Best sub-$300 espresso machine with grinder and steamer?

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Or does it even exist?

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A quality espresso grinder is going to run you at least $200. I got a low end Breville Smart Grinder Pro, which is basically the lowest end model espresso grinder you can buy, and it works fine.

If you go to a local coffee shop, they can grind beans that you buy from them, but often times it hit or miss since it's not dialed in for your machine. Whenever my grinder broke, it took a few bags from Reve to get my grounds right for my machine.

I have a Breville Bambino and Smart Grinder Pro as my current setup. If I could do it again, I would have gotten the Eureka Mignon Notte grinder

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I’m talking about an all in one grinder/brewer/steamer

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You’d have to buy used and even that might be a stretch at $300.

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Are there any highly recommended combination grinder + espresso machines?

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I have the Breville Barista Express that i really like. My Mother-in-law insists i make her coffee every time she comes over because it's "the best coffee" she's ever had.

It took me about a week or 2 to get it fine tuned to how i like it. Different beans react differently too. So play around with it and be patient.

Doesn't exist. A Breville Barista Express is going to be your best bet and that's double your budget. Cheap espresso machines make bad espresso because they just crank up the pressure and have pressurized baskets that kinda standardize the process. Like someone else said, you can get a Breville Bambino for around your budget and have a specialty coffee shop grind the beans for you. That'll get you the best result in your price range.

From someone who's deep in the espresso rabbit hole, get one of the Brevilles and enjoy yourself