Best of · 8 products
Best Espresso Machines Under $500
The best espresso machines under $500, ranked by our review scores. This is the entry band for real espresso, and the specs that separate one machine from the next here (pressurised or unpressurised baskets, the steam wand, how long the boiler takes to recover between shots) matter more than the price gap between them.
How this list is ordered
Ranked by arithmetic, not opinion. Every score is worked out from the specifications each maker publishes, so you can open the working on any product page. Anything commercial is labelled and sits outside that order, and how we score explains what each criterion measures.
Espresso Machines Under $500, ranked by score
scored on what the maker publishesOpen a row for the score working1
GaggiaClassic Evo Pro RI9380/49From $4996.9How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction6.5non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing6.0Build Quality & Durability7.8Ease of Use & Learning Curveweakest link4.0shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedcarries 12 of the 80.5 points scoredMaintenance & Cleaning9.2plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics6.2Value for Money9.2Price from$499Score6.9Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialSolid steel housing with brass, Stainless steelRead the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro RI9380/49 review →2
BrevilleInfuser BES840XLFrom $336.506.8How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction8.5non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing6.0Build Quality & Durability7.6Ease of Use & Learning Curveweakest link2.7shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedcarries 12 of the 80.5 points scoredMaintenance & Cleaning5.8plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics5.6Value for Money10.0Price from$336.50Score6.8Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialStainless steelRead the Breville Infuser BES840XL review →3
GaggiaE24 RI9380/46 Espresso MachineFrom $4496.5How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction6.5non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing5.5Build Quality & Durability7.2Ease of Use & Learning Curveweakest link2.7shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedcarries 12 of the 80.5 points scoredMaintenance & Cleaning7.5plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics6.9Value for Money9.5Price from$449Score6.5Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialSolid steel housingRead the Gaggia E24 RI9380/46 Espresso Machine review →4
Mattino ProMattinata Espresso MachineFrom $159.996.4How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction5.0non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing5.5Build Quality & Durabilityweakest link4.8carries 16 of the 80.5 points scoredEase of Use & Learning Curve6.3shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedMaintenance & Cleaning8.3plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics6.9Value for Money10.0Price from$159.99Score6.4Machine TypeSemi-automaticAutomatic MilkYesRead the Mattino Pro Mattinata Espresso Machine review →5
De'LonghiClassic Signature Espresso MachineFrom $224.996.3How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction5.0non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing5.0Build Quality & Durability7.2Ease of Use & Learning Curveweakest link3.3shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedcarries 12 of the 80.5 points scoredMaintenance & Cleaning7.5plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics6.9Value for Money10.0Price from$224.99Score6.3Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialStainless steelRead the De'Longhi Classic Signature Espresso Machine review →6
De'LonghiDedica EC680MFrom $149.956.0How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction5.0non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing6.0Build Quality & Durability6.7Ease of Use & Learning Curveweakest link2.7shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedcarries 12 of the 80.5 points scoredMaintenance & Cleaning6.7plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics5.0Value for Money10.0Price from$149.95Score6.0Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialStainless steelRead the De'Longhi Dedica EC680M review →7
De'LonghiStilosa EC260BKFrom $104.995.7How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction5.0non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing5.0Build Quality & Durability6.4Ease of Use & Learning Curveweakest link2.7shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedcarries 12 of the 80.5 points scoredMaintenance & Cleaning5.8plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics5.0Value for Money10.0Price from$104.99Score5.7Machine TypeSemi-automaticBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoBody MaterialStainless steel, PlasticRead the De'Longhi Stilosa EC260BK review →8
FlairClassic Manual Lever Espresso MakerFrom $1595.2How it scored
Shot Quality & Extraction5.0non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not publishedSteam Power & Milk Texturing3.5Build Quality & Durability5.0Ease of Use & Learning Curveweakest link2.0shot timer and pressurised basket not publishedcarries 12 of the 80.5 points scoredMaintenance & Cleaning5.0plumbable and bottomless not publishedWorkflow & Ergonomics6.9Value for Money10.0Price from$159Score5.2Machine TypeManual leverBuilt-in GrinderNoAutomatic MilkNoRead the Flair Classic Manual Lever Espresso Maker review →
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