As your interest in brewing a great cup of coffee grows, have you started eyeing higher-budget espresso machines? It’s natural to feel the urge to upgrade your setup, but with so many machines on the market, it can be hard to know where to start.
At a Glance: Best Espresso Machines Under $3000
Before you spend your hard-earned money, take a look at our favorite espresso machines for under $3000. Whether you prefer to prioritize convenience and ease with a simple design, or impressive features that will allow you to take your barista skills to the next level, there’s something here for you.
Quick Summary: Best Espresso Machines Under $3000
 | Our Top Choice ECM Mechanika V Slim |
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 | Profitec Pro 500 PID With Flow Control |
| Check Price → |
 | Breville Oracle Touch |
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 | Jura E8 |
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 | La Pavoni Esperto |
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Best Espresso Machines Under $3000
ECM Mechanika V Slim
ECM Mechanika V Slim
ECM’s Mechanika V Slim is a compact and modern take on heat exchange espresso machines with a host of cosmetic and mechanical improvements over its previous iteration.
The ECM Mechanika V Slim is a prosumer espresso machine, which is an appliance that is made for home use, but uses the same components as a professional machine, delivering top-notch results for the home barista.
And if it’s a home barista you want to be, this espresso machine might be just right for you. The Mechanika V Slim is a heat exchanger, allowing the user to pull a shot of espresso and steam milk simultaneously. It also has a huge, 2.2L boiler, making it possible to brew several shots back to back.
If you entertain frequently or simply have a household full of coffee lovers, these features offer a ton of convenience.
As the name suggests, this espresso machine has a slim profile. It stands 15.5″ tall, fitting easily under standard cabinets, and is 9.8″ wide and 17.5″ deep. It won’t take up much precious real estate on your counter, making this machine a good choice for smaller kitchens.
Even if space isn’t at a premium, the ECM Mechanika V Slim will make an attractive addition to your kitchen, with a shiny, mirrored stainless steel finish and black rotary knobs.
If you like to do your own repairs, this espresso machine might be a perfect choice. The housing can be removed quickly and easily, revealing neatly organized mechanicals.
What We Like:
- Heat exchange boiler allows you to brew and steam simultaneously
- Large, 2.2 L boiler
- Slim profile
What We Don’t:
- No PID temp control
Profitec Pro 500 PID With Flow Control
Profitec Pro 500 PID With Flow Control
The Profitec Pro 500 PID with Flow Control is a highly capable heat exchanger espresso machine, packed with commercial parts, a quiet vibration pump, and equipped to compete with more expensive machines.
The German-engineered Profitec Pro 500 is a popular prosumer heat exchanger, and recent updates have made this already well-loved machine even more competitive in its class.
Like the Mechanika V Slim, the Profitec Pro 500 has a mirrored stainless steel exterior and a relatively slim profile, making it an attractive addition to small or large kitchens alike.
This is another heat exchange machine, which means you’ll be able to pull shots of espresso and steam milk back-to-back. It also has a 2 L stainless steel boiler, which will allow you to brew shots and steam lattes for a crowd.
As I mentioned before, the Profitec Pro 500 has experienced a real glow-up, updated most recently in mid-2022. This machine now has PID temperature control, which provides stable and consistent temperatures for a better brew. It also reduces the need for cooling flushes.
Two pressure gauges are situated side-by-side on the front of the machine, making it easy to monitor the pressure in the system and the boiler. You’ll also find an automatic shot timer on the front panel of the machine.
A flow control knob has also been added, which allows the user a greater level of control over extraction and the ability to bring out more sweetness and less acidity.
Finally, the included OPV makes it possible to adjust the brew pressure, though the default 10-bar setting is recommended.
What We Like:
- PID temperature control for stable and consistent temperatures
- Pressure gauges and shot clock are easy to see on the front panel
- Flow control knob allows better control over extraction
What We Don’t:
- Water reservoir is inconvenient to refill
Breville Oracle Touch
The Breville Oracle Touch caters to a different audience than the Profitec Pro 500 or the ECM Mechanika V Slim, appealing to coffee lovers who are more interested in convenience than the hands-on art of espresso making. Make no mistake, though – this is no capsule brewer. This machine produces real, cafe-quality espresso in a totally approachable way.
Rather than buttons, pressure gauges, and all of the other trappings of a semi-automatic espresso machine, the Breville Oracle Touch is operated via a color touchscreen. By pressing a button and following a few simple instructions, you can brew an espresso or another favorite drink from the menu.
Even frothing milk for your latte or flat white is done automatically. Just place the milk pitcher under the steaming wand, turn it on, and go head off to grab your breakfast. The built-in steam wand will switch off when it’s done.
Many espresso machines require a separate grinder, but the Breville Oracle Touch has a built-in, stainless steel conical burr grinder. It automatically grinds, doses, and tamps your coffee, streamlining one of the trickiest and messiest parts of the espresso-making process.
The Breville Oracle Touch comes equipped with a dual boiler, which means that you can steam milk and brew espresso at the same time. The espresso boiler and the group head are also outfitted with PID temperature control, keeping your brew temperature stable and consistent for optimal extraction.
It’s also capable of pre-infusion, which is vital for developing the complex flavors of your espresso. The only let-down here is that the pre-infusion isn’t programmable, so you can’t play around with different pre-infusion times for different roasts.
If you’re enthusiastic about the fine art of dialing in your own espresso shots, the Breville Oracle Touch, or, indeed, any super-automatic, may not be the machine for you. But if you want to produce cafe-quality beverages in your own kitchen quickly, easily, and with no real learning curve to speak of, put this machine on your list.
What We Like:
- Incredibly easy to use
- Dual boiler allows simultaneous steaming and brewing
- PID temperature control creates stable, consistent temps for optimal extraction
What We Don’t:
- It’s not easy to adjust the amount of coffee that is automatically dosed into your portafilter
Jura E8
When it comes to super-automatic coffee and espresso machines, Jura is a staple of the market. In this price range, the Jura E8 is a great choice.
When it comes to convenience, the E8 can’t be beaten. It has a menu of 17 specialty drinks, with a wide range of options from a simple espresso to beverages you can imagine ordering over a coffee bar counter (latte macchiato, extra shot!). You’ll also be able to customize your brew with adjustable temperature, size, and strength settings.
The Jura E8’s specialty beverages are brewed with the touch of one button, making it an especially worthwhile investment if you’re looking for total convenience and ease of use. No barista skills are required whatsoever.
This espresso machine comes with a built-in grinder, dubbed the Aroma G3 by Jura. It’s a stainless steel, conical burr grinder that operates pretty quietly and has six grind adjustment levels.
The Jura E8 brews a flavorful, full-bodied espresso shot thanks to its unique Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.), in which pressurized water is forced through the coffee grounds in short bursts.
If you’re hoping to make a cappuccino or other milk-based espresso drink, it couldn’t be simpler than it is with the Jura E8’s built-in milk frother. The machine draws up milk through an attached tube, froths it, and dispenses it right into the cup with your espresso. The result is a really nicely textured milk foam, and you won’t have to lift a finger.
What We Like:
- Simple and convenient to use
- One-touch beverage brewing
- Large menu of specialty drinks
What We Don’t:
- Relatively few grinder settings
- Plastic housing
La Pavoni Esperto
Our list of the best espresso machines under $3000 wouldn’t be complete without a fully manual option for those espresso aficionados who prefer to have every element of the brew in their own hands.
La Pavoni manufactures a full line of manual, lever-operated espresso machines, and the Esperto is at the top of the line. This machine is available in chrome, brass, or copper and brass, each with carved wood handles.
As a manual machine, the La Pavoni Esperto relies on the pressure that you exert while pulling down the level to brew espresso. To help you monitor this pressure, there’s a built-in group pressure gauge at the top of the machine. This gauge, along with a built-in temperature gauge, really sets the Esperto apart from other machines in La Pavoni’s lineup.
On the side of the machine, you’ll find a steam wand that can be used to steam milk for your lattes and cappuccinos. Since this espresso machine has one boiler, it can be necessary to perform a cooling flush between steaming and brewing, and you won’t be able to steam and brew simultaneously.
This espresso maker comes with two portafilters and three filter baskets: single, double, and competition. Each basket is emblazoned with the La Pavoni name and logo.
What We Like:
- Beautiful appearance
- Allows the user complete control
- Pressure and temperature gauge makes repeating extractions easier
What We Don’t:
- Quite expensive
- Takes a lot of work and a large learning curve to use
Things to Consider When Buying an Espresso Machine
Type of Espresso Machine
Before you spend your hard-earned cash on an espresso machine, ask yourself honestly how you plan to use it. Do you envision yourself spending long hours dialing in the perfect grind and extraction time? Are you excited by the prospect of adding gear like a grinder and scale to your setup? If so, you may enjoy a manual or semi-automatic espresso machine.
A manual espresso machine is the most labor-intensive. Once you’ve ground your coffee, dosed the portafilter, and tamped the grounds, you’ll also have to pull down the machine’s lever, exerting just the right amount of pressure for the perfect extraction. It takes time and practice to perfect all of these steps, so choose this type of espresso machine if you’re an experienced barista or up for the challenge of learning something new.
A semi-automatic espresso machine still requires some serious skills; after all, finding the right grind size, dose, and tamping technique is no walk in the park. However, these types of machines take the, well, pressure off a bit by automating more of the brew process.
If you’re someone who has no barista skills and no desire to learn, or you simply value speed and convenience, consider a super-automatic espresso machine. These highly automated coffee makers churn out your espresso or other beverage with just the push of a few buttons. Coffee aficionados may find the espresso quality to be a compromise, but the options on our list still produce a really great cup, in our humble opinion.
Heating Systems
When you’re making a huge investment, it’s time to start expecting big things from your espresso machine. In this price range, you’ll see many machines that offer simultaneous brewing and milk steaming or the ability to brew several shots back to back, thanks to dual boilers or heat exchange systems.
| ECM Mechanika V Slim | Profitec Pro 500 PID | Breville Oracle Touch | Jura E8 | La Pavoni Esperto | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Type | Semi-automatic | Semi-automatic | Super-automatic | Super-automatic | Manual |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 15.5" x 9.8" x 17.5" | 15.5" x 11.9" x 17.6" | 17.6" x 14.5" x 14.7" | 13.8" x 11" x 17.6" | 14.4" x 11.4" x 7.8" |
| Body Material | Mirrored Stainless Steel | Mirrored Stainless Steel | Brushed Stainless Steel | Plastic | Chrome, Brass, or Copper |
| Boiler Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel-Lined Aluminum | Nickel-Plated Brass |
| Boiler Type | Heat Exchanger | Heat Exchanger | Dual Boiler | Thermoblock | Single Boiler |
| Boiler Size | 2.2 L | 2 L | 0.3 L Brew Boiler 0.8 L Steam Boiler | N/A | 1.1 L |
| PID | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Expensive Espresso Machine Make a Difference?
There are certain features and functions you’ll find on expensive espresso machines that make the quality of espresso better and more consistent. For example, PID temperature control provides stable temperatures, which leads to better extraction.
You’ll also find convenient features on more expensive machines that make the process much smoother.
Conclusion
If you’re in the market for a higher-budget espresso machine, the chances are good that you already love your morning espresso and want to buy a machine that can match your enthusiasm.
Whether that means a prosumer semi-automatic machine that will allow you to dial in your perfect shot or a feature-packed super-automatic that will serve as your own personal barista, we think that one of these great espresso machines will be the perfect addition to your kitchen.
Happy Caffeinating!
