Auto Cappuccino Machines

[DriveHard]

My wife and my sister both have the unit below (first link). Both of them LOVE this style, but with them being used 2-3 times per day, they seem to die in 6-9 months time. I was hoping to keep it under $500 for a replacement that will last. We do not need a built in grinder, as we already have a really nice stand alone burr grinder.

Crap we have today...

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-Espresso-Cappuccino-Barista/dp/B007K9OIMU/ref=sr_1_18_sspa?crid=1U6LFHSWT2J7I&keywords=cappuccino+machine&qid=1647887180&sprefix=cappuccino+machine%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-18-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzR1c5UlM5OVE4TjNIJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjIwOTEzMUpaRlNZT0xIRFo0MCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjU5ODk0MjdKUzJXSFEwODlPNyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX210ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

This is what I was thinking might be a decent replacement.

https://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EC860-Espresso-Maker/dp/B005ECTVUE/ref=sr_1_128?crid=1GMPKQCTWP00N&keywords=cappacino+machines&qid=1647887110&sprefix=cappaci%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-128

 

[GSCJR]

Another option might be to get a stand alone frother/heater (NOT a hand held wire whip/whisk) and then add your espresso. The reality is, unless you're buying a machine made in Europe, the rest are all junk. We have an automatic Swiss machine at work that at the last count, has pulled well over 12,000 shots with just regular cleaning/descaling when the machine signals, that's it, no special filters to replace while just using just tap water.
However, the machine is priced above your budget, but probably more economical is the long run.

Good luck!

 

[Jetronic]

Not that one, but at my old job we had a Delonghi espresso machine. No issues, even with loads of lime in the water. But the machine regularly had the lime removed, I presume with citric acid.

They still used the machine last week when i visited my old co-workers (and mounted/balanced some tyres), had a coffee aswell.

De'Longhi Magnifica S ECAM22.110.B Automatic coffee machine | De'Longhi UK

Discover all the features of De'Longhi Magnifica S ECAM22.110.B Automatic coffee machine or explore the Magnifica S range to find your favorite one.

www.delonghi.com

this is the one...

 

[ET16]

You may need to move uop the food chain. Look at Gaggia and Breville, etc.