12 Most Expensive Espresso Machines in 2023
Nikole Stewart
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Coffee is a staple in everyone’s lives. With 66% of Americans drinking coffee every single day, with the average of consumers having 3.1 cups per day, coffee is something that we all know and love. And out of all of them, 41% of coffee drinkers uses at-home machines, mostly drip machines, for their consumption.
With that being said, having an espresso machine is a great way to not only save on money, but have the ease of having coffee at your fingertips at any point in the day.
However, these most expensive espresso machines might not be up to your liking, as they can be a bit too extravagant. Coffee lovers everywhere might still be interested. So, grab your mug of black coffee or iced latte and check out these most expensive espresso machines that truly impress.
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What Are the 3 Types of Espresso Makers?
For those looking to purchase an espresso machine, it’s important to know the difference between the espresso machines. There are three main types, semi-automatic, automatic and super automatic.
There are also a few other types that are popular such as lever espresso machine, pod-based espresso machine and stovetop espresso machine. Let’s check out what these all mean to help you figure out what you want.
Semi-Automatic
these machines are common amongst professional settings. These machines use an automatic system to drive the water through the grouphead. Grinding, tamping and control of extraction are all the responsibility of the barista.
So, this machine will brew your espresso, but you must do some of the work to craft it as well. While the machine regulates the water pressure and temperature so it’s hard to mess up, there is still a great compromise between human and machine control.
Automatic
Very similar to semi-automatic, these machines automatically stop the flow of water. This ensures consistent volume in each shot and means you don’t have to stand over each espresso to stop overflow.
These are also seen in cafes, however, not as popular, and probably a better choice for customers who want to try their hand at making shots at home. It’s more beginner friendly and has less stress.
Super Automatic
These machines are amazing as they do it all. They grind the beans and measure, fill, and even tamp the grounds into the portafilter. All you need to do is press a button and get a consistent shot every time.
There are even some machines that allow you to adjust some things that way you have some more room for creativity. These machines are very common in homes and offices, but not seen in coffee shops normally. If you’re a beginner that doesn’t want to do much with their espresso, just wants to drink it, this is the best option.
Other
But what about the other shots mentioned? Most of these you don’t need to worry about if you’re looking for a true, friendly espresso machine. Lever espresso machines require you to physically pull a shot through a lever. This not only puts your strength at the test, but also requires some skill, so it’s not entirely for novices.
Stovetop machines, such as Moka Pots, are pretty simple, compact and one of the cheapest options. All you need to do is fill the pot with water and coffee grounds, place it on the stove and let it boil. This is also very common for those that camp or hike and want a warm cup of coffee in the morning.
Pod machines are much more common as of lately thanks to machines like the Keurig. While Keurig is not espresso and only coffee, the rise of it has created a love and easy of pod machines. One example is the Nespresso coffee machine, which even I use. All you need to do is purchase whatever pod you want, place it into the machine, press a button and wait for it to brew. While this is not as fresh and tasty as true espresso machines, this is an ideal purchase for those that want something quick, easy, and cheap.
Espresso Machines vs. Coffee Machines: What’s the Difference?
Some might be using these two almost interchangeably, but there is actually a big difference between them that you should be aware of. The main difference between espresso and coffee is the brewing method.
Espresso is super-concentrated coffee, that’s why you often hear them associated with shots. Using high pressure of hot water through finely ground coffee beans that are tamped down, created for a smooth, beautiful shot that gives you a lot of caffeine compared to a cup of coffee.
Coffee is brewed slowly with less pressure. The beans are not as finely ground, giving you a more balanced cup of coffee that isn’t as strong as espresso. That’s why espresso is usually only drank in a small amount on its own, or along with frothed milk and syrups.
Is There a Machine that Makes Both Coffee and Espresso?
Thankfully, there is! For those that enjoy a cup of coffee some mornings and a latte other mornings should rejoice, as there is an amazing selection of coffee and espresso machines do you don’t have to worry about picking a favorite, or wasting counterspace on two machines.
If you want a high-quality espresso and coffee maker and don’t mind dropping a decent bit of cash, check out De’Longhi’s All-in-One combination Coffee and Espresso maker. It holds a 10-cup pot of coffee, has an adjustable milk frother for cappuccinos and lattes and a dual heating system to brew simultaneously.
If you’re looking for a super-automatic, check out Miele CM 5300 that allows you to go from coffee to espresso with just a press of a button. However, this price is extremely large, though, you get a great quality and even better stress-free service from it.
However, for a more affordable option, check out Ninja’s combo maker that makes 10-cups of coffee with 4 brew styles, a frother, and water reservoir so you can make coffee and shots of espresso with ease. It’s a much better, affordable option that you should check out.
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How Much Does an Espresso Machine Cost?
As seen above, espresso makers can cost as cheap as $40 and all the way to $1,200 depending on the quality, style and brand you’re wanting.
If you’re thinking about commercial espresso machines that are used in cafes, then you’re looking at around $2,000 to $40,000 depending on what they’re suing.
Why Are Expensive Espresso Machines Better?
Unfortunately, if you’re looking for a great espresso machine that will last you a while, you’ll have to drop a pretty penny to grab one. The main reason why this is the case is because they require high-quality material such as stainless steel, metal or bass along with advanced technology for brewing such as boilers and pressure gauges. This helps produce consistent and good espressos.
And of course, if you’re interested in having shots made for you without any of your help, it’s even more expensive. Super-automatic machines, the ones that do everything for you with just a touch of a button, require even more work and hardware, so you’ll have to pay more just to have it made for you.
What Makes a High-End Espresso Machine?
What makes an espresso machine high-end is based on the quality of materials that it has, and the type of hardware that is built in.
High-end espresso machines tend to have more advanced technology to make it easier to operate. Having an easy cleaning machine also helps and makes the price a bit more.
Which Espresso Machine Brand Is Best?
It’s hard to narrow down the list when there are some amazing names in the industry. But if you’re trying to find the most high-quality names, you should check out Breville (known for high-quality machines), Gaggia (more affordable but still highly reliable machines), De’Longhi (long-standing producer of high-quality machines) and Rancilio (popular among coffee enthusiasts for its powerful machines).
How Much Is a Commercial Espresso Machine at Starbucks?
For the espresso machines that you see at Starbucks, you’re looking at around an $18,000 purchase. They get them from a company known as Thermoplan AG according to Starbmag. They’re a Swiss machine maker that has been partnered with Starbucks for years.
5 Most Expensive Espresso Machines for Personal Use
After all this talk about espresso machines though, what are some of the most expensive examples that you can purchase for your home or office?
While it might not be the most rational purchase, but for those that have money to spare and enjoy a fresh shot of espresso in the morning, dive into the list of most expensive espresso machines for personal use.
5. Victoria Arduino E1 Prima, $6,500
The Prima is a 1 group espresso machine that is designed with high-quality standards. It guarantees high performance, reduced heating times, and reduced energy consumption. It takes less than 8 minutes to come up to temperature and be ready.
The boilers are made of stainless steel, has steam control and thermal insulation to prevent heat dispersion. There are also two additional models with the line, Prime EXP and Prima Pro.
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4. Kaffeselskabet Crown, $6,600
The Kaffeselskabet Crown Espresso machine is a beautiful creation that can grind the coffee beans and fill a double bayonet in 2.8 seconds. It’s extremely fast and extremely quiet.
You are able to adjust all the settings yourself to create the perfect blend and drink that you want. It’s the perfect purchase for those that are looking for a great at home espresso machine that want to live on the more luxurious side.
3. Faema E61 Jubile A1 1 Group Automatic, $8,440
Known worldwide for having some of the most prestigious coffee machines, several professionals have been using Faema’s products for years, and now you can have it in your home. The E61 began the revolution of the rotary pump with automated soft pre-infusion that is used in many machines today.
But now, with the new E61 Jubile espresso machine, it’s fully automatic with the same timeless beauty and classic finish. It features steam wands, hot water selections, 6-liter boiler capacity, and a 4-stage water filter system to prevent any harmful minerals that could be damaging to consumers.
2. La Marzocco GS3 MP, $8,700
For those that want luxury at home, this is the perfect option. La Marzocco is a big name when it comes to espresso machines, especially in commercial use, making this a great product to look into.
It has high-quality technology, performance and elegance. The GS3 features thermal stability system that is used in the Strada, including preheating system, digital PID controller, saturated groups, a double-boiler system and digital display. If you’re looking for luxurious espresso at home with ease, then this is the product for you.
1. Aviator Veloce TurboJet, $21,565
If you’re looking for the most bizarre addition to your counter space for not only to craft a brilliant shot of espresso, but also to be the talk of your neighborhood, then check out one of the most expensive espresso machines for personal use, the Turbojet.
This high-pressure brewing system for tea and coffee is a quarter-scale recreation of a jet engine. Created by Super Veloce, who creates aviation and automotive inspired coffee machines, does everything they can to create timeless pieces for collectors and luxury consumers everywhere.
They even use aerospace-grade authentic materials, like aviation grade 6061 T6, 2000 series aluminum alloy, stainless steel 316 Ti, 7075 Alloy and aluminum bronze.
How Do I Choose an Espresso Machine for my Home?
There are many factors when checking out which espresso machine that you want to get. The main points are your budget, the type that you want, the size, the capacity and the features like boiler type, grind consistency and more. But let’s just check out the three main factors.
Budget
The main point is your budget. Like mentioned and as you can see, the higher-quality of espresso machines usually are a bit more expensive, which can be tricky if you’re looking at budget-friendly options.
Not that you can’t grab one, but you’ll need to anticipate upgrading eventually or dealing with less than high-quality shots. The budget will ultimately tell you what you can or can not get.
Style
The next big decision is the style that you’re wanting, and how user-friendly you’re wanting. If you want something incredibly easy to use and don’t necessarily have a budget, then a super-automatic is a great option. Grabbing some popular brand names like De’Longhi super-automatic at $600 is a great option. Or maybe Breville’s espresso machine at $560 is better.
However, if you want something a bit more beginner friendly but on the cheaper side without much care for high-quality, check out Cruz Espresso Machine for $43, or the Nespresso Vertuo for $109.
Or maybe you want something really easy to carry with you while you’re hiking, traveling, camping, or hunting. Check out the Nanopresso Portable Espresso maker, which is a great on-the-go espresso solution while you’re out exploring nature.
Size
Size is surprisingly a big factor as well. For those that have only a small bit of counter space, you might not want something as grandiose as the De’Longhi All in One machine that we previously went over. You might want something a bit more compact like the Breville Bambino Espresso Machine.
From there, you can start narrowing down your options thanks to these three factors, and soon, you’ll be able to enjoy a fresh brewed espresso drink at the tip of your fingers.
5 Most Expensive Espresso Machines for Commercial Use
After checking out some of the most expensive espresso machines for personal use, let’s see what we have for a more professional setting.
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5. SanRemo Operate Volumetric Espresso Machine, $29,216
SanRemo are products made from an Italian family and tries to push the boundary when it comes to espresso making. And they’ve done so with the Opera Volumetric Espresso Machine. Sitting at almost $30,000, this 3-group machine is a powerful creation.
It gives total control over all extraction parameters by means of a dedicated app, state-of-the-art technology and a design that can bring out the best of every coffee shop. There is a 2-group machine that is a bit cheaper sitting at around $27,000, but you truly get your moneysworth with the 3-group, making this one of the most expensive espresso machines that you can find for commercial machines.
4. La Marzocco Strada Electronic Paddle, $33,000
La Marzocco was created in the 1970s by entrepreneur Kent Bakke and friend, John Blackwell. While it was invented in Italy, Bakke worked on bringing them to the US after seeing the potential that they had.
They now distritbute over 3,000 per year to places like Australia, New Zealand, Korea, China, Spain, and Germany. The Strada is just one of their many brilliant machines. This type provides the barista full control over the brewing process like never before.
With the technique of pressure profiling, baristas are able to bring out several flavors that affect the balance and body of the shot, and produce a rounder, softer espresso that highlights brightness, sweetness and delicate notes. The Electronic Paddle is controlled gear pumps that provide precise, direct pressure control.
3. Eversys Enigma E’4m X-Wide, $36,500
Eversys was created in 2009 in Switzerland by Jean-Paul In-Albon and Robert Bircher. One of their pricier machines, the Enigma E’4s was also the first machine conceived and produced by the company. However, the E’4m is an upgrade of the old product.
It was built on the basis of a two-group machine. Designed to produce 4 espressos at the same time, a whopping 350 espresso per hour, 170 hot water products per hour, it also has a steam wand with Everfoam and e’levelling to help create the perfect espresso.
2. Eversys Shotmaster Pro Superautomatic M-Pro, $50,000
Even from the look of it, you can tell that this is a beast of a product. When looking at these, you have a choice between the s-pro or the m-pro, with the s-pro being only $2,500 cheaper than the m-pro.
The main differences between these models are that the m-pro has a milk system with EMT and 2x 1.5 step instead of just two steam wands with Everfoam. Other than that, these products are very similar. This product is said to produce 8 products at the same time effortlessly.
Up to 700 espresso per hour (and 350 cappuccinos per hour with the m-pro), making it an ideal machine for high volume environments where espresso shots with ultimate in-cup experience matters most. Tea and continuous steam can be produced concurrently.
1. Slayer 24-Karat Gold Espresso Machine, $75,000
Of course, for our first entry of the most expensive espresso machines, we have a solid gold one. Most lists depicting the most expensive usually include something made of solid gold, so it would be a shame if the same wasn’t said for an espresso machine.
Made with real, 24 karat gold-plated panels and Padauk wood accessories, this Slayer espresso machine features manual espresso extraction, pre-brew wetting stage, flavor profiling with 3-position actuator, unlimited steam, independent brew tanks, electronic group valves, and so much more.
Slayer is home to some amazing espresso machines, with the cheapest one sitting at over $10,000. It truly is a remarkable product that shows just how much detail and work goes into making a lovely latte.
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The Most Expensive Espresso Machine in the World
Javabot is one of the most expensive espresso machines in the world and is used by a company known as The Roasting Plant that can be found in either Detroit or New York City.
It will grind, brew instantaneously providing the consumer with the best and freshest cup of coffee. Several different storage columns for display of the coffee beans, all for the grand price of $1,000,000
What is Considered the Best Espresso Machine?
If you’re only for the overall top espresso machine that you can find, then check out the best espresso machine of 2023. The Breville Barista Express Impress.
It has 25 grind settings for automatic dose calculating based on previous grinds, a Puck System that helps tampering to reduce mess, a high pressure 9 bar extraction for an opulent espresso and a powerful steam wand to turn milk into a smooth microfoam with silky texture ready for pouring latte art.
Conclusion
For those that want to enjoy a wonderful cup of espresso that gives you the same taste as going into a cafe, then these espresso machines are the perfect option for you. However, there are some great quality espresso machines that don’t cost as nearly as much, which could satisfy your needs.
From most expensive espresso machines for commercial use to personal, there are some amazing craftsmanship that go into designing these machines.
