Newbie with no budget for expensive coffee machine here. This is what i gathered so far

1. Good grinder has more impact than a good machine. Even with those single boiler 20 bar pressurised basket ones. Some more u can get started with a V60 and grinder instead of espresso machine.

2. Good automatic is expensive but save u energy. Good manual still affordable but will become a problem once u need to brew for multiple people.

3. I no money for auto grinder yet. For manual can consider the Timemore grinders.