Espresso is one of those things that every coffee lover can at least admit is wonderful. While espresso has a strong taste and makes a great base for other coffee-based drinks. Preparation requires some specialized equipment, unlike regular drip coffee, which can be literally made with a fire and a pot.
As experts, we can completely confirm that the biggest drawback of the espresso is the extra added cost that comes from a quality espresso machine. Also, of course, you can find super cheap machines that won’t prepare this drink properly and you might end up with a weird quality strong coffee.
This is why we prepared this guide to bring some of the best Budget espresso machines that come under 500 bucks. Don’t worry, they will be a great investment and will provide an amazing cup of Joe for a long span. Gone are the days were your best espresso machine for home only comes by spending over a thousand bucks.
At A Glance on the BestSellers
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
| Breville Bambino Espresso Machine BES450BSS,... | $299.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
| Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine... | $749.95 $696.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
| Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine... | $999.95 | Buy on Amazon |
Best Espresso Machines Under 500
1. Breville BES840XL Infuser
- Pre-infusion function applies low water pressure at the...
- 1600w thermocoil heating system with integrated stainless...
- Auto purge function automatically adjusts water temperature...
- Accessories: single & dual wall filter baskets, coffee...
Breville brings us this amazing espresso machine for under $500. The BES840XL exceeds a little of our budget, but during sales or sometimes with some other color options (from the 3 available: Black, Raspberry, and Silver Steel), you can find great cuts in price.
Breville’s coffee maker is the most expensive pick in our guide, topping the budget. However, this is one of the best espresso machines under $500 and has most of the functions a quality espresso machine needs to have. So we believe the price is well worth it and if you can spare some extra bucks above 500, go for this.
The Italian brand is famous and very respectable, they offer good customer service and care about quality, so we have no issues recommending them. We even have done a complete review of Infuser, if you want to look at it.
Here are some of the features:
- Temperature control
- High dosage for a full flavor
- Steam wand for perfect cappuccinos
- Intuitive controls but also precise extraction is available
2. Breville Duo Temp Pro
- Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide...
- AUTO PURGE: The Duo-Temp Pro Espresso Machine automatically...
- The Breville Duo Temp Pro lets you create third wave...
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Low pressure pre-infusion helps...
Another Breville option but this one is slightly cheaper than the Infuser. But don’t worry, this model doesn’t disappoint in any case, and for the price tag around $450, it is a great choice. It comes only in stainless steel and also includes the steam wand for cappuccinos and most of the features from the previous option. The size is only a little bit smaller and has a little less capacity for water storage and output. Few of the control options for the extraction are more limited, but you have the basic or all the essentials required.
However, this little Breville machine is still of the highest quality and will surely not disappoint. The one main difference between Infuser and Duo-Temp is about Hot water spout, the Infuser has one dedicated whereas, the Duo-Temp outputs the hot water from the steam wand, which is a little slower. Here is a complete review on Duo-temp, if it interests you.
- Precise extraction
- High dosage for a full flavor
- Steam wand for perfect cappuccinos
- Intuitive and simple controls
3. Calphalon Temp IQ With Steam Wand – Best Budget Espresso Machine
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or...
- 15-Bar Italian pump delivers the right amount of pressure...
- Dial interface for selecting steam, hot water, and...
- 58mm café-sized porta filter holds more grounds and ensures...
This little Calphalon coffee machine is slowly becoming one of the customer favorites for its price range and quality. For the price, you will get a premium machine that can compete with the best brands out there and still be one of the best options for your investment.
The controls are intuitive and extremely simple, with a single dial for settings and a button to turn on the machine. Simply one of the most elegant options out there. With Thermoblock heating technology and a precise temperature controller, an included pre-infusion feature, the extraction is flawless and makes an excellent shot of espresso, every time.
Here are some of the key features:
- Thermoblock heating technology with PID temperature control
- Pre-infusion system
- Steam wand for cappuccinos
- Simple and easy-to-learn controls
- Sturd built-up
4. Nespresso by De’Longhi EN560S Lattissima Touch
- Item Package Dimension: 15.4L x 12.2W x 10.9H inches
- Item Package Weight - 12 Pounds
- Item Package Quantity - 1
- Product Type - COFFEE MAKER
This gorgeous machine by DeLonghi uses the famous Nespresso pod system to bring amazing espresso shots without any hassle. For a price around $300 on sale (which is almost always), is it an excellent choice when looking for an espresso maker. It also includes the milk reservoir on the side to automatically foam and serves the milk inside the cup. Nespresso is one of the kings of convenience and if you value this aspect, then this could be a perfect choice.
This particular model is extremely classy, with some white creamy touches on top of a brushed aluminum finish. In the end, you cannot go wrong with Nespresso and DeLonghi, making this a great contender for that sub $300 mark. And if you are worried about the recurring costs of Nespresso pods, you can save much by using some other brand compatible capsules or reusable ones.
- Nespresso pod system
- Automatic milk frother
- Easy to use and convenient
- Easy to clean
You might like: Best Places to Buy Nespresso Pods
5. Nespresso by Delonghi Vertuo Evoluo
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or...
- Create exceptional freshly brewed Coffee or authentic...
- Vertuo Evoluo coffee makers use a patented extraction...
- Based on the barcode on the rim of the capsule, the brewing...
The new Nespresso pod system “Vertuo” brings more quantity without sacrificing quality, increasing the size of the pod to bring a double shot espresso. The Evoluo by DeLonghi is a great option when it comes to Vertuo options.
Now the drawback of this Nespresso machine is the lack of a frother, so if you like cappuccinos, you will need the Aeroccino. The machine has the spot built-in so there is no problem in that regard.
One major advantage, however, is the amazing price, which turns this machine into one of the best bang-for-the-buck on this list. You can also buy it in a package, which includes the Aeroccino, for that amazing milk frothing ability, and also some coffee pods.
The new Vertuo system stays classy while bringing amazing double espressos or even Altos, which are up to 10 times the size of regular espresso shots.
- Nespresso Vertuo pod system
- Versatile sizes of espresso
- Convenient
- Easy as it gets to clean
6. Gaggia Classic Pro
- Solid Steel Housing, Made in Italy
- 9 Bar Espresso Extractions
- Stainless Steel 58mm Commercial Portafilter
- Commercial Three Way Solenoid Valve
The Classic Pro from Gaggia is one of the “expensive” options within our list of espresso machines under $500. However, it doesn’t leave too much room in the budget. Still, this machine will be a lot more than your regular brewer.
The steam wand included will also allow you to froth without issues and with a professional touch. The brushed stainless steel finish is classy and it really turns this machine into a shower. We would say this machine is great for home but it can be a bit overkill for some, it could be even enough for small cafes. The controls are easy to use and fairly straightforward, while the rest of this machine is just made to last and to manage huge workloads.
- Commercial level
- ESE pods or ground coffee system
- Dual mouth for two cups at a time
- Steam wand
7. Breville BES500BSS
- Item Package Dimension: 17.64L x 16.99W x 10.24H inches
- Item Package Weight - 15.74 Pounds
- Item Package Quantity - 1
- Product Type - COFFEE MAKER
Coming back to Breville, the BES500BSS is something of a middle point between the two we already reviewed. This one comes a little below $500, leaving some room for our budget, and also has one of the best sizes in the whole guide, making it compact and comfortable to use. It also includes the steam wand that most of us love, which is to be expected at this price point.
This machine includes the same features as its cousins, like the improved dosage for perfect flavor, temperature control with PID, and the pre-infusion system.
The steam wand on this Bambino Plus is actually a hands-free system so you only have to put your carafe under the wand and let it work.
This little machine is convenient and easy to use, featuring simple controls that literally will take seconds to learn, and of course, it’s easy to clean.
- Hands-free milk frothing
- Temperature control
- High dosage for a full flavor
- Extremely simple controls
8. Delonghi Dedica Deluxe
- Design: Less than 6-inch in width, super-slim design, fully...
- Use: Brews a variety of of espresso-based drinks
- Practical: Heats in 40 seconds and keeps perfect temperature
- Customizable: Adjustable coffee length, foam and steam...
DeLonghi is another great brand that makes coffee machines, as we’ve seen with their Nespresso variations. This one is a really nice machine, hitting the middle ground of our budget. It comes in 3 colors: black, silver and white.
This machine is just comfortable, it’s convenient and easy to clean, with only a 40-second heat-up time and the frother works like a charm.
The design is one of our favorites since it helps with space management and it really fits almost anywhere, considering how powerful this machine is.
Using the Thermoblock technology we know how fast this machine can work and it honestly just works and is a great option for the price.
- High-quality milk frother
- Easy to use and clean
- Simple controls
- Great heat-up time
9. EspressoWorks 7
- Enjoy Espresso, Cappuccino, and Latte At Home: The...
- Ready To Use in 45 Seconds: Thanks to the efficient...
- Deluxe Coffee Gifts for Coffee Lovers: Delight the coffee...
- Bundled 7-Piece Set: Cappuccino machine also includes a 120V...
The EspressoWorks machine is really impressive since it includes a lot of different accessories. Though it costs a lot less than $500 leaving a lot of room in our budget, what really is great about this machine is that it includes a coffee bean grinder, a milk frothing cup (for the steam wand attached to the machine), and even 2 cups.
We can honestly say that for the price if you want to get into grinding your own coffee and making espresso from that, this is one of the best choices out there. You won’t break the bank and you will have everything you need to start making amazing espressos and espresso-based drinks.
It’s easy to clean and the controls are simple, with Thermoblock technology, which allows it to be ready to use in only 45 seconds. This machine includes everything and is really a great “bang for your buck”.
- Accessories, like a coffee grinder and cups.
- Steam wand and frother cup included
- Easy to clean and easy to use
- Great price
EspressoWorks 7 is one of the cheapest and best espresso machines under a 200 budget. If that’s the price point you are looking for, pick this one and you will never regret your choice.
10. Gaggia Brera – Best Cheap Espresso Machine
- Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide...
The Gaggia Brera is a wonderful budget super-automatic espresso machine that will cost fairly below $500 (In case you are more inclined towards buying an automatic, we have a separate article on the best super-automatic espresso machines). It offers a great design and high quality in all aspects. It has a ceramic grinder included, so if you are into brewing from whole beans, this is for you. As we expect, it includes a steam wand for that amazing microfoam and it can be loaded from the front, allowing us to put it against a wall without having to move it.
The controls are simple and intuitive, while the screen tells you everything you need to know with easy-to-understand icons.
This machine can be used in small cafes because of its great capacity and it really is amazing for those that drink a lot of coffee, but it could be overkill for drinking 1 cup a day.
- Steam Wand
- Ceramic grinder in the machine
- Front-loaded
- Easy to use and clean
Here is a complete review of Gaggia Brera, if in case you are interested.
Things to Consider while buying an Espresso Machine Under $500
Now that we’ve seen the best espresso machines for under $500, we will go through the process of buying one, or rather, choosing which one is the best for us. This way you will be completely sure of your purchase and won’t make any mistakes. To achieve this, we will go through several categories that you must consider before buying an espresso machine, explaining each one.
Size
The size is rather important when choosing a machine. You shouldn’t buy something too big that you have no room for, and you shouldn’t buy something too small for, let’s say, commercial use. The space you have available for your machine will limit your choices and you should take this into account as soon as possible. Some machines are rather large and can be too annoying to place in a small kitchen or counter, especially when the machine will only make 1 cup of coffee a day when it’s designed to make 200. The size and capacity of the machine should not be overlooked, don’t overspend on a machine that you just won’t use.
Materials Used
The materials from which the machine was built are important since high-quality materials will look better and last longer. Also, another point that most don’t think about, is how clean the materials are. Sure the brushed steel looks amazing but it will need constant cleaning to keep that sharp look.
Of course, durability is the most important aspect of this category, since stainless steel will be way more resilient to pretty much everything than, for example, plastic. Let’s say you accidentally hit your machine with something and it cracks. Sure it may not ruin it, but it’s not as good as plain strong materials.
Ease of Cleaning
This is just a quality of life aspect that we cannot ignore. Cleaning a machine can either be a godsend or a dealbreaker, it really depends on how much time we can spend on this and how willing we are to do it. Some professional machines require a lot of cleaning and maintenance, but why get into this if we can meet our needs with a simple pod coffee maker like Nespresso. Usually, automatic machines will just be easier to clean and overall will require less attention but have less control over the customization of the coffee. To make it simple, choose the machine that meets your needs, not only the coffee ones but also the maintenance ones.
Machine Features
This is quite obvious, but the features that some machines offer can be just way too good and may be worth the extra cost. However, this can also be bad in some other way, since usually, the more features you get, the more expensive it is.
Our recommendation is simple: don’t pay for features you are not gonna use, because most likely a cheaper machine will do exactly what you need. But also make sure that you are buying something that offers enough, especially for the price. You may find a machine that costs the same but has more features included. Just keep an eye out for this one.
Ease of Use
Simplicity and convenience are quite important nowadays. Most people are always in a hurry and don’t want to go through a lot to get their morning coffee, while others just wanna have control over every single step of the process (this is related to the next category as well).
So choose wisely, if you want coffee fast and easy, choose something with simple controls and easy to use. If you want to go “full barista” and control every aspect of the way, ease of use may not be as important. It really depends on what you want.
Automatic vs Semi-Automatic
This goes hand to hand with ease of use, because automatic machines feature the most hand-off experience, making everything easy for the user. While semi-automatic will allow you to control some factors that otherwise would be automated. This is again something that depends on the person, so make sure to choose what you want and what you need.
In the End
Buying a good machine makes all the difference when it comes to espresso, therefore we can recommend all these, and thousands of customers can do as well. Choose wisely, exactly what you want and what you need.
Don’t overspend on something you don’t need but also don’t cheap out on features you want. This guide led you through the process of purchasing the best espresso machine for under $500, and we hope you enjoyed it as much as you will enjoy your new machine.
FAQs
Is spending $500 on an espresso machine too much?
Not at all, if you like good coffee, you will need a good machine, and $500 is not exaggerated, but as you will see in our guide, you will also find some fine choices below that price point.
What’s the best espresso machine for under 500?
The best espresso machine will be the one that fits your needs as a glove fits in your hand, and it all depends on the buyer’s preferences. Our favorite pick is the Calphalon Temp IQ.