Brevile Barista Express

This ranks top for all the right reasons. The machine is a fantastic combination of style and functionality. In most cases, superior functionality usually means a larger unit, but this isn’t the case with the Barista express by Brevile. The machine is incredibly compact. It will sit on your kitchen counter neatly.

The barista express lives up to its name when it comes to brewing speed. It will take less than a minute to make coffee for two, from filling the hopper with beans to enjoying your espresso shots.

The machine comes second to none in terms of brew quality. The quality is pretty similar to that of its higher-end peers because it comes with a built-in, conical burr grinder and a digital P.I.D. temperature controller. Any coffee connoisseur knows that making high-quality coffee begins with grinding freshly roasted beans and getting the temperature right. The machine will grind and dispense your desired amount of ground coffee into the portafilter for ease of use.

There is an intuitive dial for controlling the grind size and 16 grind settings for customizing your coffee to suit your preferences. Moreover, the machine has a pretty decent capacity. With a bean hopper that can hold up to 0.5 pounds and a water reservoir that can hold up to 67 ounces, you can easily make 10 cups of espresso in one go.

Also featured is a steam wand that allows you to froth milk and make milk-based espresso drinks like a latte. Cleaning is also a breeze as it comes with an automatic cleaning cycle with brew.

Pros

• It has a built-in grinder with 16 settings
• It can brew both single and double shots
• It can make over 10 espresso shots in a row
• Built-in steam wand for frothing milk
• Automatic cleaning cycle

Cons

• Its drip tray needs frequent cleaning

Gaggia Anima Prestige Automatic Coffee Machine

This is your best bet if you love foamy lattes, cappuccinos, and other espresso-based drinks. Gaggia is a world-famous brand popular for its top-quality coffee makers, and the Anima Prestige is no exception. It offers excellent value for money with its high-end features.

The machine sets itself apart with a simple interface. It has 6 dedicated buttons on the LCD screen that can help you quickly brew coffee and create a list of your favorite drinks. Thanks to its auto-frothing carafe, you can program it to make lattes, cappuccinos, espresso, and macchiatos.

Further, you have 3 temperature options; minimum, medium, and maximum ranging between 177 to 184 degrees. Another thing that makes the Gaggia Anima Prestige an easy-to-use machine is the position of its water reservoir and bean hopper. Both of them are conveniently positioned for easy access from the front.

The reservoir can hold up to 60 ounces of water, which is relatively sufficient. However, for volume servings, you may have to refill it a couple of times. If you are just alone or have a small family, then it should be enough. The hopper can hold up to 8.8 ounces of pre-ground coffee beans.

To top it all, Gaggia offers a generous 2-year warranty. This increases its value as you’d easily get a replacement or free repair if you encounter any manufacturing defects on the machine within the period.

Pros

• Incredibly easy to use
• 3 temperature settings
• Automatic milk froth
• Self-cleaning functionality
• 2-years warranty

Cons

• It only features one boiler.

Rancilio Silvia

This is a prime choice for anyone who loves the reliability of Italian coffee makers. With the Rancilio Silvia, you will get nothing but professional-quality beverages. The machine distinguishes itself with the best espresso extraction process and commercial-grade features that guarantee you will be happily caffeinated.

The Rancilio Silvia comes in an elegant and compact design that can complement any kitchen decor. Moreover, it is built to last with a solid iron frame and stainless steel.

The machine features a hinged stainless steel steam wand that offers a vast range of motion. This gives you an easier time frothing milk and controlling steam pressure. Another praiseworthy feature is the commercial-grade group head which offers excellent heat resistance and exceptional extraction quality.

Moreover, the machine comes with an easy-to-remove 58mm portafilter similar to the one found in Rancilio’s commercial espresso machines.

The Rancilio Silvia stands out among its peers with unmatched power. Its chrome-plated brass boiler can hold up to 12 ounces and has incredible steaming power. It also has a short recovery time between drinks which means you can serve delicious coffee pretty fast when you have people over. On the same note, the machine has a relatively large water reservoir that holds up to 2 liters of water, and you can fill it up without removing it.

As if that’s enough, Rancilio includes accessories in this unit’s package. You get a 7-gram coffee spoon, 2 filler baskets for both single and double shots, and a plastic tamper. This makes it a perfect option for anyone that loves a good penny-worth.

Pros

• Ultra-durable build
• Compact and stylish design
• Commercial-grade head for superior espresso extraction quality
• Large removable water reservoir that can make up to 10 shots of espresso
• Reliable heating power
• commercial-grade steam wand with a wide motion range
• Extra accessories

Cons

• The machine doesn’t come with a grinder, and this can be a bummer for most coffee lovers

De’Longhi Magnifica

 

De’Longhi ECAM29043SB Maginifica is another fantastic entry-level espresso machine. It is a perfect option for people who love milk-based coffees. DeLonghi is famous for leveling the playing field by adding special features to their lower priced machines.

You can make 6 different espresso drinks with the machine effortlessly. It features six one-touch recipes and color icons for coffee, espresso, Americano, Long, Iced coffee, and steam. Latte, cappuccino, macchiato and other specialty coffee lovers would make the most out of this machine.

Do you wish to make breve at home, but have no idea how to go about it? Check out my detailed article about Cafe breve with a simple recipe and the D.O.s and DON’Ts of the famous specialty coffee drink.

De’Longhi ECAM29043SB Maginifica is super-automatic, thus easy to use. It features a built-in conical burr grinder with 13 settings that are pretty straightforward. The settings allow you to grind coffee to your liking. You will also appreciate the ground coffee bypass, especially on days when you feel a decaf coffee is your best option. The ground coffee bypass chute is located in the bean container on top of the machine.

The most outstanding thing about this machine is its foam-on-demand function. With the traditional milk frother, you can easily make perfectly textured foam with milk and milk alternatives. Moreover, you can either program the foam settings or use the exact amount you pour into the small carafe. If you program the settings, you will always be able to fill up your cup or glass and make decent sized cappuccinos regardless of the carafe’s size.

Making quality coffee with DeLonghi Magnifica Evo is child’s play. Unlike many machines, you don’t have to fumble with a display or menu. You simply need to press the specialty coffee button of your choice. Using the LatteCrema carafe is equally a breeze; all you have to do is add milk and attach the flask to the machine. Best of all, you can easily flush the milk system without taking everything apart.

Should you want hot water for an americano after someone has just had a latte, you simply remove the milk flask and replace it with an extra nozzle which comes in the accessories package. Cleaning the machine is also a no-brainer. Some of its parts are dishwasher-friendly, and its front-loading water reservoir is super-easy to remove and rinse. You have to descale the water tank every once in a while, as the manufacturer recommends.

Pros

• Easy to use and clean
• Great for specialty coffees
• 13 coffee grinding settings
• Exceptional milk foam system
• Durable construction

Cons

• It does not have a display screen

Jura D6

The Jura D6 is an affordable bean-to-cup machine that has everything you need to have the perfect morning brew. The machine is like one of Jura’s best-selling E-line models without the unimportant bells and whistles.

Jura D6 is perfect for espresso and cappuccino lovers on a tight budget because it is the only Jura machine with a milk frother. The machine comes in a sturdy and compact, yet attractive build. You can have it in platinum or piano black.

Although it does not feature a T.F.T. color display like its higher-end peers, the Jura D6 is pretty intuitive. Anyone can easily wrap their head around the rotary switch and plain text display.

With the Jura D6, you can be sure of the freshest brews. Its 7-ounce bean hopper has a hermetically sealed top that will keep your coffee as fresh as possible. Moreover, the machine uses the pulp extraction process to make espresso. Initially, the P.E.P. brewing system was reserved for Jura’s high-priced models only. If you are an espresso lover, you will enjoy the richer espresso with thickened crema, less bitterness and sourness that results from the unique brewing system.

Another praiseworthy aspect of Jura D6’s brewing system is that it can accommodate more coffee, thus making stronger espresso like the one you would get from a barista. Its famous built-in grinder, Aroma G2, has 12 settings so you can customize your coffee experience.

Jura D6 is a prime pick for coffee lovers who like efficiency in the morning. Its 1450 watt thermoblock heater will have you ready to brew in a matter of 30 seconds. In addition, its cappuccino system a.k.a milk frother is incredibly flexible. You only need to drop the tube that comes out of the machine into the container with your milk of choice and it will suck it for frothing.

You can make three types of coffee with the Jura D6; cappuccino, espresso, and coffee. Thanks to the two spouts, you can make two cups simultaneously. Plus, the machine can dispense hot water and warm milk. You can easily program your drink to get a suitable coffee strength, volume and temperature.

Another great perk of the Jura D6 is its intelligent water system (I.W.S.) and Clearyl filters that ensure your coffee’s flavor is not compromised by impurities from your water like chlorine, and heavy metals. The filters also protect your machine from limescale in the long run.

All considered, the Jura D6 is a great low budget espresso machine for espresso and cappuccino lovers. If you would love the option of using pre-ground coffee you might want to look at the other options on this list as the Jura D6 does not come with a bypass doser.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Compact yet sturdy build
• Elegant design
• 12 coffee grinding settings
• Intelligent water system

Cons

• It is not easy to clean

What to Look for When Buying a Home Espresso Machine Under $1000

This section has handy hints and pro tips that can help you choose the best home espresso machine under $1000. To make the best buy, you must consider the following aspects;

Type of espresso machine

There are 3 main types of espresso machines; manual, automatic and semi-automatic. They function differently, and for some, you may need barista skills. If you would love to enjoy coffee without thinking of its preparation, go for a fully automatic espresso machine like the Gaggia Anima Prestige Automatic coffee machine.

A grinder

Great quality coffee begins with the grinding of freshly roasted coffee beans. Are you looking to try Kenyan coffee and need to know which brands to go with? Read my article on the best Kenyan coffee for high-quality and acclaimed options. When choosing an espresso machine for home use, ensure it has a built-in grinder. You will get excellent value for money and the freshest espresso drinks. Be extra keen on the hopper capacity. If you host people often, go for a 0.5lbs hopper capacity; if you are alone most of the time, choose a smaller hopper capacity to preserve the beans’ freshness while waiting to be ground.

Water reservoir

Go for a reasonably sized water tank. 67 ounces is the ultimate capacity if you hate to refill the water tank multiple times. Also, consider the ease of refilling. It will be convenient if it can be filled up without removing or is easily removable without moving the entire machine. Some machines have both options.

Size

Consider the amount of space you have at home. You don’t want to add a bulky appliance to your already cramped up kitchen. There are exceptionally compact and stylish options like the Rancilio Silvia that can save you some counter space.

Single or double shots

Again, if you will be hosting a lot for a machine that can make double shots in one go, nearly all the best machines under $1000 can make two cups at a go. Only single-serve machines make single shots.

Temperature control

With poor temperature control, you will have the worst-tasting espressos. According to New York Times’ Critic’s Notebook, the optimum water temperature for espresso is anything between 194 and 203 degrees Fahrenheit. For top precision, choose a unit that features a P.I.D. temperature controller like the Brevile Barista Express. It is an extremely useful feature as it allows you to get the optimum brewing temperature effortlessly.

F.A.Q.s

What is the best way of cleaning a home espresso machine?

For everyday cleaning, you can simply back-flush with water and detergent. Always use soft water for cleaning to avoid scaling. When deep cleaning, you can use vinegar to remove the stains caused by the natural oils and dyes in coffee.

What would happen if I left the espresso machine on for an entire day?

It is not advisable to leave your espresso machine on for an entire day as it uses more energy and can cause wear on some parts of the machine.

What are the most crucial features of a home espresso machine?

A grinder, temperature control, and pressure are the most critical aspects of an espresso machine because they play a massive role in the overall quality of the brew.

Which is better, coffee beans or coffee grounds?

Whole coffee beans have the rich, full flavor and freshness quality that ground coffee doesn’t have.

Conclusion

Thanks to advancements in technology, you don’t have to be a barista or rich to enjoy delicious espresso at home. You can easily get the best espresso machine for under $1000 to pamper your taste buds. Most of the machines within this price range are incredibly easy to use and are built to last with high-quality materials. All the 3 products I have reviewed tick all the check-boxes when it comes to build quality and performance. They also offer unmatched value for money.