For many people, the espresso machine is where the day begins each morning. Having an espresso machine at home means you no longer need to stop at the coffee shop on your way to work and can enjoy a perfect cup of coffee in the comfort of your own home. They are also common in businesses, where employees and customers can enjoy an espresso. This provides an opportunity to bond, while reducing the amount of time and money spent in coffee shops. The best espresso machine under €1,000 is suitable for both the home and business environment.

For this review, we selected and tested different espresso machines in the price range of €200 to €1000. We considered key features such as machine type and size, grinder, bean capacity, water capacity, filtration, warranty, and why they are important in an espresso machine. We explain how each of these elements work and how to evaluate an espresso machine based on these and other features.

We spent weeks comparing the performance of these machines and asking baristas what they look for when choosing an espresso machine. And which machines they would recommend for home use. We hope these results will help you choose the right espresso machine for your lifestyle. We’ve included a comparison table, detailed reviews of each product and a buying guide to help you make the best choice.

Breville Barista Touch

There’s nothing like the Breville Barista Touch to bring high-quality espresso into your home. This espresso machine comes in two finish options, brushed stainless steel and black truffle, both of which add to its aesthetically defined appearance. Measuring just 14.5″ x 16.7″ x 17.6″, it is a compact unit that can fit into a myriad of spaces in the kitchen.

The touchscreen and intuitive operation allow you to customize your favorite coffee settings and brew your coffee faster than ever. The machine comes with 5 pre-set coffee menus, offering excellent blend and taste in just seconds. Plus, you can store up to 8 coffee settings, so you don’t have to change the settings every time you want to make your favourite espresso.

The 67oz water tank stores enough water to make 8 cup sizes before refilling, and with a ThermoJet heating system that reduces heating time to just 3 seconds, there is virtually no waiting time when it comes to getting your espresso.

Other impressive features include an automatic steam wand that allows you to adjust the temperature and texture of the milk, an efficient built-in grinder and grinding cradle that allows you to grind directly into the portafilter, PID digital temperature control technology that keeps the temperature constant during extraction, and a 2-year repair warranty.

Jura 13626 Ena Micro 1

For a single user who only needs one espresso for their day, the Jura Ena Micro 1 espresso machine is a charmer that offers perfectly prepared espressos every time. The only problem would be if you like to take your espresso throughout the day. You’ll probably get tired of the constant water refills required, as the water tank only has a capacity of 38.6 oz. It’s also worth noting that it can hold a maximum of 0.2lb of beans, which is far less than many espresso machines can hold.

Other than that, this little machine is packed with goodies, including two flavour levels to choose from. That’s right. It brings to life those heavenly coffee flavours you always thought were out of reach. A responsive touch panel makes it easy to use, and you have 6 settings to customise your espresso coffees the way you want. The machine has an energy saving mode and a patented zero energy switch for better energy efficiency.

With dimensions of 17.5″cx 12.7″ x 9.1″, it’s a compact piece that will take up minimal space, making it ideal even for tiny kitchens. This also means that the machine is quite portable and can be easily carried around. It comes with a 2 year limited warranty. This is an excellent espresso machine that can be used at home, especially for coffee lovers whose first thing in the morning is to make coffee. It can also be useful in small businesses or offices where employees and customers are served.

Philips Anima

The Gaggia Anima offers you the possibility of using whole beans or pre-ground coffee for your infusions, with a pre-infusion system that allows you to obtain a perfect taste for each espresso. It works by maintaining a slight pause between the moment the water hits the beans and the moment the brewing begins. This slight delay ensures that the flavours are optimally impregnated.

Another interesting feature is the automatic cleaning system, a rinsing cycle that is activated as soon as you switch the machine on or off. This guarantees an unaltered aroma and taste with every extraction. Similarly, a special quick-clean system for the milk circuit allows you to clean the milk circuit after preparing a milk-based espresso. An integrated dual chamber milk carafe allows you to quickly and easily prepare your favourite espresso with milk options.

A simple interface complemented by an LCD display allows you to easily adjust your settings. Choose from 6 programs and 5 grind options and set the temperature to one of three supported levels. The brew group is removable, an option that allows for thorough cleaning.

We noticed that the water light sometimes comes on, even when there is enough water in the tank, and when this happens the machine stops working. Adding water solves the problem, but the brewing process starts all over again. This can be frustrating when you are in a hurry.

Breville the barista

The Breville Barista is a good choice for homes or small offices where several people will use the espresso machine every day. With a water tank capacity of 67 oz, it will take several cups of espresso before you refill the water.

The Breville Barista’s built-in grinder provides the right amount of coffee beans for the type of beverage you’re making. Adjust the settings accordingly for single or double coffee. To ensure maximum extraction and rich flavour, a digital temperature control system keeps the water hitting the beans at an optimal temperature.

The settings allow you to control the amount of grind and thus control the strength of your espresso. You can also adjust the grind size using the dial to achieve a finer or coarser bean.

This machine comes with a range of accessories that deep L lovers will appreciate. In addition to the spoon and tamper, you also get a razor dose cutter, milk jug, cleaning tablets, cleaning brush, tool and Allen key, as well as a water filter and water filter holder.

Overall, we were pleased with the performance of this espresso machine. However, we noticed that every time we turned it on, an unusual noise came from the grinder. This did not affect the performance of the machine and we are not sure what to make of it yet.

De’Longhi Nespresso Lattissima

The first thought that comes to mind when using the De’Longhi Nespresso Lattissima for the first time is that it has been designed to take all the hard work out of making espresso. The process is simple and the machine works quickly. Simply load the capsule into the machine, choose your settings, press the button and the machine quickly dispenses your espresso before ejecting the capsule.

The Thermoblock heating system quickly heats the machine, reducing the waiting time to just a few seconds. De’Longhi’s patented extraction process uses 19 bars of pressure to extract the highest concentration of flavour while maintaining the optimum temperature in each cup. The container comes with 10 capsules, so you can enjoy several coffees before buying additional capsules.

It has 5 preset coffee options and a memory function for 7 options, including hot water. The hot water function is ideal when you want to make something other than an espresso. You simply draw your hot water from the capsule machine instead of boiling water separately on another machine.

For milk-based drinks, the carafe dispenses milk at adjustable levels during the extraction process so you can choose how much milk you want in your drink. The milk jug has a capacity of 12 oz.

Other great features are the automatic cleaning system, automatic shut-off and stop flow function. The automated systems make it easy to make the perfect espresso while reducing waste. It also comes with a 2-year limited warranty, which means you are always assured of technical support.

Flair Signature

The Flair Signature is a stylish little hand machine that will add an ornamental touch to your kitchen. It has a detachable head and measures just 12″ x 6″ x 10″ – small enough that you can place it on a trolley when not in use. It is constructed entirely of stainless steel and aluminum, durable materials that will see you using this machine for years to come. The manufacturer offers a 5 year limited warranty, but you will probably continue to use this espresso machine long after the warranty period, given the quality of the construction and materials.

It is very easy to transport and weighs only 3.5 kg. The only downside is that you have to buy a grinder to grind the beans. You also have to boil the water for your espresso separately.

To get the best flavour, it is recommended to grind the beans a few minutes before brewing. You should also use fast boiling water, between 195°F and 205°F. This means that you should plan to boil the water and grind the beans when you are ready to brew. You can’t do this too early as it will affect the flavour of your espresso.

The Flair water cylinder has a capacity of 60ml. It takes 13-18g of coffee and a lever pressure of 6 BAR-10 BAR to extract a 45ml shot of espresso. It takes 30-45 seconds to extract a shot. Not bad for a manually operated machine.

Espresso and cappuccino all-in-one machine EspressoWorks

The EspressoWorks all-in-one espresso machine set includes everything you need to make your favourite brand of espresso, including a plug-in electric grinder, 2 portafilters, a stainless steel frothing cup, tamper, measuring spoon and 2 espresso cups.

Both the espresso machine and the grinder connect to a 120V power supply. For a rich flavor, grind your beans just before brewing. The control dial has three settings: Off, Espresso, and Steam. You can only perform one function at a time, which means you can’t make and pour an espresso and steam your milk at the same time. But you can pour two coffees at the same time. In fact, the machine comes with a single coffee filter and a double coffee filter.

Although the manufacturer states that the machine has a 15 BAR system, the espresso flows slowly, as if the pressure is insufficient. This shouldn’t be a problem if you’re only making one or two espressos. However, if you make dozens of espressos, the sluggishness can become annoying.

The water tank has a capacity of 42.2 oz, and the best part is that it’s transparent, so you can monitor the water level at any time. If you get distracted and forget to check the water level over time, LED indicators will alert you when the level gets low.

15 bar pump pressure, removable drip tray, LED indicators, thermoblock heating system, integrated steam defroster

What can you expect from an espresso machine under €1,000?

Espresso machines under €1,000 are generally in the low to medium price range. They don’t have the bells and whistles found in high-end models, but they don’t smell cheap either. Here is an overview of what you can expect from such a machine.

Most have a built-in grinder, which makes them easier to use because you don’t have to grind your coffee beans separately. Some have a stand-alone grinder, which requires you to grind the beans first and transfer them to a filter holder.

Some models are equipped with a steamer and frothing nozzle for milk preparation, essential options for those who want to make lattes and other forms of espresso with milk.

Tips for maintaining the espresso machine

Assuming you choose a good quality machine, like the ones we’ve looked at above, you can expect to use it for years. And with a little care, you can even extend its life and delay the onset of mechanical problems associated with normal wear and tear. Here are some tips to help you:

Wipe down the portafilter after each use to remove debris.

Purge the steam/foam wand after each use.

If recommended by the manufacturer, rinse the machine after the last use of each day to get rid of debris that may have accumulated in the unit.

If you are using a removable brew group, remove it and clean it regularly to keep it in good condition.

Use only espresso machine detergent to clean your machine. There are a variety of cleaning powders and tablets specially designed for this purpose.

Descale your espresso machine regularly, especially if you use unfiltered or hard water. If you use filtered or soft water, descaling once a year should be sufficient.

Price tag

In the under €1,000 category, espresso machines with more features and advanced built-in technology cost between €700 and €1,000. Those in the middle price range cost between €300 and €500 and, although they do not have as many features as the former, they are solidly built. At the lower end of the scale are espresso machines under €300, which we consider affordable. There are some good models in this category too, and most of them have everything you need to make a great espresso, just as you’d expect.

Features to consider when buying the best espresso machine under £1000

Let’s look at each feature of an espresso machine individually and find out what role it plays in the machine.

Type of machine

There are three main types of espresso machines:

Manual espresso machines

The machine of choice for coffee connoisseurs, the manual espresso machine allows you to have total control over the espresso making process. There are no automated systems or digital controls. Instead, you determine how you want to make each espresso and blend it manually.

This type of machine is quite expensive compared to automatic machines, but they are well built and tend to last a long time. They also produce tasty drinks if the blending is done right and most of these machines create convenient ways to do this, like Flair Signature.

Semi-automatic espresso machines

This type of machine has both manual and electric components, making it much easier to use than a manual espresso machine while giving you some control over the blending process.

They are also cheaper, with many of them ranging from $200 to $500.

Fully automatic espresso machines

The espresso making process is fully automated in these machines, making them very easy to use. But it also means that you have no control over the brew. While the best ones cost thousands of dollars, you can find good ones for less than $1,000.

Size of the machine

Size is the first thing to consider when you’re thinking of buying an espresso machine. Do you have enough space in your kitchen for a large machine, or do you only have a few inches to install one? Fortunately, these machines are available in a wide range of sizes that make it easy to find a suitable size machine.

Bean and water capacity

Fully automatic espresso machines

The espresso preparation process is fully automated in these machines, which makes them very easy to use. But it also means that you have no control over the shots. While the best ones cost thousands of dollars, you can find good ones for less than $1,000.

Size of the machine

Size is the first thing to consider when you’re thinking of buying an espresso machine. Do you have enough space in your kitchen for a large machine, or do you only have a few inches to install one? Fortunately, these machines are available in a wide range of sizes that make it easy to find a suitable size machine.

Bean and water capacity

If you plan to use the machine throughout the day, or if several of you prepare espresso every day, you need a machine that can store 50-70 oz of water. This is enough to make 6-8 cups of espresso and should eliminate the need to refill the water after pouring a shot.