Best Super Automatic Espresso Machine Under 500 Dollars Review 2023

In our opinion, the Gaggia Unica represents the best value for the money in the under $500 market segment. 

While it’s true that there are other machines on the list with a slightly bigger water tank and more programmability, we regard the Unica as a superb mix of form and function, offered at an exceptional price, which is ultimately the reason we gave it top billing.

It should also be noted that this machine is offered by Gaggia, one of the major forces in the industry, and is the only company to have two models featured here at the $500 or less price point.

In addition to being modestly sized and light weight, owing primarily to the fact that the machine is constructed almost exclusively of ABS plastic.  That’s to be expected in machines at this price range, and we certainly don’t hold it against manufacturers. 

Besides, with proper care, there’s no reason that a plastic machine can’t give you several years of reliable service, and Gaggia has a reputation for quality, which should put your mind at ease on that front.

It’s a reasonably attractive, though not stunning machine, and the fact that it is mounted on a swivel base for easy access to all components makes it even easier than usual to find a permanent home for it, even in smaller kitchens where counter space is at a premium.

While we regard the unit’s 57-ounce water tank as being a bit undersized for our tastes (we tend to look for at least a sixty ounce capacity), it doesn’t miss the mark by much, and the reservoir is mated with an 8.5-ounce bean hopper, which is a good pairing.

One thing we see far too often is that a manufacturer will put a large water tank with a very small bean hopper, or vice versa.  When that happens, it disrupts your drink making flow because you’re having to stop on a near-constant basis to refill one or the other (or both).

Most Gaggia models avoid that problem and we’re glad for it, because such size mismatches make those machines annoying to use. Unfortunately, one of the biggest weaknesses of all the super automatics at this price point is the fact that the grinders aren’t all that great.

The Unica has about the best of the lot here, featuring a ceramic grinder, which we like, with five different grind settings, which we don’t like so much.

The industry average is six settings, so none of the machines at the value end of the price spectrum even rise to the industry average.  It’s a bit of a disappointment, but those kinds of issues are commonplace with less expensive machines.  Manufacturers do what they must in order to keep prices low.

In addition to having a limited number of grind settings, one other thing to be mindful of with built-in grinders in general is the fact that they don’t do well with oily beans, which means you’ll want to steer clear of Dark Roast.  Instead, find a good Medium Roast you enjoy and stick with it.

Even better, the steam wand is quite long, which makes it easy and convenient to use.

The only real limitations you’ll find in the Unica are born of the manufacturer’s desire to keep costs low.  You won’t find any user profiles or much in the way of advanced functionality, but that’s true of every super automatic espresso machine offered at or near this price point.

If that’s what you’re looking for, then you’re going to have to resign yourself to spend more money.  At this price, however, it’s awfully hard to beat the Gaggia Unica, and it is well deserving of the top spot, in our view. It’s an exceptional “first machine” to anyone just beginning to explore the world of specialty coffee drinks.

The Gaggia Brera came quite close to claiming the top spot as the best super automatic espresso machine under $500, and if you’re looking for something a bit more durable, then this is the model you want.

It’s got a thin sheet of brushed stainless steel on the front face of the machine, which makes it more rugged and better able to stand up to daily use.  It’s also a smaller machine, so if our top pick proves to be too large to comfortably fit in your home kitchen, then you should have an easier time with this one.

Unfortunately, in some ways, it’s smaller size works against it.  There just isn’t room, for example, to fit a large water tank inside this unit, so its capacity tops out at just 41 ounces, which is a bit small for our tastes. 

Even so, if you’re only a casual coffee drinker, this won’t give you much pause, and it should be noted that the Brera’s grinder is a lot like the one found on the Unica, being ceramic and featuring five grind settings.

Built a top the grinder is a generously sized 8.8-ounce bean hopper, which is good, but almost verges on being too large for the water tank.  It doesn’t quite cross that line, but pushes right up to it.

The steam wand isn’t quite as long as the one offered on the Unica, and the coffee spouts only telescope far enough to accommodate cups of 4.5” high, so the range isn’t as broad as it is on Gaggia’s other model, but overall, it’s quite good, and solidly built.

There’s a lot to like about the Krups EA8250, but it’s built with a very specific user in mind, which was ultimately the reason we did not name it as the best fully automatic espresso machine under $500.

In our view, its best features are as follows:

Having said that, it does have its share of problems, the biggest of which is the fact that the grinder is less than we’d hoped for.  Not only is it stainless steel, but it only offers three grind settings, which is decidedly substandard (remember, the industry average is six).

Also, there’s the fact that in order to bump up the size of the feature set, Krups opted to construct their model out of ABS plastic.  That’s not necessarily a bad thing.  In fact, most of the models on our list are constructed with the same material; it’s just that it’s not as durable as stainless steel, which is much more common in high end machines.

In our view, the best feature of the EA8250 is the milk frothing system.  It’s one of the few models that offers both a conventional steam wand and an auto-frother, which is highly convenient, because let’s face it, sometimes you don’t want to practice your Barista skills and would rather have all the work done for you.

The auto-frother is a bit cumbersome compared to others we’ve seen, but having both options available is a big win, especially given the modest price of the unit.

As long as you’re not too picky about the flavor of the drinks you create (limited by the small number of grind settings), this is an excellent option to consider.

This is a good, solid machine, especially for people who are new to the world of specialty coffee drinks, but as you’ll see, the XSmall Vapore got certain limitations that kept us from naming it the best super automatic espresso machine under 500 dollars.

Let’s start with the fact that it’s got a positively tiny water tank, with a capacity of just 33 ounces, paired with a 6.5-ounce bean hopper.  While that’s fine for single people and casual coffee drinkers, it just doesn’t have the capability to keep pace with power drinkers and large households.

The coffee spouts are fixed in their positions, and will only accommodate cups up to 3.74” in height, which is another serious limitation in our view, as is the fact that the steam wand, while functional, is a stubby little thing that can be a bit tricky to use.