best espresso machine under 600

5 Best Espresso Machines Under $600 In 2023

Finding the best espresso machine can make all the between a great brew and an average coffee. There are thousands of espresso machines available to amateur home baristas. Finding the one that ticks all your boxes is the difficult part.

In order to make your decision easier, I’ve done the research for you. Below,  I’ve gathered a list of the 5 best espresso machines for 600 budget. After long and detailed research, testing, and checking online reviews and Reddit, I’ve come up with the espresso makers that are currently the best value for money.

Let’s have a look at the espresso machines under $600 and help you choose the best for your needs and demands!

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Buying an espresso machine can be a daunting task. You can find a real gem that serves you superior shots of espresso and creamy lattes days on end, or you can find a piece of plastic junk that’s severely overpriced and never works well.

But, unlike this Super Automatic Espresso Maker that fails to live up to high expectations and hefty price tag, I’ve done my research well and listed only the best machines you can get your hands on.

There are tricks when it comes to choosing the best espresso machine for home though. And once you know a bit more about these brewers, choosing becomes much easier!

Contents

What’s the best espresso machine under $600?

TOP PICK

Breville the Barista Express Espresso Machine

Breville the Barista Express is one of the most popular espresso machines available.

Breville is an excellent value for money and makes high-quality espresso. I’m particularly fussy with a macchiato, which I love to drink, and Barista didn’t disappoint.

Given my personal experience and numerous online reviews, this coffee maker is a solid brewer that allows you to adjust the final result and save you hundreds of dollars by allowing you to make coffee-shop quality coffee at home.

What I really like about it is that it comes with a built-in conical burr grinder with 16 different settings, as well as a milk frother. I was able to pull any amount of macchiato I wanted in no time, with consistent quality day after day.

Best espresso machines under $600

Breville the Barista Express Espresso Machine  #1 Best Overall

Breville the Barista Express is one of the most popular espresso machines on the market. It’s a semi-automatic machine, which means you have some control over your brew.

Breville comes with a built-in automatic burr grinder (8 oz. capacity), with 16 grind different size settings and stainless steel conical burrs. Digital temperature control (PID) warms up the water to a precise brewing temperature for precise espresso extraction.

The water reservoir can hold up to 67 oz of water. the removable drip lets you know when it’s full; a latch will float up to the top.

Don’t like the color? Choose its dark-shaded cousin instead.

Pros

  • Built-in burr grinder
  • Integrated tamper
  • Single/double shot option
  • 360-degree steam wand
  • Easy to use
  • Easy to clean
  • One year limited warranty

Cons

  • Learning curve

If you don’t want to learn how to brew espresso, forget about this machine. But if you’re willing to learn a little, test a bit more, and enjoy your espresso a lot, Breville the Barista is an excellent option for all amateur and home baristas that want to bring the quality and tradition of Italian coffee drinking into their home. What’s more, this is an easy-to-use and clean brewer for beginners and more experienced users. It’s a solid value for money and a popular bestseller for a reason.

Specifications:13.2 x 12.5 x 15.8 inches, weighs 23 pounds, and can work at 120V cord.

Nespresso De’Longhi Gran Latissima – Best Pod Espresso Maker

DeLonghi Latissima enables you to be your own barista at home. It’s especially designed for latte and cappuccino lovers since it can produce a cup of creamy coffee with one touch of the screen.

This machine allows you to personalize each drink somewhat by enabling you to choose the amount of milk, froth, and coffee.

While it’s not the best for plain espresso, this brewer produces creamy and velvety espresso-based drinks. It’s straightforward to use; press a button and you’ll be enjoying a cup of coffee in no time.

Pros

  • One-touch brewer
  • Easy to use
  • Fresh milk carafe
  • 9 pre-programmed recipes
  • Internal bin for used pods
  • Great for smaller counters
  • Best for latte and cappuccino

Cons

  • Operates with pods only
  • Short cable

This machine will make latte and cappuccino lovers happy easily. It’s easy to use, compatible with k-cups, and a fully automatic no-fuss brewer. While the pods are pricier than coffee beans, this machine is a great option for Starbucks coffee in terms of price. Keep the machine and the frother clean, and you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of espresso-based drinks at home, saving your money as you brew.

Specifications: 17.5 x 14.1 x 10.2 inches and weighs 14.35. it works on 110V.

Philips 2200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine – Best Fully Automatic Coffee Machine

An automatic espresso machine, Philips 2200 Series is quite easy to set up. This machine can make espresso, espresso-based drinks, coffee, and hot water for tea. You can adjust aroma strength with 3 different settings, and the water, temperature, and grind for the best flavor.

The unit will do everything for you and provide a tasty cup of espresso or latte since the steaming wand is built-in and you don’t have to go through the trouble of buying one extra. The built-in grinder saves counter space and money in the long run, and with some adjustments of the grinds and water, you’ll be pulling espresso shots with distinct body and heart.

Overall, it’s a solid machine with a handy frother. It won’t do magic with one push of a button, but it’s a good value for money compared to the latte prices in coffee shops and the high-end espresso machine models out there.

Pros

  • Built-in grinder
  • 12 adjustable grind sizes
  • Milk frother
  • Removable water tank
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Not the best crema
  • Noisy

With low maintenance with easy cleaning, this is a solid machine that does the job for you, providing you with tasty coffee day after day. The instructions aren’t the best and the machine is noisy (especially in the early morning), but it’s bearable given the tasks it performs. The steam stops after 90 seconds whether you’re done frothing or not, so make the most of the practice.

Specifications: 20.1 x 20.1 x 12.6 inches, it weighs 20.3 pounds.

Calphalon BVCLECMPBM1 Temp Iq Espresso Machine w/ grinder – Best Breville Competitor

Calphalon temp IQ espresso machine with grinder looks like it came from a serious coffee shop, and it acts quite professionally too. The conical burr grinder comes with 30 different grind settings, and with digital temperature control (PID) that produces even extraction and consistent flavor.

This machine comes with everything a home barista needs, as it also includes a 15oz milk pitcher to steam and froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos. What’s more, it comes with a cleaning disc, pin, and brush, as well as a tamper, and 1 and 2-cup single and dual wall filters.

Temp IQ blooms espresso with pre-infusion to provide maximum flavor and aroma in every cup since it comes with a larger portafilter. The machine is great for people with minimal coffee brewing experience, but not the best for the real espresso snobs.

Pros

  • Elegant and simple design
  • Single or double shot
  • Inbuilt milk frother
  • Inbuilt conical burr coffee grinder
  • 30 different grind settings
  • Removable water reservoir
  • Includes stainless steel milk pitcher

Cons

  • Noisy
  • Messy grinder

Many users compare Calphalon to Breville Barista (check calphalon espresso machine review for more info). The two are quite similar, but Calphalon goes a set further with producing microfoam more easily. It comes with a larger water tank and pulls espresso shots faster. It’s a solid espresso machine that’s quite noisy but it’s easy to use and it pulls a delicious espresso. We all agree that the grinder could contain the grounds more during the process as it gets messy and flies them all over the counter, which is a pain to clean. Calphalon may be a Breville alternative, but they’ll have to try a bit harder to catch up with it.

Specifications: 17.2 x 15.6 x 14.6 inches, it weighs 22.1 pounds and works on 110V.


* Keep in mind that there are two machines with the same name; Temp IQ that we’re reviewing comes with a grinder and the other Calphalon Temp IQ machine has no grinder (and is also quite cheaper). That means you can get a solid grinder (that won’t make a mess on your counter) separately and make the most of your espresso for a few hundred bucks less.

Breville the Infuser Espresso Machine – Best for Budget

Breville Infuser is the most affordable option on the list. This is a semi-automatic mid-priced model that’s great for all who want a solid espresso machine but don’t want to spend thousands of bucks on it. It’s not budget-friendly but if you’re willing to pay a bit extra, you’re in for a treat.

The machine comes with a pre-infusion function that enables a more even and maximum extraction. The brewer comes with the same accessories as Calphalon, for less money: single and dual filter baskets, coffee scoop, stainless steel pitcher, cleaning tool, disc, and tablets, and water filter with holder.

The brewer requires some learning curve but once you get a hang of it, you’ll be pulling great shots in no time. For those with minimal/zero espresso experience, prepare to learn, test, and observe. For best effects, get a solid espresso grinder and quality beans to improve your daily cup.

Pros

  • Pre-infusion system
  • Manual steam wand
  • Great for latte art
  • Produces microfoam
  • Automatic water temperature adjustment
  • Automatic shutoff
  • 1 year limited warranty

Cons

  • Not the best tamper
  • No grinder

Great for the average user, the Infuser is versatile and straightforward enough that doesn’t require you to be a serious barista to pull a short of delicious and rich espresso. Breville Cappuccino and Espresso maker is a forgiving machine that can make great latte art, just make sure to get a quality conical burr grinder. Give yourself a couple of weeks to get the techniques right; after all, the learning is easy and overall, excellent value for money.

Specifications: 12.5 x 12.5 x 13.2 inches, it weighs 17 pounds and runs on 110V with 1600W.

How to Shop For An Espresso Machine?

In my guide on how to buy an espresso machine for home, there are a few things you should consider:

  • Automatic vs. Semi-Automatic

A semi-automatic espresso machine gives you more control over the espresso. Normally, it’s also pricier and comes with a learning curve.

An automatic espresso machine does most of the work for you and it’s more suitable for beginners.

  • Temperature Control

A stable temperature is extremely important for a good brew and a good espresso machine is able to produce it constantly. The ideal temperature for an espresso is between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Grinder

Some machines come with a built-in grinder, others don’t. Owning a machine with a grinder is handy and convenient. Still, many grinders some with a shorter life span than the machines. If you’re serious about the espresso, it makes more sense to get a good quality espresso machine and burr grinder separately.

FAQ

Which is the best Breville fully automatic espresso machine?

Calphalon is a good choice for 600 dollars; if you’re looking specifically for Breville, then the fully automatic espresso machine for home is this one.

Breville infuser vs barista express

You can find many comparisons online, including the debate Breville infuser vs barista express on reddit. To sum it up, Barista Express is a solid espresso machine that’s perfect for beginners and basic espresso users. It comes with a built-in grinder that’ll keep your espresso cravings satisfied. However, it’s more expensive and bigger than the Infuser. If you want more control over your brew, users suggest getting the Infuser with a separate high-quality burr grinder that can produce consistent results. Either way, choose what works best for you; functionality (2-1 machine, which is Express), or more control and space issues (so you’d choose Infuser).

Which is the best automatic coffee machine with grinder?

The best espresso machine that’s both fully automatic and comes with a grinder is De’Longhi Magnifica. It costs slightly more than Breville Barista, but if you’re looking for a fully automatic machine, it’s definitely one of the top options out there.

Best espresso maker under 600: A Recap

With a budget of $600, you can get a solid and quality espresso machine that ticks all of your demands and more. Choosing the best espresso machine can be a daunting and time-consuming task, but once you get it right, a home espresso machine can spoil you with creamy lattes, shots of fragrant espresso, and tasty cappuccinos.

We’ve had a look at the best espresso machine for 600 budget. While all of the coffeemakers on the list are a good option for a home espresso machine, there is one that easily beats its competition.

Breville the Barista Express is an incredibly popular espresso machine for a good reason. Not only it’s both beginner and expert friendly, but it’s well-built and bound to last a long time with regular maintenance.

Breville is a semi-automatic machine and it does come with a learning curve, but once you figure out the how, why, and when (youtube can be of great help!), you’ll be pulling shots of espresso and creating delicious espresso-based drinks in no time.

What’s more, this machine comes with a built-in coffee grinder which will enable you to save even more money and spare you the need to buy one extra just for your morning espresso. The 360 steam wand is at your service to test your skills in latte art and bring the quality of Italian coffee into your daily cup.

Overall, it’s a solid brewer with a one-year limited warranty and a single/double shot option. Whoever, if you’re not willing to learn about espresso-making, you may want to consider a pod-operated machine, that’s fully automatic and extremely straightforward to use.

If pulling shots and learning espresso magic isn’t really your thing, consider getting your hands on a pod-operated machine. DeLonghi Gran Latissima is the best fully automatic coffee machine (with pods) and a simple one-touch espresso maker that allows you to somewhat personalize your cup of coffee. You can choose the amount of milk, froth, and coffee that you want in each cup and the machine will do the rest of the work for you.

Latissima is an excellent option for all who prefer cappuccino and latte-style drinks, and aren’t as keen on pulling shots of espresso. This home espresso machine is easy to use and comes with 9 pre-programmed recipes. All you have to do is pick your favorite beverage and wait for the machine to prepare it for you. What’s more, this machine is small in size, so it’s perfect for anyone struggling with space issues – dorm, office, or a small kitchen!

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3 thoughts on “5 Best Espresso Machines Under $600 In 2023”

  1. Kelly

    Unfortunately the Breville express is up to $699
    Can you recommend another machine in the 500-600 range?

    1. Hey Kelly, Breville Express is currently slightly cheaper than it was; it’s actually $635. If that’s not within your budget and you’re not into Deloghi Latissima, you can opt-in for Phillips 2200, or even Gaggia Velasca (which you can find here since it’s not on the list). Hope this helps!

  2. Daniel Mcchristian

    Very nice info and right to the point. I don’t know if this is really the best place to ask but do you have any ideas on a cheaper espresso machine? These seem great, but they’re out of my budget range. Thank you 🙂

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