First define your budget, and based on that start looking.

Keep in mind that you will need to account for an espresso machine and grinder.

A basic budget set-up could be for example a breville bambino + DF54 grinder for about 600 Euro.

A step up could be a nice single boiler machine such as a Quick MIll pop-up or Profitec Go, with a grinder like a DF64 or Niche zero for about 1400 Euro.

After that you end up looking at HX and dual boiler systems.

If you're after espresso specifically, I wouldn't go lower than a Breville Bambino.

I've had an Infuser for over 10 years at this point (guess it's one of the early bes840xl ones).

The grinder is definitely VERY important (even more so). There's different min grinders out there. Personally I used the Breville smart grinder pro for years before I upgraded to specialista and brew pro

For budget option, if you like medium-dark roasts delonghi dedica is great. But include a grinder that can grind fine enough for espresso. Like DF54 at least. The dedica is suprisingly capable. Also steams milk wonderfuĺly:

https://preview.redd.it/mpmq6x03d99f1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d1daaf84c98326bfd533bfad03967b30a6d2115d

I got my dedica for €50 used. Just descaled it, got bottomless portafilter, and you are good to go.

I think its great starter machine

This Lance Hedrick video might help.

It's long, but you might actually need to watch it twice, cause he talks fast.

I've been looking at Ninja espresso machines, they seem to be a good alternative for a pretty fair price. I recently replaced my Keurig coffee maker with a Ninja and it was a great decision, makes a great cup (or pot ) of coffee.

The rock bottom cheapest setup for a "real" espresso machine and electric grinder would be a Gaggia Classic and a Breville Smart Grind Pro. These two can produce decent results without any modifications. Espresso is a precision game and you need good tools to be precise. That's why the cheap stuff doesn't work well.

With that budget (and you didn't even mention a grinder), you're probably looking at a Nespresso. Still cheaper than going to a coffee shop every day.

It isn't great, but that $80 delonghi will get you better drinks than the nespresso, and you can half-steam milk as well.

There are pressurized machines in your price range. DeLonghi makes a couple. You should check out some of the video reviews Seattle Coffee Gear does on budget-friendly machines.

And if you don’t start off with your own grinder, you can get local coffee fresh and have them grind it for you. Pressurized machines are less picky about how the coffee is ground. You won’t get competition level Espresso, but certainly something “good enough” for a lot of people... and yummy enough.

Nespresso is a good option too if you really want easy, push-button espresso. But you have to be committed to using their Pods, which will definitely cost more than regular coffee. Amazon Warehouse often has great deals on the machines. You can save A LOT.

Good luck!

Ever thought about becoming a barista part time? Basically all the spro you want and you get paid?

Nespresso is a good one

For $500 you could get a used Breville Barista Express. We like ours, though we’ve only had it for a few months. Can’t speak to the BIFL-ness of it, though BIFL might be hard for under $500.

Breville bambino plus all day long. On sale leaves you with cash left over for a decent grinder

Gaggia classic pro is the best option in that range that can be repaired and it's built to last. Look used, I got mine for $500 used online.

It's also extensible as you get more interest. I've modded mine to add pressure profiles and more options.

Idk what machine you have, but you may be able to repair it! But also may not... My delonghi had a cracked pressure chamber

Edit: i got mine used for $430, online i see them for $450-$500 (USD)

More importantly, make sure you have a decent grinder that can consistently hold a grind. R/espresso has the best advice!

It’s probably just a perished o ring somewhere. But to answers ops question I’m very happy with my De’longhi bean to cup machine.

While I wouldn't recommend that you ask this question (again) in r/espresso If you do a search, you will find that it has been asked and answered quite a few times.

We've tried a few times but it's been having a lot of issues lately and I want something new that just works.

Used Delonghi stilosa €50, Kingrinder p1 €35, random scale from aliexpress €20

it is very capable combo:

https://preview.redd.it/ubedh8tfzk3f1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=860dda05fe5fc7c64cc5fbefcb3256d9dec801ae

Check this review of stilosa:

https://youtu.be/ArLUQWBguhM?si=xxNF_LyLvNtzN4Ru

If your budget is better, let us know how much.

I recommend looking for a Saeco/Starbucks espresso machine, used but working. I've bought, cleaned, repaired, used and given away a dozen. With a conical burr grinder (which I shim the conical burr), I can grind fine enough to do perfectly acceptable espresso & latte.

Hand grinder, aeropress

Moka pot my friend. Just as valid. Way cheaper.

u/Ordinary-Nerve-694 : search the sub.

Mods: I've seen more and more of these types of posts, violating rule 5, 11... Can we make a sticky or something for "what setup/machine/grinder should I buy?"

My Delonghi Magnifica Start has been fantastic. Especially if you can find it for $400-500. It’s basic but easy to maintain and pulls decent shots.

We have been pretty happy with DeLonghi Magnifica XS. Almost zero maintenance.

Gaggia Brera or the cheapest Delonghi you can find.

I have been using an aeropress for my coffee for around 3 years now. I am on the road a lot so I could travel with the aeropress and get a consistent great cup of coffee. However when I am home I wanted a simple push a button and get a great cup of coffee.

I tried several different machines at a William Sonoma. I felt that the machines I sampled were all very similar in overall coffee made. If you watch the James Hoafmann video you learn that they do infact work in very similar fashion. Now many have different settings, tweeks and features that set them apart. I ended up purchasing a KitchenAid KF8 due to the great insider price deals.

So far I have been happy with the purchase with one thing to note. I drink mostly medium to light coffee. I found that it gets the flavors out of the coffee but seems slightly hollow compared to what you will get from the aeropress. I have been tweaking all the settings, reading the web, watching YouTube videos with not much improvement in the hollowness. What I did change that made the difference was going to a darker roast then I would normally drink. This has made a big difference for me.

I still drink my medium and lights on the road and then use a darker roast for the supermatic. Hope this helps as you navigate this purchase and dialing in your machine.

On the note of maintenance they are all about the same. Some do more flushing then others but that just means adding water more and dumping the tray more or what I do is put a coffee cup under the spot so I just dump the cup. I would consider the size of the water reservoir as that is something I fill at least 1 time a day between my wife and I. The KF8 has a decent size reservoir. The tablets and water filters are cheap if you just buy the off brand ones on Amazon. I do have to pull the tray approx every other day to rinse and dump the coffee grinds. If you use milk or non dairy products that will increase all these frequencies.

Coffee tastes a little better, a lot easier to clean than the saeco/gaggia machines, but most importantly, I don't have to deal with "no beans error" from the aging Brera.

get a hand grinder that is designed for espresso, but to get both for under $200 is going to be very tough. I agree with the post suggesting getting used equipment, that is your only route for anything decent at your price point.

I hear the Gaggia Classic is a pretty nice inexpensive machine.

If you are looking for just a good cup of coffee, id suggest a v60, you can do the entire thing for under $200 and get amazing results.

Flair and a hand grinder and effort.

Flair neo?

Flair

Probably the only thing that might be in that range is a used Bambino. You’re going to struggle without a grinder though.

What does affordable mean to you?