5 of the best manual coffee machines under $500
If the coffee lover in your life doesn’t have a good coffee maker at home, shopping for their birthday present just got easier. A manual espresso machine is a gift that keeps on giving, offering control, creativity, and the ability to craft barista-quality coffee at home, day after day.
Manual coffee machines are an affordable gift idea for that special someone, with many costing between $200 and $500. But with so many models on the market, which one to choose? Here, we look at five of Appliances Online’s highest-rated manual espresso machines that come in at under $500.
Why will they love a manual espresso machine?
There are a few reasons why coffee aficionados often enjoy using manual espresso makers as opposed to automatic ones, and they essentially boil down to taking pride in their creations.
- Barista-like control: Manual espresso machines allow you to control every step of the coffee-making process. From adjusting grind size to tamping pressure, you can tailor each shot to your preferences. Yes, you are truly the barista.
- Creativity unleashed: For those who appreciate the art of coffee making, manual machines offer a canvas for creativity. Experiment with latte art, adjust milk frothing techniques, and tailor each cup to your taste preferences. It's not just a cup of coffee, it’s a creation.
- Compact and stylish: Whether you prefer clean straight lines or retro stylings, most manual espresso machines have an elegant design that adds a touch of sophistication to any kitchen countertop.
5 highly rated manual espresso machines under $500
1. Sunbeam Mini Barista Espresso
This popular machine from Sunbeam is perfect for beginners trying their hand at becoming a home barista. Featuring thermoblock heating technology, it has a quick startup and efficient water usage. The Auto Shot Volumetric Control guarantees a precise dose for single or double shots, and the 15-bar pump and extra-wide 58mm group head extract maximum flavour from the ground coffee. The powerful steam wand, meanwhile, adds finesse to your latte art creations.
2. Smeg 50s Retro Style Espresso
Winner of the 2017 GOOD DESIGN Award, this Smeg coffee machine combines retro Italian elegance with functionality. Boasting a small footprint and three simple buttons for single shot, double shot, and steam, it's very user-friendly. The adjustable steam wand adds versatility to milk preparation, while the stainless steel filter basket gives a true barista feel. With five vibrant colours in the range, you can choose the perfect look to suit the person you’re buying for.
3. Sunbeam Café Barista
The Sunbeam Café Barista actually combines manual and automatic features. With two filter baskets for single or double shots, a one-touch control panel for espresso, cappuccino, or latte, and the option to manually control proceedings, it caters to various skill levels. The milk is frothed inside a detachable carafe with adjustable froth density and a convenient cleaning cycle.
4. DeLonghi Dedica Arte
This model from DeLonghi is a sleekly designed and compact powerhouse. The Adjustable Cappuccino System allows you to texture the perfect milk microfoam, and it's compatible with cups up to an oversized 13cm in height. With a 15-bar pressure system and a stainless steel tamper with two sizes of filter, the Dedica Arte can get you making cafe-quality coffees to suit all tastes.
5. Breville Cafe Venezia
Dubbed ‘the Compact Café’ by Breville, this machine makes light work of extracting espresso. With a simple dual-action dial, turning right extracts espresso, while turning left steams milk. Three stainless steel filters cater to single and double shots or even ESE coffee pods, and the adjustable steam wand, in combination with the 15-bar Italian-made pump, lets you showcase your milk-texturing skills.
Do you need a separate coffee grinder or milk frother?
All of these budget-friendly manual machines incorporate steam wands or milk frothers, so you won’t need to buy a separate unit to enjoy a flat white for your morning coffee. You will, however, need to either buy a separate coffee bean grinder or use pre-ground coffee.
Many lower priced manual coffee machines don’t incorporate built-in coffee bean grinders. In addition to keeping the cost of the machines lower, it enables them to have a smaller footprint and take up less space on kitchen counters. A lot of coffee enthusiasts also like to use separate, dedicated grinders, which can vary according to personal preferences and their chosen type of coffee brewing method.
Be a barista on a budget
Whether your budget is $200 or ten times that, Appliances Online has a wide range of manual and automatic coffee machines to choose from, as well as Nespresso models for those who prefer capsule coffee machines. Whenever possible, we sell at well below Australian RRP, so you should be able to find a great deal when picking the best coffee machine for your loved one.
Get it sooner with Free Next Day Delivery*
We deliver manual espresso machines, and the rest of our products, to 95% of Australia’s population with Appliances Online's legendary FREE delivery - and we can usually get it to you by the next day (Mon-Fri) as long as it's in stock. Plus, we now offer paid Same Day Delivery for in-stock appliances in NSW, QLD, and VIC metro areas if you order before 12pm Mon-Fri.
As part of our commitment to sustainability, we'll also take your old disconnected kitchen appliances away for recycling, for free. Check out our full range of manual, automatic and capsule machines and if you need a few more tips on choosing the right model, check out our Coffee Machine Buying Guide, this or call our friendly team 24/7 on 1300 000 500.