GO

I like my pico presso and Flair Go pretty much equally. I have more control with the Flair, and more feedback as it is has a pressure gauge, however it's bigger and the end result in the cup is the same as the pico. The pico is very small, I always marvel how they've made everything pack together so well, and if you really want, you can buy a pressure gauge. I thought I'd sell one but I like them both enough to just keep.

One no frills and no electricity espresso maker, Flair Espresso, is also a great option. Keep a lookout for them on FB marketplace. Also keep a lookout for used burr coffee grinders, not bladed coffee grinders. Lastly, skip the mokapot. As much as I tried, I could never get an enjoyable coffee with it. It was okay, ended up donating it.

Flair will get you excellent espresso for that price, but you gotta put in a lot of work. That’s of course assuming OP already has a $400+ grinder which will be a requirement for any decent machine.

fellow robot owner: wouldn’t say machines obsolete. But I do think that or the flair are the best bang for your buck. The same price semi automatic is going to be much worse.

Get a flair espresso maker for about $150 , or find a secondhand one for less. Use costco beans. Buy a decent grinder either manual 1zpresso for the least expensive path, otherwise get a DF54 or look for secondhand again for cheapest option. All in, this would be less than $500 and possibly as low as $300. Espresso shots cost less than a dollar with this path. I assume you have a water kettle and scale.