Have you ever tasted a truly amazing espresso shot at a café and wished you could make that same perfect cup at home? Many coffee lovers reach a point where the basic coffee maker just doesn’t cut it anymore. You crave that rich flavor and creamy texture only a real espresso machine can deliver. But then you look online, and suddenly, you face a wall of choices!
Choosing a mid-level espresso machine is tough. You want something better than a beginner model, but you don’t need the super-expensive, professional gear. The confusion comes from features, brands, and knowing what you actually need. It feels like you might spend good money on the wrong machine!
This guide is here to clear up that confusion. We will break down what makes a mid-level machine great. You will learn exactly which features matter most for your budget. By the end, you will feel confident picking the perfect machine to upgrade your morning routine. Let’s dive in and find the ideal espresso maker for you!
Top Mid Level Espresso Machine Recommendations
- Make Your Favorite Espresso Coffee At Home: The CASABREWS coffee machine with milk frother allows you to prepare all your favorite espresso-based coffees. You can enjoy a barista-brewed latte, cappuccino or macchiato at home. Stainless steel appearance, stylish and durable, ideal for any size kitchen. This compact espresso coffee maker is perfect for home or office use
- Professional 20 Bar Pressure System: Semi-Automatic 2-in-1 Espresso Maker, with 20 bar professional Italian pump and 1350 W powerful boiler. This latte machine gives you top quality extraction, resulting in a more fragrant and rich aroma. The built-in pressure gauge on this cappuccino machine shows the exact pressure helping you make adjustments according to your personal taste preferences. You can create a cappuccino, latte or flat white at your home or office with our cappuccino maker
- Milk Frothing System: Our espresso machine with milk frother has a powerful steam wand, so you can texture creamy, rich microfoam milk to create amazing milk foam art and enhance the flavor of your brews. Awaken your inner barista and create your own unique milk foam art. Don't pass us by if you are looking for an excellent espresso coffee maker
- Compact, Stylish & Practical: The beautiful and compact design makes this small espresso machine suitable for any size kitchen. Make single or double espresso shots with a beautiful layer of crema in minutes! The 34 oz water tank allows you to brew multiple cups, and it is detachable for easy refilling. Included components: Espresso Machine, 34 oz Removable Water Tank, One Cup Brewing Filter, Two Cup Brewing Filter, Portafilter, Tamper With Spoon, Instruction Manual
- Useful Tips: Please kindly note that do not brew coffee immediately after frothing milk. The machine must cool down first otherwise the temperature and the pressure inside the machine will be too high, and the machine will go into over-heating protection mode. The lights for 1 cup or 2 cup will flash repeatedly and please follow the steps of included guide to cool down the machine. You can watch more INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO by clicking Visit the CASABREWS Store
- Don't compromise on third wave specialty coffee. Achieve barista quality performance using a 54mm portafilter with 19 grams for full flavor and an automatic steam wand for milk texturing, delivering handsfree microfoam at the right temperature
- Automatic Microfoam Milk Texturing: The automatic steam wand allows you to adjust the milk temperature and texture to suit your taste. Delivering Barista quality microfoam that enhances flavor and enables creation of latte art.
- Faster Heat Up Time: Innovative thermojet heating system achieves the optimum extraction temperature in 3 seconds; Ready to make your best coffee without the wait.
- Receive 2 free bags of specialty coffee when you purchase and register any Breville coffee machine; T and Cs apply
- Low pressure pre infusion: Low pressure pre infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part of the Barista Series that offers all in one espresso machines with integrated grinder to go from beans to espresso in under one minute
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on demand to deliver the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
- Receive 2 free bags of specialty coffee when you purchase and register any Breville coffee machine; T and Cs apply
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction
- 【Make Favorite Espresso Coffee by Yourself】The espresso machine with milk frother allows you to prepare all your favorite espresso-based coffees. You can enjoy a barista-brewed latte, cappuccino or macchiato at home. This compact espresso coffee maker is perfect for home or office use
- 【Professional 20 Bar Pressure System】The 20-bar system ensures optimal 9-10 bar pressure is maintained throughout the shot, fully saturating the coffee powder to extract deeper, more complex flavors and that coveted golden crema—turning your kitchen into a specialty coffee shop.
- 【NTC Precision Temp Control Extract】 Solve inconsistent flavor for good. This espresso machine temperature control system locks onto the 90-96°C sweet spot and preheats in just 30 seconds. Whether you're extracting fruity light roasts or rich dark roasts, every shot accurately reveals the beans’ true profile.
- 【Making Dense Milk Foam】From Flat Milk to Velvety Microfoam in Seconds. Our powerful steam wand delivers dry, focused steam—not weak bubbles. This gives you dense, glossy microfoam with the perfect texture for latte art and a naturally sweet flavor that melds seamlessly with your espresso.
- 【Auto Espresso & Manual Extraction】This espresso machine has added a function of manual extraction. You can customize the extraction time to get coffee of different concentrations. Manual function max takes 102 seconds and will get 180-350 grams of coffee. Espresso Mode will auto extraction 28 seconds to get a single shot espresso(25-40 grams), or 42 seconds to get a double shot espresso(55-85 grams)
- BE YOUR OWN BARISTA: Enjoy beautiful café-quality beverages with next to no effort using a semi-automatic espresso maker that does all the hard work. It’s as easy as grind, brew, and enjoy!
- CONICAL BURR GRINDER: Brew your favorite roast freshly ground every morning. This coffee maker with grinder has 30 customizable grind settings and dispenses directly into the portafilter.
- RICH, FLAVORFUL ESPRESSO: The 15-bar pump produces beautiful espresso, with customizable shot temperature and volume settings for your ideal morning cup. Monitor it all with the pressure gauge display on the user interface.
- TWO SHOT SIZES: Brew the perfect amount: the 58mm portafilter features both single and double shot baskets for any size of espresso drink. Great for quick mornings or relaxing weekends.
- MAKE LATTES AND CAPPUCCINOS: The integrated milk steamer is perfect for versatile café drinks, meaning this coffee machine with grinder is also a cappuccino machine and a latte machine.
- Brew Cafe-Quality Espresso at Home: Elevate your coffee experience with our sleek coffee machine featuring an LCD display and built-in milk frother. Make your favorite lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos effortlessly. Perfect for home, office, or as a thoughtful gift for any occasion
- Customizable Brewing Temperature: Adjust the brewing temperature with four settings to suit your taste or your family’s preferences. Whether it's a cold morning or a craving for perfect espresso, enjoy your coffee at the ideal temperature. Note: Adjustment only applies to espresso brewing
- Professional 20-Bar Pressure System: Featuring a 20-bar Italian pump and 1350W powerful boiler, this semi-automatic espresso machine delivers perfect pressure to extract rich flavors and oils. Enjoy consistent espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, and more with barista-quality results at home or office
- Powerful Milk Frothing System: Create barista-level microfoam with Ultra's advanced steam wand. Texture rich, creamy microfoam for stunning latte art and enhanced coffee flavor. Unleash your inner barista and craft unique designs at home with this top-tier frother
- Sleek & Easy-to-Use Design: This 20-bar espresso machine features a user-friendly control panel for steam, hot water, and pre-programmed shots. The clear LCD display guides you through each step, while the removable 73 oz water tank makes refilling easy. Its brushed stainless steel finish fits any kitchen decor
- 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Equipped with a 20-bar pump, NTC temperature control, pre-infusion feature, and a pressure gauge, the Gevi stainless steel espresso coffee machines with a milk frother allows you to craft a range of café-quality beverages. From Mocha to Macchiato, Espresso to Americano, this expresso machine is not only ideal for home or office use but also makes a perfect gift for father, friends, and loved ones.
- 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 - The espresso coffee maker with frother features a powerful steam wand that quickly turns milk into silky smooth microfoam. The removable froth nozzle makes the cleaning easily.
- 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 & 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 - This cappuccino machine features a full stainless steel housing that is both stylish and durable, with a modern aesthetic that complements a variety of kitchen decors. Furthermore, its compact design makes it perfectly suited for countertops and kitchens of any size.
- 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐔𝐬𝐞 - The intuitive controls and semi-automatic brewing process of expressions machine make it simple for anyone to create barista-quality coffee with minimal effort.
- 𝐇𝐨𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Use for Americano, hot drinks such as tea, instant soups and to warm cups prior to making espresso.
- 3 MACHINES IN 1: Brew without limits with no guesswork espresso, well-balanced drip coffee, and rapid cold brew. 2 Espresso Styles — double shot or quad shot, 3 Drip Coffee Styles—classic, rich or over ice, and 2 Cold Brew styles— cold pressed espresso or cold brew coffee (drip coffee and cold brew available in 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 oz. sizes).
- BARISTA ASSIST TECHNOLOGY: Unlock the ultimate guided experience with customized grind size recommendations, weight-based dosing, and active brew adjustments for temperature & pressure for balanced flavor, deliver café-quality brews, no guesswork required.
- INTEGRATED GRINDER: The conical burr grinder has 25 grind settings to deliver a fresh, precise grind for versatile drink options for every type of bean.
- WEIGHT-BASED DOSING: Different drinks require different amounts of grounds. Our built-in scale does the work for you with weight-based dosing tailored for your chosen drink. Other machines simply grind for a set amount of time, and you need to manually weigh your grounds.
- HANDS-FREE FROTHING: Whether using dairy or plant-based milk, creating hot or cold microfoam, the Dual Froth System combines steaming and whisking at the same time to effortlessly create perfectly textured microfoam. Removing the trial-and-error from manual frothing with 4 preset programs including steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth and cold foam
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Your Mid-Level Espresso Machine
Ready to move beyond basic coffee? A mid-level espresso machine offers a big step up in taste and control. This guide helps you choose the right one for your kitchen adventures.
1. Key Features to Look For
When you look at these machines, certain features make a real difference in your daily brew. Think about what you want to achieve with your coffee.
Temperature Stability (PID Control)
- What it is: PID stands for Proportional-Integral-Derivative. It is like a smart thermostat for your machine.
- Why it matters: It keeps the water temperature steady while brewing. Steady temperature equals great, consistent espresso. Lower quality machines often struggle with this.
Brew Pressure
- Standard: Most good machines aim for 9 bars of pressure. This is the sweet spot for pulling a perfect shot.
- Check the Pump: See if the machine uses a vibratory pump (common) or a rotary pump (quieter, longer-lasting, often found on higher-end mid-range models).
Steam Wand Power
- For Milk Drink Lovers: If you love lattes or cappuccinos, you need a strong steam wand.
- Look for: Multi-hole tips and sufficient boiler power allow you to create silky microfoam quickly. Slow steaming heats the milk too much and ruins the texture.
Boiler Type
- Single Boiler: You must wait for the machine to switch from brewing temperature to steaming temperature. This slows down your workflow.
- Heat Exchanger (HX) or Dual Boiler: These let you brew and steam at the same time. This feature significantly improves the user experience, especially if you make drinks for guests.
2. Important Materials
The materials used in the machine affect how long it lasts and how well it performs. Good materials mean better heat retention.
Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum
- Stainless Steel: This is the premium choice. It heats up evenly and resists corrosion well. Machines built with more stainless steel generally perform better.
- Plastic Components: Check the portafilter handle and drip tray. While some plastic is fine, metal components feel sturdier and last longer.
Group Head Material
The group head is where the hot water meets the coffee puck. Heavy brass or stainless steel group heads hold heat better than lighter aluminum ones. Better heat retention leads to better flavor extraction.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What separates a good shot from a mediocre one is often found in the details.
Factors That Improve Quality
- Pre-infusion: This feature gently wets the coffee grounds before full pressure hits. This helps prevent channeling (water finding an easy path) and improves extraction evenly.
- Shot Timer: A built-in timer helps you track your extraction time precisely, which is crucial for consistency.
Factors That Reduce Quality
- Small Water Tank: If the tank is too small, you refill it constantly, interrupting your routine.
- Weak Thermoblock/Boiler: A boiler that loses heat too quickly when you start steaming will result in weak espresso shots or lukewarm milk.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you will actually use the machine every morning.
Workflow Speed
Do you rush out the door? A fast heat-up time is essential. Dual boiler machines often heat up faster than large single boilers. Also, consider how easy it is to clean. A simple drip tray removal makes daily maintenance much easier.
Noise Level
Vibratory pumps make a lot of noise. If your kitchen is near a bedroom, a machine with a quieter rotary pump might be worth the extra cost.
Use Cases
- The Single Drinker: If you only make one espresso shot daily, a good single boiler machine might save you money without sacrificing much quality.
- The Home Barista: If you host brunch or love making milk drinks, prioritize temperature stability (PID) and powerful steaming (HX or Dual Boiler).
Mid-Level Espresso Machine FAQs
Q: What is the price range for a mid-level machine?
A: Generally, mid-level machines start around $600 and can go up to $1,500. This range usually gets you PID control and solid metal construction.
Q: Do I need a built-in grinder?
A: No, for the best results, buy a separate, quality burr grinder. Grinders are the most important tool for good espresso. Separate grinders offer better consistency than those built into the machine.
Q: What is the difference between a Heat Exchanger (HX) and a Dual Boiler?
A: An HX machine uses one large boiler to heat water for both brewing and steaming, but it cycles between them. A Dual Boiler has two completely separate boilers, allowing you to brew and steam simultaneously without temperature compromise.
Q: How often do I need to descale the machine?
A: This depends on your water hardness. If you use filtered or softened water, you might only need to descale every three to six months. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Q: What is “channeling” and how does my machine help prevent it?
A: Channeling happens when water finds a path of least resistance through the coffee grounds, leading to uneven extraction and sour coffee. Pre-infusion features help saturate the grounds evenly to reduce channeling.
Q: Is a 58mm portafilter better than a 54mm portafilter?
A: 58mm is the commercial standard size. It holds more coffee and generally offers more consistent results because of the larger surface area. Many mid-level machines use 58mm.
Q: Does the machine need a lot of counter space?
A: Mid-level machines are usually wider and deeper than entry-level models because they house larger boilers. Measure your space before you buy!
Q: What does “E61 Group Head” mean?
A: The E61 is a classic, heavy group head design known for excellent temperature stability. Many high-quality mid-level machines use this design, though it can take longer to heat up initially.
Q: Can I use this machine for just black coffee, not just espresso?
A: While they make amazing espresso, these machines are not designed to brew large cups of standard drip coffee. They make concentrated shots that you then dilute with hot water (Americano) or milk.
Q: What maintenance is required besides descaling?
A: You must backflush the group head with a cleaning detergent weekly or bi-weekly to remove coffee oils. Also, wipe down the steam wand after every use to keep the holes clear.
Hi, I’m Larry Fish, the mind behind MyGrinderGuide.com.. With a passion for all things kitchen appliances, I created this blog to share my hands-on experience and expert knowledge. Whether it’s helping you choose the right tools for your culinary adventures or offering tips to make your kitchen more efficient, I’m here to guide you. My goal is to make your time in the kitchen not only easier but also enjoyable! Welcome to my world of kitchen mastery!