Brera

https://preview.redd.it/rkonrbcm5dvf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=249f372cd79b92df50e6664c72a40e426a6f6fb0 You can try to find a Gaggia Brera .. I got this one local for 30 usd That last sale on eBay was like 350 for one

I liked my Gaggia Brera. I got it for $70 usd secondhand and the prev owner bought it brand new for $500 or so in 2021. It was damn near brand new and does the job. I switched to semi automatic machine with a grinder to make better coffee because I got hooked though.

I just got the Breville infuser with a baratza encore which is basically the big brother to the duo temp lol. As good as the combo is, the gaggia is so much more convenient.

Impressed with the Gaggia Brera. You can find them cheap second hand and they’re very serviceable for a layman.

My Gaggia Brera has been going strong for 3-4 years now. Really good coffee imo, but I only do espresso shots, never used it for milk. Maintenance is easy, just an occasional cleaning. I finally had to dig in and clean out the grinder and it was pretty simple (Im a lousy mechanic). Hope to get many more years out of it.

It's pretty much the default recommended starter automatic machine on this sub so I think you did good. I was between one of those and the Gaggia Brera. I went with the Gaggia because I don't drink coffee with milk so no need for auto froth and if I do I would rather use a steam wand. I also preferred the aesthetics of the Gaggia and that's it's made in Italy and not China. The magnifica is a super solid choice though and allegedly can make slightly stronger espresso due to the ability to hold more grounds. I'd say your main thing to be mindful of is anything that the milk flows through. Seems likely to get gross pretty fast. Enjoy it! I look forward to my espresso every morning, and I have many.

What you are looking for doesn't exist. You need two machines, one super-automatic, the other semi-automatic. Your budget is sufficient for a bottom-of-the-line super-auto machine such as Gaggia Brera. It will also get you a nice semi-auto setup such as a Sage Bambino Plus with a Baratza ESP grinder. Stay away from the Sage Barista machines - they have great brewers but poor grinders. You can get a better setup with separate machine and grinder for about the same price.

About seven years on our gaggia brera and going strong. I would probably step up to a delonghi if this one fails, for grater flexibility. But we drink shots of medium or light roast (I like to taste the coffee not the burnt roasting that makes dark roast taste like every bean is the same) so that may influence our appreciation and the performance we are getting. People drinking other types of drinks or roasts may have different results. Only four shots a day with regular DIY maintenance means it shows no signs of slowing down. I am not eager to step up to a model that requires shipping to a technician to repair or buying proprietary cleaning and maintenance supplies. I’ll likely only try the Jura level if a refurb appears at the right time and I can learn non proprietary ways to maintain it.