An espresso machine is one of the best investments you can make in your household if you have a house full of coffee lovers. Many coffee lovers assume they have to spend thousands to get the same coffee shop type of espresso that they love.
While espresso machines aren’t the cheapest, you can find plenty of affordable espresso machines that can deliver incredible results. This article will look at the best budget espresso machine that money can buy for under $200.
What Should I Look For When Buying A Budget Espresso Machine?
There are several things you ought to look for when you are shopping around for the best budget espresso machine.
Price
The price of the machine is likely to be one of the very first things you consider. After all, you are after the best budget espresso machine. Thus, you want to find one that is priced within your budget range.
Luckily, we’ve done all of the work for you in this article. This article will only feature real budget espresso machines sitting at $200 and under.
Size
An espresso machine can be a fairly large appliance depending on what machine you end up purchasing. For some, the size may be a deal-breaker. After all, if your kitchen is too small and you don’t have a lot of space, you won’t want a huge espresso machine taking up too much of your counter-top space. Therefore, you will want to consider the size of the appliance when buying one. That way, you don’t end up regretting your purchase because it takes up too much space in your kitchen.
Features
There are numerous features that you should be looking for when you are shopping for an espresso machine. One of the main features you should be looking for would be its frothing capabilities. If you regularly enjoy espresso-based beverages, you may be after a machine that features built-in frothing capabilities.
Many espresso machines you will find being sold for at-home consumer use come with a built-in frothing mechanism that helps you craft specialty espresso-based beverages from the comfort of your own home.
Some other features would be pod compatibility and even quality-of-life features that make the machine easy to use and maintain.
Best Budget Espresso Machines
1. Sowtech Espresso Machine 3.5 Bar (Best For The Price)
If you are looking for the absolute cheapest espresso machine available, the Sowtech espresso machine stands out as a great option. At less than $60, it is truly a value-packed offering.
Easy To Use
This is a great option for anyone who values having an espresso and coffee machine that is easy to use. This machine comes with a single switch knob with a flashing indicator light so you know when it’s ready.
Solid Performance
While it doesn’t have the best stats when it comes to pressure, it delivers a capable 3.5 bar pressure espresso. Meaning, you will be able to get good quality every time you use it.
Compact Design
This espresso maker delivers a compact design that is sure to satisfy anyone who doesn’t want a huge appliance taking over their counter-top space.
Built-In Frother
This espresso maker has what a lot of consumers consider a must-have feature which is a built-in frother. It comes with a built-in frothing arm that you will be able to use to create velvety smooth espressos that can easily replace your $5 or more espresso beverages you get at your local coffee shop.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Compact
Cons:
-Reliability Concerns
2. DeLonghi Espresso Machine EC702 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Maker (Best For Those Willing To Pay)
The DeLonghi EC702 15 bar pump espresso maker is one of the top options available for those seeking coffee shop quality espressos. If you are willing to spend towards the upper-end of the $200 price range, you will be hard-pressed to find an espresso machine that delivers as much ‘bang for your buck.’
15 Bar Pump
This espresso machine is highlighted by its 15 bar pump. The espresso machine is pump driven with 15 bars which means you will be able to get professional pressure from your at-home espresso maker.
This is professional-grade pressure that you would get at a local coffee shop which ensures you get a consistent pull every time.
Versatility
This espresso machine offers the ability to brew like a pro with its versatility. You will be able to utilize the three-in-one filter holder included with the appliance that can hold one or two espresso shots.
You will also be able to automatically brew authentic barista-quality beverages easily with two separate thermostats that control both water and steam pressure. This means you can brew espresso and cappuccino each at the perfect temperature simultaneously.
Easy To Maintain
As with any espresso machine, you want to find one that is easy to clean and maintain. That’s exactly what you get with this unit. It features a removable water tank and drip tray that makes it very easy to clean everything.
Pros:
- Powerful
- Versatile
- Convenience
Cons:
- Expensive
3. DeLonghi EC155 15 Bar Espresso and Cappuccino Machine, Black (Best For Space-Saving)
The De’Longhi EC155 15 Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker managed to deliver exceptional performance to size ratio with the this model. It features a powerful 15 bar pump pressure without the expected size to match.
Space-Saving Design
What stands out the most about this espresso maker is its space-saving design. The entire unit is designed to be sleek and compact. It features a very narrow footprint in comparison with other espresso makers and it has a much smaller profile than others, as well. This makes it the ideal espresso maker for those looking for something that won’t take up too much counter-top space.
Packs a Punch
As mentioned, this espresso maker doesn’t sacrifice quality for size. You might expect its small size to force sacrifices with its output, but it doesn’t. It maintains 15-bar professional pressure which can ensure that you can get consistent results every time you use it.
Built-In Foam Frother
This unit comes with a convenient and accessible manual frother which allows you to mix steam and milk to create creamy and velvety froth for specialty drinks.
Easy To Clean
The appliance is easy to clean with a completely removable water tank and drip tray. Therefore, you won’t have to spend too long after each brew to clean up your machine.
Pros:
- Compact Design
- Excellent Performance
- Good Features
Cons:
- Not The Best Aesthetics
4. Mr Coffee Espresso Machine and Cappuccino Maker (Best For Ease of Use)
This espresso machine by Mr. Coffee is another standout available in the marketplace. Mr. Coffee is well known for crafting some of the best performing coffee makers for the price and this one is no exception.
Incredibly Easy To Use
You will have no trouble getting used to using this espresso machine. To begin, all you need to do is pick out whether you want a single or double shot and tamp it down. From there, you can fill up the milk reservoir with your preferred choice of milk and choose what kind of drink you want. It really couldn’t be any more simple. Best of all, it features a one-touch operation for your preferred drink selection.
Automatic Frother
Instead of having to manually froth the milk, the machine does all of the work for you. This machine comes with an automatic frother built-in which will froth the milk into either latte or cappuccino preparations. This makes it incredibly easy to enjoy your favorite specialty drinks.
Good Performance
This machine may be compact, but it packs enough power to deliver consistent and high-quality espresso beverages every time. It features a 15 bar pump system that can deliver great results.
Pros:
- Easy To Use
- Automatic Operation
Cons:
- Harder To Clean Than Others
5. Breville Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine (Best For Nespresso Fans)
This is perhaps the best espresso machine for Nespresso fans.
Versatility
This machine comes with the ability to output coffee/espresso into 5 different cup sizes. Therefore, you will be able to get the right amount of espresso or coffee every time.
Simple Brewing
As with any other Nespresso machine, this one offers simple and convenient brewing. You will be able to create authentic espresso with the touch of a single button. Simply pop in the capsule and it will automatically pre-heat and deliver you an excellent quality espresso.
In our article, The Best Coffee and Espresso Maker Combos, we discussed this machine in more detail.
Aeroccino 3 Milk Frother
This machine comes with the Aeroccino 3 milk frother which makes it possible to create your favorite specialty drinks.
Pros:
- Great Brand With Good Support
- Excellent Tasting Espresso
Cons:
- Expensive Capsules
Verdict – Which Is the Best Budget Espresso Machine For You?
There are various budget-friendly espresso machines that you can buy. It comes down to figuring out which one delivers the kind of performance in the right package. Likewise, it will depend on how much you are willing and able to spend.
Figure out what features you value the most and prioritize the best budget espresso machine that delivers it.
The espresso machines discussed in this article are the standout options under the $200 price-point and they each deliver excellent value for the money.