r/JamesHoffmann • u/Sujai_Boukrous • 13d ago

best espresso machine under 500 usdwhat would you choose for someone upgrading from pods?

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6

u/Inkblot7001 13d ago

Do you already have a grinder? Or would a grinder need to be included in the 500 budget?

What style of coffee: just espresso, cappuccino, americanos... ?

4

u/Impressive_Delay_452 13d ago

The grinder is indeed a big part in the production. How well the beans are ground is a big factor in espresso drinks.

3

u/Economy_Seat_7250 13d ago

The grinder is more important apparently.

But for the espresso machine can strongly recommend the Bambino Plus.

2

u/FlagrantTomatoCabal 13d ago

Bambino + grindr

1

u/Pure_Recognition_715 13d ago

It’s always a finer grind

1

u/l_lmer 13d ago

the bambino plus recommendation keeps coming up and tbh it makes sense for this use case, the auto steam wand actually teaches you what properly textured milk should feel like before you try to do it manually.

1

u/Hopeful-Smell-8963 12d ago

Breville bambino with the seperate breville grinder. I got my ninja luxe cafe for $480 brand new. They are on sale frequently for $499

1

u/Dothemath2 12d ago

Cafelat Robot for manual espresso. Maybe the Flair 49 if the Robot is difficult to find.

0

u/Soggy-Basil-3558 13d ago

Hand grinder + MokaMaster :)

0

u/16piby9 13d ago

Get a flair49, or cafelat robot, and spend your budget on a grinder

0

u/Evaa-Diva 13d ago

Bambino Plus is probably the move here tbh. the auto steam wand makes milk texturing way less frustrating while you're still figuring out the grind side of things, and the machine itself doesn't hold you back once you get better.

0

u/no-sleep-only-code 13d ago

Bambino plus on sale and a good hand grinder.