Espresso At Home?
Buying a home espresso setup as a gift for a friend, partner, or yourself can feel overwhelming fast. Machines, grinders, specs, price ranges… it’s a lot. This guide breaks things down simply, with clear options for brand‑new coffee drinkers, growing enthusiasts, and espresso pros.
We’ll start with espresso machines, then grinders, and finish with scales—because good espresso is a system, not just a machine.
Machines
• Gaggia Classic Pro (Grinder Needed)
Gaggia Classic Pro
Price: ~$450–$500
Best for: Growing espresso enthusiasts, tinkerers, and anyone who wants to learn true espresso fundamentals
Buy here: Gaggia Classic Pro
The Gaggia Classic Pro is a timeless entry into real espresso. It skips automation in favor of control, durability, and consistency—making it ideal for anyone who wants to understand espresso from the ground up.
This is Jason’s personal home espresso machine, paired with the Baratza Encore ESP. With proper dialing in and future upgrades, the Gaggia Classic Pro can produce espresso that rivals far more expensive machines.
• Flair Espresso (Manual Lever Machines) +(Grinder Needed)
Flair Espresso
Price: ~$165–$600 (depending on model)
Best for: Hands-on coffee lovers, travelers, purists
Buy here: Flair Espresso
Flair machines are completely manual espresso makers—no electricity, no pump, no boiler. You control every variable, from pressure to flow.
Important to know: you will need a kettle to supply hot water. While the workflow is more involved, the payoff is incredible control and surprisingly high-quality espresso in a compact, affordable setup.
This is a great option for someone who loves process, enjoys experimenting, or wants café-level espresso without a traditional machine.
• Breville Bambino (Grinder Needed)
Breville Bambino
Price: ~$300–$350
Best for: Brand‑new espresso drinkers, minimalists
Buy here: Breville Bambino
The Bambino is one of the easiest ways to start making espresso at home. Fast heat‑up, simple controls, and consistent results make it perfect for beginners who want quality without a steep learning curve.
• Breville Barista Express (Grinder Included)
Breville Barista Express
Price: ~$700–$750
Best for: Beginners who want everything in one box
Buy here: Breville Barista Express
An all‑in‑one solution with a built‑in grinder. Convenient and approachable, this machine lowers the barrier to entry for home espresso while still producing solid results.
• Breville Barista Pro (Grinder Included)
Breville Barista Pro
Price: ~$800–$850
Best for: Convenience‑focused users who want speed and control
Buy here: Breville Barista Pro
A step up from the Express, the Barista Pro offers faster heat‑up, better consistency, and a more refined user experience—all while keeping the grinder built in.
• Rocket Appartamento (Grinder Needed)
Rocket Appartamento
Price: ~$1,700–$1,900
Best for: Serious home baristas & pros
Buy here: Rocket Appartamento
This is where home espresso crosses into café-level territory. Built like a tank, visually stunning, and capable of exceptional espresso when paired with a high-end grinder.
• Fellow Espresso Series 1 (Grinder Needed)
Fellow Espresso Series 1
Price: ~$1,500–$1,700
Best for: Design-forward users who want pro-level performance
Buy here: Fellow Espresso
Fellow’s take on high-end espresso blends thoughtful design with serious capability. The Series 1 offers precise temperature control, a compact footprint, and a modern workflow that appeals to both enthusiasts and professionals.
• La Marzocco Linea Mini (Grinder Needed)
La Marzocco Linea Mini
Price: ~$5,000–$6,300
Best for: No-compromise home espresso pros
Buy here: Linea Mini
A true café machine scaled for the home. Dual boilers, unmatched build quality, and legendary consistency make the Linea Mini one of the best home espresso machines available—period.
Grinders
(If you’re buying the machine and grinder separately, this is where you should never cut corners.)
• Fellow Opus
Fellow Opus
Price: ~$195–$200
Best for: Beginners who want simplicity and flexibility
Buy here: Opus
Easy to use, compact, and capable of espresso and filter coffee. A great starting point that won’t feel limiting right away.
• Baratza Encore ESP * (Editor’s Pick)
Baratza Encore ESP
Price: ~$200–$220
Best for: Beginners who want room to grow
Buy here: ESP
Designed specifically with espresso in mind, the ESP offers precise adjustments and consistent grind quality—making it one of the best value grinders on the market.
Jason’s pick: This is the grinder Jason uses at home alongside his Gaggia Classic Pro. It strikes the right balance of ease, performance, and long-term usability.
• Varia VS3
Varia VS3
Price: ~$300–$350
Best for: Enthusiasts and pros
Buy here: VS3
A single‑dose grinder with excellent grind quality and a clean workflow. This is a grinder you can grow into—and keep for years.
Scales
A scale may seem optional, but it’s one of the fastest ways to improve consistency.
• Maestri House Mini Coffee Scale
Price: ~$32
Best for: Beginners
Buy here: Maestri
Simple, affordable, and effective. As long as it measures to 0.1g, it will get the job done.
• Timemore Black Mirror
Price: $60–$70
Best for: Enthusiasts
Buy here: Black Mirror
Fast response, clean design, and reliable accuracy. A great balance of price and performance.
• Acaia Lunar
Price: ~$250
Best for: Pros and long‑term setups
Buy here: Acaia Lunar
Industry‑leading accuracy and responsiveness. This is a scale you buy once and keep for life.
Final Thoughts
If you’re buying espresso gear as a gift, remember this:
Convenience: Go all‑in‑one (Breville with Grinder built-in)
Learning & growth: Gaggia Classic Pro + good grinder
No compromises: Rocket + premium grinder
A thoughtful setup beats the most expensive machine every time.