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For those of us for which $200 is a paycheck and not disposable income, here’s a breakdown the best budget espresso machines tof it your situtation.
Table of Contents
Bottom Line Upfront Best Budget Espresso Machines
1. Mr. Coffee ECM160 4-Cup Steam Espresso Machine: Best Overall
2. Hamilton Beach Espresso Maker: Most Stylish Option
3. Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista Espresso Maker: Best Easy-to-Use
4. De’Longhi EC155 15 Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker: Best High-Quality
5. Mr. Coffee ECMP50 Automatic Dual Shot Espresso/Cappuccino System: Best for Homebrewers
6. Excelvan CM6812 Mini Stainless Steel Coffeemaker Steam Espresso and Cappuccino Maker: Most Affordable
Equipped with a powerful frother, the Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Steam Espresso Machine creates rich espressos and whips up your lattes and cappuccinos to light, frothy perfection.
Alright, so you want to buy a good at home espresso machine in a budget. But where to start? The Internet, sure, but that can be a bottomless pit of confusion. You need a guide. A Virgil to your Dante. A Gandalf to your Frodo. A Wayne to your World. Turns out, I am just the one for the job.
With years (too many years) of barista and professional coffee experience, I am certainly qualified to find the best affordable espresso machine for you. In order to give a blanket judgment on this, I made up a test using two different espresso blends of opposite quality (one very good, one not so good) and let each of the espresso home machines do the rest.
My List of Best Budget Espresso Machines
Mr. Coffee ECM160 4-Cup Steam Espresso Machine
Price
It’s cheap. Think about it this way. It’s about the price of one week’s worth of coffee shop espresso. At this price the Mr. Coffee comes in as the best value espresso machine and best discount espresso machine. And you don’t have to deal with that barista with the weird beard that he can’t even bother to condition. Not a bad trade for a budget espresso machine. It’s the closest thing to an espresso machine under $50 that I can recommend – once you get towards $50 you don’t get much to work with.
Style
Aesthetically, it’s fine. It looks like a simple home espresso machine. But size-wise it’s perfect. Measuring in at 8 x 6.5 x 10.5 inches, it fits easily on most kitchen counters (even yours New Yorkers), and could easily be tucked away in a cabinet for storage.
All of the parts fit handily together for easy storage and a clean simple look.
Functionality
Listen, it works. But it takes a minute to figure out how. I recommend taking that time or else it’s going to feel like you’re trying to hack Norad. I don’t actually know what that is in reference to, but I think it’s hard to do.
My point is, there are many tutorials online (both text and video), so do that. Otherwise, it can super annoying and frustrating.
Also fairly easy to clean, which is good. Because a machine at this price point will break down fairly quickly without regular cleaning.
Quality of Espresso
Even with my foolproof testing plan, it’s really hard to tell. So, average. It produces drinkable espresso on a fairly consistent basis, and honestly, that’s the bottom line.
Bells and Whistles
It has a steam wand, and comes with a glass decanter, portafilter, and an inappropriately sized tamper. Basic. Basic. Basic.
The Verdict
Checking in as the cheapest espresso maker on the market, you wouldn’t expect this to do anything special. And you’d be right. It’s incredibly basic. And not in a pumpkin spice latte kind of way.
If price is the most important thing for you, then go right ahead and make it happen. It’s definitely one of the best entry level espresso machines – You will not be disappointed.
Equipped with a powerful frother, the Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Steam Espresso Machine creates rich espressos and whips up your lattes and cappuccinos to light, frothy perfection.
Hamilton Beach Espresso Maker
Price
Obviously not as cheap as the option above, but still very reasonable. Especially when you consider you can easily find an identical espresso maker for triple the price.
Style
Sleek, stylish, and just pretty. I MEAN LOOK AT IT. Coming in at 13.2 x 10.2 x 13.5 inches, it will absolutely fit on your countertop. And you will be happy it’s there. Okay. I may be overstating this a little, but I like the way it looks. Gotta problem with that?
Functionality
You may start to sense a theme, but you have to learn how to use it. It’s not so simple that you just plug it in and press go, but simple enough that a quick read through the manual will absolutely suffice. And as luck has it, it comes with an actual instruction guide.
My favorite thing about this machine is the removable water reservoir in the back. It makes for easy filling, as well as easy cleaning.
Quality of Espresso
The marketing for this machine proudly boasts that you can use espresso pods (single-serving prepackaged espresso), but honestly, it doesn’t quite work the way you want it to. This is more of a functionality issue, but it if you bought this machine because you love the taste of espresso pods, you will be disappointed.
But overall, it definitely passed my super scientific taste test.
Bells and Whistles
Very straightforward, nothing too fancy.
Verdict
This is my favorite of the bunch, and what I think is the best espresso machine for your money. It’s a machine that will make your friends jealous, and will get caffeine in your face quickly and tastily. If your main priority is ease of use, this is the budget espresso machine to go with. No magic needed. It’s also one of the better reviewed Amazon espresso machines
Take the next step in your pursuit of the perfect cup with the 15-Bar Italian Pump Espresso. You choose either finely ground espresso or a pod, add a tablespoon of espresso or a single pod for each shot and brew with a simple flick of a lever.
Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista Espresso Maker with Automatic milk frother, BVMC-ECMP1000
Price
The price point on this machine fits comfortably at the low end of the “fancy” espresso machine world, but can also be a luxury buy for the “not-so-fancy” espresso machine buyer.
Style
I would like this bad boy to be a little sleeker. The “Mr. Coffee” branding seems to me to be straight out of the early 2000s label craze and is purely there for the brand-loyal consumers out there.
I also worry about how that automatic milk frother container will look after a couple of weeks of use. Yes, you will clean it, but the residue of the proteins that are released during the heating of the milk will eventually take its toll on any clear vessel. Maybe this is just me problem, but I don’t want a machine that I’m going to have to hide when company comes over. Especially one as bulky as this (12x14x12.2 inches).
Functionality
This is where this guy earns his stripes as a best budget espresso machine. The word automatic is associated with almost every part of this machine, and it couldn’t be easier to use. Take a quick glance over the parts, read the instructions, and have at it.
My favorite function is that the machine will automatically turn off a few minutes after use. This is great for the absent-minded, but really, you haven’t had your coffee yet. How can you remember to do anything?
Quality of Espresso
Good stuff. I guess the branding isn’t just a trick. My assertion is that if your last name is “Coffee” you better be able to produce a quality cup. And this one does.
Bells and Whistles
You would expect a higher price point machine to include more bells and whistles and you’d be right. This very much plays into the functionality of this machine, but by taking the guesswork out of the milk frothing (it’s automatic), you are saving yourself a lot of heartaches and wasted milk.
Additionally, the product description boasts a removable water reservoir, an adjustable drip tray for different size cups, and a simple one-touch interface for drink selection. It doesn’t come with your very own in-home barista, but I imagine that could be arranged.
With one simple touch, Mr. Coffee Café Barista Premium Espresso & Cappuccino System brews espresso and automatically froths milk for cappuccino and latté selections. You don't need a barista to know how to create custom drinks like your favorite coffeehouse; simply pick a single or double shot filter, select your grounds, fill the milk reservoir, and choose your brew.
De’Longhi EC155 15 Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
| Price: | Approx. $100 |
| Color: | Steel gray and black |
| Size: | 7.5 x 9.5 x 11.12 inches |
| Operation: | Semi-automatic |
| Coffee type: | Easy Serving Espresso (ESE) pods or pre-ground coffee |
| In-built grinder? | No |
| In-built milk steam wand/frother? | Yes |
| Cup warmer? | Yes |
| Capacity: | 35oz water tank |
| Pressure: | 15-bar |
Our first choice is the De’Longhi, a quality budget espresso maker from a big name brand. This is a semi-automatic espresso machine that features an in-built manual steam wand, which means you can enjoy espressos and Americanos, in addition to the full range of milky drinks (latte, cappuccino, and macchiato, etc.). This cheap latte maker frother benefits from a swivel function, making it easier to get the right texture of milk foam.
- Pre-Ground or Single Use: One of the advantages of the De’Longhi is that you can use either pre-ground coffee or ESE (single use) pods. In fact, the machine comes with a three-in-one filter holder, to accommodate a single espresso shot, a double espresso shot, and pod coffee.
- Simple Operation: The machine is operated using a simple front-mounted dial (for steam, heat-up, and hot water). There is also a separate control for the steam wand, great for our best cheap latte machine.
- Excellent Quality: The overall quality of the espresso is very good, with a nice crema. If you use freshly ground, good quality coffee, you should be very happy with what the best mid priced espresso machine can produce, making it the best mid-range espresso machine on this list. It also doubles as a great cheap cappuccino machine, which shouldn’t be overlooked.
- Quick Heat Up: The De’Longhi barista home espresso machine has a quick heat-up time, thanks to its self-priming feature.
- Good Capacity: The removable 35oz water tank is big enough for around 8 to 10 espressos before it needs to be refilled. Maintenance is pretty straightforward, with the removable water tank and drip tray. As with all coffee machines, the De’Longhi will need periodical descaling (and don’t forget about cleaning the milk frother wand).
- May Need Some Accessories: If you want to make use of the in-built frother to steam milk, you will need to invest in a suitable pitcher. The best choice is a 120z stainless steel pitcher, which can be bought for less than $10. You might also like to invest in a 50-52mm heavy-duty tamper. There is an inbuilt plastic tamper, but for brewing the best quality espresso, a heavier metal one is best. In addition, it’s a good idea to buy some espresso shot glasses or demitasse as the cup clearance height is quite low. Alternatively, you can remove the drip tray for extra cup height.
- Manual Operation: Negatives points include the fact this is a manual operation machine, which means you have to switch off the water following the extraction process or it will keep forcing water through the coffee. The machine also sits quite low on the counter which makes operation and milk steaming a little awkward.
Whatever your preference – single or double espresso, cappuccino or latte – the machine brews authentic barista-quality beverages just like you enjoy at your favorite coffeehouse.
Mr. Coffee ECMP50 Automatic Dual Shot Espresso/Cappuccino System
| Price: | Approx. $100 |
| Color: | Steel gray and black |
| Size: | 11.4 x 13.7 x 13 inches |
| Operation: | Semi-automatic (manual control) |
| Coffee type: | Pre-ground coffee |
| In-built grinder? | No |
| In-built milk steam wand/frother? | Yes |
| Cup warmer? | No |
| Capacity: | 40oz water tank |
| Pressure: | 15-bar |
Our second choice retails at around the same price as the De’Longhi and offers many of the same features. The pressure is the equivalent 15-bar pressure pump system and the Mr. Coffee features an independent frothing arm for steaming milk.
- Manual Shut Off: This machine also has a manual water shut-off system, meaning it won’t stop automatically once the espresso has been extracted. With budget espresso machines in general, it’s this type of reduced functionality that sets them apart from the higher end of the market and puts them within reach of many more homebrewers.
- Still Needs Some Accessories: Again, for making lattes and cappuccinos, you’ll need to buy a 12oz stainless steel pitcher for steaming milk. A plastic tamper (with a combined coffee measuring spoon) is supplied, but for optimum results, it’s a good idea to invest in a quality metal 50-52mm tamper.
- A Few Key Differences: When comparing the De’Longhi and the Mr. Coffee, there are a few differences of note. Firstly, while Mr. Coffee has the advantage of being sold with single and double shot portafilters, allowing extra flexibility in terms of serving size, unlike the De’Longhi, this machine is not compatible with single-use pods (only pre-ground coffee).
- Larger Water Tank: On the plus side, the removable water tank is slightly larger at 40oz. Also, even though it is compact in design, Mr. Coffee has height clearance for a standard-size cup, without the need to remove the drip tray or use a demitasse.
- Clean Interface: If anything, the operation of the Mr. Coffee is even simpler than the De’Longhi, with push buttons (for brew, steam, and power) instead of a dial, along with a control knob for the steam wand. The Mr. Coffee is also (arguably) boasts a more handsome design. Again, maintenance requires cleaning the removable parts of the machine and undertaking a descaling process every 40 to 80 brew cycles (depending on water hardness).
Mr. Coffee's Automatic Dual Shot Espresso and Cappuccino Machine creates authentic, bold espresso drinks when and how you want them. The removable 40 oz. water reservoir makes filling easy, the thermal block heating system heats water fast, and the 15-bar pump system brews rich, crème-topped espresso with impressive results.
Excelvan CM6812 Mini Stainless Steel Coffeemaker Steam Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
| Price: | Around $70 |
| Color: | Steel gray and black |
| Size: | 12.6 x 7.9 x 13.1 inches |
| Operation: | Semi-automatic (manual control) |
| Coffee type: | Pre-ground |
| In-built grinder? | No |
| In-built milk steam wand/frother? | Yes |
| Cup warmer? | No |
| Capacity: | 8.4oz (4 cup) carafe |
| Pressure: | 3.5-bar |
For the third choice, we drop down the price scale for a machine that retails way under the $100 mark, with the Excelvan CM6812 Mini Stainless Steel Coffeemaker Steam Espresso and Cappuccino Maker. This highlights just how affordable and cost-effective brewing espresso-style coffee at home can be (divide $70 by the number of times you visit your local café for a caffeine break!).
It’s important to note that the features on offer here make this really more of a hybrid espresso machine/coffee maker, offering a versatile and budget option for home brewing.
- Lower Pressure: The first thing to appreciate, aside from the less familiar brand name, is that this budget espresso machine has considerably lower 3.5-bar pressure. There’s no escaping the fact that this is low. Optimally extracting espresso requires the water to be forced through the coffee grounds at 9-bar pressure.
- Takes a Bit Longer and Tastes a Bit Heavier: What does this mean in practice? ‘Espresso’ extracted at 3.5-bar pressure will take longer to come out and will taste heavier than with a higher pressure extraction. In fact, many coffee purists would argue that coffee extracted at 3.5-bar pressure isn’t espresso at all. However, as long as you use a fine grind and a quality bean, the coffee produced by the Excelvan is more than acceptable.
- Not for Espresso Purists: If you like to drink straight-up espresso, you might find the Excelvan lacking, but if you want to enjoy Americanos and milky coffee drinks at home, you should be more than satisfied with what this machine can produce. Don’t forget that we’re at the lower end of the budget scale, and this means making compromises with functionality!
- Comes with Glass Carafe: As with the other machines, the Excelvan features independent milk frothing wand for steaming milk. Unlike the other two machines, this one comes with a glass carafe with a capacity for up to four cups.
- Simple Operation: The operation is simple, with a single knob to control the coffee and steam. As before, you will need to purchase the milk pitcher separately and you might wish to replace the supplied tamper with something sturdier. Maintenance is similar to the other two machines.
Stylish Personal Coffeemaker - 800 Watt espresso and cappuccino machine is capable of making 4 cups (240ml) of coffee in five minutes, accompany to stay up all night, enjoy an expectional coffee with friends round at home any time, also ppopular in office hurried lifes.
Best Budget Espresso Machine – The Verdict
| Product Name / Product Image | Where To Buy |
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09/23/2023 06:48 am GMT
If paying this much for an espresso machine doesn’t immediately make you sad, then go for it. I highly recommend it for its functionality, quality-tasting espresso, and because you can watch your milk froth all by itself like you’re some kind of emperor. The best reasonably priced espresso machine will have you buzzing every morning from the comfort of your own home.
Equipped with a powerful frother, the Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Steam Espresso Machine creates rich espressos and whips up your lattes and cappuccinos to light, frothy perfection.
