last long. In general, machines that are mostly made of plastic are less durable than those that are mostly made of stainless steel. When looking for an espresso machine, keep in mind that it is better if at least its front panel is made of stainless steel.

Milk frother – If you like drinking milk-based coffee drinks, you should get yourself an espresso machine that can make them. Therefore, a machine with an integrated milk frother or a frother that comes in a bundle with the machine is always a nice choice. Furthermore, the more foam options the frother has, the better.

Pressure pump – The pressure with which the water is pushed through the espresso plays a big role in the quality of the drink. If you want your espresso machine to make you a thick and creamy espresso, you should buy a machine that has a pressure pump of 9 bars or more. Otherwise, you won’t get a good espresso.

Programmability – Having the option to customize your coffee drinks is always great, and you should be looking for an espresso machine that has programmable options. Programmable coffee strength and volume are a good place to start, and good espresso machines will probably allow you to program these things.

Ease of use – Pick an espresso machine that is easy to use and clean. Machines that have only a few buttons usually tend to be easier to use. It also helps if the buttons on the espresso machine are intuitive so that you know what the button does by simply looking at it. Furthermore, it is good to buy an espresso machine with a removable drip tray, coffee ground or capsule container, and an accessible water filter. And last, but not least, it will be useful to you if you buy a machine that will alert you when it needs to be cleaned.

Conclusion

Each of the machines on our list of 10 best espresso machines under $500 has great features and is worth checking out. Of course, which espresso machine will be the one to take your breath away is based entirely on the features you want your machine to offer. However, we also recommend that you base your decision on buying a certain machine on the things we thought you should consider when buying an espresso machine.

Our top pick from these 10 espresso machines is the Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro espresso machine. We think that this espresso machine makes great beverages, is very durable, and is very easy to use. However, there are nine more great espresso machines on the list above, and you should pick the machine that you think best meets your needs. Therefore, choose wisely and we wish you to soon start enjoying in the espresso made by your favorite espresso machine.

4 thoughts on “Best Espresso Machine Under $500”

  1. I still can’t decide what the best espresso machine under 500 for me is, but this was a very helpful article. My husband and I thank you very much.

    Reply
  2. Matt, I myself am from the UK, and I don’t know much about espresso machines. But that’s a good question you asked. Can @morningcallcoffeestand give me an answer about the same thing, but for me as someone who comes from the UK? 😀

    Reply

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