Have you decided to buy an espresso machine for yourself? But, confused to choose the best one?
No worry, we are here to help you.
It is reasonable if you do not need to expense all your money over it. Though you will be giving yourself a good favor if you increase your budget to have the best espresso machine under 500. At this figure the superiority of the machine rises abruptly, you will get to buy something that worth the money. Even though the truly low-priced machines are often assembled by using synthetic material, which hardly makes a perfect espresso drink for you. A higher-end budget can give you the best espresso drink if the taste is your thing.
There are countless selections in the market. That is why we have explored some of the best ones for you and created a list for ease of you all.
Read on for our full reviews and buyers’ guide that will help you find the best one for your kitchen.
The Top 5 Best Espresso Machines Under $500
We have reviewed the top 5 espresso machine which is under $500. Hope this will help you to choose one from them as per your needs.
1. Breville BES840XL the Infuser Espresso Machine
Breville BES840XL Espresso Machine is the innovative version of Breville in places of the 830. And this time, Breville made sure that the boiler would perfectly control and maintain the temperature of the water. For that purpose, a sixteen hundred watt thermo-coil heating system is being used to make sure that your espresso coffee served piping hot, just as you like it!
One thing we found a bit problematic is the cost to repair if the machine breaks after its warranty ends, Breville charges a big amount to repair the machine which is quite costly.
Why Choose Breville BES840XL?
While using the Breville BES840XL Espresso Machine, you can make both single and double shots according to the occasion. Moreover, this espresso machine comes with an extra-tall cup clearance to brew your coffee directly into your travel mugs, saving your time and effort.
Another most important feature of this Espresso Machine is the detachable water tank, which has a large holding capacity of 61 ounces of water at a time, and there is a steadfast hot water faucet.
Pros
- Pre-infusion utility to smoothly extract your coffee
- Can produce single shots and double
- Power saving feature activates automatically after one hour
- Auto shut-off after three hours
- All types of cup sizes can be used
- It comes with Micro-foam milk texturing milk warmer
Cons
- It is costly to repair
- The price is a little bit higher than your budget
2. Breville Nespresso Creatista with Auto Steam Wand
The Nespresso Creatista Plus comes with a shiny stainless-steel body and has a range of classic colors such as black and silver. Nespresso has collaborated with Breville to develop the best design an espresso machine could have. The Breville Nespresso Creatista is a well-constructed and has the high quality you would expect in all the Breville machines.
This single serve espresso machine is manageable and easy to use, the machine functions using ‘’the first generation’’ Nespresso-style coffee pods but there is no option of using fresh coffee grinds.
Moreover, these pods are widely and easily available in the market through third-party makers; as well it gets you the chance to find the brew that is right for you, according to your preference. The integrated settings permit you to use up to three sorts of espresso sizes: ristretto, espresso, and lungo.
Why Choose Breville Nespresso Creatista?
The screen of this machine is very user-friendly and easy to read. The set-up allows for the user to easily make a varied range of common coffee joys from Espresso, cappuccino, flat whites, latte, and macchiato you will feel as if the barista is really into your home.
The heating system of the machine works so quickly with its features of customized temperature settings. Its water reservoir is an extraordinary capacity of 1.5 liters. With all of that, you will also get a feature that the machine will robotically power off 10 minutes after the use, just to save energy.
Saving your pockets!
Pros
- Its milk technology provides user power and precision
- You can create latte art
- Quick start-up in less than 3 seconds
- Self-cleaning
- Features an amazing frothing wand which can froth milk automatically
- Easy and convenient Nespresso pods
Cons
- Lacks the options for the fresh grind of coffee beans
- Espresso tray is a little light
- The average coffee drinker may not need and use the additional features
3. EspressoWorks All-In-One Espresso & Cappuccino Machine
EspressoWorks offers another in-budget espresso machine option with an appliance that comes with several accessories along with it, and an in-built milk frother. Well, it is prepared to use just in only 45 seconds and has a 15-bar pressure pump. The integrated water tank is easily detachable and lets the user easily see how much water is remaining in the tank.
This machine is too watery, bland, runny, and weak to be called as best espresso. The machine also leaks the liquid and appears to shove the water over the coffee grounds too fast. Because there are so many modifiable settings, it becomes so difficult to find out what works best for you, if you are a beginner it will be even more difficult.
Why Choose EspressoWorks?
Its quick heating system is very helpful. You can get your coffee within 45-50 seconds, as it is ready to use in 45 seconds. It comes with a 15-bar pump system, this pressure helps you to grab the type of coffee you want. For your single or double shots of coffee, two portafilter baskets of stainless steel have added in its features.
Pros
- Ready to use in 45 seconds
- Easy-view removable water tank
- 15-bar pressure pump
Cons
- Watery, runny and weak espresso
- Problematic to use
- Uncertain durability
4. Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine
If you are finding a fully automated espresso appliance to curb your coffee cravings, then Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine is the best selection for you. The grinds of Gaggia Brera can crush the whole beans of coffee using its built-in ceramic burr mill, so you need to put coffee beans and water to the machine and wait till it brews your coffee.
First, it requires high looking after. It needs to be cleaned often; moreover, you will find yourself topping up the water tank every day. This machine comes with the quick heating system as well, which helps you to get your coffee in no time. It can leak out on the countertop, which can be frustrating to clean up. As you all know, coffee leaves its stain on if not cleaned on time properly. Also, it only has one boiler, so you are unable to steam milk and pull a shot of espresso simultaneously.
Why Choose Gaggia Brera?
The brewing is also completely automated, which lets you select two different sizes of the cups as well to pour your coffee in. The function of pre-extraction provides your coffee with an opportunity to make a sweeter espresso shot. Not only this, but the Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine unit also contains a foaming rod that can become a hot water vending machine, and it has steam if you need it. One more thing to appreciate is the removable water tank and drag box.
Pros
- You can use coffee whole beans or already milled coffee
- Automatic brewing
- Pre-infusion function
- Both water tank and drag box are removable
- Steam according to your needs
- Modifiable cup sizes
Cons
- Leakages and outflows
- Single boiler thus cannot multitask
- Water reservoir empties early
- High looking after is required
5. Flair Signature Espresso Maker
If you want to learn the skill of making espresso by hand, then this is a great asset. It is 100% human-controlled, so it takes more minutes rather than a few seconds to get your coffee ready. The manufacturers claim that you get a 6 to 10-Bar pressure pushing that large lever down. It is only of the dimension of 300 x 150 x 250mm when completely brought together, and has a water reservoir of 60ml capacity. Although, it is lightweight but not fragile.
It has advised making sure that your coffee is flawlessly, and freshly ground before you use it so that you get the best and easiest results with your espresso. This simple, elegant looking machine can even break down into an attractive carrying case, so you can take it with you on your travels to anywhere!
Why Choose Flair Signature?
This hand operates a manual espresso machine that allows you to get the cafe-quality coffee you want at your home. You can get the perfect range of pressure you need for your coffee. The best of its features is its portability. You don’t have to wait to get back home, to use your manual cafe-quality espresso machine, you can have it anywhere.
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Portable
- It has its sweet carrying case
- It comes with a 5-year warranty on the aluminium press stand and stainless-steel brewing head
- Minimalist design
- Capacity to place extra brewing heads for more than one cup
Cons
- You have to take lots of small parts for a portable coffee maker
- Takes longer to make your espresso
- Cleaning up all the parts after each use
Our Top Pick
Breville BES840XL Espresso Machine
The thing we particularly liked about the Breville BES840XL Espresso Machine is it’s exceptional features and is it’s the pre-infusion function, which automatically pre-wets or dampen the coffee grounds to allow full extraction and proper utilization of such. This machine is also equipped with power-saving modes that put it to sleep after one hour and auto shut-off after three hours. There is an included steam milk frother capable of making creamy micro-foam.
Choose the Best Espresso Machine Under 500 [Buying Guide]
When you are planning to shop for ‘’the best espresso appliance’’, and the budget is not a constraint, there are not many points to keep in mind. We have added a buyers’ guide in our review list to help you.
Bars of Pressure:
To call a coffee an espresso, it is necessary that the water is being pressed over the coffee grounds at least at 9-bars of compression. The greater the force, the quicker you will get an espresso shot. A lot of the machines on our review list of machines have 15 bars of pressure to offer at minimum, so it is assured that you can get the espresso in just no time.
Matter Used:
As the particular pressure required, to make espresso, your machine must have made up of some strong materials. Meaning that it must be through stainless steel. Alternatively, if any machine has some plastic-made components or parts, these must only be the secondary parts such as water tanks, etc. primary parts like pressure pumps, the heating coil must be made up of metal only to consider it best in quality.
Great Heating Abilities:
Espressos are meant to be served hot. You must look for a machine that can quickly heat the water and preserve it hot as it goes through the pressed ground coffee. Be assured the warming fundamentals are of excellent materials and will not be easy to breakdown over time.
Semi-automated vs Automated:
If you want your machine to be programmable because of short time so that it can aid you when you are in a hurry, then you should opt for a fully automatic espresso machine. You just have to add water and coffee grounds and leave rest to your mighty machine.
However, if you love to make your coffee unassisted then you must opt for a manual or even semi automatic espresso machine. It will allow you to have full control over the coffee grounds, pressure you put on them, adjust the brew setting. You can control it by yourself.
Flexible Cup Sizes:
Almost all the units mentioned in our buyers’ guide consist of the capability to provide adjustments to the diverse cup sizes, for example, if you are going to make cappuccinos or lattes, you will require a larger cup for the milk. On the contrary, if you are a fan of single-serve hot shots or double hot shots of milk-less espresso, it does not matter.
Integrated Milk Frother:
Most espresso units have an in-built milk frother to convert your espresso machine into a cappuccino or latte machine. If you like cappuccinos and lattes, you must focus on this one.
The Dimension of Machine:
If you have less space in your kitchen then you must look for a machine that fits into that space. Size must be a key point in that situation. Most of the units on our list are more portable, easily adjustable and easy to use. If you get yourself a smaller sized machine the only con would be its water tank if your family is bigger.
Extra Features:
Many of the machines on our list include extra features including a hot water nozzle, several different fittings, or a pre-infusion function to give you a perfect blend of coffee. If you are choosing an expense that is at $500 then you must ask for a model that has a lot to offer.
The Comfort of Cleaning:
The espresso machine will be a unit that you will use every day, so you should get the one that provides you with the comfort of cleaning. Additional traits including front-loading water tanks or detachable portions make cleaning easy for the users.
The Comfort of Usage:
Some units can be complex to use, particularly if you are unaware of tamping the ground coffee in a portafilter. Other machines offer a fully programmed experience, which is comfortable to use just by pushing a button.
Last Opinion
In conclusion, we expect that our analyses on ‘’The Best Espresso Machines Under $500’’ and buyers’ guide have let you find down your list of possibilities, and most vitally, we foretell that it helped you pick up the best that suits your need and the capacity.
The espresso machine you decide to buy will always get influenced by your preferences and situation. Though your budget you have specified for it is important as well. Therefore, to make clear that, you strike a perfect balance between functionality and cost, buying the best espresso machine will be a wise idea.
Finding the perfect model should also be easy as you only need to watch out for things like the grinder type and settings, water heater and ease of use.
Furthermore, our detailed reviews will save you a lot of time by giving you some top-quality recommendations.
A. I. Moon
A.I. Moon, an experienced SEO Pythonista, spends his days coding and developing web applications to help business owners. A passionate coffee enthusiast, he believes that drinking coffee fuels his creativity and productivity. His day isn't complete without the rich aroma and invigorating warmth of a perfectly brewed cup. This love for coffee inspired him to found EspressoRivo, a platform dedicated to sharing his coffee knowledge and fostering a community of passionate aficionados.
