A Semi Automatic Espresso Machine Is The Best Espresso Coffee Machine For A Beginner. It Will Take You Some Practice To Make A Shot Of Espresso That Tastes Good Because You Will Have To Learn How To Tamp Espresso And Pull A Shot Properly. If You Want To Make Drinks With Milk Like Cappuccinos, You Will Also Have To Learn How To Steam Milk Well. With Some Practice, It Is Possible To Make Barista Quality Drinks At Home With A Semi Automatic Espresso Machine.

You should spend at least a few hundred dollars to get a decent espresso machine. It is possible to find steam espresso machines for under a hundred dollars but they are not very good quality. The espresso they make is bitter and not very tasty. A good budget espresso coffee machine runs at around $200.
To make great tasting espresso, it’s also important to spend a good sum of money on a grinder. You must only use freshly roasted and ground coffee for making espresso. Otherwise the taste will be terrible. Espresso machines are very finicky. A good grinder should run you about the same price as a good espresso machine.
The best espresso coffee machines that are completely automated will also come with grinders built in. However, this option is not very budget-friendly because a decent super-automatic espresso machine can be quite costly.
In sum, the best cheap espresso machine will be semi-automatic. In time, you should heavily consider getting a good grinder. That will make the difference between a good shot and a bad shot of espresso. The machine is only a small part of making a good shot of espresso.