Coffee connoisseurs know that there is a huge difference between coffee and speciality coffee. If you have delicate taste buds that can only be satisfied with the advanced aroma of coffees that are delicately brewed at a precise temperature and pressure level then our guide is just for you.
We are going to explore 7 coffee machines priced at $500 to $1000 that are specially developed to help coffee lovers brew a cup that satisfies in terms of aroma and taste. These elite appliances are ideal for coffee snobs, small office spaces, and anyone who loves the taste of freshly brewed restaurant-quality coffees.
1. Nespresso The Creatista Pro – A Luxe Compact Coffee Maker for Sophisticated Spaces
We start our guide with the Nespresso Creatista Pro. Every centimetre of this stylish coffee machine screams luxury. We just cannot get enough of the sleek appearance of this fine-quality machine. Its stylish look, combined with its compact design, makes it a perfect accessory for small coffee bars inside sophisticated office spaces.
The coffee machine only uses coffee pods for brewing tasty beverages. Despite this, it offers incredible diversity since Nespresso has so many delicious coffee blends to try. The coffee maker is also compatible with Starbucks coffee pods so you can whip up luxe drinks without having to travel to a restaurant or coffee shop.
The coffee machine is better suited for small offices or home use because it only has a 2-litre water tank. The capsule container does, however, take up to 12 empty coffee pods which means you can enjoy lots of coffee before an empty is required.
Using the coffee machine is a breeze. It is equipped with a large LCD touch display that you can swipe to select any one of 9 pre-set coffee recipes. It is noteworthy that the pre-programmed settings can also be customised since you can create and install your own coffee recipes.
To get started, you can simply click a preferred coffee recipe. Afterwards, you can adjust the coffee strength selection directly on the screen.
Place your coffee mug on the drip tray or pop the little coffee mug shelf out if you prefer a smaller espresso mug. It is very easy to slide the little coffee pod into the machine and it will start brewing delicious golden brown coffee within seconds. This brewer is perfect for making single or double espressos and americanos.
You can also use the Nespresso to whip up tasty milk beverages since it has a milk frother wand. The LCD screen allows you to choose different milky coffee recipes and adjust the temperature and texture settings on the frother. The coffee maker comes with a steel milk jug. After pouring cold milk into the jug, you need to carefully place it on the sensor on the drip tray and place the steam wand inside. The steam wand will quickly warm up and froth the milk.
Once warm, you can simply mix the frothed milk with freshly brewed coffee and you are all set to enjoy your tasty milky luxe coffee.
This coffee maker is also easy to clean. It comes with an auto-clean function and the frother is simple to rinse out after frothing milk.
With this compact coffee maker, you can go on an endless coffee-tasting adventure and have a perfect cup as often as you like.
Specifications
Brand – Nespresso
Model No – BNE900BSS
Machine type – Automatic Capsule Coffee Machine with Automatic Milk Frothier
Capsule Types – Nespresso, Starbucks and a few others
Used Capsule container – 12 Empty capsules
Dimensions – 42.94 x 32.75 x 19.65 Centimeters
Colour – Brushed stainless
Weight – 6.65 Kilograms
Power – 2300 Watts
Interface input – LCD Touch display
Water Tank Capacity – 2 Liters
Milk Reservoir – Metal jug included
Milk frothier – Automatic frother wand
Pump – 19 Bar
Grinder – None
Pre-programmed settings – 9 Coffee Settings
Heatup Time – 3 Seconds
Pros
- A variety of milk pressure and texture settings for the perfect frothed milk
- Compatible with other coffee pods like Starbucks, Cafepod, and Little’s Coffee
- Makes great-tasting coffees
- Very easy to use and simple to clean
- The display screen offers great convenience when selecting coffee
- Comes with a hot water function so you can whip up other beverages
- The overall appearance is very stylish with a retro touch
- Mess-free coffee brewing
- The large water tank is very convenient
- You can prep milk and brew coffee simultaneously
Cons
- Daily cleaning is required
- Can be a bit noisy
- Some feel the coffee could be hotter
2. DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Fully Automatic Coffee Machine – A Fully Automated Bean-to-Mug Machine
DeLonghi is one of the most renowned coffee machine brands and their Magnifica Evo is an ideal investment if you want to transform coffee beans into delicious coffees.
The first thing you might notice about this coffee machine is its sleek appearance. Unlike barista machines, the coffee grinder and hopper are discreetly intertwined in its design. A flat hopper that holds up to 250 grams of coffee beans fits on top of the machine and the grinder is fully automated and will fill out the coffee filters and tamp the beans after grinding them all on its own. The grind settings can also be adjusted and the coffee maker has a bypass shoot so you can whip up tasty drinks from coffee grinds.
You will also notice a little milk reservoir in the front of the machine. This milk reservoir has a steam wand design and is created to auto-froth and warm the milk while the coffee maker brews your coffee.
To get brewing, you can simply pick one of the 7 pre-settings. These include various coffees and hot water selections. The programming also allows you to choose from three different coffee strength levels. After selecting your coffee recipe and coffee strength type, the machine will automatically start grinding coffee beans, tamping the beans into a coffee puck, pressure the coffee puck to 9 bars, extract coffee, froth the milk, and pour and mix the perfect cup of coffee. It will also automatically dispose of the spent coffee puck into a coffee pod container.
To clean your coffee machine, simply slide out the drip tray to expose the coffee puck container. The tray and coffee puck container can then be washed by placing it in the dishwasher. You also need to select the auto clean function on the coffee machine after making your last brew to clean the frother wand and machine interior.
It is noteworthy that this coffee machine has a pretty large water tank capacity of 1.8 litres and it can easily pour hot water with the press of a button. Unlike most coffee machines, the water tank is fitted on the side of the machine and slides out toward the front of the coffee maker. The tank can also be fitted with an optional water softener filter.
The fully automated bean-to-mug coffee machine is an ideal pick if you love luxe coffee but don’t like the manual coffee-making process that barista machines require.
Specifications
Brand – DeLonghi
Model No – ECAM29083TB
Machine type – Automatic Bean to Mug Coffee Machine with Frothier
Dimensions – 44 x 24 x 36 Centimeters
Colour – Black or Grey
Weight – 9.6 Kilogram
Power – 1450 Watts
Interface input – Touch Button
Water Tank Capacity – 1.8 Liters
Milk Reservoir – 220ml
Milk frothier – Steam wand design
Pump – 15 Bar
Grinder – Yes (250-gram bean container)
Pre-programmed settings – 7 Drinks, auto froth, auto clean
Heatup Time – 45 Seconds
Pros
- Easy to use and clean thanks to auto-features
- Makes delicious and stylish coffees
- Lot’s auto settings so you can easily whip up a variety of beverages
- Very spacious 1.8-litre water tank
- Frothier and grinder included
- The milk tank and frothier whips up perfectly frothy warm milk
- The bean hopper has a discreet or streamlined design
- Quick to grind coffee beans
- A sleek and stylish overall look
Cons
- The water filter requires replacement when it is dirty
- The coffee grinder is a bit loud
3. Breville Barista Pro – The Best Beginner Barista Machine
The Breville Barista Pro is a great beginner home barista machine and can also be a good investment for offices. This semi-automatic coffee maker can help you cut back on the cost of your favourite beverages because it is designed to brew coffee from beans.
First, let’s take a look at some important specs of this popular coffee machine. The coffee machine has a large 2-litre water tank at the back. This spacious water tank makes it ideal for small offices and the tank i removable for when you need to deep clean it.
The coffee machine has a large 250-gram coffee bean hopper fitted on top and can quickly transform these beans into tiny grains thanks to its powerful 1680-watt motor. The grinding process is automatic. All you have to do is set the grind level on the side-fitted turn-knob and the powerful machine will instantly grind the coffee beans according to these selections.
After grinding the beans, you will need to tamp the coffee grinds manually. The machine comes with two filter cups that are discreetly stored in a storage compartment inside the drip tray. You can easily tamp the beans after filling out the small or large filter basket and putting the basket in place for brewing.
This brewer can be ready to brew in just 3 seconds because it has a ThermoJet heater. The great thing about the Barista Pro is that the coffee selections are customisable. You can manually adjust the brewing temperature or modify the coffee strength levels for one and two-cup selections on the LCD. Once set, you can simply hit the single or double shot button and the coffee machine will compress the coffee grinds to 9 bars and will start extracting flavour-rich coffee. The golden brown liquid will pour from two exit spouts within minutes and you can collect the coffee in one or two cups.
This coffee machine is ideal for making a huge variety of tasty drinks because it comes with a built-in milk frother wand. This frother wand will warm and froth the milk with a click of a button and can be used to create some tasty speciality coffees.
Since this is a barista machine, users might need to experiment quite a bit with the grind size, tamp pressure, and customizing of the coffee settings. With so many customizable features, it might take a while before you have the machine all setup and ready to brew a coffee that you love. This experimentation phase can, however, be quite rewarding and is exactly why we believe that this is a good barista starter machine.
Specifications
Brand – Breville
Model No – BES78BSS4JAN1
Machine type – Barista Style Semi-Automatic Bean to Mug with Frothier
Dimensions – 40.6 x 34.3 x 35.3 Centimeters
Colour – Brushed stainless
Weight – 8.9 Kilograms
Power – 1680 Watts
Interface input – LDC Screen and push buttons
Water Tank Capacity – 2 Liters
Milk Reservoir – 480 Millileter milk jug (Only fill to 200ml)
Milk frothier – Steam wand design with milk jug
Pump – 9 Bar
Grinder – Built-in grinder and 250g hopper (30 grind settings)
Pre-programmed settings – 2 Cup size and coffee grind amount settings
Heatup Time – 3 Seconds
Pros
- Ideal for baristas who like precision specialty coffees
- Grinder and frother included
- Simple and user-friendly for a barista machine
- Produces delicious coffees
- The built-in grinder works extremely well and produces perfect grind sizes in 3 seconds
- Impressive overall appearance
- Fast to heat up, grind and brew coffee
- The LCD gives a clear view of the coffee-making process
Cons
- Does take up a bit of space on the counter
- A regular cleaning and maintenance schedule is required
4. Phillips Series 2200 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine – A Good Pick for Easy Bean-to-Mug Brewing
The Phillips Series 2200 is a popular pick among coffee lovers who prefer a streamlined coffee-making process. This fully automated coffee machine is similar to the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo (previously mentioned) but comes at a more affordable price. Let’s take a tour of this wonderful machine.
The coffee machine has a very compact design the black plastic with its sleek stainless trimming is sure to look great in any coffee bar.
To get your machine ready for brewing, you will need to fill up the tank. The 1.8-litre water tank is located on the side of the machine and slides right out for easy filling or cleaning.
Next, you will need to add some beans to the hopper. The hopper is located on top and takes up to 250 grams of beans. It is best to use an oil-free bean type to prevent clogs. The grind settings can be adjusted inside this hopper container.
It is pretty easy to see when the hopper needs a refill since the top lid is slightly transparent. You can also use pre-ground coffee beans because the device has a small bypass shoot where one scoop of ground beans can be added.
When you want to whip up your coffee, simply put it on the machine and give it some time to fully heat up. The coffee machine has a single and double-shot espresso setting. If you press the single, the machine will grind a single espresso and if you press the double, the machine will automatically grind and brew double the amount of coffee beans. Some adjustments can also be made to the water level and coffee strength on this control panel.
Once you have selected your preferred brew strength, the coffee machine will automatically grind the beans, the ground beans will be poured into a filter to tamp into a coffee puck and the brewing process will begin. Freshly brewed coffee will start exiting the machine in just 27 seconds.
The Phillips 2200 is great for making tasty milk coffees because it has a milk reservoir with frother and will automatically froth milk while brewing (depending on your chosen coffee type).
Another great feature of this machine is that it comes with a removable drip tray. This tray will indicate when it needs emptying and the spent coffee pucks will automatically drop into a puck bin inside the machine.
This coffee maker will also pour hot water with the click of a button so you can make other warm drinks like tea or hot chocolate. It is important to regularly clean the machine and to give it a deep auto clean every day before use.
Overall, we love the convenience of this automatic coffee maker and find it offers good value for its affordable price.
Specifications
Brand – Phillips
Model No – EP2231/40
Machine type – Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
Dimensions – 24.7 x 36.6 x 43.4 Centimeters
Colour – Black or Zinc brown
Weight – 8 Kilograms
Power – 1500 Watts
Interface input – Push button
Water Tank Capacity – 1.8 Liters
Milk Reservoir – 500 Millilitres
Milk frothier – Built-in frother and warmer
Pump – 15 Bar
Grinder – Built-in with 12-grind levels
Pre-programmed settings – Cup size, temperature selection, grinder setting, aroma strength settings
Grinding time – 8.3 Seconds
Brew Time – 27 Seconds
Heatup Time –
Pros
- Automatically dunks the spent punks into coffee grind disposal
- The coffee produced is very hot
- Fresher-tasting coffee since beans are freshly ground
- Can be used to pour hot water
- Easy to adjust the strength of the coffee for a perfect cup
- The coffee machine has a stylish look
- The large 1.8-litre water tank allows you to make plenty of coffee before refilling
- Powerful 1500 Watt motor for quick coffee grinding and high-pressure brewing
- Very quick grinding and brewing time
Cons
- A wide mug is required or the machine will spill milk or espresso
- Frother needs to be flushed before pouring hot water or the water could be cloudy
- Requires cleaning and oiling to maintain the machine
5. Nespresso Creatista Plus – A Smaller Nespresso Creatista Version
The Creatista Plus is a smaller version of the Nespresso Creatista Pro and, as such, comes at a better price tag. This luxe coffee pod maker is an ideal investment if you love to enjoy speciality coffees at home or want to create interior spaces with a compact yet sophisticated look.
With its slightly smaller footprint, this coffee machine will slide right in on any coffee bar. Its brushed steel and slight retro appearance are sure to offer lots of interest in your coffee bar and with Nespresso’s wide range of coffee pod types and a built-in frother wand, there isn’t a coffee recipe that you won’t be able to whip up at home.
Because we already discussed the Creatista Pro in detail, we won’t discuss how the machine works as much. We are only going to focus on the main differences between these machines.
The Creatista Plus has a smaller water tank of 1.5 litres. While this tank might be a bit too small for offices, it is just big enough to cater to the needs of families. The other significant difference between the Plus and the Pro is the weight. This little machine is more than a kilogram lighter and has a more compact design. When you start brewing, you will also notice that it only comes with 8 beverage selections whereas the Pro offers 9 beverages to choose from.
These two machines function almost identically. Simply place your coffee pod inside, select your coffee recipe and strength, and it will automatically brew, pour, and discard the empty pod filter for you. You can use this little machine to pour hot water and it is just as functional for creating milk drinks since it also has a steam wand frother.
It is also noteworthy that the smaller 1600-watt motor won’t extract coffee quite as fast as the Pro. On the whole, we love this compacted and affordable version of the Nespresso Creatista Pro and believe it is a great budget option compared to the slightly larger model.
Specifications
Brand – Nespresso
Model No – BNE800BSS
Machine type – Automatic coffee pod coffee maker with frother
Coffee Pods – Nespresso, Starbucks, Little’s Coffee, Lór
Dimensions – 39.3 x 30.8 x 17.1 Centimeters
Colour – Brushed Stainless Steel
Weight – 5.2 Kilograms
Power – 1600 Watts
Interface input – Digital touchscreen
Water Tank Capacity – 1.5 Liters
Milk Reservoir – 250ml stainless milk jug included
Milk frothier – Frothier wand with 11 milk temperature settings and 8 texture levels
Pump – 19 Bar
Grinder – None
Pre-programmed settings – 7 Drink settings
Heatup Time – 3 Seconds
Pros
- Ideal for coffee pod lovers
- Very sleek and modern appearance
- The LCD screen allows you to easily set preparation settings
- Produces a perfect cup of coffee every time
- Nespresso machines are compatible with other coffee pod designs
- The frother offers various temperature and texture settings
- ThermoJet technology allows the machine to heat up in just 3 second
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cans
- Only uses pods for brewing
6. Breville The Barista Espresso Coffee Machine – A Suitable Option for Perfect Coffee Customisation
If you love Breville but find the Barista Pro a little bit too pricey then the Breville Espresso can be a good budget alternative. This coffee machine is a bit bulkier and more manual version of the Breville Barista Pro but offers just as much style and glamour at the same price.
The Espresso is physically a bit bigger compared to the Barista Pro. It has a larger footprint weighs a bit more and has a more powerful 1850-watt motor. Even though it is bigger, it doesn’t offer more convenience because this model requires more manual operation while the Barista Pro is semi-automatic. This manual espresso machine does, however, have a more retro appearance and doesn’t include the comfy LCD display.
The machine has a 2-litre water tank at the back and a single boiler that heats up within 50 seconds. Even though it can heat up in such little time, it is always best to have the coffee maker on 20 minutes before you start brewing or the shots might be a bit cold.
This barista machine has a 250-gram hopper at the top and it allows you to manually dial in the grinder setting for a bean grind that you desire.
After grinding the beans, you will need to tamp the coffee grinds into the filter basket. Lock the filter basket in place and choose between two shot sizes on the pre-set buttons. The brewer will start making tasty coffee and can have your shot ready within just 17 seconds. While the coffee machine is brewing, you will see the manometer needle rise to indicate the pressure bar. If the needle shoots up very high, it can be a sign that the coffee grinds are just right. If the needle doesn’t jump up high enough, you might need to readjust your grind settings.
It is going to take some time to figure out precise grind, pressure and temperature settings but these trials and errors will teach you a lot about brewing fine-tasting coffees.
As with most barista machines, this one comes with a steam wand that can be used to froth and warm milk. To use the frother you will need to pour milk into a jug and place it underneath the wand.
It is important to flush the frother after every use and to give the barista machine a good clean after every day’s use. This can be easily done with the device’s auto-clean functions and by removing and washing the drip tray regularly.
Specifications
Brand – Breville
Model No – BES870BSS
Machine type – Manual barista bean coffee machine
Dimensions – 40.7 x 31.3 x 33.8 Centimeters
Colour – Brushed Stainless
Weight – 12.5 Kilograms
Power – 1850 Watts
Interface input – Push the button and turn the dial
Water Tank Capacity – 2 Liters
Milk Reservoir – None
Milk frothier – Steam wand
Pump – 15 Bar (9bar extraction pressure)
Grinder – Built-in with 250g bean hopper
Pre-programmed settings – 2 Coffee selection, water temperature, froth settings
Heatup Time – 50 Seconds (Thermocoil)
Pros
- Extremely powerful brewer is quick to grind and heat up
- Manual operation offers a satisfying brewing experience
- The built-in grinder is very easy to use
- Easy enough for novices to start brewing expert coffees
- Allows you to whip up speciality coffees affordably
- The built-in steam wand is easy to use and great for whipping up a variety of milky coffees or even hot chocolate drinks
- Buyers love the stylish, slightly retro, look of the machine
Cons
- Not the most energy-efficient device
- Lots of customisation features so it can take a while to figure out how to make a coffee that is to your liking
- Some practice is required for perfect coffee extraction
- The coffee maker is a bit heavy and large
7. DeLonghi LaSpecialista Arte Manual Coffee Machine – Perfect for Camping or Mini Pop-up Coffee Stands
The DeLonghi LaSpecialista Arte is the most affordable coffee machine on this list. We love the price of this coffee machine just as much as we like its stylish retro appearance.
One of the most attractive features of this coffee machine is its low wattage. This machine only needs 1300 Watts to operate meaning it can be functional on off-grit systems like camper. The barista machine can also be functional for a mini-coffee stand at corporate events.
While the coffee machine looks great and produces tasty coffee, it isn’t a suitable option for those who want coffee with just the push of a button. Instead, this coffee maker can be more suited for beginner baristas or those who love experimenting with the brew strength, taste, and granule size of the beans because it is manual.
This mini barista machine can produce tasty drinks from roasted beans and milk but it might take some experimentation to get the brewing process just right.
This coffee machine is equipped with a 1.5-litre water tank and it has a 250-gram bean hopper on top. We love the brushed stainless steel look and lots of buttons along with the manometer provide lots of vintage appeal. It also has a hidden storage compartment on top of the machine right next to the hopper that offers lots of convenience since you can easily store and access loose parts.
To brew your tasty beverage, you will need to select one of two filter baskets (single and double espresso) and place it into the filter handle. The built-in grinder can be set to one of the six grind settings settings and will instantly grind the hard beans into tiny pieces. Tamp the beans and fit the filter basket into the brewing station.
Select whether you would like a single or double-shot espresso and wait while the machine extracts fresh coffee from the roasted bean grinds.
The LaSpecialista can also be perfect for milky beverages because it has a small steam wand and comes with a steel jug so you can make delicious foamy drinks.
While this barista machine isn’t the easiest to figure out, it can be a good beginner coffee machine for those who want to start specialising in exquisite coffees.
Specifications
Brand – DeLonghi
Model No – EC9155MB
Machine type – Manual bean-to-coffee machine
Dimensions – 40 x 36.5 x 27.5 Centimeters
Colour – Black, silver, and green
Weight – 8.8 Kilograms
Power – 1300 Watts
Interface input – Push button or turn dial
Water Tank Capacity -1.5 Liters
Milk frothier – Steam wand
Pump – 15 Bar
Grinder – Built-in with 250g hopper
Heatup Time – 20 Seconds
Pros
- Only 1300 Watts of power use makes it perfect for pop-up coffee stands
- Easy to use
- Available in various colours
- Offers a stylish retro appearance
- The built-in frothier wand is very easy to use
- Has a grinder with 6 grind settings
- Effective for brewing delicious coffees
- Convenient easy-access storage compartment
- Affordable price for a manual barista machine
- Do not spill coffee grinds
Cons
- Can take a bit of practice to get the tamping and grinding settings right
- A bit loud
Savouring Every Sip
A coffee machine can be a wonderful investment for anyone who loves fine-tasting coffees or wants to save on their daily dose of speciality drinks.
There are plenty of good options in the $500 to $1000 category and many of these machines are surprising in terms of quality and functionality.
Personal preference does play a huge role in the type of machine you use. For some, the convenience and low beverage cost of a fully automated machine is a top priority while others might prefer the convenience and incredible taste diversity that coffee pod machines may offer.
If you are someone who prefers to experiment a lot with coffee or would like to learn the art of brewing and whipping up delicious drinks then a barista machine can be a better option, even if the coffee brewing process is a bit more labour-intensive.
We hope that our guide made it a little bit easier to find a coffee machine that suits your exact coffee needs. If you do buy one of these machines then please let us know what your thoughts on your newly purchased equipment are and tell us more about your brewing experience.
