Best Espresso Machine Under $200 || Our Top 7 Budget-Friendly Espresso Makers for 2024

Creating espresso drinks at home can be enjoyable and affordable, especially compared to daily cafe visits.

Several options for the best espresso machine under 200 offer basic functionality and the ability to experiment with espresso-based beverages.

This guide will explore the features to consider, compare popular options, and help you find the best budget espresso machine to suit your needs and budget.

This approach acknowledges affordability and convenience while setting realistic expectations about the quality you can achieve at this price point.

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Best Espresso Machine Under $200 || Quick Overview Best Espresso Machine Under 200

Whether you’re just beginning your espresso journey or a pro on a budget, numerous affordable options genuinely deliver.

Making quality espresso at home doesn’t have to cost a fortune! As someone who believes that coffee machines rule, I’ve identified seven top-notch espresso machines that won’t break the bank. So, without further ado, let’s dive into our top picks.

If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at my picks for the best coffee machines under $200.

Is an Espresso Machine Under $200 Worth Buying?

At Coffeeness, we specialize in high-end coffee equipment, but we understand budget is a significant factor. While sub-$200 machines might lack the bells and whistles of their pricier counterparts, they can be surprisingly capable.

These compact and user-friendly options are perfect for small spaces or beginners. Sure, you might only achieve cafe-level consistency. Still, sometimes machines offer fantastic value, delivering great espresso at the price.

In fact, I tested one model that boasts a unique feature that makes it a standout choice, even against pricier machines. Stay tuned to discover which one it is!

The Top 7 Best Espresso Machine Under $200

If you’re on a budget and looking for a compact, user-friendly espresso machine, consider the DeLonghi Stilosa. While it could be more flawless, I enjoyed testing it and believe it’s a good choice for new home baristas.

The Stilosa’s small size means it won’t hog space on your kitchen counter. Priced at just $86.99, it leaves room in your budget for a decent burr coffee grinder, too!

With its pressurized filter baskets, the Stilosa lets you make decent espresso using pre-ground coffee. It’s also compatible with Easy Serve Espresso (ESE) pods.

Its powerful manual steam wand creates creamy milk foam for your cappuccinos. Just remember, you’ll need to purchase a milk frothing pitcher separately.

Don’t be fooled by its appearance! Despite its initial impression, the Flair Classic Espresso Maker is surprisingly user-friendly and stylish for coffee enthusiasts. At an attractive price of $165, it offers a budget-friendly entry point to professional-grade espresso.

This manual machine stands out for its sleek design and 18-gram filter basket, which makes it capable of producing exceptional espresso. But remember, to unlock its full potential, you’ll need a separate espresso grinder, as pre-ground coffee won’t do it justice.

Flair Classic is an excellent choice for those who want affordable, high-quality espresso and are willing to put in a little extra effort with the manual brewing process.

DeLonghi ECP3630 has established itself as a leader in super-automatic espresso machines. Still, their expertise extends equally to semi-automatic models.

This machine is a reliable choice for newcomers and experienced home baristas, boasting features like a Pannarello steam wand, a user-friendly interface, and up to 15 bars of pressure. Its rapid heating ensures you won’t have to wait long for your espresso fix. Moreover, the ECP3630’s dual hot water and steam thermostats guarantee consistent temperature control.

Compact and versatile, it’s perfect for small kitchens, dormitories, or RVs. As a DeLonghi product, durability is assured, making it a wise long-term investment.

The CASABREWS Espresso Machine is a 20-bar semi-automatic machine that allows you to make barista-quality espresso at home. It has a professional Italian pump and a powerful boiler that creates a rich and fragrant cup of coffee.

The machine also has a milk frother that lets you create creamy milk foam for cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos.

The CASABREWS Espresso Machine is an excellent option for coffee lovers who want to enjoy barista-quality espresso at home. It is also a wonderful gift for coffee lovers.

Overall, it is a good value for the price, with positive customer reviews on flavor, ease of use, and cleaning. However, be aware that you’ll need to let the machine cool down before brewing coffee after frothing milk.

The Wacaco Nanopresso is a compact and innovative device designed for espresso lovers on the go. It adds ground coffee to the filter basket, pours it into hot water, and extracts espresso through manual piston pumping. Its versatile design includes:

• A cap that doubles as a cup.
• Making it ideal for camping.
• Travel.
• Other outdoor activities.

I found it highly satisfactory after personally testing the Nanopresso for 30 days, including outdoor use. It boasts 18 bars of pressure and can hold about 2 ounces of espresso, complete with a delightful crema on top.

One minor drawback is its sensitivity to the grind size of the coffee. In contrast, a fine grind is recommended; excellent grinds can make pumping difficult. It’s worth noting that the Nanopresso can also be equipped with a Nespresso capsule adapter, catering to those who prefer using coffee pods.

Coffee Gator offers a range of affordable brewing devices and coffee accessories, including kettles, canisters, pour-overs, and French presses. Their espresso maker, a recent addition to their lineup, continues this tradition of affordability without sacrificing brewing capability. Despite its lower price than many competitors, the Coffee Gator Espresso Machine delivers robust espresso shots consistently, a testament to its performance over a year of use.

The machine’s compact design, measuring only 5.5 inches wide, is especially beneficial for those with limited space. The 44-ounce water tank, placed at the back rather than the side, contributes to its sleek profile. The thoughtful design extends to the user interface, which features a simple, intuitive display with three buttons (hot water, power, and steam) on the front and a dial on the side for activating brewing, the steam wand, or dispensing hot water. Furthermore, the machine operates quietly compared to typical espresso machines, ensuring a pleasant brewing experience without excessive noise.

One aspect to be mindful of is that water may continue to flow through the portafilter even after the dial is turned to the neutral position. While this doesn’t significantly dilute the espresso shot, it can lead to the drip tray filling up quickly and potentially causing minor leaks. Although our product tester didn’t encounter significant issues with spills, frequent emptying of the drip tray was necessary after just a few shots.

The Capresso EC50 Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine finds a sweet spot between affordability and quality. It’s accessible for newcomers yet delivers consistently bold espresso that even seasoned coffee aficionados appreciate. Its capability to create lattes and cappuccinos is a significant advantage despite the frothing/steaming wand being not the most powerful. Overall, it takes a lot of work to match the value this device offers for its price.

Another perk is its straightforward front-facing dial, making it intuitive and ideal for first-time espresso brewers. The removable 42-ounce water reservoir is easy to fill and clean, enhancing convenience. Additionally, it includes a frothing sleeve for adjusting between frothing and steaming milk: the former for cappuccinos and the latter for lattes.

Choosing the Best Espresso Machine Under $200

Don’t let your budget keep you from enjoying delicious espresso at home! Many affordable espresso machines are available, but with so many options, it’s essential to consider your needs before buying.

Type of Machine: Manual vs. Semi-Automatic

Under $200, the type of machine you choose significantly impacts the espresso quality you can produce.

Here’s a breakdown of the two main categories:

Manual Espresso Machine:

• Pros: Offers superior espresso quality, allowing you to control every aspect of the brewing process for maximum customization. This is ideal for coffee enthusiasts who want to experiment and create barista-quality espresso at home.

• Cons: Requires a steeper learning curve to master. You’ll need to invest in a separate high-quality grinder designed explicitly for espresso to achieve the best results, as grind size is crucial for proper extraction in a manual machine. Examples of manual machines include the Flair Classic.
• Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine:

• Pros: Easier to use than a manual machine. Many semi-automatic machines have pressurized filter baskets, which can forgive grind size inconsistencies. This makes them a good option for beginners who want to get started with espresso without needing to become experts right away.

• Cons: Espresso quality might be less complex or nuanced, as a skilled barista can achieve this with a manual machine. You’ll still have some control over the brewing process, but less than with a fully manual setup. Examples of semi-automatic machines include the DeLonghi Stilosa.

Size and Design

• Compact and Lightweight: A big plus for smaller kitchens, but be sure the machine is sturdy enough to avoid accidental tipping and spills during operation.

• Matching Design: Consider the overall look and feel of your kitchen. Choose a machine that complements your existing appliances and décor.

• Measure First: Remember to take measurements of your counter space before you buy, especially if you have overhead cabinets. Make sure the machine will fit comfortably without causing any clearance issues.

Build Quality

• Plastic Housing: It’s common to find budget machines with plastic housing. While plastic can be lightweight and affordable, prioritize finding a machine that feels well-assembled and durable.

• Stainless Steel Accents: Look for a machine with stainless steel accents on the steam wand, portafilter, or cup tray. Not only does this add a touch of sophistication to the design, but stainless steel is generally a more durable material than plastic.

Features to Consider

While you won’t find all the bells and whistles of high-end machines in this price range, there are still some features to consider:

• Milk Frother: If you enjoy lattes, cappuccinos, and other milk-based espresso drinks, a built-in milk frother is a must-have. However, if you only drink straight espresso, you can forgo this feature and save some money. Most espresso machines come with a steam wand for manual frothing, so you can still froth milk if you’re willing to put in a little extra effort.

• Thermoblock Heating: This heating system heats water quickly and efficiently, ensuring minimal wait time between espresso shots.

• Upgradable Filter Baskets: Many machines come with pressurized filter baskets by default. These can be helpful for beginners, but for serious coffee enthusiasts, the ability to upgrade to single-wall filter baskets is essential. Single-wall baskets offer more control over brewing and cancer-quality espresso. Look for a machine that allows for this upgradeability.

Ease of Cleaning

Regular cleaning is essential for maintaining any espresso machine and ensuring optimal performance. Here’s what to look for in terms of cleaning features:

• Removable Parts: Choose a machine with a removable water reservoir, drip tray, portafilter, and shower screen. This will make disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly much more accessible. Look for parts that are dishwasher-safe for added convenience.

Manual vs. Semi-Automatic: The Final Choice

Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your priorities:

• Manual Machine (like the Flair Classic): Ideal for coffee enthusiasts who want to experiment and create barista-quality espresso. You’ll need to be prepared to invest some time and effort into learning the ropes. Still, the reward is complete control over the brewing process and potentially superior espresso.

• Semi-Automatic Machine (like the DeLonghi Stilosa): Perfect for beginners who want a user-friendly option to get started with espresso drinks without becoming experts immediately. While the learning curve is gentler, you’ll sacrifice some control over the brewing process compared to a manual machine.

FAQs || Best Espresso Machine Under $200

Conclusion

The article is a buying guide for Best Espresso Machine Under $200. It acknowledges that while high-end machines may be better, budget-friendly options can still deliver good espresso. Here are some key points:

• There are two main types of machines: manual and semi-automatic. Manual machines offer more control over brewing but require a separate grinder and more effort. Semi-automatic machines are easier to use but provide less control.
• Essential factors to consider when choosing a machine include size, design, build quality, features, and ease of cleaning.
• The article recommends the DeLonghi Stilosa, Flair Espresso Maker, DeLonghi Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine, CASABREWS Espresso Machine, WACACO Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker, Coffee Gator Espresso Machine, and Capresso Coffee Maker as good options under $200.