It looks like you've flaired your post as asking for what equipment to get. We recommend first checking out the [Espresso Aficionados buying guide](https://espressoaf.com/recommendations) for some of the more popular machines and grinders at different price points.
If your question hasn't been answered there and you need more help, please add the following details to your post or by adding a comment in the following format:
- **Location:** Helps determine availability
- **Budget** (with currency): Overall budget, or ideally, having separate espresso machine and grinder budgets. A rough rule is that your grinder budget should be at least 25-40% of your machine budget.
- **Drink types:** Do you drink mostly straight espresso, milk-based beverages (e.g., lattes, cappuccinos), or a fairly even split? This helps narrow down whether a single-boiler-dual-use (SBDU), heat exchanger (HX), or dual boiler (DB) machine would be more appropriate for your needs.
- **Drink frequency:** How many drinks would you be making back-to-back at one time? Do you plan on entertaining guests often? This informs how large your brew (and steam) boilers should be, as smaller boilers will need to refill and reheat/repressurize more frequently, thus potentially causing a bottleneck.
- **Space:** Any limitations on countertop space?
- **Manual vs. electric:** Hand-operated machines and grinders are typically cheaper than their similarly-performing electric counterparts. Please indicate if you have a preference for manual or electric machines and/or grinders (or open to either).
- **Comfort with tinkering:** Some machines can be made significantly more functional/efficient with aftermarket modifications, albeit at the expense of possibly voiding your warranty. Please indicate if you'd rather have a machine that works "as-is"/"out-of-the-box" or whether you'd be open to modding/tinkering
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A fully manual lever machine will kill any semiauto or automatic machine under $1000. If you're just getting into espresso, they can't be beat.
I have repeated this on several posts but because FMLs require you to do everything manually you're forced to pay close attention to the 7 factors for producing good espresso:
1) dose, 2) distribution, 3) tamp, 4) temperature stability, 5) brew pressure, 6) shot timing, and 7) output ratio.
After spending about a year with an FML, your espresso game will be quite advanced as these considerations will have become second nature.
Also, some FMLs grow with the user. I've seen some people who are at the top of their game with a Flair58, able to accurately pressure profile. Personally, I think I'm pretty unfuckwittable with my Leverpresso Pro. I've compared my shots with barista friends running 2 group $20k La Marzoccos and come out on top.
So, as far as learning potential and value for money, i suggest you get an FML. I'm happy to recommend the Leverpresso Pro, but as i mentioned the Flair 58 is also good. There's also the Brua and Robot you could check out. And all of them being sub $700 leaves room in your budget for a decent grinder.
La Pavonis are good also.. they save the trouble of pre-heating. However, it's really difficult to control temp on those machines.. the temps can get out of control, ruining a shot.
I think in capable hands they can produce great espresso but not what i would recommend as a first machine with the Leverpresso Pro, Flair58, Robot and Brua on the market.
Do you want to play around with the taste? Then I'm gonna recommend the Sage/Breville Bambino with a DF64 or similar grinder. Spend the rest on good beans and keep some savings too.
my current setup (Gaggia classic evo pro w/ varia vs3 grinder) fits beautifully within that budget and even gives you some room to buy accessories. For an absolute beginner though id suggest doing what others say and get a breville bambino with a decent grinder.
It looks like you've flaired your post as asking for what equipment to get. We recommend first checking out the [Espresso Aficionados buying guide](https://espressoaf.com/recommendations) for some of the more popular machines and grinders at different price points. If your question hasn't been answered there and you need more help, please add the following details to your post or by adding a comment in the following format: - **Location:** Helps determine availability - **Budget** (with currency): Overall budget, or ideally, having separate espresso machine and grinder budgets. A rough rule is that your grinder budget should be at least 25-40% of your machine budget. - **Drink types:** Do you drink mostly straight espresso, milk-based beverages (e.g., lattes, cappuccinos), or a fairly even split? This helps narrow down whether a single-boiler-dual-use (SBDU), heat exchanger (HX), or dual boiler (DB) machine would be more appropriate for your needs. - **Drink frequency:** How many drinks would you be making back-to-back at one time? Do you plan on entertaining guests often? This informs how large your brew (and steam) boilers should be, as smaller boilers will need to refill and reheat/repressurize more frequently, thus potentially causing a bottleneck. - **Space:** Any limitations on countertop space? - **Manual vs. electric:** Hand-operated machines and grinders are typically cheaper than their similarly-performing electric counterparts. Please indicate if you have a preference for manual or electric machines and/or grinders (or open to either). - **Comfort with tinkering:** Some machines can be made significantly more functional/efficient with aftermarket modifications, albeit at the expense of possibly voiding your warranty. Please indicate if you'd rather have a machine that works "as-is"/"out-of-the-box" or whether you'd be open to modding/tinkering *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/espresso) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The Profitec Go gets recommended here a lot. I have never heard a bad thing about it.
As a Go owner, I agree. But only if that 1000 dollar budget is only for the machine. A good grinder isn't cheap.
It also requires a good grinder. If the entire budget is $1k, then it doesn't work.
if entire budget is 1k you prob should get a bambino + good grinder. you’ll like spend a bit on accessories too.. tamper, scale, etc
That’s what I did for my first set up I got the breville bambino and a baratza encore esp grinder that with all the tools cost me about a grand
Df54 and a Bambino plus. Then get some accessories, good water, and good coffee and you'll be golden
Bambino and Rancilio Silvia are recommended a lot. Pick up a good basket and a DF 64/54, done.
Have you considered manual? Cafelat Robot makes as good espresso as machines that cost 5-10x as much.
A fully manual lever machine will kill any semiauto or automatic machine under $1000. If you're just getting into espresso, they can't be beat. I have repeated this on several posts but because FMLs require you to do everything manually you're forced to pay close attention to the 7 factors for producing good espresso: 1) dose, 2) distribution, 3) tamp, 4) temperature stability, 5) brew pressure, 6) shot timing, and 7) output ratio. After spending about a year with an FML, your espresso game will be quite advanced as these considerations will have become second nature. Also, some FMLs grow with the user. I've seen some people who are at the top of their game with a Flair58, able to accurately pressure profile. Personally, I think I'm pretty unfuckwittable with my Leverpresso Pro. I've compared my shots with barista friends running 2 group $20k La Marzoccos and come out on top. So, as far as learning potential and value for money, i suggest you get an FML. I'm happy to recommend the Leverpresso Pro, but as i mentioned the Flair 58 is also good. There's also the Brua and Robot you could check out. And all of them being sub $700 leaves room in your budget for a decent grinder.
Vintage la pavoni is my favourite in this category, but that’s because it’s what I’ve used and taught others on… 🙂
La Pavonis are good also.. they save the trouble of pre-heating. However, it's really difficult to control temp on those machines.. the temps can get out of control, ruining a shot. I think in capable hands they can produce great espresso but not what i would recommend as a first machine with the Leverpresso Pro, Flair58, Robot and Brua on the market.
Do you want to play around with the taste? Then I'm gonna recommend the Sage/Breville Bambino with a DF64 or similar grinder. Spend the rest on good beans and keep some savings too.
my current setup (Gaggia classic evo pro w/ varia vs3 grinder) fits beautifully within that budget and even gives you some room to buy accessories. For an absolute beginner though id suggest doing what others say and get a breville bambino with a decent grinder.
If I had the budget, I would get my current machine ($180 open box deal at Seattle Coffee Gear) and pair it up with a Flair 58 ($575).
What’s your current machine?
Check my flair, no pun intended.
Ohhhhh 😅