Why Are Espresso Machines So Expensive? (Top 10 Reasons)

Espresso machines are one of the most expensive coffee machines on the market.

The machine’s pricing can go up to $10,000 depending on the manufacturer and the machine’s quality.

What are the reasons for this expensive pricing?

Why Are Espresso Machines So Expensive? (Top 10 Reasons)

The primary reason for the high prices of Espresso machines is the quality of the machine’s build.

The external part of the machines is made with high-grade metal, while the internal parts are made with composite materials.

The features of the Espresso machines also play an essential part in the expensive pricing.

The applications of espresso machines are not just limited to the preparation of Espresso Coffee.

They make other processes of coffee making a lot easier than conventional coffee machines.

However, the features and build material are not the only reason for the expensive pricing of Espresso machines.

Let’s look in detail at the ten major reasons that equally contribute to the expensive pricing.

1. Research & Development

Research and development is a major factor that increases the pricing of Espresso machines.

Unlike simple boiler coffee machines, Espresso machines are backed by multiple testing phases and research.

The research teams carry out multiple studies to ensure that the materials used are heat and pressure-resistant.

After product development, the product is released to multiple commercial shops and homes to test its performance.

This allows the research team to analyze the results generated and make changes accordingly.

Most of the time, the testing phase produces no positive results and the research team changes the overall research strategy.

Espresso coffee is made at extremely high temperatures.

This makes it necessary for the research team to ensure everything is in place.

Thus begins the approval phase, i.e., where the product needs to get the SCAA accreditation.

Getting the product approved is also the responsibility of the research and development team.

2. Low Demand

Although Espresso coffees are the best in taste, there is a low overall demand for the machines that produce them.

The Espresso coffee machines received an excellent growth in sales during the COVID 19 pandemic.

According to The Wall Street Journal, some major coffee shops witnessed a reduction in on-site sales, while the coffee machine brands got good sales overall.

However, increased sales of Espresso coffee machines did not last long.

Most people do not prefer high-end machines for making coffee at home.

They would instead go with a decent coffee maker that would cost around $100 or even less.

This means the applications of these Espresso machines remain restricted to commercial use only.

Since there is low demand, the Espresso machines are manufactured on a much smaller scale.

Also, fewer and smaller production units are set up for their production, which plays an important part in the overall pricing of these machines.

3. Features

Added features are the crucial factor for the high price of the Espresso machines.

These machines offer a lot more than an ordinary coffee maker.

Take a look at some of the features of Espresso machines.

A. Portability

Despite offering some of the most advanced features, the size of Espresso machines remains small.

No matter which Espresso machine you purchase, the machine’s weight remains easy to handle.

You will be able to easily carry around the machine if you are working in a commercial setting and need to change the position of the machine.

B. Premium Cup Scale

The top scale of the Espresso coffee is better than ordinary coffee-making machines.

It is built with metal and is much larger than other machines.

This allows you to take in a larger quantity of coffee beans at a time and grind them in a short time.

C. Precise Grind Settings

The grind settings allow you to run the machine as per your preferences.

If you want to prepare the coffee at a slower pace, you can reduce the machine’s pressure.

The temperature of the machine is also interchangeable depending on the situation and your preference.

D. Optimized Sound

One of the best things about Espresso coffee machines is the low sound it makes.

With the use of some of the latest technologies, the Espresso machines make less to no sound when grinding the beans.

This is entirely different than conventional coffee machines that produce a lot of sound during the grinding because of the low-quality motors used.

E. Bean Hopper

The bean hopper of Espresso coffee machines is much larger.

This allows them to store coffee beans in a much larger quantity.

Once you start the process and the machine begins grinding, the hopper indicates the presence of common beans as soon as fewer beans remain to be ground.

F. Push-Turn Button

The push-turn button allows the user to turn the machine on and off.

With this feature, you can also set the on and off time of the grinding machine according to your requirements.

G. Wiring

Espresso machines are built with copper wiring.

The quality of the wiring enables the machines to run at higher temperatures.

Also, the wiring makes them resistant to sudden voltage changes.

All the features listed are some of the best among many.

Every machine offers its own set of features, which you can find in the product’s user manual.

4. Quality Material

The quality of the material also adds to the overall expensive pricing of Espresso machines.

The overall external build of Espresso machines is based on high-grade metal.

Let’s take a look at both the internal and external components of the Espresso machines to understand the material quality.

A. Port Filters

The basket of Port filters is used to separate coffee beans once grinding is completed.

Espresso Coffee machines use high-quality aluminum material for the basket that ensures the safe separation of materials.

B. Thermo Block

Thermo blocks in Espresso coffee machines are two metal plates with a spiral route that allows the water to flow freely.

The block is covered with aluminum and brass winding to increase its heating capabilities.

C. Brushed Chrome

The outer material of the Espresso machines is finished with brushed chrome.

The chrome removes all the uneven materials from the metal surface and gives the outer part of the machine a seamless look.

D. Pressure Gauge

The pressure gauge consists of two needles.

One indicates the pump operating pressure, while the second indicates the boiler pressure.

The pressure gauge allows you to have a close eye on the machine’s operating conditions.

E. Sight Glass

The sight glass lets you view the water level while the machine operates.

This is helpful when you prefer coffee on a larger scale.

F. Steam Pipe

The steam pipe allows you to steam milk within the coffee maker.

This means you don’t have to heat the milk from an external source and pour it into the machine for coffee preparation.

You can simply add the milk at any temperature and allow the machine to heat the milk and grind the beans with it.

All the components play an essential role in the better performance of the machine.

Due to this, the manufacturers pay attention to maintaining the quality of the material hence increasing the prices.

5. Design & Manufacturing

The design of Espresso coffee machines is one of the best in the market.

They are attractive machines that are lightweight.

This makes them easy to carry around as well.

Expert designers and product architects go through the entire thinking process to come up with designs that are easy to use and are also eye-catching.

The product development team goes through the testing phase by using it to analyze the performance and look of the product.

The designers make changes to the design based on calculations to make sure there is no harm to the coffee production time and quality.

This can be a challenging thing and requires lots of research and testing.

Once the design is ready, the manufacturing team gets on the job to develop the best overall production in the market.

Lesser production units operate at a slower pace and each product is taken care of properly to ensure the quality.

6. Certifications

Espresso machines operate at high temperatures and pressure to reduce the production time of coffees.

This makes the machine dangerous for the end customer who uses it at home or in shops.

Sudden changes or manufacturing errors can cause severe mishaps.

Due to this, the government requires companies to have various certifications before selling the products to the consumers.

This adds a significant amount to the price of the product and makes it more expensive.

Also, some of the certifications like the UL and NSF are necessary for the companies to maintain.

They get their products checked from time to time.

They also have to pay a premium amount to keep selling the products and use UL and NSF certifications with their brand name.

7. Durability

Espresso machines are most commonly used for commercial purposes.

This makes it necessary for the manufacturer to ensure that products are durable and long-lasting.

The materials used for manufacturing the machines indicate their ability to last a long time.

As discussed before, the external material of the machine is made from stainless steel, which protects the body from corrosion.

Also, the high-grade metal makes the machine highly resistant to any wear and tear.

They can easily bear slight hits or won’t face any harm if they fall from a short height.

Espresso machines can easily run for long hours without any issues.

This makes it perfect for places that have a constant demand for coffee.

8. Branding

Marketing and branding of Espresso coffee machines also add a major amount to the overall prices.

Since the business operates in the B2B or business-to-business model, they spend more on conventional marketing.

Most of a company’s marketing budget is spent setting up the distribution channels.

They also utilize the primary traditional marketing channels like approaching the commercial shops directly, setting up billboards, or even advertising the products through on-road ads.

Espresso machine companies also utilize some digital marketing tactics to promote their products online.

This includes website work and social media advertising.

However, their main focus has always been traditional marketing.

9. Human Resources

Another primary reason for the expensive pricing of Espresso machines is the extensive workforce.

Most of the high-end Espresso machines are assembled via hand.

This makes it necessary for the companies to have a larger force to be able to handle the production unit.

A larger workforce also handles sales and marketing.

Since most marketing strategy includes the setup of distribution units, companies hire an in-house salesperson to attract sales.

Also, the on-site marketing tactics are implemented by the larger marketing team.

Service is another major department of Espresso machine manufacturing companies.

They offer repair services in place and on-site.

This means a larger workforce is required for the department to handle all the work.

10. More Warehouses & Repairing Centers

Espresso machines are mostly hand-assembled.

The machine parts are produced via industrial setups, but the assembling is done manually.

This makes it necessary for the companies to set up larger warehouses that could set up the machines on an urgent basis.

The repair service is also offered in the same warehouses.

This becomes the reason for more warehouse setups closer to the city.

Providing repair services also makes it necessary for the manufacturer to hire more skilled personnel, hence increasing the overall budget of the company.

The equipment used for repairing the machines also plays a role in increased pricing.

Are Espresso Machines Worth Purchasing?

A high-priced Espresso machine is not a good option if you use it to prepare coffee at your home.

Affordable Espresso machines or coffee makers that come under $100 can be a good option.

However, if you are a coffee lover and prefer quality coffee over prices, you can purchase a high-priced machine.

Espresso machines are perfect for commercial shops.

These are generally built with high-end materials using the latest technology that improves the production time of the coffee.

If you have a small shop, some of the lower-end models of the machines could be perfect for you.

However, if there is a more significant production requirement, you should proceed with higher models that cost even more.

Can We Get The Same Quality Espresso Coffee With Cheap Machines?

You might not be able to get the same premium taste with a cheaper coffee machine.

Also, the low-priced machines lack some of the premium features that Espresso machines offer.

If you are running a coffee shop, you should never compromise on the quality.

An expensive Espresso machine will bring you some of the quality features that will help in improving the processing time and give you a better taste.

On the other hand, a low-priced machine can be an option for making coffee at home.

Here are the three major differences between an affordable coffee machine and an expensive Espresso machine.

1. Preparation Time

The major factor that separates both types of coffee makers is the coffee preparation time.

Expensive Espresso machines are highly resistant to heat and operate at higher temperatures and pressures.

This allows them to complete the grinding of beans in a few seconds.

However, the cheaper coffee machines cannot bear higher temperatures, so they take lots of time to prepare the coffee.

Typically, a quality Espresso machine will prepare a cup of coffee in five to 10 seconds while the traditional coffee maker can take up to 10 minutes.

This demonstrates the huge difference in the preparation time, and you can clearly make a decision about whether you should proceed with an expensive or a cheaper option.

2. Taste

Expensive Espresso machines utilize some premium materials for the grinding of beans.

This results in fine grinding of material and prepares a coffee with the best taste.

Also, the simultaneous heating of milk and beans allows the coffee to mix properly.

The filtration baskets are also made of fine materials that separate larger particles of the bean that did not grind properly.

This enhances the overall taste and you get a coffee with finely ground beans with quality mixing.

However, inexpensive coffee machines use average materials that do not grind the beans as fine as the Espresso machines.

Also, you have to heat the milk separately and add it to the machine for mixing.

This results in a coffee with a less impressive flavor.

3. More Volume

Espresso machines can prepare a larger quantity of coffee in a short time.

The internal material of the machines and the grinding cap are large enough to take in a larger quantity of the beans.

Also, the motor is of higher horsepower which allows the machine to take a larger volume of beans and grind them properly.

On the other hand, affordable coffee machines cannot take in a larger volume of beans.

Some machines have certain size requirements and they fail to grind the beans if the size is larger than the prescribed limit.

These are the major differences that separate the two types of machines, but as we have discussed, expensive Espresso machines are generally good for commercial use.