HUGH Inc. - Leverpresso Lite V4

I bought a manual espresso maker nearly a year ago and i love it. I couldnt imagine clogging up my worktop with another gadget that will surely require maintenance (and therefore money) in time. I would prefer to know how everything works. I bought a Hugh Leverpresso V4 which is very much NOT a popular choice amongst espresso snobs. However the pro version clearly solves all the problems people think exist with it. My device is very small and I can take it on work trips with a grinder, tamp and distribution tool easily. I broke the cylinder recently and ordered a new one for 30 bucks. Fitted it no problem. Now I know everything about how my device creates and handles pressure. It does not have a pressure gauge which will have a lot of people clutching at pearls but over time I taught myself what feeling when pressing constitutes too little pressure (under extraction) and what is too much (over extraction). When you taste the coffee you know if it worked. At no stage in the learning process did I have a disappointing cup of coffee. My setup cost me £165 (I guess thats about $210-20). You could upgrade to the pro for your budget. I dont use a stand which means I have a shelf in a cupboard that all of it fits in but the pro comes with a stand which i think would be a nice addition. I would discourage you from listening too much to people on reddit who tell you to spend lots of money. If I were to spend more money on a machine other than a Leverpresso Pro I have heard many good things about the Cafelat Robot but that takes up counter space and would need a permanent home. Grind by hand. I got a good quality grinder for $70. It takes 30-45 secs to grind a double shot of espresso. No good for turning out 4 or 5 at a go i'll grant you, for that I guess a machine would be nice. For 100-120 you could get a slightly posher hand grinder with a larger capacity. A really good machine grinder is expensive.

Get yourself a Leverpresso Lite (107 USD), Leverpresso stand v1 (16 USD), a 1Zpresso Q-Air (70 USD), a Subminimal Nanofoamer (40 USD) and a cheap water kettle if you don't already have one. I assure you THERE IS NO BETTER ESPRESSO SETUP THAT CAN BE HAD FOR <$250. I'd bet money on it!

Don't know what your currency is, and starting with just a machine, and not pricing grinders etc into the amount If Australian dollar, just get a piccopresso and a couple of baskets. Also consider Hugh leverpresso or flair neoflex They will make a very good coffee, and you will learn a shit ton more than buying something where you are pretty well limited to pressing a button. If USD, get the barista model robot.