If you want to make espresso the type of grinder is important for the quality of the coffee. More important than the espresso machine. You want a disc grinder, and they are more expensive than cone grinders.

For filter / french press / aeropress it doesn't matter as much and you can use any cheap grinder.

Your prices are starting to make more sense. Wild stab here, but I don't think most people read "decent coffee equipment" and thought, "espresso machine at a minimum"

I agree with you, and I'd like to add that parents prices are high even for espresso machines. You can get a decent espresso machine + grinder for under 1000€.

You can look up the Niche Zero.