An espresso machine is an essential requirement of every home, office and commercial establishment. Espresso machines are available in different specifications and will suit the needs of varying users. Choosing the right espresso machine is essential for brewing a cup of coffee that tastes and smells enticing. Here are the ten best espresso machines under $1,000 for your consideration.
Nuova Simonelli Oscar II Espresso Machine
If you want a professional quality brew and are willing to stretch your budget by a couple of hundred bucks, then the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II Espresso Machine may be a great fit for you. It is one of the best espresso machines around $1,000 in the semi-automatic category. The Oscar II comes with an ergonomic steam wand and lever for easy operation. Its copper boiler and professional sized group head ensure excellent quality of the brew. The timed dosage feature facilitates consistent brew cup after cup. The Oscar II is also available in a direct connect variant which is suitable for cafes and bars.
DeLonghi Magnifica XS Automatic Espresso Machine ECAM 22.110.S
If you are looking for the best espresso machines under $1,000 that are also fully automatic, then the Magnifica XS ECAM 22.110.S from DeLonghi may fit your bill. It packs all the features seen in most espresso machines while maintaining a compact footprint. The machine comes with an inbuilt burr grinder that enables you to choose from thirteen different grinding settings while also supporting ground coffee. You can also make cappuccinos and lattes in addition to espressos. The Magnifica XS provides extreme flexibility when it comes to setting the temperature, coffee strength, and cup-size while being easy to operate.
Breville Barista Express BES870XL Espresso Machine
The Barista Express BES870XL is one of the bestselling espresso machines under 1,000 available from Breville today. It comes with an inbuilt conical burr grinder that gives you freshly ground coffee right when you need it. It can store half a pound of coffee beans and enables you to adjust the amount of coffee to be grinded. The 15-bar Italian pump and the 1600W Thermocoil heating system along with the purge control function provide precise temperature control for enhancing the quality of the brew. The Barista Express BES870XL supports both automatic and manual operations besides other features for simplifying operation.
Gaggia Velasca Prestige Espresso Machine
The Gaggia Velasca Prestige is one of the best espresso machines under $1,000 that can brew your favorite beverage at the push of a button. It is a super-automatic machine that is equipped with a 10.6oz bean hopper, a ceramic burr grinder with 10 settings, an auto-frothing milk carafe and a 54oz. removable water reservoir. There are programmable buttons provided for different brews including espresso, cappuccino and froth milk. You can customize the temperature and volume as per your requirements and choose from five different strength settings. An LCD panel and various digital buttons make it easy to operate.
Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine
The Rancilio Silvia espresso machine makes it possible to have a professionally brewed cup of espresso right at your home or office. It is equipped with a commercial grade group head that ensures optimum temperature, aroma and taste. It supports a wide range of adapters and holders for filters in order to accommodate different types of pods and caps for a perfect brew. The Silvia Espresso machine has premium features including an articulating steam wand, power saving standby mode, a steaming knob that facilitates precise control and a drip tray for easy cleaning. It is available in black and stainless-steel options.
La Pavoni Napolitana PA-1200 Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine
The Napolitana from La Pavoni is an excellent choice when it comes to the ten best expresso machines under $1,000. It is a compact, stylish and feature packed semi-automatic machine that allows you to brew excellent quality espressos. The machine features an inbuilt coffee press and conical burr grinder for giving you freshly ground beans when you want to brew a cup of coffee. Its pump is capable of 16 bars of pressure while a pressure gauge allows you to ensure optimum quality of the brewed coffee. The Napolitana has a 100oz. water reservoir and is easy to operate.
Gaggia Anima Super Automatic Espresso Machine
The Anima is another item on the list of ten best espresso machines under $1,000 from Gaggia. It combines modern features with Italian coffee brewing traditions. The machine is a breeze to operate thanks to its designated brew buttons and LCD interface. It has an 8.8oz. bean hopper for grinding coffee beans when required and a 60oz. water reservoir. You can brew espresso and espresso lungo in no time. A Pannarello steam wand is provided for frothing milk. There are five different grinder settings and three different temperature options programmed into the machine.
Breville BES920XL Dual Boiler Espresso Machine
The Breville BES920XL dual boiler espresso machine is another excellent choice if you are willing to increase your budget by a couple of hundred bucks. It comes with commercial grade features and is small enough to fit in residences. There are two boilers provided, one for espresso shots controlled digitally, and the other for producing steam as required. Each has its own 15-bar Italian pump. They ensure an optimal temperature for your brew along with the Over Pressure Valve that limits the maximum pressure for yielding an enticing flavor. An LCD and a pressure gauge provide information and facilitate in the brewing process.
Jura Ena Micro Automatic Coffee Machine
The Jura Ena Micro is another popular automatic coffee machine on the list of ten best espresso machines under $1,000. It packs a multilevel grinder and an espresso brewing unit in an ultra-compact footprint. The touch panel located on the topside makes it easy to operate and allows you to choose from three different cup sizes and two coffee dosages. It comes with an inbuilt energy saving mode and a programmable switch-off timer. The Jura Ena Micro automatic coffee machine is ideal for individuals who want their daily cup of espresso effortlessly and without compromising on quality.
Jura Impressa C65 Automatic Coffee Machine
The Jura Impressa C65 automatic coffee machine is an excellent choice if you are looking for the best espresso machines under $1,000. Its inbuilt conical grinder gives you freshly ground coffee for extracting maximum flavor and aroma. The thermoblock heating system ensures optimum temperature while the height-adjustable spout can accommodate cups of different sizes. A fine foam frother provides consistent milk texture to top-up your beverage. It has an intuitive interface with a single rotary switch that makes it easy to brew your favorite espresso. The Impressa C65 ensures consistent quality cup after cup.
Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine w/ LatteGo, Black, EP3241/54
Philips 3200 with LatteGo is fully automatic and available for under $1000. It makes a charming black countertop appliance and offers 5 coffee options with one-touch buttons on the control panel. You can brew espresso, cappuccino, latte, macchiato, americano, and other coffee beverages. The appliance has a unique LatteGo froth system design for creating foam that pours neatly over your coffee. It froths milk into a smooth, silky layer inside the frothing chamber. Since there are no tubes or hidden parts involved in the frothing area, you can clean its components easily and even place them in the dishwasher. The machine’s 12-step grinder adjustment grinds beans into different consistencies from coarse coffee to a fine powder. An aroma seal is included to keep your coffee beans fresh for a long time, and you can select between 3 aroma strength settings. Philips AquaClean water filter enables worry-free brewing for up to 5,000 cups, as you will only change the filter when the machine alerts you. The appliance comes with a measuring scoop, an AquaClean filter, a LatteGo storage lid, a grease tube, and a water hardness test strip.
KRUPS XP100050 Steam Espresso Machine with Frothing Nozzle for Cappuccino, Black
This is one of the best espresso machines under $1000 because of its minimalistic design that looks great on countertops. It is a 750W, 4-bar steam espresso machine with 3 knob settings – espresso, steam, and off. The steam nozzle on the side helps you froth milk for different beverages, so you make cappuccino, latte, and mocha apart from espresso. A measuring spoon and a calibrated, 4-cup glass carafe are included – which makes a convenient addition for brewing more than 2 cups at a time. The drip tray can be lifted for quick cleaning. The KRUPS espresso machine is a great choice for coffee lovers who want to invest in a reasonably priced appliance that saves time. Once you pour water into the tank and add your ground coffee to the filter, all you need to do is turn the knob to the espresso setting. Your caffeine boost for the day will be ready within 4 minutes.
Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine, Black
Nespresso mini espresso machine has the smallest footprint and a very compact, rounded design. It comes with a complimentary starter kit of 16 recyclable aluminum Nespresso capsules and an Aeroccino 3-milk frother gadget – which is what makes the mini appliance definitely one of the best espresso machines under $1000. It is supremely portable and offers simplicity in the way you use it. You can choose between Espresso and Lungo types using the 2 buttons. The machine and frother also help you make cappuccinos and lattes with barista-style coffee aesthetics. It has a 19-bar high-pressure pump and a removable 20.3-ounce water tank. We really like the eco-mode in this espresso machine. It ensures low energy consumption after 3 minutes of brewing espresso and automatically turns off the appliance if it is idle for 9 minutes. If you are looking for a fast espresso machine within a good budget, then Nespresso is a good option both for its compact size and quick heating times – not to mention the thoughtful capsule gift to inspire your flavor profile!
Gevi Espresso Machine 15 Bar Pump Pressure, Expresso Coffee Machine With Milk Frother Steam Wand, Espresso and Cappuccino Maker, 1.5L Water Tank, For Home Barista, 1100W, Black
Gevi espresso machine is a semi-automatic 2-in-1 appliance available for under $1000. It features a 15-bar Italian pressure pump and works at 1100W, so it has incredible coffee extraction power. The milk pitcher is not included in this package. If you want a heavy-duty and fast espresso machine, Gevi is a great option for 25-second brewing for 2 simultaneous cups. The double-layer stainless steel, BPA-free portafilter helps with this function. There are 2 separate thermostats for accurate, dual temperature controls for both the espresso and milk froth. This enables barista-quality crema extraction and silky foam to create specialty beverages with latte art from the comforts of your home. The 360° steam wand is perfect for turning milk into a perfect micro foam.
Since this machine has a double volume boiler, you can add more water for larger servings. You can make caramel macchiato, mocha, latte, and cappuccino in just a few minutes. Another cool feature that makes this espresso machine the best buy for less than $1000 is its heated metal plate on top that keeps empty cups warm, so the dispensed espresso stays refreshingly hot.
Gevi Espresso Machines 20 Bar Fast Heating Automatic Cappuccino Coffee Maker with Foaming Milk Frother Wand for Espresso, Latte Macchiato, 1.2L Removable Water Tank, 1350W, White
This is a different espresso machine version by Gevi. It features a superior Thermoblock heating system at 1350W to make your favorite coffee type within 45 seconds. It includes a 1.2L removable water tank and a 2-in-1 filter holder, so you can make 1 or 2 cups as needed. The high 20-bar pressure pump delivers a rich blend of smooth, velvety, and aromatic espresso using fast extraction. There are simple Manual, 1 Shot, and 2 Shot settings you can choose; the NTC intelligent temperature control offers 2 thermostats to help you control the espresso and milk froth temperatures independently. The frothing consistency can be adjusted with the manual 360° steam wand – you do need to purchase the milk pitcher separately as it is not included with this package.
Calphalon BVCLECMP1 Temp iQ Espresso Machine with Steam Wand, Stainless
This Calphalon espresso machine is also available for less than $1000. You will receive a stainless steel milk pitcher, a tamper, 1 and 2-cup filters, and a cleaning pin with this appliance. It has an auto-shot function for making instant 1 or 2 shots of espresso using the dial knob. The 15-bar Italian pump creates high pressure to form the perfect crema for your espresso, packed with maximum flavor and aroma – thanks to the 58mm portafilter that has more volume. There is also a steam wand on the side to add froth to cappuccinos and lattes. The espresso machine relies on Thermoblock heating technology and pre-infusion to deliver the best quality espresso while you are at home. It even has a cup warming tray, so your beverages remain at the right serving temperature without cooling down.
Are espresso machines better than coffee makers?
When compared to other coffee makers, the brew made with espresso machines has less water and is subjected to a higher pressure (at least nine bars). It will have a richer flavor and will be thicker than the coffee from drip machines. You can have a café-quality brew at home. That is why coffee enthusiasts prefer espresso machines.
How to Choose the Best Espresso Machines Under $1000?
There is a wide range of espresso machines available in the market. Buyers should consider the type, features, and specifications of models for choosing the right one as per their requirements.
Type of Espresso Machine: Semi-automatic vs Automatic vs Super-Automatic Espresso Machines
One of the primary considerations when looking at the best espresso machines under $1000 is their automation level. A majority of them are semi-automatic, while there are a few fully automated models available as well. Additionally, there are super-automatic and fully automatic pod machines also being sold
Semi-Automatic Machines
Semi-automatic espresso machines are cheap and quite popular. The water is driven through the grouphead automatically, and the appliance aids you in adjusting water pressure and temperature. However, the tamping and extraction process is manual. The user must stop the water flow to prevent overflowing. You may also need a separate coffee grinder, although a few models do have one built-in. Semi-automatic espresso machines offer a good mix of manual control and automation and are relatively affordable. A downside to them is that brew consistency may vary from one cup to another, depending on the user’s skill.
Automatic Machines
Automatic espresso machines are self-regulated and can brew a cup of coffee conveniently. Users may have to perform a few functions like grinding the beans and tamping manually, depending on the model. The volume and quality of each brew are consistent due to computerization. Automatic machines are popular in commercial establishments and with users who are short on time.
Super Automatic Machines
Super automatic machines take care of the A to Z of the brewing process. They grind the beans, measure and tamp them, and brew a hot cup of coffee, all with the push of a single button. You can make a few adjustments like grind size, extraction time, and water level, but most of the process is automated. Super-automatic espresso machines are an excellent option for residential usage, individuals who are short on time, and those that are new to brewing. All you have to do is add beans and water.
Fully Automatic Capsule/Pod Machines
There are fully automatic capsule or pod espresso machines available as well. They are similar to super automatic machines. However, instead of grinding beans, you use a coffee capsule or pod. It is a single-serve, pre-powdered coffee container for preparing one cup of brew. A pod is a pre-packaged coffee serving with a paper filter, while a capsule features a metal or plastic package and is designed for specific espresso machines. Fully automatic capsule or pod machines are convenient to use, but you have to use a new pod each time which is not environment friendly.
Features
Buyers may want to consider the features offered by the ten best espresso machines under $1000. The models may have different features and specifications. Many of them may allow you to adjust grind settings, temperature settings, coffee dosage and volume, and cup size, among others. It increases the customization options available for brewing. Quite a few machines come with the automatic cleaning feature for easy maintenance, although others may require manual cleaning. You will have to take care of the drip tray and remove capsules and filters manually.
Brew Options
Shoppers should examine the brewing options available when going through the ten best espresso machines available under $1000. Espresso, latte, cappuccino, and froth milk are the most popular brewing options. While all machines can make an espresso, latte, and cappuccino may not be available in most of them. Choose an espresso machine that can brew your preferred drinks.
Time to Brew
The time taken by espresso machines will also determine their desirability. It should heat up quickly, and prepare a cup of espresso in a few minutes. No one wants to spend fifteen minutes staring at their machine while it drags through the process of making coffee.
Ease of Use
Ease of use is another factor that determines the ten best espresso machines under $1000. A coffee maker must be easy to set up and operate. Its users should be able to brew a cup of their favorite coffee without having to consult the manual every time. If you are going to use the steam wand, it should be fairly simple to operate the same. Manual machines require more effort to operate and are recommended for enthusiasts or experienced users who can devote a few minutes to make coffee.
Taste and Consistency
The best espresso machines under $1000 must brew coffee with the desired taste and consistency. It should have a smooth nature without being overly bitter. Even if the process of making coffee is manual, the quality of coffee should not differ significantly from one cup to another.
The Number of Groupheads and Steam Wands
The number of groupheads and steam wands available on a machine must be taken into account as well. For residential or light commercial usage, an espresso machine with a single grouphead and wand is adequate. Commercial establishments like cafes may want multiple groupheads and wands for heavy workloads.
Built-in Grinder
Individuals may want to contemplate if they need an espresso machine with a built-in grinder or wish to purchase the same separately. Many premium offerings among the ten best espresso machines under $1000 have a built-in grinder while the most affordable ones don’t. If you already own a burr grinder or use ground coffee, then you may opt for a model that comes without the same. Otherwise, consider a model out of the ten best espresso machines under $1000 that features a built-in grinder.
Size
Shoppers should pay attention to the size and footprint of different models among the ten best espresso machines under $1000. If you live in a house and have adequate space on your kitchen counters, the size of the coffee maker may not be an issue. However, individuals who reside in apartments or condos or have limited space in their kitchen may want to choose an appropriately-sized espresso machine.
Espresso Machine Price
In addition to the above, buyers may want to consider the price of the coffee machine. They should try to get the best machine according to their requirements and taste, without exceeding their budget.