What will you do if you’re madly in love with coffee and want the best brewing machine? Of course, it is natural for people to fall in love with such an exquisite drink that a good espresso machine can only produce.
These machines, however, are not cheap, putting them out of reach for many individuals. Here’s what I’ve discovered about why espresso machines are ridiculously expensive for such equipment!
Why Are Espresso Machines So Expensive?
Espresso machines are expensive because all the ingredients for great coffee are expensive. Various components used are boiler and pressure stat, which are considered fancy. The internal construction of top-tier machines is high-quality stainless steel and copper. You pay more if you get a machine with advanced functions such as automatic features.
Continue reading to find out why espresso machines are worth every penny you spend!
1. Components And Materials
There are numerous internal components in automatic coffee machines.
For example, consider the grinder, the thermoblock, and the brew group – all of the features that work together to produce your favorite beverage within the machine.
Further, if we look at the finishes – stainless steel, brushed chrome – all of these prices add up.
Naturally, cheaper coffee machines frequently use less expensive materials, often of worse quality.
Also, the components used to construct a coffee machine are frequently the most critical deciding factor in determining the price.
2. High-Quality Investment
Espresso machines are made of brass, which is an expensive material, and not just any type of metal—it has to be high-quality treated with copper and zinc.
Additionally, espresso machines have many moving parts that must all function together to make the perfect shot of espresso.
As you can imagine, precision engineering is required for these parts to function correctly and survive a long time.
Therefore, because of high-quality materials, the price of the best espresso machines can be excessive.
3. Coffee Market is Competitive
According to Transparency Industry Research, the coffee machine market is expected to rise rapidly between 2021 and 2031.
Further, many business owners are working to increase their consumer base through new product launches and features.
That said, these measures help broaden the revenue landscape of coffee machine industry participants.
Additionally, the coffee machine market is expected to develop significantly due to the popularity of coffee shops and cafes.
Therefore, as business people are constantly trying to outdo each other, competition drives prices up.
4. Research And Branding
Branding and research are required to make safe and desirable espresso machines, and all businesses must pay for a reliable marketing strategy.
With that, specific espresso machines are significantly more expensive than others because of the brand. For example, certain brands take pride in using high-quality materials.
Additionally, certain companies will even handcraft espresso machines. As you might expect, these are some of the more expensive selections.
Therefore, the price rises due to the materials and the brand name.
5. Human Capital
Behind every expensive espresso machine is a team of skilled individuals that contributed to its creation.
In addition, the majority of types of equipment are hand-assembled by professional experts.
For example, a skilled artisan can work on an espresso machine for days, ensuring each part is built to perfection.
Also, many people are involved in the process, and they must be compensated for their education and experience.
Therefore, there is no doubt that one of the reasons espresso machines are out of sight is labor costs.
6. Additional Features
Some current espresso machines offer a digital display option that makes tracking temperature, time, and equipment issues accessible.
Still, other machines offer advanced water temperature adjustment capabilities that let you simultaneously prepare many coffees at different temperatures.
Further, the most expensive espresso machines allow you to constantly profile the pressure of the device while extracting your shot, allowing you to make espresso taste exactly how you like.
Therefore, if you want an espresso machine with extra functions, the price will rise. However, depending on your requirements, the additional cost may be justified.
7. Options For Pressure & Temperature
Suppose you prefer your coffee to have a distinct flavor, and you prefer to have complete control over the process.
In that case, espresso machines are specifically built to provide you with these possibilities.
For example, you can adjust your brew’s pressure and temperature. Also, many coffee enthusiasts are drawn to the ability to customize their drinks.
Moreover, if you want your coffee strong, raise the pressure bars to get complete extraction from the grounds, giving your coffee a robust flavor.
Because of this added feature, espresso machine equipment is at a premium high, which is passed on to business owners and households seeking to purchase.
8. Custom-Made Espresso Machine
It may be a long shot, but you should expect to pay a premium if you want a customized coffee machine. Essentially, it’s just another reason coffee machines are so pricey.
Therefore, if you want to open a cafe and enjoy a custom-made coffee machine from a manufacturer, you have to pay for the research and development of the device.
9. Production Location
While most products are manufactured in China or other low-wage nations, some higher-end espresso machines are produced in Italy.
That said, a high-quality machine is handcrafted in Italy by trained artisans who take their time to produce pieces that will last for decades.
Furthermore, the expense of importing this equipment into the United States and the cost of shipping them across the country is significant.
And, of course, when all of these things are considered together, it becomes more expensive for a business owner to purchase an espresso machine and then maintain it over time.
10. Repairs And Maintenance
Regular maintenance for your espresso machine is a necessity. Unfortunately, most automatic machine repairs cost between $150 and $350.
In addition to the initial purchase price, there’s an ongoing cost associated with owning a high-quality espresso maker.
For example, you’ll need to buy new filters every few months and descaling solutions once or twice per year.
Another incident would be, if your machine isn’t working correctly, you’ll have to find an expert who can fix it—and that’s not cheap.
Overall, if you want to keep your machine in tip-top shape for years to come, expect to spend more than just what it costs for the initial purchase price.
11. UL & NSF Certifications
When purchasing an espresso machine to start a coffee shop, safety certifications might be critical to the success of your business.
That said, espresso machines are subject to two certifications: Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).
Further, restaurants and coffee shops value NSF certification because it essentially guarantees the machine will meet health department requirements.
As a result, this process can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to your final purchase price—and it must be repeated every three years as part of your continued warranty coverage.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on why refrigerators are so expensive, why Dutch ovens are so expensive, and why batteries are so expensive.
Conclusion
Overall, espresso machines are an excellent investment for coffee shops and home use.
However, they cost a significant amount upfront but are durable enough to last for many years of service.
Materials used, growth in the coffee market, and high-quality features are critical factors why espresso machines are fancy high.
Ideally, the price of espresso machines will continue to rise until it hits a proportionate level with its value.