There are many options. It largely depends on how "automatic" you want the process to be. I am quite spartan, and use an Italian stovetop espresso maker by Bialetti. Costs about $25. We got used to these when in Italy and have used nothing else for 16-odd years. Works for camping too.

Like Johnliu, Elery has a stovetop Bialetti, he's had it for years.

I'm not a lover of espresso, although I do love coffee, so we use it very little, but it works well when we do.

Annie

I've probably had my stovetop Bialetti for 30 yrs. DH uses it occasionally.
Not clear what your budget is but i would look at the Breville. Any electric appliance that could be finicky needs good customer support. Do some research over on CoffeeGeek.com They have a 'sticky' that has a series of questions to ask yourself about individual needs and desires.
The DeLonghi Kmix is decent on a budget. Gaggia is worth a peek. I've used so many over the years at work. Heavily used/abused, so often sent off for repairs. Same brands, exact models side by side will often perform differently. -temp of water and making froth for cappy.
Because of that i've never wanted one at home.
Narrow your search down to just a few and research. Read reviews. Once decided make sure the return is easy. Follow the manual and check the water temp and the quality of the froth if cappuccino is important. Good performers do exist.

Most important, and you will read this over and over...the bean quality and the grinder.

Sort of tangentially - about a year ago, I was riding my bike through the neighborhood when I saw one of these with a "free" sign on someone's front yard. Not exactly like this, it is red.

So I went back with my car and brought it home.

It needs an overhaul, I'll just take it back to the place that serviced it before (as show by the sticker on the machine). Then I will need to find a place in the dining room where the monster can sit, plumb in water supply and a drain line, wire in 240v, and be able to show off at dinner parties, pulling professional shots from my commercial espresso machine.

Well, when we feel like spending $1K on a silly extravagance, maybe . . . until then, my red monster sits in the garage, dreaming of its espresso bar days.

Ack! Coffeegeek.com = complete overwhelm!!!

The price of the Bialetti is enticing if it gives the same result.

Does anyone have experience with the hand held type milk frothers?

I would like to keep it under $300-400. a few I've looked at received good reviews in that price range.

I like coffee and actually have a couple of the Italian thingies that I occasionally use. The Bialetti type does not froth or steam milk although I believe there is a version that does generate foamed milk as well. I believe John was involved in the post about that version that was around a year ago or so. Of course, if you really only want straight espresso, then it isn't an issue.

However, I also doubt that the Bialetti's would be up to a true pressure unit at almost any price point. The problem is that as sleevendog briefly stated: a good coffee grinder is necessary before one even considers a brew system. A burr grinder is needed to get a consistent grind. This means spending ~$100 or so for a basic grinder. You could go nuts there too, but it is probably not necessary.

I froth milk with a plunger type frother.

http://food-drink.helium.com/how-to/9699-how-to-make-frothy-milk

I found this cute little video on how to use a Bialetti.

http://juliegilley.typepad.com/my_far_and_away_blog/2010/07/making-coffee-in-an-italian-bialetti-moka-espresso-maker.html

Omg johnliu! I'd pick that up too!! (Finally able to see the pic)
And great video btw. I was wondering how they worked. I may go that route. I don't really have a great amount of space in the kitchen and I don't mjnd working a little bit for it. I love my french press I use occasionally.

So, does the Bialetti produce what you consider "true" espresso? Seems I read somewhere it wasn't? Could be misled on that one.

And I agree it starts with the beans.

It isn't true espresso but pretty close. Really hard to get that at home without spending some pennies. I don't think you would ever regret having one. You will have it for years and always have a good very close to espresso cup. Look at the brikka 4 cup. Spend your money on a good burr grinder and experiment with quality beans.
Might need to fuss with it a bit the first few pots. Medium heat and bring it up slow. (a sloppy house guest actually burnt the gasket on mine and it got so hot it nearly exploded when the coffee came up...i was not home but guessing she also must have left it on the gas burner after brewing). She burned alot of things.

Here is a link that might be useful: bialetti brikka

I also agree that good beans are necessary. Although I use a Chemex and don't really consume espresso often, I do buy green beans, roast them (I started with a hot air popcorn popper) and then grind them just before use, it makes a huge difference in the coffee.

Annie

I'm liking this idea of a Bialetti more and more. I would love to have a true espresso maker but honestly that may need to wait until further in my life for various reasons. I like the size and simplicity of the Bialetti. I didn't know these existed until this week.

Thanks so much for all the input :) I will look at a couple stores this weekend and hopefully make a decision. I feel the Bialetti is right for me at this point.

So where do you get your coffee beans?

I'm liking this idea of a Bialetti more and more. I would love to have a true espresso maker but honestly that may need to wait until further in my life for various reasons. I like the size and simplicity of the Bialetti. I didn't know these existed until this week.

Thanks so much for all the input :) I will look at a couple stores this weekend and hopefully make a decision. I feel the Bialetti is right for me at this point.

So where do you get your coffee beans?

Not meaning to hijack this thread, but I figure only coffee aficionados will be reading this: anyone have any experience with a Technivorm? I'm thinking of upgrading my drip pot to this.

Here is a link that might be useful: technivorm

I've seen food reviews on the Technivorm, but with comments that the thermal carafe isn't the greatest and that you're better off with aftermarket Nissan. What prevented me from buying it was its small size. This all goes back a few years, might have changed.

John, I was wondering what became of your machine. Glad you posted. Hope you save up and fix it some day!

Like Annie i use Chemex. We have been using Mayorga, an organic dark roast from Costco..Recently we started roasting our own beans. I ordered from SweetMarie's.

Chemex is a manual drip that allows complete control over temp. Gave up on electric a few years ago and put my money in the grinder, a BunnLPG. The Bialetti is a rare pot if DH wants a bit of strong on a weekend afternoon. Packing for a long holiday so that might be near every afternoon.