8 Best Espresso Machine Under $500

How To Choose The Best Espresso Machine Under $500 USD?

Espresso is a favorite coffee of many people. Sipping a cup of this beverage lets you feel the Italian spirit.

But before you can make espresso and milk beverages, you need a special utility. Of course, it would also help if you have experience in making one.

These machines exist to ensure that you can make quality espresso. However, choosing one is not that easy. It is a coffee machine that has several intricacies that you need to understand.

You should know its parts as well. Its pressure gauge, drip tray, and built-in milk frother are among its essential components. Great features such as the pre-infusion function are necessary, too.

Don’t worry, though. We will guide you through these things. In this way, you’ll get your options for the best espresso makers.

Understanding The Grinder

The grinder is an essential aspect of every manual espresso machine. For the best manual coffee grinders, click here.

You see, automatic and semi-automatic espresso machines have portafilters. They don’t always come with a grinder on them.

Grinders are the ones that determine the quality of the extraction process. Your ground coffee goes through here, after all. In fact, many claim that it is more crucial than the entire machine itself.

The following are the considerations when choosing a grinder.

• Burr quality – Go for bigger ones. They should also be made from steel.
• Adjustability –  You should be able to adjust the grinder. The best option is a screw-based mechanism. It guarantees comfort and precision in grinding.
• Dosing – Ground coffee beans go directly into the filter. Hence, the dosing system should be reliable.

A good machine paired with a bad grinder will not yield the best espresso. Your ground coffee deserves to be on a high-quality grinder. There’s no negotiating about this matter.

There is also a noseless coffee grinder listed here.

Choosing The Best Espresso Machines Under 500

Next to the grinder is the machine itself.

We’ve mentioned earlier that several components are essential for espresso machines. The quality of these parts can determine the performance of the coffee maker and the flavor of your drinks.

Boiler

A standard coffee machine has a boiler. It serves as its core. Its responsibilities are to produce steam and boiling water.

Boilers with a higher capacity are better than their counterparts. This is due to their stability even in high temperatures.

A boiler may also serve as a hot water dispenser. It must have a good quality so that it produces better brewing results.

Single boiler

Espresso machines with single boilers are for the entry-level. There’s a single heating element that works with the espresso and milk frother. Its primary disadvantage is that it cannot froth and brew simultaneously.

Because of this, using this machine can be time-consuming. Single boilers also have minimal capacity. This means that the efficiency of brewing is low. But if you are into black coffee, this machine should already be enough.

Heat exchanger

Many espresso machines under $500 are using this mechanism.

First off, there are two boilers in this system. A big one is producing steam for milk frothing. Inside it is a smaller boiler that heats up due to the hot water surrounding it.

This design allows simultaneous coffee brewing and milk frothing. Steam is always present, so the boiler doesn’t have to heat up all the time.

Heat exchangers are also large. This enables them to have better efficiency and stability in high temperatures. But this doesn’t mean that this design has no disadvantages.

For instance, heat exchangers are dependent on the steam boiler. If you increase the steam pressure, it will also adjust the temperature for the extract process. In some cases, it may reduce the necessary temperature to froth milk.

Double boiler 

As its name suggests, a double boiler comes with two separate heaters. The first one is responsible for the milk frother. The other one is working to produce hot water.

Having two boilers means that you can adjust the settings of the steam and water independently. It can cater to your preferences in your espressos, lattes, and cappuccinos. Such a design is often present in a super-automatic machine.

Temperature Controller

Coffee extraction requires the correct water temperature. Espresso machines should be able to maintain a water temperature between 196 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit. This range is the recommended temperature for the best extraction results. [1]

Low temperatures will not yield successful coffee extraction. Make it too hot, and it will affect the taste of the coffee beans. A good coffee maker should be able to balance these factors.

Pressure Switches

A pressure switch is a type of analog temperature controller. Most of the time, there are no markings on its increments. Hence, you need to make careful and rough adjustments.

You have to practice so that you can set it in the ideal temperature range. Espresso machines like this also need timing for the extraction.

But if you simply want to have an espresso in your home, analog systems should be enough. Rotary pumps and pressure switches are there so that you can do this feat.

PID Temperature Controller

Some of the best espresso machines under $500 have PID temperature control. It uses sophisticated algorithms to manage the heaters. In turn, it ensures efficient control of the temperature.

With a PID temperature control, setting your preferred temperature is not difficult. It provides incremental adjustments of 0.1 degrees Celsius (32.2 degrees Fahrenheit). It is so accurate that many coffee shops will only use machines that have this feature.

At the same time, this digital control helps in saving electricity. It guarantees that the heaters don’t overwork as compared to other machines.

Bars Of Pressure

One of the factors that separate espresso from other coffees is pressure. Any other coffee machine can create brews in no time. Meanwhile, espresso machines use high pressure to produce the iconic crema and rich foam.

But what do bars of pressure mean?

We are sure that you are familiar with the concept of pressure per square inch (PSI). Bars are the same thing. But their use is exclusive for espresso makers.

Interestingly, you can also encounter this term in scuba tanks.

One bar is about the same as the sea level’s atmospheric pressure. Hence, a 15-bar espresso maker can generate pressure fifteen times greater than our atmosphere.

Traditional machines are using steam pressure. Today, rotary or vibratory pumps replaced them. Such technology is present in all super-automatic machines and semi-automatic ones.

How Many Bars For Espresso, Anyway?

When brewing espresso, several factors can affect its flavor. Temperature, time, and ratio are among these things. Even the tamping pressure and grind size may also play a part.

High pressure means fast coffee extraction. Machines with high bars of pressure should be able to give you quick espressos. However, we recommend that the extraction time should be just 20 to 30 seconds.

Many coffee gourmets will tell you that a 10-second espresso shot does not taste good. Balancing all the elements should be the key to the most flavorful espresso.

The ideal machine should have a 9-bar and 15-bar pump. Both the specifications should be able to deliver your desired results.

It’s not surprising that many machines today have high pressures on their labels. But the truth is, they are susceptible to pressure loss. Even a 15-bar espresso maker would still brew with 9 bars.

Other advanced machines have unique controls so that their pressure won’t exceed 9 bars.

Other Considerations

The overall functionality of espresso makers may also rely on the following components:

Dose configuration

With this function, the machine doses a pre-configured water amount. It is also responsible for extracting the coffee at a set timing. Such a feature provides convenience and consistency in your shots.

Pump

This is the one that delivers the water pressure to the machine. You should be able to adjust the pressure that it produces. A pressure gauge may also help you monitor its efficiency.

The pumps are either in the form of a rotary or vibration pump. Between them, vibration pumps produce more noise. Rotary pumps are quieter, but they tend to be costly.

Steam wand

High-quality machines have a sophisticated frothing system. Therefore, the steam wand plays a vital role in producing rich crema.

Ideally, the steam wand should be easy to clean. At the same time, you should be able to change it to achieve different foams.

Interestingly, machines that have double boilers or heat exchangers can froth milk quickly and conveniently. Meanwhile, steam wands on single boilers are a little bit rough.

Brew group

Professional brewers set the standard size of brew groups to 58mm. With a coffee machine like this, interchanging accessories is easy. You can switch different tampers and sieves.

Insulation

Boilers should have insulation to decrease their power demand. At the same time, insulators also enhance their stability in varying temperatures.

Drip tray

Brewing espresso doesn’t leave your kitchen counter spotless. Dreg boxes and drip trays can help you avoid this mess.

Drip trays serve as the basin of the spills while you are brewing. They help you maintain cleanliness in your kitchen. Fortunately, many espresso makers include this accessory in their package.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long do espresso machines last?

A: A decent machine can last from 5 to 20 years. Its lifespan depends on the brand, build, and quality. If you maintain the machine properly, it can serve you even longer.

Q: Do espresso makers have built-in filters?

A: Yes, they do have built-in filters. It is a necessary aspect for both manual and automatic models. The filters ensure that you can extract and brew coffee flawlessly.

Q: Are espresso makers expensive?

A: The answer depends on the quality, features, and brand. You can get an affordable espresso machine. But of course, it doesn’t deliver the same performance as their costlier counterparts.

Q: How often should you clean an espresso maker?

A: You should clean the device after each time you use it. You should do a more thorough cleaning every after 250 shots or so. In this way, you can preserve the quality of the machine.

Q: Can you use regular coffee in an espresso maker?

A: Technically, yes. It is possible to pour your regular coffee into this machine. However, the brewed result might be tart and funky. We recommend that you use dark roasts instead.

Q: How to increase the espresso pressure?

A: You can set the grinder’s setting to fine. Moreover, you can increase the amount of coffee. Alternatively, applying more tamping pressure should do the trick.

Final Words

The best espresso machine lets you make cafe-quality drinks in your home. There are many options to choose from. Your budget and preference are the only limits here. If you want the best espresso machine under 200 we also have a list of that.

You have the option to choose a super-automatic machine. If you are tight on budget, a manual model should suit your needs.

In our list here, the Calphalon BVCLECMP1 Temp iQ is the best espresso machine under 500. It has an excellent build and great features. It brews in precise settings without too much waste.

We also encourage you to check other machines here. They have superb qualities that you can get even without spending too much.

If you have the time, you should practice brewing techniques, as well. This would help you create a quality espresso. It will also let you maximize the full potential of the machine.

We hope that you find this guide useful. See you next time. Enjoy brewing!

References:

[1] How to Brew Coffee