Hey there! Welcome to our best espresso machine under $2000 review for 2022.
Our team of baristas spend hours researching and testing espresso machines.
With our espresso machine suggestions you can’t go wrong. All they have good customer reviews, proven track records, great value. We also rank them based on quality build, and consistency in results.
These are by far the best espresso machines on the market. Choose one of them and be assured that you’ll enjoy high quality espresso at the convenience of your home in no time.
We found that Saeco Xelsis is the best espresso machine under $2000. It brings all the features you want in a high-end espresso machine and performs great.
But not all espresso enthusiasts are the same. And with this kind of budget, you have some other good options to consider.
Are you ready to discover some more top espresso machines under $2000?
Let’s go!
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Our Best Espresso Machines Under $2000 At A Glance
- Saeco Xelsis Super-automatic espresso machine – Best Overall
- Gaggia Babila Espresso Machine – Most Convenient
- Breville Oracle Espresso Machine – Editor’s Choice
- De’Longhi La Specialista Maestro Espresso Machine – Best Budget
- Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine – Best Seller
Best Espresso Machines Under $2000 Reviewed
Now it’s time to review our espresso makers separately, let’s start!
#1 Saeco Xelsis Super-automatic Espresso Machine
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What We Loved
The Saeco Xelsis is an automatic espresso machine with a sleek, compact design. The machine is very easy to use. It has a reasonable price for the features it offers.
The Xelsis makes one or two cups of espresso at a time and comes with many settings to customize your drink. This machine is easy to clean and maintain, making it a great choice for any coffee lover.
It’s a versatile espresso machine that can create a variety of great-tasting beverages. This machine has 15 settings for coffee drinks. You can make everything from classic espresso shots to creamy cappuccinos and lattes.
It also has a milk frother that creates rich, creamy foam for topping off your drinks. Plus, the Xelsis has a large water tank, so you can brew many cups before having to refill.
The Saeco Xelsis espresso machine has a coffee equalizer. This allows you to customize the strength, volume, temperature, and more.
You can choose from the different settings to get the perfect cup of coffee for your taste. The machine also has a memory feature that saves your preferences. Your favorite cup of coffee will taste the same every time.
The Saeco Xelsis has 6 different customizable profiles. Every coffee lover in your house can enjoy their perfect cup of coffee. You can save your preferences to your own profile, or choose one of the pre-made profiles. This advanced feature “remembers” the coffee specialties and your coffee settings. You only have to press the right button and the machine will “recall” you favorite coffee cup.
HygieSteam is another great feature of Saeco Xelsis. This will clean up the machine’s milk circuit using steam. It’s an important part of the cleaning process for your espresso machine. And you should use it every time you craft a cappuccino or latte. This function will keep your espresso maker running smoothly and ensure that your coffee tastes great every time.
Something also unique about this machine is the touch screen interface. It’s very attractive and easy to use. It’s like using a smartphone. You can easily scroll through the options and make your choices. The touch screen makes the machine easy to use and navigate, even for beginners.
Scale build up is inevitable in all espresso machines, but it doesn’t have to impact the quality of your coffee. Saeco Xelsis comes with Aqua clean. This is a patented water filter that purifies the water of your espresso maker. It prevents scale build up and prolongs the life of your machine. You can have up to 5000 cups before descaling with Aqua clean filter of Xelsis.
What We Didn’t Love
When it comes to the perfect cappuccino, many people insist on having their milk nice and hot. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case with the Saeco Xelsis machine.
I’ve found that even when I set the temperature to its highest setting, the milk doesn’t get as hot as I would like it to be. So, my cappuccino often ends up being lukewarm instead of hot.
I’ve read other reviews from people who own this machine, and they’ve had the same issue. So if you’re looking for a machine that will deliver piping-hot milk for your cappuccinos, then the Saeco Xelsis may not be right for you.
#2 Gaggia Babila Espresso Machine
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The Gaggia Babila espresso machine is unique because of its flow control feature. This allows you to increase the flow for a more balanced profile.
With this feature you can extend the espresso extraction in a balanced way. Your outcome won’t be bitter from over-extraction but it will have a mild and lighter taste. This is very nice for those switching from regular coffee to espresso.
It has a digital display with programmable buttons for making espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes. You can also choose from two cup sizes, small and large. The Babila has a stainless steel housing and comes with a milk pitcher, cleaning kit, and water filter.
This espresso maker has 8 drink settings and that’s the reason why we placed Saeco Xelsis at the first place. Saeco is more versatile than Babila and offers you far more coffee drinking options.
But we couldn’t mention the removable brew group from Babila. This makes it really easy to clean and maintain the machine.
The Gaggia Babila espresso machine is a high-quality, Italian-made machine but not perfect. One drawback is that the grounds and water tray need to be emptied more often than with some other machines. This can be a bit of a hassle, but it’s a minor issue with this machine.
Brewing espresso is an all-day affair for some people. They like to wake up to the smell of fresh grounds and water brewing. Have a cup or two throughout the morning, and then brew another shot around lunchtime.
If you’re one of these people, you know that a Gaggia Babila is a great machine for making coffee. But there’s another minor drawback: if the bean hopper runs out while brewing, the machine will keep brewing making a weaker cup of coffee.
The Babila is a great choice for an espresso lover who doesn’t mind emptying the tray every few days. And keeping an eye on the bean hopper.
#3 Breville BES980XL Oracle Espresso Machine
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The Breville BES980XL Espresso Machine is the best choice for espresso lovers. Ideal if you want to have a great time making your favorite drink at home. It’s simple to use and easy to clean, and it has a sleek design that will look great in any kitchen.
This machine has an adjustable temperature dial, so you can make your coffee just how you like it. The steam wand allows you to froth milk for your cappuccino or latte. And the drip tray ensures that no mess goes into your sink when you’re done.
If you’re looking for an espresso maker that’s easy to use, easy to clean, and produces great results every time—this is the one for you!
A drawback is that this bad boy comes with a price tag a bit over than $2000. But, I’ve been using a Breville Oracle espresso machine for about three years now. and I have to say, it is hands-down the best thing I’ve ever bought. Also you can’t say that this machine has a compact footprint. So, if you’re kitchen is kinda limited in space, think twice prior buying Oracle.
The touchscreen interface makes it so simple to navigate around the menus. Just select your preferred settings. It’s easy even when you’re half-asleep in the morning!
I love how consistent the taste is with every cup and it looks amazing! The sleek lines and stainless steel finish make it look like a piece of art in my kitchen.
#4 De’Longhi La Specialista Maestro Espresso Machine
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It’s the perfect super-automatic espresso machine for those who are looking for a high-quality machine. But with Specialista you don’t The De’Longhi Specialista will last for long time without breaking the bank.
This espresso maker has a variety of features that make it stand out from other machines. It includes a high-pressure pump allows you to make fast and easy delicious drinks. Even if you’re using pre-ground coffee beans.
It also comes with an adjustable cup tray, so you can make sure your cup fits perfectly inside.
This machine is made from stainless steel and plastic materials. The stainless steel exterior also makes it easy to clean. Any spills or messes can be wiped away with a damp cloth or sponge.
It’s not a commercial-grade espresso machine, but it’s still fast and powerful enough to get the job done. With this machine, you can make lattes, cappuccinos, and other espresso drinks. Impress your friends and family at your next dinner party with this one.
#5 Breville Barista Express
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Ok this one is far below your budget but I couldn’t mention the best selling espresso maker. The Breville Barista Express is a great espresso machine for beginners and experts alike.
It has a 15-bar pump, which means it can extract the most flavor from your coffee beans. It also has a powerful steam wand that will make your lattes and cappuccinos with ease.
This is a durable machine that will last for years to come. It’s easy to clean and maintain. Don’t worry about spending time cleaning up after you’ve had your fun making delicious drinks!
For beginners looking for an espresso machine that will give control over how much espresso goes into each drink, then this is the one!
What To Consider When Buying An Espresso Machine At This Budget
You want to enjoy this legendary Italian beverage at the comfort of your home. So, a high-quality espresso machine is necessary for enjoying true espresso. But how to choose the proper one? At this level of budget you have plenty of good options. Let’s find out what to consider when buying a home espresso machine.
Your Budget
Some beginners think there isn’t any difference between cheap and expensive machines. We’re here to tell you that if you’re serious about espresso, you need to invest in a quality espresso maker.
One of the most important features is the consistency in pressure and temperature. Yes! True espresso requires the correct pressure and temperature in a consistent way.
More pressure will give an over extracted, bitter coffee. With less pressure your shot will be too weak, not concentrated, and under extracted.
High-end machines come with advanced features that will make you feel like a barista. If you’re a fan of variety in specialty beverages, then a good machine will help you enjoy delicious coffee at home.
Within the range of $1000-$2000 you’ll have plenty of high-end espresso machines to choose from. This budget level is more than enough for you to enjoy delicious espresso.
At this price your machine will endure for longer since they’re built with quality materials. These machines have stainless steel construction whereas a cheaper are made of plastic.
Also the pressure in an entry level espresso machine is usually created by a vibratory pump. This creates more noise and it’s less consistent.
An espresso machine of something less than $2000 will come with a rotary pump. These babies create less noise, last longer, and they are consistent in brewing.
Your Coffee Type
What are your coffee preferences? Are you a straight espresso guy or gal? Do you like milk-based drinks like cappuccinos, lattes or do you prefer a long Americano?
Be sure that the espresso machine you’re looking has the features to suit your preferences.
How Often Do You Plan To Brew Espresso
Are you only going to sip a shot of espresso in the morning? Or do you want to entertain your guests and family with an espresso maker?
This is important to choose if your machine should have one or two boilers. These are the heating systems of your machine. If you want only a shot of espresso in the morning, it’s ok to opt for a single boiler.
But, if your morning routine includes many shots, then a single boiler will keep you waiting. You need to wait for the single boiler to reheat.
Also if you want microfoam for your cappuccinos, you need to have a double-boiler machine. You need this to brew espresso and steam milk at the same time. If you don’t mind waiting, a single boiler will do the job but you’ll have to wait a bit more.
Your Countertop Space
Larger espresso machines have more features but they don’t fit all kitchens. Be sure that you know the exact dimensions of your kitchen countertop. This will help you decide if you’ll have to go for a compact espresso machine.
Bear in mind the “air” needed on top of the machine to make it easier to refill it with water and beans. It wouldn’t be convenient to move the whole machine just to pour some water in the tank.
Coffee Grinder
To have fresh grounds of coffee is essential if you want to have a true espresso experience at your home. At this budget most espresso machines will come with a built-in grinder.
Again if you’re serious about your cup of joe, you should have a good grinder. It’s important to grind your own beans right before brewing espresso. If your espresso machine doesn’t have a built-in grinder, then you should also invest in a coffee grinder.
A good coffee grinder keeps coffee beans cool while operating. It assists in an even distribution of grounds within the portafilter. And it also ensures that grounds don’t clump together.
A quality grinder will elevate your espresso experience from the inside out. Your java will be richer in flavor, body and aroma.
How Much Work You’re Willing To Put In
Now let’s introduce the two basic types of espresso makers.
Super-automatic Espresso Machines
As the type name implies, this kind of espresso maker does most of the work for you. You don’t need to have any kind of barista skill level to drink high quality coffee at your home.
With a super-automatic espresso maker the barista is the device itself. You only have to figure out which button you should press for your favorite drink.
Semi-automatic Espresso Machines
With a semi-automatic espresso maker you need to have some basic barista skills. You’ll have to decide how fine your coffee should be ground. Also you should know how to tamp properly you coffee grounds in the portafilter.
It won’t be difficult for you to reach this level of skill set if you’re willing to put in some work. There are plenty of YouTube videos that will guide you to have good espresso results at your home.
If you ask me, this small learning curve that these machines need, is totally worth it!
Final Thoughts
So there you have it. The five best espresso machines under $2000 for 2022.
We hope we made your day with our selection of the best espresso machines under $2000. If you’re still looking for an alternative, check out our other reviews and guides on different types of coffee makers and accessories.
All the best!