Is an Espresso Machine Worth It? An Honest Cost Breakdown
An espresso machine is worth it if you drink espresso or milk drinks most days and will take a few minutes to make each one. A home latte costs roughly 50 cents to a dollar in coffee and milk, so a setup costing $600 can pay for itself in several months for a daily cafe customer. It is not worth it if you want coffee with no effort.
Key takeaways
- The saving per drink is large, but only if you use the machine regularly.
- Count the grinder, accessories and upkeep, not just the machine.
- There is a learning period of a few weeks before drinks taste right.
- If you want convenience above all, a capsule or super-automatic machine fits better.
A machine that costs several hundred dollars is easy to justify in the shop and easy to regret a month later. Whether it is worth it depends less on the machine than on your habits. Here is a straight look at the money and the effort.
What a home drink costs
Rough figures for a double shot, using good beans:
| Item | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| 18 g of coffee from a $18 bag (12 oz) | About $0.95 |
| Milk for a latte | About $0.30 to $0.50 |
| Home latte | About $1.25 to $1.50 |
| Cafe latte | About $5 to $6 |
Cheaper supermarket beans bring the coffee cost to around 50 cents a drink. Either way the saving is about $4 per drink.
The full cost of getting started
The machine is only part of it.
| Item | Budget setup | Mid-range setup |
|---|---|---|
| Machine | $150 to $300 | $500 to $900 |
| Grinder | $100 to $200, or built in | $200 to $500 |
| Scale, tamper, milk pitcher, knock box | $50 to $80 | $80 to $150 |
| Total | About $300 to $580 | About $780 to $1,550 |
Ongoing costs are small: descaler, cleaning detergent, water filters and a gasket now and then. Budget perhaps $40 to $60 a year.
For more on prices by category, see how much does an espresso machine cost.
How long until it pays for itself
Assuming a saving of about $4 per drink:
| Drinks replaced | $500 setup | $1,000 setup | $1,500 setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 a day | About 4 months | About 8 months | About 12 months |
| 2 a day | About 2 months | About 4 months | About 6 months |
| 3 a week | About 10 months | About 19 months | About 29 months |
Two people in a household who each buy a daily coffee reach break-even quickly. An occasional cafe visitor may never get there.
The costs that are not money
Time. Once the machine is warm, a latte takes three to five minutes including cleanup. That is more than pressing a button and less than queuing at a cafe.
A learning period. Your first week of shots will be uneven. Most people are making good drinks within two to four weeks. Our guide to dialing in espresso shortens that.
Upkeep. A quick rinse after each use, a weekly clean and periodic descaling. See how to clean an espresso machine.
Counter space. A machine and grinder take up roughly as much room as a microwave.
It is worth it if
- You drink espresso-based drinks most days.
- You currently buy them from cafes.
- You like the idea of learning to make them well.
- More than one person in the household will use it.
It is probably not worth it if
- You mainly drink regular drip coffee. See espresso machine vs coffee maker.
- You have espresso drinks only now and then.
- You want coffee instantly with no cleanup.
- You tend to lose interest in kitchen gadgets.
Options between “yes” and “no”
- Start cheap. A basic pump machine and pre-ground coffee, or a moka pot, tests your interest for very little.
- Choose convenience. A capsule machine costs more per cup but takes no skill.
- Buy refurbished. Manufacturer-refurbished machines often cost noticeably less and carry a warranty.
Why it costs what it does
If the prices look steep for a kitchen appliance, there are real reasons, which we set out in why are espresso machines so expensive.
When you are ready to choose, start with the best espresso machines for beginners.
If the price is what holds you back, the refurbished espresso machines guide covers a cheaper route.
If you want to test the habit cheaply first, see the Capresso EC100 review.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an espresso machine take to pay for itself?
It depends on how much you spend at cafes. Replacing one $5 drink a day saves roughly $4 a day after ingredients, so a $600 setup breaks even in about five months and a $1,500 setup in about a year.
Is a cheap espresso machine worth buying?
A pump machine around $100 to $150 can make real espresso and is a fair way to test your interest. Very cheap steam-driven machines without a pump cannot make espresso and are best avoided.
Is home espresso as good as a cafe?
It can be, and often better than an average cafe, once you have learned the basics and are using fresh beans and a capable grinder. Expect a few weeks of practice first.