Best manual espresso machines according to redditors

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NFOAPFI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_1fX-yb0MDSX7B

This pasta machine. I keep meaning to get it but other stuff takes priority. I lost my old one after my divorce, it got as far as my parents house, but my mum promptly made me homeless and changed the locks, so I lost essentially all of my belongings that weren't in a large holdall bag, including a gaming pc, expensive knives, expensive pans, all my comics/books etc.

Also something about missing 23 birthdays and Christmases growing up.

Note that's all very much true, but I'm doing alright for myself life wise right now so no pasta machine is necessary if nobody out sob stories me.

la pavoni europiccola for $850 manual lever machine

Gaggia and rancillio also good for great shot but slow machines.. so your into only espresso go for la pavoni

It looks very similar to this one - https://www.amazon.com/Minipresso-compatible-Nespresso-brand-capsules/dp/B01M4J94WY

I second the La Pavoni

https://www.amazon.com/Pavoni-EPC-8-Europiccola-Espresso-Machine/dp/B00004S9G8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494378768&sr=8-1&keywords=la+pavoni

I prefer not having a spring.

E' una specie di Coldbrew a pressione.

In teoria se pompassi molto lentamente (tipo 6 ore) permettendo al caffè di avere molto più tempo di contatto con l'acqua, si otterrebbero risultati simili alla Moka tradizionale.

Ci sono già ste robe scrause che fanno qualcosa di simile, però comunque richiede acqua calda.

correct me anyone else if i'm wrong, but as far as i can tell this machine is not a "lever" machine in the manual sense - the lever is basically controlling the pump/valves for the brew/steam functions - it is essentially a semi-automatic. if you want a full manual machine this is probably one of the cheapest ones: even more expensive!

How about one of those travel cups where you can make a shot in it? I'll find a link.

Here! Amazon isn't the only seller of these, but it was easy to find.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0797T2FYL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ySETCbQBGW1WA

I had one of these a long time ago: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bialetti-Freestanding-10-Cups-Stainless-Independent/dp/B071D1JBT9?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_1649355031 but actually now I either use my 12 year old Gaggia (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gaggia-Cubika-74511-Espresso-Coffee/dp/B0000WXE6K) or this fab portable espresso maker: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wacaco-Nanopresso-Portable-Protective-Minipresso/dp/B0752XV66X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1549917490&sr=8-3&keywords=nanopresso

Along the same lines I have a La Pavoni lever machine that was made in the late 70's. Still going strong today.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00004S9GH/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1417547284&sr=8-1

Looks like some type of La Pavoni machine.

EDIT: Likely the Europiccola.

Like this?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AV1E0GI

or this?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004S9G8

Another vote for the Aeropress, and this from a guy who used to have a Rancilo Silvia with PID (digital temperature modulation addon). Not that I got rid of that kit for the Aeropress: I'm just giving backstory. I got rid of those because I quit coffee altogether for about a year, and you kind of become a slave to a full-blown machine like that. Yes it was built to last, and made the best espresso I ever thought about, using Intelligentsia Black Cat. Oh don't forget a $200+ grinder, you'll need it.

Nowadays I'm a road warrior and the Aeropress gives me the best coffee I've had in a long while and fits with my minimalist lifestyle. My only minor beefs are that it's plastic and it cannot make a ton of coffee at once. And in terms of frugality, it does kind of burn through coffee. But it doesn't need to, I imagine, if you find a sweetspot of bean/grind/temp/time/flavor. But that's the fun part you get to experiment with the necessary parameters. The paper filters you can actually rinse and re-use. The grind doesn't matter so much because the filter is your safety net. And non-paper-filtered coffee has been shown to raise cholesterol a few points, if that matters to you (french press, most espresso). Or if it doesn't, I've learned that a metal aeropress filter exists.

Oh and Aeropress is not espresso of course, but I have a hunch it will produce tastier concoctions than those De'Longhi will, and/or last longer.

Edit: ah, looks like you pulled the trigger already. A Presso is another idea I'd been looking at though recently fyi.

Great response! Thanks! I'll definitely likely get the Versalab, and I'll look into the Cremina/Lusso before I buy. I might just have to write that Pharos down too. Even if I use the hand grinder 10% of the time, a nice hand mill is so cool to have. Do you have any experience buying used off eBay? Could you safely say I'll get a great Cremina or do you think the Lusso would be safer?

EDIT: Looked at the M3. Holy shit that thing is cool. I especially love the dosing slide (though I probably won't buy one just yet) very nifty. Thanks again!

EDIT2: What say ye to some of the La Pavoni models (this one caught my eye for obvious reasons). I'm not totally sure what makes lever machines better/worse other than solid construction.

EDIT3: The Pharos looks really damn cool, I might have to go with that.... choices, choices....

I'm thinking of getting a La Pavoni I'm a bit of a tweaker so I like to play with settings etc. What do you think about this machine?

Oh. Bought it abroad. This was what we got btw

Above average won't happen. Coffee shops have specialized equipment to do this. On a budget, you'll want a high bar espresso hand press and a handheld milk frother.

>bean-to-brew

Didn't know the word, thanks!

I've just come across something like this a few minutes ago, wondering how it can last all the work day (I usually use 4-6 small Nespresso pods per day).

Sí: https://www.amazon.com/Nanopresso-Portable-Espresso-Minipresso-Operated/dp/B0797T2FYL/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_79_bs_tr_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=G591MAGBPJ7C2VENN7DK

Yes, it is the Nanopresso with the Barista Kit.

I’m using this made by Staresso currently. Makes a good shot, but doesn’t seem like it’ll hold up long term.

So apparently most of them are still really expensive way more than i thought. Maybe someone can comment on this one if it meets its pressure rating it might not be bad

www.amazon.com/dp/B07D53TTFD/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_t1_Nh09BbCHWYWGB

I looked at amazon and it’s a mix of good and negative- the negative said the bar always sat on “2” even at rest, another said it was not new. Granted, this is from Amazon, but I usually look their for reviews regardless of where I buy from.

Pressure Gauge Kit for Flair https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N45CS8T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_e7xwDbQG9ZX9W