Why Are Coffee Machines So Expensive? (Find Out Here)

Why are coffee machines so expensive? Let’s find out. If you’re a willing buyer in the market for a coffee machine that meets your expectations, you’ve probably come across some exorbitant prices. Nevertheless, this article is here to save the day and answer your question; why are coffee machines so expensive?

There are several reasons why coffee machines are so expensive. You can’t pinpoint one specific reason, but here are the reasons why coffee machines are expensive:

1. You’re buying an espresso machine

2. The materials used to make the coffee machine

3. Supply and demand

4. The brand name

These reasons may not hold weight when looking at it from this perspective, but this article will delve deeper and give in-depth explanations on why coffee machines are expensive. 

You’re welcome to take a seat, brew a cup, and learn more information on coffee machines and the market.

Why Are Coffee Machines So Expensive?

You’ve probably decided that you want to own a coffee machine. Maybe you want one for your home or office, or maybe you want to start a mini cafe. The reasons and possibilities are endless. 

However, you’ve come across one hurdle, price. Many people don’t know this fact, but the price is one of the main deterrents that stops buyers from purchasing goods. 

If the product’s price is too high that it cuts past the customer’s wallet or budget, the likelihood is that the customer will not purchase that product. Regardless, this article is here to answer your questions and guide you on how you can maneuver the price problem.  

What Makes A Product Expensive?

It would be best if you understood the reasons why some products are so expensive. By understanding these reasons, you can accept why some of these prices are so high and what you can do to get these products at a lower fee. 

1. The Materials Used To Make The Product

Let’s say you wanted to buy a scarf, a gorgeous and bright red scarf. Maybe you wanted to give it to your grandma for Christmas this year. But the scarf’s price is too high. Why? It could be that the manufacturer got the wool from a nearly extinct llama breed that produces wool once every year. 

At this point, the manufacturer has spent thousands of dollars to outsource this high-value llama wool to make one scarf. Because of the expensive and rare materials used, the manufacturer will retail at a higher price. 

They are running a business, so they inevitably have to make money back, pay all of their taxes, pay their employees, and make a profit while they’re at it. 

Even cheaper products follow a similar route. It all needs to come full circle, and the manufacturer has to run their business efficiently. The expensive materials add to the expensive products. 

2. The Brand Name

Some brands associate themselves as being expensive brands. Of course, not all brands can wake up and claim the title. It takes time, effort, quality products, and a dedicated target market. 

Let’s take a look at expensive designer brands. Everything they make, from bags to clothes and finally to jewelry, is expensive. Why? Not only are all their products high quality, but they specifically target a higher earning market. 

Furthermore, their clients buy their products because of the status of owning products from that specific brand. So brand names and images play a massive role in the pricing of a product. 

It doesn’t work for all brands, but it will work for those brands that have made a name for themselves in that specific market. 

3. The Law Of Supply And Demand

Let’s say you’re in the market for a leather vintage jacket. Another thing to note is that, with the current trends, many people are into vintage clothing so, there’s a high demand for leather vintage jackets. 

On the other hand, there are only very few leather vintage jackets in the market. So, it’s inevitable that the seller will have a higher starting price for the leather vintage jacket. Retailers calculate this price and base it on so many other factors other than supply and demand. 

Regardless, the law of supply and demand still applies. That’s another reason why products can be pretty expensive. So if you’re looking to buy a product that many people are buying and manufacturers cannot supply that product in a factory-settings type of way, then the product’s price will be higher and thus expensive. 

4. Custom-made products

If you’re buying a custom-made product that an artisan curtailed for you, the likelihood is that that product will be expensive. For example, in the U.K, there’s a centuries-old hattery that has made hats for British nobility and crowns for British royalty. 

They measure and make hats that will fit on your head precisely. It’s a hat made for you, and you can’t find it anywhere else. In the case of a custom-made made, the probability of a higher price compared to a regular hat is relatively high.

The Reasons Why Coffee Machines Are So Expensive

Now that you’ve understood some of the general principles on what makes products expensive, let’s look at it from a coffee machine perspective. 

Please note that these reasons are from a general coffee machine perspective. In the market, Espresso machines tend to be more expensive than the average coffee machine. 

Not only that, but there are so many types of coffee machines (this article will cover that as well, so be sure to keep reading) that have different prices. So when answering the question, why are coffee machines so expensive? 

It would be in your best interest to remember that. 

1. You’re buying an Espresso machine

If you’re in the market and find that prices are higher than expected, you may be looking at an Espresso machine. Espresso is a type of coffee that requires a lot of experience and skill to make by hand. Coffee sommeliers consider making Espresso an art and a science. 

It’s only natural that a machine that can brew up a cup of Espresso can do the same. It’s a machine that has taken one of the most complicated coffee brewing practices and made it a tad bit easier. 

So, unless you are looking for an Espresso machine, you can check whether or not the brands and models on your screen (if you’re shopping online) are Espresso machines. If not, you can keep reading for other reasons why coffee machines are so expensive. 

Nonetheless, if you are looking for an Espresso machine, they are known to be quite expensive, as shared earlier, so again, keep reading to know why that’s the case. 

2. The Materials Used To Make The Coffee Machine

Another reason some coffee machines are expensive lies with the materials the manufacturer will use to make the coffee machine. Some manufacturers opt for the best quality materials to make their coffee machines. 

This decision comes with great benefits, like the customers will get an excellent, efficient, and quality coffee machine that makes delicious coffee for them every morning. On the other hand, you will have to part with a lot of money. 

It’s a sad reality, but it’s the perks of having a great coffee machine– look at the Bonavita 8-Cup Connoisseur. One of the best coffee machines in the market at the time of writing this article. 

It’s a simple to use a coffee machine that makes one of the best cups of coffee in the market. It also serves eight cups which is a lot in the coffee machine industry. 

On the other hand, other coffee machines are more tech-oriented. Take the Breville Precision Brewer Thermal. It’s a programmable stainless steel coffee machine that serves seven and a half cups. Its price is triple that of the Bonavita 8-Cup Connoisseur. 

The price makes sense if you think of the hardware and software required to make this coffee machine. So you are getting what you paid for and possibly more. It does depend on what you want from a coffee machine as a user. 

3. The Brand Name

This point can be a hit or miss for some people. Why? Because some of these brands offer different options for their users across the board. So whether you’re looking for an expensive coffee machine or a budget-friendly coffee machine, it doesn’t matter. 

However, the brand name still does play a part in this reason why coffee machines are expensive. If you live and breathe coffee, some brands have become household names. 

Nespresso is one such brand name, and they offer both coffee and coffee machines. Their best coffee machine is the Nespresso Lattissima Pro Coffee and Espresso Machine by DeLonghi Silver. 

This coffee machine is one of the best coffee machines in the market. The problem with it is that it retails for over $500 on Amazon and other platforms. It’s pretty on the pricy side, but you are getting a quality coffee maker. 

Not only that, but you are getting a great coffee machine from one of the household names in the coffee industry, Nespresso. Essentially, that’s what you’re paying for, quality, efficiency, convenience, and a brand name. 

The great thing about a brand and its effect is that customers feel a sense of security. All their products are great, and there’s no way that their coffee machine would fall short. Brand names instill customers with a feeling of security, and customers won’t feel ripped off. 

It’s a Nespresso coffee maker; everyone knows Nespresso is a quality brand. That’s the power of a brand name, customer loyalty, and some great reviews from critics and individual clients. 

4. Custom-Made Coffee Machine

it might be a long shot, but if you are getting a customized coffee machine, the chances are that you will pay a pretty penny. It’s another one of the reasons why coffee machines are so expensive. 

If you’re looking to start a cafe and you want a custom-made coffee machine from a manufacturer, you will pay the price for the research and development of that coffee machine, alongside other costs, of course. 

However, this reason is quite far off because the coffee machine is such a niche industry. Regardless, maybe you are a coffee sommelier ready to expand their brand and build a business. The possibilities are endless. 

Are Expensive Coffee Makers Worth It?

Honestly, it boils down to you as a consumer. If you love your cup of coffee every morning and you have the money to buy an expensive one, why not? 

It becomes excellent insurance into your lifestyle. Not only that, but you’ll be cutting costs on the cups of coffee you do buy from places like Starbucks or your local cafe. In the long run, it’s a significant investment, and you get to make the decisions yourself. 

It gives you, the consumer and buyer, power over your morning cup of coffee. 

The Different Types Of Coffee Makers

Now that this article has covered the essential parts of why coffee machines are so expensive, it’s time to look at the different types of coffee machines. 

Maybe listing down the different coffee machines can give you enough insight into the different pricing on coffee machines. Maybe the list will help you decide on what coffee machine to get for your intended purpose. 

Budget-Friendly Options 

1. The Drip Coffee Maker

Drip coffee makers are the most affordable coffee makers in the market. They are also simple to use, and you can always rely on them for a decent cup of coffee. You could say that they are the standard coffee machines.

2. Moka Pot Coffee Maker

Manufacturers made the Moka Pot Coffee maker an affordable version of the Espresso coffee machine.

Mid-tier Coffee Machines

1. Percolators 

Percolators are the better versions of drip coffee makers. Manufacturers made them replace drip coffee makers, and so far, they’re doing a good job. They’re not too expensive, neither are they on the affordable side of the spectrum.

2. Siphon Coffee Pots

Experts do not recommend Siphon coffee pots for those new to coffee brewing because they are tedious. They require a lot of experience, time, and effort to master regardless of the price point. They’re perfect to look at, though.

3. The French Press Coffee Maker

It’s also called a pressure plot or a plunger pot. It’s a manual coffee maker that you don’t deserve to call a coffee machine. The best part about this coffee machine is that it’s an excellent travel companion.

4. Aeropress Coffee Maker

It’s another manual coffee maker that looks interestingly like a syringe. Like the French Press, it’s a great travel companion, and it makes the best Espresso without all the complicated nobs and notches.

5. Cold Brew Coffee Maker

It may take over 12 hours to brew, but the best thing about this travel-friendly coffee maker is that you can keep it in the fridge. The cold-brew feature sets it apart from other coffee makers. However, it is very manual, and you’ll require some assistance to learn how to use it.

6. Vietnamese Coffee Maker

This coffee maker also falls on the list of manual coffee makers. The Vietnamese coffee maker is known for making sweet iced coffee.

Expensive Coffee Machines 

1. Thermal Coffee Makers aka The Electric Coffee Maker

Thermal coffee machines can fall in mid-tier coffee machines and are expensive; it depends on what features the coffee machines are coming with. Programmable coffee machines will inevitably be expensive. 

However, some electric coffee machines aren’t as high-tech so that they won’t be as expensive. 

2. Espresso Machines

As shared earlier, Espresso machines are one of the most expensive coffee makers in the market. They will inevitably be on this section of the list because of the R&D to make these coffee machines. 

What If You Want That Coffee Maker You’ve Been Eyeing For Weeks? 

The best recommendation would be to wait for massive sales like Black Friday or the end of summer sales. Maybe stores will cut down the prices to a reasonable level.

 (Disclaimer: This article is not a source of financial advisory content. Kindly check with other verified sources.)

Are You Interested In What Other Coffee Enthusiasts Are Asking? Here Are Some Helpful FAQs.

How Much Should You Spend On A Coffee Maker?

Experts recommend spending as far as your budget can take you if you’re on the affordable side, less than $200. Suppose you can spend a bit more, maybe around $500. 

What Coffee Machines Make The Best Tasting Coffee?

Coffee machines across the board make good-tasting coffee. The coffee community’s drip coffee makers are always a fan favorite, and they’re affordable to boot.

Why Are Built-In Coffee Machines So Expensive? 

Built-in coffee machines are pretty expensive because of the construction and electrical done to make them functional. If you’re a homeowner looking for a built-in coffee machine, they are numerous options in the market. Are they worth it? Many people would argue that they are not worth it.