10 Best Espresso Machines Under $1000 (2024 Review)

With so many espresso machines on the market, finding the right model for your coffee needs can be intimidating!

Last year I purchased the Lavazza Blue pod-style machine. Although it’s an affordable espresso machine that delivers great espresso, I decided it’s time for an upgrade.

With a budget of $1000, I quickly realized there are tons of options for making delicious espresso at home.

In this guide, I’ll provide you with my top picks for espresso machines under $1,000, including fully automatic espresso machines, manual espresso makers, and more.

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Top 10 Espresso Machines Under $1000

In addition to making great espresso, your $1000 machine should be built with commercial-grade materials. Stainless steel construction is ideal.[1]

Next, it should have plenty of special features, like automatic milk frothing, a large water reservoir, temperature stability, and a manual steam wand for latte art.

 

1. Breville BES870BSXL Barista Express - My Top Pick!

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First of all, this automatic espresso machine is easy to use, even for beginner baristas. Eventually, you'll be a barista master, especially since the design allows plenty of room for creativity.

My favorite feature is the built-in grinder.

It's not just any grinder; the conical burr design, which Breville has recently upgraded, comes with 16 different grind size settings. The ground coffee then goes directly into the portafilter, which means less cleanup for you.

It comes with PID temperature control that you can adjust between 196 and 204 degrees Fahrenheit. This range is ideal for espresso extraction, meaning a better-tasting espresso shot.

The temperature isn’t the only thing that’s super precise. The Express machine also features an optimal water pressure design.

The pressure gradually increases at the start of the brew, working to bring out all the flavors that you’d expect from a premium espresso shot.

The last notable feature is the swiveling steam wand. It's delicate yet powerful, capable of making a silky microfoam that any espresso fan would die for. Even if you've never made latte art, you can with this simplified steam wand.

Compared to other Breville machines like the Barista Pro and the Creatista Plus, this one is easy to use but no less advanced.

That's why it's the best option for all levels, ranging from beginner baristas to pros.

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2. Rancilio Silvia M V6 - Best Semi-Automatic

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The standout feature of the Rancilio Silvia espresso machine is its pressure regulation.

It uses a 3-way solenoid to purge excess pressure, so there’s never a risk of backflushing with the portafilter. 

The Silvia M V6 has an extremely strong build; some users have literally stated that it's "built like a tank."

It's made with an iron frame, stainless steel casing, and a thermal-wrapped boiler for added heat stability. As long as you take care of it, you could use this thing for decades.

Silvia’s single-boiler is quite large, which has pros and cons. While it can hold a lot of water, it takes a while to heat. This means you have to wait anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes before it’s ready to brew.

Of all the features, my favorite is the stainless steel steam wand.

It's flexible enough to allow for a wide range of motion but durable enough to withstand the test of time. That means you'll be making latte art for years to come.

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3. Breville Barista Pro BES878BSS - Best PID Control

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It’s an amazing choice for anyone who wants a pro-level machine with easy-to-use features.

The front panel comes with an intuitive interface that lets you choose different drink options and coffee strength.

When brewing, the Pro delivers on four important qualities for making a standout cup of coffee: maximum flavor, balanced taste, full body, and silky mouthfeel.

As for the features, my favorite is the patented ThermoJet heating system. This technology heats the water to optimal temperature in less than 3 seconds. 

Compared to the traditional Thermoblock, it uses more than 30% less energy, so you'll save time and money.

For that reason, this is by far the best choice when it comes to PID temp control.

The only potential downside of the ThermoJet heating is that users have to flush water through the brew head to assist in preheating. This doesn’t take much time or effort, so I don’t see it as a major flaw.

Just like the Barista Express, this one comes with an integrated conical burr grinder, but it has nearly twice the number of grind settings.

With 30 settings to choose from, all you have to do is push a button for the perfect grind and exact dose of coffee grounds.

Out of all the milk-frothing systems, this is the best I've seen in a machine under $1000. Plus, the wand is much easier to get the hang of compared to the Rancilio Silvia.

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4. Philips 3200 LatteGo – Best Option With Advanced Features

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Thanks to the advanced milk frothing system, this machine is ideal for anyone who loves a good latte or cappuccino.

The front panel display allows you to choose between 5 drink options, as well as coffee strength and volume.

I love how easy it is to clean the LatteGo. There are no tubes and just two main components, which are both dishwasher-safe and easy to remove.

Plus, the integrated AquaClean water filter means you won't have to descale until you've brewed 5,000 cups.

In terms of creaminess and texture, the LatteGo’s biggest competition is the Breville Creatista Plus.

The Creatista is also aimed at latte/cappuccino drinkers, but it’s not nearly as easy to use. 

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5. De'Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica - Best Automatic

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For anyone looking for a super-automatic machine at the right price, you’ll definitely want to consider the De’Longhi Magnifica, model ESAM3300.

All you have to do is fill the water tank and coffee chamber - the machine will do the rest.

This model is built with a double boiler system, so you’ll never have to wait between brewing and steaming. 

The Magnifica has integrated ceramic grinders with 13 settings, but I've found that the two finest settings aren't ideal for brewing. As long as you avoid these, you'll have good espresso.

The traditional Panarello steam wand can rotate 180 degrees and is built with a very small intake hole. Both foaming and steaming levels can be adjusted, and it comes with a plastic sheath that can easily be removed for making microfoam - aka, latte art!

Just note that the steam power on the frothing/steaming wand is fairly weak, so it can take a while to get the results you’re hoping for.

The plus side, though, is that all of the parts are lightweight, easy to remove, and easy to clean.

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6. Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus – Best With Milk Frother

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If milk frothing is an important factor when choosing your new espresso machine, this one is for you.

As you can probably guess from the name Creatista, the Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus is all about getting creative. 

This single-serving espresso machine is different from others on the list. Rather than use ground coffee to brew perfect espresso, it uses Nespresso coffee capsules. For that reason, it’s extremely convenient and easy to use with virtually no cleanup.

After putting the capsule into the chamber, the next step is to choose the setting. The Creatista Plus gives you 3 different options: ristretto, expresso, or lungo.

To get you started, each purchase comes with a Nespresso starter pack with a variety of capsules to choose from.

From there, just add milk to the stainless steel milk jug to start frothing. Then, pour the frothed milk into your mug to create a latte, macchiato, or cappuccino worthy of any coffee shop.

I was shocked to find that there are 11 settings for milk temperature along with 8 settings for texture.

The water tank is 1.5 liters in size, and it’s easily removed for quick cleaning.

Once you hit the power button, the machine heats up in 3 seconds, and there’s an automatic power-off to save energy.

 

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7. Gaggia Magenta Plus – Best Super Automatic

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Of all the super-automatic espresso machines under $1000, I've chosen the Gaggia Magenta Plus as the crème de la crème.

It's 100% Italian-made, so it's no surprise that this is one of the best home espresso machines out there.

Compared to the De'Longhi Magnifica, another super-automatic espresso maker, this one definitely wins for this type of machine. It has easier programming options and is a bit more durable if you ask me.

The interface comes with a touchscreen to change the brewing program, allowing you to choose between espresso, espresso lungo, coffee, Americano, and hot water.

Gaggia has designed this machine with a commercial-grade stainless steel steam wand. It's shaped perfectly for crafting milk froth and dispenses hot water for easily making tea.

The built-in grinder is made from 100% ceramic, a material resistant to overheating. There are 5 grind settings to choose from.

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8. La Pavoni EPC-8 Europiccola - Best Manual

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While there are no pushing buttons with the La Pavoni, the lever-style brewing means that users have complete control as they force water through the coffee.

Figuring out the ideal speed and pressure can be challenging for some, so this isn’t the ideal choice if you’ve never pulled a shot before.

Luckily, the steam pressure is piston-operated and internally regulated, so it’s not completely on you to gauge the pressure accurately.

The internal heating elements are made from stainless steel, so you can expect them to produce results for years.

This product is as sturdy as they come. It's constructed from heavy-duty steel beneath a chrome finish, which is durable as well as stylish.

It’s hard to compare this product to any other espresso machine on this list since it’s truly one of a kind.

This is the only product that uses the old-school method of pulling, so if you don’t want to put a little elbow grease into your morning coffee routine, you’ll want to look elsewhere!

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9. De'Longhi La Specialista – Best Dual Boilers

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The De'Longhi La Specialista has been named the best machine under $1000 with dual boilers by reviewers everywhere.

It's nice to look at, easy to use, and has all the other features you need for brewing quality espresso at home.

First, let's talk about the heating system. Thanks to the dual boilers, water in the brewing chamber is heated separately from water used by the steam wand.

Both boilers are built with temperature stability in mind, so you'll always have the perfect temp, no matter the task at hand.

Because it's slightly more advanced than De'Longhi's Magnifica, I've given this product the title of "best with dual boilers."

This semi-automatic machine is designed with a Smart Tamping Lever. This tamps the coffee at the right pressure, meaning you don't have to remove the portafilter after each brew.

Overall, this reduces the risk of a bad brew due to poor pressure.

The milk-frothing wand is my personal favorite feature. It allows you to choose your froth style based on different coffee drinks.

My only complaint has to do with cleaning and maintenance. While it’s relatively easy to keep the machine in good shape, De’Longhi makes it very clear that none of the parts are dishwasher-safe.

As long as you're ready to wash everything by hand, then this machine deserves high praise.

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10. Gaggia Anima Prestige - Best Programmable Settings

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When it comes to programming, very few machines outperform the Gaggia Anima Prestige.

It seems as if there’s a button for everything, including aroma strength, cup volume, or whether you want to make espresso, lungo, macchiato, or cappuccino.

This model even comes with an auto-frothing carafe that stores milk until it’s ready to be turned into foam or microfoam.

It features one-touch buttons for milk-based beverages, which means you can sit back and relax while the Gaggia brews a flawless cappuccino.

Even though there are tons of programming options, the interface is extremely easy to use and understand.

There are even adjustable temperature settings ranging from 177.5 to 184.5 F based on your drink of choice.

You might be wondering how this product compared to Gaggia’s similar Magenta Plus. Well, the Anima Prestige is a better choice if you’re looking for multiple drink options, specifically milk-based espresso beverages.

This is all thanks to the integrated milk chamber that’s easy to fill and easy to clean.

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Best Espresso Machines Under $1000 Compared For You

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Choosing a Quality Home Espresso Machine For Under $1000

 

Get The Right Type Of Espresso Machine

Espresso machines may look similar, but their inner workings vary greatly. Here’s a breakdown of the main types:

• Steam-driven: Traditional machines using steam to brew coffee.
• Lever machines: Manual machines like the La Pavoni Europiccola, requiring physical effort.
• Pump-driven: The most popular, using an electric pump for consistent espresso.

There are three different types of pump-driven home espresso machines:

1. Semi-Automatic: Semi-automatic machines use both automation and physical labor. The water is automatically driven through the brewing chamber, but the grinding, tamping, and extraction control are all done by the barista.
   
   I reviewed quite a few semi-automatic products above, like the Breville Barista Pro and the Rancilio Silvia. Because of its commercial-grade construction and durability, I recommend the Rancilio model to anyone interested in semi-automatic operation.

2. Automatic: Automatic espresso machines are similar to semi-automatic, but they automatically stop the flow of water. Thanks to this, you never have to worry about the inconsistent volume of your espresso shots.
   
   Automatic machines come in all shapes and sizes, as you probably noticed from the major differences between the Philips 3200 LatteGo and the Breville Barista Express.
   
   It’s hard to beat the Barista Express, though, thanks to its extreme precision when it comes to temperature and pressure control.

3. Super Automatic: Super-automatic machines do everything. This means you won’t have any room for creativity, but the good news is that you get a consistent shot every time with the push of a button.
   
   I personally love the ease of super-automatic machines. The Gaggia Magenta Plus is my top pick for this operation type - who doesn't love minimum effort and maximum reward!?

Aim For Commercial Level Performance & Longevity

Each of the commercial-grade components should be user-friendly, and most importantly, they should all work together to make great-tasting espresso every time.

This means you need a high-quality milk frother, a reliable grinder, consistent brew pressure, and easy-to-use programmability based on your strength preferences.

It also means that you should be able to use your machine for years to come.

The Rancilio Silvia is the perfect example; it uses commercial-grade components that can last decades with a proper care and maintenance routine.

Know The Type of Boiler System

There are 3 types of boiler systems to choose from, each with its own set of pros and cons.

First is the single boiler, which uses 1 boiler for both water extraction and steaming. Because extraction and steaming require a different water temperature, this can be problematic.

You'll either need to wait for the water to cool down after using the steamer or wait for it to heat after pulling your shot if you want to use the steam wand.

The plus side is that these machines are generally more affordable, and they won’t be an issue if you don’t plan on using an automatic steam wand very often.

Even though the Barista Express by Breville has a single boiler, it's still an amazing choice. The machine heats the water quickly, which means very little wait time. Plus, temperature stability is perfectly regulated, thanks to PID.

A double boiler system is much more efficient. These machines are built with two separate boilers - 1 for the brew temperature and 1 for the steaming.

Quality machines make it easy to adjust the temperature on each boiler, and there's no need to wait between brewing and steaming.

My recommendation for a dual boiler system is the De’Longhi La Specialista. Both boilers are built with temperature stability protocols, so you’ll always have water that’s the perfect temp for brewing, frothing, or steaming.

Last is the heat exchanger system, HX for short. This utilizes a single boiler, but it’s designed to exchange water between the main boiler and a smaller tube.

The boiler holds water that is hot enough for steaming, while the water that is exchanged into the tube is kept at an ideal temperature for brewing.

This type isn’t nearly as common, especially if your budget is $1000 or less.

Know The Type of Group Head

The group head is responsible for thermal stability and pressure consistency. It ensures that the water temp and pressure are just right, keeping your espresso from tasting too sour or too bitter.

It's up to you to decide the ideal type of group head for your coffee-drinking needs. There are two primary types: saturated and semi-saturated.

A saturated group head is directly connected to the boiler and draws water directly from it. Essentially, it’s an extension of the boiler, which ensures temperature stability throughout the brewing process.

A semi-saturated group head is primarily used in machines that use heat exchanger systems.

The group head is separated from the boiler by a tube, so temperatures aren’t as stable. However, these machines are easier to repair if things go wrong.

Look For A Temperature Control System

Without consistent temperature, there’s no hope of brewing a quality cup of espresso.

This is why you should only choose a machine with a built-in temperature control system.

Some of the best come with digital temperature control features, allowing you to easily set your ideal temperature for brewing or steaming.

The best type of temperature controller is PID, short for proportional integral derivative. With PID, which is essentially a digital thermostat, there’s very little risk of temperature fluctuations.[2]

The only downside of PID is cost. You can expect this feature to increase the price of an espresso machine, but it’s completely worth it if you ask me.

Check The Capacity & Dimensions

Even if you have tons of counter space, it's still a good idea to confirm the exact dimensions of a machine before buying it. That way, you'll know exactly how much space is required on your counter and won't be surprised when you open the box.

In addition to checking the width and depth, always confirm the height of the machine; you'll need plenty of clearance to access the top of the machine. Do the same for cup clearance to make sure your favorite mug will fit on the drip tray.

You might even consider a machine with an adjustable cup clearance, like the De'Longhi Magnifica.

Tank capacity is another thing to think about. Water reservoirs can range anywhere from 1 to 3 liters.

Most of the machines I covered have a 2-liter tank capacity, which is the standard size.

Don’t Forget About Cleaning & Maintenance

No matter the price of your espresso machine, regular maintenance is a must.

Failing to do this could mean just months of operation rather than years. And more importantly, a clean machine leads to better-tasting coffee.[3]

Look for a model with removable components, particularly for the water tank, coffee reservoir, and drip tray.

Water filtration is another great cleaning feature. Some of the best espresso machines have a built-in water filter, like the Philips LatteGo.

Thanks to the filtration system, you’ll only have to go through the descaling process after 5,000 cups brewed.

You might even be able to find a model with automatic self-cleaning, like the Barista Touch.

How Long Is The Warranty?

Most of these espresso machines come with a 1-year manufacturer's warranty.

To ensure the warranty stays valid, follow all the recommended cleaning and maintenance requirements.

Some manufacturers allow customers to purchase an extended warranty, like Breville, which gives you the option to purchase a 3-year policy.

This is definitely something to think about, especially if you're a frequent espresso drinker.

Out of all 10 machines, the overall best warranty policy comes with the Breville Creatista Plus. It comes with 2 years of coverage, as opposed to the standard 1-year policy.

Related Articles:
Best Espresso Machines Under $1500
Best Espresso Machines Under $2000
Best Espresso Machines Under $5000

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FAQs

How much should beginners spend on an espresso machine?

Beginner baristas can find a great entry-level espresso machine for $600-$800.

At this price point, the machine will likely have important features like PID temperature control, milk frothing, and intuitive interfaces. The perfect example is the Breville Barista Express, which costs around $750.

What is the difference between a cheap and an expensive espresso machine?

The biggest difference you’ll notice between a cheap and expensive machine is taste. Thanks to advanced features and higher-quality materials, a pricier machine is capable of making perfect espresso with each brew.

What is the best pressure for espresso extraction?

The best pressure for espresso extraction is 9 bar, which is 9 times the atmospheric pressure at sea level.

If your machine can hit 9 bars of pressure, you’ll be enjoying rich, concentrated espresso every time.

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So, Which Espresso Machine On The List Is The Best?

When choosing the best espresso machine under $1000, there’s a lot to think about. You’ll obviously want a machine that produces great-tasting espresso, but it comes down to more than just that.

You should look for key features like adjustable temperature control, strong milk-frothing capability, a powerful built-in grinder, and great value for money.

Based on these considerations, I've found that the best all-around product is… drumroll please… the Breville Barista Plus!

This semi-automatic machine looks good on any countertop, and the intuitive temperature and pressure control makes this one of the best espresso machines on the market.

Resources:

1. https://www.readersdigest.co.uk/lifestyle/home-garden/10-benefits-of-cooking-with-stainless-steel
2.  https://www.omega.co.uk/prodinfo/pid-controllers.html
3. https://www.breville.com/us/en/coffee-journey/tutorials/espresso-tutorials/cleaning-and-maintenance.html