8 Best Espresso Machines Under $500: Mid-range Price For High Quality

Espresso machines under 500 dollars are perfect for every true home barista. Truth be told, this budget is a real sweet spot that allows you to have a powerful machine without investing a large amount of money into it.

To help you find “the one”, we gathered all information about the 8 best models on the market and covered their specifications, functions, and performance. Read on to find out more.

The Rundown

What Kind Of Espresso Brewer Can You Get For $500?

$500 budget is an invisible line between entry-level espresso machines and prosumer brewers with amazing upgrades. Here you can find out exactly what can you expect from a 500 dollar espresso machine.

Automatic Espresso Machines

The reason why machines with automatic functions are very desirable is that they control the entire brewing process for you. All you have to do is add coffee grounds and choose desired brewing settings. A super-automatic espresso machine even grinds coffee beans and doses them for you, however, it might be a bit hard to find for less than $500.

Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine

Semi-automatic models are, in my opinion, the best way to go. They come with all the amazing features that automatic brewers provide. The only difference is that you get to control brewing parameters. For instance, by adjusting espresso shot length you get to control the intensity of your brew.

Are All $500 Espresso Brewers Made For Home Use?

Espresso brewers for home use generally range between 400 and 700 dollars, depending on performance and functionality. With a 500 dollar budget, you can find a good brewer with versatile pro-grade features. With that in mind, higher-quality models can be used in smaller businesses.

How Are They Different From Professional Brewers?

As opposed to the professional espresso machines, $500 brewers aren’t made to brew 100 cups of coffee per day. They are handled more delicately and in a less vigorous setting. For that reason, most models don’t come equipped with the heavy gear that a professional brewer must have to withstand the high demands.

Are They Worth The Investment?

Yes, a good espresso machine is definitely worth the 500 dollar investment. This is because the set budget isn’t too big but at the same time isn’t small either so you can avoid the cheap brewers that can pull a thin, espresso-like coffee shot. You get to enjoy versatile beneficial features such as a powerful heating system, high extraction pressure rating, coffee grinders, milk frothers, etc.

Espresso Machine: What Does A $500 Price Entail?

For 500 dollars you can find an espresso machine with versatile beneficial features and even some amazing upgrades. Here we explained the most important ones.

Construction Quality

First and foremost, with a $500 budget, you don’t want to end up with a poor-quality plastic machine. At this price range, espresso machines are either made out of stainless steel or a combination of stainless steel and ABS plastic. Stainless steel models are the best way to go if you want your brewer to have a lasting lifespan.

Heating System & Brewing Temperature

While all heating systems come with their own benefits and downsides, with the set budget you can’t go wrong with an espresso machine that features a thermoblock heating system. It requires less time to heat up, is highly energy-efficient, and constantly generates hot water. For the optimal espresso brewing results, the brewing temperature should be set at 190-195 degrees Fahrenheit. The real test for every espresso maker is to maintain this temperature while the espresso shot is being pulled.

Extraction Pressure

Every espresso machine should provide at least a 9 bar extraction pressure during the brewing process. However, at this price, you can easily find more powerful models that offer 15 bar or even a 20 bar extraction pressure. With the higher pressure, you will be able to pull an espresso shot much quicker and enjoy all the delicious flavors from coffee grounds.

Frothing Mechanism

While most of the 500 dollar espresso machines come with a frothing wand, you can find some that come with an automatic frothing system. The latter might seem like a convenient option as it does the job for you. However, since the former is manually controlled, you can make both smooth milk-froth for latte art and thick foam for cappuccino.

Coffee Grinder

A coffee grinder is not a must-have for this price, but we can all agree that it is an amazing addition. Espresso machines that come equipped with a grinder allow you to achieve the freshest results. They also offer grind size control thanks to which you get to choose how fine or coarse you want your grinds to be. To achieve the perfect espresso shot you should set the grind size to the “fine” setting.

Programmable Features

An espresso machine for this mid-range budget will provide you with versatile programmable features. For instance, you get to control the cup size by adjusting the machine’s settings between a single and a double shot, you can set the brewing temperature and control the steam intensity, etc.

Ease Of Use

Wheter you opt for an automatic or a semi-automatic espresso brewer, these machines are generally very easy to use. Since the former does the work for you, you can expect consistent results with every use. The latter may seem a bit complicated for beginners, but once you perfect the tamping and find the sweet spot for the shot length, you will get the hang of it.

Cleaning Requirements

All models we reviewed below are fairly easy to clean. Since most of them have completely removable parts, you can easily rinse them out under tap water. For the ones that don’t, make sure to clean the portafilter after every use and clean the rest of the machine at the end of the day following the included instructions.

8 Best Espresso Machines Under $500

All listed espresso machines are efficient and provide great performance. The first one offers a 15 bar extraction pressure and comes with an automatic frothing mechanism. On the other hand, the last one provides a 20 bar extraction pressure and comes equipped with a coffee bean grinder.

Mr. Coffee Espresso Maker

This espresso brewer features a simple one-touch control panel. It allows you to choose wheter you want to make an espresso, cappuccino, or a latte and set the brewing parameters between a single and double shot. With its self-cleaning program, you can clean it with as little effort as possible. This makes it a great choice for home use.

Its high 15 bar extraction pressure ensures that you get delicious brewing results with every use. Due to its automatic milk frothing system, a perfect froth is dispensed directly into your cup once the espresso shot is pulled. You can easily remove the milk reservoir and store it in the refrigerator for the next use.

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Calphalon Temp iQ Espresso Machine

Its simple dial interface allows you to choose wheter you want to use hot steam or hot water, and wheter you want to make a single or a double espresso shot. The top of the espresso machine works as a warming tray and keeps your cups ready for the brew.

This stainless steel construction comes equipped with a 58mm café-sized portafilter. Due to its size, it can hold more grounds at once. It also ensures much better water dispersion and extraction. With its Thermoblock heating technology and PID temperature control system, you will get consistent results with every single use.

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Breville Duo Temp Pro Espresso Machine

This is another brewer that allows you to control its brewing volume. Its powerful 15 bar Italian pump slowly starts by infusing the grounds and then gradually increases the pressure. As a result, you will get a full-flavored espresso shot with a balanced taste. Use the razor dose trimming tool that comes included to add the perfect amount of grounds into the filter.

Its frothing wand is specially designed to help you create a perfect milk froth for your lattes and cappuccinos. It comes with a safety grip to ensure that you can use it safely without suffering an accidental heat burn. A milk jug comes included in the package to ensure that you have everything you need to get started.

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Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine

Apart from its durable exterior, this Italian espresso brewer also offers a commercial-grade chrome plated brass 58 mm portafilter. It comes with versatile filter baskets to ensure that you can choose wheter you want to pull a single or a double shot. Its rocker switch controls are front-mounted to ensure you can make the desired adjustments as quickly as possible.

Another thing worth mentioning is that this machine comes with dual heating elements. They are specially designed to get the boiler to the perfect temperature level for the brewing process in about 5 minutes. They also get the steam ready for use in only 30 seconds.

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De’Longhi Dedica Deluxe Espresso Machine

This espresso machine comes with a convenient 3in1 filter holder. You can use it with a single or double filter basket or ESE pods. The brewer heats up in only about 40 seconds. With its automatic flow stop feature, it dispenses the perfect amount of espresso straight into your cup.

Note that the bottom drip tray of this small machine is completely removable from the machine. Thanks to this feature you can easily replace your small espresso cup with a larger cup of your choice. Its frother makes it suitable for brewing cappuccinos and lattes too.

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Nespresso Lattissima Espresso Maker

Compared to the rest of the listed models, this espresso machine uses a 19 bar pressure and is made for use especially with Nespresso coffee pods. You can choose wheter you want to make an espresso or a lungo. WIth 3 different frothing recipes, it is the perfect choice for everyone who loves lattes.

Its automatic frothing system features a single-serve milk jug that comes with a detachable lid. Thanks to this feature you can easily refill it if and when needed. Both the milk jug and the water reservoir are removable and dishwasher-safe so you can easily clean them after use.

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Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

This espresso brewer provides a somewhat lower extraction pressure of 9 bars. Even though it is a bit weaker, it is an amazing choice for home use. Its frothing wand easily creates a delicious froth for versatile espresso/milk-based beverages.

Its compact, slim design makes this 500$ espresso machine suitable for use even atop the smallest countertops. As it has a small footprint, it is very easy to store too. Since it is constructed out of stainless steel material you don’t have to worry about any external damages such as rust, corrosion, etc.

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COSTWAY Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine

This is the only espresso maker in this post that comes equipped with a built-in coffee bean grinder. It offers 30 adjustable grinding settings to ensure that you can choose how coarse or fine coffee grounds you want to get. Additionally, it comes with a top seal that keeps the remaining coffee beans at their optimal freshness level.

Note that this brewer delivers perfect extraction pressure for the maximum flavor extraction. Its 20 bar extraction pump is designed to provide the perfect espresso shot in only a couple of minutes. This makes it a suitable choice for use at home as well as the office.

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How Long Will A $500 Espresso Machine Last?

If and when cared for properly, the machine can last anywhere between 5 to 15 years. It all depends on the brands and the quality they represent, its internal gear, how many additional features and functions the brewer provides (the more there are the higher the risk of malfunction), etc.

Maintenance & Warranty

Pay additional interest to the espresso brewer’s warranty and how well the manufacturer honors it. Espresso brewers are covered with a warranty from 1 to 5 years, depending on the manufacturer, but most provide a 3-year warranty. It covers both parts and labor that are required to repair the machine and any mechanical and electrical components such as boilers, pumps, etc.

However, it does not cover possible defects that come from the misuse of the machine such as improper maintenance, refilling of the boiler; regular wear, and tear of the machine, or smaller maintenance such as descaling.

Tips For Long-Lasting Performance

With this budget, you want to be sure that your espresso machine provides lasting performance. Here are some tips to ensure that:

• Go with a trusted brand – While there can be some exceptions, buying an espresso machine from a trusted brand is the first step you can make to ensure that won’t break apart after the first use. Always check customer reviews as they let you know if something is not right with the appliance.
• Put quality above all else – You can’t choose a somewhat cheaper plastic espresso machine with versatile features and expect it to last for years to come. A good-quality stainless steel machine should last you anywhere from 5 to 15 years.
• Maintain the espresso machine properly – You need to pay attention to the maintenance level the espresso brewer requires. If you use it several times a day you should make a minor service every 3 to 6 months and arrange a full-service annually.