I love going to the coffee shop but sometimes I get frustrated with spending five or six dollars for one drink. Finally deciding to buy my own espresso machine was the best decision I ever made, but it wasn’t easy. There are so many different options when it comes to buying a machine, it can confuse the best of us and that’s why I wrote this guide for you today.
Before We Get started:
Some of the terminology when it comes to espresso can get confusing so I want to lay out a few things before we get started. Throughout this guide I’ll be using the words espresso, coffee, and cappuccino all to mean basically the same thing. So if I say “coffee machine” I really mean espresso machine, so don’t get confused. Yes they are all three different things; coffee is that thing you drink from a huge pot all day long while espresso is a small shot that is very strong, and cappuccino is a drink made from milk with a shot of espresso poured into it… just roll with it and realize that I’m basically talking about espresso when I say any of those three words. It’s just a quirk I have!
So let’s dive right in!
Price Ranges:
The first thing you need to determine is how much money you would like to spend on your espresso maker. You can find a machine at just about any price range from $20-$30 all the way up to several thousand dollars.
I recommend that you start out by setting a price instead of looking for a machine and then paying however much it is. Why? Because you might find a machine that you like the cost $700 but at the same time you could easily find a machine that does all the same things you need it to for only $100.
So when people are just getting started in the world of cappuccino machines, I recommend you first say to yourself “ok, I want to spend X dollars” and then go out to find a machine for that amount of money instead of the other way around.
Beginners Options
When you’re first starting out there’s really just one question you need to ask yourself. Do you want a machine that will simply make good espresso, or do you want something with all the bells and whistles that costs a ton of money but looks really cool on your counter top?
Which is to say… are you buying a fancy gadget that you can show off to your friends or are you simply buying a nice little machine to make yourself some nice drinks…
Seems like a silly question to answer but a decent machine that makes good coffee can cost $100 whereas a super automatic very stylish machines can cost $3,000 and to tell you the truth I can’t really tell the difference in quality espresso that each of those two machines make.
Lower Range Models
You can find a cheap espresso machine for $20 or $30 but I recommend you stay away from them because they don’t work very well and they tend to break easily and they don’t make very good espresso. At $60 you can find a decent machine that will make decent coffee, but it may be a little clunky and may break down within a couple of years.
At $100 to $120 you can find a very nice machine that will hold up very well over time and make exceptionally good espresso and that is what I recommend to the beginner.
Higher Range Models
At the beginning of the higher end you can expect to pay around $300. In my mind at this price you’re going to find a really nice top of the range cheap espresso machine. You’ll get the very best of the cheap machines.
After that you can expect to pay between $700 and $1000. At this price you get cheap expensive machines. These are the expensive machines but they are at the low end of the expensive machine range if you catch my drift. At this price range there are a lot of very stylish machines that look amazing on your countertop and really stand out, but don’t necessarily make any better espresso than your $100 machines.
Finally the high end models are called super automatic machines and these are large boxlike contraptions that generally cost between $1200 and $3000 or more. These machines will do absolutely everything from grinding the beans for you to automatically frothing your milk to temperature controlling everything at the touch of one button.
The problem with these machines is that, again, they don’t make particularly better espresso than a $100 machine they just have lots of bells and whistles. Another downside is that they can break and when they do it will cost you several hundred dollars to get them fixed usually which is a huge pain.
For $3,000 you would think that it wouldn’t break but on the contrary, since they do everything automatically there’s lots of moving parts and electronic gears that can short out and they will. Not always, but enough.
I don’t know about you but I’m not about to spend $3000 on something that I have to get fixed two years later.
That’s why I recommend a good solid $100 machine for anybody just getting started and if money is an issue then pop down to the $60 brands that you can find in any department store.
Let’s Talk Features!
Now that we’ve addressed price, let’s talk about features.
The first thing you need to understand, and this is really the only important thing you need to know about is steam versus pump. Espresso is created by forcing water over coffee grounds and the pressure used is the major determinant when it comes to how good espresso will taste. The more pressure the better and simple steam will not give you as much pressure as a pump will.
Usually those cheapo $20 machines are steam powered which is why they’re so cheap. No matter how expensive your machine is, make sure it’s pump powered. Believe it or not there are $800 espresso makers that are steam powered, so watch out for that trap.
Water Tanks Can Be A Hassle
Next you need to look at the water tank. Your machine should have a removable tank. Often times cheaper models don’t have removable tanks but you really need one because the tanks get messy over time and need to be cleaned and if you have to drag the entire machine to the sink in order to perilously clean out the tank, it’s going to break easier.
You should also note the location of the tank because some machines have just a little hole for you to pour the water into which is difficult. Imagine the machine shoved back into the corner of your kitchen. Will it be easy to fill with water? Take that into account.
Is The Base Plate Removable?
Next look at the base plate were your cup will sit. This needs to be a removable for cleaning as well because it’s coffee we’re talking about, there will be spills and dribbles and you’ll need to clean that base plate every day so it needs to be removable and dishwasher safe.
What About Accessories?
Many machines, even the lower end models, come with lots of accessories that you may or may not want. One accessory that you absolutely need is a steam wand. You’ll use it to froth the milk for your cappuccino or other tasty beverage. Most machines come with a frother so you don’t have to really worry about it but keep an eye out just the same.
Another option is a built in grinder. This will add to the cost of your machine and is another thing that can break easily; that’s why I recommend not getting machines with a bean grinder. You can find a coffee bean grinder for 10 or 15 bucks at any department store so why spend $50 or more to have a grinder built into your coffee machine?
So To Recap
- Look for a solid $100 – $120 machine
- Go with pump powered not steam powered
- Be sure it has a removable water tank
- Look for a removable base tray or cup holder
- Make sure it has a steam wand or frother
- Skip the built in grinder if possible
Armed with only those six tips, you should have no problem finding a great entry-level espresso or cappuccino machine that will give you everything you need in order to start making great espresso drinks just like the coffee shop right in your own home. Good luck!