Answering this question depends on what you mean. If we're simply talking about taste, something similar to or better than a coffee shop is definitely possible, though it'll take quality ingredients and practice.  If we're talking about price, you should be able to recoup your cost fairly quickly, even for a pricier machine. If you replace a $4 latte with one you make at home every workday, you'll save close to $20 in a week. You'll pay some for coffee beans and milk, but much less than a dollar. Take a tip for your barista into account and you're likely saving more. If you're saving $20 each week, that's over $1,000 a year. Even if you go to a coffee shop occasionally, you can easily pay for even our most expensive recommendation with your savings in Year 1.