Affordable espresso machines
With prices for a cup of coffee only getting higher, many consumers have started brewing batches at home. Performing a few minutes of labor to save more money per serving is worth it. As coffee culture continues to spread its influence, professional espresso machines have tip-toed into our kitchens. For thousands of dollars, the average consumer can ditch their watered-down morning joe for café-quality coffee.
However, not all great coffee costs a fortune, and you don’t have to install expensive equipment to enjoy a great cup. Learning more about what to look for in cheap espresso machines can help you indulge in a great product without breaking the bank.
Considerations when choosing a cheap espresso machine
Machine type
There are four types of espresso machines: automatic, semi-automatic, manual and super-automatic.
Fully automatic: Fully automatic machines determine how much water is needed to brew a cup of joe. They don’t oversee the brewing process to the same degree as super automatics.
Semi-automatic: Semi-automatic machines operate in the best of both worlds. Users can get their hands somewhat dirty when manually grinding their beans, but they’re steered clear of more tedious tasks like controlling water pressure.
Manual: Lever machines require the user to brew their coffee by hand. For purists who have a keen eye for detail, manual machines provide users more autonomy when creating the end product. They look as good as the coffee they produce, too.
Super automatic: The polar opposite of a manual machine is a super-automatic. Users skip the hard parts of the brewing (like tamping and dosing) and tap a button to take care of little details they might not notice otherwise.
Grinder
As its name implies, the grinder takes beans and breaks them down. This impacts how coarse or fine the grounds become. There are four types of coffee grinders: burr, blade, manual and electric. Burr grinders use flat or conical plates to grind the beans. Blade grinders rotate a rotating metal blade, which may be prone to giving off a static charge. Manual versions are designed for you to crank a handle. Electric grinders can be programmed to provide the most consistent quality.
Cleanup
Performing regularly scheduled cleanings is one of the most important ways a user can extend their machine’s longevity. This may or may not call for hands-on user effort, depending on the machine. Doing something as simple as wiping down a steam wand or drip tray ensures your machine is one step closer to operating at peak efficiency.
Pressure
The old adage “no pressure, no diamonds” should have included espresso as well. Without it, machines cannot blast water through beans and bring coffee to life. The finer the espresso grounds a grinder produces, the more space they take up, thus making it easier for water to pass through.
Best cheap espresso machines
De’Longhi EC155 15-Bar Espresso and Cappuccino Machine: available at Amazon
Not only is this De’Longhi machine made of stainless steel, but it caters to the widely differing needs of experts and beginners without breaking the bank. It doesn’t occupy too much space either.
Mr. Coffee Café Barista: available at Amazon
The Café Barista is a semi-automatic espresso maker that serves up espresso, cappuccinos and lattes straight from the machine. It uses a 15-bar pump system and takes the hard work away from milk frothing, thanks to its automatic nature.
De’Longhi ECP3120 Espresso Machine: available at Amazon
The ECP3120 holds up to two espresso shots in a 3-in-1 filter and saves you time making coffee by incorporating a semi-automatic system that enables back-to-back brewing sessions. For those in need of a more accommodating espresso machine that strikes a balance between convenience and craftsmanship, this is an excellent pick.
Sowtech Steam Espresso Machine: available at Amazon
At under $60, this Sowtech mini espresso machine packs value at an incredibly low price. With 3.5 bars, this automatic can brew up to four espresso shots in a row. Great for anyone new to brewing at home without super-specific preferences for how they drink their morning cup of joe.
Nespresso by De’Longhi Essenza Mini Espresso Machine: available at Amazon
Nespresso and De’Longhi’s espresso machine sports a simple yet sleek design that matches the level of enthusiasm its semi-automatic nature brings. 19 bars of pressure at under $150 is a steal considering how small the product is.
Nespresso by Breville Inissia Original Espresso Machine: available at Amazon
The Inissia is one of the most advanced automatics available on the market. If you’re trying to cut out tedious labor without lowering your expectations for a great-tasting cup, it’s a perfect fit.
STARESSO Portable Espresso Machine: available at Amazon
Staresso’s portable espresso machine is made with the budget-conscious coffee enthusiast in mind. The manual operation puts the user in the driver’s seat of the brewing process, and the $60 product design brings more excitement than some $500 machines on the market.
BELLA Personal Espresso Maker: available at Amazon
One of Amazon’s highest-selling steam espresso machines is made of steel. The Bella Personal Espresso Maker sticks to the basics, making it another decent option for those with a budget under $100 for an espresso machine.
Flair Classic Espresso Maker: available at Amazon
Believe it or not, some manual espresso machines go over $150. Understandably, this sounds like a lot. This competitive model pulls no punches. The product is shaped like a lever while sporting bold black and red colors.
Cuisinart EM-200NP1 Programmable 15-Bar Espresso Maker: available at Amazon
Cuisinart’s stainless steel 15-bar espresso maker is incredibly simple to use. The EM-200 is a super-automatic that comes with a cup to make frothing even easier, and it brews single and double shots at 1.5 or 3 ounces at the push of a single button.
KRUPS XP3208 15-Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker: available at Amazon
Just over $100, this KRUPS semi-automatic model features a touchscreen designed to take the fuss out of brewing. Its 15-bar pump is backed by a 1.5-liter water tank that holds nothing back when adding as much pressure to espresso extracting as possible.
Klarstein Passionata Rossa 20 Espresso Machine: available at Amazon
The Klarstein Passionata Rossa is possibly one of the easiest semi-automatics to operate at a reasonable price. Without too many buttons or sophisticated features or taking up too much counter space, the Passionata Rossa can make six back-to-back cups of espresso and elevate your involvement in the brewing experience at your pace.
Ninja CM401 Specialty Coffee Maker: available at Amazon
This specialty coffee maker features a 50-ounce glass carafe that’s hard to find in competing models.
Breville Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine: available at Amazon
The Breville Vertuo makes five different cup sizes via a system that detects your coffee blend right away. Great for those who value variety and adaptability.
KEURIG K-Cafe Coffee Maker: available at Amazon
Weighing only 3 pounds, the Keurig K-Cafe machine takes little to no time to heat up before starting the actual coffee-making process.
Marcos Chisholm is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
