A cheap machine like the DeLonghi Stilosa or ECP can be good if you replace the portafilter, baskets, get a WDT tool, a decent grinder... If it's 120 for the machine, at least that same amount should be spent on a handgrinder and accessories.
For you, I'd recommend a KinGrinder P1 grinder for 35€, a Vietnamese Phin dripper, a mokka pot, and replacing the tools you like with newer or improved versions.
Trust me, I went from instant coffee to working as a barista for a few months, then back to instant and restaurant coffee, then Dolce Gusto (pods), selfground drip, French press, pour-over, mokka and the latest a DeLonghi ECP 33.21 with a P1 grinder and all the basic accessories with a KinGrinder K6 on the way. It's an expensive hobby.
I would go with an entry level machine like the DeLonghi ECP series or the Stilosa. Then I'd get some of the most useful accessories for it (an unpressurized basket, a good tamp, a bottomless portafilter, a scale with a timer that fits on the machine, a dosing ring, a WDT, or a blind shaker, a puck screen, etc). Let's say 120 for the machine and 120 for the accessories. Perfect for your use case. I know cause I went the same route; Instant, Dolce Gusto and French press, Drip, Pourover, Senseo, Mokka, French press, ...
I have a Kingrinder k6 and Delonghi ec260, you can get both for about 200e so probably about 200$ aswell, and i makes perfectly good coffee, especialy for lattes. You just need an unpressurized basket abotu 20bucks and a small modification for the stema wand witha zip tie, but even with out it, the milk steaming is perfectly accaptable. My gf cant tell the difference between the coffe shope late and my latte (we did a blind test). So for 200$ you can have everything you need, for great latte drinks.
The Stilosa should go on sale soon for Black Friday and the EC260 is pretty decent for the price, from Delonghi. Just be prepared to return the Stilosa until you get a good one, I had 2 with failed boilers out of the box out of the 5 I've purchased (I leave em at friends places and feel bad about taking espresso away from them). They make the Stilosa out of EC260 parts as a Black Friday offering, same thing but QC is a bit lower but it's like 30 bucks cheaper so I don't mind. Best Buy sells em and does price match, so I can take it back there for a working one.
The Stilosa should go on sale soon for Black Friday and the EC260 is pretty decent for the price, from Delonghi. Just be prepared to return the Stilosa until you get a good one, I had 2 with failed boilers out of the box out of the 5 I've purchased (I leave em at friends places and feel bad about taking espresso away from them). They make the Stilosa out of EC260 parts as a Black Friday offering, same thing but QC is a bit lower but it's like 30 bucks cheaper so I don't mind. Best Buy sells em and does price match, so I can take it back there for a working one.
You’re confused because you’re over thinking the machine. As someone said earlier, a $200 Stilista will make great espresso. Spend more on a grinder. Get a Mahlikohng x64ws or Eureka Atom 65w and look at $1000 machines like a Lelit Victoria or Profetec Goor Randall Silvia.
Stilosa is pretty alright. I’d personally start there above the other options
As the other comment noted you absolutely need an espresso capable grinder to make the best of it. Can probably start with using pressurised baskets tho
Espresso machines would best be run with freshly ground beans etc. That’s $200 for a burr grinder and another $100-150 for a machine like the Delonghi Stilosa.
If you’re not looking to nerd out then you can probably get a Delonghi Stilosa or similar $100-150 machine (casabrews, Dedica) and pre ground coffee. It will do ok for a quick coffee though this usually takes around 5 mins per cup for me. It also won’t be anywhere near cafe quality but will be leagues ahead of Nespresso in cost and quality based on my experience.
The other option is Nespresso as you said. Not familiar with their product line so can’t comment there.
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