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Why Are Espresso Machines So Expensive?
Everything you need to know about expensive and budget-friendly espresso machines!
Published January 19, 2022
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Vasileia Fanarioti
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
I can't remember starting my day without a hot sip of coffee. But none of the sips had ever kicked my dopamine levels as hard as an espresso! From her first sip, I felt like this drink was my thing.
When I looked around for some modern espresso machines I found that they were quite expensive! Most of us that enjoy a good cup of espresso at home have probably asked ourselves "Why are espresso machines so expensive?"
And so I began to learn more about this amazing invention to understand why the cost of the espresso machine is so high. The good thing is that it doesn't have to get so expensive, it just depends on what you are looking for and how much you want to invest your time and money into it. Let’s find out more below!
Why are espresso machines so expensive?
When it comes to espresso machines, many people immediately think of the common portafilter machines that they know from cafés or restaurants, and which can often cost several thousand euros.
Because of this, many people don't have as much access to espresso machines and don't even consider getting one. However, as with most other products, there are also espresso machines from different manufacturers who offer espresso machines of different prices.
History of espresso machines
Luigi Bezzera, an engineer from Milan, was an extraordinary personality who invented the espresso machine. It was November 18, 1901 when this man invented the "hero of caffeine." Still, the first espresso machine required human energy to generate enough pressure.
Desiderio Pavoni, an Italian industrialist, first obtained the production license for Bezzera coffee machines in 1903. He discovered the La Pavoni company and began manufacturing coffee machines and espresso machines.
The rise in espresso consumption is linked to Italy's urbanization. The Italians used to socialise in bars and drink espresso coffees. The Pavoni and Victoria Arduino coffee makers went a long way in spreading this culture in the 1920s. The word "espresso" derives from the Italian word for "pressed out". You can find out more about the invention of the espresso machine in our article here.
What types of espresso machines are there?
A major divergence is the variety of espresso machines. As an espresso fan, I would also like to have an espresso machine in my house. Before getting one, you need to be aware of the strains. Let's talk about..
Single boiler espresso machines
The name defines what functions the machine performs. The single kettle is steamed with the wand and extracts the beans with the help of its portafilter. Steaming requires a much higher temperature than brewing. This means that firing a single cauldron isn't as quick as the others.
Double boiler espresso machines
As I already told you about the function of a single boiler, you can easily understand how a double boiler works. The double boiler espresso machine has two water boilers. One for the steam wand and one for extracting shots.
You can choose which temperature you want to go for. As we all know, temperature has a huge impact on the flavor of your espresso. With this special category you can prepare and steam much faster.
Automatic espresso machines
Automatic espresso machines start the brewing process when you press the button. Since the machine can control the water supply, it takes a little experience to manage it.
The automatic ones prevent overfilling and ensure a constant volume in each portion. For professional use, everyone can rely on automatic espresso machines.
Super automatic espresso machines
The super automatic espresso machine is probably the best among all other types of espresso machines. Press the start button and grind and measure the coffee, put the water in the machine. This machine can make any type of coffee you can ever think of.
The super-automatic ones are a bit pricey, but this expensive espresso machine is worth every penny. You can use it in your coffee shop and restaurant to get the best results. No wonder espresso machines are so expensive.
Budget-friendly espresso machines
The espresso maker under 200 euro is the best choice for customers who are on a tight budget. They can give you up to 15 shots at a time. They have a water capacity of 48 ounces. If this is your first time deciding to buy an espresso machine, you can make the choice.
Mid-range espresso machines
You can buy a super-automatic espresso machine on a budget under $300. Such machines will have built in grinders which are very valuable. The device has electric pumps and automatic boiler control. The machine only needs 5-10 minutes to prepare the coffee.
High-end espresso machine
With a slightly higher price range, you will enjoy more features than the cheap ones. The espresso machine under 500 is mostly semi-automatic. Some of the highlighted features that you will enjoy are Thermo's coil and PID control. It is a good option for both advanced users and amateurs.
Inexpensive espresso machines for beginners
If you are just starting out with an espresso machine, you can rest assured that you don't have to spend €500 for your first espresso machine. There are now many manufacturers who offer espresso machines for as little as €60-150. Of course, the quality in this price segment varies quite a lot, but of course you shouldn't expect too much from such a device.
Anyone looking for espresso machines on Amazon will quickly come across the De'Longhi company, which most people already know from other products. De'Longhi has a very large repertoire of inexpensive espresso machines and accordingly offers a large selection, especially for beginners.
But the company Krups also offers cheap espresso machines in a similar price segment. You should be aware that these machines cannot compete with higher quality espresso machines, especially when it comes to processing.
Nevertheless, these machines are perfectly adequate to take the first steps in the world of espresso and to familiarize yourself with the preparation of the coffee. After all, preparing espresso might not be as much fun for them as they originally thought.
Last Thoughts
And that’s that! Now you know so much about espresso coffee makers and espresso machines. I hope this article has given you an idea of what’s out there regarding espresso machines.
There are several espresso machines available on the market. But not all of them are worth your money. I hope now you understand why some espresso machines are so expensive but also how they can be budget friendly if you know what to look out for. If you have any questions, don't’ hesitate to get in touch!
About the author
Vasileia Fanarioti
My name is Vasileia and I’m here because i decided to combine my two favourite things: writing and coffee. I love travelling around the world and visiting coffee shops but my biggest goal is to visit a coffee farm, to see where it all starts! You can follow my coffee adventures via my blog: thewanderingbean.net
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