Stilosa Series

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, ...

Why not an actual machine, a grinder, and tools/gadgets/accessories? Pod machines are inferior to real coffee (espresso, pourover, moka, French press). The closest thing I found with acceptable coffee, which imitates a pod machine, is the Philips Senseo. It uses pre-ground coffee in pucks like tea bags, brews between a pourover and drip machine (same 1:15 ratio), and you have 4 size options (single bag, single bag short, two bags and two bags short). No milk frotter, but you can use a separate device for that, even a French press can do. I would still recommend a DeLonghi ECP, Stilosa, or Icona, a few accessories (unpressurized basket, WDT tool, etc), and a decent manual grinder. Consider $100-$200 for the machine, $30-$50 for the accessories, and $35-$120 on a manual grinder, or $200+ on an electric espresso-capable grinder.

Love my stilosa!

Espresso at home really goes one of two ways, a super automatic machine you dump beans into and it does the rest, or a new hobby you invest hours and effort into but pays off in the end if you're really into it. You can make a great latte on a secondhand DeLonghi Stilosa you pick up on Marketplace for $50 if you buy a good espresso grinder and good beans to ensure you're starting with a worthwhile product. You really need to put in the energy to learn the machine, make some minor modifications, and do some fiddling with how you time things to get the best results. The Nespresso suggestion isn't the worst if you aren't interested in a new hobby or an expensive super automatic.

I'd get Delonghi Stilosa. Most basic budget machine. and a cheapest Amazon burr grinder. * Stilosa has a boiler, and easy to use. I've had one of these for 15+ years (maybe 20???) and fixed it multiple times. I'm in the Midwest and hard to find a repair shop. So put that into perspective. * Basic burr grinders are very easy to mod and grind finer. * None will break your bank. For latte drinks, you don't have to go wild in price. These basic machines will give you good base for lattes. But as it goes, the more expensive gears you have the better and so much easier to make a drink. Especially if you are a straight espresso shot drinker, with light roast beans, you don't want a cheap machine.

I think the bambino os a goood shout. However the Stilosa now has the upgradability of a Gaggiamate. Which could give the potential of a end game machine if modded. This canbe done when your feeling more ready for the next step and take away any upgraditis you contract as soon as you purchase any gear. I think the K6 hand grinder is also a great shout. This can also be used for Filter brews. Checkout Lance Hedricks recent unfiltered channel on Youtube where it shows the Stilsoa Gaggiamate mod. I think you will be pleasantly impressed with what you can do with it.

I learned everything on a Stilosa Espresso Machine, very simple, very cost efficient. Then you can level up to something a little more advanced when comfortable. Breville Bambino Plus is another good one, but a little more pricy.

It's so hard to give recomendation without knowing what features they value in a setup. But this is a very thoughtful gift. Even just a nice grinder would be an amazing gift on its own. DF54 and DF64 gen 2 are both great electric grinders. Stilosa EC230, Sage Bambino, Rancilio Silvia are all great entry level machines. And can all be acquired second hand/refurbed. I think Stilosa EC230 + DF64 Gen 2 is a great combo, as is Bambino + DF54.

Just in terms of espresso quality and nothing else, Delonghi EC230.  Grinder diminishing returns for med and dark roast is prob a well aligned DF64 gen 2 For light roast prob mazzer Philos with i200D burrs.