Before making the final buying decision about an espresso machine, you need to understand how espresso machines work. These are very sensitive appliances with many variables to be adjusted by the user. On one hand, this is good, because you can personalise your espresso cup to the extremes of your taste. On the other hand, using an espresso machine is tough business. With the slightest variation in the brewing process the taste of your cup can get consistently different.

However, if decided to make your own espresso coffee, you need to get through a serious learning process (that may never end). Manual espresso machines go hand in hand with a skilled user. The water pressure must be manualy produced through actioning a lever. You may need to spend extra hours at your gym club, exercising muscles. With semi automatic espresso machines, like the one Achiles Gaggia patented in 1946, the pressure is created by the machine itself, through a pump. Here is another truism in this business: the more automatic your machine, the lower the learning curve. And vice versa.

Here comes the biggest problem of all: how does one choose the right espresso machine, when so many models, with such various functionsare are available? First, you need to understand two things:

1. There is no such thing as the best espresso machine; you need to find the one suited for you;
2. If you want true, quality espresso, you can't go as cheap as you may be tempted to.

So, if you see an appliance on the store-shelf that costs less than $100, and is labeled as 'espresso machine', don't rush in, adding it to you cart. This would not be a real espresso machine, but, most likely, a steam driven machine that can merely be considered an advanced coffee maker. Steam driven machines produce only 3 athmosphere pressure, not enough for extracting espresso.

You can start thinking of purchassing an espresso machine when your savings have reached at least $150. That without considering purchassing a quality coffee roaster. Or a quality coffee grinder. I say, the issue is getting quite thick. When you dispose of that amount and a little more, you can think of buying a semi automatic espresso machine. A manual espresso machine starts at $400. A super automatic espresso machine starts at $700 and ends somewhere at x $1,000.

A quick revision

• espresso machines require skill, as they are very sensitive appliances;
• espresso machines require user's time, for there is no standard recipe of the perfect espresso and the best method of learning is through experiment;
• espresso machines are very solicitant over the owner's generosity; they like good coffee, propper roast, fine grind, and require lots of special attention;
• the espresso machine needs to fit the type of coffee you plan to make; for example, if you are the cappuccino type, you'll buy a machine with froth attachment;
• the espresso machine that will offer the highest convenience rate will be the more automatic one; and, more likely, one of the the most expensive ones.