10 Best Espresso Machines Under $1000 (2023 Reviews)

1. Breville Barista Express - Our Top Pick!

The best home espresso machine under $1000 is the Breville Barista Express, model BES870BSXL.

It has all the features you could ever want from an espresso maker, and most importantly, it makes great espresso with every brew.

So what makes this the best espresso machine under $1000? First of all, this automatic espresso machine is easy to use, even for beginner baristas.

Eventually, you'll be a barista master, especially since the design allows plenty of room for creativity.

My favorite feature is the built-in grinder. It's not just any grinder; the conical burr design, which Breville has recently upgraded, comes with 16 different grind size settings.

The ground coffee then goes directly into the portafilter, which means less cleanup for you.

At significantly less than $1000, I'm pleasantly surprised by all the added features. It comes with PID temperature control that you can adjust between 196 and 204 degrees Fahrenheit.

This range is ideal for espresso extraction, meaning a better-tasting espresso shot.

The temperature isn’t the only thing that’s super precise. The Express machine also features an optimal water pressure design.

The pressure gradually increases at the start of the brew, working to bring out all the flavors that you’d expect from a premium espresso shot.

The last notable feature is the swiveling steam wand. It's delicate yet powerful, capable of making a silky microfoam that any espresso fan would die for.

Even if you've never made latte art, you can with this simplified steam wand.

Compared to other Breville machines like the Barista Pro and the Creatista Plus, this one is easy to use but no less advanced.

That's why it's the best option for all levels, ranging from beginner baristas to pros.

2. Rancilio Silvia M V6 - Best Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine

The Rancilio company turned 25 years old in 2022. In the past, they only focused on commercial machines, but they released the Silvia M V6 in 2020 as the perfect espresso machine for home use.

The standout feature of the Rancilio Silvia espresso machine is its pressure regulation. It uses a 3-way solenoid to purge excess pressure, so there’s never a risk of backflushing with the portafilter.

To top it off, the adjustable pressure gauge makes this product extremely versatile when it comes to playing around with coffee strength.

The Silvia M V6 has an extremely strong build; some users have literally stated that it's "built like a tank."

It's made with an iron frame, stainless steel casing, and a thermal-wrapped boiler for added heat stability. As long as you take care of it, you could use this thing for decades.

The durability is a huge plus, especially if you’re looking for a long-term investment. Some machines are built with ABS plastic, like the De’Longhi Magnifica.

While this type of plastic is durable and lightweight, it doesn’t compare to the steel that surrounds the mechanisms of the Silvia.

Silvia’s single-boiler is quite large, which has pros and cons. While it can hold a lot of water, it takes a while to heat.

This means you have to wait anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes before it’s ready to brew. If you’re the type to wake up and immediately need coffee, that might be a deal-breaker for you.

Of all the features, my favorite is the stainless steel steam wand. It's flexible enough to allow for a wide range of motion but durable enough to withstand the test of time.

That means you'll be making latte art for years to come.

Unlike the Barista Express, this wand can be quite challenging to get the hang of.

It’s not nearly as simplistic as the Express wand, so if you’re new to coffee art but hope to become a pro, you’re better off going with the Breville.

3. Breville Barista Pro - Best Espresso Machine With PID Control

Another highly-rated option from Breville is the Barista Pro semi-automatic machine, model BES878BSS.

It’s an amazing choice for anyone who wants a pro-level machine with easy-to-use features.

While this machine is also under $1000, it's more suited to professional baristas than the Barista Express.

The front panel comes with an intuitive interface that lets you choose different drink options and coffee strength.

When brewing, the Pro delivers on four important qualities for making a standout cup of coffee: maximum flavor, balanced taste, full body, and silky mouthfeel.

As for the features, my favorite is the patented ThermoJet heating system. This technology heats the water to optimal temperature in less than 3 seconds.

This is so much better than the 10-15 heat-up time of the Rancilio, so keep that in mind if patience is not your strong point.

Compared to the traditional Thermoblock, it uses more than 30% less energy, so you'll save time and money. For that reason, this is by far the best choice when it comes to PID temp control.

The only potential downside of the ThermoJet heating is that users have to flush water through the brew head to assist in preheating.

This doesn’t take much time or effort, so I don’t see it as a major flaw.

Just like the Barista Express, this one comes with an integrated conical burr grinder, but it has nearly twice the number of grind settings.

With 30 settings to choose from, all you have to do is push a button for the perfect grind and exact dose of coffee grounds.

The ergonomic design of the milk wand is worthy of a shout-out. The head comes with four holes instead of the standard one-hole design, so it can create a nice microfoam in less than 30 seconds.

Out of all the milk-frothing systems, this is the best I've seen in a machine under $1000. Plus, the wand is much easier to get the hang of compared to the Rancilio Silvia.

4. Philips 3200 LatteGo – Best Espresso Machine With Advanced Features

Next up is the Philips 3200 LatteGo.

While this automatic espresso machine may look pretty standard at first glance, it's packed with plenty of advanced features for making the perfect shot or espresso-based drink.

Thanks to the advanced milk frothing system, this machine is ideal for anyone who loves a good latte or cappuccino.

Once the milk temperature is met, the frother mixes milk and air at high speed within the chamber. It then pours the foam directly into the cup for an impressive frothy finish.

The front panel display allows you to choose between 5 drink options, as well as coffee strength and volume.

The milk chamber has clearly-visible notches on the side so that you can pour the perfect amount of milk based on your drink of choice.

I love how easy it is to clean the LatteGo. There are no tubes and just two main components, which are both dishwasher-safe and easy to remove.

Plus, the integrated AquaClean water filter means you won't have to descale until you've brewed 5,000 cups.

In terms of creaminess and texture, the LatteGo’s biggest competition is the Breville Creatista Plus.

The Creatista is also aimed at latte/cappuccino drinkers, but it’s not nearly as easy to use. Instead of the automatic frothing that comes with the LatteGo, it requires you to froth the milk yourself.

5. De'Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica - Best Automatic Espresso Machine

For anyone looking for a super-automatic machine at the right price, you’ll definitely want to consider the De’Longhi Magnifica, model ESAM3300.

With super-automatic machines, the espresso-making experience is a breeze. That’s exactly the case for the Magnifica, which grinds, fills, brews, and pours all on its own.

All you have to do is fill the water tank and coffee chamber - the machine will do the rest.

This model is built with a double boiler system, so you’ll never have to wait between brewing and steaming. However, I recommend the De’Longhi La Specialista if dual boiling is your main priority.

The heating system on the La Specialista is slightly more advanced and stable, but you’ll see that in the price difference.

The Magnifica has integrated ceramic grinders with 13 settings, but I've found that the two finest settings aren't ideal for brewing. As long as you avoid these, you'll have good espresso.

The traditional Panarello steam wand can rotate 180 degrees and is built with a very small intake hole. Both frothing and steaming levels can be adjusted, and it comes with a plastic sheath that can easily be removed for making microfoam - aka, latte art!

Just note that the steam power on the frothing/steaming wand is fairly weak, so it can take a while to get the results you’re hoping for.

Considering this is a super-automatic machine, the price is extremely reasonable. The plastic build is a big reason for that, so don’t expect the same durability you’d get from a stainless steel build.

The plus side, though, is that all of the parts are lightweight, easy to remove, and easy to clean.

6. Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus – Best With Milk Frother

If milk frothing is an important factor when choosing your new espresso machine, this next one is for you.

As you can probably guess from the name Creatista, the Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus is all about getting creative. It's built with a high-end milk frother to make that possible.

With this single-serving machine, there's no need to invest in a separate milk frother ever again.

This single-serving espresso machine is different from others on the list. Rather than use ground coffee to brew perfect espresso, it uses Nespresso coffee capsules.

For that reason, it’s extremely convenient and easy to use with virtually no cleanup.

After putting the capsule into the chamber, the next step is to choose the setting. The Creatista Plus gives you 3 different options: ristretto, espresso, or lungo. 

To get you started, each purchase comes with a Nespresso starter pack with a variety of capsules to choose from.

From there, just add milk to the stainless steel milk jug to start frothing. Then, pour the frothed milk into your mug to create a latte, macchiato, or cappuccino worthy of any coffee shop.

I was shocked to find that there are 11 settings for milk temperature along with 8 settings for texture.

The water tank is 1.5 liters in size, and it’s easily removed for quick cleaning.

Once you hit the power button, the machine heats up in 3 seconds, and there’s an automatic power-off to save energy.

Just note that this is on the smaller end of tank size, so you’ll have to refill the tank more often than you would with the Barista Express or Barista Pro.

Not a major issue, but still something to think about!

Milk frothing and steaming require a lot of pressure, which is why this machine was designed to reach 19 BAR.

That's more pressure than any other option on this list, making it the absolute best in terms of the steam wand.

7. Gaggia Magenta Plus – Best Super Automatic Espresso Machine

Of all the super-automatic espresso machines under $1000, I've chosen the Gaggia Magenta Plus as up there with the best.

It's 100% Italian-made, so it's no surprise that this is one of the best home espresso machines out there.

Compared to the De'Longhi Magnifica, another super-automatic espresso maker, this one is on par for this type of machine.

It has easier programming options and is a bit more durable if you ask me. That means you'll be able to use this as a long-term investment.

There’s a lot to be said about this espresso machine, and like most super-automatic espresso machines, it’s extremely easy to use.

Once you’ve added water to the reservoir and coffee beans to the grinding chamber, the rest is up to Gaggia.

The interface comes with a touchscreen to change the brewing program, allowing you to choose between espresso and lungo, coffee, Americano, and hot water.

I also love that the screen displays guided step-by-step instructions for cleaning, leaving no room for confusion.

Gaggia has designed this machine with a commercial-grade stainless steel steam wand. It's shaped perfectly for crafting milk froth and dispenses hot water for easily making tea.

The built-in grinder is made from 100% ceramic, a material resistant to overheating. Unfortunately, there are only 5 grind settings to choose from, which is much less than other options on this list.

This may seem like a deal-breaker compared to the 30 grind settings of the Breville Barista Pro, but don't let it sway your decision too much.

The 5 grind settings can still get the job done, and you can always invest in a separate grinder if need be.

8. La Pavoni EPC-8 Europiccola - Best Manual Espresso Machine

Manual espresso machines aren’t for everyone; they require some elbow grease with each brew.

However, using a manual espresso machine does have some perks, like having complete control of pressure as you push the lever down.

If that’s something you’re interested in, the La Pavoni EPC-8 Europiccola is the ideal choice for a manual machine under $1000.

This product will make you feel like a true barista using the old-school method of “pulling” an espresso shot with a lever.

While there are no pushing buttons with the La Pavoni, the lever-style brewing means that users have complete control as they force water through the coffee.

Figuring out the ideal speed and pressure can be challenging for some, so this isn’t the ideal choice if you’ve never pulled a shot before.

Luckily, the steam pressure is piston-operated and internally regulated, so it’s not completely on you to gauge the pressure accurately.

The internal heating elements are made from stainless steel, so you can expect them to produce results for years.

This product is as sturdy as they come. It's constructed from heavy-duty steel beneath a chrome finish, which is durable as well as stylish.

To top it off, the compact footprint makes this an excellent choice for small kitchen spaces.

It’s hard to compare this product to any other espresso machine on this list since it’s truly one of a kind.

This is the only product that uses the old-school method of pulling, so if you don’t want to put a little elbow grease into your morning coffee routine, you’ll want to look elsewhere!

9. De'Longhi La Specialista – Best Espresso Machine With Dual Boilers

Most of the machines I’ve reviewed so far are built with a single boiler.

While a single boiler machine can certainly get the job done, a double boiler system has some advantages, like not having to wait between brewing and steaming.

The De'Longhi La Specialista has been named the best machine under $1000 with dual boilers by reviewers everywhere.

It's nice to look at, easy to use, and has all the other features you need for brewing quality espresso at home.

First, let's talk about the heating system. Thanks to the dual boilers, water in the brewing chamber is heated separately from water used by the steam wand.

Both boilers are built with temperature stability in mind, so you'll always have the perfect temp, no matter the task at hand.

Because it's slightly more advanced than De'Longhi's Magnifica, I've given this product the title of "best with dual boilers."

You really can't go wrong with either option, but it's worth noting that this machine has better temperature control. Plus, it's nicer to look at with more traditional design features.

This semi-automatic machine is designed with a Smart Tamping Lever. This tamps the coffee at the right pressure, meaning you don't have to remove the portafilter after each brew.

Overall, this reduces the risk of a bad brew due to poor pressure.

The milk-frothing wand is my personal favorite feature. It allows you to choose your froth style based on different coffee drinks.

Whether you want a thin microfoam for a latte or a thick foam for a cappuccino, it’s possible with the La Specialista.

The built-in pressure gauge is another nice touch. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it’s also for gauging whether or not the optimal pressure is being met.

My only complaint has to do with cleaning and maintenance. While it’s relatively easy to keep the machine in good shape, De’Longhi makes it very clear that none of the parts are dishwasher-safe.

As long as you're ready to wash everything by hand, then this machine deserves high praise.

10. Gaggia Anima Prestige - Best Espresso Machine With Programmable Settings