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Espresso machines, like any other appliances, come in a range of prices. There are espresso machines that are under $4,000, under $2,000, and even under $1,500.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are commercial & professional espresso machines that go up into the range of several thousand dollars and above. Our mission in this guide is to examine the most expensive espresso machines and show you what makes them worth the price.
Here are the topics we’ll be discussing:
Let’s jump right in…
Want to cut out the read? Check out a few of our favorite machines in the guide below.
When you first set out to purchase an appliance for your home or business, you likely have one question at the forefront of your mind: how much will it cost you? That’s why we’re going to start by looking at the price range for professional, high-quality espresso machines.
Even among luxury machines, the prices can vary widely. You may be able to find anything ranging from a few thousand dollars to well over ten thousand. The espresso machines we included in this list are available for price points starting at around $3,000 and going all the way up to around $18,000.
You can check out our list of the best commercial espresso machines for even more examples of how much commercial-scale machines may cost you.
The price of an espresso machine is influenced by a plethora of factors. Brand is one example; machines from well-known and trustworthy brands can oftentimes be costlier than those from lesser-known manufacturers. This is the case for most products you could buy today.
A machine’s features are going to be the biggest impact on its final cost, though. For instance, automatic and superautomatic espresso machines tend to be more expensive than semiautomatic ones because of their frequent use of cutting-edge technology that helps automate the drink-making process.
The boiler design of a machine may affect its price, too. Dual boiler machines usually cost more than heat exchange or single-boiler machines because of the cost of incorporating a second boiler and the increase in steam power.
If an espresso machine has more group heads, it’s also probably higher in price. More group heads increase the espresso output of the machine, but also mean it needs a more robust boiler system for simultaneous steaming and brewing.
Among espresso machine brands, Victoria Arduino is famous for being one of the most luxurious. Their espresso machines almost always use the most recent and advanced technology in combination with a visually appealing design. This is certainly true for the Eagle One.
The Eagle One was designed with efficiency in mind. It has a unique Thermal Energy Recovery System that uses discarded water to preheat incoming water. That way, the machine uses less water than its competitors, helping reduce the amount of waste generated.
It also features a newly optimized engine. The engine focuses on heating the incoming water just before it enters the group head as opposed to keeping it constantly up to temperature all over the inside of the machine. As a result, the Eagle One uses even less energy, reducing your cost to operate it.
Super automatic espresso machines like the La Cimbali S30 are the easiest to use options in the world. Simply by choosing your drink from the S30’s touchscreen menu, you can concoct effortless coffee shop drinks.
This one is great for customization, too. You can use it to generate hot or cold frothed milk, making it simple to produce comforting warm drinks or refreshing iced drinks at essentially the touch of a button.
Additionally, you can customize the appearance of the machine. Its interface, menu, and built-in lighting can each be adjusted so it is tailored to your business’s needs.
Want to see more machines like this? Take a look at our guide to the best super automatic espresso machines.
The Franke A1000 FM CM is another example of a highly efficient super automatic espresso machine. Since it automates the entire process for you, from grinding your beans to steaming your milk, human error is taken out of the equation.
In fact, the Franke A1000 is so simple to use, you could easily set it out on a counter where your customers can access it. The touchscreen menu is as intuitive as a smartphone, making it a simple matter for customers to navigate its menu and edit their drink settings.
Plus, each beverage is portrayed with a full-color illustration. This ensures everyone knows exactly what they’re getting.
If you’re looking for an espresso machine that’s so easy, anyone can use it, you’re not strictly limited to super automatic machines. There are also pod machines, such as the Unic Pony2 Pod Espresso Machine.
A pod machine is an espresso machine that takes pre-ground and measured espresso pods. This keeps you from having to deal with the hassle of buying a grinder separately, and then learning how to use it.
Furthermore, the Unic Pony2 has programmable volume buttons. You can program the proper volume for things such as single and double shots, making the machine even simpler to use. At that point, all you’ll need to do is insert a pod, choose the correct volume, and foam your milk while the machine takes care of brewing the espresso for you.
Nuova Simonelli’s Aurelia Wave T3 is easily one of the most stunning espresso machines we have to offer. Its curved profile is designed to make you think of ocean waves, lending the machine grace that few others possess.
It’s also a machine that was created for speed. Available in two- or three-group configurations, the Aurelia Wave T3 has more than enough output to meet the demands of medium to large businesses, including busy coffee shops.
What’s more, you can even get the machine in a custom color. This enables you to find the best fit for your business, in terms of both visual appearance and power.
Want one of the speediest espresso machines anywhere? Consider a four-group machine like this La Pavoni 4-Group Bar Star.
A single group head can usually produce up to two shots of espresso at the same time. With a four-group machine like this La Pavoni, you’ll be able to make up to eight simultaneously.
To make it even faster, it has two steam wands on either side. Because of this, baristas are able to work on either end of the machine, increasing your output even further.
With the Bar-Star on your counter, you can rest assured that customers won’t need to wait long for their drinks. That’s what makes it perfect for large coffee shops and restaurants.
So far, the machines we’ve talked about have been largely designed for commercial use. But what if you need one for home and personal use?
In that case, one great luxury espresso machine to consider is the Rocket Espresso R Nine One. It has the power and output to work in a small business if necessary, but it’s great for high-tech homes filled with espresso lovers.
It has two powerful boilers inside it. That means it can steam and brew continuously without breaking a sweat, allowing you to make multiple drinks in a row. You can even set the machine to turn itself on and warm up at a particular time, so it’s always ready for you when you need it.
See Also: Best PID Espresso Machines (Superior Temperature Control)
Do you like the look of espresso machines with touchscreens? Then the Nuova Simonelli Pronto Bar Touch is another machine that’s worth your consideration. The front panel has a full-color touchscreen on it, which you can use to make drinks with a simple tap.
Even though the entire drink-making process is automated on the Prontobar Touch, users still have control over customizations. Most aspects of drinks, including their temperature, espresso dose, and milk temperature can be adjusted. You can effortlessly tailor drinks to each customer’s preference with the machine handling all steps of the brewing process for you.
The Prontobar Touch has something that makes it different from its competitors, though. It’s available in a one-step or two-step configuration. If you want a slightly more hands-on experience for your employees, choose a two-step design; this will require employees to combine the milk and espresso once both are completed.
If you want the most user-friendly design possible, go with a one-step configuration. That means the machine will take care of everything, including combining the milk and espresso for you.
Another great luxury machine for home users is the Miele CM 6350. Miele’s specialty is making machines designed to bring high-tech brewing to people at home.
It’s a super automatic espresso and coffee machine. That means it will handle all steps of the brewing process for you. It even has a built-in grinder so you can enjoy freshly ground coffee time and time again – just like what you’d get from a coffee shop.
What we love about this one is that it can also make two drinks at the same time. If you and someone else want a drink, there won’t be a long wait to get both of them – provided they are the same drink, they can be prepared simultaneously.
The Nuova Simonelli Talento is another machine that we’d recommend for large businesses. Not only does it look sleek and beautiful, but it’s so easy to use, you’ll be able to train new hires on it within several minutes.
It’s a super automatic machine. On the front panel, you’ll find ten different buttons that can each be programmed with two different drink recipes. That’s a menu of 20 total drinks that anyone can prepare just by pushing the right button.
The Talento is ultimately about consistency. On top of reducing human error by automating the drink-making process, it has a thermo-compensated brew group to protect your drinks from unexpected temperature fluctuations. It also has an infusion chamber that’s controlled by an encoder to ensure that it’s in the best position during and after brewing.
When people hear the word “expensive,” it’s normally viewed as detriment and a deterrent. In the case of espresso machines, though, a higher cost is oftentimes associated with a better product. You’ve likely heard the saying, “you get what you pay for.”
While there are definitely quality budget machines available, there’s also a correlation between the number of extra advanced features and an espresso machine’s price. The ones we included on this list may seem costly up front, but this is because they’re also high-tech and contain a bevy of advanced features.
Let us help you pick the best equipment for your needs. Give us a call at 888-978-5224 or click the link below.