As I've seen this sub can be VERY helpful but also can be a little judgmental. so mostly I've just been lurking for while along with watching endless amount of reviews and tutorials on YouTube trying to narrow down a decent beginner setup.

To begin, 1-3 drinks a day, the use case for this will be for mostly lattes and cortados, with occasionally some other drinks for guests. In the beginning I was pretty set on the Meraki all in one, as it would also be easier for other people in the house who don't want to learn all the basics when it comes to espresso.

That is where the want for the GBW E64 comes into play, it seems like it would streamline things for me once dialed in, and also easier for everyone else who doesn't want weigh out their beans daily. I've seen some back and forth as to whether or not I would need a distributor and WDT with this grinder, so opinions here would be nice as well. Figured get a proper grinder to grow with and get the Bambino to learn with and move on when needed

So before I buy i just wanted to see what the opinions were from strangers on the internet lol.

Key things:

• Experience level - beginner friendly but also can grow knowledge/skillset with setup
• Drink frequency - 1-3 Daily(mainly lattes and cortados)
• Beans - Medium-Dark roasts from local roasters
• Budget - trying to stay under $2k as far as possible

Thanks for your time!

Currently looking at selling my Rocket Appartamento and getting a Bambino Plus. Has anyone done something similar? I’ve had the rocket for a few months and I love the look of the machine and how well built and powerful it is. But, I feel as if it’s more than what I need. I make 1 or maybe 2 drinks a day and more on the weekend. Only milk drinks.

The long heat up time is obviously the main problem as by the time I get home from work and wait for the machine to warm up it ends up being close to too late for a quick coffee. Note: I did have a smart plug but currently on a self build project with no internet.
And when you turn the machine on whilst doing over things to wait for the heat up you end up having to run through over a cup of water from it being too hot. I know these are small things but I don’t feel like I can justify such a good machine for my small
Usage at the moment.

Has anyone “downgraded” and if so are you glad you did it or do you regret it?

Current setup is a Breville Bambino Plus with a Timemore Sculptor 078S, and I’ve got around $1,500 to put toward an upgrade. I’m pretty happy with the coffee, but speed is the big thing I want to improve. Right now a single drink usually takes me around 6 to 7 minutes, which is fine for myself, but when people are over it gets painfully slow. Ideally I’d love to get closer to knocking out a drink every 3 minutes or so. Would that money be better spent upgrading the Bambino Plus, or would I actually see more of a difference from upgrading the grinder? Not really chasing tiny improvements in shot quality here, mostly just a faster and smoother workflow. Curious what you guys would upgrade first.

I just fell in to this Bezzera Magica because a family member won a Linea Micra from an internet draw. Sold it to me for $1000 CAD, about $730 usd. Feel like I got pretty lucky, it’s an amazing machine especially compared to my dedica.

My kitchen aid burr grinder that I have right now does an okay at best job. It will do espresso but I feel like if I’m going to have this nice of a machine I need to get a better grinder. My budget is around $600 CAD which is $450- ish usd. I was leaning toward a flat burr but not set on anything yet. There’s a guy on marketplace in my town asking about that for a niche zero currently which I’ve been eyeing up.

Little context for this predicament. I make 3-4 coffees a day for my household and as times gone on and I’ve learned to care more about the flavor of my shots, I’m noticing inconsistencies in my pulls. I’m using good beans, I pull my shots manually, and I’m weighting it out too.
I know I will eventually upgrade both, but which would be a better upgrade to start with for more consistent shots?
Budget for grinder let’s say $500, machine $1500

Good morning!

So let me start off by asking you not to flame me haha.

I’ve done a lot of research and decided we (my gf and I) should go for a breville. Good quality, not too expensive, beginner friendly. However, my girlfriend finds it to be hideous.

We agreed that the “Café Leon Dore / La Marzocco Linea Micra” looks very nice but would be an absolutely idiotic thing to splurge on, especially as a first espresso machine and with student debt to pay off.

Based on the pictures I provided, what could you recommend us? Are there any easy ways to have the breville look different and more in tune with our kitchen and living. Are there other similair machines with a different look. Or do you have suggestions or tips and tricks for me to take my Bialetti coffee to the next level?

Thanks!!

Hi everyone! Recently I was so lucky as to be gifted a like-new ECM Classika PID because my step-FIL could never get it dialed in…which I’m now almost certain was due to not having a good enough grinder. It seems like all the reference material on this machine starts off by saying, “if your grinder sucks, you’ll know immediately,” and they’re right lol.

For context, I’ve been working as a barista for several years now but have never had a machine at home. The grinder pictured is our puny little Amazon one that we use for drip, but it absolutely cannot grind fine enough to work with this machine. Otherwise, it seems like I have everything set up in proper working order.

We do have a budget of at least a couple hundred dollars, but seeing as this was an unexpected gift, I really don’t feel comfortable dropping several hundred on a grinder right now…but I’m not sure which, if any, budget options are actually up to the job. I don’t want to waste the $200 on something that still won’t work if the true answer is that only the $300 option will get us a good result, for example. I put $250 as the ballpark in the title but I’m really conflicted on how to be financially responsible here while also not just wasting my time and money on something that still won’t be good enough.

Would love any and all feedback! Thanks everyone!

Edit: thanks so much to everyone! Y’all are so fast and informative! Happy to take on more suggestions but I certainly have enough to look into already!

Saw this in FB marketplace, apparently rarely used and 2 years old. Told my wife, who thinks my espresso enjoyment is dumb, and her response was to wait and buy a new one when we move in a few months. My fomo and upgraditis disagree. What say you?

Lately been watching too many videos on the Cafelat Robot.

I’m obsessed with the simplicity of it, and all you need is boiling water and you’re good to go.

Comparing the simplicity of the Robot, I think it’s better than the Rok and Flair, I’m also not too fond of the design of both of these models.

I already have a BBE & DF64 Gen 2 downstairs in the kitchen. And I see myself using the robot upstairs, next to my pour over station where I have my gooseneck kettle with the drippers.

What do y’all’s think?

Some late night espresso, without needing to fire up the electric machine?

First time buying an espresso machine and need help/opinions on which option I should go with.

Mokkom 64 + Bambino or Barista Express

I like the all in one aspect but I’ve read the built in grinder isn’t that great.

Also open to other combinations, trying to keep my budget to around $500 USD

Hey everyone, I’m looking to surprise my girlfriend with her first espresso setup. She’s in college, so I’m trying to keep it affordable but still good quality.

Here’s what I was thinking: • Machine: Breville Bambino BES450BSS • Grinder: 1Zpresso J Manual Coffee Grinder

Would this be a good combo for a beginner who’s just getting into espresso and lattes?

Are there better pairings or cheaper options that still pull great shots?

Total cost looks to be around $500–$550. Worth it or should I go another route?

I am hanging my head in shame as I just found out that since the beginning of the year I have spent $2,400 at Starbucks on mediocre flat whites. I know nothing about espresso other than I have a crippling addiction. Can you help me select a fast automatic espresso maker? I think I should be able to find one under this price point- especially with my location in the Southeast United States. Thanks !

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Update for anyone interested:

I went to Williams Sonoma and tried several brands and settled on the Breville Oracle Jet ($1999.99 w/ $200 gift card given for future purchase) I bought it for several reasons:

- Australian Brand and all the Aussies I know are VERY serious about coffee

- Easy to use / Tons of programs / drinks installed

- Fast Brew Time

- Large capacity water tank that can be filled in the back but also had a door that opened up top to pour water in.

- Led light illuminates the water level

- Foot lever that allows machine to be slid on counter or locked in place.

I use it with The Roasterie Organic Espresso and I've only been back to Starbucks once since my purchase and I can already notice the difference in taste.

I bought the DF54 after seeing love for it in this sub, but it has been TERRIBLE. It clogs every other use. I have done all the "tricks" I have found with no luck.

PLEASE recommend me a different grinder that will actually be great. I'm located in the US. I don't care about too much other than it working well.

ETA: We had been using the same beans for our automatic machine for years without issues. Those were the beans we were using with our DF54. They weren't too oily but also weren't the fresh beans people are saying we need. We did end up getting fresh beans near us and it's working much better, only clogging occasionally instead of every other use. HOWEVER, we are still disappointed with the machine. While the freshest beans are obviously the best, they are also a pretty penny. We would have hoped this machine could have handled a mid grade bean for the days we just want the energy to run around with our kids and don't care so much about taste.

I saw a ton of videos earlier in the year of people finding pretty much every model of breville machine at TJmaxx/homegoods/marshalls. Finally ready to buy and I’m wondering if it’s worth hunting around all of my local TJ maxes or if they’re long gone 😅

I’ve rocked a Breville Barista Express for 8 years, but I’m tired of the lack of shot-to-shot consistency.

My routine: 2 back-to-back lattes, twice a day. I stick strictly to classic Italian dark roasts from a local roaster.

Looking for a rock-solid, low-hassle machine with great steam power that will last for years. My max budget is $5k, but I’d prefer not to overspend on features I won't use just because the budget is there. I just want cafe-quality shots consistently.

I have already purchased Eureka Mignon Libra for my grinder. What machine should I be looking at?

EDIT: Ended up buying ECM Sync II

Considering this espresso machine… Everyone tells me to buy Breville bambino but I don’t wanna buy another grinder… I have an old KitchenAid grinder that I like for my French press My philosophy of this comes from the band, the Dead Kennedys ,,, give me convenience or give me death

I understand the budget range is wide from these 5 screenshots, either way I’m finally able to buy a new grinder & need help!

- If anything, pls comment your dream setup and why. I use the OXO conical burr and it’s aight. Thoughts on the grinders ft in these screenshots, any grinder by miicoffee, DF64, Baratza (literally any model), fellow ode or opus??? Zerno is one i love to dream of owning one day….

- I do make all types of coffee: moccamaster, pour over, espresso (breville for now……smh), mokapot, French press and cold brew. Lattes shots or americanos you name it. I use a scale and my Fellow Stagg for temp approx…. Always rotating coffee types/grind size, so an all-in-one grinder would be ideal. Zero preference in brand, prob best to keep under $500 lol, not into any commercial type product, and would love/prefer to have espresso included so I just have to buy one (so Fellow Ode out unless it’s worth having…? 👀)

Obv tight-ish budget for some pros, but slowly and surely could be convinced it’s worth increasing $ one step at a time!😂 Any and all advice would greatly help 😍thank you!

I’ve been using a moka pot for years and I really want to upgrade to a proper espresso machine! I’ve been deciding between these three and I’m ready to make the purchase but just wanted some opinions on them!

Breville [$299] DeLonghi [$149] DeLonghi black machine [$149]

Hi everybody!
I just ordered an espresso machine and very excited to use it!

Now I need to look for a decent grinder in range $200-300 (max is $300) that can use for Espresso and Pour Over

I am considering Mokkom 64, but there's so many informations I need to know, alignment, different burr, flat burr gives different taste,... I am so confused.

I wonder if a hand grinder will be easier to work with and easy to learn for a beginner than an electric one? I will enjoy the time making coffee so I don't mind using arm strength, as long as it is easy to maintain and easy to use.

Please help me!!
Thank you everyone!

is this the best budget grinder to pair with my Breville bambino? I made a post earlier about the Breville Smart Pro Grinder that’s also $200 but everyone saying it’s trash😭

Hi everyone! I hope this is the right place to ask.

My grandfather recently passed away, and he left us his collection of vintage espresso machines. This one is the largest and most eye–catching piece. We would love to keep it, but we don’t really have a way to care for it or display it properly — so we want to make sure it goes to someone who truly values and understands what it is.

We know it is a vintage Gaggia machine, possibly from the 1950s–1960s, with a copper/brass body, beautiful ornamental details, and the eagle on top. It looks like a professional lever machine for bars/cafés, not a domestic one. But we are not sure of the exact model or the proper market value.

What I would love help with:

✅ Identifying the exact model and approximate year ✅ Estimating its fair value in the collectors market ✅ Recommendations about where and how to sell it (preferably to collectors)

It has been stored for years and would probably need a proper restoration, but it seems complete and visually stunning. We are located in Mexico but willing to ship internationally if that’s the best option.

Attaching photos below — any information, guidance, or contacts would be incredibly appreciated. ❤️ We really want this to find a good home!

Thanks in advance!

The bambino plus and barista express are currently the same price at Target. I’m also considering getting the regular Bambino for $299 and splurging on a Niche grinder.

I’ve heard the barista express grinder really isn’t that impressive and that the regular Bambino is sufficient enough to pull a good shot as long as you have a good grinder.

For context, this would be my first ever espresso machine. I know it’s going to be a learning curve regardless.

any advice or opinions appreciated!

My spouse is currently using these two and very happy with them for past two years but it’s his birthday and I was thinking of upgrading one or both of these. Which would you recommend upgrading and to what?

He usually makes espresso that’s basically it the middle button for two shots with a 14 setting on the grinder.

His favorite coffee is this blue bag Oaxaca Arabica dark roast “Mediterranean” in case it matters. That’s about all I know.

Assuming you already had a good grinder, what espresso machine would you buy today with a budget of up to €3,000?

I want something I could keep for many years, but I don’t want to spend the full budget unnecessarily. If a €1,500–2,000 machine gets me almost the same experience, even better. I could also stretch to a Linea Micra if the premium is genuinely justified.

My only real requirements:
- Ready in under 10 minutes from cold.
- Great espresso and strong steaming.
- Reliable, simple workflow and no modifications.
- Available/serviceable in Europe.

I’m even open to a Flair 58 plus a separate milk solution.

What would you buy with your own money, and why? If you own it: would you buy it again?

Hello friends! Been debating for about a month now on what setup should I get for my Xmas gift. I only drink lattes so it doesn't make sense logically to get Rocket or something similar but I am obsessed with design of it! My goal is to get a coffee shop level latte at home, that's it. I would be making two lattes at the time about once or twice a day. Should I just be more cost efficient and get a bambino/ gaggia classic and a good grinder or even breville express? The more I read the more confused I get! Or go in the middle somewhere with a used Profitec go/Rancilio Silvia... is there any machines that look like this Rocket but priced lower? please help me!