Article

How Much Should You Spend on an Espresso Machine?

Editorial Team · Updated July 2026 · 7 min read

Budget Tiers, Explained

Below $150, you’re usually buying a steam-wand machine with little temperature control — fine for testing the waters, frustrating to grow with. Between $400 and $600, PID temperature control and a real 58mm portafilter become standard, which is where most beginners should aim.

Above $800, you’re paying for dual boilers, faster recovery, and build quality — genuinely useful if you’re making multiple drinks daily, unnecessary if you’re not.

What’s Actually Worth Paying For

Temperature stability affects every shot you pull. A 58mm portafilter gives you access to a much wider range of baskets and accessories later. Beyond that, most “premium” features — touchscreens, pressure profiling — matter far more to enthusiasts than beginners.

Don’t Forget the Grinder

A great machine paired with pre-ground coffee will underperform a modest machine paired with a decent burr grinder and fresh beans. If your total budget is fixed, weight it toward the grinder before the machine.

The Bottom Line

Buy the least expensive machine with real temperature control and a standard portafilter, put the rest of your budget toward a grinder, and upgrade the machine later if you outgrow it.

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Sources: manufacturer specification sheets; category research. No independent lab testing has been performed for this article.