The grinder, and it is not a close call.
Why
Grind consistency determines whether espresso is repeatable. If one click takes you from gushing to choking, you cannot dial in — you can only guess. No machine compensates for that.
The machine determines how good a repeatable shot can be. Temperature stability, steam power and build all matter, and they matter after you can hit the same shot twice.
A 400-euro machine with a 400-euro grinder beats a 700-euro machine with a 100-euro grinder, consistently and audibly.
The practical sequence
If you have no machine: buy a good hand grinder now — around 80 euros gets you something genuinely capable — and use it with a French press or an AeroPress while you save. Your coffee improves immediately.
If you have a cheap machine with pressurised baskets: a grinder will not help much until you also fit non-pressurised baskets. Do both together, or replace the machine.
If you have a decent machine and a poor grinder: the grinder is your next purchase, without question.
The budget split
Roughly even is the rule of thumb. At 600 euros total, 300 and 300 beats 450 and 150.
The exception
An all-in-one like the Barista Express bundles both below the cost of buying them separately, which is why it remains the sensible single purchase.
Last reviewed 8 August 2026