In a hurry? Our choice of the best espresso machine under 2000 dollars is Jura ENA 8.
Finding the best espresso machine under $2000 can be tricky.
Especially considering all the bad machines out there at that price.
In this article, I’ll break down my top choices for machines that are actually worth considering.
I’ll even include a short buying guide for how to go about picking one.
Let’s get straight to it!
Best Espresso Machine Under $2000: Top 9 Picks
- Jura ENA 8 (Best Overall)
- Rocket Appartamento (Best for Small Spaces)
- Izzo AlexVIVI 3 (Best Manual Machine)
- JuraWE6 (Best for Black Coffees)
- Rancilio Silvia Pro X (Best for the Home Barista)
- Quick MillAndreja Premium EVO (Best for Multiple Drinks)
- Jura E6 Platinum (Best Fully-Automatic Machine)
- Quick MillAlexia EVO (Best for Single-Drink Brewing)
- Jura E4 (Best for Budgets)
Jura ENA 8
The Jura ENA 8 is the complete package.
It’s a fully-automatic machine with 10 pre-programmed drinks, from simple coffee to a cafe-style cappuccino.
That means you don’t need any knowledge of espresso extraction or coffee brewing to get consistently great results.
The big draw, though, is that there’s actually an integrated milk frother. Not many automatic espresso machines have integrated milk frothers. That’s why it’s at the top of the list.
But it also has an integrated coffee grinder. Again, not many espresso machines have an integrated grinder.
The grinder means that you don’t need another appliance taking up space in your kitchen.
Jura uses a Pulse Extraction Process in their newer machines. Basically, that means that the machines pulse hot water instead of a constant stream. That allows the coffee to be evenly wet and extracted.
The more even the hot water distribution, the better your coffee will taste.
The only thing to note is that you lose some control over your drinks when you buy a fully-automatic machine.
If you’re a trained barista or want to learn about espresso extraction, this isn’t the machine for you.
Pros
- Ten pre-programmed drinks save you time on busy mornings
- Automatic milk-frother means you get barista-quality milk for espresso-based milk drinks
- An integrated coffee grinder means you don’t need to mess with a separate appliance
- Jura’s Pulse Extraction Process uses bursts of water to evenly distribute and extract your espresso
Cons
- It’s fully automatic, so you lose some control over your drink
Rocket Appartamento
The Rocket Appartamento is a mightily capable fully-manual espresso maker. You get full control over every aspect of the specialty drink process.
The large 2.25-liter water reservoir and 1.8-liter boiler mean you have plenty of water to make drinks before you’ll need a water refill.
The Rocket also has multiple portafilters that make it easy to switch between single or double shots of espresso.
Plus, it’s only 10.5 inches wide, which means it fits in just about any kitchen.
I wouldn’t recommend this coffee machine to a beginner or someone who wants a quick and easy drink. You do need some knowledge of how to brew express to maximize this machine’s potential.
And it doesn’t have a grinder. You’ll need to buy a separate grinder if you don’t already have one on hand.
Pros
- A fully manual espresso maker, it maximizes your control over your coffee and milk steaming
- It has a large 2.25-liter water tank and 1.8-liter heat exchange boiler, so you can make plenty of drinks before refilling the water
- The spouted portafilters make it easy to switch between brewing single and double shots of espresso
- At just 10.5 inches wide and 14.25 inches tall, it’s small enough to fit in almost any kitchen
Cons
- Because it’s fully manual, you’ll need some experience or willingness to learn how to properly brew espresso
- No integrated grinder, so you’ll have to get one if you don’t have one already
Izzo Alex VIVI 3
As a former barista, this Izzo espresso coffee maker makes a strong case for my personal favorite.
The electronic PID makes it really easy to control the temperature of the boiler. That means you get a more precise brewing and milk steaming temperature.
That’s important when getting the best possible espresso out of your machine.
Plus, it’s got a huge 3-liter reservoir. For a machine this size, that’s massive.
The heat-exchange boiler is also insulated, which means you don’t have to worry about the boiler losing too much heat too fast between brews.
And it’s refilled automatically between brews and steaming.
The Alex VIVI 3 gives you a lot of control over the final drink you produce. Which I really like.
However, you do need some knowledge of espresso brewing to reach this machine’s potential, so it’s not really beginner-friendly.
Pros
- The electronic PID controller makes it super easy to control the temperature of the boiler, so you get a more precise brewing temperature
- The 3-liter reservoir is huge for a machine of this size, so you can make plenty of drinks before needing a refill
- The insulated heat-exchange boiler takes some work out of brewing times and temperatures
- A fully manual espresso maker, you get the most control over your espresso shots and the milk frothing
Cons
- You’ll need some experience or knowledge of how to extract an espresso shot to maximize this machine’s potential
- No grinder included, so if you don’t have one, you’ll have to get one
Jura WE6
The Jura WE6 is a great option for automatic coffee brewing.
It takes a lot of the guesswork out of the brew with the Pulse Extraction Process and the 8 pre-programmed drink settings.
Pulse extraction means hot water gets pulsed through the grounds instead of flushed through. That gives the coffee a more even extraction and better taste.
Plus, there’s an integrated grinder. But it also works with pre-ground coffee! That makes it even easier to brew.
It’s beginner-friendly because it’s a super automatic espresso machine, but if you want a little more control over your coffees, this isn’t the right fit.
It also doesn’t have a milk frother, which means if you want frothed milk, you’ll need a separate frother.
I’d recommend this to someone looking for a simple way to brew espresso in the mornings. Especially if you don’t want any milk in your drinks.
Pros
- It’s fully automatic, so anyone can use it regardless of their coffee brewing experience
- It has Jura’s Pulse Extraction Process, which means you get an even and consistent extraction from brew to brew
- The integrated coffee grinder makes this an all-in-one espresso coffee maker, it’s perfect for someone who doesn’t want the work of brewing
- It brews 8 different pre-programmed drinks, so you’ll have a drink for any taste
Cons
- Because it’s fully automatic, you don’t get much control over the drinks themselves
- No milk frothing, so you’ll need a separate frother for specialty drinks
Rancilio Silvia Pro X
The Rancilio Silvia Pro X is a good choice for a home barista.
The controls are both intuitive and extensive. The dual PID controls give you precise temperatures for both the boiler and the pressure tank. That means you can easily brew an espresso and steam milk at the same time.
It also means you can brew espresso and steam milk at different temperatures. In short, you have so much control over every aspect of your drink, from shot to milk.
This espresso maker has a cult following among baristas, and for a good reason. It’s about as close as you can come to true cafe-style drinks for a prosumer price point.
Because it’s a mostly manual machine, I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who wants convenience and a quick drink.
Plus, it doesn’t have a grinder, so you’ll need to get one if you don’t have one already or use a pre ground coffee.
Pros
- The dual PID gives you control over the boiler and the pressure tank, so you can brew espresso and steam milk at the same time
- A dual boiler means you set different temperatures for steaming and brewing, giving you more control over your coffee
- The controls are super intuitive, which means anyone with a little knowledge can brew excellent coffee
Cons
- It’s a mostly manual machine, which means you’ll need some knowledge of espresso extraction to reach this machine’s full potential
Quick Mill Andreja Premium EVO
The Quick Mill Andreja Premium EVO is the machine you turn to when you want to brew a lot of drinks.
The 3-liter reservoir is possibly the biggest reservoir on a boiler-style home espresso machine.
It allows you to brew your shot and steam your milk at the same time. That saves you a lot of waiting time.
The boiler is also insulated, which means you don’t need to worry about the temperature dropping between brews.
The only problem is that it’s not the most intuitive espresso coffee maker and takes some work to get used to.
It’s probably best for a home barista that has a big family or a lot of friends they want to impress.
Pros
- The 3-liter reservoir is massive and plenty big enough for many drinks before needing a refill
- A magnetic sensor gives you a warning when the reservoir is getting low, so you never have to worry about running out of water for a brew or a milk froth
- You can brew espresso and steam milk at the same time, which saves you time and means you don’t have to leave your espresso sitting out while you froth
- The boiler is insulated, which means you don’t have to worry about the temperature dropping too much too fast
Cons
- It’s not the most intuitive machine out there, but once you get the hang of it, it isn’t so bad
- No integrated grinder, so you’ll have to buy one if you don’t have one already
Jura E6 Platinum
Fully-automatic espresso machines like the E6 Platinum are a great choice for convenience. But they’re also a good bet for decent quality.
The E6 Platinum uses Jura’s Pulse Extraction Process to get even and consistent results from drink to drink.
Pulse extraction means water gets pulsed through the grounds rather than flushed through.
The E6 also uses an integrated water filter to get the best possible mineral content for brewing coffee. That means your coffee will taste great no matter the water source.
It also comes with seven pre-programmed drinks. That’s a great place to start when creating your personal saved drinks.
The only thing is that you lose a lot of control over the final product when you buy a fully automatic espresso machine.
I’d recommend this to someone looking for the convenience of pushing a single button and getting a latte in return.
But if you’re looking to carefully craft your latte from scratch, this isn’t the right choice.
Pros
- The fully automated brewing means you only have to push a button to get a brew started
- Jura’s Pulse Extraction Process means you get consistent coffee from drink to drink without updating any settings
- An integrated water filter means you get great water for brewing coffee without any additional work or filters
- There are 7 drinks pre-programmed into the machine, which is a good place to start when crafting your preferred drink
Cons
- It’s fully automatic, so you lose some control over your final drink
Quick Mill Alexia EVO
The Alexia EVO is a wonderful little espresso coffee maker that’s best used for creating a single drink at a time.
It’s perfect for the home barista who likes a single specialty drink or espresso in the morning.
The 0.75-liter boiler is perfect for the size and intended use of the machine.
Plus, the PID gives you super precise control over the temperature of the water for both brewing and steaming milk.
It’s a semi-automatic machine, which means most of the brewing falls on you. But you do get some wiggle room.
The two included portafilters make it easy to switch from brewing single to double shots of espresso.
The only downside is that you can’t brew espresso and steam milk at the same time. That takes away a little bit of the appeal, but the reality is it doesn’t make too much of a difference.
Pros
- Its single, 0.75-liter boiler machine is perfect for crafting one or two drinks at a time
- The electronic PID gives you more precise control over the temperature of the water for brewing and steaming milk
- The semi-automatic extraction means you don’t need a ton of knowledge to get great and consistent results
- The two portafilters make it easy to switch from brewing single to double shots of espresso
Cons
- You can’t froth milk and pull espresso at the same time, so you’ll be left waiting for the machine to heat up again
Jura E4
Sometimes all you want out of an espresso machine is espresso and maybe some black coffee.
No frills or special features.
That’s where the Jura E4 excels.
It’s a simple but powerful fully-automatic espresso machine that brews exceptional black coffee and espresso.
You can choose from three different strengths for each coffee.
It still uses Jura’s Pulse Extraction Process. That means you get consistent and even extraction from brew to brew.
It has an integrated grinder, so you don’t need an extra appliance floating around. And it still works with pre-ground coffee for even more convenience.
There’s a hot water spout for easily brewing tea or hot cocoa. And there’s a water filter in the machine to get perfect mineral content no matter the water source.
Look, it’s a simple machine for black coffee and espresso on a budget. But I’m a fan of it for its convenience and simplicity.
Note that there’s no milk frothing capability. So if you want lattes and cappuccinos, you’ll either need a different machine or a separate milk frother.
Pros
- The integrated grinder means you don’t need an extra appliance in your kitchen
- A dedicated hot water spout makes brewing tea or hot cocoa convenient and easy
- Jura’s Pulse Extraction Process means you get consistent and quality coffee from brew to brew
- An integrated water filter means you get perfect water for brewing coffee without extra filters
Cons
- No milk frothing capability means you’ll need an extra milk frother if you want lattes or cappuccinos
Espresso Machines Under $2000: All You Need To Know
I know this list might be overwhelming.
But the reality is there are only a few decisions you need to make to help narrow down the list of potential machines.
In this section, I’ll break down how I go about choosing espresso machines and explain how you should go about making those decisions.
Which type of machine should you look for?
There are really two main types of espresso machines out there for home use: fully-automatic or fully-manual.
Yes, there are semi automatic espresso machines, but they typically feel like automatic machines instead of manual ones.
Automatic machines (or super automatic espresso machines) take out most of the work that you need to do. They are convenient, easy, and generally intuitive.
Automatic machines are generally meant to be beginner-friendly and used for convenience. You don’t need to understand coffee extraction or milk frothing in order to use automatic machines.
Manual machines need some knowledge of extraction and espresso pulling to maximize the machine potential. But you can squeak by with very little knowledge and still get decent results.
That said, you don’t need to be an expert in espresso extraction, but you do need some basic knowledge.
So you need to ask yourself what kind of home brewer you are or want to be.
Are you a trained barista looking to make your own lattes at home?
Or are you a busy parent who needs to push one button to brew on a busy morning?
You need to decide which camp you’re in and go from there. It helps to narrow down the choices.
BOTTOM LINE
Do you need the convenience of an automatic espresso machine or the control of a manual machine? It’s really a question of convenience vs. control.
How do design and build quality change the machines?
There are a few ways to think about design and build quality:
- Body and housing materials
- Kitchen integration
- How it looks
I would argue that the most important are the body and housing materials.
That’s because they have the biggest impact on your coffee’s quality.
For instance, an insulated stainless steel boiler will have a more consistent temperature than a copper boiler. Copper also might impart a taste into the water that gets into your cup.
Likewise, plastic housing will feel cheaper than stainless steel housing. That said, stainless steel is more expensive.
Another question is how will your machine fit into your kitchen. Is there a color scheme or vibe that you’re looking for?
Do you have a small kitchen and need a smaller espresso machine to fit that space?
Then you might be looking for a manual machine because they tend to be smaller than automatic ones.
But that brings me to the last one, how the machine looks might have an impact on your decision.
Some machines are designed to be super simple. They’ll have a touchscreen display and a single spout.
On the other hand, there are machines designed to look like retro-styled appliances (such as the Smeg espresso machine) without compromising the function.
Finally, some machines are meant to look industrial. They’ll usually have a dedicated steam wand, some knobs or buttons, and a shinier look.
The last thing to consider is the coffee bean grinder. Do you already have a decent grinder for espresso? Are you willing to buy one? Or do you need a machine with a grinder already built-in?
BOTTOM LINE
Decide where your machine will live and figure out the dimensions of that space. Then ask yourself what your machine should look like in that space. Those two questions will help narrow down your choices.
How do these machines perform?
The reality is that you absolutely get what you pay for in terms of performance in an espresso machine.
And the reality is that automatic espresso machines at a cheaper price point won’t perform as well as manual machines at the same price.
However, that’s not me saying automatic machines will taste bad, just that they have a lower ceiling in terms of performance.
I would still recommend an automatic machine if you need convenience or don’t want to mess with brewing your own espresso.
But if you’re willing to learn, or already know how to pull espresso, then a manual machine will perform better.
That’s because you have more control over the espresso itself. Manual machines are much better for making great lattes at home because you have more control over the entire process.
If you do go with a manual machine, you’ll have to choose from a single or dual boiler. A dual boiler means that you can froth milk and pull espresso at the same time.
Single boilers require you to do one at a time and often wait for the machine to heat up again before using the steam wand.
IN A NUTSHELL
You need to decide how important great coffee is to you. If you need the best possible espresso out of your machine, you’ll need a manual machine and know how to use it. But if you need convenience instead, an automatic machine is the way to go.
My Final Verdict
My top choice is still the Jura ENA 8.
It’s a great balance of quality coffee and convenience.
It has the ability to brew anything from black coffee to a cappuccino, which is important when considering the range of coffee.
It has ten pre-programmed drinks to choose from and an integrated milk frother.
And it has an integrated grinder, which means you don’t need an extra appliance floating around your kitchen.
In short, it’s a great automatic espresso machine that’s the best quality coffee at the best price and most convenient.
