Beginner Espresso setup

[Tristan]

My 2 cents is spend the money on a good enough grinder $200-600 (refurbed Mazzer Super Jolly, new Macap M4 or Mazzer Mini) so you'll never need to upgrade and buy a refurbished espresso machine with the $ you have left over. That way, you can get by while you save $1000+ for an espresso machine that you'll probably never have to upgrade. Like a Quick Mill Anita or Vetrano.

A lot of people buy cheaper machines, even in the $500 range and still get upgrade-itis later. Might as well buy once and buy right.

To me, the grinder is much more important than the machine. You can have the ultimate machine and be using coffee that isn't ground properly and still have a poor outcome. Success if much more likely with fresh, properly ground coffee.

I personally use a Macap M4. I love it. I bought a refurbed Gaggia Carreza for $100. It's "almost" espresso and good enough to get us by for morning delights while I plan for purchasing a high end machine a few years down the road.