6 Best Affordable Espresso Machines for Daily Coffee Lovers
Planning to buy an espresso machine but not ready to spend thousands? There are plenty of budget-friendly options that deliver great espresso without breaking the bank. Let’s take a look at some of the best affordable espresso machines on the market – all under $200!
Casabrews Espresso Machine – *Best Overall*
Casabrews is a semi-automatic espresso machine that ticks all the right boxes. It’s a 20-bar espresso maker with a 1350w boiler, built-in pressure gauge, steam wand, and a decently sized 34-ounce removable water tank. It’s also equipped with a heated cup holder, allowing you to preheat two cups at a time while preparing your coffee grounds.
- Make Your Favorite Espresso at Home: The CASABREWS espresso machine lets you enjoy all your favorite espresso drinks at home. From barista-style lattes and cappuccinos to macchiatos, you can now brew them yourself. With its durable stainless steel design, this espresso coffee maker fits perfectly in any kitchen, making it ideal for both home and office use
Aside from the water reservoir and tamper, the Casabrews Espresso Machine is made entirely of stainless steel meaning it’s durable, resistant to rust, and easy to clean. It’s just under 6 inches wide so it’s an excellent pick for those who have limited kitchen counters or looking for a compact espresso machine.
De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine – *Runner-Up*
De’Longhi is a well-known name in the coffee industry, recognized for its high-quality espresso machines. The De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine is no different.
- Contemporary and Compact Design: The perfect addition to your modern kitchen counter top, without taking up too much space, plus it’s easy to clean.
- 15 BAR Pump: Guarantees the optimal pressure to extract a single or double espresso, so your coffee drink comes out perfectly rich.
- Manual Milk Frother: Texture your milk with ease to create an authentic cappuccino, latte or flat white.
The Stilosa Espresso Machine features a stainless steel boiler, a 15-bar pump, a portafilter two filters for single or double espresso, a manual milk frother, and a decent watt capacity of 1100. It doesn’t heat up as fast as other options on this list and the steam wand doesn’t produce as much pressure, but it offers fantastic value for casual home use.
Perhaps the biggest downside is that the machine’s exterior is mostly made of plastic, which makes it look fairly cheap with close inspection.
Nespresso Vertuo Plus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Maker by Breville – *Best Coffee Pod Espresso Maker*
If you’re looking for an affordable coffee pod machine, you can’t go wrong with the Nespresso Vertuo Plus by Breville.
Unlike traditional espresso machines, the Vertuo Plus uses centrifugation technology that spins the capsule at high speed to extract a rich, smooth brew with thick crema.
- SINGLE SERVE COFFEE & ESPRESSO MACHINE: Single serve coffee or espresso at the touch of a button. Innovative programs and features such as 25 sec heat up & energy saving automatic shut off.
Thanks to its one-touch operation, 25-second heat-up time, and automatic blend recognition, it’s a great option for those who value convenience and efficiency above all else.
Do note that the standard Vertuo Plus doesn’t come with a milk frother. If you’re planning to make cappuccino, latte, flat white, or any other milk-based coffee drinks, get yourself the Nespresso Vertuo Plus with Aeroccino Milk Frother. It might be worth the extra cost if you regularly drink your coffee with milk.
Lertin Espresso Machine – *Best Ease of Use*
The Lertin Espresso Machine proves you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to enjoy a quality espresso at home.
It features an LED touch screen for easy operation, a 20-bar pressure system for consistent extraction, a cup heater, a built-in NTC sensor with high thermal conductivity, and an adjustable milk frother with stable steam control.
- Become Your Own Barista: Professional semi-automatic 2-in-1 espresso machine with milk frother and 1200W powerful boiler. The compact stainless steel design is stylish, durable and takes up less space. You can share this surprise with your family and friends at any time, whether you are at home or outdoor camping. Experience the warmth and pleasure of a cup of coffee with them
The LERTIN Espresso Machine also comes with a sizable 57.5-ounce water tank, allowing you to make at least 7 full cups of coffee before needing to refill the tank.
That said, the machine’s build could be better. It’s made mostly out of plastic, so it isn’t the most durable.
Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker – *Best Portable Espresso Maker*
If you’re one to crave an espresso while on the go, the Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker is just what you need. It’s one of the most popular portable espresso makers in the market and for good reason.
The Nanopresso features a manual pumping system that generates up to 18 bars of pressure—more than enough for a rich and flavorful espresso shot. The water tank and portafilter are built into the device, allowing for easy setup and cleaning.
It doesn’t require a battery or electricity, so you can use it in the middle of nowhere as long as you have coffee grounds.
- No battery/electricity need/Manual operation only! Nanopresso is one of the best and most versatile espresso machines. Built around a newly patented pumping system, the Nanopresso is capable of reaching, with the help of your hands, a maximum of 18 bars (261 PSI) of pressure for unparalleled coffee extractions qualities.
To use, add finely ground coffee to the filter basket and tamp it down. Next, fill the water tank with hot water. From there, all you need to do is to screw the water tank onto the Nanopresso, unlock the piston, flip the Nano upside down, and begin pumping with slow consistent pumps. It takes about 20 to 30 pumps to fully extract your espresso.
The Nanopresso takes 15% less force to pump than the Minipresso, its predecessor. However, both portable espresso makers work and function the same way. The Nanopresso is available in four different colors: black, orange, red, and yellow.
Bialetti Moka Express: Iconic Stovetop Espresso Maker – *Best Stovetop Espresso Maker*
In a traditional sense, the Bialetti Moka Express isn’t technically an espresso maker because it doesn’t generate bars of pressure required for true espresso.
Instead, it brews coffee using steam pressure created by boiling water in the lower chamber, which then forces the water through coffee grounds and up into the top chamber.
- The original moka coffee pot: Moka Express is the original stovetop espresso maker, it provides the experience of the real Italian way of preparing a tasteful coffee, its unique shape and the inimitable gentleman with moustache date back to 1933, when Alfonso Bialetti invented it.
The result is a strong, concentrated coffee with a bold flavor and a rich body, often referred to as stovetop espresso. It lacks the crema and intensity of machine-brewed espresso, but it’s an affordable way to make café-style coffee at home.
The Bialetti Moka Express is Italian-made, featuring a solid aluminum construction, a safety valve, and an ergonomic handle. It’s available in dozens of colors and cup sizes, with the smallest being 1 cup and the largest being 12 cups.
What to Consider When Buying an Espresso Machine
With thousands of models right at your fingertips, purchasing an espresso maker can be a bit of a doozy. Here are some factors to keep in mind to make your search easier:
Grounds vs. Pods
Some machines are designed to accommodate both grounds and coffee pods, but they’re usually on the more expensive side. Espresso machines under $150 are often available either in grounds or coffee pods.
Freshly ground coffee beans are more flavorful than pods and can be adjusted to make weaker or stronger coffee. They’re also a lot more affordable and readily available in multiple flavors and blends.
Meanwhile, pod-based machines offer unmatched convenience. Just pop the pod in, turn the machine on, and let the coffee drip as you go on about your morning duties. They eliminate clean-up and the hassle of packing filters by hand.
The problem with pod-based machines however is that they only accept pods, and for some—like Nescafe machines—specific types of pods. These pods are often quite expensive, with a 10-pack costing more than $25. The cost can quickly add up, especially if you’re an avid coffee drinker.
Consider using grounds if you enjoy the process of grinding, tamping, and extracting your coffee. You can also get a lot more for your buck purchasing high-quality beans instead of pre-grounded pods.
Pressure Control
According to experts, the ideal pressure control of an espresso machine is 9 bars. Brands that claim to have 20 bars of pressure aren’t necessarily better than brands with less, because the pressure all ends up as 9 bars during extraction.
The only reason you’d want to consider a 15-bar vs. a 20-bar espresso machine is consistency. Higher bars have better consistency, but not much better than a machine of less.
Features
Even if you drink espresso the majority of the time, it’s always a good idea to purchase a machine that has a frothing option. You never know; you might want to switch things up one day and drink a cappuccino instead of a flat espresso. It’s also good for when you have friends and family over who prefer their coffee with milk.
Other important features include temperature control, flow control, brew-strength control, and drink size/type. Some espresso machines also come with a built-in grinder, though they usually come at a higher price point. Consider what features you want best in an espresso maker before purchasing it.
Reservoir Capacity
The size of an espresso machine’s water tank affects its convenience and efficiency.
A bigger tank means you don’t have to refill it as often, which is particularly useful for those who make multiple drinks a day or entertain guests frequently. Machines with small reservoirs require frequent refilling, which can be inconvenient during busy mornings.
That said, espresso machines with larger tanks take up a lot more counter space, so make sure to balance capacity with your needs and kitchen setup.
Ease of Use
Search for a user-friendly espresso machine with intuitive controls and a straightforward setup.
If you’re a beginner or someone who values convenience above all else, opt for an automatic or super-automatic machine with one-touch brewing functions. But if you’re a coffee aficionado, a semi-automatic machine that offers more control may be more your style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an espresso machine worth it?
Absolutely! Before I bought my own espresso machine, I used to spend at least $20 a week on coffee alone. That’s $80 a month, not including the time and effort it takes to get to my favorite coffee place.
With an espresso machine, you can brew a delicious cup right in the comfort of your home. If you’re an avid espresso lover, a dedicated espresso machine is definitely worth the investment.
Can I use an espresso machine to make regular coffee?
An espresso is basically concentrated coffee. If you want to make regular coffee (like Americano), simply add water to the cup to dilute it.
Is it bad to leave an espresso machine on all day?
Leaving an espresso machine on all day can lead to unnecessary energy consumption, overheating, and wear on internal components, so it’s best that you turn off your espresso machine after use.
Luckily, many modern espresso machines come with auto-shut-off features that power down after 5 to 10 minutes of inactivity. If you’re one to forget to turn off appliances, look for an espresso machine with this feature.
The Final Scoop
Remember, you don’t have to shell out thousands of dollars to make quality espresso at home—you just need the right machine!
Once you’re confident about your espresso-making skills, you can gradually upgrade to a more advanced machine with additional features like a built-in grinder, precise temperature control, and programmable settings.
For now, these no-frills espresso machines work brilliantly for casual espresso lovers.
