Trying to find the best espresso machine under 500? Here’s the good news. With a budget of $500, you can find some really advanced features not found in entry-level espresso makers under $200. These features enable the espresso makers at this price level to produce high quality coffee drinks.
With more features, things get complicated though. There are so many models and so many different features. It is quite a task comparing them.
I think the most important question is what sort of espresso machine are you looking for. The espresso machines in this price range are mainly classified into 2 groups, semi-automatic or super automatic machine. Knowing which one you want will narrow your search and make your comparison much easier.
But which one should you choose to buy? 500 dollars is big investment. You will want your machine to be reliable and deliver its goods. The safest bet is to stick to a well known brand.
Here, we have shortlisted 3 espresso machines made by well-known companies with a strong reputation in making espresso machines.
Whether you are new to espresso-making at home or have some experience and looking to upgrade to a better affordable espresso maker, at least one of the 3 best espresso machine under 500 dollars will be suitable for you.
Without further ado, here are the top 3 best espresso machine under 500 dollars.
Best Espresso Machine Under 500
#1 Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine
Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine
Gaggia Brera is a espresso machine made in Italy by the well known Italian espresso machine manufacturer, Gaggia. This is a fully automatic espresso machine. This means that you can produce your espresso from coffee beans with a touch of the button.
This is a machine for those who wants to avoid the work involved in making espresso from measuring amount of coffee beans to use, pouring the coffee grinds into the portafilter, tamping the coffee grinds to fixing the portafilter into a brew group.
This espresso machine will do all that for you. An in-built grinder will automatically grind the amount needed and pass the coffee grinds to the brew group for tamping and brewing.
Hence, you don’t have to clean the mess from coffee grinds spilling over the counter, which is typical when using a semi-automatic espresso maker.
In fact, cleaning this machine is easy with the water tank, coffee grounds container, brew group detachable and accessible from the front.
This machine also makes regular maintenance easy with its automatic rinsing and descaling programs.
However, you still have some Barista flair in you and want to make bubbles in the skimmed milk for your cappuccino or latte?
With this espresso maker, you have the manual steam wand which you can use to froth the milk for your cappuccino or latte.
Who is this for? : If you want convenience in making espresso, cleaning and maintenance of the machine and at the same time have some fun playing the Barista, this superautomatic machine is the right machine for you.
#2 De’Longhi Nespresso Lattissima Pro Machine
DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima Pro Espresso Machine
This machine is made by another Italian company, Delonghi. Delonghi is a long-time brand well known for the design of its products and sells a range of domestic appliances, including espresso machines.
The De’Longhi Nespresso Lattissima Pro Machine is yet another super automatic espresso machine which can make espresso automatically.
And that’s not all. It can make cappuccino and latte automatically with the patented De’Longhi automatic cappuccino latte crema system.
For those who do not like the noise from the grinder, you will like this machine as it uses the Nespresso capsules instead of coffee beans. Now, you don’t have to worry about finding a good sealing container to store your coffee beans supply.
Compared to the Gaggia Brera, this machine has a slightly larger water tank of 44 ounces ( or 1.3 litres ).
Like the Gaggia Brera, this machine is easy to clean with removable water tank, drip tray, used coffee grounds container. It also have automatic rinsing and descaling programs.
However, the negative point is that the water tank is located at the back of the machine. Thus, it is not suitable to be placed under the cabinet.
Who is this for? : If you want to make your cappuccinos and lattes automatically and also have the convenience of cleaning and maintenance of the machine, this superautomatic machine is the right machine for you.
#3 Breville BES840XL the Infuser Espresso Machine
Breville BES840XL the Infuser Espresso Machine
This machine is made by the Australian company, Breville which is also a well known brand for many small home applicances, including espresso machines.
Different from the above 2 models, this is a semi-automatic espresso machine. It allows you to experience the joy of being your own Barista from grinding your coffee beans, pouring the ground coffee into the portafilter, tamping to fixing the portafilter to the brew group and even steaming the skimmed milk for your cappuccino or latte.
The key feature of this machine is its built-in PID temperature control. Coupled with its 1600 watts thermocoil heating system, this machine can ensure that the water temperature is kept consistent at the optimal espresso extraction temperature.
In addition, it also has a pre-infusion process to maximize coffee flavour extraction for a high quality tasty espresso.
This machine has a very large water tank of 61 ounces ( 1.8 litres ). This surely will make you more cups of coffee per refill.
Cleaning this machine is also easy. This machine has a dry puck feature to drain excess water from the coffee puck. Thus you can easily knock the puck out of the portafilter. The drip tank and water tank are also removable for cleaning. Cleaning the exterior of the machine is also easy with its clean lines design.
For those who are concerned with BPA, all parts in contact with water and coffee are BPA free.
One negative point is that this machine does not come with a built-in grinder. However, with an extra 100 dollars, you can have a built-in grinder with the Breville BES870XL Barista Express.
Who is this for? – If you want to practise your Barista skills making espresso and frothing milk, this machine is the right machine for you.
Which is the Best Espresso Maker under 500 dollars?
Now you have 3 best espresso makers under 500 dollars. Which one to choose? This depends on whether you want convenience or you want to practise your Barista skills. If you want convenience, go for a super automatic espresso machine. If you want the latter, go for the semi-automatic espresso maker.
If you want to make cappuccino or latte with just a touch of the button, the De’Longhi Nespresso Lattissima Pro Machine is a great choice.
If you have more budget, you may even consider looking at the espresso machine under $1000.
No matter whichever you choose, the investment will pay itself with the savings in time and money from buying coffee from the coffee joints. So get your best espresso machine under 500 dollars TODAY!
