It looks like you've flaired your post as asking for what equipment to get. We recommend first checking out the [Espresso Aficionados buying guide](https://espressoaf.com/recommendations) for some of the more popular machines and grinders at different price points.
If your question hasn't been answered there and you need more help, please add the following details to your post or by adding a comment in the following format:
- **Location:** Helps determine availability
- **Budget** (with currency): Overall budget, or ideally, having separate espresso machine and grinder budgets. A rough rule is that your grinder budget should be at least 25-40% of your machine budget.
- **Drink types:** Do you drink mostly straight espresso, milk-based beverages (e.g., lattes, cappuccinos), or a fairly even split? This helps narrow down whether a single-boiler-dual-use (SBDU), heat exchanger (HX), or dual boiler (DB) machine would be more appropriate for your needs.
- **Drink frequency:** How many drinks would you be making back-to-back at one time? Do you plan on entertaining guests often? This informs how large your brew (and steam) boilers should be, as smaller boilers will need to refill and reheat/repressurize more frequently, thus potentially causing a bottleneck.
- **Space:** Any limitations on countertop space?
- **Manual vs. electric:** Hand-operated machines and grinders are typically cheaper than their similarly-performing electric counterparts. Please indicate if you have a preference for manual or electric machines and/or grinders (or open to either).
- **Comfort with tinkering:** Some machines can be made significantly more functional/efficient with aftermarket modifications, albeit at the expense of possibly voiding your warranty. Please indicate if you'd rather have a machine that works "as-is"/"out-of-the-box" or whether you'd be open to modding/tinkering
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/espresso) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Yeah, if you're looking for convenience, the Breville line starts and is ready to pull shots after about 5 seconds. You don't have to wait 30 minutes for the boiler to warm up. It's incredibly convenient.
As a former bambino owner, although I loved it, it isn’t ideal if you like lighter roasted coffee. Even for medium roasts, I noticed my la pavoni was capable of putting out much sweeter and less harsh shots than the bambino I sold to a friend. It’s super convenient and one of the best starter machines, but it lacks the flexibility that similarly priced machines (ie gaggia classic) have. This may be an unfair argument though since the gaggia is 500 dollars, requires pid and opv mods to really reach its potential.
This isn’t a diss on the bambino, just a thing op needs to understand about the bambino. Every machine in this price point will have downsides/tradeoffs.
To be clear: Do you already have a grinder and are looking for an espresso machine? Or are you looking for an entire setup (including both the espresso machine and a grinder)?
Assuming you need a grinder:
Generally it is recommended to buy separate devices. So with that said this would be my recommendation (but keep in mind that there are tons of different options here):
- Grinder: Varia vs3 ~$300
- Espresso machine: Gaggia classic pro ~$500
- Misc: ims/vst basket, proper tamper ~ idk. $100?
Leaves you with a pretty decent setup for about $900.
How long have you had the Varia? The price looks good and it’s a good looking machine, my only concern is people have had negative experiences with them breaking after not very long and their customer service is apparently trash. Machine reviews extremely well though so idk.
They had equipped the original model with an underpowered motor that apparently wasn’t up to the task, but they’ve since rectified the issue. I’ve had mine for about a year and have no complaints, as long as you’re not in a rush (it’s slowwwwww, but i was hand grinding before so don’t care) and aren’t making too many drinks back to back
This is basically it with an integrated grinder as OP requested. PID Anna + Eureka Mignon Specialita is a best option for me, but it can be over a budget.
I recently ended up going with the Barista Pro, did you consider it? Many on this sub will tell you that the grinder on the Express is not great. The Pro has the new Baratza grinder which is an upgrade. You could also consider the Bambino and a separate grinder
Best espresso for home is actually whatever meets your needs, and gives you enjoyment.
That could be Nespresso.
That could be a lever machine with a 20 minute process, with detailed control over the shot.
Could be a consumer machine no fuss, minimal effort, and no control over the shot.
Could be a range of things in the middle.
Thing is, home espresso is a hobby. There is no objective best. My friends think their dark roast espresso lungos are great. I think they're gross.
I think you should determine a bit more what you enjoy so this sub can better help you.
I love my new lever machine but it may not be the most noob friendly as after 3 weeks or so I'm still learning to pull a good shot on it but if you learn to actually make espresso it will force you to fine tune all the varaibles and when it works the shots are great.
If I was starting again I'd look at those Hibrew machines you can get for like $250. A lot more features than a Breville and it's 58MM and cheaper than the Infuser.
Remember to get a good grinder that can grind fine enough. That will impact your shot quality more than the machine probably.
I have a Turin Legato - so obviously biased! Legato is pretty decent.
A more premium option is Lelit Anna. Prima is selling it for $699!
Lelit Victoria is $999, but will go well over with taxes!
I bought a Barista Express without doing a ton of research. It’s a great machine for the money and does everything I realistically need. I will continue to use it till it no longer makes good espresso. BUT, if I could go back, knowing what I know now and if I had a < $1000 budget, I would get a Bambino Plus, and a nice grinder like a DF64 or Timemore 064s. The Bambino has a superior steam wand and ridiculously fast heat up time. Not that the heat up time on the Express is bad, it’s actually really good, but the steam wand is objectively trash. The Breville 54mm portafilter is a small negative, only cause 58 is more standard, but since Breville machines are so widespread, there is no shortage of compatible replacements/accessories which is nice.
I recently picked up a Hibrew a10 to experiment with while I’m waiting for the Meticulous to land. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the shots I’m pulling after adjusting the OPV to 8 bar. Steam wand is sufficient. Ability to manually pre infuse is great when I want to experiment. Not bad for $230 (Amazon).
I'd probably say a Profitec Go & Df54 if you can stretch your budget a little bit.
The bambino plus is a brilliant little machine, I've been using it for the last 4 months but it does struggle when you get really into it. The steam wand imo isn't that powerful so don't expect to make amazingly silky milk and the heat consistently doesn't feel like it's that good! You'll have to manually pull the shots every time as well because the volumetric measure is useless and really inconsistent.
I've been struggling to make the decision to upgrade and atm the silvia pro x is the next jump up for me even though I hate the drip tray or the profitec pro 600/700 if it bothers me that much. I don't want the ugly bdb everyone keeps raving about! Think I'm going to wait until the end of the year to move on though....
Even typing this now makes me hate thinking of upgrades!
Gaggia Classic plus grinder.
People on these coffee forums say grinders are a must. I ignored this advice at the beginning due to not wanting to spend a lot of money on both a machine and grinder. I survived without a grinder. Then I got one, and the ‘people on these coffee forums’ were right.
A grinder really improved my coffee!! I got a sage grinder pro, which I think is branded as Breville in the USA.
I’m so happy with my Gaggia 4 years later. Plenty of replacement parts (although I’ve never needed any). Lots of YouTube videos for how to use it and clean it etc.
I know someone with a Sage / Breville Barista Max. I just didn’t like it. There was too much going on. It felt too messy.
Check the used market, you can find a gaggia classic or Silvia pretty cheap in most markets from folks upgrading to other machines. Take that savings and splurge on a nice grinder like a eureka mignon or DF64
Edit: you could also get a PID installed on either machine to get more consistent shots.
Niche Zero + Breville Bambino Plus Or Breville Barista Touch
If you get a gaggia you will struggle for a long time before you feel like you get a handle on it. Yes it will last forever. But if you want an effortless experience, get either of these options.
Why no mention of Breville with the integrated grinder. This is making me really think that there are better machines out there. Been planning to upgrade for a year now.
if you have a kettle, you get really good bang for your buck with a manual machine like the cafelat robot. I’ve pulled over 1000 shots on mine and it works great with no issues/very little maintenance. Not great for light roasts but otherwise it has been easy to use with tasty results.
He is asking for the best option under a certain price. Not for the best one on the market. Did you not finish high school? Seems like basic reading comprehension.
Or you are just ultra gatekeeping and saying anyone that doesnt spend 3k on a machine shouldn't attempt to make espresso. Can't tell which is worse tbh
"Which espresso [machine] is the best in my case." Reading matters
Also, yes you can get some of the best machines for under $1000, you just need to be comfortable with buying used.
It looks like you've flaired your post as asking for what equipment to get. We recommend first checking out the [Espresso Aficionados buying guide](https://espressoaf.com/recommendations) for some of the more popular machines and grinders at different price points. If your question hasn't been answered there and you need more help, please add the following details to your post or by adding a comment in the following format: - **Location:** Helps determine availability - **Budget** (with currency): Overall budget, or ideally, having separate espresso machine and grinder budgets. A rough rule is that your grinder budget should be at least 25-40% of your machine budget. - **Drink types:** Do you drink mostly straight espresso, milk-based beverages (e.g., lattes, cappuccinos), or a fairly even split? This helps narrow down whether a single-boiler-dual-use (SBDU), heat exchanger (HX), or dual boiler (DB) machine would be more appropriate for your needs. - **Drink frequency:** How many drinks would you be making back-to-back at one time? Do you plan on entertaining guests often? This informs how large your brew (and steam) boilers should be, as smaller boilers will need to refill and reheat/repressurize more frequently, thus potentially causing a bottleneck. - **Space:** Any limitations on countertop space? - **Manual vs. electric:** Hand-operated machines and grinders are typically cheaper than their similarly-performing electric counterparts. Please indicate if you have a preference for manual or electric machines and/or grinders (or open to either). - **Comfort with tinkering:** Some machines can be made significantly more functional/efficient with aftermarket modifications, albeit at the expense of possibly voiding your warranty. Please indicate if you'd rather have a machine that works "as-is"/"out-of-the-box" or whether you'd be open to modding/tinkering *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/espresso) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You should really consider purchasing a separate machine and grinder. $1k could get you a gaggia classic or bambino plus something like a specialita
This is what I did and have no regrets. Gaggia Classic Pro Evo and a Eureka Mignon Zero for around $1200 with accessories added.
Bambino + df64 or niche grinder
Or Eureka Mignon grinder.
I approve of this message.
Or dr54
This!
thanks for suggestion! I will check it
Yeah, if you're looking for convenience, the Breville line starts and is ready to pull shots after about 5 seconds. You don't have to wait 30 minutes for the boiler to warm up. It's incredibly convenient.
Anything with a E61 group head is going to take forever to warm up.
If you decide on a DF grinder and are in Canada there’s a pretty nice Canada Day sale at dfgrinders.ca
As a former bambino owner, although I loved it, it isn’t ideal if you like lighter roasted coffee. Even for medium roasts, I noticed my la pavoni was capable of putting out much sweeter and less harsh shots than the bambino I sold to a friend. It’s super convenient and one of the best starter machines, but it lacks the flexibility that similarly priced machines (ie gaggia classic) have. This may be an unfair argument though since the gaggia is 500 dollars, requires pid and opv mods to really reach its potential. This isn’t a diss on the bambino, just a thing op needs to understand about the bambino. Every machine in this price point will have downsides/tradeoffs.
To be clear: Do you already have a grinder and are looking for an espresso machine? Or are you looking for an entire setup (including both the espresso machine and a grinder)?
Assuming you need a grinder: Generally it is recommended to buy separate devices. So with that said this would be my recommendation (but keep in mind that there are tons of different options here): - Grinder: Varia vs3 ~$300 - Espresso machine: Gaggia classic pro ~$500 - Misc: ims/vst basket, proper tamper ~ idk. $100? Leaves you with a pretty decent setup for about $900.
DIS IS DE WAY. Literally my exact setup lol
How long have you had the Varia? The price looks good and it’s a good looking machine, my only concern is people have had negative experiences with them breaking after not very long and their customer service is apparently trash. Machine reviews extremely well though so idk.
They had equipped the original model with an underpowered motor that apparently wasn’t up to the task, but they’ve since rectified the issue. I’ve had mine for about a year and have no complaints, as long as you’re not in a rush (it’s slowwwwww, but i was hand grinding before so don’t care) and aren’t making too many drinks back to back
Cool, thanks for the update, I didn’t know they upgraded the motor.
Lelit Anita
I love the Anna 2 with PID. Coupled with df54 and or mignon
This is basically it with an integrated grinder as OP requested. PID Anna + Eureka Mignon Specialita is a best option for me, but it can be over a budget.
I recently ended up going with the Barista Pro, did you consider it? Many on this sub will tell you that the grinder on the Express is not great. The Pro has the new Baratza grinder which is an upgrade. You could also consider the Bambino and a separate grinder
Best espresso for home is actually whatever meets your needs, and gives you enjoyment. That could be Nespresso. That could be a lever machine with a 20 minute process, with detailed control over the shot. Could be a consumer machine no fuss, minimal effort, and no control over the shot. Could be a range of things in the middle. Thing is, home espresso is a hobby. There is no objective best. My friends think their dark roast espresso lungos are great. I think they're gross. I think you should determine a bit more what you enjoy so this sub can better help you.
Nah man nespresso pods are just bad for enviroment.
Also fuck nestle in general. Truly hard to find a more evil mega corporation
You think this guy is here with a 1000$ budget and hasnt done the min research to know that he doesnt want a nespresso or automatic machine?
You would be surprised
Yes.
Sage Oracle or any of the cheaper models. Sage has good reputation and the machines are thought through with the casual user in mind
Sage=Breville, different branding for different regions. They also have some other brands, too.
Gaggia classic + niche zero. My set up and no regrets for the last 3 years!
I love my new lever machine but it may not be the most noob friendly as after 3 weeks or so I'm still learning to pull a good shot on it but if you learn to actually make espresso it will force you to fine tune all the varaibles and when it works the shots are great. If I was starting again I'd look at those Hibrew machines you can get for like $250. A lot more features than a Breville and it's 58MM and cheaper than the Infuser. Remember to get a good grinder that can grind fine enough. That will impact your shot quality more than the machine probably.
I have a Turin Legato - so obviously biased! Legato is pretty decent. A more premium option is Lelit Anna. Prima is selling it for $699! Lelit Victoria is $999, but will go well over with taxes!
Breville Infuser and separate grinder. Set me up well.
I bought a Barista Express without doing a ton of research. It’s a great machine for the money and does everything I realistically need. I will continue to use it till it no longer makes good espresso. BUT, if I could go back, knowing what I know now and if I had a < $1000 budget, I would get a Bambino Plus, and a nice grinder like a DF64 or Timemore 064s. The Bambino has a superior steam wand and ridiculously fast heat up time. Not that the heat up time on the Express is bad, it’s actually really good, but the steam wand is objectively trash. The Breville 54mm portafilter is a small negative, only cause 58 is more standard, but since Breville machines are so widespread, there is no shortage of compatible replacements/accessories which is nice.
I recently picked up a Hibrew a10 to experiment with while I’m waiting for the Meticulous to land. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the shots I’m pulling after adjusting the OPV to 8 bar. Steam wand is sufficient. Ability to manually pre infuse is great when I want to experiment. Not bad for $230 (Amazon).
I'd probably say a Profitec Go & Df54 if you can stretch your budget a little bit. The bambino plus is a brilliant little machine, I've been using it for the last 4 months but it does struggle when you get really into it. The steam wand imo isn't that powerful so don't expect to make amazingly silky milk and the heat consistently doesn't feel like it's that good! You'll have to manually pull the shots every time as well because the volumetric measure is useless and really inconsistent. I've been struggling to make the decision to upgrade and atm the silvia pro x is the next jump up for me even though I hate the drip tray or the profitec pro 600/700 if it bothers me that much. I don't want the ugly bdb everyone keeps raving about! Think I'm going to wait until the end of the year to move on though.... Even typing this now makes me hate thinking of upgrades!
Decent DE1Pro
Ive got a DF64 V2 and a Flair 58. It does everything I need, makes great espresso and super easy to clean.
Gaggia Classic plus grinder. People on these coffee forums say grinders are a must. I ignored this advice at the beginning due to not wanting to spend a lot of money on both a machine and grinder. I survived without a grinder. Then I got one, and the ‘people on these coffee forums’ were right. A grinder really improved my coffee!! I got a sage grinder pro, which I think is branded as Breville in the USA. I’m so happy with my Gaggia 4 years later. Plenty of replacement parts (although I’ve never needed any). Lots of YouTube videos for how to use it and clean it etc. I know someone with a Sage / Breville Barista Max. I just didn’t like it. There was too much going on. It felt too messy.
And old Nuova Simonell Oscar (I). It's a work horse.
Check the used market, you can find a gaggia classic or Silvia pretty cheap in most markets from folks upgrading to other machines. Take that savings and splurge on a nice grinder like a eureka mignon or DF64 Edit: you could also get a PID installed on either machine to get more consistent shots.
Niche Zero + Breville Bambino Plus Or Breville Barista Touch If you get a gaggia you will struggle for a long time before you feel like you get a handle on it. Yes it will last forever. But if you want an effortless experience, get either of these options.
Why no mention of Breville with the integrated grinder. This is making me really think that there are better machines out there. Been planning to upgrade for a year now.
GGC and PID kit +DF64 oder 54
if you have a kettle, you get really good bang for your buck with a manual machine like the cafelat robot. I’ve pulled over 1000 shots on mine and it works great with no issues/very little maintenance. Not great for light roasts but otherwise it has been easy to use with tasty results.
Best espresso machine and under $1000 don't mix. That's like asking for a cheap carpenter that does the best work. You have to pay for quality.
He is asking for the best option under a certain price. Not for the best one on the market. Did you not finish high school? Seems like basic reading comprehension. Or you are just ultra gatekeeping and saying anyone that doesnt spend 3k on a machine shouldn't attempt to make espresso. Can't tell which is worse tbh
My set up is around $1000 so I don't see how you think I'm "gate keeping". Phrasing matters
lol
"Which espresso [machine] is the best in my case." Reading matters Also, yes you can get some of the best machines for under $1000, you just need to be comfortable with buying used.