Cafe Quality Espresso Machine At Home

[beardedblunder]

I'm looking of a quality espresso machine to use at home that is high quality. I was hoping to spend $300-$500. Is there anything out there that is far above the rest?

 

[itsabean]

beardedblunder, as a fellow newbie to the espresso world, I have come to recognize that a top quality machine and a $300-$500 price range are incompatible parameters. That's because high quality home machines are more in the price range approaching and easily exceeding
$2,000! These are usually machines from Italy, the home of espresso. The higher price tag range must also include budget for a good burr grinder, which alone can cost $500 without much difficulty.
Having said that, I can add that your price range is certainly understandable, especially for us new-to-espresso folks. I recently purchased a semi-auto machine in your price range. Mine is a Breville "Barista Express," model BES870XL. It's got a burr grinder built in, so the need for that added expense is eliminated. Learning about beans and how to use the machine for maximum good shots is a learning experience. no matter which machine one has on hand.
I hope this is of some help.

 

[itsabean]

beardedblunder--Here's a P.S. about the purchase of a grinder. Take a look at the "Coffee Grinder Recommendations" thread where I noticed experienced members suggesting grinders in the $100--$200 price range as being good ones.

 

[Mhippo]

Not even close to Cafe quality, but I found on WholeLatteLove a refurbished Gaggia Baby Twin for $199, which is reasonably high quality, and will leave you enough money for a grinder. The advantage of the Baby Twin is that it has a thermoblock for the steam which is completely separate from the boiler, so you can pull the shot while you steam the milk. I used to have the Gaggia Evo, and while I'm much happier with my current machine (Ascaso Steel Uno) the price is out of your budget...

 

[Mhippo]

Sorry for the double post, but I just saw on WLL that they have a clearance sale on Gaggia machines, and a new Baby Twin is 399 instead of 599, so might be worth buying it new.

 

[ChefDavid]

@Mhippo what is WLL, please?

 

[peterjschmidt]

WholeLatteLove.com

 

[Mhippo]

Follow the link in my post, it'll take you right to the page.