7 Best Espresso Machines Under $800; Reviews
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If you’re in the market for the best espresso machine under $800, chances are you’ve been staggered by the sheer volume of choices available to you.
We’ve covered some of the best espresso machines under $700, $1500, $1000 in other posts, but in this post, we’re aiming to find you the best espresso machine under 800 dollars. In this price range, you should expect exquisite performance paired with automated convenience and perhaps a small miracle.
Best Espresso Machines Under $800
Comparison Table
| Image | Title | Type | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Top | Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine | Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine | See on Amazon | |
 Top | De'Longhi Magnifica Super Automatic Espresso Machine | Super Automatic Espresso Machine | See on Amazon | |
 Top | Calphalon Temp iQ Espresso Machine | Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine | See on Amazon | |
 Top | De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Espresso Machine | Manual Espresso Machine | See on Amazon | |
 Top | Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine w/ LatteGo | Automatic Espresso Machine | See on Amazon | |
 Top | Jura A1 Super Automatic Coffee Machine | Super Automatic Espresso Machine | See on Amazon | |
 Top | Gaggia Anima Espresso Machine | Super Automatic Espresso Machine | See on Amazon |
Best Espresso Machine Under $800 - reviews
1. Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: With a single touch, the integrated precision conical burr grinder with dose control delivers the right amount of coffee on demand, for maximum flavor
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
- FASTER HEAT UP TIME: Innovative ThermoJet heating system achieves the optimum extraction temperature in 3 seconds with the instantaneous transition from espresso to steam
- MANUAL MICROFOAM MILK TEXTURING
- INTUITIVE INTERFACE
- INCLUDED ACCESSORIES: Single & Dual Wall (1 and 2 Cup) Filter Baskets, The Razor Precision Dose Trimming Tool, 480 ml Stainless Steel Milk Jug, Cleaning Kit and Water Filter
- CAPACITY & SETTINGS: 1 by 2 lb, Bean Hopper; 67 oz Water Tank; Adjustable Grind Control; Intuitive LCD Interface; 1 or 2 Cup Volumetric Control
- WARRANTY: 2 Year Limited Product Warranty; Power: 1680 Watts; Voltage: 120 Volts
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Specifications:
- Machine type: Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine
- Integrated Grinder: Conical burr grinder with 30 grind size settings
- Bean Hopper: 8.8 oz.
- Bypass Doser: Yes
- Water Reservoir: 67 oz.
- Manual milk frother
- Warranty: 2 years
- Settings: Adjustable Grind Control Intuitive LCD Interface 1 & 2 Cup Volumetric Control
The Breville Barista Pro features the classic Breville styling, with a modern and minimalistic approach. The espresso machine is housed in a brushed stainless steel case.
The espresso machine has an intuitive LCD interface displaying grind size and time, in addition to a shot timer.
The Barista Pro espresso machine is well built, and we would expect it to last for 5-10 years with regular cleaning and maintenance.
The machine employs the Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) in the guise of its Digital Temperature control.
The system ensures that the water delivered has the precise +/- 2°C extraction temperature, which is the critical temperature to optimal coffee extraction.
The Smart Grinder Pro consists of an integrated conical burr grinder with 30 grind settings.
The ThermoJet Heating system enables the Barista Pro to heat up within 3 seconds without compromising the precision of the espresso extraction.
The Barista Pro comes with four coffee baskets (portafilter) measuring 54mm. There are two pressurized single-wall baskets and two unpressurized double-wall baskets for single and double doses of espresso.
Why We Recommend It
The Breville Barista Pro has a manual steam wand that allows you to adjust the milk temperature and texture to your liking and enables the creation of latte art.
The LCD screen helps users monitor the infuser and determine whether it’s time to tap the button and prepare their coffee.
The programmable shot control enables you to program the espresso shots volumetrically so you can prepare accurate brewed coffee anytime you want.
The Barista Pro also has a pre-infusion function, where the low pressure applied slowly rises at the beginning to ensure a precise espresso extraction.
The Breville Barista Pro is one of the best espresso machines for under 800 dollars for beginners because it warms faster and has a wide array of adjustable settings to pull shots, making them comparable to cafe-quality coffee.
Pros:
- Modern, sturdy, stainless-steel design
- 3-way solenoid valve for convenience
- Fast with 3-second start-up
- Strong heating system (ThermoJet) & consistency (PID)
- High-pressure steam wand
Cons:
- Requires regular clean-ups to maintain looks
- Needs some time to learn
2. De'Longhi Magnifica Espresso Machine
- FRESH ESPRESSO FOR EVERY CUP: The professional burr grinder with 13 adjustable settings grinds fresh beans every time to ensure maximum freshness. You can also use pre-ground in the second chamber. Your choice of regular, specialty or decaf.
- YOUR FOAM, YOUR WAY: A manual frother mixes steam and milk to create a rich, creamy froth for evenly textured drinks – just the way you like them.
- EASY TO CLEAN AND HANDLE
- DELICIOUS CAPPUCCINO AND LATTE: The adjustable manual Cappuccino System mixes steam and milk to create the thickest, longest-lasting foam for your cappuccino. And it’s easy to adjust the levels to prepare a creamy latte, macchiato or flat white.
- CUSTOMIZED ESPRESSO DRINKS: Design your ideal espresso and cappuccino experience by programming in your preferences. The machine “remembers” the details, from the strength of your espresso to your preferred size beverage and much more.
- EASY-TO-USE CONTROL PANEL
- COMPACT DESIGN
- NO WAITING BETWEEN CUPS: The Rapid Cappuccino System maintains the optimal temperature so you can brew cup after cup instantly.
- FRONT-ACCESSIBLE COMPONENTS: Removable water tank and drip tray, as well as used espresso grounds, are front-accessible for easy cleanup. Indicators tell you when it’s time to clean the machine, and all parts are dishwasher safe.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Specifications:
- Machine type: Super Automatic Espresso Machine
- Integrated Grinder: Conical burr grinder with 7 grind size settings
- Bean Hopper: 12 oz.
- Bypass Doser: Yes
- Water Reservoir: 60 oz.
- Frother: Pannarello frother with a separate heating element
- Warranty: 2 years
- Brew sizes: 1.5 oz – 8.0 oz in 0.5 oz increments
The Magnifica is an entry-level super-automatic espresso machine that comes with a fantastic cup warmer on top, and an auto-shutoff feature that’s adjustable from 15 min to 3 hours. This DeLonghi machine comes with a standard 2-year warranty too.
The DeLonghi has dual stainless steel thermoblock boilers, with the brew side and the steam side each having their own.
The Magnifica espresso machine comes with stainless steel conical burr grinder that offers 7 grind settings. The hopper holds 8.8-oz of coffee beans and has a pre-ground coffee bypass.
DeLonghi Magnifica also has a 60-oz water tank that isn’t designed to accommodate a filter, so you will have to filter water before using it in the machine.
The steam wand on this espresso machine is Panarello-style, and it is easy to clean and use.
The volume dial on the machine lets you set the shot volume from 0.5 to 6 oz, and the brew strength dial controls the amount of ground coffee dispensed.
The DeLonghi Magnifica is more than capable of making any coffee beverage you want, even if the process of making milk-based drinks isn’t fully automated.
Why We Recommend It
The Delonghi ESAM3300 is a convenient, one of the best super-automatic espresso machines under 800 dollars that offers great reliability and performance at a good price.
This machine grinds beans smoothly using its Direct-to-brew technology. The dial to control the grinding of coffee beans is right to the hopper.
It comes with double stainless steel boilers which enhances the heating process of steam and espresso.
The machine also features a telescoping coffee spigot that helps in adjusting the height of the dispenser according to your requirement.
The adjustable cappuccino mechanism of this machine rotates the system at 180 degrees, allowing the machine to adjust a milk container of any size.
The Magnifica comes with a cup warming tray, so your coffee remains hotter.
Pros:
- Sleek and smart design
- The double boiler is made with stainless steel
- Flexible coffee spigot
- 180-degree revolving cappuccino system
- Adjustable cup tray
- Easy clean-up and maintenance
Cons:
- It cannot brew or steam simultaneously.
- No digital display
- Loud grinder
3. Calphalon Temp iQ Espresso Machine
- Freshly grind your beans to your preference With the integrated conical burr mill Grinder with 30 adjustable grind settings
- Pre-programmed settings for single and double shots, and dial interface for selecting steam, or hot water
- Includes single- and double-shot single wall filter Baskets
- Thermoblock heating technology and PID temperature control delivers even heat for consistently great-tasting Espresso, and gentle pre-infusion blooms The espresso grounds for optimally extracted Espresso
- 58millimeter café-sized porta filter holds more grounds and ensures even water dispersion and extraction for robust flavor
- Removable 2.8 liter water reservoir with hinged lid for easy filling
- Cup warming tray for espresso-ready cups and steam wand froths milk for creating cappuccinos, lattes, and other drinks, just like in coffee shops
- Includes Stainless steel milk jug, tamper, cleaning disc, cleaning brush, and cleaning
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Specifications:
- Machine type: Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine
- Integrated Grinder: Conical burr grinder with 30 grind size settings
- Bean Hopper: 8.8 oz.
- Water Reservoir: 70 oz.
- Frother: Manual
- Warranty: 2 years
The Calphalon Temp IQ is one of the best espresso machines under 800 dollars that offers everything you need and then some.
Its grinder, brew head, and steam wand are capable of brewing cafe-quality espresso and obtaining that rich, creamy, and elusive microfoam when steaming milk.
The machine is affordable, however, thanks to its stainless steel exterior and chrome accents, it looks far more high-end.
The water reservoir is removable and has an extremely generous capacity of 70oz.
The Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso Machine has a simple yet efficient display.
The machine comes with a stainless steel pitcher which we can use for milk frothing in case you’re planning to treat yourself to a latte or a cappuccino.
For cleaning, the machine comes with a cleaning brush, cleaning disc, and pin.
The Basic Calphalon Temp IQ (no grinder) came with a 15-bar Italian pressure pump. This BAR amount is what we expect from a very solid espresso machine.
This espresso machine comes with technology that ensures proper temperature to brew coffee. Control over brew temperature (PID) and Thermoblock heating technology is best in class.
Why We Recommend It
This espresso machine is a great option for coffee enthusiasts who are neither experienced nor have a big budget but are still hoping for high-quality home-brewed coffee.
The included simple instructions walk you through the process of grinding, tamping, and brewing step-by-step. They even help you figure out the exact grind size you need for the specific coffee beans you’re using.
Simple controls allow you to manually adjust advanced settings like temperature, extraction volume, and pre-infusion.
What really sets the milk steaming on this machine apart is its ability to create finely textured microfoam. This kind of foam is what makes lattes taste so decadent and is what defines the cafe experience for many coffee drinkers.
The Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso Machine comes with its own burr coffee grinder with a whopping thirty grind settings.
Pros:
- Makes excellent espresso
- Can achieve near-perfect microfoam
- Relatively easy to use for a semi-automatic machine
- Can be perfect for people with minimal coffee brewing experience
- Can brew single or double shot espresso
Cons:
- Pricey
- Requires more effort/practice than fully-automatic machines
4. De'Longhi La Specialista Arte
- Perfect, Consistent Grinding thanks to inbuilt grinder with 8 precise settings that ensure optimal single or double dose and grind size
- Active Temperature control allows you to select one of 3 temperature settings to match water infusion temperature to beans for optimal extraction
- My LatteArt steam wand is a powerful, commercial-style wand that lets you create picture-perfect latte art
- Start Right with 3 preset recipes for rich, balanced Espresso, Americano, and Hot Water
- Manual Tamping Tools inspired by professional barista kits set-up perfect extraction results with no countertop mess
- Included Components: De Longhi La Specialista Arte Espresso Machine, Total Hardness Test, Cleaning Brush, Descaler 100mL, Single coffee filter, Double coffee Filter, Stainless Steel Milk Frothing Jug, Cleaning needle for steam nozzle, tamper, tamping m
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Specifications:
- Machine type: Manual Espresso Machine
- Integrated Grinder: Conical burr grinder with 8 grind size settings
- Bean Hopper: 8.8 oz.
- Water Reservoir: 84.5 oz.
- Frother: Manual
- Warranty: 2 years
- Active temperature control
- MyLatte Art steam wand
- Three pre-set recipes: Espresso, Long Black, Hot Water
When you buy a La Specialista Arte, it comes standard with a premium barista kit that includes a professional tamper, a tamping mat, a dosing and tamping guide, a milk jug, and two sizes of single-wall filters.
This is a manual machine so there is some fiddling around for temperature control, dose, and grind settings, the instruction manual very clearly outlines which settings will work best for the type of coffee you’re using
Dose level and grind setting can be tweaked with a simple rotation of a dial, and the temperature control feature has three tiers you can move through with a single button.
There is no LCD screen = everything operates off the OK button and flashing light indicators. It is straightforward if you read the manual.
The steaming wand is very easy to use as it’s just the touch of a button rather than turning a dial to release steam – but of course, will take some practice.
Why We Recommend It
The Arte also has a built-in coffee bean grinder, with 8 settings to suit your preferred consistency of coffee.
The tampering guide allows the beans to grind neatly and smoothly straight into your shot, making sure you don’t waste a granule of those desperately-needed coffee beans.
The ‘LatteArt’ milk wand creates delicious latte-style steamed milk quickly and efficiently.
Different types of coffee beans call for different types of temperature profiles which is why the La Specialista Arte comes standard with three and has built-in advanced temperature control to ensure the perfect brew.
The De’Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB can brew both single and double espresso.
The integrated bean grinder can hold 250g of beans and it sits on the top of the machine to the left.
The De’Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB produces espresso using 15-bar pressure and comes with both a single and a double espresso basket for the portafilter.
Pros:
- Produces smooth, rich espresso
- Integrated grinder
- Built-in steam wand
Cons:
- Not suitable for use with pods
- Only some components are dishwasher safe
5. Philips 3200 Series Espresso Machine LatteGo
- Enjoy 5 coffees
- Intuitive touch display
- 12-step grinder adjustment
- 20,000 cups of finest coffee with durable ceramic grinders
- Keep your beans fresh for longer thanks to the aroma seal
- Up to 5,000 cups without descaling thanks to AquaClean
- Dishwasher safe parts for your convenience
- Easy cleaning thanks to fully removable brewing group
- Makes Espresso, hot water, cappuccino, coffee, latte macchiato and americano
- Includes: Measuring scoop, water hardness test strip, AquaClean filter, LatteGo storage lid, grease t
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Specifications:
- Machine type: Automatic Espresso Machine
- Integrated Grinder: Ceramic flat burr grinders with 12 grind size settings
- Bean Hopper: 10 oz.
- Water Reservoir: 61 oz.
- Frother: Pannarello wand with 3 milk foam quantity levels
- Specialty beverage buttons: 5 programmed beverages (espresso, cappuccino, coffee, latte macchiato, Americano)
- Warranty: 2 years
The Philips 3200 fully automatic machine has an easy-on-the-eye contemporary look.
The machine’s control panel is straightforward to use. It contains a drinks menu for setting elements, including the brew strength and the amount of milk and water you need.
The bean hopper stands on top of the machine and holds more than one pound of beans comfortably.
The machine’s ceramic flat burr grinder has 12 grind settings, meaning it’s very capable of grinding fresh beans for whatever grind size you need. Alternatively, you can use pre-ground coffee.
The front of the machine has an adjustable coffee spout for different cup sizes. The machine’s water tank has a 1.8L capacity, which is an impressive size. You can also remove the water tank from the front of the machine, making refilling it easy.
The Philips 3200 has five coffee options – espresso, regular coffee, Americano, latte macchiato, and cappuccino.
Why We Recommend It
One of the standout features of the Philips 3200 is its ability to brew milk-based coffee beverages at the push of a button. In other words, the entirely automatic LatteGo milk frother provides hands-off latte macchiato and cappuccino.
Because the Philips 3200 is a super-automatic espresso machine, manual input is minimal for making a cup of coffee. So, the machine grinds your beans, tamps your grounds, froths your milk, and brews your coffee, all at the touch of a button.
If brewing a coffee with the Philips 3200 is easy, cleaning and maintaining it is similarly straightforward.
It takes one minute for the machine to heat up after you turn it on. That’s quicker than most espresso machines.
The Philips 3200 LatteGo is compatible with an AquaClean filter, meaning you won’t need to descale the machine as regularly as many other coffee machines.
Pros:
- Brews 5 different beverages with the touch of a button
- Milk frother makes fool-proof lattes and cappuccinos
- Multiple settings to adjust cup sizes, temperature, strength
- Fits neatly under cabinets
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Complicated set-up
- Noisy
6. Jura A1 Super Automatic Coffee Machine
- ONE TOUCH: Prepare 3 barista quality specialties including ristretto, espresso and coffee at the touch of a button - coffee only
- PERFECT ESPRESSO: Ultimate coffee quality thanks to JURAs exclusive Pulse Extraction Process
- CONICAL BURR GRINDER: Fast and precise AromaG3 grinder grinds whole beans to the optimum fineness
- : JURA is always freshly ground, not capsuled - fresh taste with very limited waste - single serve machine
- CAPACITY: 37 ounce water tank, 4. 4 ounce bean contai
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Specifications:
- Machine type: Super Automatic Espresso Machine
- Integrated Grinder: AromaG3 grinder
- Bean Hopper: 4.4 oz.
- Water Reservoir: 36.8 oz.
- Frother: None
- Specialty beverage buttons: 3 programmed beverages
- Brew sizes: Ristretto (0.5 oz), espresso (1.35 oz), and long coffee (5 oz)
- Warranty: 2 years
Jura A1 super-automatic machine automates the entire coffee-making process from your beans to the final cup. It comes with an inbuilt grinder that too with three different programmable features.
You also get to choose from different strength levels of your coffee. There is an intuitive touchscreen as well in the play.
The Jura A1 is compact and slim. Measuring 20.5 inches high x 12.7 inches wide x 18.6 inches deep.
Its sleek design and simple color scheme are bound to complement any kitchen. The front panel is uncluttered, featuring only the wide drip tray and the height-adjustable coffee spout, perfect for fitting taller glasses.
The control panel is located on the top and is also quite minimalistic and intuitive.
The A1 features an improved multi-aroma G3 grinder, and its 5-ounce bean hopper comes with an aroma preservation cover.
Why We Recommend It
This one of the best espresso machines under 800 dollars features the Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System and the patented Pulse Extraction Process that mimic manual extraction methods and are specifically designed with short specialty coffees in mind.
By pre-infusing the grounds with hot water at short intervals, you can extract in less time, giving you a better-preserved and more nuanced coffee aroma.
The Jura A1 allows you to go from bean to cup in less than 30 seconds. The machine features a fast Thermoblock heating system that can heat the water to the right temperature for brewing in a flash.
The machine also comes with a Claris filter in the 37-ounce water tank so that your espresso is top-notch.
Thanks to the Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System and the PEP, the Jura A1 allows the ground coffee to develop its full flavors and aromas, resulting in a high-quality espresso shot with a delightful layer of crema on top.
You can choose between two coffee strengths(7g or 10g) and adjust the amount of hot water used and, once you like what you’ve obtained, you can program it to replicate that exact shot. In fact, the Jura A1 lets you program 3 different cup sizes.
Pros:
- Use pre-ground coffee or grind it with the inbuilt grinder
- Switches to energy-saving mode when not in use
- Manually adjustable grinder for coarseness
- Compact design
- Less noise
- Pulse coffee extraction
Cons:
- No milk frother
- No smart features
- Small brewing capacity
- Small hopper
7. Gaggia Anima Espresso Machine
- MANUAL FROTHING FOR MILK-BASED DRINKS: Pannarello steam wand for frothing milk
- PROGRAMMABLE: Programmable brewing options for espresso and espresso lungo
- TEMPERATURE CONTROL: 3 different temperature settings. Min/177.5 °F, Med/182.9 °F, Max/184.5 °F
- EASY ACCESS TO WATER RESERVOIR AND BEAN HOPPER: Features a removable 60 oz water reservoir that can be accessed on the top left of the machine, and an 8.8 ounce capacity bean hopper with access from the top right of the mach
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Specifications:
- Machine type: Super Automatic Espresso Machine
- Integrated Grinder: Conical ceramic grinder with 5 grind size settings and bypass
- Bean Hopper: 8.8 oz.
- Water Reservoir: 60 oz.
- Frother: Manual Pannarello steam wand
- Brew sizes: Espresso and lungo buttons, which can be programmed for custom size
- Warranty: 2 years
The Gaggia Anima is a super-automatic espresso machine done in an attractive black and silver design scheme with a smaller footprint that fits well on most kitchen counters.
It has a responsive display using buttons and a 60-ounce water reservoir, giving you plenty of cups.
The hopper holds around 12 ounces of beans, and the device is more straightforward to clean than some of the more sophisticated machines out there.
It requires little manual work to make your favorite espresso and has enough choices to allow you to tweak the coffee to your preference.
Thanks to the Gaggia Adapting System, the Anima will refine the dose based on your strength and grind setting to optimize brewing conditions for your coffee. Pre-ground coffee can also be loaded directly into the brew group via the bypass doser.
For specialty milk drinks and non-coffee favorites like tea or cocoa, the Anima has a dedicated button for steam and another for hot water.
To froth milk, the Panarello steam wand simplifies the process by automatically aerating milk to produce rich foam with ease.
Why We Recommend It
The Anima is a smart-looking coffee machine. The glossy black fascia is trimmed with strips of silvery plastic, and it certainly feels solid and well-made, too.
The clear, uncluttered LCD display is accompanied by six clearly labeled buttons, and if you delve into the menus you can choose between five strengths of coffee, three temperature settings, and customize the amount of water used for the two coffee modes.
Cleaning is relatively simple, too. The Anima goes through a self-cleaning process when you power it on and off to keep the coffee dispenser clean, and you can just whip off the steam head to clean it manually after you’ve used it.
The Anima features an efficient and fast grinder that can handle a few different roasts of beans without getting clogged up. It uses five different grind settings to get the right brew.
The Automatic shut-off option helps save energy and provides safety by shutting off after inactivity.
The Pannarello style steam wand froths milk adequately and has a beautiful stainless steel finish.
Pros:
- Great-tasting espresso
- Simple to use
- Easy maintenance
- Lots of stainless steel used for the casing
- Narrow and space-saving
Cons:
- No steam tap
- No cup warmer
How To Choose The Best Espresso Machines Under $800
There’s a wide range of espresso machines with a plethora of valuable features for the home, office, or commercial user. Narrowing down which features you should go for in a prosumer depends on how often you brew espresso and milk-based coffee drinks, if you’re in a high-volume or low-volume setting or if you simply love the art of making espresso and craft drinks as a hobby.
To help you figure things out, here are the features that you should look for in the best espresso machine under 800 dollars.
1. Types of Espresso Machines
a) Manual Espresso Machines
The manual or lever machine is the most hands-on tool for making espresso. A boiler heats water and you push it through the grounds with a lever. These devices are beautiful, but much less forgiving than their pump-driven counterparts. The pressure control is entirely up to you.
b) Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines
In a semi-automatic espresso machine, an electric pump takes care of water and pressure. You grind and tamp coffee in the portafilter then control how much water passes through the puck.
c) Automatic Espresso Machines
Machines that allow you to pre-program the volume and time of the shot are known as fully automatic. Otherwise, their features and operation are very similar to a semi-automatic machine.
d) Super-Automatic Espresso Machines
Super-automatic machines are equipped with a bean hopper and grinder and will take you from raw materials to the finished espresso at the touch of a single button.
2. Temperature Control System
Temperature is critical when making espresso. How a machine regulates temperature has a big impact on quality. A simple thermostat tells the machine to keep water at a certain temperature, but idle time and water entering and leaving the boiler can lead to inconsistencies.
3. Capacity
The size of the reservoir, boilers, and drip tray can impact heating time and the amount of attention you must give the machine daily by filling the tank and emptying the drip tray.
4. Size
Analyze your kitchen, and figure out where you’d like to place your new espresso machine. Measure the area before you choose an espresso machine for your kitchen. Espresso machines vary in size, even among compact designs.
Some footprints are wider and deeper and have a shorter stature, while others have smaller footprints yet are taller.
5. Materials Used
Because of the pressure requirements of espresso, you want a machine made of quality parts. Ideally, that means it will be made of stainless steel.
Or if it has plastic components, it will be the superficial parts, like the outside of the machine or the water tank. Important components like the pressure pump and the heating coil should be made of metal.
6. Built-In Milk Frother
Most espresso machines have a built-in milk frother to turn the espresso into a creamy cappuccino or latte. If you prefer your coffee drinks to have milk, then this is an important feature to have.
7. Ease of Use
Some machines can be complicated to use, especially if you’re unfamiliar with tamping the grounds in a portafilter. Other machines offer a fully automatic experience, where all you have to do is push a button. It just depends on your comfort level and willingness to learn.
Conclusion
Our top pick for the best espresso machine under $800 is the Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine. Its built-in grinder delivers the right amount of ground coffee on demand, for full flavor. With a 3 second heat-up time and precise espresso extraction, you go from bean to cup, faster than ever before.
I hope that this review of the top espresso machines under 800 dollars and buying guide has allowed you to narrow down your list of options. Most importantly, I hope it has helped you find the best espresso machine for your needs. Happy brewing!
Shiv Kumar
Shiv has been a coffee fanatic since caffeine became a necessity in college, and since then, his enthusiasm has only grown. He specializes in espresso machines and single-serve coffee makers.
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