Moka pot brewing
Budget Planning

Minimum Budget Guide

The short answer: $300-500 for a complete setup. Here's where to spend and where to save.

See Breakdown Grinder Guide
$300-500

Ideal Budget

60%

Machine Cost

30%

Grinder Cost

10%

Accessories

The Minimum Budget Breakdown

Quality Espresso Machine $250-400
Burr Grinder (CRITICAL) $80-150
Tamper & Tools $20-30
Milk Pitcher (optional) $10-20
Cleaning Supplies $20-30
TOTAL MINIMUM $380-630

Where NOT to Cheap Out

⚠️

The Grinder

This is #1. A cheap grinder ruins espresso. Spend at least $80-100 on a burr grinder.

⚠️

Fresh Beans

Stale beans = bad espresso. Buy from local roasters, roasted within 2 weeks.

⚠️

Water Quality

Use filtered water. Hard water damages machines and affects taste.

Where You CAN Save Money

Machine: $250-300 Instead of $500

A $300 Breville Bambino is 90% as good as a $500 machine. The quality jump from $300 to $500 is small.

Grinder: Manual Instead of Electric

A $30-50 manual burr grinder works fine. Takes 2 minutes to grind, but saves $100+.

Accessories: Buy Gradually

Start with basics. Add milk pitcher, scales, and fancy tools later as you improve.

Sample Minimum Budgets

Ultra-Budget Setup: $300

  • • Gaggia Classic Pro: $250
  • • Manual Burr Grinder: $30
  • • Tamper: $20
  • Quality: 7/10 | Convenience: 6/10

Sweet Spot Setup: $450

  • • Breville Bambino: $300
  • • Electric Burr Grinder: $100
  • • Accessories: $50
  • Quality: 8/10 | Convenience: 8/10

Comfortable Setup: $600

  • • Breville Bambino Plus: $400
  • • Quality Burr Grinder: $150
  • • Accessories & Tools: $50
  • Quality: 8.5/10 | Convenience: 9/10

The Grinder Budget Breakdown

Since the grinder is so important, here's what you get at different price points:

$20-30 Manual Grinder Works but slow, inconsistent
$50-80 Budget Electric Decent, acceptable for espresso
$100-150 Quality Electric Good consistency, reliable
$200+ Premium Grinder Excellent, but overkill for beginners

Start Here

Aim for $400-500 total. This gets you a quality machine, decent grinder, and accessories. You'll make café-quality espresso.

See Machines in This Range