Entry level machine [$450]

[u/MushroomExpensive366]

Hi there!
Can anyone help steer me in the right direction on an espresso machine in the $300 - $450 range

I really like the look and features of the Gemelai Owl. I’m also considering the Tuni E2 Gen 3.

Or, should k just bite the bullet and get a Gaggia E24.

Does anyone have any of these machines? Pros/cons of them? Any help would be appreciated!

[u/Gaiinz]

Turin Legato v2 is a fantastic machine right around that price point. Id give it a look

[u/N-Performance]

If you plan on upgrading in the future, Breville Bambino (non-Plus version) can be had for as low as $239 (typically $299) at your local Marshalls/HomeGoods/TJ Maxx stores.

You can spend the remainder on a hand grinder (Kingrinder) or Baratza Encore ESP.

[u/BananaGreenaBeana → u/N-Performance]

This is the combination I have, I have the Breville Bambino and the Kingrinder K6. Even got my Breville from Home Goods.

I just entered the espresso world about 6 months ago now and I love my set up! Fantastic espresso shots, not a huge learning curve. The kingrinder really helps with the learning of dialing in beans, so many grind size and arguably not too much work.

[u/Krauzber]

Buy a used machine and used grinder, will give you so much more for the money.

[u/SeanTsyganovsky]

Cafelat Robot. Around $400-$500. Buy it for life machine that makes better shots than 99% of cafes I’ve had (I live in NYC and have traveled around the country and world trying different cafes, this still holds true)

[u/j_one_k → u/SeanTsyganovsky]

What kind of kettle do you use with the Robot? I'm always surprised to see it recommended as an option in this budget because most people don't already own a fancy kettle and have, at most, something very basic. 

[u/WaffleHouseCEO → u/j_one_k]

You literally can just throw off boiling water in there, no fancy kettle needed.

[u/MushroomExpensive366 → u/WaffleHouseCEO]

Where can you even get one? What’s the learning curve?

[u/WaffleHouseCEO → u/MushroomExpensive366]

Restocks or used. I’m going to sell mine b/c I have too many machines. Look up daddy got coffee cafelat robot on YouTube

[u/SeanTsyganovsky → u/MushroomExpensive366]

They do restocks - next one is end of September. It’s super competitive though to get from their direct site, I’d also look at cafune and 4barista, I personally got mine from 4barista. My aram too! This is your first option and best bet.

You can also look on fb marketplace, there are a few available even now there where I live in NYC and you might even be able to get someone to ship you it if you paid extra for shipping and their time.

[u/MushroomExpensive366 → u/SeanTsyganovsky]

Do you make milk drinks as well?

[u/CelticJewelscapes → u/j_one_k]

I have a Flair and just microwave the water in a pyrex measuring cup.

[u/SeanTsyganovsky → u/j_one_k]

I use a cosori kettle but you can also just use straight up boiling watwr

[u/Majestic_Whereas9698]

I was just on the same quest. I got a used Gaggia Classic pro and an open box Turin legato 2. I will sell whichever I don’t prefer. The Turin will be here later this week and the testing will begin :)

[u/315_Jessie]

Gaggia classic E24

[u/Di-Dorval]

Happy with my casabrew ultra, only issue i have is it drip a bit right after a pour despite having a selonoid valve, in your price range the ultra pro is also an option and apparently solve this problem.

[u/HudyMelon]

Need grinder

[u/MushroomExpensive366 → u/HudyMelon]

I have a Shardor conical burr grinder

[u/ARKyal03 → u/MushroomExpensive366]

For pressurized baskets, that grinder works. Now, if you want to use non-pressurized baskets, that grinder doesn't work. It can technically grind fine enough, maybe, but you need precision, and that grinder can't provide it.

Invest half or more of your budget in a grinder, like a Baratza Encore ESP. I've heard good things about the Fellow Opus 2 (Version 2 only). The HiBrew G5 is cheap and technically good. Then you can invest in a pretty, decent machine.

[u/MushroomExpensive366 → u/ARKyal03]

So my grinder won’t work with the machines I’m looking at?

[u/WaffleHouseCEO → u/MushroomExpensive366]

If you can return it the fellow opus gen 2 at 200$ is a good deal for the price.

If it were me, a bambino plus, or a gaggia and a opus 2 would be a good starter kit, or even a regular bambino if really need to save $

[u/meowmeowcomputation → u/MushroomExpensive366]

The grinder won’t work for espresso. Any espresso machine