7 Best Espresso Machines Under £500 / $500
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- čas přidán 30. 06. 2024
- In this video I'm going through the top 7 sub £500/$500 espresso machines, which in most cases is also sub $500. There's also story time with Coffee Kev, and a couple of secret tips on buying used equipment. But shhh, it's a secret.
Radu, (My espresso machine engineer friend): espressorepairshop.co.uk
Sage (Breville) Dual Boiler Review: coffeeblog.co.uk/sage-dual-bo...
Rancilio Silvia Review: coffeeblog.co.uk/rancilio-sil...
eBay links :
Used Espresso Machines:
Modded Gaggia Classics: ebay.us/3kM282
Sage Dual Boiler: ebay.us/Na0SLT
Oscar II: ebay.us/enLPrF
Rancilio Silvia: ebay.us/qDjVQG
Used Commercial Grinders:
All brands: ebay.us/HbLVun
Used Mythos grinders: ebay.us/boj3Fs
Used Mazzer grinders: ebay.us/z76M8F
Used Ceado grinders: ebay.us/bYnYDw
Used Eureka grinders: ebay.us/BfY1X7
Used Fiorenzato grinders: ebay.us/WGZtYj
Used Nuova Simonelli grinders: ebay.us/rcVRri
Freshly roasted high-quality coffee beans from The Coffeeworks (my website): cworks.co.uk (use discount code yt25 for 25% off your first order).
Coffee blog: coffeeblog.co.uk
Buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/coffeeblogkev
Current Gear:
Quick note. I'm including all of this info because when I was starting out, I found it really difficult to figure out what gear to use, so I'm hoping if there's anyone looking to set up for CZcams, this might help. If you need more help just email me, kev at coffeeblog.co.uk - if I don't know the answer I'll ask the professionals.
I'm listing the current setup first that the pros are using, and then my original more budget setup.
The pro stuff (new studio setup, with brickovenmedia.co.uk)
Blackmagic Pocket 4K amzn.to/3EnYAKJ
Samyang 35 mm T1.5 VDSLR II Manual Focus Video Lens amzn.to/3RB4Q4I
VILTROX EF-M2 II Focal Reducer Booster Adapter Auto-Focus 0.71x compatible with Canon EF mount Lens to M43 Cameras amzn.to/3e37Qcp
Glide Gear TMP100 Adjustable iPad/Tablet/Smartphone Teleprompter Beam Splitter Glass amzn.to/3C7hRgt
Promptsmart Pro bit.ly/3CAhXPl (tablet prompter app, includes voice tracking, very good! If you have it more than a couple of metres away from you, just use a lav mic with an extension so it can year you).
Aputure LS COB 300D II LED Continuous Fresnel Light 300D Mark II amzn.to/3SVy4ft
Aputure Accent B7C 7W RGBWW LED Smart Bulbs amzn.to/3RD0ABu
aputure light dome ii amzn.to/3M5XjcY
Sennheiser MKH 60
Sanken Cos 11 Lavalier
If you're interested in any of this gear but you don't want to buy new, check out www.mpb.com/en-uk
My budget setup (prior to working with Brickoven):
Canon M6 Mark ii amzn.to/3zoczes (quick note, knowing what I now know I wish I'd have gone for the pocket 4k, which you can get used from MPB for a few hundred more.
Blue Ember Mic (used mainly for voiceovers): amzn.to/3pT6WR1
RØDE VideoMic Pro: amzn.to/3DV7xHg (note, it's good for the £, but with what I now know thanks to the guys at Brickoven, I'd recommend the RØDE NTG4 amzn.to/3M8nIXy or RØDE NT5.
Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface: amzn.to/3e3qwFn
Amaran 100D LED Video Light, 130W 5500K (Key light): amzn.to/3oQYrqY
Aputure Light Dome SE Softbox: amzn.to/3ESdHcJ
Neewer Bi-color 660 LED Video Light and Stand Kit (Fill light): amzn.to/35jUtwp
Neewer Portable 56 inch/142 cm Aluminium Camera Tripods (I have a few of these, very good value) amzn.to/3pPlCke
Cayer BV30L tripod with fluid head amzn.to/3fJdEbr (mega tripod for the money!)
Please note, affiliate links included above.
Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
0:39 DeLonghi Dedica
2:05 Gaggia Espresso
4:20 Gaggia Carezza
5:58 Sage/Breville Bambino
7:48 Sage/Breville Bambino Plus
9:00 Sage/Breville Duo Temp Pro
11:09 Gaggia Classic Pro
13:15 Bonus - Used Machines
16:10 Grinders? Story time with Coffee Kev
18:34 Secret tip - buying commercial coffee grinders
20:04 Kev's Useless Fact
20:27 Tatty Bye
#homebarista #CoffeeKev #espressomachine #siebträgermaschine #coffeebeans #coffeemachines #coffeemachine
Loved story time with kev and top notch info as always, looking at getting a bambino and still think it suits me best appreciate the info.
I didn't want to hassle with upgrading later and I didn't want to hassle with retention and cleaning issues related to all that and I also didn't want to deal with significant clumping so I jumped in and spent the money on the Niche Zero to pair up with the Bambino Plus, (which is my dream set up that you helped confirm) so I wouldn't have a learning curve and I could just start from scratch learning the skills, not making up for lacking equipment. Absolutely love my setup and I'm so glad I didn't go for a budget grinder.
Love my Oscar ll. Even used it for 2 days in my wife's cafe. 8 years and going strong. Added an OPV a while back. Easy machine to use. Paired with Baratza 270
Great video with very sound advice and tips! I did what you’re suggesting (put most of my budget towards a grinder) and purchased a Gaggia Classic Pro, which I nodded myself (actually not that difficult) with a 6 bar spring and a PID and I love it. Paired with a $1,500 USD Olympia Express Moca SD grinder I’m making consistent incredible espresso at home every day. 👍🏻 And who says grinders can’t be sexy too 🤣
Amazing :-)
This is the video I need! Just bought a sage pro grinder using your code and now need a machine as my bean to cup delonghi has gone back to get fixed!
Just got to the end of the video and you’ve changed your mind from the grinder video I saw before 😮
brilliant video , thank you!! Can I ask, did you do a talk over for this video?
Hi Kev ! Love your videos !
I’m about to buy a coffee machine and I’m between the Gaggia classic pro and the quick mill pippa. I have found a quick mill pippa used in great condition for the same price the Gaggia pro is new. What would you buy ?
Thank you in advance!
thx, nice advice on the used market that we do not frequently get here on YT
upgraded from $100 manual kingrinder to $100 mazzer major this year and could not be happier even after investing into new burr set)
as for the machine, my modded stilosa is still quite good for me - would even put it into the list as an entry point for espresso at it's price...maybe even instead of dedica
The fiesta woth the ferrari engine would be lucky to finish the race without catching fire, exploding, or just giving up.
Love the videos Kev, hope you don’t take this the wrong way but I appreciate you tend to give more of a beginners point of view to your recommendations (not your knowledge btw clearly you know what you’re talking about). It’s very easy with coffee to go down the rabbit hole and chase tiny improvements for tonnes of money.
Anyway thanks to your videos (and your discount code ;)) I managed to snag a bambino and Fellow opus for around £380 total just this week and have begun my espresso journey
Thanks, 😀, and no I certainly don't take that the wrong way, that's a huge compliment! Excellent, that's a bargain! 😎
Ta
Kev
Where's the code? Don't see anything in the description...
I was actually able to find and purchase locally a Dedica for just 70 Euros including 2 aftermarket non-pressurized baskets, a stainless steel tamper, a stainless steel milk jug, a knock box and a separate Philips milk frother that I never use. All for 70. It had seen quite a fair bit of use but still in perfect working condition. It's also really simple to disassemble and on the cheap side to repair if anything goes wrong. I matched that with a Sage Smart Grinder Pro for 210 Euros new and a 15 Euro kit from amazon consisting of a bottomless portafilter, puck screen, dual shot basket and the magnetic extender thing you put on top while puck prepping so nothing falls out (forgot its name). Got some fresh specialty coffee, overdosed a couple of times until I dialed everything in and I must say the results are pretty good for a complete setup that costs less than a mid-range grinder. Just under 300 Euros in total. Bargain.
Great video as usual, thanks Kev. I'd be interested in the sub £1000 review too, currently looking to get a Profitec GO ... very tempted...
Agreed 😁. I'd have bought a Go months ago if it wasn't for the colour choices. Hate a black lump in my Kitchen and the others colours are way to 'out there' 🤢. The micro-second Profitec do a white option Go I'm all in. Great solid German company and a fabulously kitted out machine for the price. The best I reckon
Gaggia Classic, absolutely no doubt!
And the Evo Pro updated model already comes with the 9 bar spring so its even better and no need to make any modifications for a pro level shot. Oh and the SS version had its price dropped to 450 USD, so it really is a no-brainer under 500.
I had one late 1990 wish I still had one tempted try and sell my dualit and get a refurbished one from Elland on Yorkshire. I can do a deal with you … if yours needs fixing don’t go to the cowboy shop in Nottingham do u reasearch first
What do you think about the last model of kitchenaid burr coffee grinder? I’m really on a low budget here and I don’ t want to buy a second hand machine. Thank you🙏
+1 for a sub $1000 espresso machine video, and maybe address the built-in grinders. I just pulled the trigger on a Barista Express Impress, and feeling like i may have been better off not getting an all-in-one 😅
"All right, mush?" :) love your videos Kev. I can't make up my mind on which espresso machine to buy. I'm desperate to see a under 1000 machine video from you. I'm quite sure I'd be happy with a Gaggia Classic or a Rancilio Silvia but I'm wondering if it would be worth spending a little more and going for a Rancilio Silvia pro, a Profitec Go / ECM casa or a Lelit to get PID and OPV.... What would you suggest? You're absolute legend !
Greatings from Napoli, Italy
Haha, Ey up Pal 😎. Will do. Is it worth spending more and going for something like the machines you've mentioned, yeah probably, as long as you're pairing with a capable grinder. I mean, you can get really good results with a Gaggia Classic, for example, with a bit of temp surfing mastery, or with one of the PIDs mods. But starting off a bit higher up the scale if you have the budget, I think is sensible, apart from the fact that this does lead to a fairly big rabbit hole to drop down 😆. Where do we go from the Classic, Lelit Anna 2, ECM Casa 5, Profitec Go, Oscar 2, or do we just go slightly over the £1k mark into the Lelit Mara X territory, and then it's a sliding slope from there. I do think there's some stonking choice in the £600 - £1k territory though. Ta, Kev.
Would love to see you review the Casabrews 4700 if you can get one. Seems like a decent 58mm portafilter machine under $200
He Kev, very helpfull vids in my journey to getting my first espresso machine. My first option was the barista express but as the grinder is more important I started looking at the barista pro before changing my idea and now I'm thinking about the dose control pro with a bambino. But after watching this video is that really decent enough to start my espresso experience with the option to upgrade the bambino in the future ( to a gagia or rancino like machine)?
Hi Joslyn, Yes, that is a great started set up and a great plan for the future, but actually investing in a better grinder is more important in my opinion than the actual coffee machine itself.
Cheers
Kev
This video couldn't have been more timely - hoping to get a machine this weekend to go with the Encore ESP grinder I have ordered. Leaning towards a Bambino! Great videos, Kev.
I love my gaggia classic evo pro
@@codyDhanson it looks great if you’re willing to mod it, I just don’t think I am, and it’s currently more than 2x the cost of the Bambino in the UK.
The DeLonghi Dedica is an all time classic ,will never disappoint you 🙂
Bambino has a 54 mm portafilter, a higher quality Brew group screen and both pressurized and non-pressurized baskets that are pretty good quality from the factory... also way better steaming power and steam wand without modification, more space Under The Brew group and a bigger drip tray... are there any major selling points for the Dedica other than its ascetics? I've wanted a dedica for a decade for its miniscule and yet substantial presence and I finally getting around to buying something and I still want something small but with high quality output
@@NoZenith not really, maybe its price?
Got my dedica second-hand but in unused condition for 100. Absolute bargain, but i have been tempted to upgrade to one of the 400ish ones
I want to upgrade my bambino plus but honestly the warm up time is so good you’re making a milkie from off faster than even a dual boiler so I might just wait until it conks out 😂
Its a cracking machine Jack!
What were you interested in upgrading to? I got the Bambino plus and I'm pretty happy but I would like a little temperature control. I love myself a medium roast pour over but the medium roast espresso blend I got seems to be a little too light and it always comes out sour even if I try to pull a shot immediately after I get the steam function going to have that first hit of additional Heat. Otherwise I don't think I would ever upgrade
I would love to know which one is better, gaggia carezza or gaggia espresso? It looks like the espresso has everything of carezza has and the portefilter is better and it has the PID system too. But you talk about it later in the video so I'm not sure. It's only better if you get it with the grinder and portefilter?
Excellent video and great advice thanks Kev! but now I need to know where the accent is from!
Thanks 😎. Haha, I'm a Macc lad.
Hi kev, have a sage grinder for 4 years, what would you recommend to pair with gaggia classic 2019 would really like a niche or is this over kill. Love the channel
Hi :-). I don't think there's any such thing as overkill where the grinder is concerned to be honest. Niche is great, something of this kind of level would pair great with the classic and would pair with most of the usual upgrades, once you catch upgraditis ;-).
Hi Kev, got a barista pro currently, wondering if I should return it to get a good grinder (e.g. eureka mignon) and a separate espresso machine. I really want the option of doing lighter roasts but don’t want to become obsessed with mods… can you suggest the best thing to do?
Looking to spends no more than £600/£700 (roughly the money I can get back on my barista pro, or should I keep that!?!?)
Dear Coffee Kev, please can you do a review on space saving, good quality espresso machines ans grinders?
I'm sure there are a lot of people like me with limited space that can't acccommodate nice, comfy sized machines. Thank you😊
Well I already decided to buy a good grinder first, it will be beneficial for all my coffee.
17:38 HAH! Joke's on you, I actually did spend my budget on a grinder and I am using my Aeropress until I get money saved for a machine! 😁 I went for the DF64 Gen 2 grinder and upgraded the burrs. I figured I got an aeropress and I sort of know how to use it lol but if I get a really good coffee grinder and learn to dial in the best grind size for the coffee I like with fresh beans I will be able to make due until I can find a machine for me ☺
I’m currently looking at Black Friday deals and the Barista Express is sub £500 at the minute. I am brand new but know I’ll end up obsessing over coffee as a hobby so I was hoping to wait for a Bambino+ and buy a separate grinder. Is this a good idea? Or is the Barista Express going to be the better option?? So many options and obviously seen Kev’s tip about grinders which has me leaning more to the latter option! Thanks for the info.
It's an excellent machine and grinder lots to setup to get it right so it will be a challenge to scratch that hobby itch
Any idea if the Breville Mini Barista is any good? Is it closer to the Duo Temp or the Bambino???
Hi Kev, it's been great discovering your channel recently. I'm wondering which would be the best option for me. I currently have a Duo Temp Pro with a cheap Breville Grinder that doesn't grind fine enough for a proper espresso. I have the option of getting a Barista Express or to keep the Duo temp pro and get a higher end grinder (I can get an Ascaso isteel i1 or a Lelit Fred for a decent price). What do you think? Thanks!
Hi, I think the duo temp pro is a great machine, so upgrading your grinder is a great way to go :-)
Cheers
Kev
Hey Kev. Want to buy a dual boiler but lots say they fail after 2 years and are difficult/expensive to repair? Who did you say repaired yours? Radu? Thanks
How about the Breville/Sage Infuser? Have you tried it before?
Definitely keen to see the sub £1,000 video
Its on my to do list Matthew!
Well get to it Kev! 😁
Honestly just love your channel me lad.
Whats your thoughts on manual grinders?
Hi kev did you say there was a discount code for the save bambino? Would love to get this and invest in a good quality grinder
Hi if you email me kev@coffeeblog.co.uk and put Sage Discount Code in the heading you will get a code.
Ta
Kev
Hi Kev, Just ordered the Gaggia espresso and md15 grinder....have you done a review of the md15?
Hi I have filmed a video but it hasn't been released yet, have a look at this video on the Carezza, I use the MD15 with this machine:
czcams.com/video/ENFV20YDEn4/video.html
Cheers
Kev
Cheers, just ordering some of your coffee for espresso. AlI that i need now is an ' All the gear no idea ' video😂😂
Hi Kev, would you recommend an espresso machine and separate grinder or a machine that can do both for a beginner just starting out
Number one, what is your budget. Number two, what result is your end goal at this point?
What coffee drink do you intend on drinking the most of and how many people are you, on average, using this for?
@@NoZenith thanks for the reply. Budget is probably between £300-£500 max at this stage, don’t mind starting smaller and upgrading later down the line. End goal is good quality espresso at home (I drink cappuccino, flat white, cortado, latte and just espresso). Primary use will just be for me and my wife
If anyone is looking to buy the Breville Bambino, it's a solid machine... I use puck paper on top and bottom of portafilter making a sandwich and the pucks come out dry. What you will need to make your own paper is NT cutter 1500p circle cutter, self healing mat and get #4 cone filters
Thanks for that Adrian :-)
@@Coffee_Kev Thank you Kev your videos are underated... I am Canadian,I am not 100% sure but if your using a puck as your portafilter stabalizer... that is very canadian like! lol
I am indeed using a puck :-)@@adriand6477
What’s people’s thoughts on getting a Bambino with a ESP grinder? This is for someone getting into coffee making and usually uses an areopress.
Hi, the Baratza encore esp is a great pairing with the Bambino,
Cheers
Kev
Ive seen a lot machines like Gaggia Classic Pro that doesnt have a double espresso button how do u make a double shot ???
With machines like the Classic that just have one shot button, it's a manual extraction, so you just press the shot button to start, press it again when you have your desired yield. cheers, Kev.
No Solis Barista Perfetta?
Do you have any experience or knowledge on this machine?
What about the flair pro 2?
Love the clip of an old video that looks like it was filmed on a potato 🤣🤣
haha, thanks :-)
👏👏👏
I can't unsee the photoshopped Gaggia Espresso lmaooooooo
haha don't give away our secrets! 😆
But which one Kev, just one, which would it be
Been using a dedica for years and can make some great Milk drinks with it...
I would higjly recommend it for anyone wanting to get into Coffee...
Get a decent basket, open porterfilter ,change the steam wand to a rancillio and there you go , a decent machine on a small budget.....
Ive just treat myself and bought a Bambino Plus, currently waiting for it to be delivered, cant wait
UPDATE, Recieved the Bambino plus yesterday and unfortunately I'm sending it back....
just not impressed with the build quality at all, feels very flimsy, moves all over the bench at the slightest touch. Porterfilter has a hollow plastic handle and feels crap. Drip tray is very flimsy also and the way it clips in would not doubt not last long....
Not worth any where near twice the price of a Dedica.....
Very disappointed if I'm honest......
Hi Kev, is it possible to get a similar video under £1000?
Its on my list :-)
A decent grinder is very important, otherwise getting consistency is going to be all over the place.....
I concur 👍
Amazing video over all, but if something is in capital leathers that means it's a shortened version of the phrase and it's not a word. So please try to spell PID (proportional integral derivative) and don't make a complete new word from it.
Otherwise amazing video.
Thanks. Yeah, I'm using the shortened version of the phrase, which the industry and espresso community has been doing for quite some time, I didn't start it 😆. I wouldn't call it new either, the word PID has been used for years.
Where is ECP3420? It's better than Dedica and Bambino for example.
What makes you rate that machine over the Dedica and the Bambino? On paper it would be the worst of the 3 and definitely sub par Vs the Bambino.
@@Coffee_Kev Bambino specs don't call it so, but it's basically a variation of the same thermoblock system as in Dedica, which always be inferior to a boiler (ECP3420). Am I wrong?
Thanks Kev. Yeah sub 1k would be interesting.
Its on my list Rupert
Having used sage machines, I still think they're completely overrated Built quality is absolutely dreadful, inside the important pieces are all plastic, and steam pressure is very poor.... And a proper size for the filter of 58 mil is very important, Which are most sage machines you don't get...
Really? In my opinion, the build quality on Sage machines is brilliant, especially compared to similarly priced machines. Is there something specific about the build quality you're referring to?
ALL important pieces inside are plastic? I don't think that would quite stand up in court 😆.
The boiler machines have stainless steel boilers, the thermocoil machines use stainless steel thermocoils, the thermojet machines have alloy thermojets. Pump, solenoid, etc., what important parts are you saying are plastic? Sure there's the odd bit of plastic here and there, but not imporant componants and certainly not ALL.
Why do you think 58mm is very important? Yeah it's the industry standard where commercial machines are concerned, but even there not all manufacturers agree 58mm is best, and it's a bone of contention among the people who really, really know their stuff (not me, people way above my level), I don't know for sure that 58mm is "better" as such.
Anything not 58mm used to be a pain for accessories, but not these days, there's just about as much 54mm aftermarket accessories as there are 58mm. Ta, Kev.
@Coffee_Kev and there are a lot of necessary 54 mm pieces that are cheaper than the 58 mm counterpart!
If you're going to wear an apron, at least get a man bun and some stereo typical tattoos and only then can you become a true barrista.