Great espresso doesn’t always come cheap. Although there are inexpensive ways to make good coffee, sometimes nothing but the real thing will do. If you are a true coffee lover, setting up the home espresso bar of your dreams may be worth the investment. Here is your guide to the best espresso machines under 2000 dollars.
Best espresso machines under $2000 reviewed
These best espresso machines under $2000 offer various features and capabilities. It is essential to compare the machines’ capabilities to determine which fits your needs best. There’s no need to overspend on features you won’t use. On the other hand, if there’s a particular part of the brewing process that you find frustrating, paying extra to automate it could be worth the trouble!
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | Breville Barista Touch |
| Check Price |
Value For Money  | De’Longhi La Specialista Arte |
| Check Price |
 | Rocket Espresso Appartamento |
| Check Price |
 | Nuova Simonelli Oscar II |
| Check Price |
Professional Grade  | Rancilio Silvia Pro X |
| Check Price |
 | Gaggia Cadorna Prestige |
| Check Price |
 | De'Longhi Dinamica Plus |
| Check Price |
 | Breville BES920XL |
| Check Price |
Breville Barista Touch
The Breville Barista Touch is an excellent home espresso machine for people who want to enjoy espresso with minimal effort.
This fully automatic espresso maker includes a built-in, conical burr grinder. It will save you counter space as you won’t need to purchase a separate gadget for grinding your beans. The automatic grind feature dispenses the required amount of coffee directly into the portafilter.
The Barista Touch has two filter baskets for a single or double espresso shot. They come in handy when you want to make two coffees or you prefer your coffee stronger.
An intuitive and easy-to-use touchscreen will be convenient for those who don’t have experience with manual espresso machines. It will allow you to pick from popular espresso-based drinks like Americano (hot, iced, or even sparkling), cappuccino, latte, or flat white. You can customize your coffee if the presets are not what you fancy.
Once you’ve perfected your favorite drink, save it as a preset to make it the same the next time you want to prepare coffee. The Breville Barista Touch can hold up to eight preset drink options, each with a unique icon on the touch screen.
The espresso machine heats quickly with an innovative ThermoJet heating system that heats the water to 200 °F (93 °C), just like commercial espresso machines. It is also more energy efficient than most of the machines in the market.
Breville features low-pressure pre-infusion followed by a high-pressure 9-bar espresso extraction. It allows producing thick espresso, which is the ultimate goal of any home barista.
The machine’s milk-steaming wand produces powerful steam pressure to create silky microform for your latte art. The unique feature of this machine is an integrated sensor that froths milk until it reaches a certain temperature. It prevents the milk from burning, which is a common thing to happen if you don’t have a milk thermometer.
The Breville Barista Touch is an excellent espresso machine for under $2000. In fact, the price is closer to $1000, which makes it a great value-for-money option for aspiring home baristas.
- Large intuitive touchscreen
- Personal presets
- Adjustable grind size
- Pulls perfect espresso shots
- It takes trial and error to perfect an espresso shot
- Water filter needs to be changed every 3 months
- Chrome details are harder to keep clean
De’Longhi La Specialista Arte
The De’Longhi La Specialista Arte is an affordable home espresso maker. This semi-automatic espresso machine takes less than a minute to warm up, so it is a great choice for those who want a quick caffeine fix in the morning before heading out to work.
The built-in, conical burr grinder has eight grind settings allowing you to dial in your espresso grind precisely. Included dosing funnel attaches to the portafilter and channels the ground coffee without a mess. Included tamper and tamping mat will help to pack a perfect puck.
The machine has a dial that can navigate three options: espresso, Americano, and hot water. A visible pressure gauge makes it easy to see your working pressure so you can adjust your grind size if needed.
La Specialista Arte features a dual heating system with separate boilers for espresso extraction and steaming. You don’t have to wait until the boiler cools down after steaming milk before making another espresso.
A single-tip steam wand allows you to create silky microfoam for latte art. However, you can’t froth milk and brew simultaneously, and it takes some time to preheat the milf frother after your espresso is brewed.
Compact in size, De’Longhi La Specialista Arte is a good choice for those with limited kitchen counter space. It comes with all the accessories needed to brew espresso and froth milk, which makes it an excellent value-for-money option.
- Compact design
- Quick start-up time
- 3 customizable presets
- Adjustable grind size
- Auto shut off
- Can't brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously
- No dial to control the steaming valve
- Made of plastic
Rocket Espresso Appartamento
The Rocket Espresso Appartamento is a compact semi-automatic espresso machine. It is made of durable stainless steel and features the cut-out dot grid design on the side panels, giving it a trendy look.
Espresso Appartamento comes in white, copper, or black. You can also purchase panels in other colors to put behind the dot grid cutouts. As your home decor changes, your machine can follow along!
This machine has more manual features than similar machines in this category. Brewing starts and stops when you pull a manual lever next to the group head. One knob controls hot water, while the other one controls steaming.
The heated group head constantly circulates hot water, maintaining a consistent temperature. However, you must purge the overheated water vapor before using the machine to avoid scorching your coffee.
A big advantage of this machine is its heat exchanger that can simultaneously pull espresso and steam milk to make delicious lattes or cappuccinos. It produces a smooth microform for latte art.
The Rocket Espresso Appartamento features a no-burn steam arm, which does not get scalding hot. It is safer to use and easier to clean as milk does not stick to the tip of it. Compared to other machines in this category, it steams milk rather quickly.
Its space-saving design is excellent for those with limited counter space and small kitchens. Due to the low-profile feet, the machine can fit under kitchen cabinets, even with the cups placed on the top of the cup-warming rack.
When using the Rocket Espresso Appartamento, you ultimately control the brewing process. It is a compact and stylish home espresso machine for those who love analog gadgets and want a more hands-on brewing experience.
- Compact design
- Made of durable metal
- Brews coffee and steams milk at the same time
- No-burn steaming wand
- No temperature control
- Does not accommodate a larger cup or mug to brew in
- Drip tray needs to be emptied out frequently due to regular water flushing
Nuova Simonelli Oscar II
The Nuova Simonelli Oscar II combines a futuristic stainless steel exterior with a professional approach to espresso brewing. This semi-automatic machine is suitable for anyone looking for consistent results. This machine has features that make it a great option for home baristas and small cafes.
One of the standout features of the Oscar II is its commercial-grade components, including a professional brewing group and a powerful copper boiler that can maintain consistent temperatures.
Another great feature of the Oscar II is programable brew time for a single and double shot. This ensures that your espresso shots will be extracted perfectly every time, with no fluctuations in extraction time.
The Oscar II also features a heat exchange system, which allows for brewing espresso and frothing milk simultaneously. Its swivel-design steam wand is longer and more flexible than competing espresso machines, making milk steaming more comfortable.
Overall, the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II Espresso Machine is a great investment for anyone serious about espresso. This machine will impress even the most discerning coffee lovers with its quality components, pre-infusion system, and sleek design.
- Slick design
- Commercial-grade components
- Brews and steams milk at the same time
- Consistent espresso shots
- Low maintenance
- Limited customization options
- No hot water dispenser
- It takes 15mins to warm up
Rancilio Silvia Pro X
The Rancilio Silvia Pro X is an exceptional espresso machine for coffee lovers passionate about their craft. Beneath its boxy look, sophisticated technology offers commercial capabilities to home espresso enthusiasts.
One of the most notable features of the Rancilio Silvia Pro X is the variable soft-infusion feature. It dispenses enough water to get the coffee puck wet before applying pressure. It helps avoid the problem of channeling when water does not flow through the coffee grounds evenly.
The Rancilio Silvia Pro X also boasts a pressure gauge on the brew boiler. A coffee boiler pressure gauge rather than a gauge on the pump gives a more accurate view of the extraction process. The boiler has a digital temperature control to maintain a consistent temperature.
The machine uses a dual boiler to steam milk while pulling the shot without reducing pressure. The steam wand produces cafe-quality microfoam.
Although a dual boiler machine is generally less energy-efficient than a heat exchanger machine, the Silvia Pro X has an automatic shutdown feature to save power. You can also program the machine to turn on before you wake up so the boilers have time to heat.
The Rancilio Silvia Pro X is one of the best semi-automatic espresso machines on the market. It is a perfect appliance for an espresso lover who wants to hone their skill at preparing cafe-style drinks.
- Commercial-grade construction
- Digital temperature control
- Large cup warming area
- Brews and steams milk at the same time
- Auto shut off
- Boxy design
- Requires skill and experience
- Small drip tray
Gaggia Cadorna Prestige
The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige is a super-automatic espresso machine that is a solid choice for making cafe-style drinks at home. Its large control panel allows you to access 14 preset beverages, including espresso, americano, cortado, latte macchiato, flat white, cappuccino, and more. It also dispenses hot water that you can use for tea or hot cocoa.
What sets the Gaggia Cadorna Prestige apart from similar coffee machines is the ability to customize and personalize your coffee drinks easily. You can choose your preferred coffee strength, amount of water, and temperature. With a few simple clicks, you can save your favorite coffee recipes to enjoy the same tasting coffee every time.
If there are a few coffee lovers in your household, you can save up to four user profiles with their preferred drink options. This easy-to-operate machine is also perfect for an office.
The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige has an integrated ceramic burr grinder that grinds fresh coffee for every cup. A big advantage of this machine is that everything happens internally, so you don’t have to tamp or discard used coffee grinds with each cup.
Another advantage of super-automatic coffee machines is automated milk frothing. The milk gets heated and frothed and then dispensed into your cup. However, the machine is calibrated to work with dairy milk, so results may vary with plant-based milk alternatives.
While most espresso makers are designed for small cups no more than four inches tall, the Gaggia Cadorna Prestige has six inches of clearance if you want to brew a big cup of coffee. You can add an optional shelf to lift small espresso cups.
The maintenance of the machine is pretty easy. The main parts, like the drip tray, water reservoir, and used grounds container, can be removed and rinsed. The milk carafe has an automatic rinse cycle and can also be cleaned in the dishwasher.
The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige espresso machine is designed for coffee enthusiasts who value functionality and ease of use. It is ideal for anyone who wants to make good-tasting coffee at home without getting too technical.
- Intuitive touchscreen display
- 14 pre-programmed beverages
- 4 user profiles
- Extra tall spouts
- May not work well with milk alternatives
- Difficult to adjust the grinder
De’Longhi Dinamica Plus
The De’Longhi Dinamica Plus is a super-automatic espresso machine for those who appreciate the latest technology. Using an intuitive touch screen, you can easily select your favorite coffee drink like latte, cappuccino, or even iced coffee.
The machine has 16 preset drink options. It keeps track of which options you pick most frequently and learns to display them first.
The De’Longhi Coffee Link App connects to the machine from your smartphone that works as a remote to brew coffee. It allows you to control coffee quantity, strength, and temperature. You can also save up to three personalized coffee recipes to your profile.
Like other fully automatic espresso machines, the Dinamica Plus has a built-in, conical burr grinder. This machine has 13 grind settings that allow you to get precise with grind size selection.
A unique feature of the Dinamica Plus is the proprietary LatteCrema system, designed to deliver compact and creamy froth. It works well even with dairy alternatives, such as almond milk.
The insulated double-walled jug will keep the milk nice and cold while it is out of the fridge. When you are not using it, it can be detached and stored in the fridge.
The system will remind you to clean the milk frother by running hot water. The brew unit and the drip tray are easily removable, so you can rinse them as needed.
The De’Longhi Dinamica Plus espresso machine is an excellent choice for coffee enthusiasts who want to make their favorite coffee drinks the way they like them with a touch of a button.
- Touchscreen display
- 16 pre-programmed beverages
- Mobile app control
- Easy to clean
- Loud operation
- App connectivity issues
Breville BES920XL Dual Boiler
Inspired by the third-wave specialty coffee movement, The Breville BES920XL Dual Boiler espresso machine is a top-of-the-line appliance with remarkable quality and performance. This semi-automatic model is their best prosumer espresso machine for home baristas wanting to hone their skills.
One of the standout features of the Breville BES920XL is its dual boiler system that allows preparing espresso and steam milk simultaneously. The machine also has a pre-infusion function that gradually increases the water pressure to ensure more even extraction.
The machine is user-friendly, with intuitive controls and a clear display that makes it easy to navigate. You can decide how much you want the machine to help you brew your best espresso ever. There’s a shot clock and pressure gauge to see what you do as you pull your shot. If you want to program the pre-infusion pressure, brew temperature, and duration, you can do that.
The machine’s water tank holds 84 ounces (2.5 liters), which is large enough to brew multiple shots before needing a refill.
Another noteworthy aspect of the Breville BES920XL is its build quality. The machine is constructed with high-quality materials that feel durable and sturdy. The stainless steel finish adds a touch of sophistication and makes it easy to clean.
One drawback of the Breville BES920XL espresso machine is that it has no built-in grinder, so you must budget for it. While an additional gadget will take up some counter space in your kitchen, the advantage is that you can choose the best grinder for espresso, depending on its functionality or your design preferences.
The Breville BES920XL Dual Boiler espresso machine is a perfect choice for anyone who takes their espresso seriously and wants a machine that can keep up with their demands.
- Excellent espresso quality
- Temperature control
- Large water tank
- Brews coffee and steams milk at the same time
- Large size
- It takes time to master the settings
What to look for when buying an espresso machine
If you are a coffee lover who craves the perfect shot of espresso, investing in an espresso machine can be a game-changer. However, choosing an espresso machine for under $2000 can be overwhelming, as there are many factors to consider, such as the type of machine, features, size, or ease of maintenance. It is a significant investment, so knowing what to look for before making a decision is crucial.
Type of espresso machine
There are four main types of espresso machines: manual, semi-automatic, automatic, and super-automatic. The differences have to do with how much work the user puts in versus how much the machine can do on its own.
Manual espresso machines use a lever or piston that pushes hot water through finely-ground coffee beans. They don’t have a built-in pump to generate pressure, requiring the user to control the brewing process. You tamp the grounds, add hot water, and pull the shot yourself!
Manual espresso machines come in a wide price range. While the best lever espresso machines may be over $2000, simpler ones are in the neighborhood of $200.
Semi-automatic espresso machines automate certain aspects of the espresso-making process while still requiring some manual operation. These machines typically have built-in pumps to generate the high pressure required to extract the espresso. They may also have features like grind size, temperature control, and programmable shot volume.
Some semi-automatic machines have built-in burr grinders, while others require ground coffee. You can usually expect milk steaming and frothing functionality.
The best espresso machines in the semi-automatic category balance control and convenience, allowing you to adjust the brewing parameters while simplifying some of the more technical aspects of espresso-making.
Automatic espresso machines require minimal manual intervention as the espresso-making process is automated. These machines have electric pumps, built-in grinders, and milk frothers to handle the entire brewing process, from grinding the coffee beans to frothing the milk and dispensing it into your cup.
Some automatic machines also have programmable features, allowing you to adjust the espresso shot volume, brewing temperature, and the amount of milk in your coffee.
With an automatic machine, you need to load it with the coffee beans and water, press a button, and the machine takes care of the rest.
Super-automatic espresso machines fully automate the entire coffee-making process. Some of these machines feature touchscreen controls where you can select your drink preferences. They have built-in grinders, milk frothers, and other components and may offer advanced features like programmable shot volume, brewing temperature, and an adjustable amount of milk froth.
The convenience and consistency of super-automatic espresso machines make them popular in offices and restaurants.
Design and appearance
Yes, the most important quality of an espresso machine is its ability to brew espresso. However, you’ll be looking at it in your kitchen every day, so you may want to pick a home espresso machine that has an attractive appearance. One point in favor of the smaller lever espresso machines is that some are cute! Italian espresso machines tend to focus on aesthetics at any size.
Size and capacity
Consider the size of the machine and how much counter space it will require. You might not want an enormous espresso machine if you have a small kitchen.
On the other side of the equation, larger water tanks and bean hoppers minimize the time spent refilling the machine, so a bigger espresso machine can give you that convenience if you have the space for it.
Commercial machines typically connect to a water line, so refilling the machine’s reservoir is not required. For home espresso machines, water reservoir sizes run as high as 101 ounces (3 liters). Remember that a cup of espresso is only two ounces, so this will make quite a few straight espresso shots. So unless you make multiple Americanos every day that require more water, you won’t have to refill the water tank very often.
Some home espresso machines have built-in coffee grinders. Usually, the bean hopper capacity for small espresso machines is 8 to 12 ounces.
Performance and ease of use
You may be astounded at what high-tech automatic or super-automatic espresso machines can do for you. You can select your favorite drink from a touchscreen menu or even a mobile app, and it will be ready in seconds. For some models, you’ll have to hold the milk pitcher under the steam wand, but that’s about it in terms of your effort. Automated brewing is a great option if you love espresso but don’t have time or determination to hone barista skills.
Manual and semi-automatic espresso machines require you to know more about what you are doing. However, you may discover your preferences regarding grind size and espresso extraction if you go this route.
Group head type
The group head is part of the espresso machine that brings water from the machine to the filter basket. The portafilter, the piece with the long handle that holds the basket of ground coffee, locks into the group head.
A saturated group head is a common feature on high-end espresso machines. It’s an extension of the boiler, so it’s surrounded by the water in the boiler. This helps maintain temperature stability. However, because it’s not separate from the boiler, it’s harder to fix if it breaks.
An E61 group head, made with distinctive chrome-plated brass, is not part of the boiler but also excels at achieving temperature stability. However, it takes longer than other espresso machines to heat up.
Entry-level espresso machines often have electrically heated group heads. This type of group head heats up the fastest.
Boiler type
Some espresso machines handle all the process steps with just one boiler. Others have two boilers: a brew boiler for the espresso and a steam boiler to heat milk.
Dual-boiler machines produce steam at different temperatures for brewing espresso and steaming milk, while single-boiler machines require time to heat up between tasks. Milk steams at 212 °F (100 °C), while espresso brews at only 200 °F (93 °C). If you are not a fan of milk drinks anyway, you could probably get by with a single-boiler espresso machine, which is typically cheaper than a dual-boiler machine.
However, if you make multiple consecutive espresso drinks involving steamed milk, waiting for the machine to cool down between tasks could get tiresome. The dedicated steam boiler in a dual-boiler espresso machine is the fastest way to heat milk, as its impressive steam power is focused solely on that task!
Heat exchanger espresso machines are single-boiler machines that use a heat exchange tube to manage steam pressure, producing steam at different temperatures for espresso and steamed milk. A heat exchange machine can make multiple milk-based espresso drinks faster than other single-boiler machines. They are also typically smaller than dual-boiler espresso machines because they don’t need space for two separate boilers.
Temperature control system
Precise temperature control ensures consistent espresso shots. The low-end manual lever machines can’t give you this, so you must measure the water temperature yourself before pouring it into the machine.
Many double boiler machines have digital PID temperature control to maintain water temperature consistency. Look for this feature if you want one less thing to worry about when making espresso.
Manipulating water temperature with a digital temperature control is a great option when trying to get the best flavor in your espresso: decreasing water temperature is what you do if the espresso tastes too bitter, and you can increase water temperature if the espresso tastes sour.
Water and energy efficiency
Espresso machines use more electricity than other types of coffee makers. Pushing hot water through coffee grounds at high pressure takes a lot of power.
Dual-boiler machines are especially guilty of sucking electricity, as they have to heat both brew and steam boilers. Single-boiler machines, whether or not they use a heat exchanger system, at least have only one boiler to heat.
You can get around this problem entirely with a manual espresso machine that doesn’t use electricity, although those lack other advantages you might want. Manufacturers are also starting to release more energy-efficient espresso makers, so look for that designation as you shop.
Cleaning
Cleaning is an often-overlooked part of any coffee brewing process. An espresso machine that’s easy to clean will be one you are excited to use more often. Some espresso machines have stainless steel or plastic components that can be removed and washed in the dishwasher.
If the espresso machine can do part of its cleaning work, that’s a great advantage too. Look for coffee machines that have self-cleaning functions. Even though you’ll probably still need to do some cleaning yourself, you’ll at least have help.
Like other coffee makers, espresso machines may need to be periodically descaled, especially if you live in an area with hard water. If this concerns you, see what the manufacturer of the machine you are considering recommends regarding descaling.
Durability and ease of maintenance
Durability is the main downside of super-automatic espresso machines with impressive technological capabilities. Many pieces of complicated technology don’t age well. Would you be happy using a ten-year-old computer? If not, remember that you might also need a new espresso machine by that time.
Espresso machines without touch screens have fewer parts that can wear out over time. Although these manual or semi-automatic machines require more effort from the user, they may last longer.
Aside from technology issues, all-in-one devices have the drawback that the entire machine is often compromised when one component breaks. This can develop espresso machines with built-in grinders — if the grinder breaks, it’s hard to fix or replace. Knowing the manufacturer’s warranty policies is especially important in this case.
Getting a great espresso maker for home use is easier than you think. The best home espresso machines under $2000 give you options based on how much effort you want to put into the brewing process yourself. Good espresso machines are available to meet your needs, whether you prefer high technology or traditional techniques.
